Gloss Hair Studio is the newest addition to Old Downtown Ellicott City. As part of the revitalization of the area which was ravaged by floods twice in a two year span, this space shows the “never give up” attitude of the #ECStrong spirit. Using the 1700’s backdrop for the sophisticated, spacious and gorgeous salon, the two blend together seamlessly to form a modern masterpiece.

Old and new blend together in seamless style. You’ll walk out looking just as good!

Designed as a cozy retreat, mainly for movie nights and snuggling up on the sofa.  The moody walls add to the dramatic but earthy feel of the room while the graphic scheme keeps the feel fresh, modern and ethnic.  Surfaces are durable and kid-friendly.  The ottoman acts as a coffee table or pulls up for all to stretch out in comfort. The floor lamp echoes Noguchi with a simple addition to an Ikea light. Years of basket collecting Egg chair and leather chaise are from Restoration hardware. Closets hold floor pillows and extra blankets for extra seating and snuggling.

Sunshine pours into this breakfast and dining nook which serves as the heart of the home, open to the modern kitchen and thru the archways into the gorgeous living room. All surfaces are durable and grandkid and dog friendly and the double sided fireplace keeps both sides cozy and warm in the winter while the pool provides cool relief in the summer. Chatting with the cook is never easier or more comfortable.

Chairs from Crate and Barrel, table from Muleh, kitchen cupboard and settee from Room and Board.

Anchored by a show stopping sofa in a graphic black and white pattern purchased for a $1 a yard and using the reverse side, this turned a 20 year old down filled sofa into a masterpiece. The bottom cushion was made into one, so three can sit comfortably. All upholstery in all projects by B&J Interiors - their work is superior! The Milo Baughman by Thayer Couggin ten foot dining table was a Salvation Army find. Woven Ikea chairs add warmth and texture. The faux Motherwell painting was done over a canvas someone left out for the trash. Fireplaces flank both sides of the room making for a warm and cozy dining/living combo in a 1700’s home that reads all modern but retains the wood floor, mantels, and 2 foot window wells. Old and new together - perfection.

Vintage chairs are covered in durable white pleather ( you would never guess) and some West Elm and One Kings Lane items round out the room. Bookcases are filled with black, white and neutral items of interest and family history. Quite a conversation piece!

Classy yet oh so unique, from the color scheme to the pieces themselves. The colors are far from standard yet are both soothing and invigorating. Th Room and Board sofa is a velvet dream against the plum wall and the Kenneth Wingard sculpture pops against the color, keeping things minimal and sleek. The wool Dash and Albert rug adds a subtle pattern that pops and the Seville leather chairs also from Room and Board add sophistication and style. The built in bookcases are painted to blend in creating a soothing backdrop with linen window seats by B&J for comfort and convenience. Side table by Crate and Barrel and coffee table by CB2. Lamp from Homegoods.

Items on the shelves are a combination of the owners keepsakes and ikea items chosen to blend in with the color scheme. Spotlights by Ikea.

Spectacular concrete work on fireplace by Mark Melonas and seagrass paper above hung by Tom Vavallo.

Freestanding sculpture in corner also by Mark Melonas.

Powder rooms should never be forgettable and this one is far from it! From the horizontal stripes in similar colors so as not to overwhelm, to the fantastic chandelier, it is 100% memorable. The sink was a joint collaboration with Mark Melonas who created the sink from concrete using tiles embedded with bamboo slices for a natural but fun feel, in one long stripe down the center. As with all the Melonas’s projects it is somehow simple, sophisticated and yet wow!

Home made art, a throw we waited 6 months to go on clearance, lots of thrift store finds and a few Ikea things plus a lot of elbow grease and voila - a very cheap but very chic first apartment. The green walls are rich but mellow - you don’t even notice the builder beige carpet.

Tip - find a chair with a great silhouette - like the cutout one shown- remove the seat, spray paint outside using sheets to cover a large area ( overspray goes further than you think) wear a mask, turn the chair at all angles as you spray each section. Use at least 2 -3 coats, letting dry between each. Remove fabric from seat - find a cool remnant or inexpensive fabric and staple gun to the bottom pulling tautly - screw seat back onto chair. Fabric should be about 4 inches larger than seat.

