1 SETTEE, 5 WAYS

I LOVE a good settee, but I really find that I never use them in designs.  I'm not sure why.  I think they get forgotten about.  Usually I lean towards an accent table or console table where you can also use a settee.  This year, I am determined to use more settees in my designs, starting with this bold black and white buffalo check patterned settee.

Buffalo check is one of this years most popular patterns.  It's most popular in black and white, but also be found in gray and white and navy and white.  You will see it in pillows, throw blankets, furniture, tile flooring and even wallpaper.  It has become so popular I think because of its versatility.  It is a timeless, sophisticated print that can be traditional or modern, and go with just about any other pattern as well.   To showcase that versatility, I am showing 1 settee, 5 different ways for a client.  She has the option to keep the space traditional or a little more funky with some more modern elements.  The shiplap walls in her home are the perfect backdrop to this bold settee.  

This first look is the most traditional with floral prints with a black background to coordinate with the black in the settee.  A wood and marble accent table.  And a traditional task floor lamp in an antique gold. 

Look #2 is more fun and modern with the large cactus print with gold frame from World Market.  To keep things modern, I switched out the traditional floor lamp with a gold tripod lamp.  The side table is swapped out for this simple black one. 

Look #3 is more modern farmhouse.  Wood accents in the lattice wall decor and side table.  Yet still has a little modern edge with the gold floor lamp.  Everything in this 'look' can be found at Target, except the settee.  

The fourth look leans more transitional with some modern gold accents in the floor lamp and side table.  The traditional botanical artwork keeps it classic and timeless.  Botanicals are very popular this year as well!

For the fifth look, I switched out the artwork for a mirror.  A mirror is always a great choice to bring more light into a space.  This vignette has a good mix of modern and traditional.  

All of the looks above are easy to pull together yourself.  Every item shown above can be found at Target, World Market, and Hobby Lobby.  All of the artwork can be found on my Pinterest page WALL DECOR.  This settee shown above is from Ballard Designs.  It can be customized with any fabric and will also set you back about $1500.  

I came across this less expensive settee, similar look, at At Home for less than $300. 

I really think a settee is a good alternative to a console table or accent table and can work in a lot of different rooms.  They will run you about the same price as a table and it is such a different, unique look to a space.  Which look do you like best?  Do any of you own settees or have you been eyeing one for you home??

Most of the items shown in the Mood Boards above can be found at Target.

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

To the Moon and Back: Nursery Design Board

It's a race to the finish line now that we have decided to decorate our baby boy's nursery with moons and stars.  I may not get every last detail finished and hung on the wall before he arrives, but he will at least have a painted room and a crib to sleep in (or not to sleep in).  I started with this design board below, but as I started buying these items, I've been finding some items unavailable or changing my mind on some things.

Original Design Board for Baby Marhoefer

Original Inspiration Nursery

Now that I have started buying items for the nursery, the design board has changed a bit.  It still looks very similar and has the same style and feel, but the actual items I purchased are not these exact items pictured in the Origianl Design Board.  

New Design Board

Overall, the colors for the room are pretty simple and neutral -- white, black, gray, some brassy gold accents, and a lighter amber wood color and texture.  I wanted to keep the colors simple and masculine.  This space has room to grow in the future as well.  With everything so neutral now, I am hoping these are items we can keep and use for years to come!

Nursery Furniture and Decor Necessities:

ROCKER:  I would highly suggest splurging on this furniture item the most out of everything you buy for a nursery because you are going to use it every single day.  And hopefully can keep it for baby #2.  I decided to get an upholstered Rocker/Recliner from Buy Buy Baby for extra coziness and comfort for 3:00am snuggles.

CHANGING TABLE:  If you have the space in your baby's nursery, opt for a dresser instead of a changing table.  It can grow with your child throughout the years and add a lot of extra storage.  It is generally the perfect height and size for a changing pad as well. 

CRIB:  I was blown away by the fact that cribs can range in price from as low as $80 from IKEA to $2000 and beyond for designer specialty cribs.  Even the ones at Buy Buy Baby seemed over priced at $600 to $1000.  Me, out of all people was very concerned at the design and "look" of the crib but new I could find something much less expensive and more practical for our budget.  Shop around the internet.  I found a brand called Babyletto cribs that I loved but were very expensive.  I found a cheaper brand that was just as nice and also made by the same Babyletto people sold exclusively at Wal-Mart, so I scored a designer "looking" crib for less than $200.

