October 2nd Mixer at Simplicity Interiors- Please Join Us!

Woodlands Home Update and Behind the Scenes Photo Shoot Pics

View my FB page for pictures from my latest project and some behind the scenes photos from my Amerock photoshoot with Eric Cohler!!!
https://www.facebook.com/allywhalendesign

Mantle Update with Paint and Stain

With all I've had going on lately, I have not been able to do much painting:(  most of you know I am  a huge painter, it's therapeutic for me, so today I was very much in my element when I got to re-do a clients mantle.  Not that it was all that bad before, but we changed the wall color a few weeks ago from a warmer brown to a  cooler greige color so the yellowish mantle was sticking out like a sore thumb.  So what to do- hmmmm let's paint it!

Before:

I should have been better about taking pictures during the process, but I was having so much fun I just kept on moving.  Here is the final result…

 

I know….Cute Puppy!

To achieve this look, I simply painted 2 coats of basic white paint all over the mantle ( I just used an eggshell ultra white).  After it dries, rough it up a little with some sandpaper - everywhere there is some detail- these are the areas the stain will stick to.  Then I do a coat of stain (I used Minwax Dk. Walnut). I use very very little.  Put a small amount on an old rag and then tap on a piece of paper towel to get off excess, then you apply sparingly and always have another cloth to soak up the extra.  In a few areas I had to go back with a dry paint brush with just a tad of the white paint to lighten up some areas.  Overall, I'm pretty pleased with how it came out.  I can't wait for the furniture to come in so we can pull the room together!

Everyone have a great short week and stay safe on the 4th!!!

Coral Crush!

Every once in a while I work on a client project and start crushing on the color pallet we've chosen.  This month it happens to be the color Coral.  It's one of those colors that just makes me happy and complements lots of other colors to create beautiful spaces.
Here are a few items I'm crushing on now…

Some pretty decor, art and linens from West Elm

                                                                 

Love this coral tucker chair from Serena and Lily

and a few pretty rooms with pops of coral via Pinterest:

and everyone knows I'm a sucker for a white sofa, fresh colors, and striped rugs!...

A few great items available through Simplicity Interiors:

Pretty rugs…

and lamps...

All available through Simplicity Interiors!

and last but not least, my cutie patootie Piper in her new coral striped dress

Hope everyone has a great week!

Ally Whalen Design- Project Featured in Kitchen & Bath Makeover Magazine!

Hi Everyone!  I love going to the mailbox and finding something other than bills:)… yesterday I was pleased to find Meredith Corporation had mailed me my copy of the new Kitchen and Bath Makeover magazine featuring my kitchen!!!  (On stands in a few days!)  Not only that, but the cover photo is of a kitchen that I got to help assist the photo stylist with- so needless to say it was a very exciting trip to the mailbox!

Here are some pictures of the project which happens to be our kitchen.  Yes, sad to say it took me almost 3 years to complete as they noted in the article-  I've been a busy girl!

As many of you know these photo shoots are done sometimes a year in advance before making it to the newsstands.  So as a designer you can imagine how often I like to change things up…my point being is that this space looks a little different now.  Last fall we took on the project of adding an addition off the kitchen/eat-in area.  Here is a picture of what it looks like now with the sliding door and the windows in the eat-in area removed:

I know…totally different right?  I also painted the island while I was at it!

Here is a professional shot of the room (me and my little cutie pie):

 Back to KBM:
And this gorgeous kitchen on the cover was so much fun to style.  It was a long day with some very talented people and once again a great experience!  I was in charge of styling all the glass cabinets- there was a lot of up and down on a ladder that day:)  Being a photo stylist is a lot harder than it sounds and I have the utmost respect for my fellow photo stylists that do it for a living!

Thank you KBM magazine and Meredith Corporation for once again, making my day and featuring one of my projects in your fabulous magazines!

I hope everyone has a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend!

Spring Market 2014- Gold! Gold! Gold!

Hi Everyone,
So it's been a little busy and I'm just getting around to sharing some pictures with you from Furniture Market in High Point last week.  Once again, Scott and I had so much fun perusing the showrooms and checking out the latest trends.  I apologize if I can't remember what showroom all of these pictures are from and for the fuzzy pictures that I took with my camera phone:(

Gold, Gold, Gold...antiqued gold, brass, antiqued brass, gold leaf, gilded gold- so many names this traditional finish goes by these days.  It was everywhere at market, from lighting to tables, to accessories.

Worlds Away was all about the Jewel Tones- Emerald Green and Fushia look great with all things gold!

Currey and Company had an abundant of gold lighting- the showroom was gorgeous.  A special thank you to Sonny Koontz for assisting us- having the CEO show you around was quite a treat!

   More stunning plums and golds

Even my buddy and renowned photographer Michael Partenio was sporting their gold logo on a navy blue background.  If you've never seen Dunes and Duchess before, check out their website here -  very unique lighting and accessories designed by Michael and his amazing partner Stacy Kunstel.

Oly had a stunning showroom - fresh whites with pops of aqua and gold- this chandelier is a show stopper...

How cool is this coffee table? - mosaic resin veneer atop a traditional wood base- so unique

For those of you that have never been to market, it can be a little overwhelming.  Unfortunately our schedules only allowed us one day so we tried to get in as much as we could.  Already looking forward to Fall Market!

www.allywhalen.com

Mountain Island Lake Kitchen Transformation

This beautiful home on Mountain Island Lake was in need of an update and what better place to start than with the kitchen?!  The homeowners knew they wanted a fresh look, but weren't quite sure where to start, so in I come helping them step out of their box and into the world of pretty blue/grays and soft whites for one of the most amazing transformed kitchens that quite frankly gives me kitchen envy!

The darker cabinets, blue tile backsplash with beach motif and ho-hum lighting screamed, "ready for a makeover"!

Before:

and After….

Before:

And After:

ooh la la, loooooove this kitchen!

It all started with the paint.  I knew what color I wanted the walls, the cabinets, island and bar area, but needed that perfect countertop to pull it all together. And here it is, the most beautiful quartzite I had ever seen.  Beautiful movement with different shades of grays and whites- perfect with the paint we selected.

Here is a great picture of the quartzite installed…

A few more great shots…

A separate bar area complete with mini fridge and ice maker

Look at all this storage concealed behind a great barn door

               An innovative spot for the microwave- even opens by the push of a button

Love the splash of red in this space…

Every cooks dream... hidden storage for spices flanking the stove- a perfect place for them!

 

We used Amerock hardware from their Allison line, its modern edge with classic vibe added just the right touch!

I love my job- to be able to see a space transformed and know I had an important part in bringing it all together, makes me very happy!