Professional: John James Design
Location of Project: San Francisco, California
John sent us in this amazing makeover, the before is all good bones, but a bit bland and boxy and the after is a truly one-of-a-kind beauty! We'll let him tell you a little bit about it in his own words …
About this project: Think dot-com-over-priced-drywall and amazing view meets intuitive designer, fabulous clients and some DIY elements.
I approached an art student because of the alligator she had sketched on her folder and before you knew it, she was up and down the scaffolding like a monkey, getting well paid as she deserved it and making a splash in this now very fabulous condo.
Tipsy chandelier installer singing folk songs to my slightly nervous but giggling client, to the hard rock loving wallpaper hanger who insisted she be given BBQ potato chips while working along with a 6 pack of diet Coke. (Not really insisted but strongly suggested)
About his work: I love to make things pretty and that is my tag line. "Making Things Pretty" I also am a wedding florist. I blissfully do both after deciding I simply could not choose between the two. I have been working in SF for 15 years and have lived here for 20. I love color, I love collaboration and I truly believe that everyone has a clear vision of what they want but are often fearful of saying it. They keep the real personality under wraps. I have a unique intuition and humor that makes my clients comfortable telling me everything. It makes for much better design and the kind of ownership clients really appreciate. Then they eventually tell me to just take care of it anyway, but appreciate, as do I, the input and the collaboration.
Nothing is more exciting than a client who is confident showing me their contribution to the design of their room, home, garden, wedding, outfit, hair style etc. It's a great thing to see.
PROJECT CONTACTS, CREATIVES & SOURCES:
Artist: Jessica Toney handpainted the birds on the ceiling and trees on the bedroom wall.
Chandelier/Installation: Mikel (Michael) from Light For You on West Portal.
Wallpaper Hanger: Susan Arce at (get this) Wall-nuts. Her number is (415) 810-2889.
Drapes: The super good linen drapes are made by the bombshell drapery goddess Joanna Orr at The Workroom, San Leandro.
Paint: Farrow and Ball Pavillion Gray and Blue Ground no. 210
Wallpaper: Farrow and Ball Silvergate Collection BP810
Sofa: The fabulous teal velvet mid century settee is from the venerable (well almost venerable but super really good) Monument on Valencia.
Swing: My contractor hung the swing. It is a piece of felled redwood from the hippies at Artisan Burlwood in Berkeley. The chains are 1/2 inch thick nautical chains suspended from the ceiling. (removable)
Walnut Shelves: Global Word Source (ask for Andi) in San Jose.
MORE INFO: John James Design
Thanks John!
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Wow - Crazy cool!
I really like the change! It's new, fresh, and exciting without committing to painting the entire room. I'm not a big fan of the furniture arrangement or the shelves with lots of crap on them, but the bones of the room are highlighted in a great way!
is that a giant swing? If so, I want one!
A truly inspirational transformation!
I've always thought the "trendy" boxy loft apartments to be dismal and devoid of personality, sucking the energy out of any decor placed within. But John and his creative resources have challenged this POV.
...I particularly love the use of organic shapes, and colors - and of course the juxtaposition of embellished pieces (i.e. chandelier, phonograph, wallpaper, etc.) against the hard, square lines of the unit.
Like nearly everything, but not a fan of the birds. Nicely painted, but they seem like visual clutter to me.
I think a big part of the color and texture was in the wood floors that were cropped out in the "before" picture.
Wow. Love it! And it always makes me so happy to see credits.
Anyone know where the acrylic side table is from?
Holy crap-oley... LOVE!!!! Well done!
Very nice. Toney's painting is lovely and I need to find me some swing making hippies...
I need an ancient victrola -- now. Well, actually, I have no place to put one, but it's nice to fantasize. Beautiful redo!
This posting is so refreshing. I really do love this place. I like that the boxiness of the room was not embellished with straight-forward mid-century furniture. (Can I even say embellish and mid-century furniture in the same sentence?)I love the curves of the acrylic table! I'd so buy that if I knew where it was from. I think that table speaks for the whole room. Modern (clear arcrylic, sideboard with metal legs) and classic/vintage/traditional (curves inthe side table, the gold-crystal chandelier, the phonograph, damask wallpaper). 5 stars in my book. :)
That's beautiful! What an interesting change!
Oh but I agree, @emedarwash, they should have included the floor in the "before" picture....the "before" pic wouldn't have looked so washed out, if they included the floor.
I only like the chandelier. I think he blue color of one of the walls in not really suitable for this kind of room; I would prefer something more traditional like beige in order to make the room cozier and more elegant.
Well they made it their own; it has some good qualities. I like the floors, and the birds are whimsical. To be honest I liked how it use to look. The swing can go, and the furniture is oddly placed. I do love that "papa bear chair"!