Vibrant Bay Area Before & Afters From Lotus Bleu

A visit to Lotus Bleu boutique in Hayes Valley is perfect on a gray, foggy day, when you need a pick-me-up cocktail of bright color and vibrant pattern. We only just recently found out that Lotus Bleu owner Jeannie Fraise does residential design as well. She transforms drab or empty rooms into warm, creative spaces lively with color and exotic prints...

Fraise is fearless when it comes to bold color and even bolder patterns. She layers florals with stripes, cool colors with warm, and rough textures with smooth. We especially love her window treatment choices, often roman shades in gorgeous fabrics that evoke the South of France and Southeast Asia.

Pops of color in unexpected places seem to be Fraise's signature. Bright pink piping accents a flax-colored linen chair. An embroidered floral ribbon trims a fabric table skirt. Red and blue mats make artwork stand out in an otherwise conservative, neutral-toned dining room.

We love that Fraise posts "before" photos along with the finished rooms in her portfolio. Just a few of them are featured here; to check out the rest of her work, click over to the Lotus Bleu website.

(Images: Lotus Bleu/Jeannie Fraise)