Category: News

It’s been a long time coming but I finally finished Odelia’s big girl room. Just in time to turn it back into a nursery :-p But it needed it’s moment to shine and I’m so excited to finally share this big girl room with floral wallpaper with you!

Last fall I started her big girl room makeover after we transitioned her out of her crib. And then I found out I was pregnant and was probably going to have to turn her room back into a nursery. So I never really “finished” it. Until I got an email that Better Homes & Gardens wanted to come to our home for a photoshoot and hers was one of the rooms on the shot list.

I never planned on tying up all the loose ends in here, but the photo shoot gave me the opportunity to do it and take all the pretty pictures. So let’s dive in!

THE FLORAL WALLPAPER

The biggest change I made in here was adding this gorgeous floral wallpaper. It’s the Henny Ginseng pattern from Sandberg Wallpaper and feels so soft and feminine and vintage. It instantly transformed the look of this room and felt like the perfect print for Odelia.

Unfortunately it doesn’t feel so right for our little baby boy, so I’m sadly going to be hanging up a different wallpaper over it. More on that soon 😉

This was my first time in a while using traditional wallpaper instead of peel and stick and it definitely has its advantages and wasn’t as daunting as it sounds. You just apply the paste straight to the wall and place your paper. There’s quite a bit of leeway to slide the paper around to get it in the perfect position. And it’s definitely worth it.

The rug is a new addition as well – it’s from my friend Liz over at Six Vintage Rugs and I couldn’t love it more. She has the most beautiful one of a kind pieces and I love how to pink ties into the wallpaper.

THE BED

All three of our kiddos have vintage beds and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I hunted this one down on Facebook Marketplace back in my hometown and had my parents bring it with them on a visit. It’s in such beautiful shape and adds so much character to this space.

I layered some floral sheets with a neutral, thin comforter, kantha quilt and a gorgeous blanket I found at an estate sale. And I hardly ever have to make her bed because she just sleeps on top of it all with her bright pink minnie mouse blanket, ha!

Odelia is going to be moving into Eloise’s room with bunk beds, but we will most definitely be keeping this bed for when baby boy gets older.

THE MURPHY BED

The murphy bed is still a part of this room, and probably always will be. This used to be our guest room, but after we had Odelia, we made it a guest room/nursery combo. Since papa lives in the basement, we don’t have any room anywhere else for guests. So when my parents or anyone else comes to stay, Odelia just has a sleepover with someone and this becomes a guest room again.

We tackled the murphy bed project when I was about 7 months pregnant with her and it was a beast but has been the best and most functional piece of furniture for this space. Plus it’s awfully pretty too.

The ceiling was something we kept the same as well. We added these faux ceiling beams we made and painted them in the color Sable Evening by valspar. It ended up going really well with the floral wallpaper so I didn’t repaint it!

THE DETAILS

I didn’t make too many other big changes in here besides some vintage decor here and there. The dresser is the same one we used as a changing table and I found that amazing lamp shade at Goodwill. I gave the base a little DIY makeover and love how the scallop ties into the femininity of the room.

The nightstand was an antique store find and I just love the floral accent on it. The sconce above I purchased online and wrapped the shade in some fabric to make it feel more unique.

I also switched out the neutral, linen curtains I had in here and hung these pretty brown gingham curtains. The ability to pattern mix is something I admire so much in other designers and is something I tried to work on in this space. It’s definitely a learning process but the more you practice the easier it gets. And I adore how the gingham curtains and floral wallpaper look together!

I’m going to be sad to say goodbye to this room but I’m excited about another nursery. Stay tuned for those plans!

SHOP THE ROOM

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We’re finally starting to make some progress on our backyard updates so it’s about time I shared the plans! We had some renderings done by Yardzen to get a general idea of how the changes will look and for the most part this is what we’re doing, however some details have changed now that we have an even better idea of what our needs are in the year that has passed since.

First, the before. There’s nothing wrong or “bad” with the way it was before. This is about making our home more our style, and the biggest thing that’s going to do that is paint.

