Color Makes All The Difference

Updating Paint Colors Can Make All The Difference Between "Boring" and "Classic."

The trim on this 1970's home was a flat chocolate brown.
A 2010 update took it up a step with a complimentary "Black" in a semi-gloss finish.
The brick is a mustard yellow with some red and black throughout.
Mind you, there is absolutely no chocolate brown in the brick. Obviously, the color was more in line with the 1970's decorative style preference, rather than a proper color choice to bring out the interest and beauty of the brick.
By adding a classic "Black," the trim no longer competes with the brick.
It is clean, contemporary and is a color choice that will remain a "Classic."

DETAILS

Details Really Add So Much To Any Room
One can have the nicest furniture or the most beautifully painted walls in their home, but if it has a very generic feeling...it just isn't all that inviting. It's the little details like a lamp, photos, pillows and delicious scents filling the air that scream out,
"Come on in and make yourself at Home!"

Granite Countertops Installed

I LOVE THE GRANITE COUNTER TOPS!
WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!

I went with Carlos Morales @ CC Dream Works, Inc..
www.ccdreamworks.com
Office - 801-347-7425 (Rebecca)
Mobile - 801-502-9132 (Carlos)
The Custom Counter tops have a beveled edge and all of them go over the sinks, which I especially love!
Initially, the project was to take 2 weeks from order to installation.
It ended up taking 4 and, I must confess, there were definitely some kinks that we had to work through, but it was all worth the wait and mess! It has given our kitchen and every bath a feeling of luxury!
DID I MENTION THAT I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THE GRANITE?
IT'S SO FABULOUS!!!
A BIG "THANK YOU" TO MY SWEETHEART...
I LOVE YOU, DOUG!!!

Master Bedroom Update

A Master Bedroom serves a number of purposes...A place to sleep and renew the mind & body, a place of refuge when one's home is full of life & people, a retreat for private meditation and a special room set apart from all the others for my Sweetheart & I. With that said...I wanted a space that felt Chic but was a Classic. I Faux painted the walls a bronze-gold with a creamy taupe and the carpet is an antique bronze-gold color. To make the room pop with a bit of old world & modern, I decided to go a Black & White theme, with hints of gold. Alas, I found a "Bed In A Bag" that I really liked and simply looked for complimentary fabrics that I could use for curtains and overstuffed pillows. I detailed items with Black Velvet Ribbon, various Glass Bead Trim in gold and in black, and tried to use a variety of fabrics to add texture...like the black pleather pillow. I'm still working on sewing a few more pillows but I think one can get a general idea. Granted, my vision is more than our budget allows, so the cool bedroom set will have to wait, as will the chandelier light, but I can still utilize little details that add so much to our special retreat! The master bath colors flow right with the bedroom so it all feels like one big space. It's Awesome!

Master Bath

The Granite counter tops were installed throughout the house and has made a world of difference...I LOVE THEM! I also love adding a few small details to change the "Ordinary" to "Extraordinary!" Ribbons, Lace & Glass Bead Trim can really make a bath & hand towel really stand out! I stayed within the same color key but mixed knobs on drawers & cabinets to really personalize our space.

Granite Countertops

Before Shots Of Kitchen & Baths
Our Granite selections have been ordered and we should have them installed in 2 weeks or less.
We found the best deal through...

CC Dream Works, Inc.
Custom Countertops
Carlos Morales
Mobile 801-502-9132
Office 801-347-7425
ccdreamworks@hotmail.com
www.ccdreamworks.com
Shop Address...2147 W. Alexander St. (2415 So.)
West Valley City, UT 84119
Carlos was so easy to work with and he came highly recommended by family
Can't wait to share the photos when the job is complete!

A very big THANK YOU to my sweetheart, Doug, for making this a "Dream" come true!
I LOVE YOU, DOUG!!!

Master Room Bedding

A Sample Photo Of Our Master Bedding Purchase
Made Online Last Night From pemamerica.com.

I've had my eye on this print for some time now...And have been shopping for the best pricing.
I've learned that when doing online shopping, even the same company has sale pricing, not advertised, at the bottom of the page...where it indicates that other shoppers have also looked at these items. Lo and Behold, there was the exact same Comforter Set for $40.00 cheaper...both items being sold through pemamerica.com.
Lesson learned...One must always be watching out for themselves, even while frugal!

While I am a seamstress, among other things, I don't really have loads of extra time so I wanted to make a basic purchase and then do some small sewing to complement the new bedding. I have vision and I'm picturing some really cool items that will make a very lovely Comforter Set transform from "Fab" to "Spectacular!"
Photos Coming Soon!

