Vocal Studio Makeover

This was a fun challenge. As you can see from the before pictures, this space was very sad. It was an abandoned auto leasing office in a strip mall. Moving in was Peisha McPhee, vocal coach to the stars and mother of American Idol superstar Katharine McPhee. She needed a vocal studio that was inviting, functional, and stylish. Could it be done? Of course. My vision was to make it look like an elegant living room overlooking the Champs Elysees in Paris. The lesson from this is, if a drab space in a generic strip mall can be transformed into a gorgeous salon, imagine what you can do in your own home.

Before

Before

After

Where I bought everything

• White loveseat and slipcover: IKEA Ektorp (I ironed on designs with Avery iron-ons to the plain white slipcover)

• Aluminum round table: eBay

• Black Queen Anne chairs: craigslist

• Candle sconces: Ross

• Curtains: IKEA Felicia ($49.99 a pair!)

• Cabinet: IKEA Besta (Glass doors allow you to insert your own images)

• Rug: homedecorators.com

• Chandelier: The Lighting Place, Sherman Oaks, CA

• Pillows and throw (to hide imperfections in the black hand-me-down sofa): Bed, Bath & Beyond and IKEA

• Wall mirror: Old mirror I spray-painted glossy black