Decorating

Sunset Dream Remodel:Living Large in Small Space

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

IMG_6629When I think of a Sunset house, I usually picture something a bit grand, perhaps on a hillside overlooking California oaks. So when I drove by the latest Sunset Dream Remodel in Los Gatos, I almost passed it. It’s small — a 1,550 square foot Mediterranean bungalow on the corner of a somewhat busy street. But the whole idea, in these tough economic times, is to showcase the wonderful things you can do in a small space. And when you look at it that way, this house really measures up.
IMG_6655“This project shows how big a small space can live if done right,” said San Jose builder, Mark De Mattei, who marks his sixth Sunset house with the renovation of this Los Gatos bungalow.
The Sunset Dream Remodel opens to the public on July 23 through Aug. 15, 2010, only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. But here at Lookiloos, we love nothing better than to give a sneak peek, with a full slideshow, of some of the great ideas and products.

IMG_6650When De Mattei first bought the property, the house was even smaller — 1,300 square feet, and faced the busy University Avenue. To take full advantage of the corner lot, he lifted up the house, built a new foundation and turned it to face Town Terrace.
From the outside, you appreciate that this little house retains all its charm –including original arched windows at the front. But every inch, inside and out, is maximized. The front garden, designed by Tamura Designs of San Jose, with gravel pathways in a lovely geometric pattern with pea gravel and planting beds makes me want to do the same in my yard. I love the big urn as a centerpiece in the middle with herbs and vegetables growing in the beds –in the front yard no less.
IMG_6654A side yard leading to the sidewalk and busy street was also put to best use with a deck right off the dining room. A
One of the tricks to making a small space seem large, De Mattei said, is to keep spaces open. From the front entryhall, you can look right through the living room, dining and kitchen to see the lovely back courtyard. Wide wooden floors run the length of the house, fooling your eye to think the floorplan goes on and on.
Instead of dividing living spaces with walls, different ceiling treatments do the trick, from a flat 8-foot-ceiling in the living room, to a higher, beamed-ceiling in the dining room.
And you can always count on Sunset to have beautiful decor, from handmade tiles in the kitchen to my favorite thing: the gray trefoil tiles in the masterbath. (Those might be lovely in my pending bath renovation!) Julia Looking Left - LookiloosRoom and Board supplied most of the furnishings, and Anteo Home in Los Gatos brought in the dining room chairs and special pieces.
If you want to see the house for yourself, it’s well worth it. Here’s the skinny:

Friday, Saturday and Sunday
July 23 – August 15, 2010 Time:10:00 am – 5:00 pm Tickets (purchase on-site):$15 adults
$12 seniors 65+ Fridays only
$5 children 12 and under Location:100 Towne Terrace
Los Gatos, California 95032

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Homeowner Leaves Town:Eichler Gets New Decor

Friday, July 2nd, 2010
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Be honest. How many of you would trust a friend to completely redo your home decor while you’re out of town for three weeks, especially when that friend plans to do most of her shopping at thrift shops and consignment stores?

Well, Stephanie Peters did when she invited Linda Marx, an independent-minded bargain-hunting maven, to have at it.

4657894782_ba323b8410_b“I wanted the challenge to do it as inexpensively as I could,” said Marx, who loves nothing better than finding a cast-off sofa here or discarded end table there. “They’re little orphans. I like giving them a home.”

Peters, a Sunnyvale marketing consultant, wanted a home makeover that “shows my personality,” emphasizes comfort and reflects her penchant for all things Asian.

She lives in an Eichler, the 1950s-era, one-story homes with open floor plans, atriums and courtyards. Mid-century modern furnishings are experiencing a resurgence of popularity these days, but Marx was reluctant to shop in that direction: “I lived through that” era of design, Marx said, “and I didn’t particularly like it then.”

And with popularity often comes a big price tag, and that simply is not Marx’s style. Marx promised she could completely swap the decor of the living, dining and family rooms for a grand total of $4,000, which included everything from furniture delivery to moving lighting fixtures. (That would buy mid-century purists one Eames lounge chair and ottoman, thank you very much.)

4657274101_fd417abb06_bThe last time the house had a makeover was in the early 1990s, a few years after Peters bought it. As was the style at the time, she decorated with a palette of black, white and chrome, including white marble flooring in the living and dining rooms. But over the years, the space had grown tired and cold. And Peters had little time to pay attention to it. She made brief attempts at repainting the interior, but when her artwork came down, including her collection of Asian masks, she never put it back up. In her entry hall, all she had was a plant.

“All right, enough,” Peters told herself. “I entertain a lot. I’m sick and tired of people coming over and I’m embarrassed.”

