Comments on The Lettered Cottage: Carolyn's Family Room Redesign

What an eye you have, Layla! Often making a room w...

2009-11-18T03:32:54.798-06:00

What an eye you have, Layla! Often making a room work is simply moving a few pieces around. I re-did a friend's living room a few months ago, using pieces already in the house, and the transformation was amazing. The only new thing she bought was a throw pillow for the sofa.

Wow, this was inspirational. I keep thinking I ca...

2009-11-14T20:26:49.604-06:00

Wow, this was inspirational. I keep thinking I can't make our house work with what we have when I'm not thinking I just need better vision. Thank you.

Aloha Kevin & Layla! Thank you so much for keepin...

2009-11-12T21:21:00.257-06:00

Aloha Kevin & Layla! Thank you so much for keeping your blog real & simple, and for including your readers in your ups & your downs. We all go through them and I can definitely appreciate your situation. Bloggers like you help me to remember the positives and to always smile! I look forward to reading your posts every day, all the way over here across the Pacific! ;) xo

I love your consultation and the transformation! I...

2009-11-11T09:21:01.296-06:00

I love your consultation and the transformation! I understand about being on a budget. We are a one income family and I had gotten bitten by the decorating bug right before my son was born. I wanted to repaint and redecorate, but I was too exhausted with my very active 2 going on 3 year old and being very pregnant. Since my son was born almost 15 months ago, I've very slowly started working on my huge home improvement project. I love to read about your projects on a budget and I'm copying some of your ideas! In the kitchen I am going to repaint Sherwin Williams' Rice Grain (at Lowe's of course) and use drop cloth curtains in my bedroom. I also want to do beadboard in my kitchen around the chair rail and backsplash. Keep up the great work and I look forward to reading your blog each day. :)
june

Brilliant. Just brilliant. Always love it when I v...

2009-11-10T17:56:01.095-06:00

Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Always love it when I visit here, I'm inspired!

Hugs.

I love the redesign you did for Carolyn. It seems ...

2009-11-10T13:50:04.883-06:00

I love the redesign you did for Carolyn. It seems easier to design a space with all new things but so real-life to see a beautiful transformation with things we already own or DIY projects. Great job.

I think that you have amazing talent and that good things are going to continue to come your way. Hang in there. There isn't a blogger I know of who isn't inspired by the beauty you create and the real, sweet person that you are.

I wish you two the best of luck. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. ((hugs))
R

Layla....I love that redo GREAT JOB !!! I am also...

2009-11-10T11:02:02.112-06:00

Layla....I love that redo GREAT JOB !!!

I am also like a little kid moving my mouse back and forth for the reveal !!! That is so cool... how do you do that ???

All the best,
Kathy :)
jokaj@comcast.net

Well done Carolyn and Layla. The "after" is such a...

2009-11-10T10:35:32.368-06:00

Well done Carolyn and Layla. The "after" is such a huge improvement. The room looks much more balanced and inviting.

Love this post for many reasons, but mostly becaus...

2009-11-10T07:19:47.294-06:00

Love this post for many reasons, but mostly because Carolyn is a dear friend of mine! Love your suggestions and she did a great job finding things to go with them...I am so not good at that!

Thanks Layla for your continued inspiration!

Thanks for sharing that part of your life which is...

2009-11-09T20:59:54.488-06:00

Thanks for sharing that part of your life which isn't easy right now. I really appreciate it. Many of us are in the same boat, struggling after being laid off, wondering when things will get better... well, you know. I feel it makes for a better blog when you let the readers see the whole story, not just the bright and shiny parts.

But, I do have to say, with much confidence, that I am certain, if you guys can hold on, someone out there will realize how entertaining and loveable you both are and will quickly grab you up for some sort of show. Truly!

You guys have something special!!

Thanks for keeping it real!

Layla, I am sorry to hear that things are rough ri...

2009-11-09T20:51:09.982-06:00

Layla,
I am sorry to hear that things are rough right now. But I know that things are looking up for you. Your blog is my favorite and you have a great talent that I am sure will be recognized. I only see good things happening for you and Kevin. Keep your chin up and keep designing and inspiring!!!

I really love the wall color and the mirror over t...

2009-11-09T20:46:36.659-06:00

I really love the wall color and the mirror over the mantle...I just recently discovered how one or two simple changes can completely turn a room on it's head, even if it's just a simple manipulation of furniture. Really love this post!

nice work! I'm with Geri ;-) S

2009-11-09T19:57:29.065-06:00

nice work!

I'm with Geri ;-)

S

I love all of your suggestions AND the way she imp...

2009-11-09T19:54:07.679-06:00

I love all of your suggestions AND the way she implemented them so well. The room feel so much cozier and pulled together. Excellent job, as always! :-)

Layla, Thank you for this post today. As a fello...