I would have wanted to paint the house black if our windows could be painted black too (the windows are vinyl and so are the french doors) but instead we’re going with a soft, warm white and I’m feeling really good about it after seeing these renderings. We are painting all the brick planters on the house and back patio a medium beige color with a mineral masonry paint, which is a long lasting and breathable option that’s healthier for the brick. While it would be ideal to replace the brick with a stone we love, mineral masonry paint fits our budget better, plus I love the look of painted brick!

We’ll be using that same mineral masonry to paint the perimeter block wall and adjacent brick planters black. Since we have a lot of shade and tall trees, I love the way the black is going to disappear into those shadows, and I simply love the way green plants look against black.

That fence on top of the block wall was going to happen until we got some quotes, ha. We are still considering it, but lumber is still very expensive and we’re not completely convinced that fence will be worth it since we are hopeful about planting screening plants along that back wall to provide privacy as they grow. Some spots however, due to what’s currently planted, won’t have that screening potential. At the time we had these designs done, we didn’t know we’d be getting rid of the big tree that was providing most of the privacy, due to how it was breaking the block wall and brick planters, so that’s a new dilemma. I’ll have to get back to you on this one.

The area I’m most excited about planting is this walkway which is currently a weed garden. Fun seeing the potential of variety shown here, and I love that ornamental grass. My original vision was to have a row of just ornamental grass, so we may still go with that. This is pending what we finalize for plants in the front, in which case the shrubs we use up there would replace the light green plants seen here.

We initially had no plans do anything with our grass, but with California entering a super drought and our county limiting waterings, grass is not a viable option anymore. We were certain about installing synthetic turf, however after further research about its negative ecological impact I’m now uneasy about that option. It feels like a pick your poison situation, and we’re further limited by needing kid friendly, high traffic tolerant, shade tolerant, and low maintenance options. Is that so much to ask?? Apparently it is! I’d love to hear from anyone knowledgeable about drought tolerant landscaping about lawn alternatives or can share what you’ve done with your backyard to be kid friendly but drought and shade tolerant.

The outdoor furniture in the renderings are placeholders and seeing this confirmed for us that we want to get rid of that brick planter against the house. We want a big dining table and turning that area where the planter is into breathing room will allow for us to put in a bigger table. Instead I’ll maybe put a couple plants in pots near the french doors which shouldn’t affect our use of that space as a walk way or a spot to put an extra table when we need it.

And that pergola… I love it, but when Oleg saw the renderings he said it was too visually bulky and interrupted the open feel of the backyard that we love so much. I see what he’s saying, but now we both agree after years of hanging out here that shade is critical for enjoying the backyard. Now we’re thinking a structure that extends all the way to cover the dining area with retractable shades so we have the option to open it up later in the day when this area is shaded by the trees. This is the only thing we haven’t started on, but since a bunch of our initial plans changed we’ll have to see how all that pans out first.

We’ve had to remove a couple big trees that were damaging the house, repair some brick planters because of it, and next we are good to do some hardscaping (we’re redoing our front steps and replacing that planter in the back to match the existing concrete), painting, planting, and lawn replacement, in that order. Furniture is backordered for months! So this “reveal” will all happen in phases 🙂

Discover practical and stylish kitchen remodel ideas to transform your cooking space into a culinary haven.

Install a Skylight

A skylight floods your kitchen with natural light, making the space feel larger and more welcoming.

Use Smart Kitchen Technology

Smart kitchen technology integrates devices such as smart refrigerators and voice-activated assistants to enhance functionality and streamline cooking processes.

Integrate a Herb Garden

Incorporating a garden where you can grow fresh herbs will ensure that flavorful, fresh ingredients are always just an arm’s reach away while cooking.

Feature Artistic Light Fixtures

Artistic light fixtures serve as both functional lighting sources and striking visual centerpieces, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen space.

Apply Magnetic Wall Boards

Magnetic wall boards turn your kitchen walls into practical, space-saving storage areas for utensils, spices, and recipes, keeping essentials within easy reach and off the countertops.

Install Slide-Out Pantry Shelves

Maximize your storage and minimize clutter with slide-out shelves that make every inch of your pantry easily accessible.

