A Place for Family: Brier Creek Before & After

A Place for Family: Brier Creek Before & After

christmas tree in living room

This beautiful renovation took almost an entire year, but it was worth every moment. This house in the Brier Creek Country Club was built by Toll Brothers in the early 2000s and hadn’t seen any updates since. Our clients were a family of four with two young daughters and relatives from France that frequently flew in to visit for extended periods, so our goal was to give them a functional family space with plenty of style.

Kitchen

The kitchen was the focal point of this transformation. The narrow island and closed-off U-shape just weren’t working, and the tile flooring in the kitchen clashed with the engineered hardwoods throughout the rest of the house, breaking up the floorplan even more. This cramped, outdated kitchen wasn’t just visually unappealing – it was impractical for this busy family!

To open up the floorplan, we installed a 20-foot structural steel beam that allowed us to remove the wall between the kitchen and the sunroom. This made space for a double island, perfect for prep, cooking, and entertaining, with ample seating that flows seamlessly into the dining room, accommodating up to 10 people.

We updated all the appliances in the kitchen, including a double wall oven, a large gas cooktop, a convenient pot filler, drawer microwave, dishwasher, and a new built-in refrigerator. We used a classic color palette to brighten the space and incorporated timeless materials – a marble countertop, marble backsplash, and marble mosaic tile with fluted glass to add a touch of detail to the design.

One of the homeowners is French (meaning she loves her coffee and espresso!) so we completed the kitchen with a gorgeous coffee bar. We also got rid of the outdated tile and updated the flooring throughout the entire first floor, making for a harmonious, cohesive finish.

Bathrooms

All the bathrooms in the home were very plain and builder grade, though the primary bathroom needed a lot more work. A large tub had been installed by a previous owner, and with very little walking space on one side, it definitely wasn’t to code. We replaced that outdated monstrosity with a tub against the back wall that was more appropriately sized but just as luxurious. Other luxury touches in the primary bathroom included a chandelier above the tub, more classic marble, fluted glass, gold finishes, his and hers vanities, decorative tile in the shower niche and, to top it all off, a heated flooring system.

In the three remaining bathrooms, we updated all the fixtures and finishes and added fun, decorative touches throughout, like wallpaper, tile mosaics, and pops of color.

ADDITIONAL UPGRADES

In the foyer, we added a beautiful new chandelier to brighten the space. The laundry room got a new marble floor, updated cabinetry, a new sink, and floating shelves. We also created a built-in mudroom and a new closet for coats – plenty of practical storage for a family of four!

Finally, we transformed the husband’s office with custom built-ins and a dark, saturated paint in Peppercorn, giving the space a sophisticated, masculine vibe.

While we did some major renovations, there are a few details we didn’t change. We left the columns throughout the home and the ornate balusters on the staircase, maintaining some of the original charm while creating a beautiful, cohesive space with a bit of classic Parisian flair. Our clients are thrilled with the results, and so are we!

      Gorgeous Greenery: Live Plants vs Artificial Plants in Your Living Space

      Gorgeous Greenery: Live Plants vs Artificial Plants in Your Living Space

      christmas tree in living room

      As interior designers, we love a bit (or a lot) of greenery! A pop of green can bring brightness, texture, and a touch of natural beauty to your space. Plus, the color green can improve your mood, and that’s what interior design is all about – turning houses into homes and creating beautiful, joyful spaces our clients love to live in.

      At Spotted, we often use artificial plants to bring the vibe of real greenery to an interior space. But when it comes to your own space, which is the right choice – foliage or faux foliage? Here are a few things to keep in mind while deciding what type of greenery to incorporate in your home’s interior design:

      Cost

      While artificial plants might cost more initially, they could save you money in the long run. Once you purchase an artificial plant, there’s no more money to be spent, unless you want to buy a new pot to change up the look. With real plants, however, you’ll need to consider the cost of water, soil, plant food, pest control, and larger pots over time to accommodate growth. You’ll also need to replace real plants on occasion if you don’t have the gift of a green thumb.

      Upkeep

      When it comes to the maintenance of your plants, it’s obvious real plants require more time and attention than artificial ones. Real plants will need watering, feeding, dusting, pruning, re-potting, and more to thrive over time. While some plants require minimal upkeep, others might need daily care. Some people find caring for plants soothing, and some find it exhausting – so it’s a matter of preference! It’s important to keep in mind, however, that even artificial plants will require dusting to keep them clean and looking fresh.

      Variety

      There are hundreds of thousands of plant species on Earth, so it’s easy to assume choosing live plants for your home will offer you more variety. In reality, every plant needs a specific environment to thrive, which limits the types of plants you can grow in your own home. On the other hand, artificial plants will look just as green and beautiful in any environment, regardless of humidity, temperature, or amount of sunlight – so you can choose any artificial variety you want for your home! The selection of artificial plant varieties isn’t as extensive as real plants, but it’s improving all the time.

      Environment

      There’s no denying that real plants are better for the environment as a whole. However, there are a few reasons artificial plants might be better for your own personal environment. Many live plants are toxic and can pose a danger to pets and small children, while most artificial plants are non-toxic. Live plants can also attract pests or cause irritation for people with allergies. Thankfully, brands are popping up offering more sustainable alternatives to traditional artificial plants, using recycled, compostable, or biodegradable materials, so you can elevate your space with faux foliage without worrying about it ending up in a landfill someday.

      A small touch of greenery can make a big difference to the feel of an interior space. We love using artificial plants in our designs because they’re easier to maintain, come in many beautiful varieties, and are safe for pets and children. But there are plenty of pros to live plants, too! At the end of the day, it’s your space, and you should design and decorate it in whatever way is best for your lifestyle.