On the 12th Day of Installs

Our 12 days of installs has come to an end, and we finished it off with a major dining room redesign and an updated master bedroom project. Over the past month we have picked paint colors, installed wallpaper, and ordered furniture to pull these spaces together, and the transformation is absolutely amazing. Take a look at our project process and how the finished results turned out!

Dining Room
This room was a total redesign! it is the first space you see on your right as you enter into the house, so our client wanted an updated look that would be statement as guests entered their home. They also wanted it to function as the place where they would share their meals together on a daily basis instead of only using it for special occasions as they had previously done.

Here is what the space looked like BEFORE

Here is what the space looked like BEFORE

We started off by creating a floor plan and selecting furniture to fit the room. 

A 3D rendering was created to give our client's a visual of what everything would look like once it was in the space. 

A 3D rendering was created to give our client's a visual of what everything would look like once it was in the space. 

Then the fun part began, INSTALL DAY! Here are a few snapshots of our team pulling everything together

 Clearing the room for drapes and furniture to come in.

Melissa taking on the roll of our artwork installer for the day

The new buffet being placed in the room.

We also had a little visitor wanting to come in and help all day. 

 Here is the final result! 

Here is the final result! 

Master Bedroom

For this room our client just wanted to add a few new touches. So we selected a new paint color for the room and a wallpaper to use behind the bed to serve as a feature wall. New artwork, drapes, and bedding were added to pull everything together.

                                                                    Here is what the space looked like BEFORE

                                                                  Here is what the space looked like BEFORE

A mood board was created to see some of our selections come together.

Our seamstress Meghan prepping for the new drapes to be hung. 

Melissa carefully positioning artwork.

 The finished result! 

 The finished result! 

Master Bath and Family Room

A fresh coat of paint was also added to the master bathroom to complete the updated look for the master suite. 

                                                                       Here is what the space looked like BEFORE

Frames were hung around the vanity mirrors to give them a finished look.

AFTER! The new pale blue colored walls make the room feel bigger and brighter. 

The family room also got a little updating. Grass cloth wallpaper and accessories were added to the builtins

Hope you all enjoyed our 12 days of installs. Stay tuned to see what we have in store for both New South Design and New South Home Couture in the upcoming year!

-Taylor

Install Day Number 8: Navy and Green Family Room

We are finally getting at that point during our 12 days of installs where all the big projects are finally coming together. It's always exciting to see a project you have worked on for months finally come to life!  A few months back we posted a photo of a few fabrics that started as the inspiration for the green and navy color story. Not only does the color palette create an updated casual look, but the durable furniture makes it a space where this family of five can hang out together without worrying about ruining the brand new sofa. Here is a behind the scenes look at our design process and how the project has come full circle.

Here is a glimpse of what the room looked like BEFORE!

We started with the navy and green color palette paired with geometric patterns to provide a refreshing updated look.

A concept board was created to see all furniture and finishes that were selected come together.

Custom builtins were designed to serve as an entertainment center and for added storage. 

During the last few months we have been patiently waiting for everything to arrive. Today we finally got to bring it out of storage into it's proper home.

Wallpaper was installed in the back of the builtins to make it a focal point of the room.

Here are the final results!

Drapery panels will be installed next week and will be the icing on the cake.

The foyer in this home also got a face lift. Due to the lack of storage in the front entry, hooks and baskets were added to house coats and shoes. 

An area rug frames the space and gives a welcoming feel, while the custom decal adds a personal touch.

Our big installation for day number 8 was a success! Stay tuned to see what other installs we have coming up for the remainder of our 12 days of installs.

-Taylor

New South Design Visits the Big Apple

 Last week we had the chance to visit ABC home and Carpet in NYC. While we were there we scoped out the current trends that included metallic linen, watercolor prints, mixing vintage and modern furniture, jewel tones paired with neutrals, natural wood furniture, and blown glass chandeliers. Here is a look at some of the things we saw.

Adding metallic colors to linen brings a bit of glamour to the traditional casual feel of linen.

Mixing modern and vintage furniture provides a more eclectic look.

If you're looking for a bold pop of color in a neutral space, jewel tones are the way to go.

I have always loved the look of natural wood pieces. The bold look of natural wood grain always makes for a statement piece.

There is no doubt that water color prints are in, they are everywhere! Using a water color technique can make a traditional pattern feel contemporary.

You can never go wrong with a blown glass chandelier or pendant. They come in so many different varieties that you are always bound to find one that can work in a space.