Home Remodel

After 9 days of total mess - furniture displacement and layers of dust, we replaced our Entry Hall tile, Living Room, Hallway and Dining Room carpet for Hardwood Floors. Hurray!!! When the project began, we moved all the furniture out and started in the Entry...total NIGHTMARE!...The tile lay on 3 - 4 inches of concrete and was such a pain to break up and remove, not to mention all the dust, dust, DUST!!! The carpet was very easy to rip up, along with the padding, tack strips and all the staples. Next came the base boards and a good sweep of all the rooms. Last, was building up and replacing the Entry sub flooring so that it was level with the other rooms.

We could have, as it would have been more economical, but in the end we paid to have the Hardwood Flooring installed. It took 1 1/2 days and it is positively BEAUTIFUL!!! HONESTLY, I'D DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!!! I LOVE IT 200%! Thank you to my wonderful husband for his hard work and patience with me! And many thanks to our wonderful kids who pitched in when they could! I'll give my husband some time to regroup...but as for me, this project was so worth it.

Our "To Do" list has a few items checked off now...1. Furnace Replacement - 3 installed. 2. Air Conditioning Units - 2 installed. 3. Carpeting 3 upstairs Bedrooms, Hallway, Staircase, 2 main floor Offices and main floor Family Room. 4. Hardwood Flooring installed on main floor Entry, Living Room, Hallway and Formal Dining Room. We're making progress! :)

Special People & Special Moments Frozen In Time

Fill Your Home With
Special People & Special Moments,
Frozen In Time, Through Photography.
Surround Yourself With Those You Love Most!

Bringing Outdoors In

We're blessed to live in such a beautiful world...
Why not bring some of that Beauty indoors?
There's nothing like flowers to brighten a room,
lift a spirit, add color to any decor or
simply add fragrance that permeates any Home!

Bring in some of your favorite blossoms, twigs,
budding branches or fresh fruits & vegetables
and turn any room into a cozy retreat!

Inspirational Kitchen Ideas

These are some Kitchen Inspirations that I really love! Why? They're classic and never outdated. While Hardwood floors in the kitchen, laundry and baths are currently really popular, it is NOT POPULAR when plumbing, refrigeration or dishwasher leaks occur! It can cause wood to buckle and totally destroy hardwood sections! Personally, while I love hardwood flooring in a home, there are certain rooms that are better served to have tile. Clean up is easy for both and there are so many selections to choose from.

The Miracle Of Paint

Paint is the easiest and least expensive way to transform any room. Color is everything! It can make a room feel inviting, warm or rich. It can calm the spirit, ease the mind and create a feeling of tranquility. It can energize, awaken and lift.

A number of years ago, I did an apprenticeship for an Interior Decorator and learned a great many things from this gifted artist. One of the things learned is that, at least at that time, there were actually only 3 paint manufacturers who supplied the exact same product behind varying labels and prices. My experience with paint, over the past 15 years, is that most inexpensive paint lasts about the same as your most expensive brands. They are all made of pretty decent quality. The truth is...most people change the color of their walls/decor long before a paint warranty has expired. So go ahead and do what works within your budget and personal preference. There are so many home improvement stores throughout the U.S. that offer free classes on products and technique. Don't be afraid to experiment!...The worst that can happen is that you'll hate a color and begin anew.

Here are just a few things to consider...
1. Oil base - Lasts longer and tool/supply cleanup is more difficult and requires a cleaning solvent. Acrylic (Water Base) - Lasts well and is a soap & water cleanup...No other cleaning solvents are necessary.
2. Varying Paint Sheens - Flat is simply that...a matte color, difficult to wash walls and more recommended if you have an adult friendly ONLY kind of home. Semi-Gloss has a somewhat glossy sheen to the color, is easy to wash walls clean when something gets on it or a child gets to it with crayons. I highly recommend this sheen if kids are in the home or for bathroom usage, where humidity is higher. I love a Gloss sheen for Interior/Exterior doors, interior trim and bathroom ceilings. Why? Easy to wipe clean and maintain a nice new appearance for years to come. For bathroom ceilings, I prefer to prep them with a good scrub down of half & halft vinegar/water mixture to remove any mildew or mold spore bacteria. Then I will prime with a sealant that protects against mold/mildew made specifically for bathroom ceilings. Lastly, I paint with a semi-gloss or gloss sheen.
3. A paint job is as good as its prep job! Make the time to be thorough and tape off. It is worth the added grunt work and can really make the difference between "Perfection" and "Sloppy."

Happy Painting!!!