Use Mixed-Material Countertops

Blending different materials like granite with reclaimed wood not only adds visual interest but also tailors durability to different kitchen tasks.

Implement a Pull-Out Cutting Board

A pull-out cutting board offers a hidden yet accessible chopping surface, seamlessly integrating into your kitchen cabinetry to save space and maintain a tidy look.

Include an Under-Cabinet Refrigerator

An under-cabinet refrigerator frees up space and keeps your beverages and essentials cool without cluttering the kitchen.

Create a Dual-Purpose Island

Maximize functionality by outfitting your kitchen island with both a meal prep area and casual seating or storage solutions.

Incorporate a Pot Filler Faucet

A pot filler faucet, mounted directly above the stove, offers the convenience of filling pots with water without needing to carry them from the sink.

Design a Hideaway Coffee Station

Tucked away behind sleek cabinetry, this station keeps your coffee essentials organized and accessible without cluttering the countertop.

Use Eco-Friendly Materials

Choosing sustainable options like bamboo flooring or recycled glass countertops reduces your environmental footprint while adding natural beauty to your kitchen.

Install Heated Floors

Heated floors keep your toes toasty during chilly mornings, adding a touch of cozy luxury to your kitchen experience.

Add a Chalkboard Wall

A chalkboard wall transforms a mundane kitchen space into an interactive area for jotting down recipes, reminders, or fun doodles.

Ideas Elsewhere

Recap

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21 Best Slow Cooker Alternatives: Your Efficient & Convenient Kitchen Solutions Guide

Glass Countertops: Comprehensive Guide to Styles and Maintenance

20 Kitchen Pantry Alternatives for a Clutter-Free Space

Introduction

In the dynamic field of interior design, the need for versatile and adaptable furniture is paramount. Zip and link beds, with their unique design and practicality, have emerged as a preferred choice for designers looking to combine aesthetics with functionality. This article explores why these innovative beds are an excellent addition to any design portfolio.

Understanding Zip and Link Beds

Zip and link beds consist of two single beds that can be either zipped together to form a larger bed or used as two separate beds. This flexibility makes them an ideal solution for guest rooms, hotels, and multi-functional spaces. Their design incorporates high-quality zippers and robust linking devices, ensuring stability and comfort in both configurations.

The Architectural Ingenuity

At the core of zip and link beds is a design that embodies adaptability and space optimization. The ability to transform the bedding arrangement effortlessly addresses a variety of spatial needs and user preferences. This ingenuity is particularly beneficial in rooms that must serve multiple purposes or accommodate changing occupant requirements.

Benefits for Interior Designers

Versatility in Design

The fundamental benefit for interior designers is the versatility these beds offer. They can be used to create a symmetrical look in a room, offer a solution for couples with different mattress preferences, or provide an efficient way to manage space in smaller rooms or apartments.

Aesthetic Flexibility

Zip and link beds come in a range of styles, materials, and finishes. This variety allows designers to select beds that align with the overall design theme of a space, be it modern, traditional, or eclectic. The ability to customize these beds to suit specific design needs is a significant advantage.

Client Appeal

These beds are particularly appealing to clients who entertain guests frequently or have fluctuating accommodation needs. The practicality of zip and link beds makes them an attractive feature in residential design, especially in urban settings where space is at a premium.

Enhanced Functionality

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, zip and link beds offer enhanced functionality. They can easily be separated for cleaning, maintenance, or to rearrange a room. This aspect is particularly appealing in commercial settings such as hotels or bed and breakfast establishments.

Conclusion

Zip and link beds represent a fusion of form and function that is highly sought after in the world of interior design. Their adaptability, aesthetic versatility, and practical benefits make them an excellent choice for designers aiming to create flexible, stylish, and functional spaces. Whether for residential or commercial projects, these beds offer a solution that meets the evolving needs of space utilization and design elegance. As the field of interior design continues to evolve, the zip and link bed remains a timeless, adaptable, and valuable addition to any designer’s repertoire.

Hello friends! I’m *so* excited to share our latest collection with you today — it’s Justina X Ruggable and it’s jam-packed with color, pattern, and personality — just like I like it!