She called Marx, who calls her fledgling redecorating business “Shoestring Design.” The women became friends through Marx’s son, who worked with Peters years ago. Peters had been to parties at Marx’s house and while there, couldn’t help but admire her home. She asked for help on hers.

“I said I wanted modern and Asian,” Peters said.

“I wanted the house to feel warm and nice,” Marx said.

“I wanted chrome bar stools,” Peters said.

“I didn’t bother with it,” Marx said.

“Never mind,” Peters conceded. “Do it.”

4657893570_5c3ed01637_bWith that, Peters cleared out the entire living, dining and family rooms of furniture, handed Marx the key to the front door, and took off for three weeks.

“I had never done Asian before,” Marx confessed.

She began her thrift store circuit up and down the Peninsula, stopping in the Salvation Army on Winchester Boulevard in San Jose, where she found a dining room table and chairs for $149; to the Consignment Store in Westgate Mall in Saratoga, where she landed a living room sofa, and the Goodwill on Almaden Expressway in San Jose for the Asian bar for $89. She bought a bamboo wall hanging at Cost Plus World Market for $49, Asian coin wall hooks for $3 from Savers in Redwood City for the entryway, a coffee table from Not Too Shabby in San Jose for $49. A large Persian rug ($120) that covers the cold marble floor came from D.G.W. Auctioneers and Appraisers in Sunnyvale.

4657891864_02b7972476_bMarx mined Peters’ garage for lost treasures, pulling out her old trunk and a collection of masks. She hung Peters’ prints and some Chinese silk panels she had bought at auction and arranged everything just so. For finishing touches, she displayed martini glasses on the bar and filled a glass vase in the kitchen with fortune cookies.

Then she waited. “I was sweating bullets when she came home,” Marx said.

“I stood in awe in the entryway for 30 seconds,” Peters said. She barely recognized the place. “I walked back in three or four times. There was so much and it had changed so drastically.”

Peters loves her new decor and “everyone who comes to my house is flabbergasted. I’ve had wonderful feedback.”

Now on to the bedrooms! As soon as Peters leaves town, Marx will be ready.Julia Looking Left - Lookiloos

If you like bargains and didn’t see the story Desiree and I wrote about the Asian fretwork chairs we bought for a bargain price at Not Too Shabby, read this:

Smackdown:Lookiloos-style

 http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Tudor Remodel:Old World Style Gets Chic Makeover

Friday, May 28th, 2010

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When you’re getting your house ready for a home tour, it’s great to have a loyal crew. Into the night, homeowner Anna Pizzo, her designer Kathleen Monarch and stager Margo Leal pulled out their favorite things to create sumptuous tablescapes, indoors and out, to complement Pizzo’s updated storybook Tudor. And a home tour just isn’t complete without floral designer Jose Ibarra coming in with his finishing touches, including a dramatic spray of dogwood in the front window.

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 (Don’t you just love it when homeowners make the front window look great from inside and out, instead of just leaving the back of a couch for all eyes to see? A big thank-you from Lookiloos everywhere!) Take a look at the ceiling beams. Those were added as part of an extensive remodel, but they look like they’ve been there forever. “We made the house authentic to the time period and added special architectural details that weren’t there to begin with,” Monarch said. “We plastered, stuccoed, glazed. You name it, we did it.”  Pizzo’s husband, Chris, of C. Pizzo Construction, made the vision a reality.

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Pizzo has her own catering company, Zona Rosa, so half the fun was pulling out her extensive collection of china, candlesticks and other tabletop decor to create elaborate tablescapes. The vignette above is part of an “outdoor room” in Pizzo’s backyard under a grand trellis. ”Anna wanted everything to be fresh,” Monarch said. “That was the main thing and it had to feel like you were walking through Provence.” For lookiloos walking through the Willow Glen home tour in early May, they were greeted by the smells of  fresh bread and lavendar and lemons. 

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As part of the house remodel, the Pizzos brought in designer Lori Kagan to update the kitchen, using Emperor Light marble for the countertops. (I wish I had succulents like that.) In the adjoining dining room, a closet was turned into a wet bar.

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Monarch of Monarch Design and Studio also helped Pizzo with the master bedroom and bath. Some of Pizzo’s favorite things came from the Alameda Flea Market and other “funky vintage shops,” Monarch said.

  Monarch also helped with the interior of the Kouretas home on the tour last year. (see story below.)

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How lovely is this? Check out the zebra print on the back of the blue silk. Yummy.

