Design*Sponge » before and after

before & after: embroidered wardrobe

Kate Pruitt — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:00:53 +0000

I recently re-watched the film Objectified, and this time around, I found myself inspired by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius, particularly when she said that what interests her most as a designer is how to bring identity and character to something that is produced industrially. You can see this vision so clearly in her work; she brings a humanistic, hand-crafted touch to all her designs, including the pieces available en masse at IKEA. It’s not surprising that people are so drawn to her designs and those little details that speak to our experience of culture and memory, delighting our senses of sight and touch.

I instantly fell in love with this wardrobe makeover by Diana; it’s so inspiring to see how radically different a piece can look once it’s been worked over by a pair of creative human hands. If this piece had been in my childhood bedroom, I think I would remember it fondly to this day. It has a cheerful, vibrant, folksy feel to it. And I can’t say this with any authority, but it seems like a piece that would make Hella smile. Nice work, Diana! — Kate

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before & after: painted pattern floor

Kate Pruitt — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:00:47 +0000

When floors are in bad condition and refinishing or renovating seems out of the question, people often try to downplay their floors by painting them a neutral color or hiding them under various rugs. However, I’m becoming increasingly convinced that if you can find a pattern or color you really love, the best cure for a mediocre floor can be a bold, eye-catching treatment instead. Take this pretty patterned-floor project by Carrie of Lovely Etc., for example.

Carrie ripped up the old, gross carpet in her living and dining rooms to find a plywood subfloor. She originally planned to paint the subfloor to tide her over until they could install hardwood flooring, but she loves the look of the paisley pattern so much that she has decided to save that money for other home projects instead. This project clearly requires patience, but the results are lovely. Instead of hiding under a rug, this floor is now the statement-maker in the room. Nice work, Carrie! — Kate

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before & after: cheery nautical bathroom makeover

Kate Pruitt — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:00:11 +0000

I love my rental apartment, but if there’s a room that makes me wish for the chance to own my home, it’s the bathroom. In my mind, it’s one of the spaces that benefit most from even minor renovations. I love gathering inspiration from great submissions like this crisp, sunny makeover from Julie of Belle Vivir. A kind reader of ours recommended this project to us, and I loved it so much that I thought we should share. The bright, cheerful colors; warm wood; and clean white tile put me right at ease, and the tub is incredible. Amazing work, Julie! — Kate

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before & after: budget-friendly apartment redo

Kate Pruitt — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:00:10 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve lived in a space like this one, but it just takes one glimpse of this “before” image to remember all the decorating challenges that accompany a small city apartment. Niamh of Seek Design managed to inject this space with cheer and energy by adding the right colors and patterns and refreshing pieces that the client already owned. Wonderful work, Niamh! — Kate

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before & after: toolbox wall organizer

Kate Pruitt — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:44 +0000

Though they have no hope of holding all my supplies, there’s something about the look and feel of these old toolboxes that I just love. Why it never occurred to me to turn such a beautifully designed item into a wall display as Kim has done here, I will never know, but I’m thankful she’s shown the way. A jewelry designer on the side, Kim needed a place to store her supplies and some of her finished pieces in her studio. This rustic toolbox provides the perfect tiny shelves to tuck things away, and looks much more unique and elegant than the standard pegboard or shelving solution. I may not have the exact same materials as Kim, but I’m definitely tempted to adapt her idea for a lovely display. Great work, Kim! — Kate

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before & after: bachelor loft transformation

Kate Pruitt — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:00:48 +0000

It’s funny to me that “bachelor” style has such a bad rep. I equate it with leather chairs that look like massively overstuffed beasts, giant TVs, a sparsely filled modular bookshelf and not much else . . . maybe an unpacked cardboard box or two. A harsh stereotype, I admit, although in my defense, I have walked in on just this scenario more than once. It’s nice to see a bachelor pad that incorporates a bit of coziness and eclecticism but also utilizes the more sophisticated elements of masculine style, such as salvaged industrial materials and subdued neutral hues. Interior designer Melinda Cabanilla updated this Cambridge, MA, loft to feel warm and textural but also classic and understated. I love the colors she’s chosen, and the lighting fixtures in the bedroom are amazing. And not a pizza box in sight! Okay, now I’m teasing :) Great work, Melinda! — Kate

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