Fabrics Galore!

I recently had the pleasure of dropping in on U-Fab, which is a newer fabric store in the fan area of Richmond.  I love starting with fabric as inspiration to design a room.  I usually shop at other local fabric stores, which are much larger, but also come with a heftier price tag.  After my mom and another friend told me they saw a fabric that I paid 40.00 a yard for at another local business for 19.99 at U-Fab, I thought I would check it out!

u-fab

Check out these mouth-watering color combinations!  I am currently in search of fabrics for a friend's nursery, my own family room, and our master bath.  I found so many options to snap pictures of, I couldn't put my iPhone down!

Yellow and Gray

Orange, Salmon, and Gray

Teal and Gray

Sky Blue and Olive Green

What is your favorite color combination?  I have always been a fan of blue and olive green, but am really digging the salmon and orange!

Why yes, there is a modern vintage!

My first official post (other than the introductory hello) was posing the question - is there such thing as modern vintage?  I just received an email from my FAVORITE STORE EVER, Anthropologie (we are BFF's and I commonly refer to her as Anthro), confirming that yes, there is such thing!  

I am jumping on Barnes and Noble's websites N.O.W. to order this precious beaut!

via

While we are on the subject, what are you currently reading or eyeing?  

I purchased this while on bed rest last year.  Sadly, I have not picked it up yet, but hope to do so before the movie is out!  I won't allow myself to see a movie if I haven't read the book first.  It always ruins the book if you do it backwards.  

via

Does anyone else have a book problem?  I have a problem with books.  I like to lazily stroll the aisles of bookstores and buy books that I have good intentions of reading and then end up stashing in a drawer or using as decor.  

I am probably behind the eight ball on this one, but I am also going to pick up this one while shopping online.  I can't help myself; it just looks so pretty and I miss the magazine!  RIP Domino!

via

Rain, rain, go away...

Many people have the misperception that a rain head has zero pressure.  These days, the term "rain head" is more commonly used in reference to the diameter of a larger shower head and actually has little or nothing to do with the pressure.  Most shower heads larger in diameter are actually FULL of pressure, assuming you have good water pressure coming into your house.


A true rain can has a "cavity" inside that just fills with water and literally lets it fall out of the head like rain.  This is what most people think of when picturing a rain head.  However, what you should be picturing is a larger head spraying water at a rate of 2.5 gallons or more per minute!  The more is referring to those of you rule-breakers who take the flow restrictors out and are not concerned about being eco-friendly.


Having worked in a bath showroom the past seven years, I have been able to test many shower heads in our own home and figure out what I do and don't like.  Here are a few I like to switch up every now and then.

via Moen

The Moen Isabel is a dual function shower head measuring 8" in diameter.  You use the lever on the side to change from a wide all-encompassing spray to a smaller concentrated spray coming out of the center.  Moen's Immersion Technology is superior in pressure and allows even the wide spray to feel just as powerful as the smaller diameter spray.

via Delta

Delta's H2O Kinetic Technology saves over 36% water than other shower heads and feels no different.  We currently have this shower head on one of our master shower heads and Jeremy will not let me change it.  He is in love!  Although it uses less water, because they are larger droplets, you do not sacrifice in pressure or coverage!

via Kohler

Kohler has a wide offering of shower heads, but this flush to the ceiling four spray head at 10 gallons of water per minute is King.  Kohler leads the way with their flush body sprays (think individual versions of what is seen above mounted to the wall) and has now transferred it to the ceiling.  If you want to be drenched, this is the way to go.  You can even choose to go with chromatherapy installed in the ceiling and have it hooked up to your DTV shower system and iPOD.  But that is for the big leagues...and will require another entire post to explain.

via Grohe America

This Grohe shower head cannot be surpassed!  At 16" in diameter, I don't even want to know how much water will come out of it once you remove the flow restrictor (not suggesting to waste water and do this, but why else would you buy this shower head?).  I have not personally used this head, but it really is ENORMOUS.  No complaints from anyone that purchased this in their bathroom - I'm assuming they are too busy enjoying it to let me know.

via Hansgrohe

Hansgrohe really knows what they are doing when infusing air through their shower head to create the feeling of greater water pressure.  It's genius.  They call it Air Injection Technology and offer it on a variety of options.  Their quiclean system allows you to clean the grime or build up left from your water in the shower head by simply wiping a damp wash cloth over the face of the head.  Thanks for the technology, Germany!

via Kohler

No, this is not a rain head.  But it is an awesome shower head that retails for 75 bucks in chrome.  And it has four different spray patterns you can alternate between by flipping the shower head around in a circle.  Hello, Flipside!  Kohler describes the four spray patterns as:

Koverage™-a full-face spray for a superb performance for everyday use

Kotton™- releases a uniquely dense, soft, enveloping downpour of luxury spa spray

Komotion™- a full-face spray that delivers a drenching spray in an exhilarating, circular pattern that both relaxes and refreshes the senses for a deep sense of well being

Kurrent™- delivers a targeted massage spray to ease away aches and pains and revitalize your body

This is what is currently on the second shower head in our master bath.  Now, run over to your local wholesale distributor and splurge on a new shower head!  You deserve it!

I miss you, Jeff Lewis!

I am super excited for Jeff Lewis' return to Bravo this July!  Is anyone else counting down the days?  I do believe that Flipping Out is what originally made me fall in love with Bravo.  I can't quite remember if his show began before or after the Real Housewives of OC, but it was one or the other that snagged my heart.

via

I realize he is neurotic and type A to the max, but I tell my husband all the time I could seriously work for him.  I am in love with his brutal honesty, on point sense of urgency and organizational skills, and of course his passion and talent for design.  I can hardly wait for all of the new and hilarious debates between Jeff and his housekeeper, Zoila. Oh yeah, and obviously the seriously to-die-for kitchens and baths.  

via Bravo

There is a new series rumored to be in the works called Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis...any word on a date?  I can only imagine this will be just as addictive!