Working with Ruggable on this collaboration has been very dreamy. I’ve always believed that color is the ultimate mood booster, and it’s something I’m passionate about infusing into every aspect of my life. With this collection, I wanted to bring that same joy into your homes. Not only do these rugs look *so* vibrant, but the washable aspect makes them incredibly practical, especially with a busy household. It’s hard to choose a favorite between Eartha, which brings so much happiness to my living room every day, and the bold hot pink of Magdalena in my kitchen—finally fulfilling my dream of having a hot pink rug!

Love seeing the Ella runner in my bedroom

The Inspiration Behind the Designs:

Like with most of my designs, I designed the collection for *me*. I leaned into my experiences and my taste– sometimes envisioning different versions of myself at various stages of my life. If you share my passion for vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and designs inspired by nature, I believe and hope that this collection will resonate with you, too! Each piece in this collection tells its own story–Sonia and Billie, originated from my paintings. Josephine and Eartha, drawing from my illustrative work, were sparked by my kiddo, Ida’s love of wildcats. Alice and Georgia, featuring botanical motifs with an eclectic twist, find their roots in ancient Egyptian art, infused with my contemporary kaleidoscopic vibe. Nature serves as inspiration for so many of my designs, whether expressed literally as seen in Tarsila’s palm fronds or abstractly, as in the crystal-like interpretation of Hilma. Some pieces were inspired by my travels to places like New Mexico and Morocco. Sometimes, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the inspiration comes from – sometimes the designs just pour out of me! It was great fun working with the incredible creative team at Ruggable to translate my vision and art into “traversable,” washable, works of art!  Throughout the collection there are subtle nods to the enchantment of Mother Nature– and I believe that this imbues each piece with her ineffable magic. Also, each of the rugs are named after artists that I’ve been inspired by throughout my life — can you figure the artists that inspired each design?

Sonia comes in two colors: Terra & Sage (above) and Sand & Ocean

Josephine in Sunrise – yes … we have outdoor rugs in this collection!

I can’t wait to see these rugs in your homes! I hope they bring as much joy to you and your families as they did for me while designing them! 

Earlier this summer, we began helping our friends with their basement renovation. They built their home about a year and a half ago but left the basement unfinished and were finally ready to tackle it. So we teamed up to bring them the English Pub inspired basement of their dreams.

We’re all big fans of Ted Lasso and that was definitely what we were channeling in this design. The Crown & Anchor bar from the show is exactly the vibe we were going for. Dark, moody, lived in and full of character.

We started out with your standard unfinished basement, aka a concrete box. Our friends hired out the framing, drywall and electrical and did all the painting themselves. They painted the ceiling in this really cool product called Dryfall. It’s a paint that turns to dust as it dries so you don’t have to worry about paint dripping onto your floor. Then it was time for Dan and I to step in and help bring my vision to life. Let me walk you through this totally transformed space!

Let’s start with the wall treatment. From the start I knew we needed to incorporate some deliciously dark wood to get the pub feel we wanted. So we teamed up with The Wood Veneer Hub and used their gorgeous acoustic slat wood wall panels in Smoked Oak. They have a recycled acoustic felt material backing which made them super easy to install. Much easier than the DIY wood slats we made for the playroom.

They instantly added so much character to our blank walls. To help finish off the look we added a piece of chair rail on the top stained in a similar color.

Our original plan was to wallpaper the top half of the walls, but we kept coming up short on a dark plaid wallpaper that we liked. That also wasn’t crazy expensive. So instead we decided to just paint and add box moulding, which I like way better anyway. It’s such an easy and fairly affordable way to instantly transform plain walls. It helped add to this space feeling like it’s been here for years rather than brand new. We painted the top half Garden Gate by Sherwin Williams.

I have to give a huge shout out to Dan on building this incredible bar. I’ve never designed one and he’s never built one but we’re pretty dang proud of how it turned out. The basement already had the perfect nook to put it and we used all that space to it’s maximum potential. We added lots of trim and moulding to give it character and charm and stained it in my favorite Dark Walnut Gel Stain.

The back was left entirely open for storage and a mini fridge and all their bar accessories.

