Let's Take a Trip : Byron Bay, Australia

I do not know about you all but I am so ready for SUMMER! This pale girl needs some sun. Did you know that in Australia their summer months are from December through February? As a destination on my bucket list, it would be so nice to escape to Australia right now.

From what I have seen online and heard from people who have visited, Australia is like California's cool cousin. The food, vibe, and designs are similar in many ways. So, let's pack our bags and head to the beach town of Byron Bay.

Byron Bay is located in the far-northeastern corner of the state of New South Wales, Australia. Lonely Planet describes Byron Bay as a relaxed funky town with a unique vibe, great surf, and fine food.

While in Byron, we will be staying at Atlantic Byron Bay which its website states is a unique coastal estate comprised of tropical gardens and three original beach cottages that have been transformed into Caribbean styled plantation houses.

Image via a Hotel Life

Image via a Hotel Life

I believe I might have featured this kitchen before. The cement tiles on the island are one of my favs.

Love the simple design. The black and white color scheme is chic and allows the surrounding vegetation to take center stage. Even their trees are cool.

Painted stripes on tree trunks.

After a day of surfing and whale watching, it is off to St. Elmo's for Spanish tapas and wine.

Check out that bar. Their wine list consists of over 100 different wines.

Then it is back to the hotel for some more wine and conversation under the stars.

Aaah, I feel relaxed already. If only.

Until next time, lovelies.

Inspiration: Shared Nursery and Toddler Rooms

In less than 4 months we will have a new baby in our house, and I have to say that the second time around the "nesting" urge isn't nearly as strong for me. Having done it once already, and in general being a "less is more" kinda gal, I say, just give me a crib, some storage, and a place to change a diaper and we're good. 

For that reason, and a few other personal deciding factors, we've decided that our 2 year old will share a room with the new baby for a while. Since creating a designated learning/play space for our toddler, her room is barren. She only has her crib (which has been modified to a toddler bed), a changing table (which has been modified into storage), a night stand, and a rocking horse. 

We have an heirloom twin bed that needs to be assembled and put into her room, and there's plenty of room for that among everything else. Recall or refer to this post, if you will, from when we decided to do that anyway, before we knew there would be another little one in the mix. 

{And for those wondering, "why on earth would you think that would work when newborns wake so frequently?", don't you worry--we plan on keeping the baby in a bassinet in our room until he or she is sleeping through the night. It's easier for everyone. And maybe by the time that day comes, our 2 year old will also be sleeping through the night...} 

And hey--looks like others have done it too!

Here's a few great shared nurseries that I've rounded up for inspiration lately: 

image via lay baby lay

There are so many luxuries about the above space that we don't have in our home, but it that doesn't mean it's not inspiration-worthy! I love the great mix of pattern and texture, the airiness of the space, and that it isn't overly girly. Just as with our first, we aren't finding out the gender of the baby so the space will remain gender-neutral.

image via apartment therapy--great details in this nursery if you click the link!

If you look closely at that corner bed, you'll notice it's just a platform bed. No headboard, nothing extra. It's a great solution for the bed's position, and it's not lacking anything! And I love that under-bed storage solution that eliminates a need for a bed skirt (because we won't have a bed skirt either!)

image via melissa esplin

This bright yellow nursery is probably the closest to how ours will be arranged. And can someone please send me that dachshund lamp!! 

Also--shout out to all you renters: a great example of making a nursery feel homey just by the pieces in the room. The walls are still a basic beige, but a bright yellow rug covers the basic carpet, and the rest of it just works so well together you don't notice how ordinary the bones are. 

image via a cup of jo

Very close quarters in this space, but it still works! They even have toy storage in the room. Well-done, folks! It's also a great example of a shared boys room that isn't overly masculine. 

image via transito inicial (page is in spanish, but beautiful spaces need no translation!!)

I could tell almost instantly that this wasn't American. I mean, look at that window! Swoon! (Also jealous of the shutter feature--hello extended "night night" time!) I can't tell if that's a chalkboard finish on the wall or venetian plaster (looks more like a plaster finish). Either way it's a great sophisticated, yet soft and gentle shared room. It looks expensive, even though it's clearly very simple.

image via a merry mishap 

Not my personal favorite style-wise, but this modern shared space keeps things simple. Again, it appears to be close-quarters, but the simplicity of the decor makes the room feel very spacious.

image via apartment therapy

I like that this sweet little room obviously wasn't too thought out (probably a lot how ours will end up, if I'm just being honest). Nothing is matchy-matchy, but there's so much personal touch that you can't help but love it. It's homey, cute, and probably very affordable.

image via apartment therapy

What a great wall stencil! This room also has the same arrangement as ours probably will, and we may even end up with a patterned back wall...emphasis on may. Anyway it's a great use of pattern--it gives a lot of interest while remaining simple.

image via house to home

And finally, take a look at this! A bunk with a crib underneath! At first glance, I thought it was built in, but after looking closely, it appears they just took a lofted bed and put a crib underneath. How smart!! Great space saver.

