Debbie Travis' Facelift - Episodes - Dahna and the In-laws

After

A cheerful, well-planned space was long overdue for this loving couple whose favourite times were spent entertaining and caring for their children and grandchildren. We went young and funky for this joyful couple, creating a festive home environment that beckons to kids of any age.

Deep coral is a happy, energetic color, not for everyone, but we chose this as the perfect antidote for Jack and Claire's dining room. We replaced their old table with an oval version that can be extended to seat their large family. The hand-painted, gold and pink chandelier is chic fun.

The living room and hall are painted in a calmer tone. Violet is a light, fresh backdrop for the wood tables and re-covered couch and chairs. Painted faux marble and gilding led the way for wood furniture and accent pieces, tying all the rooms together; the large mirror frame in the dining room and dozens of picture frames displayed on the living room wall sparkle and glow with a gold leaf finish.

The built-in kitchen table was unnecessary and took up space that we put to better use. Cabinets were re-configured and re-painted, moving the pantry items to a row of lower cabinets and creating a dazzling, glass-front curio unit beside the new stainless steel refrigerator as a focal point for their special keepsakes.

The green carpet in the living room was pitched out and a warm and durable cork floor was laid in the kitchen and living room that complements the hardwood elsewhere. This successful Facelift mirrors the mood and spirit that are so much a part of Jack and Claire. It is a traditional home with a few twists that make it even more personal.

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Appliances

The popular vote for kitchens today is stainless steel appliances, (these are Electrolux, see resources), which suit traditional and contemporary designs equally well.

Beaded Curtains

A beaded curtain can be used in doorways as well as windows to introduce or augment a playful, bohemian spirit. We found a bountiful variety of beads and stoppers at Michaels (see resources), chose clear, peach, yellow, orange, pink, blue, turquoise and mauve plastic beads, strung them on lengths of fishing line, and tied the strands to a curtain pole.

Cabinets

Old laminate cabinets can be redesigned to suit your needs. We built a row of lower cabinets, painted a medium light gray, in the space gained by ripping out the kitchen table. Colorful plates, bowls and glasses are close at hand and easily seen in the upper glass front cabinets.

Chair

The legs of the upholstered chair were treated to a simple, but elegant paint finish. The fabric areas were covered with plastic and taped off to protect. The wood was first primed and given a base coat of Para Paint's Blue Jacket. A lighter shade of blue was dry brushed over the surface to highlight the curves and carving, and a touch of acrylic gold paint was applied with a dry brush as a final accent.

Cork Floor

One of Facelift's favourite floors is the beautiful cork floor from Torlys (see resources) seen in the living room and kitchen. It clicks into place, can be laid over existing tile, wood and concrete, and is warm and durable.

Curio Cabinet

The bright coral interior of the curio cabinet echoes the tone in the dining room, and makes a fitting focal display for family keepsakes.

Gilding

Gilding is an ancient art form made simpler and far more affordable with the availability of imitation gold leaf. We rounded up all the dozens of framed photographs and treated them to this special gold leaf finish. Thus unified, they make a glittering collection massed on one wall. Cover the edges of the inside glass with painter's tape to protect it. Apply aquasize (gilding glue) to the frame using a paintbrush. It goes on milky and dries clear. Allow the glue to dry for 20 minutes until it is tacky. Lay a piece of gold leaf onto the frame and smooth it into the crevices with a soft, dry paintbrush. Allow the glue to dry completely and then brush off the excess leaf. Varnish to protect.

Living Room Table

The top of the living room's round wood table was transformed to imitate the look of real marble using tones of white and gray paint that match the slab top on the dining room console. Over a white base coat, apply a coat of clear glazing liquid and some creamy white drifts of latex paint. Next, apply soft gray drifts, blending with a soft rag and a dry brush so that the colors blend. Copy the pattern of real marble, now adding thin veins of black and brushing over them softly to blend and blur. Drifts and veins always move in the same direction.

Mirrored Wall

A mirrored wall reflects light and produces the illusion of space, perfect for an entranceway or hall. It is easier to build the mirrored design on a piece of medium density fiberboard lying flat on a work surface. Measure the wall you wish to cover and make a graph; divide the area into equal-sized diamonds, remember to include the frame molding plus a 1/4" gap between each mirror. Ask a glass supplier to cut the mirror to the pre-determined size and number each piece. Glue the mirror to the fiberboard with silicone using 1/4" spacers (we used scrap pieces of wood). Let dry for 24 hours. Mount the finished design to the wall using construction adhesive. Secure to the wall studs with 3 1/2" wood screws. Frame with molding painted to complement your d�cor.

Before