Dan’s dad tiled the back wall in porcelain brick look tile to add even more old world charm. We hung a wall to wall liquor shelf along the back with a DIY shelf rail.

My favorite part about the bar is all the old family photos we hung. We even hung our friend’s grandfather’s old firefighter hat. Those special pieces are truly what make a space come to life and make it feel unique.

Over to the built in bench area. Dan tackled this build as well and I love how it came out. We added little furniture feet on the corners to make it appear more like a piece of furniture and some curved sides. Our friend’s had this beautiful old table and chairs from a local library that fit in absolutely perfectly.

This is definitely my favorite spot in the whole basement. I created this vintage gallery wall with antique photos mixed with downloadable prints from Etsy and it just makes it feel like the best spot in your favorite pub where you spend hours and hours with friends drinking and making the best memories.

One of the first pieces got for this space was this gorgeous velvet blue sectional. It’s the Aria L Sectional from Six Penny and it is a SHOW STOPPER. The fabric is a cotton washed velvet in the color Star Sapphire. We basically built our whole design around it. It’s beautiful, it’s functional and it’s insanely comfortable. Our friend’s have been enjoying lots of movie nights, naps and family hangs on it and it’s held up so well to their family of 5 plus a new puppy!

Next to the lounge area is the game space where we put a ping pong table and a shuffleboard table. I love how there are 4 designated areas that all have their own function, but they all flow so well together to create one cohesive design.

All the decor and finishing touches were so fun to really help bring this space to life and make it feel like an English Pub. All the furniture we used was antique or second hand and we added some vintage lamps to help set the mood as well as lots of candelabra sconces on the walls.

This project took us out of our comfort zones because we’ve never tackled a basement before. Papa lives in ours and that’s a space that will always remain his to do with as he pleases. So for now, it remains full of red and black and lots of bobble heads :-p

But I’m so grateful our friends let us take the reins on designing their basement – it was such an amazing experience and we can’t wait to celebrate at their Christmas party next month!

SHOP THE BASEMENT

Wood Slat Wall Panels
Star Sapphire Velvet Couch
Wall Color: Garden Gate by Sherwin Williams

Related

Nothing’s better than getting organized at the start of a new year and feeling ready for a fresh start. I’ve been making this printable calendar now for 7 years and it makes me so happy that I continue to get requests for it ever year!

As always, there are two sizes to choose from. The small squares which I like to hang on my DIY Calendar Stand, or the full sheets which could be hung in so many fun ways. You could frame it, hang it from a clipboard, or pin it to a cork board.

Along with having a calendar view of the whole month in front of me, I’d be lost without my planner. If you’re still on the hunt for one this year, I can’t recommend Golden Coil enough. I’m going on 5 years using their planners and I love them so much. They’re cute and functional and have SO many customization options.

Cheers to a new year!

PRINT YOUR 2024 CALENDAR

SQUARE 2024 CALENDAR

FULL SIZE 2024 CALENDAR

Looking for more ways to get organized this year? Check out these posts!

KITCHEN ORGANIZATION: DRAWERS INSTEAD OF CABINETS

SPICE DRAWER ORGANIZATION

MUD ROOM SHOE STORAGE

Related

If you are looking for a furniture or home storage project that won’t cost you a fortune, then here are some fun ideas to make with wood crates. They are easily available and if you can’t find any to reuse, you can even purchase new ones that will also give a more modern look instead of a rustic feel.

1. A Floor to Ceiling Bookcase

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2. A Nightstand

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3. A Wine Rack

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4. A Boot Rack

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5. Wood Crate Coffee Table

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6. Wood Crate Plant Shelf

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7. Colorful Ceiling Pendant Lights

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8. An Entryway Console Table

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9. Fresh Produce Storage

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10. Pop Up Drink Bar

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11. Pillow and Blanket Storage Bin

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12. Toy Storage

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13. Sunscreen Pool Caddy

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14. An Outdoor Side Table

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15. Coke Crate Spice Rack

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16. Laundry Shelves

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17. A TV Console

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18. Paint Storage

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19. Toy Car Storage

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20. A Flower Box

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