Somebody needs a makeover.

As some may remember, I have a job working at a tiny cafe inside our local cinema. I work there one night a week and basically, it's my alone time. We have virtually no customers. I've spent many evenings at the cafe imagining how it could be different and what I'd change if I had a say in things.

Well, I'm so pleased to say that my ponderings will soon be put to use because the owner has decided to revamp the place and has given me the opportunity to plan the new design. I'm nervous and excited about this responsibility and I've been spending lots of time mulling over fabric patterns and wall color options. The above pictures are how the cafe looks now. It is painted a dark dusty sage with darker plum and there is a black ceiling. Needless to say, I hope to add lots of brightness to the room. I think the brick floor is a neat detail that I'd like to play off of and I've already been given permission to destroy the big glass case with fluorescent lighting. Smash city!

It is a huge challenge to plan a whole new space (and menu!) when the owner has already put so much into it. His wife spent many hours adding loving touches to the decor; she made the curtains and seat cushions and everything. So, it is difficult to remove personal feelings when being critical about the current design. I think that's my biggest hurdle with this mission.

Still, there is a lot to be excited about and no matter if I have to concede to things I strongly dislike (for example, my boss would prefer to keep the ceiling black) it will still be improving and I get the chance to actually use some of the information I've absorbed from watching years of HGTV and reading design magazines and blogs.

I'm happy and optimistic about this and it is great that a job that I took pretty much solely so I wouldn't have to be alone on Friday nights (Justin works in the main part of the theater) turned into something I can be proud of. I'll reserve pride until I see how it all turns out though.

Ideas, suggestions, hints and tips are more than welcome! Pretty please designer friends?