Design Reveal: Sweet Dreams, Brooklyn

It’s weird times, indeed. I know every single one of you has had to adjust your regular way of life in some way, shape or form. If you have been fortunate enough to still have your job, there’s a good chance that looks a lot different now than it did 6 months ago - So many companies are figuring out how to continue their operations remotely and out of office. While I have always done my design work remotely, there is one aspect I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing in person - finishing photos! I’ve shared before that I only get to take photos of about 15% of my completed projects, so when the opportunity arises to take pictures it feels like Christmas morning!

About a year ago one such project was wrapping up just beautifully in Brooklyn, NY, and I was hoping to make it up to take pictures along with another project in the Chelsea neighborhood. As it happens, COVID struck before I made it up there and I was sorely missing this project in my portfolio (and getting to share it here with you)! So I reached out to the client who I’ve been in touch with by the natural evolution of friendship in the process, and she was totally open to taking the pictures for me! We even scheduled a virtual styling session, which looked a lot like this for an hour:

Despite my face it really was a lot of fun! Hah! Having someone else take pictures was such a good practice in letting go of something I normally like to have control over, and boy am I glad I let go. She absolutely knocked it out of the park! I sent her the same photography tips outlined in our Interior Design Starter Guide, and she nailed it.

Before I show you around let’s take a look back at what this room started as. Now, I have nothing against lime green walls. In fact, our design assistant, Joy, absolutely rocked this StyleMutt Home project with lime green walls. But when this client and I were discussing her ultimate vision for this space, her bedroom, the lime green walls just didn’t support the end-goal.

The plan, shown below, was to create a really soft and soothing space using various neutral textures and patterns, contrasted by just a few grounding elements. We wanted to create a sophisticated retreat that represented the client’s fun and joyful personality.

And here is our plan brought to life! ALL pictures are in huge thanks to this sweet client. Her pup, Peggy, seized the opportunity, for sure!

Another look back at the beginning:

One of my favorite aspects of this project was getting to source from some small businesses I’d had my eye on for a little while. The sconces and overhead fixture by Cedar and Moss really make this room feel special. They were an opportunity to use something a little different from the mainstream. All by themselves these lights fold in that sophisticated vibe we were looking for, but they’re still unique and fun.

Hey, over here, Peggy!

This is such an awesome example of how to make a neutral palette visually interesting. Breaking up a monochromatic palette with varying textures and patterns and elements brings a room to life.

And then adding in a few contrasting elements in deeper, saturated tones grounds the space, and actually helps in making the whole room feel lighter and airier!

The beginning again,

and now.

One more time:

It was important to remember while working on this space that the same person I was designing this room for was the same person that, at one time, liked the lime green - you know that person has a bold aesthetic that doesn’t feel the need to fit in any one style box. While we wiped the green clean, we replaced it with a fun graphic paper that nods to the vibrant personality of the client.

A single statement pillow by my talented friend, Abbie at a. Naber Design pulls together the blues from the nightstands and the rug.

With bedrooms I like to make the bed and bed wall the focal point of the room. Since this client said she didn’t have any use for a dresser, we decided on a chic low lounge chair nestled near the natural light, and called it a day.

That’s a wrap, folks! This is one of my all time favorite bedrooms I’ve had the opportunity to design, and getting to share it with you is all because of the great effort of my client. Sarah, thank you. You are amazing and this was such a treat to work on with you.

Thank you all so much for stopping by today!

Lightened Up With Magic Linen

Spring is so close we can practically taste it! With the warmer temps already upon us it is the perfect time to lighten things up around the home. The easiest way to do this - textiles! We sure love the feel of soft velvet and fur over the colder months, but we can’t get far enough away when things start to warm up, (both of us style mutts happen to run hot)! Enter, linen.

We have the privilege of helping introduce a small, family run textiles company that prides itself in luxurious linen goods. Please meet Magic Linen - even a brief browse through their goods and we feel confident you’ll be as smitten as we are! With a couple quick swaps we’ve been able to transition our beds in preparation for the warmer months ahead. Take a look!

Funny thing - as our family has grown, so has the number of pillows on our bed! My minimalist lean is at odds with truly desiring a family home where our kids are invited to cuddle up for a Friday night movie or Saturday morning Sports Center. I had more pillows on this bed this past winter than ever before, and you know what? They got used hard! That was the whole point, after all. So when thinking about refreshing our bed for the next seasons, I felt compelled to retain the pillow count, even if my style preference is less.