2009-11-09T18:43:06.625-06:00

Layla,

Thank you for this post today. As a fellow interior designer, I needed the reminder that we reinvent ourselves, when that doesn't work out as well as we had hoped, we re-reinvent ourselves.
Your blog is incredibly inspiring. With all the publicity you have in the works (magazine photo shoots, tv spots), I have no doubt you will have all the success in your dreams!

Layla, I have enjoyed reading your blog almost dai...

2009-11-09T15:44:23.911-06:00

Layla,
I have enjoyed reading your blog almost daily since I discovered it! I love so many of your ideas and they have inspired me to even try some of them in our new house! Your kitchen was perfect insperation to me and I have even painted my walls the same color, though I am going to paint the cabints green instead of black.
Thanks for all of your great tips and ideas. It's helpfull to see every day people doing stuff that would often seem unatainable to us "normal" folks. I hope that there will be a way to keep things going for you all! Thanks again for having so much to offer and being a such a bright spot on the internet! Jill (writing from my husbands email)

Great work, both of you!!! Layla, good eye, girl. ...

2009-11-09T15:04:17.338-06:00

Great work, both of you!!! Layla, good eye, girl. You nailed those suggestions spot on.

It look great, Carolyn!! You should really be proud of your work, and of course, pleased with Layla's perfect suggestions :) It's a lovely room. That close shot of the fireplace and the bureau beside it could be in a magazine. How fun for you!!!

Jacci

Layla, I love the redesign and I love that you wor...

2009-11-09T14:03:21.780-06:00

Layla,
I love the redesign and I love that you work WITH people instead of just doing your own thing as many designers on TV do. I have been following your blog for quite a while now and I admire you even more knowing the ups and down you are going through. You and Kevin are creating your own job descriptions and I am pulling for your success as if they were my own. I'm trying to find my own niche and you are an inspiration in so many ways. Hang in there.

Layla, I love the redesign and I love that you wor...

2009-11-09T14:03:04.633-06:00

Kevin and Layla, You're blog is just wonderful. I'...

2009-11-09T13:58:40.253-06:00

Kevin and Layla,
You're blog is just wonderful. I'm always excited to see what you post!
This feature with the shoestring budget is perfect for so many people right now. Right on the Mark!
You are both an inspiration for taking the leap and following your dreams. Not an easy thing to do. Kudos to you both! keep on inspiring us all!!
Love to read your blog and see all of your beautiful transformations. Keep it up and keep your chin up too. Good things will come of it!
Thank you for all the wonderful posts so far!!!

Layla, loved this! it is very inspiring to see REA...

2009-11-09T13:52:55.564-06:00

Layla,
loved this!
it is very inspiring to see REAL LIFE design on a budget. I love your ideas! Thanks for helping me with my home's exterior, we are in a budget crisis too, but will send you pictures once we get it done.... please don't leave the blogging scene!
Lizzy

I am also a budget decorator. Amazing what you can...

2009-11-09T11:52:23.453-06:00

I am also a budget decorator. Amazing what you can do with a little inspiration and shopping in your own home. I really loved reading this post. Your design is beautiful.

PS I've also come to the necessary conclusion that decorating wouldn't be as fun if I could buy whatever I want. It keeps me creative. THanks for the always-good ideas.

Great job Layla! I think attention should also be ...

2009-11-09T10:41:05.680-06:00

Great job Layla! I think attention should also be given to the new paint job which did WONDERS for that room! I might have to ask Hubby for a "gift certificate" for one of your consultations. You'd have quite a job on your hands since we live in military housing and can do very little to the structure itself! ;)

Hi Layla and Kevin. I always amazes me that you ha...

2009-11-09T10:02:06.415-06:00

Hi Layla and Kevin.
I always amazes me that you have such vision. The ability to share that with your readers and clients is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. I wish you both nothing but the best. Times are tough all over. It is indeed reassuring to know that our bloggy friends are "making it work" right along with us.

Have a blessed week.
XO*Tricia

Layla, I am a HUGE fan of yours and am so excited ...

2009-11-09T09:36:41.416-06:00

Layla, I am a HUGE fan of yours and am so excited to click on your blog every day to see what's new. I am especially excited when you show us how to make so much out of things we already have or can get for super-cheap!! I can relate to your struggles-- we purchased a MAJOR fixer-upper (which is truly our dream home, but needs a huge amount of work) two years ago and, because of a series of financial setbacks, have had to put most of our renovation plans on hold, save for what we can do ourselves with a budget of basically zero. Plus, we both work full time and have two little girls, so we have no time to do anything! : ) There are many, many days that I just want to cry and give it all up. It is so hard to be patient and trust that one day, we can realize our dreams for our home. Knowing that you are making your dreams a reality uplifts my heart.

Honestly-- anyone with an open checkbook can go out and fill a rooom with lovely things. What you do-- create beauty for next-to-nothing-- is so much more special. Most of all, your designs always say "home."

Keep it up-- we are ALL rooting for you!!!