annette tatum's studio

hold onto your hats because today we’ve got a before + after from interior decor legend, annette tatum. annette is the author of the well-dressed home (a sensational book about styling your home based on your wardrobe, which you must immediately run out and purchase) and creator of the interior décor lines house and little house. today, she has graciously opened the doors of her santa monica studio and welcomed us on a behind the scenes tour of the renovated space. known for creating inspirational textiles, annette’s superb designs are always comfortable, though never predictable. her colorful fabrics work together in surprising and unexpected ways, similar to the interior of her studio. by mixing textures and using bright colors annette has created a clean, comfortable sanctuary. the interior proves why her book is flying off bookstore’s shelves and her designs can be found in retail shops worldwide.

i’d especially like to thank annette tatum and katherine ryan for taking the time to send me photos of their santa monica, california transformation. i'd also like to credit the talented, cristina mendigochea, for her sensational photos.

avenue g house

in honor of the third annual austin modern home tour this weekend, we’re taking a peek at one of the participants greatest transformations to date, alterstudio’s ‘avenue g house’. nestled in austin’s hyde park national historic district, this home received a complete renovation and a second story addition in the form of an abstract volume.

respectful of its neighbors, the 'avenue g house' is modern, yet comfortable within its context. the warm interior is filled with quarter-sawn white oak, delicate steel, walnut cabinetry, and upgraded ipe flooring. the serendipitous design proves why alterstudio was chosen to take part in the austin modern home tour!

i'd once again like to thank jessica connolly at alterstudio for taking the time to send me the goods for this before + after. i'd also like to credit paul bardagjy photography, prune photography, and brian lemond for the photos.

sleepy hollow lake

my favorite place in the world to make memories is sleepy hollow lake in upstate new york. my family purchased a log cabin on the lake eleven years ago; our time there is filled with fabulous friends, family, food, and amazing neighbors. neighbors that build sick sledding ramps, host killer parties, and patiently give water skiing lessons. in fact, eleven years ago when they were dragging me around the lake waiting for me to learn to stand on water skis, i would have never imagined that i would one day blog about their new bathroom.

brian and trish converted their catch-all storage room, previously home to lakey accessories and the greatest boat tube ever, big bertha, into a lower level spa bathroom. brimming with customizations the bath features a stained glass window, pebble shower floor, custom rustic vanity, and loads of luscious pine paneling. it’s the perfect place to unwind after a crazy ride on big bertha around the lake.

i’d especially like to thank brian and trish for supplying the pre-renovation photos and for allowing me to take the post-renovation snapshots.

austin modern home tour

i wish i lived in austin texas y’all. the third annual austin modern home tour is this saturday (january 30) and i really want to go. THREE of raenovate’s featured designers are participating! created to promote progressive, responsible urban growth in austin, the tour features unique and modern homes, designed by local architects and designers and marketed by local real estate professionals. my pals at cottam hargrave, studio momentum, and alterstudio are all representing! for those of you who don’t live in the austin area, check out the participating homes online, and for those of you who do, please, please, please go on my behalf so i can live vicariously through you.

1. 2421 south 5th street, cottam hargrave; 2. 2015 cullen avenue, studio momentum; 3. 1801 nickerson, alterstudio

awards and broken plates

i cannot get enough of awards season. and no i'm not talking about movie star filled award shows, i'm talking about virtual awards. apartment therapy's homies were amazing and now poppytalk's poppies are knocking my socks off. the virtual awards ceremony is celebrating the handmade community. in fact i'm super proud to announce that many of raenovate's featured artists are nominated, including forestbound, high street market, paperfaerie, the vintage laundry, and wooly baby! the poppies have also introduced me to a slew of new talented artists, including today's before + after maven, juliet ames of the broken plate pendant company.

juliet graduated from towson university in 2005 with her degree in inter-disciplinary craft. after graduation she worked at a non-profit local arts council but soon realized that she needed to get her craft on. one day she randomly decided to create a pendant with some leftover plate shards, and the rest is history. the broken plate company has evolved into a popular custom handmade jewelry outlet. with a bursting etsy shop and 10-15 annual indie craft show appearances, juliet is breaking plates and taking names. so please pop on over to poppytalk and cast your vote for your favorite handmade artists.

i'd especially like to thank juliet ames for sharing her inspiring jewelry with us. please visit the broken plate pendant company website if you're interested in transforming your shards into a wearable masterpiece. oh and don't forget to vote!

what happens in vegas...

we all know the saying "what happens in vegas, stays in vegas". this applies to everything BUT great interior design. today's before + after rock stars, michelle dimauro and heather soto (principals of inhabit design), are known for lighting up the vegas strip with their modern, luxurious designs. by using a palette brimming with rich colors, materials, and finishes they've transformed an outdate, heavily faux-painted home into a sleek vegas styled pad. the cherry on this inhabit design sundae? not only do they create hot interiors, but their company dog gigi has her own inhabit email address!

i'd especially like to thank michelle, heather, and gigi at inhabit design for taking the time to send me photos of this las vegas transformation. i'd also like to credit kelley simpson photography for shooting their dazzling afters.

my dream attic

strap in folks! my pals at feldman architecture have just sent me SIX new before + after projects and today i’ve chosen to reveal their renovation, ‘henry house’. here’s how the project went down. their san franciscan clients yearned for a combined master suite and office, but didn’t think their shingled victorian home had the space. feldman knew it did. by rearranging their cramped attic and installing loads of windows they were able to convert the awkward space into the master suite of their clients dreams. with glorious built-ins, a mid-century-esque sitting area, a cozy sleeping nook, and the city’s neatest rooftop deck their clients are in master suite ecstasy.

i'd once again like to thank jonathan feldman + camille cladouhos at feldman architecture for taking the time to send me photos and stories of their fabulous projects! i'd also like to credit paul dyer for shooting their stunning afters.