I have this affinity for bistro chairs. Maybe it is due to my love affair with all things French or just because they are so darn pretty. Every time I sit in one at a coffee shop or bakery, I feel so fancy. Who wouldn't want to feel that fancy every time they eat a meal at home? (This girl would!) I stumbled upon this gorgeous breakfast nook design by Amie Corley. It could also pull double duty as a dining room if you have a small space. The soft white walls, pops of Caribbean aqua in the plush throw pillows, and punches of bright blue in the upholstery and Parisian chairs look cheery while still being sophisticated.
DIY Affordable Window Treatments for Large Windows
One of the my favorite things about the Myrtle House were the beautiful, gigantic old wooden windows. They let in so much natural light and were one of the few original details of the home left in tact. When it came time to finding window treatments, however, I may have cursed those over-sized windows since it proved impossible to find standard drapes or curtains.
Trending: Light Blue Vanities
Want a little color in your bathroom without going overboard? Well, friend, this trend might just be for you! A light blue bathroom vanity is visually interesting without being overbearing. Soothing, tranquil, and sophisticated, these baby blue cabinets will make your bathroom feel like a spa. These aqua colored vanities look best when paired with neutral coordinating colors and fixtures like greige wall paint, marble counters, white accents, and shiny chrome faucets and hardware.
Ask A Designer: How Do I Pull It All Together?
A few weeks ago a sweet reader (hi Jayne!) emailed me with the following question:
"How do you learn to pull all the ideas you have for say a living room and make it look good?"
This actually comes up a lot and I think it is something that many people struggle with and for good reason. It's kind of freaking hard. Here is what I shared with Jayne. I hope you find this helpful too!
House Flipping: The Dalton House - Week 1
So... did you notice anything different about the title of this post? Note how it doesn't say "flip hunting" - rather "house flipping"? (!!!) That's right guys, we have our first oh-fficial flip under way and I am SO freaking excited to share this whole project, process, and budget with y'all. I guess it's also pretty obvious which house we got - the Dalton House! A little bit of a gamble since it is a manufactured home, but still plenty of room in the budget and I think pretty fancy for a mobile home flip. Sadly, this renovation isn't going to be of Fixer Upper caliber. In other words, we're mostly going to be repairing, cleaning, and sprucing up a little. This is great news for the renovation cost, but there will not be these dramatic before and afters like the Myrtle House. So, shiplap lovers and farmhouse aficionados - my apologies in advance!
10 Easy + Affordable Real Estate Staging Tips from an Interior Designer
When you are selling your home, the importance of staging is often down-played. In my opinion, staging is incredibly important when selling a home, if not completely necessary. Think of it like a job interview. When you are going to interview at your dream company for your ideal job, you are going to present the best version of yourself, right? If you show up in your PJs with bedhead, it's going to be hard for an employer to see you fitting in at their company. The same goes for buyers. The majority of potential buyers will have a hard time seeing through clutter, wild paint colors, and outdated finishes, even though you know the house is a wonderful place to live.