This post is sponsored by Target. Shop Home Decor for modern luxury made easy.
In no particular order, three of my favorite things in life are reading, being cozy, and autumn. Luckily they go together perfectly, so this month I’ve teamed up once again with Target to create a reading nook that’s both chic and inviting. My recipe for a comfy little space like this one is one part knit, one part organic, and one part metallic.
In this case, the knit comes in the form of an afghan my 90-year-old grandmother made for me as a housewarming gift; it’s gorgeous and the perfect weight for chilly fall evenings. A colorful bouquet of flowers adds the organic touch, brightening up the neutrals that are popular this season and adding color to autumn days that tend to be slightly overcast. The metallic comes into play by way of this gold wire and wood accent table that manages to warm up the entire space, even with its slim silhouette. (And what reading nook could possibly be complete without a steaming cup of tea?)
Right now I’m in the process of finishing up The Vacationers, which has me and a few friends planning a trip to Greece and Turkey come spring 2016. I love how books have the ability to inspire real life adventures! What’s on your reading list at the moment?
I love a solid piece of furniture that can do double (or triple!) duty in my home because I’m most definitely a re-arranger. So when Target invited me to choose an item from their revamped Room Essentials line to style three ways I was all in. More than one piece caught my eye, but I couldn’t stop thinking about this Parsons Desk and its clean lines and unmarked surface.
The entry is a busy part of my home – it’s where I drop my bag, the mail, my keys, and whatever else I happen to be carrying when I traipse indoors. For that reason I like to keep it tidy, but pretty with a vase of fresh cut flowers, an accessory or two, and done.
The office is the most obvious spot to place the Parsons Desk, but I can’t say enough about how it’s the perfect size for all I need it to hold. (I tend to get a little too cluttered when given more space than necessary.) My laptop, my planner, and some basic supplies leave me ready to work – or play online! – for hours.
This last might just be my favorite – ever thought of using a small desk as a vanity in your bedroom? Me either until this one came along into my life. I can’t tell you how much nicer it feels to sit down here and put on my face, much better than sitting on the toilet lid and leaning over the bathroom counter! Dare I say it’s a luxury even?
How would you use the Parsons Desk in your own home?
Because art is my bread and butter, I was completely thrilled when UGallery reached out and asked if I wanted to play guest curator for their online art gallery. YES, I replied without a second thought – nevermind that becoming a curator was a dream of mine before the reality of life set in. It was so much fun searching through all of the artists they carry, looking for just the right pieces. Here are five of my favorites, but you can see the entire collection of thirty here. (You can also check out UGallery’s other guest curators, I’m sure you’ll recognize a few!) These pieces and manymanymany more are all for sale should your walls look too barren.
I have some great news – as of last Wednesday my home is under contract! I finally feel like I’m at the halfway point with this move, and now my fingers are crossed that I can find a new house in Pittsburgh to call my own in the very near future (and that both escrows go smoothly!). Of course now I’m busy thinking about how I might freshen up the yet-to-be-found place as I weed out what will be making the big move halfway across the country with me and what will be sold or go to a thrift shop.
Lucky for me – and everyone else – Target‘s Room Essentials line has been given new life and is full of the pops of color and modern look I gravitate towards. It’s in stores and online beginning this month and I have big plans for some of it’s most affordable pieces. A pair of Corded Geo Toss Pillows would add some nice pattern to my slate colored couch, while this Storage Ottoman would be the perfect place to stash remotes and work detritus in the living room. I love the industrial look and feel of the Dipped Cement Mix and Match Lamp, a great option for any number of corners or tables. My old ottoman is one of the pieces that’s already been given away, but this grey Saddle Ottoman would fit right in and is just the right size for propping up my feet. I’m considering a pair of these Core Red Barstools to act as bedside tables – there’s just enough room for a lamp, a book, and my phone. And last but certainly not least, a new Welcome/Goodbye mat is in order for all of the visitors I’m hoping to entertain in my new space.