Layering your lights

Yes, I have spent the past seven years becoming BFF with all things lighting.  Although I am perfectly comfortable designing the interior and exterior lighting of residential spaces, there is so much more out there to learn.  I didn't spend much time in college studying terminology such as lumens, foot candles, wattage, or sizing chandeliers.  Who knew there is an entire field out there dedicated solely to these details?!?!  (I see an entire post dedicated to this at a later date).


My favorite thing to discuss with and definitely ENCOURAGE homeowners to do is LAYER YOUR LIGHTS!  To me, this means bring it on!  


The easiest example to use is a kitchen.  Light fixtures all bring something unique to each "layer," whether it be task, ambient, directional, or general use.  Here is a simplified breakdown:

• Task:  light used to perform a certain task, lights called "undercabinet" installed in a kitchen typically provide lighting to the countertops directly underneath of the upper cabinets, this is also commonly used to provide ambient lighting while entertaining, use as a night light,  highlight and show off a kitchen backsplash, and provide light to areas out of reach by the general lighting

via Modern Kitchen Design Ideas

• Ambient:  the best way to describe is decorative or mood lighting, glass pendants that typically have a low wattage halogen bulb in them are a good example, this type of lighting is not the main source of light in a kitchen and is usually more decorative than function

via House Beautiful

• Directional:  lighting aimed in a specific direction for a specific task, for example, kitchen pendants over an island or a directional recessed can angled towards a piece of art on the wall

via House Beautiful

• General lighting:  the main source of light in the room such as recessed cans in a kitchen or even a flush mounted light in a small area, if it is the fixture providing the most light in a space, it is the general light of the room

via Kitchen Remodel Ideas

Let's not forget other ways to layer your lights with fixtures such as table lamps, wall lamps, sconces, and ceiling fans with lights!

Does your kitchen lighting satisfy you while cooking, entertaining, and grabbing a midnight snack?  If not, consider adding more dimensions to your lighting lay out.  You may be surprised at how inexpensive it is to have an electrician add wiring for additional fixtures if you already have fixtures in your space.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Library Design - Provo, UT

A dear, sweet friend of mine (who has moved all over the country but has now settled in Utah) needed help with her library.  She wanted it to be kid friendly, incorporate a super cute pair of chairs she just purchased, and the color red.  We have been friends since we were twelve years old and have pounded many miles of pavement running together over the years, so I know her style pretty well.  Although she is usually more traditional, we decided to step outside of the box, throw in punches of modern and vibrant colors, and tie together a soft blue and brighter red.  This library will serve as a casual chic space for relaxing, reading, and family time!

Here is the game plan below...  

She is currently in the home stretch of putting the finishing touches on the room.  I am so excited to see the final product!  I will share the "before and after" pics once it is complete!

Modern vintage?

Is there such thing as modern vintage?  I feel like the current style I am loving should be called "modern vintage."  I absolutely love old, full of quality, well-loved, vintage pieces.  However, I am also a huge fan of bright, fun fabrics and contemporary designs.  


For example, here is a set of antique chairs I inherited from my grandmother.  I love the style, but the old, icky fabric had to go!  Can you believe these chairs were so old they were stuffed with hay?!?!?  My husband discovered this when pulling them apart.  I was (thankfully) many months pregnant and nesting like crazy.  He was sweet enough to make my vision a reality and recovered the chairs by himself!

Here is the a picture of what the chairs originally looked like:

*Please excuse the iPhone picture

And here is what they looked like after our makeover!

I used fabric with a modern print (I later saw this on everything in Crate and Barrel last summer) and a more traditional grey trim.  Although I love nail head trim, I opted for the more modern piping around the front and back of the chair.  

A sneak peek into our foyer where the chairs live...

Anyone else a fan of meshing two or more styles together to create your own favorite look?

Ta-Dah!

Today, I am taking a jump into the world of blogging.  It is finally time to just do it!


Hello, world!  My name is Jessica Cooley and I'm an interior design and art graduate who has been working the past seven years as a consultant in a bath and kitchen showroom.  I have learned a lot professionally about the building and remodeling processes, worked with contractors, architects, designers, homeowners (and anyone else in the industry you can name), and have slowly molded and remolded my own design tastes and preferences.  Craving another outlet for my creativity, I decided to start this blog.  It just seems so limited to leave my daily experiences at work or to not have anyone else to share a new found love for a certain product, style, or color with!


I grew up as the daughter of a custom builder and plumber by trade, running around houses in the framing stage and redecorating my own bedroom at every opportunity possible.  I have always known that I wanted to become an interior designer.  My passion for design, color, furnishings, lighting, and the ability to express oneself through the jewelry of your home is what makes me tick!  Our house is my canvas, constantly being reworked to make it our home.  I truly believe that a home can be beautiful no matter the budget, and as long as you make your home a true representation of yourself, you will love the space you live in.


My husband Jeremy is the handyman behind all of the projects and things we do around the house.  He actually loves to paint, designed our home, and never complains about the running to-do list.  We are the proud parents to our sweet baby twins, Olivia and Grayson.  They are the loves of our lives, obviously serving as the inspiration behind my blog name.  And so, here begins my journey into the blogging world...


Welcome to our little slice of heaven in the country!