Saturday, October 26, 2013

Another one of my Projects Featured in National Magazine- Cottage Style Magazine Fall/Winter 2013!!!

Yesterday was a very exciting day.  My husband and I officially opened our shop in Cornelius AND Cottage Style Magazine hit newsstands with my Vermont Project Featured!!!  What a great way to end the week:)
You won't be able to view it online for a while so I snapped some pics of the pages...










This project was very dear to my heart because I got to travel home to my hometown of Burlington, Vermont several times!  I'll post some behind the scenes pics of the photo shoot soon!


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Behind the Scenes- Better Homes & Gardens photo shoot

I've been meaning to post a few behind the scenes shots from the Better Homes & Gardens photo shoot, but haven't had the chance to do so until now.  The photo shoot took place June 2012, so that gives you an idea of how long it takes from shoot to published:)  If you missed all of my Facebook posts, one of my projects is featured in the October issue of Better Homes & Gardens!

Here are a few pics from that exciting day...




 The photo stylist and photographer viewing the shots...



My awesome client Shana and her cute kids getting ready for their shot in the spotlight!...


It seems like ages ago that this photo shoot took place considering all that's happened with my business since then.  I am so grateful and blessed to have had the chance to work with such amazing talent on these shoots (3 of my projects and 3 assisting a very talented photo stylist!).  Another one of my projects will be shot for a national magazine this friday! - can't wait:)
Stay tuned for Cottage Style bookazine that comes out this month- My Vermont cottage project will be featured!

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Simplicity Interiors in Better Homes & Gardens October Issue!!!

It's finally here... the October issue of Better Homes & Gardens features a kitchen remodel I did in Davidson, NC.  So exciting to see it in a national magazine.  I first saw it on the stands while visiting Toronto last weekend....


It's on page 85-  here is a picture of the first page…






This is the first of 4 projects that will be featured in national magazines over the next 6 months, so stay tuned!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

My Baby is Growing Up :(

It makes me very sad to think my baby girl is growing up.  Although she went into a full size bed quite sometime ago (around 18mos), I kept the green/pink/white color scheme.  But now that she's going to be 4 years old in October and expressing quite an interest in decorating, she has been begging me to paint her room purple.  This is how the room looked as a nursery:

I spent a lot of time measuring out those stripes so when it came time to paint it purple, I decided to keep the wall as a focal point which I thinks still looks cute!



The canopy and the green duvet cover I had when Avery was little so I was able to recycle both of those.  I was also able to keep the curtains I made and simply switched out the ribbon to coordinate with the room.  

  Overall I think it came out very cute and Piper loves it!  Maybe she'll sleep in her room all night now:)

Sunday, July 28, 2013

The Many Faces of My Home Office and Dining Room

I'm almost a little bit embarrassed to write this blog.  I myself can't believe how many times the dining and my home office have changed looks in the last 5 years.  Those who know me know that I love to change things in my home- hence my career as an Interior Designer!
So here it goes, see if you can keep up with the many faces of what is now my Home Office space...

When we first purchased the home, this was the dining room (carpet....ewwww).  That was the first thing to go...

This is what it looked like after hardwoods went down and we bought some furniture...

Then I went through a gray and plum phase- hmmmm....

The problem was that I just really didn't like this contemporary dining set, but I kept trying to make it work- here is try #3...

I thought maybe by painting the room yet a 3rd time and disguising the chairs with slipcovers I would like it better, but nope:)... because I finally had to bite the bullet and get what I wanted!...

A table with a more rustic casual feel and mismatched chairs.  The side chairs I found on Craigslist for $60 for all four.  They have cane seats which I love, but wanted to protect so I made cushions.
So while all this transformation was happening in my THEN dining room, the office was across the way going through it's own transformations!... I won't even show you how it looked pre-office, that would really confuse you:)

It was ok, but very boring and very beige.  The desk was temporary - it was actually the coffee table that was in this room and my handyman neighbor helped me add legs on it, then I skirted it.  It served it's purpose for the time being, but of course I was going to change it.  So next phase of this room was this...

Much brighter and a nice crisp look.  I spray painted all the mirrors and the desk was a $25 find that I painted.  But wait, I wasn't happy yet...  I had the grand idea in the middle of the night to completely flip flop my dining and office spaces- so the very next day that's what I did and this is how this space sits now as my dining room...

Alright, now back over to what was my dining room.  This is what the flip looked like...



Not bad... but still not happy, go figure.  Which brings me to two days ago on Friday...  I had my intern Jaklyn help me start organizing.  I was in desperate need of storage and some organization and while I was at it, some color:)  I painted Friday night, hung shelves on Saturday and almost finished organizing today...







There you have it- boy when it's all laid out like this, it seems completely crazy.  But I love the bright cheery colors and considering how much time I spend in here, it better be a happy place.  So here it sits until I get another wild idea to mix it up again:)














Tuesday, January 22, 2013

The Houzz Community Voted Simplicity Interiors “Best of 2013″ in Both Categories!



houzz interior design ideas

Simplicity Interiors of Huntersville, NC Receives

Houzz’s 2013 ‘Best Of Houzz’ Award

Annual Survey and Analysis of 11 Million Monthly Users
 Reveals Top-Rated U.S. Professionals
[CHARLOTTE, NC]  –  January 21, 2013 – Simplicity Interiors of Huntersville, NC has been awarded  “Best Of Houzz” 2013 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design. Ally Whalen was chosen by the more than 11 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.
The Houzz “Best Of Houzz” award for 2013 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and DesignCustomer Satisfactionaward winners are based on homeowner members who rated their experience working with remodeling professionals in 12 categories ranging from architects, and interior designers to contractors and other residential remodeling professionals.  Designaward winners’ work was the most popular among the community of 11 million monthly users, also known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 124 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site,iPad/iPhone app and Android app.
“Houzz provides homeowners with an in-depth, 360-degree view of building, remodeling and design professionals through images of their work, reviews and an opportunity to interact with them directly in the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community. “We’re delighted to recognize Ally Whalen among our “Best Of” professionals for design and exceptional customer service as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”
With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Ally Whalen, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.
View Simplicity Interiors Best of Remodeling Photos here:
Simplicity Interiors Houzz profile: http://www.houzz.com/pro/allyrm99/__public
About Houzz
Houzz (www.houzz.com) is a leading online platform for home remodeling, providing inspiration, information, ‘advice and support for homeowners and home improvement professionals through its website and mobile applications. Houzz features the largest residential design database in the world, articles written by design experts, product recommendations, a vibrant community powered by social tools, and information on more than 1.5 million remodeling and design professionals worldwide who can help turn ideas into reality. @houzz_inc
*Less than 3% of the professionals on Houzz receive this award