My 1930s Bungalow – Inspiration Fabric
As a residential design consultant, I approach each job as a partnership between myself and my client. My job is to interpret my client’s personal style while introducing them to potential ideas and inspiration so that their home will reflect their vision, interests, and passions rather than my own personal style.
My style is an eclectic layered look that has been developed over time. My main sources for furniture and fabrics are found at Boswells Furniture (Wenatchee, Washington) and online fabric stores. However, I love to shop flea markets, antique shops, and small boutiques to find just the right details to finish a room.
My 1930s bungalow
I purchased a pre-war bungalow (minimal traditional) a few years ago. It’s original and only owner was an unmarried, Home Ec teacher. It’s a gem of a house with unique features such as a corner kitchen sink, large windows overlooking the backyard, detailed paneling, and hand-painted wallpaper. Over the years I’ve made major upgrades such as replacing the roof and HVAC and adding stone to the front. The kitchen and bathrooms are original as is the hardwood floors and plaster walls. Now I’m ready to tackle the inside of my home.
Where to start? With an inspiration fabric, of course!
This workhorse fabric has all of the colors I love — green, blue and a hint of red plus it has the smokey grays and muted golds of my stone fireplace and the rich browns of the hardwood floors. This organic fabric brings nature indoors. I can’t go wrong choosing additional fabric and paint. All the colors can easily be coordinated by this awe-inspiring fabric.
This fabric is expensive! Not sure where or how I’ll use it yet but it’s my inspiration and will help me make all of the other choices. This fabric has a 100″ repeat so I may turn it into a piece of art and frame it. That would make an awesome 100×50″ conversation piece!
Some of my other pieces of inspiration:
I love the “woman with the cow” print. Not only does it have great colors but it transports you back in history to the depression era when my home was located in a much more rural setting than it is now. And it combines my love of everything old.
Just this winter my fireplace got a beautiful makeover. (Thanks, Pete and Rhett!) Gone is the old red brick and cracked black hearth. Hello! Gorgeous gray stone and handsome dark gray stone hearth. The wood and mantel are original as is the wood paneling surrounding the fireplace. A fresh coat of paint is all it needs to be the focal point of the room it is meant to be. My 1930s Bungalow – Fireplace
Overall look
I’m remodeling my kitchen and bathroom and redecorating my family room and dining room. The owl inspiration fabric will tie all the rooms together and make coordinating everything so much easier.
I have two brown leather chairs and an ottoman that I love! They go well with the fireplace and pick up the brown from the inspiration fabric. I plan to keep my big pieces neutral so I can accessorize for holidays and continually update the look without a big investment.
If you are updating and have existing furniture or if you’re starting fresh you MUST create a mood board and carry fabric samples with you at all times. You never know when you’ll see something that might be perfect and you’ll know for sure if you have a piece of your inspiration fabric handy.
A mood board can also help you remember the “look” you have envisioned and will keep you on track. You can refer to it often as you shop for accessories. We use Ribbit to make mood boards. Jot down room and wall dimensions too so you know if a piece will fit where you envision it going.
The adventure begins! Follow me as I update this beauty of a house. Next up? Repairs, prepping and painting the walls.
Before
After
A few steps closer to my dream home. Clean fresh white walls! New stone on the fireplace and hearth. And finally purchased the couch of my dreams.
