European-Inspired Mosaics

Mom and I were commissioned to create two custom mosaic art pieces for a basement remodel.

[Click HERE to see the rest of the basement project.]

The first was for a recessed arched niche at the base of the staircase.  The homeowner had a very neutral material palette in throughout the space and wanted to add pops of color in the artwork.  We used European shapes and architectural salvage materials as inspiration.   

 It's always really hard to do a commission because you can't draw or explain quite what it will look like when it's done since it's artwork.  Most of it comes as you go; shapes and layout change as you glue tile on the board and get new inspiration for new things.  Many times, we will have a very basic idea of what we want, but the tile usually guides us to evolve as we go.  This is what we started with:

The evolution and creation of the arched mosaic:

We draw and re-draw with sharpie on the wood.  Then lay tile to get an idea of how the colors relate.

Tile finished/glued, but not yet grouted:

 The evolution of the space:

The other mosaic we did was a focal point in the center of the backsplash behind the bar.

Finished and in their final destinations!

Go HERE to see the post on the full basement project

Simple Kitchen

This was a quick turn-around kitchen for a gorgeous house close to Loose Park in KCMO.

The cabinets were refinished in a rich dark stain, granite and stone backsplash that blend together to disappear into the background were installed, along with an undermount granite composite sink.

The hardwood oak floors look rich with age and character against the dark cabinets.

Remodeled Ranch

This was a great home that just needed a lot of updating throughout.  The homeowners wanted a more functional space as well becoming current without pushing out the existing envelope.  So the footprint of the home stayed the same and we worked within the walls to rearrange and reconfigure space.

LIVING ROOM:

[before]

[before]

As you can see in the plan below, we created a walk-in pantry by pushing into the formal living room on the other side (where the chairs above sit) and stealing space from a commonly unused area.  The kitchen wall was opened up to the dining room and family room on each end.

DINING ROOM:

[before]

 KITCHEN:

 [before]

The peninsula straddles a level change with a step, but works beautifully by having counter height stools on one side and bar height on the other.

 

As you can see, the soffits were removed, cabinets were carried all the way to the ceiling to create height, wood floors were installed, and all new custom cabinetry was put in, including an island, gorgeously centering around the hammered copper apron front sink.

[before]

[before]

The wall of cabinetry to the left houses the doors to the walk-in pantry, and two false panels.  It's too bad I didn't get a photo looking into the pantry because it's always a shock when people look inside at how big it is.  The ceiling light over the center of the kitchen is also a fan with clear retractable blades.

FAMILY ROOM:

[before]

The wainscot panelling around the walls and bookcases on either side of the fireplace were removed.  Instead, two transom windows were added up high to add some more daylight and a new mantle surrounds the painted brick. 

[before]

HALL BATHROOM:

[before]

The old pink 50's bathroom was gutted except for the cast-iron tub that was re-finished to look like new.  We used timeless white subway tile and white floor tiles with a pedestal sink.

MASTER BEDROOM:

[before]

The master bedroom has another light fixture with a more camouflaged fan in the center.  It is remote control operated from bed and has a quiet humming sound.  On the wall to the right, that used to house two doors to a small closet, we opened it up to create a transition into the adjoining bedroom that now is used as the master closet. 

There are now drawers and hanging clothes on either side of the first "HIS" space, and beyond that there are wall-to-wall shelves and rods complete with a chandelier for the "HER's" space.

[before]

 MASTER BATHROOM:

[before]

The 50's blue bathroom got a face-lift with heated tile flooring, a travertine vessel sink, and a pebble tile shower floor.  Some hall closet space was replaced with more room for the master shower.

[before]

This was a very personal and practical solution to a 50's ranch home for a fun couple!