Leslie Sinclair's Blog, page 22

Matthew Gets a New Pad!!

Hi Friends!! I hope you had a wonderful week!  Some of you may remember when my son, Matthew, moved to Dallas and I helped him with decorating his apartment.  Well, recently he purchased a condo and enlisted his sister Kirby to design his new pad!!

Enamored with the views, his unit has glass on two sides! He wanted his interiors to be just as cool and gave Kirby a budget!

Wanting the space to be completely usable, Kirby suggested that he create a multipurpose dining room.  After all, he would not be cooking and hosting many sit down dinner parties and he has a place for bar stools at the kitchen island. So, she customized a glass ping pong table with a chrome base. If he did decide to dine, the net could easily be removed and chairs pulled up to the table. Sweet Matthew insisted she hung the painting I did for him years ago front and center.

So you can get an idea of his layout, the entrance is on the far side of the kitchen on the right side of this photo.  The closets straight ahead host the laundry and storage.  Eventually Kirby wants to either upholster the doors in leather with interesting details, plank them or paint them something  cool as they take up the entire wall.  Phase 2!  The painting of water at the end of the hall leads to the master bedroom. 

There’s the front door. In the kitchen there was little to do!! Wanting to mix metals she added the pendant lighting in chrome and purchased the counter stools in brass on Wayfair and then had them recovered in gray velvet. The opening to the right is a study which can be used as a bedroom when he has friends come and stay from out of town.  Phase 2 will incorporate barn doors so the opening can be closed for privacy.

Well the living room turned out magnificent!! He purchased the couch, side tables, lamp and Lucite bar in the back when he first moved to Dallas, the rest of the things are Kirby’s additions!

Everything looks amazing but the coffee table which is Kirby’s design is truly a statement!

The base was built of wood and one of Segreto’s artisans painted it to read like inlaid horn! AMAZING!

Stunning the way you see the horn though the Lucite top!

Loving to accessorize, Kirby used one of her favorite candles from Longoria Collection in Houston.

This table will be incorporated into Segreto’s new furniture line!  Way to go Kirby! We already have been making some Segretostone bases to give a new twist to the look. Coffee table books add so much to a homes decor–Craftex Wholesale is a great place to shop for them.  Hey Kirby, where are Mom’s books?

The chairs from Mitchel Gold + Bob Williams swivel, which allows conversation in every direction and gives more comfortable views of the TV. The media cabinet was on sale from Restoration Hardware. With the members discount, the price couldn’t be beat!  The wooden piece hanging was made from a 1800’s ship mast. The pillows and ottoman, from Allison Jon , add such a fun pop of color to the space.

The 70’s table made from bamboo, lends an eclectic accent. The table lamp is made from a centuries old tile from Egypt. Setting it on some books and adding a modern accessory gives an interesting twist to the tabletop.  I even like the placement of the throw under the pillow-I am going to do that at my home.

Here is his little study or his ode to UT room. The couch pulls out into a bed!! I gave him the painting when he went to college.  I can’t believe that was 10 years ago!  Goodness times flies and those kids grow up so fast!

Kirby really used ever bit of space well, giving him a second entertaining space. There is Segreto Vignettes!  A tip is to take off a books cover if it doesn’t go with the decor.

His bedroom turned out just as sleek.  I think he enjoyed using the power tools in hanging the collage of antique pages from a suit catalogue.  Framed in these cool Lucite frames, its an unexpected mix of old and new.

They were a little upset with the space in the middle being wider, but I was super impressed they hung these so straight! They made a template first on paper and penciled in where the holes when before they drilled.  This chair was in his living space before!  Perfect for the bedroom it looks great over the rug-on a rug!  Much less expensive than replacing the carpet she purchased this on Ruelala, which is one of my favorite discount shopping sites.

Placing the bed where he gets the best view of the city and his TV, Kirby flanked the bed with matching nightstands from High Fashion Home.

The mirrors and the lamps are from Ruelala, and the frames are from Marshall’s Home Goods! The bedding is from Hautelook, and staying on budget she purchased the wall art from Target!!

What a beautiful bedroom! Do you think he will be able to make his bed like that when Kirby’s not around?? 

Well after all of their hard work they decided to celebrate with a few friends!! There is Matthew in the back-of course saying Hook’em Horns!! Kirby, the hostess with the mostest is taking the picture!! What a good job she did, but most of all my oldest two had so much fun on this project together!!  And enjoying each other is what home is all about!! Till next week….

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What Segreto Has Been Up To!

Hi Friends!! I hope you all are having a great week and that normal will be a part of your day.  Between the floods, fires and freezes it seems that so many have had so much to deal with!  I have been working with so many lately to help put their homes back together. So an ordinary week seems just great to me!  I wanted to share just that with you a ” fun normal” work week looks like to me!!