Never been to Venice? neither have I, but my clients swear the walls are the color of the water there. And I will give you the secret - Sherwin Williams Timeless Day - 1191. Possibly the the most soothing bedroom color made. It’s a cross between blue and green that changes with the light and makes everything soft and restful. In general, I’m a Benjamin Moore color lover, a Behr paint lover, but I play by one rule - if its good - get it. You will definitely have sweet dreams. Never has a client not loved its soothing glow.

Bold and warm, bright and subtle, all mix together to create a one of a kind, entry, dining, kitchen, pantry and family room. Using a warm glowing wood (not finished in place - skip that expensive price - and never once redone - still looked brand new 13 years later) - thank you Wood Floors Plus! A sisal type rug, from Home Depot, (without the scratch of the real thing) and a Ralph Lauren Paint called Rhino Tusk which emits a glow night and day create a backdrop that screams for some bold touches. Everything is kid (teenage) friendly - notice the white sofa cushions are not white and there is room for any extras at the dinner table. A separate room but hardly formal that opens directy to the kitchen making communication easy. The coat closet became a pantry for the owners collection of pottery on one side and food on the other.

The kitchen island is command central, meaning the cook can stand in one spot and clean, cut, and prepare and still keep an eye on the entire downstairs.

The living room is just that - made for living - lots of seating - two large sofas, a wooden coffee table from Su Casa that is still in use 18 years later and looks as good as the day it was purchased. The room has windows on three sides - the ideal, and the shape is the perfect golden rectangle.

Another bedroom in SW Timeless Day that has an entirely different look. The lighting and the colors around it, mean it is ever changing from blues to greens but is always beautiful. The Anthropologie headboard gives a soft place to sit up and read to little ones and the Target bedspread never packed more punch. Nightstands are from Homegoods as well as the lamps.

Baskets are always handy .. even as hiding places!

The necklace organizer and display is made from a woven placemat cut to fit a cork board. All that’s needed are clear thumbtacks. Drawers underneath hold a variety of other jewelry. Tip: if it’s beautiful, show it off, if not, hide it. Golden rule of deorating.

Love your grandparents antique dining set but need a home office? Doing double duty is easy when you just add a dose of creativity. The table sits under the chandelier for a formal gathering, but easily moves to the side for home office use. Chairs recovered with fabric from Calico Corners by B&J. For the office, the table is covered with a piece of white naugahyde for protection, all thats needed is a lamp, some office supplies and a laptop. The file cabinet all but disappears under the kitchen pass through. In five minutes the transition is complete!

Cozy corner nook gives a place to read or work in comfort. Black and white chair and bowl from Homegoods, ottoman by B&J Interiors, pillow by Jonathon Adler.

Art by Lois Adams purchased at auction and framed with Ikea frame - total cost - $10.

A breakfast nook thats all fun and function. The set of vintage chairs surround an Ikea faux Saarinen table with a pair of stunning Ikea lights overhead. Their sculptural beauty has nothing on a chandelier ten times the price. A rustic wood bowl grounds the scene and an ever changing child’s art work provides an interesting view.

Perched atop the inner harbor, this condo bedroom is a restful retreat covered in sea glass tones to mimic the view below. The sea glass seagrass wall covering sets the tone, hung by Tom Vavallo, and the curtains by B&J repeat the shades in the paper- with a backing that blocks the light for a restful nights sleep. The Room and Board bed is simple and serene echoing the softness in tone and fabric. The Room and Board pillows add texture and pattern.

The flat screen tv floats above a credenza keeping everything simple and sleek.

What to do with a 1970’s vibrant shag rug in reds, purples and pinks you’ve inherited? Make it the focal point for the most kid friendly family room possible. The white leather sectional is wipe clean easy, and can be arranged as needed. The pillows are an assortment that echoes the colors with some black and white ones thrown in to ground the riot of color. The arc floor lamp brings the vintage and the modern together seamlessly. The Ikea light in the corner disappears while adding much needed light at night.

