Some say ‘The grass is always greener on the other side’. And how true this was when we met long-time Gilbert resident and fitness instructor, Melissa Richards… After countless years spent staring at spaces that didn’t reflect her personality or style, she was tired of [...]]]>  

Gilbert Gal Goes Green for Spring

Some say ‘The grass is always greener on the other side’. And how true this was when we met long-time Gilbert resident and fitness instructor, Melissa Richards… After countless years spent staring at spaces that didn’t reflect her personality or style, she was tired of day-dreaming and ready to start doing! Yet, like many homeowners that feel stuck in their space, she didn’t know where to begin. Lucky for her, she clicked on a before/after picture from the Restyle Facebook page that felt both do-able and affordable. Being a spunky, outspoken, strong woman, Melissa just needed a second opinion and another set of eyes to confirm her contemporary convictions. After all, high-style doesn’t need to feel like standing at the edge of the high-dive!

“Five years ago, I tried to decorate my house on my own. But the end result was a hodge-podge of ‘really good deals’ and a look that resembled every house on my block, but didn’t resemble ME!”  After our first meeting, it didn’t take long to identify Melissa’s style as much more contemporary than the furnishings and accessories she had accumulated over the years. She hates clutter and knew she had too much stuff and too many styles vying for center stage. So, the Tuscan and traditional pieces prepared to exit stage left as we presented her with a design board detailing an entire new look for her main spaces.         

The theme: green.  The style: hotel chic. The client: ready for change. Melissa admits, “I like things that are clean and fresh, light and welcoming. Ever since I was a child, I always had the neatest room in the house. It’s just easier for me to think clearly when things are in order.”  So our plan included clean lines, minimal accessories, simple window treatments, and trendy lighting all anchored in a pallet of fresh greens, bright whites, and a yummy buttery yellow.  We also wanted to leverage some of her great pieces of furniture that echoed the more modern style she craved. True, a few key lighting fixtures needed to be swapped out, but these were pieces that the homeowner had been admiring in magazines for months.

All of these ideas meant nothing to Melissa, however, until we could assign costs to each and then back into her budget. Keep in mind: she needed some green in order to ‘go green’! Even in this challenging economy, she had scrupulously saved and set aside monies from her own personal business venture: Total Body Fitness Bootcamps. With that number in mind, we were ready to start shopping and our workroom was ready to start sewing! Before the new paint was even dry, we scheduled our ‘Restyle Day’.

First, Melissa removed all of her accessories, art, and greenery and set them in one room. She tagged anything that had to stay and told us the other rooms we could ‘shop’ from. Because of her budget, we also provided her with a shopping list of items from curtain rods to crystal lamps. She also got busy with the spray paint and transformed countless pieces of Tuscan iron into modern metal prior to our arrival. What she saved in designer hours kept her budget in check and made her feel part of the design process.

Reusing pieces that Melissa already had was another budget-friendly way to transform her spaces without breaking the bank. Unused frames, repurposed pictures from other rooms, recovered pillows, and repainted accessories topped the list. We even took ready-made curtain panels and added grosgrain trim to the edge rather than creating an expensive custom window treatment. Talk about bang for your buck and befitting the contemporary vibe! The classic curtain rods were also off-the-shelf and hung close to the ceiling for an elongated (and also very custom) effect. A neighborly neighbor even welded one of the rods to fit an awkward angled window. Melissa paid him with a dozen chocolate chip cookies and his work paid off when the delicious white and chocolate panels were hung!

And don’t forget the eco-friendly backsplash and low VOC paint. The glass/travertine tiles were laid in a running bond pattern and they brought the oh-so-typical Arizona floor tile and the generic granite to a whole new level.  The sparkling backsplash even qualifies for LEED credits! The paint was not only kind to the environment, but fixed the mistake that many homeowners make: sticking with the paint they inherit with the home. Instead of working the style around the existing paint, we started with a fresh canvas. We chose a brighter hue to contrast the heavy furniture items and a creamy yellow in the darker rooms at the front of the house.

With the wave of a wand, some pixie dust, and… No really: with the pound of a hammer, the hanging of draperies, the fluffing of pillows, the moving of accessories, and  the squeaky cleaning of glass, our job was finally complete: on time and on budget. But at the end of any Restyle Day, the clients’ reaction to the ‘reveal’ is what we wait for. (Okay, sometimes we even cross our fingers). But we didn’t have to hold our breath for very long…  Melissa walked in and exclaimed, “This is so me! This is the kind of space I WANT to live in. Why did I ever go in a direction that wasn’t what I loved?”

At the end of the day, there was simply no need to ‘scrap it all’ and start over in this home. Yet with a big picture plan and a little nudge in the right direction, Melissa (and her family) are enjoying the other side of winter in their newly restyled space.  Yes, the grass is really greener on the other side!

Fresh and bright as a crisp dollar bill, the look for spring in any home can be both eco-friendly and budget-friendly. Just ask Melissa.

Secrets to Save You Some Green… but still splurge on style

RE-duce. Sometimes it’s not what you add, it’s what you take away. Edit your accessories and you’ll be keeping with the trend of ‘less is best’. Think ‘hotel style’ not ‘Hoarders’!

Re-use. Do you like the shape but not the finish? Harness the power of spray paint to transform a tired piece from blah to voila!

Re-vive. Light up your life with hip lighting in key spaces!  Like in this home, drum shades, polished pewter,   and clean lines can help you migrate from Tuscan to Transitional.

