Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel   The Challenge Achieving a plan that encompasses both a casual farmhouse feel but offers enough space for a large family who loves to entertain. The Key Creating a larger amount of space using what's available, adding in areas for storage, al the while seamlessly integrating a farmhouse look that would flow with the rest of the home.  How did we do it? Lots of planning with the homeowner. The most important part of this entire process is to make sure our client received everything she wanted and everything she needed. While also anticipating what I knew she would want, even after the project was complete.   The Goal was to make sure the kitchen would be a workhorse for this family.   Using a combination of surfaces as kitchen countertops. Wanting no fuss or worry, we selected a concrete countertop for the island, combining visual excitement with low maintenance durability. The homeowner was looking for something that could resist chipping and scratching, and she was partial to the concrete. How could I say no? It was the perfect choice. Instead of keeping with the concrete throughout the kitchen, we decided to create a perimeter using Cambria's Bradshaw Waterstone collection. Like concrete, the stone is stain resistant and maintenance free.  Exactly what a large family with children needs. We also added the subway tile to give the eye a place to rest.   We also added a brick wall. Why? The house is old, and during the demolition, we uncovered a couple other interior brick walls where additions had been built. We added a little character while keeping with the homes true form. Space saver. Ensuring the homeowner's happiness, we included a barn door, which provided a saving grace in space for the pantry and fit the aesthetic. A Win-Win! Now to tie it all together. Adding an eye-catching fixture, to truly bring this farmhouse kitchen together: a wooden beam.     This homeowner went from small and dark, to a beautifully airy and spacious kitchen that not only transitions well into the rest of the house but met each of her needs and her wants.

Colorfully yours,

How to Create a Little Girls Bedroom     Creating a little girl’s space can be one of the most fun rooms you decorate in your home! You may have a theme in mind and have already set to work collecting knick-knacks and the like to fill each nook and cranny.   But here’s where it gets tricky ...   Scenario   A 4-year-old girl, who wants something she’ll love now and will continue to as she grows later.   Check-mate? That’s what I thought. But don’t worry, I won't leave you with just that.   Think about durability. Use kid & pet-friendly fabrics that are tested for wear, tear, and stain resistance. Think about color, pattern, and texture. The right combination of each will give you great results. Solution I used a floral pattern on the drapes, velvet on the bench, twill on the bulletin board, and acrylic finish on both the lamp and lamp shades. I began by selecting a fun floral, full of color for drapes and building around it with complementary colors. Within this space, we were able to produce an amazing amount of positive energy. Along with that energy, a great space is created for this 4-year-old little girl to grow up in.    Even the small changes can make a world of difference.

Colorfully yours,

She-Shed The Man Cave for Women   What the what is a she-shed?   Apparently, it’s a place of escape for women. Our own little area, away from the house, where we can go and do what we want.   I don’t know about you, but I had never heard about this wondrous escape pod before. And what’s even crazier,   I work in one!   Now, I’ll be honest, this she-shed was not made for me initially. What started out as a shed, was then turned into a pool house/kids hide-a-way, before it was remodeled and turned into my studio. Now, the purpose of the she-shed is to have a method in place for escape. What’s great in my scenario, is that I can walk into my home and leave work behind me.   Same difference.   Here are some ideas for your new she-shed: Gardener’s Oasis                                      (1)                                                         (2) Feminine Chic House Beautiful Artists Retreat House Beautiful Are the wheels spinning? What would you do if given the opportunity to create your own she-shed?

Colorfully yours,

Rosa Dest Interiors in Guatemala 2018

A MISSION TRIP TO GUATEMALA WITH A FOCUS ON THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A HOME BUILT AND FURNISHED FOR A FAMILY OF 10.  

Our trip was sponsored by Catalyst Resources International, an amazing organization that helps the residents of Guatemala, by building homes, creating feeding programs, and offering both medical and dental services.

I am crazy about traveling, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to join a mission trip to Guatemala with my husband (Rich), and colleagues Kandrac & Kole from Atlanta. 

We left, although hesitantly, a week after Volcano Fuego erupted.

My friends, Joann Kandrac & Kelly Kole, make this trip to Guatemala annually to build a house for those in need. For this particular trip, our group was able to raise $5000, thanks to donations from family & friends, gathered items from a shoe drive, and collected toothbrushes and toothpaste from our friends at Colgate. Beyond thrilled with the donations, we could not wait to provide these items to those who needed them.

We made our way to the village of Santa Maria de Jesus, to build a home for a family of 10. With the donation provided, we were able to build a two bedroom house with a private bathroom, along with a new stove, bunk beds, and groceries. 

 

Pictured (above) is our devoted team with the family, standing on the foundation of their new house. They were responsible for building the foundation, and we were responsible for building the home in four days. 