LIGHTING:  Multiple light sources are ideal for day and night and middle of the night feedings.  I am still deciding on the exact light fixtures, but I will be doing a ceiling light for the main light source and a table lamp for extra night time lighting that will be softer, accent lighting. 

STORAGE:  LOTS of storage!  In the closet, we added some extra hanging storage and a 6 cube bin for miscellaneous items.  I love having some fabric bins hanging around the room for toys, books, or to use as a hamper.  IKEA floating shelves are some of the most practical storage solutions I have seen for children's books.  I love that they display them like art.

One of the biggest changes between the two design boards is the removal of the bookcases.  As much as I loved these open etagere style bookcases, the room just started to feel very cramped with too many pieces of large furniture.  It can always be a furniture piece that we add later down the road if we want.  I found the perfect dresser to use as the changing table!  It was perfect, to die for!  Only problem is, it was over $1000 from West Elm!!!!  So I had to fall in love with something else.  Luckily, I found an almost identical match from Wayfair.com.

This vintage inspired constellation art from Urban Outfitters was the first thing I bought for baby's room.  I was hoping it would be the perfect focal art behind the crib.  But once it arrived, it was much smaller than I thought.  (Should have double checked those dimensions a little closer!)  So, I decided to hang that on another wall and ordered this gorgeous "moon phases" artwork for behind the crib from Joss & Main.  

I'm hoping all of the fabrics in the room will come together nicely once I get the fitted crib sheets and changing pad cover as a starting point.  These will be store bought from Land of Nod, while I am still debating some custom options for things like a crib skirt and boppy cover.  I haven't settled on any of the fabrics quite yet, though.

That's how I have been pulling this nursery together -- one decor/furniture piece at a time.  I am starting to feel a little under the gun to get it completed with only 9 more weeks to go.  But honestly, a baby doesn't need anything of this in the first few weeks of life, so I think we will be okay! :) 

As Seen On Fixer Upper {The Nut House}

Forget about a countdown to Christmas!!  I have been counting down the days to new episodes of the FIXER UPPER on HGTV!!!

The season premiere of FIXER UPPER aired this past week, and as most expected, we were not disappointed with the amazing remodeling skills of Chip and Joanna!  So let's get to it....

The Nut House

(as they called it)

I love to feature the remodels we all swoon over from HGTV's FIXER UPPER, for many reasons.  But the biggest reason is to show people that it is easy to create a similar look and style in their home.  People think "Oh, that looks so pretty, but I could never have that.  I am sure it is expensive.  I am sure I can't find those same decorative pieces.  I could NEVER do that!"  We all watch these design shows and think our homes can never look that good.  But it can.  And it is all about dissecting the style and choosing similar pieces to create Joanna's popular farmhouse style.

I love that they are sharing the floor plans of the homes in the new season.  It really helps people get an idea of how the rooms are laid out in the space overall, and how each room relates to one another, and the size of the spaces.  And see all the walls Joanna ordered to be torn down!

The Kitchen: the heart of the home

these doors though!!!!!  

How-To Recreate the Eat-In Kitchen Area:

I loved this eat-in kitchen area just on the other side of the island.  Here are some tips and ideas to create the same look in your home!

FARMHOUSE TABLE  //  ESPRESSO DINING CHAIRS  //  SHABBY CHIC CHANDELIER  //  WHITE RUSTIC BENCH  //  WOOD CRATE FLOWER VASES  //  HANGING VASE  //  STRIPE PILLOW  //  FLORAL LINEN PILLOW

This table is very similar to the classic farmhouse style they chose for this kitchen.  Joanna chose to do a white painted built-in bench on one side, however, you can choose a bench like this to create the same furniture layout.  The chandelier I chose is a similar 6-light shabby chic style.  The wood crate from Save-On-Crafts, one of my favorite online places for farmhouse style decor, is a great table centerpiece for holding flowers throughout every season of the year.  Joanna used a lot of these hanging flower vases in lieu of artwork.  And a couple of throw pillows for the finishing touch!

The Entry/Living Room/Dining Room:

this is a great shot of all of the rooms

every guy wants a worn-in leather couch like this!

