Refreshing a condo

I'm pleased to have my work shown on the cover of today's Home & Garden section of the Oregonian newspaper. Below is the article by Bridget A. Otto.

What: Refreshing a condo

Who: Designer Kimberlee Jaynes, Kimberlee Jaynes Interior Designs

The challenge: Jaynes was contacted to help warm and personalize a modern, urbran loft space. The client first asked her to make over the entry hall and guest bath. When that was done, the client gave Jaynes a good news/bad new response: She loved the new look, but not longer liked the rest of her home.
"Modern, chic urban living is not always inviting." Jaynes says. "The challenge with condo living is warming up the modern spaces, and respecting the architecture."
One common concern, Jaynes says, is a belief that texture and modern design do not mix. And even if clients get the nerve up to bring in texture, they ask what kind of texture.
To Jaynes, designing an inviting living space isn't about a single thing such as texture, it's about the mix-a guide line that works in urban lofts and suburban ranches.
"She has all the right elements," Jaynes says of her client's belongings. But it was all too safe and solemn.

The ENTRY BEFORE: The long, narrow entry had an animal-print rug that didn't run the full length of the hall.
"That doesn't lead you into the space," Jaynes said.
Identically framed art ran down one concrete wall, and the other wall was painted cream. A bench capped off the space at the end opposite the door.





THE ENTRY AFTER: Jaynes looked all over town-to no avail-for two runners to cover the full length of the hallway.
She decided to "make" a runner by combining Flor carpet squares in various colors and designs. She knew her client loved bright colors and animal prints, and followed that lead when putting together the "runner." The artwork on the concrete wall was left intact, but the cream-colored opposite wall got jazzed up with shimmering grass-cloth wallpaper. More refection was added with a metal table, lamp and colorful metallic mirror. The shiny, reflective surfaces now bounce light around the otherwise static space. The placement of the table and mirror were purposeful. "I'm always looking for practicality." Jaynes says; for instance, thinking about where someone would set mail, keys or a purse. The mirror near the door serves for that last-minute look-check before going out.

THE DINING ROOM BEFORE: The dining table was not large enough for the space and nothing in the area made any kind of statement. The wall, flanked by windows, cried out for attention, Jaynes said.




THE DINING ROOM AFTER: Jaynes decided to add a fireplace to the plain wall and found a flueless variety at Bravado Home. With the fire place in, she had the wall clad to match the kitchen's cabinetry and the fireplace mantel clad in the same granite as the kitchen counter. The fireplace surround was covered in iridescent tiles from Ann Sack, which once again work to reflect light.
To create a dining atmosphere, she added a modern light. The arc of the arm also added some roundness and fluidity to the space, and gave light without adding a second ceiling fixture.
Jaynes thought the original dining table was too diminutive for the open floor plan. She replaced it with a larger round table built by Portland furniture maker Kai Fuhrmann and topped with a hand-painted metallic gold and caramel-colored glass. "This knocks your socks off," Jaynes says. "'It's a piece for life."

THE LIVING ROOM BEFORE: Animal prints and black-and-white patterns dominated the space, anchored with back leather sofas, which the client wanted to keep.
"Cool stuff," Jaynes says, "but nothing was standing out."
The trick, she says, is to break it up, add interest, color and texture without "looking like a comic strip."





THE LIVING ROOM AFTER: Out went the black rugs, pillow, coffee table and animal-print chair, which found new life in the TV room.
In came a bright, floral rug from Tufenkian that makes a statement while not being overpowering, thanks to the room's size and the expanse of windows. Jaynes had pillows made of Kravet fabric of similar colors to the rug and reinstated the black in the base of the new, more-substantial coffee table. The curvature of the base echoes the petals of the carpet's large flower.
"You go for the big bang. She just shrieked with joy."