From the day little ones are placed in their nurseries being viewed by baby cam, we get our first look into their futures. As kids grow and change, so do their personalities, tastes and desires. In that way, this pre-teen is very much on target in her adolescent journey. To achieve the ultimate success for a newly updated space, we took a few things into account. We started with a list of To Do’s to make this project special:

1. Decluttered the space by looking through old toys, books and clothes to determine what to keep, donate or toss.
2. Picking the wall color - This was a fun experiment that took more than one trip to the paint store for mommy and teen. A little designer’s nudge in the right direction of paint family helped them find the perfect color! Thanks Mom and Dad for getting the room painted and prepped.
3. Consultation with the teen to get ideas and level set expectations of what the new space would offer. We still hold true to our promise to get those wick burning candles for her first apartment, lol! For now, battery-operated was the way to go! We’re also sure those non-water fed plants are still as beautiful as the day we left them. Thanks Mom, for your patience and allowing us to walkthrough her wants!
4. Picking the right furniture - The client knew that she wanted white furniture with lots of storage. While this seemed like an easy ask, finding an age-appropriate white bedroom set that would still be practical proved to be challenging. After a few online searches and an in-store visit, we found a set that we knew would be perfect for this teen room makeover.
5. Personality - This teen is fun-loving and full of energy, so her space had to reflect the same.
6. Comfort – Creating a relaxing space was a key element to the design. Lots of texture, color and quotes to keep her feeling focused and relaxed.
7. Storage, Storage, Storage! – We wanted to make sure the new bedroom furniture had plenty of storage, as well as other spaces that would uniquely hold all of this teen’s gear.
8. Bling, Bling, Bling! – This room has all the glitz and glam for any little Diva (a person who exudes great style and personality with confidence and expresses their own style and not letting others influence who they are or want to be)! #IAMKennedy
9. Glam, Glam, Glam! - Having a glam station was a must have. This became the perfect client gift ensuring she had a space to store all of her fashion and style goodies. Repurposing a dresser mirror with paint and lighting and incorporating a DIY stand along with a swivel chair completed the look!
10. Function, Function, Function! Everything had to be functional with style and personality. We kept with the theme of glam throughout the design. To ensure her workspace was just as unique as the other new room furnishings and accessories, we designed, built and painted a corner desk (Yes, the client’s mom and my hubby built a corner desk and made great use out of a small space, #2Engineers). Thanks, Dad, for the extra muscle to get it in place. Grandma, not too shabby on your help with painting the desk. This desk is surely a treasure with all the special hands that made it possible.

The initial consultation with this client revealed she had some very high expectations. To align with her parent’s budget, while trying to add realistic features that would please all parties, we had a lot of work ahead of us! This is one of the most endearing projects we have done. Over the years, we have watched this teen grow into a beautiful little soul. We felt honored that she chose us to handle this project and that her parents entrusted us to deliver. As always, thanks to my style team - K. Turner and "Mr. Fix It" - D. Grant. “From Baby Cam to Teen Room Glam”, this is the ultimate transformation. YEET!

To view the photo journey of this project, click here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/WHgwrmQJXJgumoSQ9