This tight-knit family lives in a tiny little shack with dirt floors and two beds. Their kitchen, another dirt floor shack, was made of bamboo and consisted of a small table and hot plate for cooking. Their current bathroom, an outhouse, was also made of bamboo, dirt floors, and offered NO privacy. 

In getting to know the mother, Maria, I learned that her husband, Gaspar, works in Guatemala City selling fruits and vegetables. Because of the expense of the daily two-hour commute, Gaspar takes the bus into the city every Sunday morning at two and returns the following Saturday. Maria explained that the money he saves from the bus fare is used to feed the children. 

This certainly puts the struggles of poverty into perspective for me. 

Despite their struggles, I was so impressed with how happy and peaceful this family lives. 

Maria and Gaspar share the property with their daughter and her two children, Maria's eighty-eight-year-old mother, and Maria's sister. All homes are built similar in style and description, and each is right next door to one another. The family works as a unit; washing clothes, cooking, and protecting the children and one another. 

I was honored to be invited and eager to come on this trip to work and serve as the translator; making the experience more meaningful for our team and for the family.

Here we are raising the first wall of the house

Here is a video that shows the excitement centered around the construction of the house.

Here is a video that gives you a perspective of where and how the family lives and whats to come.

Look how far we were able to get, and it's only Day 1!

Day 2, we started the process of planning and creating their new bathroom.

Their old bathroom is behind the stone structure,
with a piece of fabric for the door.

Rafael, the foreman standing inside the new bathroom, is explaining to Maria what the new bathroom will look like.

 Rafael and I planning and designing the layout of the new bathroom

Our blueprint designed the old fashion way: common sense, a pencil, and a slab of wood. 

In just 2 days a beautiful new bathroom was built, offering more space and much more privacy.

                            

Their bathroom includes a new toilet, a shower stall, and all concrete flooring.
Abuelita (grandmother) could not have been happier!

As I mentioned earlier, our team managed to raise enough money to also provide them with a new stove. The new stove was quite an upgrade from the hot plate and their grate over a stack of wood. The new stove also includes ventilation, which will improve the quality of the air they breathe while cooking.

Rafael putting the finishing touches on the new stove. The stove uses less wood, which is an added benefit, as they will no longer need to gather wood daily in order to cook.

I am explaining to the family, and our group, how to operate the new stove. 

Truly amazing. 

This stove reminded me of an induction cooktop, and I couldn't help but wonder if this cooktop to Maria, is what a Wolf cooktop is to us.

While the team continued to work hard on finishing the house, Dr. Dest (Rich) distributed toothbrushes and toothpaste and gave everyone a lesson on how to properly brush their teeth. 

He sure was lucky that I was there to translate ;).  

Needless to say, all of the kids were in awe.

Thank you again, Colgate, for spreading your love across the world to a much-needed community.

And just like that, four days passed, and the house was complete.

Magic happens when a team truly works together.

It also doesn't hurt to have a couple of designers thrown into the mix ;).

     

Beth, Lacefield Designs, a trade partner and a member of our construction crew, donated these beautiful custom drapes to add privacy to the two new bedrooms.

  

On Day 4, we presented the house to a very happy and humbled family. 

Chino, their dog, immediately found his new spot on their new front porch.

I don't know where mom and dad plan to sleep,

but these kids wasted no time claiming which bed was theirs.

For them, this is the first time sleeping on a mattress and these pictures say it all.

I am filled to the brim with happiness at the opportunity this trip provided.

The memories we created with our team and this special family, is unlike anything we could have ever hoped to experience.

Thank you again to my friends, Kandrac & Kole, for inviting me, to Catalyst Resources International for sponsoring the trip, and to all of you who donated - this would not have been possible if it wasn't for you.

Color

Creating A Space For Him

A Tribute To Dad   Picture Quotes For the month of June, we are celebrating all the special men that bring joy to our lives. Considering another project? What about the ultimate space for Dad! Maybe it's designing that man cave he has always wanted or re-decorating his office space or garage. It may need nothing more than a quick organizational fix, or something more; a complete overhaul. Rosa Dest Interiors Creating The Ultimate Space For Dad I know what you’re thinking. A Man Cave?   I bet you’re picturing a dark room with worn leather sofas and a La-Z-Boy recliner.  Not one cave is alike. Just like any room in your home, you can add masculinity without going overboard. Photo by Jolene Hardy on Unsplash Creating The Ultimate Space For The Family This room doesn’t have to be dedicated solely to the men of the home. It could be finishing the basement and designating that area for football games, a round of pool, or poker night. Choosing a space that allows for noise, but also provides comfort within its retreat. Bloglovin' Have something in mind? Let us help you maximize your budget.

Contact me today to find out!

Colorfully yours,