There are basic, builder grade bathrooms all over this country that are crying out for inspiration. This is a tale about how Gina Sims Designs is taking on those bathrooms, one Octopus-loving client at a time.

Today, my dear friends, is a lesson is the importance of scale. My clients had a living space that was dominated by a large sofa. They were in need of a guestroom, an office, and an extra place for the family to watch television, read, and relax.

I am so thrilled to share today's foyer transformation. This is the first in a series for this amazing house (stay tuned for more!) - so I thought we'd go right through the front door and begin in the foyer.

Inspired by succulents, brass, copper, green, and contrasting finishes, this kitchen is really a showcase for this breathtaking, artisanal Seneca tile: an 8-inch fan (color way: water lily) each one is hand made when you order it. You can't just show up at Floor & Decor and get some of that. #benefitsofhiringadesigner

Repeat clients are some of the BEST clients. Since completing some beautiful bathroom renovations (check those out HERE), my client had become a partner at her law firm and needed to design a new office out of a blank conference room.

Most of the homes built in the 1960s have the same, functional bathroom footprint. When a bathroom like this needs an update, usually we don't have to tear down walls or rethink how the space is used. One of the many strengths of Mid-Century Design is that it is rooted in functionality. Space is used well: it is not wasted.

One of my favorite people and repeat clients (check out her master bedroom here) came to me with a brimming-with-potential-blank-slate of a room that she wanted to use as her creative work space.

This patio was previously used for a swing and bike storage. That's pretty much it. You can see  that this porch provides amazing picture windows along the front of the home, but all you could see was a swing, some bikes, and anything else that found itself on the patio when people walked into the house. That made for a sad mom. We aim to make moms happy around these parts, especially ones who work from home and have to see their houses all day long!

The client for this beautiful transformation is a single mom who wanted to claim her space for herself and her daughter. It was so special to be a part of this process, and completely indulgent to focus on designing a completely feminine, luxurious space for these fine ladies.

Sometimes it can be difficult to decorate when you have a space filled with lots of your current possessions, hand-me-downs, and things inherited from others. It can be daunting to decide what to keep, and how to incorporate it all to communicate your personal style. This is when a call to Gina Sims Designs is a very good idea.

We lightened up the room by painting it a lighter brown and added large, inexpensive art. New side tables serve as nightstands and we emphasized the warmth and coziness of the room with layering various textures in the bedding -- including this fantastic duvet that takes a fresh interpretation of a chevron print.

When there are small children in the house, you keep them close -- and when there are four kids under the age of four, you keep them very close. This usually means that they, and the stuff that comes with them, takes over all of the communal (formerly adult) living spaces. My clients were no different: the play kitchen and the kids had taken over their space. Their main need was a space that was still useful for the kids, but styled for adults.

Happy New Year! What resolutions did you make for your space this year? Have you said to yourself, "You know, I'll get a new sofa and the room will be done." New sofas are great. New beds are great. New furniture is fun and when you're starting with an empty room.

Decatur is known for its distinct, historic neighborhoods, eclectic food, and vibrant downtown: it is not known for log cabins. My clients are the owners of this unlikely urban retreat, and wanted to design a space that provided a TV-free zone to read, relax, eat, and play games as a family.

We started with a dark blue nursery. The twins that share the room are nearly two years old and it was time for the nursery to convert to a big(ger) boy room.

A doctor and a writer. Odd hours. They needed a workspace that was functional, clean, and attractive given that it's seen as soon as you walk in the front door. They came to this design party with funky art, cool tchotchkes, and great taste.

The first time I met my client was on the soccer field, and our conversation included the exclamation: “come and paint my dining room!” As the kids say: the rest is history. My client is a Classics teacher and has an obvious affinity for classical literature and languages, Rome (well, let’s say all things Italy), and has a house filled with heirlooms. Basically, she’s a dream client. Inspiration at every turn.

I have worked with this amazing couple a couple of times on the living and dining spaces on the main level of their gorgeous house (check those out here and here) so when they told me they were having a baby, I was all in! They needed bedrooms for grandparents and friends to come and stay (read: HELP!).

We were definitely channelling California for the inspiration of this space. I grew up in California and it always has a huge effect in the way I see design - the function and style of a space. California style to me is all about lounging. It is relaxed, timeless, and has organic lines and lots of plants.

Last week, we revealed the playroom for the FOUR boys UNDER FOUR. Today, we reveal the "Big Boy" bedroom update for the oldest two brothers. When we started, the walls were bare, both mattresses were on the floor, and there was storage for clothing. Pretty much your basic kids room.