College Avenue Homestead

College Avenue Homestead

OUR GOAL

Overall, we want your home to feel like YOU. We will combine elements of both of your style (modern mixed with quirky, vintage and industrial pieces). When done well, this mix can look intentional and beautiful. We’d like to add elements of surprise in each room of your house and decorate in shades of white, green, and gray in the open spaces as neutrals with pops of color in the details.

Living Room

Goals for the living room: Put together a floor plan(s) that will maximize space Further define the overall aesthetic of the space Select furnishings for style/function Brighten up the space and add warmth/comfort Challenges: Size of the space Location of window wall versus the television wall Fireplace at the end of room

We recommend adding a hybrid sofa/sectional to the space that will fit the length of the room, but would add some extra comfort as you plan on spending time in here lounging and watching television. The sofa shown here is from CB2 (and didn’t find many other like it). What we like about it is the fact that the “extra” part is wide and short as opposed to long and narrow (like a standard chaise end piece). This sofa has the right amount of depth (adding extra coziness) but doesn’t fully cut off the fireplace side.

Although you said you wanted to keep your current coffee table, we highly recommend switching it out for something round and glass. The round shape will break up the boxiness of the space and the glass will help keep the space feeling light/ airy.

Across from the sofa, we recommend adding a media storage system that also includes vertical shelving (pictured are both from West Elm). We believe that side of the room needs the added height to keep everything from feeling at the same level visually. This will also provide additional styling elements and storage to the space.

In addition to the media storage, we recommend adding to the left (and in sightline of the doorway) a visually interesting (possibly vintage) dresser to be a “drop� point for keys, mail, etc. when you are coming and going. You could also have a dresser or cabinet there with a mirror above for hair/makeup check when coming and going. This is a good landing space for when you have guests, too (purses, keys, etc.). This piece should be a standout element to really show off your personality (and add some color).

We recommend that the fireplace and surrounding area be painted white (and possibly all of the current “white� color throughout the house be refreshed, as it reads a little bit off-white or yellow). Pictured is Benjamin Moore Dove White.

This will really make the room feel fresh and updated.

Keep your leather chair to the left side of the fireplace and add a large scale house plant to the right side. This will keep the window wall from feeling awkward in regards to layout with the sofa and off centered-ness of the two parallel walls.

The rug you add ideally would be 11 x 6 feet. This is an awkward size, unfortunately, but due to the long, narrow nature of the room, it is the best size. You can have something custom cut from carpet for a fraction of the cost if you want to make your own size. Otherwise, you’d need to get something closer to standard (8x10 or 9x6). One will definitely feel small and the other pretty large, so unfortunately custom is our best recommendation.

Regardless, we think that the rug should be something soft, thick, and comfortable in order for you to use the space effectively (as opposed to itchy/low/woven). Ideally it would have a little bit of pattern, but with the size specifications being tricky, a neutral would work, too. If you go more neutral on the rug, we can add throw pillows with some pattern/texture.

Your inclination for the stairs is right on. Get a low pile woven runner in a color similar to the rug you choose (or if you go with a pattern, make it as neutral as possible).

For lighting, you’d want an arc lamp that falls into the sitting area a bit further than your current lamp. This will really make the space feel like its own hub. The finishes can coordinate with the coffee table and media cabinet. Additionally, you can add a table lamp to the entrance area and a swing arm or sconce above the leather chair (by fireplace). Be consistent with shade color (white).

Above the mantel, add a large scale piece of art. This can be anything that speaks to you personally that fills the space. It should be large enough to fill it as much as possible. This will be the focal point and should incorporate whatever paint color you pop in the entryway dresser with.

Minted.com is a great place to find large-scale art pieces at an affordable cost. You can also do something vintage, commissioned, or found.

The first floor plan shows the elements described in the previous pages.

Although its similar to your current floor plan, it uses the depth and width of the space more intentionally. These little tweaks will make the room feel more cozy and functional. Unfortunately, with the long shape of the space and the television, you aren’t left with many layout options. You could, however, consider moving the television above the fireplace and set up the room in a more “traditional” layout. You’d be able to put the artwork over the sofa if you changed it in this way. You’d also be able to us a standard rug size of approx.

6x8 or 6x9.

First Floor Full Floor Plan

Dining Room

Goals for the dining room: Larger scale table/chairs Add visual interest & personality Change out lighting Challenges: Lack of a consistent wall space Trim accents break up wall

In the dining room, it is difficult to add art to the space with the way the walls are broken up via the window and trim. Because of this, we recommend adding a wallpaper between the ž top trim and lower trim in the space to add strong visual interest and some drama.

We’ve added some options for this wallpaper, but can continue to narrow down with your budget and interests. Options are almost unlimited. It should have elements of blue and green as incorporated in the living room. The darker the pattern (less white space), the more dramatic and traditional it will look. Sourcing with us on this option in person would be best.

Your dining table needs to be larger in scale to fill the space and provide more in terms of function. This can be in a wood or concrete material to keep it feeling clean, organic, and neutral (especially with the walls doing most of the “talking”. The table can be new or vintage, but not “fake” distressed. Real wood or concrete is best. It should be approximately 6 feet long by 3 feet wide.

Dining chairs should be added around the table and carry a little bit of a presence. They can be more masculine and would look great in a black color (coordinating with other black accents in the house).