Follow us over the next few weeks to see if you can spot any of these current trends in any of our current projects!

-Taylor

New South Design is Growing Threefold!

We are busting at the seams in my little home office these days based on the fact that New South Design is growing by leaps and bounds! Over the past year I have added not one, but two new members to my team and I am excited to share a bit about both of them.

Sandy Moore has been working with me for the past year and is our indispensable Office Manager. Her hard work behind the scenes keeps our orders going out, shipments coming in, and she also manages all the record keeping, filing, and receipts. She is an amazing asset to our team with her energy and her ability to do just about anything that needs to get done! Below is a bit about Sandy in her own words.

I am a native “Charlotteian” so I have really seen this city grow over the years! My husband comes from a long line of “Matthewsians” or Matthews natives from parents to grandparents. We have a beautiful 11 year old daughter named Nicki, born here in Charlotte.

I have always followed the latest fashion trends. I spent most of my career in retail, working at places like J.Crew, Gap, Chico’s and the Body Shop. I assisted my sister in law with her sport events company for 8 years and also spent time in a seamstress workroom.

I have really enjoyed learning the design end of the business from Melissa this past year! New South Design is a place that makes me excited to go to work everyday because I never know what new and exciting project will be next! Melissa has an amazing gift that gives her the ability to know what will work and what won't, from the color of a lamp to launching a new business “Home Couture,” an off-shoot of New South Design! I personally am drawn to a neutral pallet, but Melissa has shown me how easy it is to add pops of color!!  I think that if you find a “color story” that fits your personal style, that’s a great place to start!! I look forward to an exciting future with the New South Design and Home Couture teams!!!

The most recent addition to our team is our new Junior Designer, Taylor Schaap. Taylor brings an interior design degree with her that includes technical experience that allows her to create computer generated floor plans and 3D room renderings. You will be hearing more from Taylor via our blog as she will be heading up our social media campaign for both New South Design and New South Home Couture. She is already has proven that she's the perfect addition to our team with her design skills, dedication, and wonderful personality! Here is more info below about Taylor by Taylor!

I was born and raised in Syracuse, NY. I attended Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, NY, for interior design. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I landed a job in Rochester as a design assistant at a high-end design firm. During my time there I gained a lot of experience in the design process, working with clients, and how the business ran on a day-to-day business. 

My husband and I got married in 2013 and always had a dream to move down south one day to North Carolina. Throughout several trips down here we fell in love with the Charlotte area. The quality of life, career opportunities, and a whole of sunshine and warm weather that Charlotte has to offer was the perfect place we wanted to call home. In Fall of 2014 we took the leap of faith to make our dream a reality and moved down. Over the past few months we have enjoyed making Charlotte our home and look forward to the day when we can start our own family here.

1. What inspired you to become a designer?

When I first started college, I was majoring in business, but didn't enjoy what I was studying and couldn't see myself pursuing that career in the future. So I had to really reflect on what it was that I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life. I remember as a little girl I would always enjoy setting up the houses for my Barbie dolls more than actually playing with them. While growing up I would constantly be changing my room around, and preferred to watch HGTV over Nickelodeon.  

2. What is your favorite color story?

As long as a color palette has a shade of blue in it, it's my favorite!

3. How do you get inspired to design a room?

No matter where I am, I am always observing the environment I am in. You never know where you can find inspiration; at a restaurant, in a hotel, or in nature. Houzz and Pinterest are also my best friends. I could find myself getting lost in beautiful interiors all day long. And last but not least, clients inspire me. I love seeing them get excited and light up when the final stages of a design come together.

4. What do you love most about your job?

There are sooo many things I love about being a designer. I think my favorite part is working with people. I have always been a people person, and love getting to serve others so being a designer allows me to do both things I enjoy. 

5. How do you best get to understand your client and what type of design they want?

I get to understand a client’s vision best by listening to them. I try and listen to every detail they describe when explaining what their vision is for their home. This helps steer me as a designer in the right direction towards making their vision a reality in the best way possible.

6. What is you favorite place to travel to? 

I LOVE to travel! I love visiting new places and exploring what they have to offer. My favorite places to go to are around water, especially the ocean. The Outer Banks is definitely one of my favorites. I have a lot of memories there with my family and just absolutely love the scenic views and culture that is has to offer.

I am so excited to be supported by two wonderful women that are going to make what we do so well even better! I am looking forward to seeing what 2015 will bring for the three of us and am happy that we are officially an amazing TEAM that will accomplish great things!

-Melissa