Before And After: Round Mirror

IMG_2705 Our Mid-Century home is perfect for the way we live.  It seamlessly blends the indoors with the outdoors, combines many textures and has an effortless flow to it.  It's also in need of many updates.  Having just renovated our kitchen, other wish-list projects are temporarily on hold, but that hasn't stopped me from tweaking here and there.  Adding something as plain as a round mirror to the kids' bathroom has made quite thedifference.  It expands the space and speaks to the style of the home better than the frosted square one that  it replaced.  See the before and afters below:

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One of the first things done to the bathroom was a bamboo mural painted by our neighbor, who is a very talented artist.  I love the ethereal quality it brings to the space.

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Post cards around the mirror serve a double purpose.  They hide scratches and holes in the wall (from the previous mirror) while providing daily inspirational messages.

Because I needed a specifically sized, unframed mirror, I had a local glass company custom make one.  It turned out to be relatively inexpensive and very easy to install.  Eventually, the entire bath will be redone, but for now even the slightest of changes keeps my design cravings at bay.  At least for a while...

 If you've made small improvements to your place I'd love to know about them.

Before & After: A Guest Bedroom's Quick Fix

In the coming months we're expecting quite a few visitors, so I decided to revamp our guest bedroom suite. Utilizing items that we've owned for many years, I put together a space that looks familiar yet feels completely new.  Staying true to my love of neutrals the room is a medley of earthy tones, textures and patterns.  Not a penny spent, just time rummaging through the house for things to repurpose.

Here are the details:  a pair of Ming dynasty chairs that were once desk chairs now act as bedside tables, art found at a yard sale 12 years ago turns the headboard into a focal statement,  existing bedding and pillows help layer a cozy bed look, the sisal area rug is a remnant from our redone office area and lamps that were once sold at Cocoon (our store) provide adequate light to read by.  Lastly, a feng shui botanical touch and some bedtime reading for our guests.

Take a look at the before and after process that took [literally] one single afternoon:

Below is snapshot of our Belmont, Ma., apartment circa 2005.   The lights and art were right at home even then.   While it's nice to decorate with brand new items, I really enjoy repurposing what we already own and then accessorize as needed.  The guest bedroom suite will someday undergo a complete makeover, but I'm sure that some of the pieces you see now will still show up somewhere in the house...

Cocoon Home Design can help you achieve an updated, stylized look with preowned items.  It's all about featuring favorite things in a brand new light.  Contact me at:  debra@cocoonhome.com

Master Bedroom Update: Before And After

Recently, Alex and the kids surprised me with the Society pillowcases I've been obsessing over.  Now that the bed is fully dressed again, it became clear why.  Their color and pattern perfectly balance the texture and tone of the brick wall behind our bed.  Mixing high and low ends of the spectrum, sheets from Ikea and a linen duvet from Coyuchi completed the new look.  I also replaced the chrome based bedside lamps with oversized brass and green ones I found at a consignment shop.   Take a look at the before and after bedding and the 'new' light fixtures and let me know what you think.  I'm still on the fence about the lamps and I badly need your input..