January 26, 2018 by the long table
Recently, I’ve been posting BEFORE + AFTER photos of a California Cottage that I just completed in Reseda, CA. Today, I’m sharing the transformation of the backyard.
BEFORE
It took almost a week to clear the overgrown brush, two dumpster trucks to remove it and almost another week to dismantle the chain linked fence with the 40 + year-old ivy intertwined between it.
It was a debate whether or not to keep the pool, but with temperatures reaching 100 + degrees here in the San Fernando Valley, we decided it would be a worthwhile bonus.
BEFORE
AFTER
I decided to keep the design very simple. The pool would be the main feature, then I added a bocce court and low-maintenance plants. I added ‘Blue Gem’ Westringia around the bocce court with boxwood and iceberg roses at the back steps and around the pool equipment. When matured, they will disguise the equipment nicely.
BEFORE
As with the front yard, we removed all the old concrete, which took up most of the backyard and replaced it with sod and blue flagstone.
AFTER
‘Blue Gem’ Westringia line the bocce court.
BEFORE
AFTER
Happy Friday!
~Shannon
Posted in Exterior Design, Garden Design, Pools, Renovation Project | Tagged Exterior Design, fixer upper, Landscape Design, Remodel | 2 Comments »
January 25, 2018 by the long table
One of my favorite places to visit here in Southern California is the Desert Garden at The Huntington in San Marino. The garden has one of the largest outdoor collections of cacti & succulents in the world with more than 2,000 species.
An amazing Cereus xanthocarpus
Golden Barrel Cactus + Agave Parryi
Aloe arborescens (Torch Aloe)
Golden Barrel + Cleistocactus
Cereus
My favorite — Agave Parryi
Torch Aloe
Some of my favorites to add to the garden….
Great Groundcover
Gorgeous Sculptural Plant
Attenuata
Great Groundcover
Great for Planters
Have a great Thursday!
xoxo
~Shannon
Posted in Garden Design | Tagged Cactus, Desert Plants, Drought Tolerant Plants, Garden Design, Succulents, The Huntington Botanical Gardens | Leave a Comment »
January 24, 2018 by the long table
Designing exteriors is one of my favorite things to do and when I get the opportunity to design an exterior, my first step is to determine the overall style. Once this decision is made, it really sets the tone for the rest of the project — including the landscaping and what happens on the interior. A couple of days ago I received a project in Santa Clarita, a city just north of Los Angeles, and below are several style options that I’m considering. Which is your favorite?
1. A MODERN MEDITERRANEAN APPROACH
via Daniel C. Cuevas Interior Design
Exterior Paint Color
Exterior Lights
Shutter Color
Window Color
Exterior Trim Color
Greenery
2. A NEW ORLEANS VIBE
Shutter Color
Exterior Lights
Exterior Color
Window Trim Color
Greenery
Black Planter
3. A COTTAGE FEEL
A simple, yet elegant, approach for an exterior — with beautiful light fixtures and a couple of potted plants, this may be the winner.
White Shutters
Exterior Lights
Exterior Color
White Planter
Greenery
In a couple of weeks I’ll post the winner plus the before + after photos. Happy Wednesday!
~ Shannon
Posted in Exterior Design, Get The Look, How to..., Paint | Tagged Behr Paints, Benjamin Moore, Circa Lighting, Exterior Design, Paint, Wayfair | 6 Comments »
January 17, 2018 by the long table
Last week I shared the photos of the front of the Reseda Project. Today, I’m excited to share the before + after photos of the kitchen!
Reseda Kitchen
BEFORE
Initially, the kitchen felt closed off from the rest of the home with only a small doorway from the dining room into the kitchen (above).
BEFORE
Even with gutting the kitchen, I was still limited on square footage and really needed to maximize this 200 sq. foot kitchen/laundry. In order to gain more storage and counter space, I eliminated the 2 smaller windows in the back corner, as well as the window on the left. In order to bring in natural light and a view of the backyard, I added a large picture window on the back wall, as well a full light glass door to the backyard.
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
Some Elements from the Reseda Kitchen
Kitchen Sconce
‘Milk Glass’ Dunn Edwards
Pulls from The Home Depot
Quartz Countertops
AFTER
Happy Wednesday!
xoxo,
~ Shannon
Posted in Kitchens, Projects, Renovation Project | Tagged fixer upper, Home Renovation, Interior Design, Kitchen Remodel, Renovation Project | 2 Comments »
January 8, 2018 by the long table
Happy Monday! The Reseda project is done! Today I’m sharing before + after photos of the front of this sweet California cottage.