Colorhouse paint and Rejuvenation have teamed up to bring us the Mercantile Color Collection, a palette of 36 interior hues designed with the modern pioneer in mind. The line’s main inspiration is rooted in history, when quality home items used to be purchased in one general store and were made to last. Both Colorhouse and Rejuvenation create products whose quality, authenticity, and sustainability reflect the spirit of their shared birthplace – Portland, Oregon – and all of those characteristics are clearly present in the Mercantile Color Collection.
I’m in love with the classic palette, and definitely daydreaming of using this collection in my next home. (I’m also daydreaming about this kitchen!) The 36 exclusive colors in Mercantile Color Collection are organized into six families named after traditional general store bulk items – CHALK (whites), TEA (warm neutrals), SEED (greens), DENIM (blues), FLINT (cool neutrals), and SPICE (yellows, reds, oranges).
What’s not in the paint is just as important as what is. The Mercantile Collection is tinted in Colorhouse paint, which has no VOCs, no toxic fumes (HAPs-free), no reproductive toxins, no mutagens, no hazardous air pollutants, no ozone depleting compounds, no formaldehyde, no phthalates, and no chemical solvents. Colorhouse paints are low odor and boast superior coverage, durable finish, and easy cleanup in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss sheens. All huge deals when it comes to what you’re putting on your walls. I’m looking forward to trying this line out for myself. And I have a feeling CHALK .01, FLINT .01, and FLINT .02 will be prevalent to my walls in a few months!
This post sponsored by Colorhouse. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands I love that help keep Design Crush going!
I’d had my eye out for a pouf that I loved for over a year when Loom Decor reached out about their impressive collection of customizable silhouettes and 400+ fabric options. (And it doesn’t stop there, you can also customize a variety of pillow styles, poufs, bedding, table top or even create your own custom window treatments.) After scanning through all of the fabrics I knew immediately that the Optrix pattern was the one for me. It provides a perfect graphic punch that adds some interest to the otherwise solid pieces in my living room.
The pouf showed up on my doorstep in about two weeks, which is super fast for anything customized. Like lightning! It measures 24 x 24 x 13″ and has already served multiple purposed around my space. My favorite is above, where I sit to work when I’m in the living room. I love propping my legs up on it, basically converting part of my sofa into a chaise. I’ve also used it as extra seating and even a stand-in coffee table (mine is being repaired) by simply placing a large tray on top. And I love that Loom Decor offers a range of price points with their fabric offerings — basic, prime, and luxe — which allow customers to find pieces that fit within their budgets.
Now’s your chance to tap into Loom Decor‘s high-end, luxurious home textiles – they even offer personalized decorating assistance! Two lucky Design Crush readers will win $100 towards the custom piece of your choice. Hop over to the official giveaway page to enter, you have until July 20th!
Yesterday I shared two of my favorite summery activities with Kohl’s #DestinationSummer, and today I’m going to talk a little bit about the simple food we pulled together for our sunset picnic. I mentioned yesterday that I think simple is key – there wasn’t even any cooking involved in this spread. Summer is the best time to take advantage of the fruits and vegetables that are everywhere and so cheap and delicious and can be eaten by the handful.
I started by slicing up some pretty radishes and lightly sprinkling them with sea salt. Then I added some water crackers and butter to a platter for layering and devouring along with a ripe and ready tomato.
This is one of my favorite new afternoon snacks, sliced pink lady apples drizzled with honey. So deceptively plain Jane, but this platter emptied faster than anything else and for a good reason. They’re addictive!
Infusing water is nothing new, but I love experimenting with different flavor combinations that get me to drink more H2O. Another recent favorite is this combo of sparkling citrus water, strawberries, and lemon. I like to add so much fruit that you get a little snack at the bottom of your cup. Add some gin or vodka with a little simple syrup to the mix and kick things up a notch even.
Finish off the menu with a bowl of Rainier cherries and slivered almonds and you’re set. That’s the best part about a picnic, it doesn’t have to be a fancy choreographed affair, just set out the things you like and let the company carry the rest.
Thanks for joining us in Oklahoma City – the next stop on #DestinationSummer is Boise, Idaho with Kirsten Grove of Simply Grove! (If you don’t know her and her style already, you’re gonna love her. Promise.)