Special thanks for courtesy project design photos, K. Smith, Middletown, DE

This Kitchen redesign had multiple moving parts, from granite selection to restyling cabinets and decor. Once the client consultation was complete, the first order of business was to assist in the selection of the perfect granite to achieve the look and feel of the space desired. The granite would become the foundation in selecting the cabinet color and room decor. Following a recent upgrade to the client's family room, the modern styling and pops of color would also become an integral part of the new kitchen and dining space. Eye 4 ReDesign believes in reusing/ repurposing what the client already has and adding a few additional items as enhancements. For this project, we used paint, fabric, glass, textures and automation to create an entertainment space. We strategically planned a power-packed 3-day work session to complete the job. Day 1 included removing cabinet doors and drawer facings for sanding, priming, painting and cabinet panel cutouts. Also on schedule was painting the cabinet base and adding under cabinet lighting. Day 2 was rehanging and affixing drawer facings, adding glass, and cabinet molding. By the end of a long Day 2, the kitchen was starting to show a transition to modern state. To ensure it had all the elements of a new modern kitchen, we installed skill enabled features that would allow the client to experience a voice-activated solution to turn the kitchen cabinet lighting on and off. This feature add was special because it allowed the client to finally unpack a gift from her son and daughter-in-law. Adding these special touches are always nice because they bring more sentimental value to a project. On Day 3, final touch up and hardware replacement were high on the agenda. The final step was staging the new space with decor that matched the new finishes. The countertops were restyled with functional and decorative pieces. The appliances were placed in one area to create their own station. This client and her spouse are world travelers and we wanted to give them a unique display case to add some of their beautiful pieces. To keep with the modern flair of the kitchen, we surprised them with a glass cabinet front with in-cabinet lighting to display their goodies. We also added multicolored in-cabinet lighting to the newly cutout glass front cabinets above the microwave to display some new modern style pieces. Staying aligned with the Eye 4 ReDesign pledge to use what the client has, we started with recovering existing bar stools, then followed up with a table dressing that would accentuate the new color scheme and preserve a nostalgic purchase. We decided that burnt orange would be a good transition color to warm up the kitchen and give it a burst of energy. Fabric is always a quick and easy way to update a space. Adding a couple of new modern chairs to a traditional dining set can quickly change the look and style. This client found the perfect style and color to pair with her existing setting. After the table was set and decor was placed, we did final clean up and moved on to the Big Reveal. This beautiful new space is now the perfect transition flow from the family room to kitchen. As an additional bonus we painted, added cabinet molding and under cabinet lighting to the dessert buffet, which has direct sight lines between the family room and kitchen. The client literally jumped for joy over her new space! We are happy to know that the clients are going to "Love It and not List It!" 😍 This is what makes hard work and extensive time-consumed projects so worth it! It was a journey for this client to get to the final product, and she can rest assured that her kitchen has gone from "Builder Grade to Modern Made!"

To view the journey of this project:
​https://photos.app.goo.gl/JKCURy2GcJmR291A7

​​Special thanks for courtesy project design photos and videos, C. & R. Griffin, Middletown, DE

Customer Reaction/Project videos:  

This project started with an overwhelmed client who couldn't find order in her home office.  Every queen needs to have order in her Queen-dom, so we set out to restyle, refresh and renew her space.  At first thought, the client wanted to throw out the old and begin anew.  I specialize in redesign, so I suggested we keep a few items and start with a modest budget to find furniture that would compliment the room and bring functionality to the space.  Although the client felt the space was small, I assured her it was the paper that was adding weight to the room.  Paper itself is lightweight, but when coupled with disorder, it becomes visually overwhelming.  The client was given an assignment to remove all paper and sort out what was required to function in the office environment.  We categorized stationary, record keeping and marketing materials. The next step was to purchase furniture items that would serve as organized storage.  I envisioned her existing desk, a small table that could house 2 printers, a credenza for stationary, and a dresser with deep drawers that could organize marketing materials. I asked the client to visit her local Habitat for Humanity Restore.  There she found and sent me photos of items.  I chose the pieces that I knew would work for her project.  In less than 1 hour and $100 later she left the store with a credenza, double table and dresser in tow.  Although she was still unsure of my complete vision for the room, she decided to trust my expertise.   It can be a hard concept to understand that adding more does not necessarily make an area feel smaller.  I had to remind her that when paper and clutter disappear, it opens up opportunity to see other focal points in the room.  A functional space instantly feels more light and airy.  This was a 2 day project.  Day 1 consisted of paint, paint, paint!  First, I painted an accent wall that would be a great foundation for the wall art that inspired the room design.  Then I painted  furniture pieces with a pop of color!  Leaving the credenza in its original cabinet stain was intentional to give the room balance.  I found the perfect panels to compliment the windows while the maintaining the airy feel of the space.  Once the curtain rod was installed, day 1 was complete.  On day 2, I returned to stage the room.  The furniture was placed and staging began.  The artwork and panels were hung, and a lamp that was once a storage item became the showpiece display it was meant to be.  I pulled in items that were once misplaced and gave them a new home.  Once the room was fully staged and revealed to the client, she was overjoyed.  She could not believe how large the office space now felt and she was apprehensive about putting things back into the room.  I reminded her that this was now a functional space, so we began moving all of the functional items back into the room.  The desktop computer, printers and a few more pieces of decor.  Understanding that everything now had a place, she could really visualize herself sitting behind the desk, which now looked like a piece of art.  Even though I repurposed quite a few items, it was exciting to see the client move about the room touching and feeling items as if they were all new to her.  In that moment, I knew this was a space she would come to enjoy.  Order had been restored and a room that was once humdrum was now a Queen-dom.