AFTER
BEFORE
Although, the home needed extensive work on the interior, I knew after walking around the property that the exterior was going to be the bigger issue. The home was hidden behind years of overgrowth, the pool had ivy growing in it and the backyard was one large concrete slab.
In order to soften up the exterior, I eliminated all the concrete and replaced the pathways with pieces of large blue flagstone. I painted the entire home ‘Milk Glass’ by Dunn Edwards and added black accents to give it a clean classic look.
I also moved the the porch light from the back wall, where it was hidden, to the ceiling to add extra charm from the street.
MISTER LINCOLN
Sometimes I debate whether or not to keep existing plants but whenever I come across an old rose bush that has remained prolific, even through so much neglect, I know it’s a keeper. This hybrid tea, Mister Lincoln, flourished despite its neglect and the fragrance is amazing!
BEFORE
AFTER
Design elements + my favorite go-to plants for a cottage-style garden.
Iceberg Rose
Cottage-Style Lighting
Agave
Star Jasmine
Exterior Shutters
Boxwood
Address Plaque
Flagstone
Eugenia
BEFORE
AFTER
Next time, I’ll be posting the before and after photos of the backyard — and with 40 + years of overgrowth it turned out to be quite the transformation.
Have a great week!
Posted in Exterior Design, Garden Design, Paint, Projects, Renovation Project | Tagged Dunn Edwards, Exterior Design, Home Renovation | Leave a Comment »
January 6, 2018 by the long table
A fitting subject for my first post for 2018! The entry is the first room guest see, therefore, the perfect place to give them a preview of the what the rest of the home will offer.
via Head over Heels
By selecting oversized pendants and eye-catching rugs the entry can be the perfect room to make a statement.
via Coats Homes
via Instagram (@carpendaughter)
via Atlanta Homes
via Architectural Digest
KEY INGREDIENTS
1
4
Have a great weekend!
Posted in Decor, Interior Design | Leave a Comment »
December 24, 2017 by the long table
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND ALL THE BEST FOR 2018!
XOXO,
~ SHANNON AHERN DESIGN
Posted in Christmas, Decor | Tagged Christmas, Decor, Home | Leave a Comment »
December 13, 2017 by the long table
This past summer in Mallorca I discovered the gorgeous design firm called Moredesign while reading the magazine, Ideas y Tendencies Interiors.
Founded by Oro del Negro and Manuel Villanueva, they offer services in architecture, design and landscaping.
There is an ease and elegance about the work of Moredesign — it’s unpretentious yet sophisticated. Love it!
all images via Moredesign
Happy Wednesday!
~ Shannon
Posted in Architecture, Decor, Exterior Design, Interior Design | Tagged Architecture, design, Landscaping, Mallorca, Moredesign, Spain | 1 Comment »
December 5, 2017 by the long table
If you’re like me you’ve already sent out your Christmas cards, you’ve shopped for everyone and your home is full of Christmas Cheer — HAHA! If I’m being totally honest, as of this moment, I still have Thanksgiving decorations up. So, today I’m listing my top 5 go-to websites to help get us in the Christmas spirit!
1.I love this shop, Hillenmeyer Christmas Shop in Lexington, Kentucky. They offer gorgeous trees, garlands, wreaths and a barn full of animals that kids can pet and enjoy.
via Hillenmeyer
via Hillenmeyer
via Atlanta Homes Magazine
via Southern Living Magazine
via Southern Living Magazine
via Veranda Magazine
3. Another website that has tons of great ideas is Apartment Therapy
via Apartment Therapy
4. I also recommend visiting your local garden store to see what kind of gorgeous seasonal products they have in stock. Some of my favorites are Thompson & Hanson in Houston, TX, Petersham Nurseries in London and Rolling Greens here in Los Angeles.
via Rolling Greens
5. Also, One Kings Lane, has wonderful decor for your tree, mantel and table this holiday season.
via One Kings Lane
via One Kings Lane
I don’t want to make anyone nervous, including myself, but there are only 20 days until Christmas!
xoxo,
Shannon
Posted in Christmas, Decor, Holiday, Home | Tagged Apartment Therapy, Atlanta Homes Magazine, Christmas Decor, One Kings Lane, Southern Living Magazine | Leave a Comment »
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