On Saturday morning, I met my in-laws and their general contractor for a Condo Committee meeting regarding the redesign of the condo they own downtown; the same one I lived in for two years until just recently.  Now that the space is vacant, Daniel’s parents want to update the space to serve as a place for family get-togethers, parties, and a place to sleepover after late nights downtown or inclement weather (my father-in-law works downtown but lives in the ‘burbs).  

The bones of this place are really great: sky high concrete ceilings, exposed duct work, and a great view of downtown KC.  However, some of the materials used to convert the space from offices to homes were relatively cheap: carpet, tile, etc.

Because my in-laws know how much I enjoy interior design, they asked me to share my input regarding color and material choices and anything else I would change based on having lived there.

I had a blast sharing my ideas and making suggestions.  Even the contractor was asking if I agreed with his suggestions.  In the end, my in-laws decided to purchase my tile suggestion for the bathrooms and are taking my advice to rip out the existing mirrors and lighting in the bathroom. 

After the meeting, my father-in-law were talking about the overall aesthetic of the place, and he loved my idea to make the space clean and crisp with a masculine feel: a place where a lady would feel very comfortable but also a place a man would feel like he could crack a window and light up a cigar.  I suggested crushed leather couches and a giant photo collage on the giant living room wall - an ode to family past and present and a tribute to old Kansas City. 

Here are a few pictures of the place when I lived in it.  All of the paint colors were left over from the previous owners except for the bathroom.  I can’t wait to share the after photos.