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- Monica Vargas Photography
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- Monica Vargas Photography
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- Monica Vargas Photography
Like a honeymoon, the inspiration phase of a home renovation is sheer bliss. Everything’s coming up roses, there are endless possibilities, the sky’s the limit. No pesky roadblocks like load bearing walls or budget constraints have reared their ugly heads.
Long lists of must-haves and non-negotiables have been presented to an architect who will miraculously squeeze your 10-page list of essential requirements for gracious living into your 2500 sqft of space.
Let’s remain in this dreamy, honeymoon haze for a moment while we imagine what Snowberry could and should be.
Source: Southern Living, February 2019
Our architect did some really cool 3D renderings of Snowberry’s floor plan.
You can see the floor plan before and after and take a tour of Snowberry ‘before’ here.
Watch Snowberry’s Demo Day here.
And, read about how we found Snowberry here.
FOYER INSPIRATION
Snowberry’s foyer is short and narrow. Even after widening the space it’s by no means expansive. Foyer must-haves:
- Dutch door painted blue
- Expand width or space and center front door
- Trayed ceiling, to accommodate hanging lantern, with deep and decadent molding
- Wainscoted lower walls
Source: Digs Design Company
LIVING ROOM TO LIBRARY INSPIRATION
What to do with a formal living room? We briefly considered divvying it up to create a dining room, a powder room and expand the master bedroom. At the end of the day, we decided to keep the space as is but reimagine it as a library. I have lot of books and the idea of floor to ceiling bookshelves was a dream come true.
Because Snowberry has no formal dining room, the library must double as dining space on the rare occasions we host a larger group indoors. Library must-haves:
- Floor to ceiling cabinet and shelves
- Wainscot walls – no exposed drywall
Source: James Farmer
KITCHEN INSPIRATION
Snowberry’s kitchen should, of course, be white. White cabinetry with dark countertops. Probably soapstone. Then, I stumbled upon this kitchen and … Snowberry’s kitchen should, of course, be sage. Kitchen must-haves:
- Built-in refrigerator
- Lots and lots of drawers
- Cookbook shelves
- Wood topped built-in buffet
- Under sink drip rail
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- Source: Sarah Stacey Interior Design
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- Source: Sarah Stacey Interior Design
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- Source: Sarah Stacey Interior Design
GREAT ROOM INSPIRATION
This space was once Snowberry’s garage. Attached to the house by a breezeway. A long-ago renovation transformed the garage into a low-ceilinged great room. The breezeway was enclosed and became a dining space. A laundry room was strangely placed on one side of the room creating an awkward space in terms of furniture layout. Great room must haves:
- Pitch the ceiling
- Reclaim the laundry room space
- Add a beverage bar with wine refrigerator and bar sink
- Bead board the walls and plank the ceiling
Source: Plaids and Poppies
This seems like an ideal layout for the Great Room beverage bar.
Source: L. Kae Interiors
INFORMAL DINING AREA
Snowberry’s original dining room was tiny and was coopted to expand the kitchen. A second dining space, between the great room and kitchen, remains relatively unchanged. Dining area must-haves:
- L-shaped banquet seating
- French doors to back patio dining space
Source: Sarah Bartholomew
LAUNDRY ROOM CLOSET INSPIRATION
Sadly, a full-size laundry room wasn’t possible due to space constraints … but, not to worry, a laundry closet packs a lot of functionality into a small space. Laundry closet must haves:
- Full size, side by side washer and dryer
- Folding counter
- Hanging bar
- Shelf space
Source: greydoc.com
GUEST ROOM INSPIRATION
Snowberry has two guest bedrooms. One of the bedrooms got a bit smaller when we borrowed a silver of space to expand the master bathroom shower. Guest bedroom must-haves:
- Bedroom one – accommodate queen size bed
- Bedroom two – accommodate two twin beds
- Bedside USB ports
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- Decoholic.com
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- House Beautiful
Sources: Decholoic.com / House Beautiful
GUEST BATHROOM INSPIRATION
Small is the only word to describe Snowberry’s guest bathroom. My plan to add a powder room could not happen without an addition. An addition didn’t make sense so the guest bath doubles as the powder room. Less than ideal, but not catastrophic. Guest bathroom must-haves:
- Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock wallpaper in navy
- Two-sink vanity
- Remove tub and increase shower size
- Add built-in linen cupboard
Source: Dear Lillie Studio
MASTER SUITE
The master bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet were decent size and didn’t need much more than updating. The big challenge – reconfigure a weird toilet/shower layout and create a water closet and large shower. A small piece of the second guest bedroom was carved out in order to make this happen. Master suite must-haves:
- Add French doors from bedroom to back garden
- Reduce width of doorway to bathroom to gain wall space (for headboard)
- Separate water closet
- Large, steam shower
- Built-in tub with incorporated shelf tower for storage
- Remove window in closet to gain wall space
Source: At Home in Arkansas
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- Source: Dina Holland Interiors
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- Source: Dina Holland Interiors
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- Source: Dina Holland Interiors
SO, THERE YOU HAVE IT …
Snowberry’s design inspiration pulled from blogs, magazines, Instagram and Pinterest and kept in a good, old fashioned three-ring binder.
