Curb Appeal…

Adding a little curb appeal to the house for under $250…

1656179_777420596204_1634658305_n

We purchased our home just about a year ago and have already put our fair share of sweat equity in the inside and outside of the house. I have wanted to make simple changes to the exterior of our house since day one and finally got around to it. The lighting has always bothered me, it’s scale was too small and the letter was so plain and boring. So working within our HOA architectural rules and regulations, I sought out for larger lighting and cleaner numbers. I was pleasantly surprised at the affordable options that were readily available to me at my local box hardware stores.

First up was to remove the dated “builder grade” fixtures for both the lamp post, wall sconce and rusted metal numbers.  Getting the old letters off was a breeze (thanks to my husband and father in law) but putting the floating letters up posed a little bit of a challenge. Our moulding is not flat but rather has a lot of detail and variety of planes.  We opted for a more contemporary black metal number, seen below.  I honestly cannot remember if this was a Lowe’s or Home Depot purchase as we bought them the week we closed.

045899399835

Regardless, the numbers were the first thing we tackled.  And the new numbers look awesome!  So much better than the ugly little tiny letters!

photo(1)

We waited a bit to do the lighting, mainly because I could not make up my mind.  This is a horrible trait most designer’s have when they are working on their own projects, the ability to commit.  The problem is that we are constantly being shown the latest and greatest products out there and while we think we may have found something wonderful, who is to say that the perfect fixture, fabric, color is something that I won’t come across in the future.  Don’t get me wrong, when we design for others, it is much easier for this to all come together.  Just  the way it is I guess, and I am thankful that I have an understanding husband.  So after a long and exhausted search, I wound up choosing a matching set of fixture’s from Lowe’s, allen + roth Parsons Field Light.  I originally went with the 17″ fixture, but it was again too small, so we opted for the 22″ version and it is just right. We got the matching lamp post fixture.  All in all they were somewhat easy for my husband to install.  Only took two attempts and minimal cursing.  But the end result was well worth the effort!

DSC_0408 yucky old post lamp…. 😦

DSC_0419B

 yummy new post and wall sconce!

Here is a look at the before (already with the new numbers) and after.

Outside BEFORE

  Outside AFTER

All in all the cost for this little upgrade was under $250, and in my humble opinion does wonders for our home’s curb appeal.

 

Advertisement

Inspiration Station….. Floors and Ceilings

Today I am sharing some personal photographs from my trip to Italy a few years back.  It always amazes me to see craftsmanship from many moons ago and realize that they did all of this without the technology available to us today.

Beautiful Floor 2 Floors 2

This floor is from one of my favorite Catherdral floors, Brunelleschi’s  “Santa Maria del Fiore” in Florence.  I am just thinking how many versions of this floor design were there? 🙂 Yes, I wish I was more patient, but I am a CAD drafter.  I will usually start with a sketch, but that left brain logical side of me, always wants it to be technically perfect, so CAD it is. Notice that the floor color scheme is a nice neutral mix of black, gray, white and tan marbles….. That is so that even as ornate and detailed as the floors, it doesn’t clash with the amazing frescoes….

ceilings 3

Designed by Giorgio Vasari but executed by Frederico Zuccari.

Mosaic tiles at Paestum 2

It really amazes me to see patterns like the one above and realize that this is still popular now.  The photo is from the Greek ruins of Paestum, in the region of Cilento south of the Almafi coast.  This site it truly an amazing one and a must see if you are in that neck of the woods.  It has some of the most complete Doric temples in Italy.  Not to mention walking the grounds really takes you back and is such a treat to discover the details of the mosaics that are still in tact all these years later!!

ceiling Floors

I couldn’t do a post about floors and ceilings without mentioning one of my favorite Cathedral’s,  Duomo di Pisa, which is an amazing masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.  It has so many details everywhere, from the mosaics on the floor that create an area rug of sorts, to the AMAZING black and white marble horizontal stripes that surround the columns, pure heaven for my eyes.

