Rue Magazine and my fifteen minutes of fame

Thank you Rue Magazine and Kelli Lamb for an amazing article about me...well actually about my house and my design philosophy.  Here are my fifteen minutes of fame and a link to the article

Rue Mag featuring Kelly McGuill

http://www.ruemag.com/home-tour-2/a-designers-sun-soaked-massachusetts-home

Our amazing artist client

The images shown are of an art room we created for an amazing client. "Everything about this room makes me smile and inspires me" , a direct quote from the person this room was intended for. The before space was an empty shell that became a gathering place for all kinds of stuff, certainly not inspiring. Our artist client knew that there was crazy potential for an art room  and we all knew that this transformation would be the perfect light filled spot for a talent that her whole family shares. KMH was asked to come up with the design plan and project manage the scope of work. We added tongue and groove paneling and natural beams to the vaulted ceilings, a large sink for clean up , recessed, pendants and sconce lighting in many areas of the room and shelving to display art work. We all wanted a place for everything and everything in it's place, so storage was essential. Canvases, paint, brushes, etc, etc all found a home intended just for them. Heated wood floors  and a comfortable vintage leather chair add so much comfort and warmth . We love what the  barn door adds to this room . This family has inspired me in so many ways .  Check out the rest of their home on our website in Portfolio #1 at kellymcguillhome.com

Chico's new vibe, new catalog and the house they shot in...

The latest Chico's catalog  caught my eye.  I can honestly say that I have never been a Chico's fan but the whole new vibe pulled me in  and made me take a really long gander.... What mostly caught my eye  was the gorgeous home that they shot in.  This house is AMAZING...It takes advantage of the most gorgeous natural light; everything works so well together....the windows,  the wood floors , the cool architectural elements, the lighting,  the  fabulous tile floor (and I know this is a run on sentence but I must go on), the  furniture... it all makes me so happy.

 The table and  ottomans under the table, the counter stools,  I love it all...and I  like the shorts and the shoes....

Did I say that I LOVE the floors and look at that door and I really like the blouse and the skirt is cute.

I love all the contrasts in the house; the gorgeous vertical paneling and the amazing natural wood door and I really like  the white on white outfit and did i mention those floors?

Everything about this house works .  Bravo Chico's, your creative director got it  so right. You've created an entirely new vibe of which I think revives your old look and feel and you've made me think about Chico's again as a possible clothing source. And  double bravo to the person who built and designed this house, you did everything right , and did I say that I love those floors?

The C Word

The C Word….

Isn’t it amazing how that title can grab your attention or totally put you off?

Crazy, curious, cute, cuddly, cunning……or the dreaded COUNTRY was really what I was referring to.

Recently, I’ve been giving some thought to the aesthetic of  "country,” and how it applies to design.  

To really appreciate this, you need to go back to my younger years.  My love affair with country anything started way back when my Auntie Ellie gave me Mary Emmerling's American Country book.  I loved her style and still do.  At the time, she was designing open shelving with  no upper cabinets -----long before anyone else did them.  Her simple yet appealing ways of making a room come to life by adding all sorts of contrasts was new to me.

I recently renovated my kitchen and I thought I wanted modern,  But then I discovered, I wanted something clean and open ----and CONTEMPARY or dare I say COUNTRYISH, those well know design circles would not agree .

In reflection, it was hard to believe that I, the designer, lived with its fair share of what most would consider "country" pieces. Amazing farmhouse tables, vintage shoe racks that hold wine bottles, hutches that house my collection of ironstone, etc. etc. etc.

After my Renovation, it’s clear to me that I haven’t taken the complete leap to modern, but I like what I have.

Stay true to yourself in life and design. Do what makes you happy and don't listen to the well know design circles.  

Thank you, Mary!

Just a sneak peek of the space, more to come.
Kyle Caldwell photography

Location, Location, Location

We just wrapped up an amazing project with fabulous clients in a Boston suburb. This family with two small children has made things easy for us. Each time we work with a new client we love the opportunity for our creativity to unfold. Design has taught us to think outside of the box, giving the client what they want in an incredible way and not imposing our personal style. 

In the grand foyer we brought in a a custom settee, covered in fabric by Ralph Lauren. The round centerpiece table really grounds the open space with the custom Merida carpet. We reframed the clients' artwork and arranged in a neat grid. At the top of the staircase we added a large scale work of art, an Elysian Tree in black and white. Talk about a warm welcome!

We added this carrara marble shelf to the mini alcove in the foyer, a beautiful detail. 

The dining room was a fun space to introduce this Romo floral wallcovering and the drapes in a gorgeous velvet fabric by Cowtan & Tout. The sleek dining room table is by Holly Hunt. As for the pretties, the mirror is from Arteriors and the stunning statement candelabras are from Dune & Duchess.

We finished up the living room with a patchwork rug, as well as a custom window seat and custom pillows.

For the children's music room we created a collage of art from Sugarboo Design.

In the family room we designed a custom coffee table and brought in an abstract art duo.

In the powder room we used a Schumacher wallcovering and simple artwork from Soicher Marin.

A good designer listens; this project was a perfect opportunity to step out of our comfort zone and what fun we had! We're so happy to share this project with you, stay tuned for more projects and happenings at Kelly McGuill Home!

New Studio Reveal

We are so excited to share photos of our newly transformed studio space with all of you! Our new office has come a long way from when we started the project earlier this fall. It's great what a few cosmetic updates can do - like removing layers of old wallpaper, taking down tile on the walls and adding a fresh coat of paint. We were thrilled with how gorgeous the floors turned out after refinishing them, as well as updating the lighting with a fun industrial twist. The before and after shots are so amazing...

Before

After

Before

After

Our new signs and window decals are the cherry on top of our wonderful new space for KMH. 

This project is a perfect example of what a difference an open mind and a fresh coat of paint can make! Cheers to a new chapter for Kelly McGuill Home, as well as a happy holiday season to you all! 

Milton pediatrics Renovation

 I've crossed one thing off my bucket list ... Kelly McGuill Home is wrapping up an amazing commercial interior design project.   Our firm was asked awhile ago to be involved in a complete renovation of Milton Pediatrics in Braintree, Mass. A fabulous office with over fourteen pediatricians, amazing nurses,  devoted administrative people and a gaggle of kids from newborns to teenagers has been transformed. As a mother, I spent more time than I care to admit at the Pediatricians office with my boys; I remember sitting in our office and planning what I'd do differently to the space if given the opportunity. Well,  Gabby and I were given that opportunity and we loved every minute of the process.  It couldn't have happened without the guidance of Katie and Chelsea ; two fabulous office managers who fought for our design plans and all the while stating that they wanted  Milton pediatric  parents to feel welcome and their kids to just love the space.
Our story board started with a world map wallpaper for the teen age area with tandem seating by Izzy furniture. Phillip Jeffries grass cloth adorns several walls,  white ship lap reception areas with bamboo desk tops make for a clean and modern look ,brass lighting from Circa  adds a classic and unexpected flash  to the space.  Sugarboo art lines most every  hallway wall , details like command centers and charging stations are soon to be in place. And we cant forget all those little play things that keep kids busy while they are waiting.

Andrew Martin  wallpaper is acting as a large art wall in the newborn area.  As a group we tried to think of everything that both kids and parents would need and want while visiting, we hope we achieved that.
Stay tuned ...more finished photos to come.......