I'm loving learning that this is still an achieved design and personal goal for having multiple children. There's so much more than I thought there would be for inspiration. 

As far as the actual plan for the room, we've gotten nowhere. And honestly, it doesn't bother me. Maybe that's breaking some kind of designer law, but when you're a pregnant work-at-home mom, other things take precedence. So if you're listening, the answer is YES! It is OKAY to have higher priorities than a good-looking home! I give you my personal permission! 

That being said, here's the fabric I've had stored away in my closet for months. At first we planned on doing an upholstered wall on the big back wall (a lot like the tree room above). But let's be honest. That probably won't happen. And we also don't know how long we'll be in this house so it's best to keep it simple. But it's going in that room! Maybe a duvet cover? Maybe a reupholstered chair or stool? Crib sheet? A bolster pillow? Some black-out curtains? I'll figure it out.  

michael miller fabrics: wee wander, with the birds

I'm in love with it. It's the perfect gender neutral fabric, and it goes with the room's leftover nursery colors of teal, mint, and turquoise (there was orange in there too, but it got booted when I took out the orange crushed velvet french chair--cute for a nursery, but far too dear to me to be in the hands of a toddler).

Other than that and a very simple white bedspread I bought for the twin bed (and an ikea mattress for it, which--holy cow--are so comfy and affordable), that's basically all I've done! I'll post snippets as they come together, but don't expect to be blown away!

I'll put my efforts into making our clients' spaces look great. How about that?? ;) 

Until next time, folks! Have a wonderful Monday. If you haven't already, start your week off intentionally. Think happy thoughts--it will make SUCH a difference :)

10 Dome Light Alternatives under $50

Do you have these in your home? 

You do, don't you? I do, too. And I'm sorry. They're terrible, I know. Now that we've all agreed and lamented briefly over our ceiling fixtures, let's move onto a solution...

Dome lights (I won't even tell you their nickname in the design world, but if you're creative I'm sure you could guess) are inexpensive and the easy choice of contractors everywhere. But ya know what? It doesn't have to be that way. If you are uninspired by your home lighting, there are some great and inexpensive alternatives. 

I understand replacing all of your dome lights could be costly, but if you have a space like a nice bedroom or an entry where it's just detracting from the feel of the room, a little money and a little handy work can make a big difference. 

Here's a list of 10 fixtures under $50 that could make a huge difference in your home:

1. If your ceiling fixture isn't the only source of light in your room and you have some artwork or wall-hangings on display nearby, these LED track lights are a creative alternative. Directional light instantly adds a $$$ feel to your space! Like, "ooh, this feels like a gallery--these people must be artsy and intelligent." ;) Or maybe they'll just walk right past without noticing. Either way, you'll notice. And you'll care.

2. If you've got a little head room to work with, this retro classic would be a nice touch. Globe pendants and fixtures can be found inexpensively just about anywhere. And the cord length can be shortened, so no need to worry about how it looks in the photos!

3. Just like the globe pendant, a warehouse pendant is another great, inexpensive classic that you could shorten the cord on and bring up as a semi-flush mount. And don't be fooled by some of the decor stores' prices--these things are NOT worth $100+, so don't spend it. 

4. Simple and elegant, this textured flush mount fixture will cover the space of your old one. And the texture shows even more when the light is on (I have the coordinating floor lamp in my home and love it).

5. Again, where you're replacing a fixture that's not the only source of light, how cool would this surface-mounted bronze can light be? A bright hallway or entry would be perfect.

6. These cute little vintage glass pendants would be perfect in a small entry or powder bath. Because the glass is clear, the bulbs will provide a lot of light for how small they are.

7. A schoolhouse pendant works great just about anywhere. Just like warehouse pendants, trendy places will have them for a higher price tag, but they are easily found in a lower price range with a little searching.

8. I love this faceted ceramic fixture. And it's another one that fits well over the space where your old dome pendant was.

9. Don't mind the overall concept of your dome pendant, but just want to jazz it up a little? This modern square version will do the trick.

10. A take on Japanese lanterns, this paper lantern flush-mount is a clever way to add some interest without taking up as much vertical space.

So there ya go. Frown over your plain ol' dome lights no more! And if you've got taller ceilings, don't be afraid to go with a pendant or even a chandelier (but of course, that's another round-up for another day). Never underestimate the power of a good lighting choice! 