Published in the 202 Magazine April issue

Words by Pam Cole & Photos by Oh Snap by Carlee www.ohsnapbycarlee.com

At the Restyle Group, we {HEART} Bold Biz Chix!

As female entreprenuers, we know the fun, flexibility, and freedom of owning your own business.

But we are not alone. All over the East Valley and beyond, there are bold, creative, and vibrant women that started ‘something from nothing’ and are seeing it through.  [...]]]>

At the Restyle Group, we {HEART} Bold Biz Chix!

As female entreprenuers, we know the fun, flexibility, and freedom of owning your own business.

But we are not alone. All over the East Valley and beyond, there are bold, creative, and vibrant women that started ‘something from nothing’ and are seeing it through.  In spite of the economic times we are so tired of hearing about, they are focused on what CAN be done with a little ingenuity, instinct, and inspiration.  These Bold Biz Chix represent the entreprenuerial savvy that we at The Restyle Group love to support–  and we know you will too!

In the middle of color week, what better time to feature the ‘space behind the face’ of a fellow female entrepreneur that is no stranger to bright color. With a business model as bold and innovative as the hue of her walls, this Bold Biz Chix is poised for growth—faster than the spring grass can sprout! Join us as we meet the Savvy Socialista ( www.thesavvysocialista.com ) Jami Lindberg…

The Space Behind The Face: The Savvy Socialista @ Home

A little birdie told me that sitting down with the Savvy Socialista would be a smashing and sunny soiree… and they were right! From her bright colored jewelry and unforgettable hair bows, this local entreprenuer and longtime Chandler resident has made a business out of chatting and connecting. For small business owners who may not have the time or know-how to build a ‘social media’ presence online, Jami Lindberg  (a.k.a. The Savvy Socialista) sets them up with a simple strategy and chic connections that help build their businesses and improve their bottom line. “My passion is to connect business owners that I believe in so that they can propel their brands and ultimately pursue their dreams.” But she doesn’t work with just any company… “The businesses that I choose to partner with all have products that I would use, put in my home, wear, or suggest to any of my friends.”

So what does the home of this famous ‘Facebooker’ look like? Not surprising, The Savvy Socialista’s main spaces are vibrant  and unique with sparkle and bling throughout. Very few gals pick such bold colors for their walls. “So why bright green,” some would ask? With confidence, Jami explains, “Easy! Because nobody else does it… Besides, who could pass on a paint color with a name like ‘Crocodile Tears’”? If walls could talk, the bright walls in this house would hop online and start tweeting just like their savvy homeowner.

The mix of textures, glass, clean lined furniture and pops of color are what makes her space so sophisticated. The same is true of her work style. “My business sense is reflected in my no-nonsense, no fluff large pieces. I get to the point and work hard for my clients but like the pops of color and chic twists on the traditional, I like to have some fun as well.” After all, what’s more fun than bright orange chairs centered around a table covered in crystal, books, and birds?

But this social butterfly doesn’t just flit around the house on her iphone… “With the Savvy Socialista I get to bring awareness and buzz to new products. I think this brings people together in the same way my home and accessories do. At home, I am always changing my decor out, whether it’s from a local boutique or artisan. My pieces are great conversation starters allowing me to support women and show off great stuff.”

Relationships and connections are her business but it’s not all about work.  “Our front door is always open so I love when neighbors pop over!  I grew up in a home that was always picked up and clean. Therefore mine is too.  I like things to be in order and look nice every day.  I thrive on things being organized so I never worry when my doorbell rings!” From a built-in wine bar with funky crocodile trays to a large furniture-style island ready for guests and glasses, this home is a launching pad for laughter and learning. “I absolutely love the concept of joining people together to have fun, to network and share ideas or favorite tips and haunts. The more the merrier! I am the consummate social butterfly who thrives on being with others. I just love big groups and creative women.”

In her delicious dining room (that actually gets used), The Savvy Socialista has a fabulous painted ceiling and a contemporary drum-style pendant that contrasts with a more traditional table. A round sun-shaped mirror and unique glass accessories brighten a space that most homeowners would design as formal rather than fun! This approachable and atypical style intrigues many of her guests and friends. “By intriguing I mean I am constantly hearing ‘Where did you get that?’ My space and style seem to get a lot of inquiries.” And as it should…

But the fun doesn’t end where her kitchen begins… Burnt orange pendant lights hang over a cappuccino island and the backsplash mixes glass and travertine like the perfect cocktail.  Bright green and yellow accessories atop varied height cabinets are the jewelry in this space: just the right amount to finish off the outfit! Jami doesn’t disagree that her kitchen in particular gives a hint at who she is. “In general I am a very vibrant person. I am almost always in a sunny mood, constantly chatty and filled with enthusiasm. I also love bright colors in my accessories: bows, bling and pops of color are my trademarks, much like you see in my home.”

One might think the fun never ends, but even The Savvy Socialista needs some downtime. “After a long work week, you might find me lying in bed (sans hair bows) with my laptop (on Facebook of course), and remote in hand watching my favorite shows.”

Although her home and job may seem glamorous, this east valley resident is all about rolling up her online sleeves and helping small businesses thrive locally. “Much like my home, my door is always open, my computer is always on. I’m here to chat.”

Written by: Pamela Cole

Photos by: Carlee Komar of Oh Snap by Carlee ( www.ohsnapbycarlee.com )