st peters window 2 St peters 2

I couldn’t post without a photo of one of the most amazing, religious experiences that I had on my journey.  St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.  The photo on the left, was the first experience I got walking into this hallowed ground.  The beam of sunlight in the left window that perfectly highlights an adjacent relic in one of the side chapels.  Now that is detail not to mention gives you chill bumps!  I actually had to walk the whole space and experience it all before I went back in a second time to photograph it.   Let just put it this way, I wish I had my laptop with all of my notes from Art History class…

I had to put this all in perspective and really appreciate the fine art of not only the design of the details but the execution.  We can design the most amazing spaces in the world but if you don’t have a good tradesman to do it for you, then it really doesn’t matter how great your design is, all anyone will see is the flaws.  Do your homework before hiring any contractors.  The best value may not always be the low price, but the combination of previous experience and amazing references.  As with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

The hunt….design decor steals.

1622611_214228755444376_360541773_nI’ve been on the hunt to find  amazing bargains for design décor that will finish out a space.  Today I want to share a few of my favorites with you guys.  Let’s start with the white table. *sigh* This amazing little gem was found at Target as part of their wonderful Threshold Series of products.  It was a steal at $75 but then got a price adjustment when they marked it down to $63. The top is what looks like a painted white surface with welded brass X leg base.  I tell you, I’ve seen similar tables with my design sources that are way more than the $63.  It works perfect for small spaces that need a place for a drink or in my case, my beautiful tulips from my Valentine.  He’s a keeper! The vase is a bubble mercury glass find from Home Goods. A store that I can never enter and not purchase something.   Get it while the getting is hot!

Next I will move on to my slipper chairs.  I found these guys at World Market.  Now I will preface this with, they are not forever chairs.  But for what they are, they were an amazing deal $110 each (coupon) currently $140.  Of course in typically designer fashion, I will be reupholstering them in fabric that will exceed the cost of the chair, but they came in a nice peacock blue velvety material.  As I have a toddler, I will be going with a commercial grade Maharam emerald green velvet textile. I highly recommend thrift shopping for extra pieces in your rooms, side chairs and such.  If you like the shape and the lines of the chair/table, you can always have it re-upholstered or refinished!  You could be amazed at what you can find if you are willing to dig.

That leads me to the amazing silver tray.  As a true southern gal, I have to admit, I am drawn to silver serving pieces.  My mother has a ton from her days in catering and I have always loved the formality of serving your treats on something equally as wonderful.  This find was found at Evolution Home in Alexandria VA.  If you haven’t been, you should go.  It is full of all sorts of wonderful things, just imagine several antique dealers in one huge space and that is Evolution Home.  You can find everything from an antique childs desk, to huge old doors, glasswear, jewelry as well as some modern gems, Eames Chairs, etc.  Just go and you can thank me later.

Don’t get me wrong, I highly recommend investing in key pieces in your space, such as a great sofa, rug or artwork.  Pick the things that you use daily and will get the most wear and tear and focus on those.  For me will be my sofa.  I’ve been round and round since before we moved into the new house, searching for my perfect sofa.  I do believe I’ve found her and I will be sharing that journey with next, so stay tuned…..

Emily Pasquariello Interior Designs

Well I’m finally entering the big bad world of blogging….

I apologize in advance, as I know my grammar will not always be perfect. If I can make you laugh or give you some design assistance then my job is complete. My journey begins with opening up my design studio for you all.  Please keep in mind my office mate is my 18 month old daughter, who sometimes is rather demanding but thankfully is darn cute! I am a mom, a wife and a daughter, and a Certified Interior Designer.  I hope that I can share my thoughts on how you can help make your house a home, your office your creative space or your getaway.  On days like today, I will take a healthy dose of a getaway.  Moms, you can appreciate my next little rant.  I am currently home with a sick child (highly contagious “daycare” disease) and in the middle of my conference call for my “day”(Commercial Interior Designer) job, my daughter takes a face plant on my chair’s 5 star base.  You can imagine what came next. BLOOD, lots of blood.  This was my first true “face plant” experience and I am pretty sure I did alright. After a thorough exam, a very bloody paper towel and a phone call to the pediatrician (whom we’ve already seen once today for the “day care disease”), we are all OK. Momma needs a glass of vino.

I promise not all of my posts will be this personal in nature.  Stop back by and I will do my best to post what inspires me, which is all things beautiful!