Every project has its nuances and experiences. Working with these clients was an absolute joy! It started with a simple statement 9 months prior to closing, "We are building a new home, can you pencil us in for next June". A couple of months before closing we had our initial consultation to explore furniture styles. Understanding that clients are often unsure about what they like can be somewhat challenging to hone in on style preferences. I try to make the experience as carefree and painless as possible. Instead of flipping through magazines, I took these clients to one of my favorite furniture stores, which is budget friendly with lots of opportunities for furniture selections. We had a two hour shopping experience which led to 95% of the furniture purchases. Finding balance and encouraging compromise is always key when working with couples. After a quick survey, it was clear that preferences for these two were not quite the same, but more alike than they thought. Simple coaching helped them to discover their likes with focus on colors, comfort and style. While there were several compromises throughout the process, together we selected items that would complement their new build. We made a few final selections and lined up delivery to coincide with the closing date. I must admit that I was unaware of some hidden talents that were soon discovered as we contemplated the design of an entertainment feature wall. This client wanted to bring to life a visual element to fulfill his new bride's request to have barn doors somewhere in the design. We sketched out a feature wall with floating shelves, barn doors and lighting features. I was amazed when I saw the final handmade product, a true masterpiece! As the designer, I began to focus in on the little details that would make the spaces feel warm and cozy and give them the model home feel they were looking to achieve. Although they wanted the look of a model home, I knew they also needed the comfort of everyday living. We collaborated on a color palette and I hit the ground running as their personal shopper. Once all of the accessories were procured, my team and I went in for a 1 day staging event that resulted in a client reveal. I thrive on personal touches and two things were key in this process. I asked each client to provide one item for the other person that I could include in the design. They both came up with awesome gifts. The second item was heartwarming for me, as I was able to incorporate pictures of their recent wedding into the design without them expecting it. I asked to see photos from the celebration and used them to create a canvas of one of their favorite wedding shots and strategically placed other photos to give their new place a lived in, this is "ours" feel. It was an honor working with this lovely couple. I enjoyed every minute from consultation to closing to reveal. My team and I were so happy to help them along this journey in making their new house a home!

To view the photo journey of this project:
​https://photos.app.goo.gl/1yRB7ZRP2914mDNn9

I am so excited to announce that E4R had its first "Wine & ReDesign" party, and it was a great experience. After a week of rainy days, the sun was bright and shining through the studio window to set the tone for an energized and engaging event. The ladies arrived eager and ready to get the creativity flowing. The Wine & ReDesign party was set up as a part of their "Girls Weekend" and after three hours spent with them, I felt like one of the girls. Everyone was so open to learning something new and sharing experiences. I enjoyed the camaraderie, laughter and joy that filled the room as we moved through each activity. During the event we had a collaborative discussion about lifestyle; opened awareness about color, style, patterns, textures and fragrances, and even honed in on their creative talents as they created a unique take home gift. We ended the event with a recap and a virtual render of their current and/or dream spaces. The ladies started out feeling like they were not the most creative, and by the end of the session they were tossing around ideas and sharing their creative thoughts about decor. This reaffirmed my theory that everyone has a creative side, "With the right engagement, creativity is unleashed". This is the first of many "Wine & ReDesign" parties, but this will always be my first.  I am so thankful for the bonds these ladies shared and how this translates into a newly established bond with E4R. Looking forward to future engagements with these clients!

​When I visited one of my favorite find's spots in Williamsburg, VA, I stumbled across of a blend of styles that created a great dining space. The Habitat for Humanity Restore was set up like a showroom floor. I was like a kid in a candy store. I am known for my creative style mixology and blends of furnishings. I have never been stuck in the traditional feelings about a specific piece of furniture being in a specific room. I knew the moment I saw the dining table and chairs that I had found the perfect mix of quality, uniqueness and style to mix with a buffet style accent piece. So, who would have guessed that a brand new vintage painted dresser would become home for additional plate sets, serving flatware, and platters. Restore will occasionally surprise you with new items in their inventory.  The dresser and mirrors would provide the perfect balance to compliment the dining space. I was so excited I could barely stand the 1 hour drive home! Using plateware and other decor that I already had, I transformed this dining space into the "Perfect Appetite for a True Dining Experience"!