A rug should be added to the space as well- low pile so its easy to clean and without pattern so as to not compete with the wallpaper.

Color would be dependent on what is chosen for the wall, but it should be at least a 9x7 size to comfortably hold the entire dining set.

A modern light fixture should be added to the space to balance out the amount of vintage and vintage inspired elements in the space. It should be black or iron. In the firs one pictured, we’d recommend that the light bulbs be changed to round as opposed to Edison-style bulbs.

On the wall adjacent to the living room, consider adding a bar cart or casegood for serving with a mirror or art piece above for visual interest.

Most of the dining room recommendations were made assuming that you’d do wallpaper on the walls. If you choose not to, you can go bolder with your rug selection on the floor. Use color and pattern!

Additionally, switch out the more straight-forward, modern light fixture for something very bold and eye catching.

Although the sunroom is almost done, we think you could do a couple of things color-wise and space-wise to update and make better use of the space.

With your rug and sofa being such light colors, consider going bolder on the walls in a green semi-gloss. This will automatically make your pieces pop and you don’t have to worry about losing out on any light since its has so many windows. Additionally, it works to be a different color since it has doors to close itself off. This would just make the space more stylized/impactful.

Additionally, consider moving your room to have the sofa centered with the doors instead of the eastern facing windows. This new layout will get you approximately two more seats in the space, and you can add an “office” area and more formal workspace (either desk or wall mounted desk/shelving) to the wall to the right of the main glass doors.

Sunroom

Kitchen

To contrast well with your white cabinets and to feel warm/ organic, we recommend replacing your existing countertops with butcher block. This can be a lighter or darker stain depending on your preference and dining table. Both would look great, and it’s a very affordable way to drastically update the space.

Since your flooring extends to the bathroom, consider adding something neutral as opposed to a color or pattern. We recommend a slate tile as it will be timeless and add a bit of depth (as opposed to one solid color). It has texture and a warmth to it.

Paint the remaining walls white (as close to your cabinet colors as you can) so that the contrast between the two go away and you are left with a clean, bright space.

Your backsplash, however, can have some color or pattern popped off of it. Consider using blue or green (as we’ve been using throughout the space). This is a more impactful element than a traditional subway tile, but is still classic.

Add rugs or pot and pan accessories as necessary (keep minimal and neutral).

Your light fixture should be black or white (not sure if you need to keep the fan- that’s dependent on your needs. Reach out for confirmation if/when changing.

Bathroom

In the bathroom, we recommend keeping the wood floor. It keeps it flowing with the rest of the house and adds a natural element. Adding a rug to the floor will help keep water off if it in front of the tub.

We recommend replacing your current tub/shower with a glass tub/shower. This will help make the already small space feel a bit larger and add an element of class (due to the glass). The shower should utilize a subway tile, but in a gray to make it feel less trendy and more timeless.

Your current fixtures (shower head, knobs, drawer pulls, etc.) should be changed out to a matte black to coordinate with the black accents through the rest of the house. Does the style feel a bit like the kitchen? That’s good! You want kitchens/bathrooms to feel like they belong in the same house- not anomalies.

We recommend replacing the cabinet above the toilet with open, wood shelving. This will get you even more storage and bring the wood element from the floor to the walls.

In the entire bathroom, add recessed lighting. By the mirrors, add two black sconces or a long bar light.

Finally, replace the mirror above you counter vanity with a vintage mirror (or two). This will add a touch is femininity and visual interest/character. Your vanity is incredibly functional, but you just need some countertop storage/accessorizing. Consider adding a tray as a catch all.

Although you are a ways away from finishing your bedroom, we do have a couple of general recommendations to keep in mind.

First, consider changing the layout of the space to the one pictured. Although the window by the side table cuts into the space, its better than the window behind the bed. This also give you the opportunity to put a piece of large scale artwork above the bed. Whatever you choose for art can dictate the rest of the bedding colors/linens.

We recommend keeping the cowhide in the room. Additionally, where a chair is shown in the layout can also be a bassinette or baby location Jď Š

Like the picture on the right (top left example), to counteract the window, you can have a lower side table on the left and higher table or dresser on the right. This asymmetry would add visual interest, too.

Bedroom

So, what’s next?

Whew! That was a lot of information. Now that you have seen the inspiration/recommendations, soak it all in.

Let us know if you have any questions. After processing the information, you have a couple of options. ü Call or e-mail to set up an appointment to discuss your likes/dislikes of the design and how we can move forward together with Hunt & Gather managing the project (we would discuss what items you would like to purchase yourself, what we should be hunting for, budget, and timeline). ü Start working on the room on your own (purchasing items, hunting for things, etc.) and only call us when you need clarification, recommendations, or final styling. Remember, the WHY is more important than the WHAT, so if you don’t like a pillow/lamp/etc. that we recommended, find something with similar lines or a similar purpose (or a cheaper price) and consider purchasing that instead! ü Nothing. This wasn’t what you were looking for, and you would like to discontinue working together.

Additional pricing for hourly services would be given at follow-up meeting that fit your specific needs. Hope you love the design concept! Can’t wait to hear from you!

THANK YOU Kelley Howley & Fernando Ramirez Hunt & Gather 740 Curve St. SW design@huntandgatherGR.com