January 29, 2013

A Rental-Friendly Living Room Design

One of my favorite things to do is help my best friends decorate their homes.  I’m at the phase where many of my friends are buying their first houses and are ready to make small investments in furnishings.  Others reside in city apartments, but are sick of dorm room settings.  My friend, Jenny, is in the latter department.  She is stylish and fabulous and ready to take her apartment up a notch, but not in a position to make huge commitments.  I helped her fill in the blanks without breaking the bank.  I can’t wait to see this one come to life!



How do you decorate a big white rental when you don’t know if you will be living there in a year or two?  Start with a rug.  The floor is a great place to add color.  We picked out this blue trellis flatweave 2 years ago for her place so it felt less sparse.  Next, mix in pillows and a secondary color.  Back in December I came up to visit and we scooped out some adorable pillows at C Wonder.  Finally, upgrade key furniture pieces.  We are ditching her dinky TV stand for a handsome buffet that doubles for storage.  We are splurging on quality with her gold leaf/antique mirrored coffee table.  A coffee table is a safe buy because you know most any apartment will need one!  Tip- Don’t overspend on bookshelves which can be hard to move and may not fit in your next place.  Just pick a white clean set and paint the backs a color of your choice.


Bookshelf / Ikea
Pillows / C Wonder (no longer online)
Coffee Table/ Worlds Away
Rug/ Surya
Sideboard/ Home Decorators
Sofa / West Elm  (Similar, we are reusing her old sofas)
November 12, 2012

Creating a Layered Look with Antiques

Today is my first post as a contributor for Meg Biram‘s fabulous new site!  Please hop over to see me share my favorite ways to add in antiques or vintage pieces into a room design.  I don’t think I realized how often I go vintage in my design work until I compiled the ideas into one post!  For me,  layering in antiques is essential to create a room with depth and soul.  You can just feel it when you walk into a space and its all spanking new… something is just lacking.  

Not wanting you all to live in soulless sterile interiors, I’ve quickly whipped up a few vintage finds to help you get that Design Manifest Layered Look.




1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9
PS- That inlaid elephant table is nearly identical to my own!

August 2, 2012

Faves from Vegas Market

I’m back from Vegas!  What a whirlwind trip.  I met so many great people, saw so many spectacular items and am just so grateful to Traditional Home for including me in the event.  Below are a few of my favorite finds from Market…



The brass trend may still be going strong, but I was drawn to a lot of chrome pieces at Market.  
There is something so minimal about it that I appreciate.  
(Especially good to balance out my maximalism tendencies!)  
1- Global Views, 2- Palecek, 3- Lexington 4- Palecek

Shocker: I continue to be drawn to color.  
Between the Hermes orange chest and gorgeous one of a kind rugs, I was in heaven.  
1- Feizy, 2- Lexington 3- French Heritage Collection 4- Feizy



Shapely pieces have long been a fave for me and this year some were done in standout materials.  
Guys, the burl headboard is to die for!!!  
1- Made Goods 2- Global Views 3- Safavieh 4- Made Goods

Arteriors continues to Kill it in the lighting department.  
The fringe lamps were SO fun in person.  I really do think I need a set.



On the personal front, I took zero photos because I am terrible in that department!  I had a great time doing a lot of my scouting with Ashlina and Cassandra.  I can’t say enough nice things about these ladies- talented, confident, down to earth and so sweet.  Tuesday night dinner landed me sitting next to Emily Henderson, which was another pinch me moment.  Again- she is just as awesome as you thought she would be, and again, no photo… oh well.  Overall the whole group of bloggers were wonderful and I look forward to seeing them again at future events!  



My only shot- post dinner, a way-tired me and Ashlina