This past summer I was lucky enough to get a special tour of this Utah Valley Parade of Homes model.  This model is special because it won “Best In Show”  for decorating.  And I am very proud to say that my sister-in-law, Lyndee was one half of that winning design team. 

      I don’t even think I can begin to tell you how much I loved this house.  I mean just look at that view.  I love that this great room is flooded with light.  And I love the sleek and modern (but comfortable) feel of the place.

      I often dream of having a clean and streamlined room like this, maybe because it is opposite of what I have now.  With four kids everything is always rumpled looking (and often downright messy).

 This stairway speaks right to my love of all things Industrial.

      And I will leave you with the view from the living area into the adjoining kitchen.  Yeah I’m going to be mean and make you wait until next week to take a closer look at the gorgeous kitchen.  Thanks for stopping by for this week’s “Inspiration”, hope you all have a great week!

     I thought it would make the most sense to show one corner of my family room at a time.  Above is the before.  I loved the green (Sherwin William’s Lemon Verbena), black and white, but I was ready for a change .  Besides, I chose the wrong wall to make an accent wall (more on that soon). 

     Here is the after.  The living room, family room, kitchen and family room are all open to each other so I decided that it would make sense to carry the beige all throughout these areas.  Now it feels right and I am happy.  This has been a tough room to decorate.  I have painted this wall seven times. It has been three different shades of green, yellow, blue, khaki, and now biege .  I wish I had taken Design 101 before I tried tackling this room.  In that class, I was taught that a warm, light color on the walls is the easiest to live with.  I won’t be painting in here again (barring any unforseen ceiling collapses ) partly because I am just plain sick of painting, partly because I don’t want to chance getting paint on my new floors (when they are in) and partly because it is easier to change out my pillows, rug, and art when I am sick of a particular color scheme.  So, that is why I am starting my reveal now and not waiting until my new floors are in.  I will of course keep you posted when and how the floors go in.  Thanks for visiting!

     For this week’s Inspiration I am bringing your this blue, tan and cream great room.  It is from a model home in the Daybreak development in South Jordan Utah.  The whole house had this color palette.  Each room was untied to the previous by the colors, yet different and unique because of the varying wall and window treatments..  Today I am showing the great room consisting of the living room above and the dining room below.  Next week I will show you the bathrooms. 

      I hope you get some ideas and inspiration from these pictures.  I know I did.  After seeing how you could have both variety and harmony by keeping the same color palette but varying the patterns and finishes from room to room, inspired me to carry the light tan in my living room through the rest of the house.  I have been a busy girl the last couple of weeks.  I want to finish painting before I turn the rooms over to my Handy Hubby so he can put our new floors in.

     This is the great room from model home.  It is a twin home, that is why there are no windows on the left side of the room.  Still as you can see from the picture, the designer kept the room light and airy.  I love the way all the elements are traditional yet the feel is contemporary.  I think the secret is in the mix.  Take the dining room table for instance,  the lines are very classic and traditional but a bit exaggerated so it doesn’t feel like it came from your Great Aunt’s attic.  The wood floors are timeless but the stain is fresh and now.  Another key mix is traditional seating with contemporary fabric. 

      Here in the kitchen you can really see the traditional and contemporary coming together.  The costly elements, cabinets and counters were kept clean and classic.  The elements that are cheaper and easier to change; back splash, paint, appliances, are hip and contemporary.  If you are going for a transitional look, have fun playing around with the elements that are easily changed.  Your space will look classic but not dated.

     I love neutrals.  They make a room soft, cozy and warm.  They can also be ho-hum.  This family room is part of a very large great room in this year’s Salt Lake Parade of Homes.  I think the designer did an incredible job of mixing textures to make this room homey yet with a sexy edge.  If you like this look and you are looking for a good neutral paint color, you might want to check out Benjamin Moore’s Bleeker Beige HC-80.  It is beautiful in every light and it goes with everything.  I just got done painting my Mom’s living/dining combo in this color.  Everyone that has seen it has commented how much they love the color.  Just remember to throw in some different textures so your room doesn’t slip into the blahs.