A few extras that our kids can drag to the foot of the bed or the bench at the end doesn’t hurt one bit. And these feel so light and airy that I still get my visually lighter bed!

I already had the green linen duvet so all I really needed were a few pillow covers to replace the velvet and fur ones I’d had all winter. Aren’t those wood buttons sweet? Magic Linen sets itself apart by the details. (White pillow case)

(Natural and White Stripe pillow)

(Blue Lumbar pillow)

Across our bed I finally hung a family gallery wall that I started last October! I had those pictures taped there for months until I could find and save up for the right frames, (turns out the frames I wanted ended up only being $8.99 at Michaels). And with that, our bedroom feels fresh and ready for the reprieve from the steamy days ahead!

You know the best part about linen bedding? It can be wrinkled AND luxurious. Like unpacking your suitcase after a fabulous Greek vacation.

In our house, the bed is officially made for 30mins each day AT MOST. Caleb will only make it each night right before we get in it so that it’s perfectly smooth to settle into.

I wouldn’t mind starting each morning with the discipline to make our bed but honestly there’s no point because when we’re out of the house…

Our sunshine-loving pup will undoubtedly make himself comfortable no matter what state the bed is in (even curled up on the bare mattress in laundry day that hooligan).

Maybe it’s the dog with white fur or the fact that I love to accessorize our spaces with vibrant colors and warm tones, but I’ve always gravitated towards white or light bedding for our bedroom.

Plus a fluffy white bed gives me all the hotel feels…

I don’t even mind that our bed is perpetually unmade - somehow our new Magic Linen bedding makes it feel all the more inviting.

(White Linen Duvet Set)

There you have it! Couldn’t be happier with our Magic Linen bedding. If you’re in the market to refresh your own we suggest giving them a browse!

Design Reveal: Charming Living Room in Alexandria

I told my family I was only going to be at this newly completed client home for an hour - hour and a half tops! It was relatively close in nearby Alexandria, and just a small living room. But as it goes, I just had the most fun getting to talk to my sweet client, Annie, in person for the first time since we started working together a few months ago! Five hours later, I did eventually get home. ;)

As we have proven here over and over again, remote interior design, (aka eDesign), is every bit as personal as in-person. We communicate very closely with each and every client regarding every decision on the space. And even though we develop a unique and individualized communication flow with each person, the months of FaceTiming, texting, calling and emailing always come to the same end result: a space that person truly feels is theirs and lucky to call home. As people who love people, this line of work is right up our alley! We adore getting to connect with others and put our heads together to create the very best home that suits their style and needs.

Today’s reveal is really fun because Annie’s style is very eclectic and she had the COOLEST stuff to start with! She has spent time immersed in so many cultures around the world, her collection of artifacts and photography is seriously impressive. So fun for a designer to play with! Want to see what the space started out as?

Lots of stuff going on here, but also some really cool stuff. Our aim was to highlight the beautiful pieces Annie already had, add pieces that complimented those, and find a visually pleasing, inexpensive way to hide the rest! Take a look!

One of our design concepts sent along the way. We had yet to decide on the coffee table and exact pillow placement, but that’s what a concept is - a check on the visual feel of the space. These are meant to help us know if we are heading in the right direction and what adjustments, if any, we need to make moving forward!

Before you say anything I am fully aware that this is maybe the 4th or 5th time we used the IKEA Ivar cabinets. But you guys, at $70/unit, completely customizable, and only 12” deep, these babies are a small space small budget best friend. Not to mention ideal hidden storage for a small apartment with (almost) no closets. We hiked these Ivars up on black stainless steel legs which set them at a much more versatile height, and gave them a much needed layer of visual interest for this small space.

Big fan of this chair in this space! It’s modern but rustic enough to pair well with the English roll arm sofa.

This home wears the glow of Summer well. I may have to book some time here come February!

That’s a wrap! Happy to say we are already locked in to work with Annie on her bedroom next! But before we start on any new projects I’ve got a few more weeks of Summer to maximize with the kids. Taking this season off has resulted in the best time with my kids. I love this age so much and have thoroughly soaked in this time together practically distraction free.

I hope you all enjoy these last weeks of Summer and amidst whatever your responsibilities are can find moments of joy and rest. Thank you so much for taking the time to come by today!