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 Just about this time every year I start to think about spring. Don’t we all? I was inspired by these new introductions to some outdoor furniture lines that I like. Each one of them is inviting and enticing, reminding us that warm weather is on the way! 

I was really drawn to the clean lines of this outdoor furniture group called Bloc by Gloster. It’s so tailored and comfotable looking it could go inside too.

More from Gloster. Very simple,  modern styling that lets you change out the synthetic slings for more color options. I happen to love the turquoise-so cool, yet energizing.

 Mid Century Modern goes outside. This  take on the original Eames chair from the 1950′s is made in durable materials and finishes to withstand the elements. ”Outdoor Eames” from Design Within Reach.

More modern styling from Gloster. This group is called Cloud. Aptley named.  All fabrics are acrylic (weatherproof)

Another Mid Century Modern outdoor chair from Design Within Reach. Hard to believe it can live outdoors! Beautiful.

Talk about comfort! This furniture is upholstered in acrylic fabric on durable weatherproof frames.  A true outdoor room you could spend all day in. Weather Master  by Lane Venture.

Letitia Little is a licensed, award wining interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. for more info visit www.letitialittle.com.

And now we’ve reached the After phase of my interior design for the Victorian guest bedroom suite in this ASID Showcase House Historic Renovation.

The completed space shows off its soothing seafoam green and gold color palette and elegant formal furnishings. Makes you want to step into the past and stay awhile.

I fell in love with the  home owner’s antique brass bed. It’s so perfect for the room all dressed up in its custom silk  bed coverings. The delicate little chandelier adds just the right amount of sparkle. Dramatic swagged valances and tie back curtains in striped silk are perfect examples of  Victorian interior design.

The cozy corner between the two windows is completed by the gold velvet slipper chair. And the restored antique Eastlake dresser feels right at home. Details like the silk and wool area rug, ribbon hung pictures and  antique books add important design  elements.

The elegant custom vanity is the focal point of this small bathroom. Set against the authentic subway wall tiles and William Morris wallpaper it ”says” Victorian. The shower on the right has a full glass door to keep the bathroom “open” yet functional.

The corner toilet was the only solution for this bathroom. Its a  great little space  that fully coordinates with the bedroom.

This  design project won an ASID Honorable Mention Award for Showcase Home Room. I sponsored 3 students from Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount , MN to work on the project with me.

Letitia Little is a licensed, award winning interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. for more info visit www.letitialittle.com.

Before and After-Part 2 of this Late Victorian Historic Renovation project is about the design process. My goal for the interior design of one of the bedrooms and its bath was to restore the feeling of the original period. I accomplished that by using the  colors, types of fabrics, antique furniture, wallpaper and  tile of the era. Combined with the conveniences of the 21st century this suite will be livable as well as authentic.

You can see by the floor plan that this is a small bedroom chopped up by doorways and the angled fireplace wall. The new bath room was carved out of what used to be a closet so there is limited space to work with. The layout must be functional so every inch counts.

I selected silks and velvet in seafoam green and gold, a popular color scheme of the period to bring the room to life. Authentic William Morris wallpaper  will be used in the bathroom above the tile wainscoting, and a swag wallpaper border will be  used in the bedroom to keep the room from feeling too closed in. Late Victorian antique furniture  completes the look.

Design for the custom made vanity in the bathroom incorporates design elements seen in the house.

The actual custom vanity has a bowed front, large lozenge on the top panel and beading.  The delicate spoon feet keep it from looking too heavy.

This antique  Late Victorian “hanky” dresser in the Charles Eastlake style is perfect for the bedroom. All it needed was a bit of clean up and polish to restore it to its natural beauty. Its attached mirror, marble top and tear drop dresser pulls  represent the era to a tea.

Follow my next post to see how the  rooms came together in the “After” phase

Letitia Little is a licensed, award wining interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. For more info visit www.letitialittle.com.

This Late Victorian house was built in 1893 by Cass Gilbert who also designed the Minnesota State Capitol building in St. Paul. It is on the National Registry for Historic Landmarks.I had the oportunity to create the interior design  for one of the guest bedroom suites in this ASID Showcase Home. I wanted to restore it to its original style using colors,  fabrics and furniture of the period. In this post I will show a few of the before shots. Following posts will show work in progress and the final bedroom and bath.  

This small bedroom is short on square footage and is pretty chopped up with doors, windows and angles. But there are lots of possibilities. I love the little fireplace with its original dentil moulding, columns and green glazed tiles. The 2nd and 3rd floors in the Late Victorian style had painted woodwork and walls in pastel colors; a departure from the first floor which had heavy woodwork and mouldings in dark wood stain.

This is a view into what will be a closet.

Pictured here is the build out of what will be the small adjoining bath.

This little antique chandelier was found in another part of the house. I decided to reuse it for this bedroom. It just needed a bit of cleaning up so it could sparkle and shine. Its just the right size as you will see. 

Watch for my next posts on the design process.

Letitia Little is a licensed, award wining interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. For more info go to www.letitialittle.com.