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Kohl’s. All words and opinions are my own as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
Welcome to the Oklahoma City stop on Kohl’s #DestinationSummer virtual road trip across the USA! As someone who works long hours and has a difficult time stepping away from her inbox, I love the idea of exploring the reaches of your own town and taking full advantage of what’s right at your fingertips! While I love traveling there’s something to be said for sticking to a budget and ending the day in your own bed. Ahhh on all counts.
Oklahoma summers get hot, and they get hot fast. I’m most definitely an indoor girl at heart, so my warm weather excursions happen either early or late in the day. Avoiding triple digits is key to my summer survival! I love taking my dogs Piper and Bebe for walks, and one of our favorite places to stroll in the morning is along the paths around Lake Hefner. The lake is a fast five minutes from my house and boasts bike paths, trails, and plenty of space for kite flying. Even on the rare dreary day it’s still booming.
I like to grab a big tote and stuff it with a few toys, water for both of us, and maaaybe some snacks (for me). The dogs are generally way too busy smelling everything and eyeing up other pups to pay much attention to the toys, but it makes me feel like an overachieving dog mom so I do it anyway. (Anything for bonus points!)
Low-key outdoor evenings spent with friends are one of my favorite things about summer life, add some delicious small bites and I’m on cloud nine! It’s the perfect time to throw on a sundress and pull together a fast picnic with your favorite people. A tablecloth stands in for a picnic blanket, melamine cups and plates make great sense for the outdoors, now just add in a few throw pillows for comfortable lounging and you’ve created something special.
Starting your picnic at sunset is a stroke of genius, if I say so myself. Everyone is much more relaxed and the slow and quiet slide of the sun below the horizon lends the most beautiful mood lighting that money could never buy.
I like keeping the food small and the drinks simple. Platters are great to pile with fresh fruits and vegetables to nibble as you chat away the night. Check back in tomorrow because I’m going to share some of the small, simple food we pulled together for this particular picnic with my friend Ali!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Kohl’s, however all words and opinions are my own as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
As I prep my house to go up on the market at some point this year, I’m realizing more and more about how my style has evolved since I moved in nearly six years ago. I’ve always been a tchotchke and accessories kind of girl but I’m thinking that’s going to change. I’ve gotten a head start on packing up a lot of smaller things, which has got me thinking about my next home and how I’d like it to be. My house is already more pared down than usual and I have to say, I’m loving it. Piece by piece I’ve been making small changes here and there, choosing things that serve more than one purpose. Am I becoming what I’ve always longed to be – a minimalist?
Case in point is the newest addition to my lamp addiction – Sonneman‘s Level Table Lamp. I love the mixed materials used in the design and that it’s not as feminine as a lot of other pieces in my home. Because it’s so sculptural it feels like form and function in one. Not to mention just how fantastic it looks atop the vintage Danish modern credenza in my living room! I have a feeling that this is a sign of how my decorating choices are going to be from now on.
For this sponsored post I received product from Lamps.com. As always all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
If you’re like me you prefer to wake up to one of your favorite mellow tunes rather than the jarring blare of an alarm clock. Those first few minutes of the day can determine your mood for hours (especially on a Monday), and Soundfreaq created the alarm clock/bluetooth speaker hybrid Sound Rise with just that in mind.
The stacked design looks right at home on your bedside table in either black or wood tones, and the sound quality is seriously impressive. You can also enjoy solid sound while you get ready or soft music to relax to while falling asleep. Control the tone of your music with neutral, warm, and bright options for a customized experience. One of my favorite Sound Rise functions is the ability to set different alarm times for weekdays and weekends – who hasn’t accidentally set their Saturday wakeup for 6am? The worst. And you can even blackout the digital display, perfect for someone light sensitive like myself. Sound Rise features a USB power port you can use to keep your phone charging while you sleep, without having to fuss with a dock of any kind. Just one last thing: a nap timer. Soundfreaq has seriously thought of everything!
And now the part you’ve been waiting for – a chance to win your own Sound Rise! Get every day off to a better start by entering any number of ways below, but do it before Sunday, June 15th at 11:59 pm. a Rafflecopter giveaway
This post is sponsored by Target. Shop Home Decor for modern luxury made easy.