{And a helpful hint when it comes to lighting--wattage does NOT determine how bright your fixture will be. Instead you want to look for a little key word called "lumens." Lumens measure how much light output you will have. Wattage only determines how much energy they use. Bulbs that have lower wattages and higher lumens pack a bigger punch, like LEDs. So now you know!}

Until next time, friends!

Sophisticated Man Cave

At the first of the year, the hubby and I were talking about our goals and places we want to travel to. Ty is a big soccer fan and one of his desires is to see Manchester United play in England. I got to thinking, how cool would it be to create a sophisticated Man U “man cave” for him, with an English vibe.

With that said, Babe, this one is for you ;)

When I think of classic English design, immediately I see leather Chesterfield sofas and plaids. To make it contemporary, I stuck with a pallet of black and cognac and mixed in some modern pieces. Many of the items are from Restoration Hardware. They are my go to when I am looking for masculine furniture.

sofa // chair // rug // lighting // coffee table  // bar

Now, we have to wait to install until we buy a bigger house or one of the girls move out. Ha!   If you would like to surprise your man with his own sophisticated man cave, drop us a line. We would love to help. 

Until next time, lovelies.

Designer SOS: Decorating in a Rental

We’ve actually received this question several times. And several times we’ve promised a blog post. And now I’ve finally gotten around to it! So thank you to those of you who’ve waited so so patiently! 

Here’s the question:

"How do I make my space look great when I’m just renting?"

The answer to this is both simple and complicated. The simple answer is, you do it the same way as home-owners. The complications come in when people move frequently (like military families), when there are several decoration limitations, or if your rental is very dated (one time I was watching a movie filmed in the 70s, and I kid you not, the laminate counters were the exact same ones I had in my rental kitchen at the time). 

So without getting too nitty gritty in my answers, I’ve come up with a list of the things that can make the most difference in your rental space.

1. Artwork.

Even in owned homes, people overlook this very important personal touch. Whether it’s family photos, original artwork, prints, or just framed reminders of things that are of personal significance to you. 

Artwork is a multi-faceted decor essential, for which I don't have the time or energy to get into completely today. So for now, here are a few artwork guidelines to help you in a rental. 

Go BIG. If you have a big neutral wall that is really just exuding plain boringness in your rental, select a large piece of artwork to go there. 

Midcentury Dining Room by Dallas Media & Bloggers Sarah Greenman

If the price tag on big artwork scares you away, there are several creative ways to incorporate large-scale art into your home. An old map, a theatre poster, a pretty tapestry. Be creative! You can even make your own! 

Blogger A Beautiful Mess has a great DIY on how to make your own large-scale abstract art. {Click on the link to check it out!}

Or you can blow up a large photo and use it as art. Many print shops (both online and in-store) offer canvas prints of your digital photos. 

image via HGTV--and a great article to read on unique DIY artwork as well!!

Second artwork tip: Pick neutral frames. This will help downplay those rental beige walls. I know you’re whining right now saying, “ugggghhh, but all my frames are black!” I know, I know. So are most of mine. And I have some on a few walls that I haven’t painted and are still beige. And they look terrible. They stick out like a sore thumb. 

Here's an example:

While this is a great photo arrangement, step away from your screen a few feet (come on, just do it). What do you see? If you say "a blob of black" you'd be right. Thick black frames (or even ones in a dark wood finish) tend to distract from the artwork. They also stand out really strongly from neutral walls. If you pick neutral frames and place them on a neutral wall, you'll be able to see the artwork for what it is.

Here's a great example:

image of Amy & Erich Mcvay's home via design sponge

See the difference? You notice the artwork; not the dark frames. My solution to this? Spray paint. Keep your frames. Make them over. 

My one exception to this rule would be very thin and uniformly spaced black frames, like blogger Brooklyn Limestone did here in her Shore House. Here, the black frames are understated enough to still allow the artwork to speak.

Onto the next rental tip...

2. Take advantage of rugs.

“But I have carpet,” you say. Doesn’t matter. Rugs not only creative a more cohesive space, but they can add texture, color, and interest to a room.  If you have carpet, a flat woven like a dhurrie, kilim, or other natural fiber is going to be your best bet in order to keep your furniture from sinking down on too many layers of plushness (not that any rental carpet I've ever seen has been plush).

Take a look at this room:

image via Ask Genevieve Gorder on One King's Lane

This room follows the rug guidelines pretty well (which Mallory has written about here). See how much it gives the space? Imagine it without the rug...all the furniture would be just kind of...there. (Also did you notice the neutral frames for the artwork?? And the great large-scale pieces??)

Easy enough, right? Moving on...