This bar accent wall we installed for Designer Ben Johnson was soft but so impactful!!  Using Venetian plaster, our artisans created an hombre effect! Super cool, my operations manager Isai wants a similar finish in his office at our new warehouse!!  STAY TUNED!!

I was excited to see that this project we did for Sarah Eilers will be featured in March April issue of Southern Home. Hopefully you all got your reduced subscriptions from an earlier post.

I wish I could show you this entire home!!  Built by Allan Edwards with Interiors by Tricia McGaw, it is AMAZING! This extremely tall, dramatic entrance was difficult to plaster but the outcome was spectacular!!   Look for this one being published in print.

Loving Galveston, it was really an honor to work on this historical, pre-1900 hurricane home. Full character, I will show you the home and all of its charm when complete. We have been working with designer Shirley Hill on this project.  Such a creative talent!!

In the kitchen we have started a distressed diamond pattern on the floors!!  Love the worn look–perfect for the age of the home!! If you like historical Galveston, I read a book recently, The Promise by Ann Weisgarber!  I really enjoyed the read, heartwarming and emotional, it gave an insight of what it must of been like to live though one of the deadliest storms in America.

With all the hurricanes frequenting Houston, generators are becoming a common necessity.  This one, having to be installed on the rooftop overlooking a courtyard, was an eyesore both for the homeowners and the bordering neighbor. Painting it the house color and transforming it into a bird house or hotel, it both became more discrete and a fun accent!

We had fun researching birds and the homeowner picked all of her favorites!!

I know this isn’t the best picture-sorry to the talented ladies from Ivy-Hall Designs who did an amazing job with this entire home!!  I just wanted to show you how dramatic a subtle treatment can be.  This metallic stencil on top of plaster complements the chandelier and creates a special feel to the tub area!! A tight squeeze working around a chandelier and tub–Jim Bob Taylor with Doyle construction really worked with us to make our job’s easier-many thanks!!

I never get tired of seeing how painting plugs to blend with the counter surface make such a big difference.  This counter? Marble? Granite? Quartz? No it is petrified wood!! Beautiful!

Here is another example on marble–one complete one more to go!!

Ok here is little Charlotte, Isai’s little one, at my new happy place. I know it just looks like a big, ugly garage, but for me it is a world of possibilities!! A place that we can spread out and be creative!!

My Husband is excited too!!  We took down part of the side fence and painted our new log on it!! Neiter Creative came up with the design and I love it!!

Here it is up on the building!! I wish I knew when people were taking down old fencing!  An inexpensive way to have reclaimed wood!!  It has a wonderful natural look and can be use for interior planking, ceilings and cabinetry!! AND SO AFORDABLE!  We coated it with three coats of exterior flat sealer to insure it lasts for years to come!!

Well you still see the dents, but the new paint color really helps!!  We hope to move in soon so look forward to new updates!!  I hope you have a wonderful, normal week, and find your happy place like this big garage has become mine!!  Here is to dreams coming true!

 

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Picking the Right Paint Color and New Website Reveal!!

Hi Friends. I hope you all had a wonderful week!  It has been so exciting at Segreto with renovating a warehouse and our showroom and getting a whole new look on our website!!

When you opened the blog this morning you can see it has a whole new look!  Loving her work I asked Jo Neiter with Neiter Creative to help with developing a beautiful new site.  Super creative, spunky and easy to get along with, I felt she and her company was my perfect fit!!  She did not disappoint so….at the end of the post I’ll show you the new website. Getting my picture taken for me is like pulling teeth, but friend and photographer Julie Soefer did a wonderful job with both my photo and my staffs!! Thanks Julie!

Architectural consultant Sarah West- Witmer Designs-  Parkerhouse Builders

As you know Segreto provides finishes on walls, floors ceilings, beams and cabinetry, however, finding the right color palette is where most finish designs begin. Choosing the right paint colors and finishes can be an overwhelming decision.  There are thousands of colors available, each with different tones and intensities, and the perfect combination of paints is so critical to the overall success of the design.  Here are five helpful tips on selecting colors for your own home.

Step 1:  Look through magazines and books to determine your own personal design style. (hehe could be mine).  As you flip through the pages, pay attention to different color combinations of floors, walls, trims and ceilings.  Notice whether the pictures you like have bold contrast or a lack thereof. 

 Triangle Interiors-Goodchild Builders

 Some rooms may have distinct colors that set apart the walls, trim and ceiling……….

Kara Childress Interior Design, Newberry Architecture

………………….. while others may have similar tones and each surface blends effortlessly into the next.  Which look do you prefer?  Do your favorite rooms have strong colors on the walls or in the fabrics, art and accessories instead?

