I am a sucker for a good before and after. Shows on HGTV like Trading Spaces and Design on a Dime would always wow me in the end with the final transformations. The families reaction never failed to touch my heart. Looking back I believe that warm fuzzy feeling of making someone so happy through updating their home was the initial allure of interior design.
In December of 2014 Misty and I walked into an empty space in downtown Hattiesburg, Ms. It was cold, it smelled kinda funny, and we were scared to death. We could see potential bursting at the seams but making the leap to a store front was well, a LEAP!
” Half the failures in life arise from pulling in one’s horse as he is leaping”
– A.W. Hare
So we LEAPT!
Ardor store front December 2014.
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Ardor store front May 2015. The new sign and awning made a huge difference. We were able to design our sign with Image Signs and Neon and it is exactly the simplistic perfection we had dreamed of from day one.
Interior December 2014
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First things first, paint! The colors were busy making it hard for the eye to focus on the beautiful character and architectural details of the space. So, we went with a classic white for our primary color.
We selected a grey trim that we were seeing in the beautiful beadboard ceiling. By going with a lighter wall color and trim you can see the ceiling looks 4 shades lighter. This had a huge effect on making the space feel much larger. The ceiling fans were removed and replaced with recessed lighting. The fans were dating the space and drawing the eye down, again making the space feel smaller.
The warehouse was the area that needed the most tender, love and care.
After hours on a very tall ladder we were able to add some warmth to the space with garden lights and draped cheese cloth. The wood pin board installation behind my lovely husband is a great area for us to display thank you cards from clients.
The floors were painted a dark non slip grey to better suit our need for the space.
The bathroom is the area I want to kick myself for not getting a before picture of. Think red, lots and lots of red.
Almost 6 months into our renovation journey we have fallen in love with our French inspired corner of downtown Hattiesburg, MS. With neighbors like Forrest Paper and Bridal Company, The Venue Bakery Building, Lucky Rabbit, The Depot, Blooms Garden Shoppe, and many more amazing small downtown businesses it is easy to see why we love the Ardor Studio.
A huge thank you to our amazing husbands who put in hours of unpaid time to help us make this dream a reality.
We look forward to working with you on your next photo shoot, baby shower, wedding shower, or small event. For more details on the Ardor Studio click here.