You might also enjoy these stories:

Design Inspiration:Big Remodel Maintains Homey Feel

Jose’s Tabletop Decor Inspired by Chinese Take-out

Julia Looking Left - Lookiloos

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

 

 

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Willow Glen Cottage Remodel with Modern Flair

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

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Lately, I’ve become enamored with houses that are unassuming from the front,  but have a major ‘wow’ factor on the inside.

From the front of this white-washed Willow Glen cottage, you might expect a chopped-up floorplan.  The only feature on the facade that gives you a sense of what’s to come is the bright yellow front door. Walk inside and you’re flooded with openness and light. And you can see right through to the charming backyard.

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Homeowner Stephanie Angeli, an  ”empty nester” who moved from San Francisco,  first saw the house with her sister. “We did an ‘Oh my God,’ when we went through it,” she said. “Every room was perfect.”

The house had been remodeled by the previous owner who added space and lots of windows on the back of the house, looking out to the courtyard. The sisters got in their car, did a U-turn, she said, and went to the realtor’s office to put down a deposit. The house was featured on the Willow Glen Home Tour earlier this month.4612692834_70d0918c47_o

The kitchen is also a gem, with white Carrarra marble counter tops and a sink in the corner looking into the family room.

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And the interior decor is lovely, from the the little vignette of green stemware in front of al painting on the kitchen counter, to a nicely-appointed front guest room and office. Carmen Grande of Willow Glen Home & Garden on Lincoln Avenue helped Stephanie with the furnishings and Steve Gilbert added charm to the courtyard.

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Take a look at the slideshow and tell us what space you like the best. Julia Looking Left - Lookiloos

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Hanchett Park Home Tour Ticket Give-Away!

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

mediterranean revival

Prairie style. Tudor Revival. American Four-square. Mediterranean Revival. You name it, the Hanchett Park Historic Home Tour in one of San Jose’s most charming and eclectic neighborhoods has it. They’ll be open for your indulgent pleasure this Saturday, May 22.

Lookiloos has just given away two tickets to two of our fans. I drew names from a bowl! Barb B. and Nancy M. were the lucky winners who each get to take a friend to five fabulous homes, plus a backyard boutique.

 And I’m telling you, as a voyeur from the next neighborhood over, these homes are Lookiloos-worthy! Two in particular resonate with me: one is the one-story Mediterranean revival (pictured above) with an interior courtyard that has always been the style for my fantasy home.

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The other is this Prairie style look that feeds my clean-lined-architect’s-daughter sensibility. And wouldn’t you know an architectural designer, Steve Hinderberger of Hindesign, owns it and has filled it with modern furnishings? Here are just a few of the famous pieces you’ll see: a 1928  le Corbusier lounge chair; 1925 Marcel Breuer Wassily chairs, a 1929 Eileen Gray breakfast tabl, a 1944 Noguchi coffee table  and two mid-century classics, an Eames lounge chair and ottoman and a Beroia diamond chair. The art collection is also a must-see, including an Alexander Calder.

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 This is another gem — a 1920 American Four-square completely remodeled down to the studs in 2008, with new landscaping last year. The home is decorated with luxurious, contemporary furnishings. 

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 This is another special home, built in 1924 for the owner of the old Pomeroy’s clothing store in downtown San Jose. Gilt wall sconces, crystal doorknobs, windows and floors are all original. Enjoy the batchelder tile fireplace and a gorgeous sun room

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And if you love a storybook cottage, here’s a charming Tudor Revival owned by artist Margaret Washington and her husband, Austin. It’s loaded with original details, including exposed beams and hardware — and even the original stove!

Hanchett Park Historic Homes Tour is one day only, Saturday, May 22, from 10 to 4.  You can purchase tickets for $20 in advance at Green Design, 1341 The Alameda, and at Willow Glen Home & Garden, 1123 Lincoln Ave. On May 22 tickets are $25 and will be sold on the corner of Hanchett and Sequoia avenues.

Julia Looking Left - Lookiloos

From Tudor and Art Deco to Zen, Willow Glen Home Tour Inspires

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

IMG_9067When four girlfriends and I escaped our kids for the afternoon, piled into my mini-van, and headed out for the Willow Glen Lifestyles Home Tour, we made a pact that we wouldn’t get green with envy by getting a glimpse into others’ beautiful living spaces. We’d be inspired.

There were many things to love about these homes, opened up by generous owners to benefit the San Jose Day Nursery. All were very different from each other ranging in style from Tudor to Art Deco to Southwestern Zen, and I walked away with several ideas. Some I can implement now, with not too much time and money, and some for later requiring more resources.

For my immediate inspiration, it turns out décor doesn’t have to be highbrow.  In more than one home, family photos were artistically photographed, framed and placed.  And in the wine cellar of Erin and Michael Craig’s 1929 home hung a shadow box containing a German 9mm Luger.