Navy blue is the perfect accent color to camel colored leather sofas like these.  These vintage looking over-dyed rugs are very popular right now.  While they can be extremely expensive, this one is reasonably priced from RUGSUSA.

Ship lap in the bathroom?!? Yes, please!

Was anyone else almost in tears when Chip got all choked up during his anniversary surprise to Joanna?!?!  I know I was!  This is why I LOVE this show.  Not only is it a fantastic design show, but this family is so real and so incredibly sweet!!

To see more pictures of The Nut House and to shop some of the product from the episode from Joanna's shop Magnolia Market, check out her blog here.  (all photos from www.magnoliamarket.com)

Client Design: Update

With the move-in date for this family approaching quickly, I have been focusing on the decor and furniture for this home.  The finishes, lighting, paint, flooring, and cabinets have been chosen and installed, and now it is time to focus on the furniture as the last few details come together.

I love seeing all of the finishes come together and be installed in new construction.  It is one of my favorite parts of construction.  But now I am very excited to set my focus on the interiors and the pretty details that will make this house a home.

The main focus, at this point, is the Great Room.  This is the main family room, hang out area, and tv room.  So it needs to be a showstopper, yet still casual and livable.

This is the Great Room fireplace and built-in bookcases as it was in progress.  This is the main focal point of the room.  This area sets the tone for the rest of the space -- transitional, bright, and casual.

I chose Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams for the main color throughout most of the room, with some additional paint colors in the bathrooms and bedrooms.

I use this color ALL THE TIME in homes!  If you are looking for the perfect warm gray paint -- look no further!!

A better look of the space I am working with -- way back in the early days of construction of this home.

I LOVE that this space is lined with huge windows.  There are even more windows on the opposite wall of the fireplace.  It is going to be so bright and beautiful!  Natural light makes any room look better.

A sneak peek of how the fireplace is coming along.....still needs some grout at this point. 

I worked with the client on what she envisions for the furniture and decor of the Great Room.  Our goal is to keep it beautifully designed in mainly neutrals, yet livable.  With 3 young kids, durability and comfort is very important! 

Inspiration for the space......

HGTV Dream Home 2015

from My Sweet Savannah Blog

from Decozilla

from Homebunch

from Chic Coastal Living

I have to mention that you see this room as you walk in the front door, even though it is at the back of the house.  So, it is important to add interest and lots of pattern to draw your eye in. 

You will also get a glimpse of the dining area before your eyes hit the Great Room.  So, all of those factors have to work together and all of the spaces have to work together in their own unique way.

I am pretty obsessed with this light fixture we chose to hang over the dining table!!!!  Oh, and don't mind those toilets!  They have since been moved to their appropriate places.  But you can see how open the space is from room to room.

Before I started furniture shopping it is important to look at the size and exact dimensions of your space, so that you don't buy pieces that won't fit in your space or that are even too small for your space.  Anyone can make a simple furniture plan like this for free online HERE.  

This is the basic furniture plan for the Great Room.  I now know what size sofas will work in the space.  A large sofa and smaller love seat will be perfect for this family of five.  I know that two smaller accent chairs with a small accent table between the two are needed to help balance out that symmetry.  And there is even space for an additional occasional chair in the corner with a small table and floor lamp.  This shows us what a 9'x12' rug looks like with all of the furniture.  And shows that we could even do a larger rug if we wanted to, but definitely nothing smaller.  Clients love seeing this because it really helps them visualize the new space. 

 My client and I both fell in love with this little table as soon as we saw it walking into the store.  The simple style and driftwood colored wood was perfect for the space.  It was a must buy!!

I love the style of this simple accent chair.  It wasn't too big to have two in the space, but big enough to lounge in and be comfortable.  Just had to find the perfect, fun fabric for it!

I knew this sofa would be perfect for the space because it is traditional enough to look beautiful in the space, yet casual and comfortable at the same time.

Choosing the fabrics for all of these pieces are my favorite part!

This is what we ended up getting for the space (minus the rug -- this is just one I like for now).  I think it looks very similar to our inspiration photos, but still unique and its own space.  I would never want to copy another design nor do I create the same design for multiple clients.  Each space should be unique and a little different to make it their own.  So excited to include some accessories and finishing details to this space.  Stay tuned!