I said I was going to wait until Wednesday, but I can’t. I am too excited.
When I started out with this whole edecorating thing I wasn’t really sure how it was going to work. Was anyone going to hire me? Would I be able to find the time to do it? Would I be good at it? How would the clients execute my vision on their own?
Well this is the first project to come to fruition, and it just makes me so incredibly excited for the future of this lil bidness.
So as a reminder, these clients are pretty traditional, all american, but wanted me to take that and push them just a little out of their comfort zone while still staying true to their slightly preppy formal vibe…this was one of the boards I gave them:
(Again, my designery instructions and specifics have been removed since they paid me for that junk)
They were on a budget, a nice budget, but we were working a lot with what they had and refinished vintage pieces. They are in a rental apartment, so we were limited in that we couldn’t paint or make any architectural changes. Really they were like the majority of the clients I have had so far in their perceived limitations, and I am thrilled with all that we were able to accomplish, I think it was a lot more than any of us expected…
Before: The space 
After: Let there be light! We added a new curtain situation (a DIY I will share tomorrow). Recovered their existing couch, regrouped their art, new kicky rug, new old coffee table, new lamps, refinished the le tigre chairs from yesterdays post…
Before: The view from the window back into the kitchen
After: Please excuse the mess in the kitchen…But again, it’s a new build apartment without many architectural features, we couldn’t mess with the kitchen or the overhead lighting, but we wanted to make it homey and create some character. I love the new arrangement with the dining table and the china cabinet, it is like a proper grown up dining area!
Before: A whole lotta brown. That would be patio furniture they were using for dining. 
After: Another view of the redefined dining area. Bar cart, table, and china cabinet. The le tigre chairs used to kind of float over by the window, but now they can be used to seat 6 at the dining table, or for extra seating in the living room.
Before: WompWomp
After: Pure.
Before: The hubster had a bunch of these maps and city prints from his dads old office, and they were all kind of spread out throughout the space, and the lady of the house was really growing to dislike them, but as you will see…
After: We grouped them all along that wall to make more of a collection or gallery wall. I think they look great now and much less like inherited wall coverings, and add a lot to the space. Also, you can see back there by the window we created a little reading nook/lighting situation.
Before
After: If you can believe it, that is their same couch recovered. As much as possible I recommend recovering/refinishing your existing pieces or finding good quality vintage to redo. New junk is so expensive, and so much can be done replacing springs, restuffing cushions, repainting etc. Also, we are still waiting on some pillows for the couch, but on their existing armchair we added a new pillow which really freshened it up. A small touch that makes a big difference.
Before: A little sads.
After: I just love it all. 
After again…I especially love the ol’ lady over the bar cart, judging your alcoholic consumption.
And now for some details…That nifty little china cabinet I redid is really living up to its full potential. Something about a well arranged china cabinet makes me feel so much more secure in my surroundings.
Spiffy bits from Furbish
The overhead lighting, as you saw, is kind of tragic, so we wanted to provide a few points of light throughout the space so that they could avoid using those guys. Love this little reading nook we created in an awk corner, and blankey by furb as well.
Funny story on this posh little coffee table. I found it on 1stDibs, twas a great price. Snatched it up for my clients. Later got a call from the dealer that none other than Ms. Tory Burch was trying to steal it out from under us, so we needed to send payment right quick. Don’t feel too bad for Tory though, I think she’s doing just fine.
A much beloved bar cart from society social done up with some great vintage bar utensils/glasses/accouterments from etsy.
That couch. In that material. Is just everything.
SO.
That is what can be done with some edesign.
You like?
Wanna hire me?
ooooo i LOVE! you truly brought that apartment to life…feelin’ pretty inspired right now about some ways I can spice up my current drab space. it’s classic, but still has some modern/trendyish elements. get it girl!!
Love the mix of traditional and more modern pieces! Super love the bar cart/china cabinet! Delightful!
Very cool! How inspiring to see how little differences and some elbow grease can add up to such a big difference. Impressive work!
Nice Bails! Not that we didn’t already know it, but you are seriously gifted! I am feeling inspired to go find some old furniture and spruce it up (but won’t as I know I’ll get half way through the process, lose motivation and abandon the project). You should see about doing some staging in new apartments around Austin.
I LOVE! You did a great job bailey – SUUUUUPER talented!
what a difference you made! Looks fantastic!
Yowza, Lady!
You rocked it!
Nice job – especially on that china hutch.
Nice job. It’s a lot brighter and happier. Especially loving the marble table — we have the same one. The first time we ate on it, we felt like we were at a fine dining establishment. Also loving the gallery wall.
Looks fantastic Bailey!! In looove with the bar. In need of a cocktail now.
I normally dont comment on posts, but i just HAD to on this one!!! I am soooo impressed and thinks it looks a-mazing!! Be super proud! Love love love it.
WOW love it! I’d hire you!
BAILEY! THIS IS AMAZING!
Beautiful work!! I really love it. It’s so inspiring to see how huge transformations don’t take crazy overhaul makeovers. I am also tres inspired by the bar cart (& the others I found on that site) … I might have to own me one.
bqm, this is you at your best! so many many many can create an impeccable circus extravaganza with a mucho-mucho budget and wide open spaces. it takes a beautiful genius to do it on a smaller scale, BRAVISSIMO
Favorite moment – obvious teetotaler great grandma watching the kids booze it up.
Love your decorating sense of humor!
I’m with janebird! Fantastic job, and yes so many can create a beautiful space with a huge budget but it shows your talent to be able to do it on a budget! Would love to see another post on how — in light of your mention of the man’s mini freak out over the le tigre chairs at first — your experience was getting approval for certain items/pushing them out of their comfort zone with your 1st eDecorating experience. p.s. love the big dog (mastiff?) sprawled out between the couch and coffee table!
Really beautiful, Bailey! Great job. Love that reupholstered sofa.
Looks fantastic!!!!
You have some serious talent, lady. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Bailey! I just wanted to stop by and 1) say thank you so much for supporting my baby biz (!), Sedgewick looks awesome and 2) great job, doll! I bet you have very happy clients! Congrats
Bottoms up! Roxy
I want to hire you! But, I live in NYC i.e. a typical NYC apartment. I just got married and 1) have a lot of wedding presents that I don’t know what to do with 2) my husband’s stuff (and taste to deal with) 3) am feeling stuck in a design rut!
Wow!!!! You did wonders on that apartment!!!! I am just now seeing this post… AWESOME work bails! I’ll hire you!!! just need a place first….
Wow! Majorly love all the changes! Particularly the china cabinet, since I don’t own one and my china is sads underneath my bed. I also kind of die over that bar setup. I don’t even drink but I might need to get me one of those carts.
Looks great! Love the mix of fun mix of neo-traditional. You are very talented – thanks for sharing : )