A Modern Makeover with method

Adding personality to a simple space is kinda my thing. Sometimes that personality is a sophisticated, refined, French woman and sometimes it’s a young, fun, modern party girl. When you start with a basic foundation it’s so much easier to bring the crazy in a way that doesn’t feel permanent or too committal – and crazy without commitment is something I can always get behind. Method asked me to partner with them and to use the clean design and fun, bright colors of their products as the inspiration for a makeover on a really modern, beautiful but rather cold house. I said yes, and as you remember made this video to give you a taste. This space needed personality, and we chose the personality of a vintage loving, color-obsessed, bright happy lady. I wonder where we got that from . . .

Watch our new video and see this space transform before your eyes.

The original space was certainly nothing to be ashamed of.

The house had good lines, the space was open, but it needed that last 15% – the accessories, the personality and the style. Lets start in the dining room:

They had some great pieces, certainly, but we wanted it to feel brighter, younger and more alive. We switched out the black chairs for some lovely classic white wishbones, changed out the dark artwork for the bright abstract painting, replaced the contemporary floor tiles with the pretty rug and gave it a big old dose of happiness with the accessories.

Nothing softens the hard lines of a modern home more than soft, sculptural plants, and round accessories. Most of the shapes we chose were still really simple (it’s not like we brought in crazy carved porcelain floral lamps) but because they were round and textured, they brought more life to the space. *The books spines are facing away from us because they weren’t ‘cleared’ to be shot in the video. 

Black Table Lamp | Candle Stick Holders | Art | Book Ends | Geo Vase | White Table Lamp | Dining Chair | Rug | Tall Blue Vase |  Faux Pink Flowers | Painted Pots

That there is a very happy dining room, worthy of showing off and possibly even eating in.

The living room was looking for a jolt of happiness as well. It had a more neutral palette and contemporary finishes – which were all fine and well, but didn’t really have the method freshness we were looking for. I liked all the major pieces of furniture but we wanted it to feel more bright, happy and alive.

Nothing wakes up a room more than a crazy colored rug and teal chairs, right? It’s amazing how it feels like such a different room, and one that I want to party in (I CAN PARTY SOON!!!!).

Turquoise Chairs | Rug | Pillows | Hexagon Accent Table | Double Table Lamp

Some clients are super into this kind of saturated color and pattern, but most people can’t handle it. In this case there was no ‘client, ‘ just a couple rooms inspired by a simple, fresh product. Which made my job so fun. It was a fantasy job – everything was rented or borrowed, brought in just for the shoot so I could go crazy playing, accessorizing and layering without a client to there to veto me. No offense to you clients, but sometimes I miss doing doing the show (RIP) because I could do whatever I wanted and the clients were always happy with the result.

Chair | White Floor Lamp | Painted Pots | Pillow | Art | Book Ends | Geo Vase | White Table Lamp

Mint Vase | Faux Flowers | Rug | Brass Task Lamp | Black Floor Lamp | Throw Pillows

Shopping for the makeover took a few days and styling it took a few hours – for both of which we had lots of help from a production designer (Thank you, Jessica!). That is some serious instant satisfaction, which makes my little stylist heart sing.

The whole space came together in a bright, happy, fresh, modern and young way that was inspired by the method product.

Job well done, method (and team). Don’t forget to watch the video and check out the first inspiration post.

This post was brought in partnership with method. All opinions, designs and ideas are mine. 

*Photos by Tessa Neustadt.

See our design process here.