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Designer Trisha McGaw- Allan Edwards Builders

Step 2:  Think about which elements in your home are permanent.  Your counters, backsplash, flooring, rugs or fabrics can serve as great starting points to dictate your palette.  In an existing home, the perfect paint color can highlight tones you love in a countertop or rug and downplay less desirable hues in these elements so that they will work in the new design scheme.

Elizabeth Garrett Interiors- Cupic Custom Homes

Step 3:  Make a list of your home’s best and worst architectural features.  The proper paint combinations and finishes will not only enhance the aspects in your home that you love but also disguise your least favorite attributes. For instance, by using the same color as the walls on elements like fur downs, smaller trim pieces, spaces with too many angles, and doors, you can make these unwanted details disappear. 

To emphasize the elements that enhance the room’s design such as furniture-like built-ins, interesting ceiling details, elaborate crown moldings or paneling, choose a contrasting color, sheen or specialty finish.  

Rather than painting smaller rooms a light color, give them a warm and cozy feel with rich, deep tones and……..

……….. let your big rooms expand with lighter hues.

Step 4: Look through your closet! One of the best ways to determine which colors and styles make you feel the most comfortable is to study your own wardrobe.  In what colors do you think you look the best? What are you wearing when you feel the most beautiful?  Do you tend to incorporate pop colors in jewelry and accessories or do you layer different textures in the same color?  Are strong colors worn on a daily basis or just occasionally?  You can apply these same principles to your paint selections.

Step 5: Pick up a color wheel from two of your favorite paint stores.  Lighting has a powerful effect on color so it is important to always choose the final paints in the space.  Armed with your answers and insights from the steps above, you are now ready to select!

Starting with the main parts of the home, pick a color that blends in and uses the tones of all the surfaces.  The background color of fabrics, tiles or counters is generally a safe color direction.  Depending on how much contrast you like, the trim and ceiling hues can come from the same color strip, just lighter or darker than the wall color.  Special cabinetry, interesting ceilings and adjoining rooms are ideal for coordinating or pop colors.

Brooke McGuyer Interior Design

By establishing a particular mood, well-chosen paint colors and finishes form a beautiful backdrop for fabrics, art, furniture and accessories.  Through these five steps, you can develop a palette that showcases your home’s architecture, flatters your own color tones and gives your surroundings an ambiance that makes a house feel like your home.

 

The new site is easy to use and has some fun interactive ways to see our products and hear all about our company!  It has much more information about finishes and is beautifully done, thanks to Jo and her gal Becky!  I couldn’t be happier with the end result!  If you still have a bit of time- visit the home page, take a look around and let me know what you think!  I do know I had to clear my browser history for it to work properly on my computer.  If you need help with that please email me at leslie@segretofinishes.com.

Have a wonderful week!  Till next time.

 

 

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The 5 Different Love Languages-Valentines Day!

HI Friends!  Recently my two girls came over to the house excited about a questionnaire they and their friends were taking just for fun.  Saying it was new and all the rage, they did not realize that their father and I took that test over 20 years ago when we were trying to learn to […]

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A Masterval Renovation-Interior!

Hi Friends! Remember last week we looked at the incredible before and after of the exterior renovation of this lovely home?  The dream team of Parker House Inc. and Newberry Architecture really worked their magic! Today we will look at the same home’s interiors! This is a picture of the living room from the real estate […]

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An Exterior Facelift!!!

Hi Friends!!  People always ask me what is my favorite project I am working on and its hard for me to say because honestly I love them all.  This one, however definitely comes to mind–not only did I love working with the owners-really loved!!– but it was an incredible before and after and was so […]

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In The Limelight – Southern Home 2018 January/February – Segreto Secrets Blog

HI Friends!  Hope you enjoyed your week!  The weather has been crazy in Houston–summer, winter, summer, winter–I think it has been crazy throughout the country!! Well I had a big surprise!!  I received a magazine from Southern Home thinking it was just my normal subscription–I truly love the magazine!! Well the cover looked so familiar […]

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A Dramatic Entrance!

Hi Friends!! I hope that you are having a great start to the new year!!  I am very excited about what 2018 has to bring and and equally happy to share with you today a dramatic new entrance we have created for some super nice clients! Although it started with their bathroom which is straight down the […]

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Creating A Home With Soul!

Hi My Friends!!  I hope you are getting into the holiday spirit no matter which holiday you are celebrating.  It is a time for miracles, kind words and random acts of kindness!!   This is an article I wrote for a magazine that I though you would all enjoy!! New, bright and shiny certainly have […]

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Taking Care of Yourself? What’s That?

Hi Friends! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and are excited about 2018! Let’s together, learn this year how to take better care of ourselves. The concept of putting “us” first is a hard one. People always tell me I need to take better care of myself and honestly I had to google how […]

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