A Home in Mill Valley
Plenty of Family Friendly Designs’ projects start out small. This was no exception — the client wanted a moody (not modern!) primary bedroom and bath. She and her partner had moved into their new house during Covid, with a toddler and a brand new baby. She’d worked with a designer on the children’s bedroom, and although she thought it was pretty — it was — it wasn’t practical, and she felt that money had been spent on the wrong things. I understood that she wanted great deals on quality items. I had to agree. With this information in hand, we sought some real finds as we worked on the bedroom — an etheral cloud-like wallpaper on one wall, a bedroom rug, a beautiful bed, a stunning console, chic black reading sconces (second try), a chunky mirror, (also second try), new roman shades and a moody blue paint job. A sculptural black table lamp (okay, we tried at least three before we got it right.) The bathroom got a slick of teal on the walls, and the vanity, which screamed 1996, was reimagined as cool — in ebony. We pulled college textbooks out of the existing built-in bookcase and styled up that baby — and suddenly, the room came together — an (occasionally) private sanctuary for busy parents.
We were off to the races after that — some really pretty mid-century office furniture, two rugs, a sofa and outdoor furniture were offered by a friend who who didn’t need them any more. Et voila, — a new office space and an outdoor eating area. By this time, my client was feeling quite confident, and chose art and pillows and shelves for the office and styled up those shelves just the way I’d shown her. I love to see my clients take the reins — it’s what Family Friendly Designs is all about.
Boom — we were off to the kitchen, which was feeling a bit blah and outdated — but came to life in a two moody blue/gray tones. The hallway got wallpapered, the previously all-white living room received a smattering of throw pillows, a sofa cleaning was scheduled (my guy) and the deck outside was stained a nice gray. (Also my guy.) We chose large cement planters for outside the front door, and my clients’ husband found stunning ficus trees for them.
Did I mention that several windows needed to be replaced? All trades, except the wallpaper hangers, were introduced to my client by Family Friendly Designs. We’re good that way — we know people.
The entire project took four months, certainly record time for accomplishing so much.