How did my vision come together? I hope you’ll follow along to see the end result.
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- Monica Vargas Photography
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- Monica Vargas Photography
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- Monica Vargas Photography
Next week we’ll talk about Snowberry’s color palette and how the choice of front door color became the cornerstone for the design of the entire house.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
You really had a beautiful vision of Snowberry. I would never have “seen” what you saw when you bought the house. The transformation is amazing!!! I still plan to invite myself for a tour next time I’m in California!!! Just gorgeous!!! The house is beautiful and yet it looks comfortable. That is great design to me!!! Bravo Juliet!!!!!
Yes, by all means, sign up for the next tour! Thank you … I can’t really take credit for having a ‘vision’ … I just pointed at inspirations photos and said ‘do that.’ Ha ha … xo
I LOVE HOW YOU HAD “MUST HAVES!”MY MUST HAVE for the KITCHEN IS NOT THERE!I had torn a page from a MAGAZINE………A BIG ISLAND TABLE with three levels!We bought the balustrades and NEVER made the table!
TO be honest the Kitchen is not BIG ENOUGH TO DO THAT TABLE…………………….but he could do a smaller version!Plus the balustrades came from The Owners of the MARK HOPKINS GARDEN in HILLSBOROUGH!
ANYHOW……………..VERY PRETTY!DOES THAT BINDER GET PRIDE OF PLACE IN THE LIBRARY?!!!XX
Contessa! Yes, a smaller version is in order and must be done, especially due to that fabulous balustrade pedigree. Perhaps after Project Closet Expansion is complete?! Binder currently resides on my bedside table … maybe I’ll have it fancily bound and placed front and center on library coffee table! Brilliant idea! xo
YES!IT NEEDS TO BE the Bible!!
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Hi Juliet,
I don’t see the comment form so I’ll just reply here!
I love getting an inside scoop on your inspiration for the house! From what I’ve seen you stuck pretty close to your original ideas. I especially love that you worked with the house, and didn’t tear it down and build a mini McMansion. Everything is lovely, the color scheme especially is so calm. I bet it’s even better in person!
XO Heidi
Well, Heidi … you’ll just have to drop in and see for yourself … your presence should lure the Contessa for tea! xo
Brilliant inspirations! Know how you hit a blog/insta account and like everything they like? That’s here! So much to copy, ahhhhh…..and yes, excited to follow along. Didn’t see the outside space inspiration yet but I know that’s booming right now. Keep going!!
Thank you so much! It’s amazing how many sources we have now to draw inspiration and provide ideas we would never thing of ourselves. Yes, exterior inspiration coming soon!!! xo
Imagination and inspiration brought to Life! Congratulations to you on your new Blog and the Snowberry transformation. I find that there is inspiration everywhere if we take the moment to see it. Sending virtual hugs and a huge welcome to the blogging community.
Diana! I thought I replied to our kind comment, but this blog-stuff is new and the learning curb is steep. Thank you for your encouragement … I adore your blog and am honored that you stopped by mine. xo
Hi, Juliet! Yay and welcome to blogging! I’m so excited to have you on board sharing your beautiful Snowberry. I’ve seen bits and pieces but look forward to you breaking down each room. You have impeccable taste and this house is a show stopper. I love all your ideas and the direction you are going, we definitely have a similar vibe.
Rhoda! I’m so honored to have you here. But, I’m blushing and stammering … as one does when one’s blogging idol drops in. You know you are one of the first home decor blogs I followed and you’re such an inspiration to me. xo
Looks like a “Forever House”. Because we are not moving again!
That’s right! Never again. xo
I WILL REMIND YOUR WIFE………….SHE LISTENS TO ME!!!!
Love the inspiration. Please explain what an “undersink drip rail” is, for those of us who are unitiated. Are you going to have those groovy corner drawers in the kitchen? I am fascinated with them and they would be a good replacement for the annoying “turntable” cabinet.
Hi Judith – A drip rail is new to me too. It’s a piece of decorative wood that sits underneath a farm sink … between the sink and cabinet. If water splashes over and drips down apron front of sink, the rail catches it before it runs down the cabinet wood. Aren’t those corner drawers great?! Snowberry’s kitchen is a wide galley so this wasn’t an option. But, I agree they’re a great alternative to the lazy Susan usually utilized in awkward corners. Thanks for reading the post … I think you’ll like the drip rail reveal! xo
Oops, should be UNINITIATED!
I love all your inspiration! It was fun to see Tracy of Plaids and Poppies on your blog post. Love your style!
Thanks, Kim! Isn’t Tracy great?! And, what about you … I have your Cottages and Bungalows feature laid out on my desk … my inspiration for the week! xo
Your inspiration pics are wonderful. Will be amazing when it’s done.
Thank you, so much! We’re looking forward to the day we can call it done. Will that day ever come?! xo