The custom paint color “Springfield” is a perfect neutral without the harshness of white.

When a mess of toys dumped on the floor fit right in, you know it’s as kid friendly as it gets!

Overlooking the gorgeous Inner Harbor East in Baltimore, this top floor condo lets light in from every view. The wrap around windows make for a light and warmth filled room that is large enough to accommodate a dining rom, living room and den - all distinct but flowing into one another.

The dining area is dominated by a ten foot Scan table and chairs - the only furniture brought from the owners previous home - they love to entertain. The sculpural chandelier gives light and movement to the rectangular piece. The side board by Jonathon Adler adds a modern touch which brings the chandelier into the overall scheme. Artwork is the owners. Blue accent pieces bring in the blue leather of the dining chairs.

The main living area has space and seating galore. All furniture from Room and Board. The marble coffee table comes in custom sizes and all upholstered furniture comes in hundreds of fabrics. This color scheme reflects a cool calmness that softens the warmth of the light filled room. As is, the room can easily sit eight, but pull up a few more chairs and you’ve got seating for ten or twelve. The rug was so large we opted for a piece of carpet cut and bound to size from Bode Floors.

The far end of the room houses the den for reading and relaxing with a sleeper sofa for extra guests and more art from the owner’s collection. A sliding shoji screen conceals a small home office. Flor floor tiles create a subtle pattern in the den.

Traditional pieces against unexpected colors turn an otherwise boring room into a showpiece. The chartreuse walls bring the other items into sharp focus while still maintaining a traditional floor plan. Chair from Ballard Design and rug from West Elm. Old and new - its 2018! not 1818! Don’t throw out the antiques, make them work for your life now.

This elegant yet eco friendly bathroom is a retreat from the world. Huge soaking tub with windows so high you can soak in private. Shower so large you could easily fit two, with a bench to boot. The double sink vanity is made to seat height in the middle for primping and preparing in style. Both closed and open storage allow for hiding what you want and showing off the rest for easy access.

Lots of materials combine here but they work together as all echo earth tones and materials. The tile floor is laid crosshatch and the tile backing the tub is a mosaic that calls to mind the color of sea glass. Start or end your hectic day in this mini zen retreat.

A man’s home if ever there was one. Simple shapes and lots of textures create an interesting but open floor plan suitable for a wheelchair, but no one would look at this space and know it was ADA approved. The wall paint is extra durable and the floor is made to withstand the constant wear and tear of the wheels. The interest is on the walls and furniture leaving the floor space open.

The Norman Rockwell print “the Problem We all Live with” takes center stage in the office, and a collection of vintage whiskey labels create unique framed art. The framed kris swords and the fighting swords from the Philippines showcase the owners passion and accomplishments in the martial arts. All framing by Michaels.

The leather woven fabric panel in the kitchen allows the owner to pull up to the sink.

A living room that breaks all the rules but breaks them in style. Not a chance your guests will feel stuffy or formal here. Curves dictate most pieces with a few straight lines thrown in for contrast. An antique library table piled with books and an abundance of art means there is always something to pique your interest. The black tissue paper circles turn an Ikea lamp into a Noguchi look alike. Ralph Lauren’s Rhino Tusk provides the glow. Art all by family members young and old. Chaise by Ikea, black woven chair from a thrift store painted black - always look at the shape of the piece - not the color - color can almost always be changed.

Create a gallery wall in your dining room for an every changing tableau. Kids art, original art, thrift store art, family art, anything unique and unexpected. Conversations at the dinner table will never be livelier! Frames are easily found at Michaels, JoAnns, Ikea and the artwork slips right in. No costly custom framing.

Some beautiful shots and rooms that give a diversity of looks and objects, textures and vignettes. All beautiful … all unforgettable. My goal is always to reflect you and your lifestyle.

More inspiration photos for The Go Go Greenery Blog