“Spring is the time of plans and projects.”
- Leo Tolstoy
The month of March brings the anticipation of spring, of warmer weather and longer days. It’s a time of transition and the beginning of change.
We feel it in the air and in our outlook. It is time to spring for something new and get rid of the old. Update a kitchen, re-fresh a bedroom, or re-upholster your family room furniture; transform your home into a cheerful space. You will wonder - “why didn’t we do this earlier!”
Our March Notes takes a look at some of the “before and after” photos from our projects. Let us know which is your favorite transformation. Be sure to scroll all the way through; we have a special event and want you to save the date.
Here’s to a new look!
Terrell and Joyce
Leave the Old Behind and Step into a Brighter Future
We love a good “Before and After.” We’ve pulled a few of our favorites; have fun scrolling through the images below.
Note - the photos are placed After, and then Before. First see the transformation, and then how the space looked prior to the renovation.
After
The kitchen is the hub of the house! Our new design added warmth, and created dimension and detail to a flat cold space. The built-in banquet adds more seating, and a place to hang out. A fantastic piece of art from the client’s collection perfectly suits the new look.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Jess Isaac
Before
The kitchen eating area was bright, with great light, but needed a new furniture layout and some interesting details.
After
A new oven, countertops, backsplash and updated cabinetry - white lacquered upper cabinets combined with oak cabinets below - lightened and modernized the feel of the kitchen.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Jess Isaac
Before
The granite countertops, cooktop with separate ovens, and light maple cabinets felt dated and didn’t fit with the modern aesthetic of the house.
After
This bedroom is the definition of springtime.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Meghan O’Brien
Before
Out with the faux gold!
After
Grasscloth wallcovering paired with the drapery creates a cozy backdrop for this reading chair and ottoman.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Meghan O’Brien
Before
The weight of this room was dragging us down!
After
Rub-a-dub-dub in this beautiful tub.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Meghan O’Brien
Before
Joyce directing traffic - straight to the dumpster.
After
This newly appointed bedroom put a spring back in our client’s step!
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Jess Isaac
Before
Our client’s son now has a bedroom set for his first apartment!
After
There is always an elephant in the room so why not embrace it.
Before
However, this elephant had to go!
After
The goal in this family room was to brighten up the space, re-upholster existing furniture and fill in with some new pieces.
Before
The client had very nice furniture, but wanted a refresh.
Spring for Some New Purchases
Grab this beautifully embroidered linen dress for a new spring look.
Leather ballet flats with a modern adornment.
A circular ceramic mirror individually made by hand in the artist's Los Angeles studio.
A stylish look for the spring.
The August Thonet No. 30 Bentwood Chair by Ton is a classic that never goes out of style and works in most every setting.
Robertson Blvd., Design District
Over the course of many years, you see the ebb and flow of retail space along Robertson Blvd. and Melrose Ave. In the 80’s, many of the design shops were located on North Robertson near Melrose. Then, these shops swapped places with clothing stores moving over to Melrose near LaCienega. Well, they are flip flopping again!
We recently visited these three stores, all on the corner of Robertson and New Hampshire.
Melrose House
Rose Tarlow’s flagship store is filled with some of the most gorgeous furnishings, made here in LA.
Curio
A beautiful little shop curated with antiques and vintage finds.
What We Are Reading
Get ready for spring training and enhance your baseball IQ!
Joyce is revisiting and thoroughly enjoying Michael Lewis’s Moneyball, the Art of Winning an Unfair Game. Moneyball follows the great Oakland A’s general manager, Billy Beane, as he assembles a baseball team by re-evaluating their strategy. The 2002 Athletics, with only a budget of $44 million for players salaries, were competitive with larger market teams such as the Yankees, whose payroll exceeded $125 Million that season. The approach brought the A’s to the playoffs in 2002 and 2003.
This is such a fun read!
What We Are Watching
Carve out time this week to watch The Last Repair Shop which recently won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film. The story follows four employees of the LAUSD musical instrument repair shop. The sweet and moving personal stories of each of these individuals provides insight into the importance of music in one’s life.
As they handle each piece - clarinet, guitar, piano - you see their fixing of each instrument is more than a job. They speak of the child who is waiting for the return of their instrument, the student who loves music, whose instrument takes them away from the stresses of life and brings them great joy. Interspersed between the employee’s life stories are highlights from the LAUSD students with their musical instrument.
The movie is a reminder of the importance of music, how music can touch your soul and change lives.
Treat yourself. Watch it here.
Save The Date
“Art ReImagined”
Join us with our friends from Kipper Design for an open house, art and antique sale.
Wednesday, May 1
3:30 - 5:30pm
Kipper Design Studio
An invitation will be sent later this month.
Joyce and Terrell