We all really loved Anna and Chris Pizzo’s Tudor, which I think had less to do with square footage and more to do with all the little details–like the faded IMG_9102stenciling in the hallway–and eclectic accessories, many of which came from the Vintage Flea Market in Alameda.

With a little more planning and money, I’d copy the Pizzo’s outdoor dining room exactly—an impressive arbor with a chandelier hanging from it. I’d add a concrete couch decorated with colorful pillows like the Hermosa home along with concrete raised garden beds painted bright colors. I’d turn myTV into art , and if I ever purchase bunk beds for my boys, I’ll wire a light switch high on the wall so you can reach it without getting out of bed.

With a much bigger budget, I’d add on to the front of my house and not worry about the fact that I just remodeled my kitchen with a corner sink overlooking the yard. Because in Stephanie Angeli’s home, such a kitchen sink overlooks the family room that was an add-on and it turned out uniquely great.

IMG_9249If I had a bigger lot, I’d consider a swimming pool with different lounging levels and contrasting materials like Kris and David Gambelin’s home. If couldn’t get such a lot and wanted to get really creative (or crazy), I’d move next to my sister, tear down the fence between us, and create one big, shared, drought resistant landscape like the Gilliand home. This was the home gave me the case of the envies. I’m not sure if it was the Japanese soaking tub, the utility room bigger than my bedroom, or the calmness that permeated the air, but I didn’t want to leave that space.

I guess for now, I’ll pull up a cushion in some quiet corner of the house and dream. Thanks to the tour, I have some images to reference.

Kim Koooyers is a freelance writer in San Jose and blogs at gratitude365.

Also, keep coming back for more indepth stories and slideshows of the six homes on the tour!

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Willow Glen Home Tour May 1-2; Ticket Giveaway!

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Charming cottage on Willow Glen Home Tour

Charming cottage on Willow Glen Home Tour

The annual Willow Glen Home Tour on May 1st and 2nd promises six  beautiful homes this year — and UPDATE — we just gave away two pairs of tickets — one to Jackee and one to Beth. Still, it is a not-to-be-missed tour and proceeds go to a good cause.  Grab a few girlfriends and enjoy a day meandering through a remodeled craftsman with a fabulous outside living area, a storybook cottage of stone and wood, a chic bungalow and a traditional Willow Glen home filled with antiques and collectibles. 

Thanks fof leaving comments explaining why you should win a pair (are you a lookiloo extraordinaire?).

The tour supports the San Jose Day Nursery that provides subsidized early care and education to low-income families.sjdnht2010_Roycott_way[1]

Tickets, at the pre-tour price of $30, are available at the following San Jose businesses: 

  • Domus, 1395 Lincoln Avenue, on the corner with Minnesota Avenue;
  • Eclectic Touch, 1171 Lincoln Avenue;
  • Willow Glen Home and Garden, 1123 Lincoln Avenue; and
  • Able Printing, 1595 Meridian Avenue at Hamilton Avenue. 

 Tickets, the dates of the tour, may be purchased for $35 on the corner of Lincoln and Minnesota Avenues, in front of Chase Bank. Julia Looking Left - Lookiloos

Some Free Time = Home Improvement

Monday, April 19th, 2010

my toolsWhen we first bought our home way back in the ’80’s,  it needed some work. Mostly cosmetic changes to bring it to the current era.  We were house poor–sinking every last cent into the purchase. We–and I really mean I–became a DIYer.  Being young and dare I say naive at the time I wasn’t afraid to try anything. Now, I have no excuse except stupidity. That’s just how I roll. I want something done–I just do it. The husband on the other hand likes to research stuff–make sure it’s the right decision.  So, we come from different worlds.  The husband  traveled a lot in our early years which worked in my favor.  I just sorta got to do things my way–by defualt–since he wasn’t here.

I’d drop him off at the airport and race home to start my project. I knew what the project would be weeks ahead of the trip. Husband would ask “What are you planning this trip”? I’d always reply “Oh nothing much. Just taking care of the kids.”  But he knew better. He just didn’t know what project I was scheming in my head.  I have ripped out  carpets and  sanded the floors and don’t forget that fresh scent of varnish.  Years of wallpaper stripped and walls painted in the course of a week of focus groups. Over the years I’ve tried my hand at just about every home improvement. Some have been successful and others not so much, but there is nothing like diving in and getting dirty.  My husband’s business partner was dropping him off from a short trip and I had a dresser and a nightstand on the front porch drying after I had stripped and repainted, he asked my husband when I was going to fix the roof?  Yes, it became the office joke. But I didn’t care and now, the husband doesn’t travel as much–until next week! He’s going to be gone for 4 days. My mind is struggling to figure out the what to do first. The list is getting longer and longer. I need to prioritize!   I want to do as much prep before so the minute that door closes I can work work work!