Special thanks to the hubby for his beautiful birthday gift - The added light fixture, as a friend says, "Needs No Introduction!" and it provides the perfect ambiance for a great dining experience!
Dining Furniture Dec, 2016, Light Fixture Jan, 2018

​Imagine that you are moving and all you need is a personal concierge to give you a list of what to bring and everything else is done for you! Well, this client received just that. She was making a move from North Carolina to Virginia for a new start in her career. The process started with her seeking a new place to live with a space for her son during school breaks. She shared her budget and we went on a weekend search to view the places on her list. When we found what I thought would be the perfect space, she turned to me and said, "I don't see it, but if you say it will work, I know you can make it happen!"  It fit the budget, so the client signed the lease that day and our concierge services took flight! The move-in special included two painted accent walls with a great selection of colors. The client allowed me to select the colors to add to my vision for the project. I created a personalized list of fundamental things that the client would need for the move. This comprehensive list included the furnishings, kitchen essentials, pots, pans, 1 set of dishes, glasses, silverware, cleaning supplies, linens, a comforter set for the master bedroom, clothes, shoes, jewelry, and toiletries. The space was a 1 bedroom with a den, living room, kitchen, dining area and bathroom. Space was limited so to maximize the space I wanted to make sure she had a fresh start with the bare necessities! She followed the customized list and set out to make her trip to Virginia to drop off her belongings to the new space. She gave me a budget and the keys and left creative control regarding accessories and staging up to me. When she returned she walked into her new home with one thing to do.... unpack her clothes and shoes! The last time she had seen the place it was a a couple of rooms full of furniture and boxes. Its never easy moving to a new state, with a new job and the unknowns of what lies ahead. Utilizing our services, she entered her new space with a sense of peace, comfort and security. I added accessories to warm up the space and added personal touches that matched her personality and style.  The added bonus was the extra space for her son to hang out when he visited. With some privacy curtains and some additional personal touches in her son's space, the place would prove to be a comfortable home away from home. This design transformed this inter-state move into a Home Sweet Home using E4R's "Moving Concierge Services".

BEFORE:  Empty space ready to be staged

AFTER: New space ready for living and creating new memories!

Special thanks for courtesy project photos, K. Turner, Fredericksburg, VA Resident
Actual move date: Feb 2016

Sometimes a little recommendation goes a long way! While discussing another project, the client mentioned she wanted to create an accent pallet wall.  Working with pallet boards can be fun but also a lot of work to restore them to usable condition.  So, I suggested using the pre-packaged pallet pieces sold at a local big box store to get her started.  She and her hubby finished this unique pallet wall over a weekend.  As an added value they used some of the pallet boards they had originally restored.  Warm tones with a blend of grays creates warmth in this space.  This beautiful organic wall is now a centerpiece and conversation starter in their home.  

To finish off the area, the client contacted me seeking a table from the Southern Charms Collection.  We discussed the purpose of the table and realized that one of our pallet benches would be the perfect addition to the area.  To restyle the foyer area, the bench would become the focal point for the perfect entry space.  Adding a few items to anchor the bench allowed the client to get just what she was looking for.  This became a functional space for the family to use as they entered the home.  It also became the perfect compliment to the accent wall.  This area went from drop-and-go to Foye-rific!

​BEFORE: Drop-and-go Space in entryway.                        

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​AFTER: Perfectly anchored to create a family-friendly and functional entryway.

​AFTER: Pallet bench becomes the perfect compliment to the pallet accent wall.  

Special thanks for courtesy project photos from Sarah G., Richmond, VA

My client contacted me because he was undecided about what furnishings to use from his former home.  Having recently downsized from a 3,400 sq ft home with 5 Bedrooms and 4 Full Baths to a quaint 750 sq ft home with 2 Bedrooms and 1 bath was not an easy task.  It was going to take some strategic planning to make it comfortable.  Luckily, he had pictures of furnishings and accessories from the previous home which made it easier to select specific pieces that would make the new space feel like home.  We creatively found ways to give him that feeling of functionality and warmth.  He had flipped this property with the intention of making it a rental, but decided to live in it until he finds the space that perfectly fits his current lifestyle. Since the client lives three States away, our initial consultation was via a FaceTime session to evaluate the space. Pictures tell a story, but real-time video puts things in perspective.  The materials selected for the flip set up the perfect foundation for making this house a home.