3. Change the light fixtures. Find a handy friend or watch a youtube tutorial on how to do this. It’s really quite easy. (But if you electrocute yourself, 3A is not responsible for you forgetting to kill the breaker first.) Even some of the not-so-handy folks I know can change a light fixture. Then just store the old one in a closet until you move, and when you leave you can re-connect the old one again.

Here’s a photo of my dining space after I changed out the terrible builder-grade fixture:

The process took my husband about 5 minutes (plus another 10 of me saying "lower...no higher...ok another 6 inches higher..."). Of course the other details make a difference, too, but the biggest difference is made by the light fixture.

4. Change the cabinet hardware.

If your hardware is really bad, consider purchasing some simple, inexpensive replacements. The only downside to this is it will most likely be money you don’t get back, unless you plan on changing it all back before you leave and carrying the hardware with you. 

{And I apologize, but the internet failed me on this one--I couldn't find any good before and after photos of cabinet hardware that had been changed. There were great ones of repainted cabinets with new hardware, but obviously, as a renter, you probably won't be painting your kitchen cabinets. So when I do this in my kitchen, I'll make sure to take good photos for you!}

I once lived in a tiny old house with periwinkle laminate counters (oddly enough this was not the same rental with the laminate counters I mentioned earlier, with which I had a cinematic encounter). The cabinets were white (thank goodness), but the hardware was old brass that had white paint around the edges from a sloppy paint job. I went to my local hardware store, picked out some simple nickel hardware that was $2 a piece and updated that little kitchen for hardly anything. Considering how few cabinets I had, it was surely less than $25. When I moved out my landlord didn’t even notice (although she did mention how nice the kitchen looked—tricked her!) 

5. Live greenery.

Don’t you be putting some dusty silks on top of your kitchen cabinets. Don’t you do it! There are SO many plants that thrive indoors despite an owner with a black thumb. Need a list? Here's one from Better Homes and Gardens.

Now take a look at this happy space:

image via pay for buzz

Imagine this space without the plants. It would still be beautiful, but plants give so much to a space. Even more than a decorative advantage, they improve indoor air quality and have even been shown to lower blood pressure in some cases. This is definitely something I wish I’d taken more advantage of as a renter (especially when I lived below a drug dealer—I’m telling you, I’ve lived in some very interesting places). 

Any other design tips can be used in rentals the same in any other space. I’ve bragged on her before, but take a look at my friend Lauren’s home featured on The Every Girl . Can you believe it’s a rental?? I'm sure you can find some inspiring design tips in her home.

Even if you’re only staying in a rental for a relatively short time, even a year is long enough to put a little personal touch into your space. Plus, every time you move is an opportunity to start all over with a new design slate. Have fun with it!

Have a specific question related to rental-living? Or need a creative design solution in your temporary space? Drop us a line. We'd love to help!

Vendor Spotlight-CB2

If you haven't heard of CB2 before now, you've been missing out!  They are apart of the same company that claims Crate&Barrel and Land of Nod so that tells you have they have some good stuff.  They are known for more modern, affordable pieces with great style and function.  I've selected a few of my favorites to show you what I mean. 

lamp // candlesticks // byway throw // chamber desk // hex tray // brass frames // media console // pillow // faceted orb // carafe

1.  This lamp has a beautiful shape that would look good in any space.
2.  The lines and finish (matte black!) of this candlestick are so unique.  It's a classic with a modern touch--my favorite.
3.  I love the pattern on this throw...and they fact that it's reversible.  Two for the price of one!
4.  When I was looking into getting another desk for my office, this was my favorite option.  It has great clean lines and tons of hidden storage (the front part pulls out to hide all of your unneeded things)--genius. 

5. I have a love for all things lucite and hexagon shapes, so this tray was the perfect marriage of that.  What a stylish way to display some accessories or serve some drinks.
6.  Brass is back--and not in the tacky 90's way.  These modern gallery frames are the perfect example.
7.  Stylish and affordable (as in not thousands of dollars) media consoles are some of the most difficult furniture pieces to find, so when I saw this piece, I couldn't help but love it.

8. This pillow is a true classic.  Stripes and navy--what's not to love?  Plus CB2 is one of the few companies that sells the cover AND insert (a good one, not a poly filled one) together.
9.  While I am only showcasing this orb, there are a lot of great small accessories offered at CB2.  They are one of my favorite places to go when looking for builtin shelf styling accessories.  
10.  And last but not least a sleek carafe--perfect for your guest room, bedside table, vanity or even your office.  This timeless design will be good for the ages.

I hope you've enjoyed your mini shopping trip to CB2.  Check out their website to see even more of what they have to offer!  

Have a great weekend everyone!