Stay tuned–I will be posting my escapades here!  Maybe even a video–Do I dare incriminate myself???  Of course–why wouldn’t I???

*** UPDATE***Darn that husband read this post–Glad I didn’t give any details away!

Desiree Looking Left - Lookiloos

Inside Pioneer Woman’s Lodge

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

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Last week I had the honor of getting to stay at guest lodge of New York Time’s Best Selling Author’s Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman herself in gorgeous Oklahoma. I was filming a webisode of Putting it All Togethloralee ree and sheila.jpger Series produced by BlogHer and sponsored by Macy’s. Loralee Choate, Ree and I chatted mostly about fashion for real gals. (though they looked like models!)  While we coulda chatted for days, I have to admit to being distracted by the pure gorgeous-ness of Ree’s Lodge.

Luckily, you can find the full back story on how she and her husband, Marlboro Man renovated the place in 2009 from choosing the countertops to building the deck. As a home renovation junkie, I have loved reading all about it. I am sure you will too!

My pictures did not do this place justice. I was too busy and floored by the whole experience that I didn’t remember to ask her anything about what vendors she used or where she bought things.  Aack. (Bad blogger!)  But you can find all that on her site, where she chronicled the Lodge transformation.   Some of my favorite parts included:

  • Entertainer’s Paradise: The four bedroom, five bath Lodge is where guests stay. I expect it is where Ree and Marlboro Man, throw a pretty mean BBQ!  The deck is gorgeous and has simply an amazing view.  The whole lay out is open and yet comfortable – a perfect setting for a family dinner or a party for the entire ‘hood.   The palette was simple, modern, and distinctly cowboy.  I loved their wet bar, casual so you felt you could pour your own glass of wine.  Yet, modern enough to have both a wine fridge, ice maker and soda chiller all built in and at your fingertips.

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  • Kitchen Nirvana: PW has a best selling book, so you can guess here kitchen is picture perfect. It is state of the art with an ample pantry complete with an HUGE sub-zero freezer for storing meat in the winter and prepping food for parties. There was a mix of granite, and stainless steel. Ree said, she “got the best of both worlds!”  The kitchen had a multitude of great little touches from the huge amount of counter space that could double as buffet stations to bar stools set up so you could pull up for a chat with the chef and help with cooking.

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  • A Cozy Fireplace: Imagine a cold winter night with a raging fire going on in the middle of this space.  No matter where you are you are sure to feel its warmth.  Perfect.

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  • Intelligent Seating: I also was impressed by her mix of sofas and chairs ranging from a pair of zebra printed chairs to deep chenille sofas placed near the kitchen, positioned to survey the delicious cooking and feel the warmth of the fireplace.   Every piece of furniture was easy, set up for guests to relax and all moveable so it would be a snap to host game night for a large crowd or a cozy conversation for two. Notice the animal print floor covering?  They were all over the Lodge unifying the look throughout.

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  • The best reminder that you are on a working ranch: There was a wall of more than a dozen pairs of boots. Enuf said.

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As a city girl, I have to admit, this place made me want to pack my bags and head to OK, ’cause if this is what it is like to live in the MidWest, I am ready to go.

Photos by Loralee Choate and Sheila Dowd.

Sheila Looking Left - Lookiloos

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Asian End Table Purchased: Can you spot the Changes?

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

 

After: Here's my new Asian bamboo motif end table: Can you spot the other changes I've made in the living room?

After: Here's my new Asian bamboo motif end table: Can you spot the other changes I've made in the living room?

Before: This retro bar cart was deemed too lightweight for the space. What else is different in this room from the top photo?

Before: This retro bar cart was deemed too lightweight for the space. What else is different in this room from the top photo?

It took three tries, but I finally found an end table that’s a keeper. I was drawn to it the minute I saw it at Move It Elsewhere in San Jose: gold metal frame with a bamboo motif and glass topped.  It replaced the retro bar cart that I loved but seemed too flimsy on plastic wheels for the heavy lamp. The nesting tables still have a lightness in my smaller living room with the heavy leather sofa. And I’m a sucker for the bamboo look. Thanks for all your comments and suggestions on my dilemma. I hope you like it. There is actually a third, smaller nesting table I put in my den. (and that’s another upcoming story once that is complete!) Just for fun, take a close look at my before and after photos. Can you spot the changes I’ve made in the living room since I had the bar cart as an end table?

Julia Looking Left - Lookiloos