Kimberly Reuther

So, after a couple years of deciding that I needed a larger media stand (you’ll see what I mean in the before photo) and not finding one that fit my budget and vision for the room, I decided to get creative.   When most people do home improvements, they tackle DIY projects.  I prefer the HDDI method, also known as, Have Dad Do It.

My dad is very skilled as a carpenter but committing to a time frame is not his forte because he is in high demand.  Luckily, my grandpa and my cousin were willing to help out with painting and hauling the completed piece to my apartment.  Now to get my dad on board with my concept.  As you can see by my sketches, I was definitely more focused on the little accent pieces…I did give him dimensions, I’m no dummy!  The goal was to get the baskets of movies in the console but still functional and hide all the wiring to my components.  I’ll let you judge the photos for yourself.  I bet you are already thinking of your very own HDDI project!  Thanks for all the hard work guys!

Before Media Wall - Yes, it's an end table...

My Concept Sketches

Phase 1 - The boys got carried away with the red paint on the center lines

Phase 2 - I created the shapes out of cardboard with my arty friend Brent's help

Voila! Finished product - Functional & Pretty!

New Media Wall - so much cleaner!

Team Photo Take 1 - Eric, quit moving!

Team Photo Take 2 - Grandpa's not smiling

Team Photo Take 3 - This will have to do!

So, you want to lounge a little, put your feet up, relax after a hard day at work.  Who better to greet you than your favorite lounge chair?  Just because it’s a workaholic doesn’t mean it sacrifices looks and personality.

Check out these great options that deserve a corner in you living room (and your heart).

First we have a classic French Bergere chair with an upbeat paisley fabric and it is instantly reborn!

Antwerp Chair - Anthropologie

Who says “caning” spells traditional?  The sleek black lacquer and modern leg profile make this chair unstoppable.

Cane Chair Black - Atom Designs

Barbara Barry’s designs are graceful and effortless.   She works to make furnishings the appropriately muted backdrop to our lives.

Starlet Chair - Barbara Barry Realized by Henredon

This one never gets old for me.  They introduce new colors every year and the fact that it can be a recliner and still look like a Parisian club chair, I absolutely love!

Manhattan Chair/Recliner - Pottery Barn

Houndstooth.  Clean lines.  How can you go wrong with that?

Ryan Chair in Houndstooth - Bernhardt Furniture

Even if this chair wasn’t upholstered in a beautiful velvet, it would still make a great statement.

FL3248 - Vanguard Furniture

The perfect little mod slipper chair, can be redefined with a multitude of fabrics.  Fresh & sleek at the same time.

Abigail Chair - Williams Sonoma Home

“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Fairest One of All?”  How much of a statement can a mirror make?  Depends on how good looking it is and what it is reflecting, of course!

Here are my some of my favorite styles for today…mostly classic pieces that inspire for decades to come.

Notice, my two favorite silhouettes, beautifully scaled floor mirrors and classically elegant starbursts…what catches your eye?

Neiman Marcus - Zebra Motif Mirror

Baker - Constellation Mirror

Oly Studio - Astrid Mirror

Neiman Marcus - Porcupine Quill Mirror

Ballard Designs - Villaine Floor Mirror

Restoration Hardware - Venetian Beaded Mirror

Oly Studio - Natasha Mirror

Oly Studio - Bubble Mirror