One Room Challenge: Week 2

Welcome back to the One Room Challenge. This is week 2 { see week 1 if you missed it }. I'm making over a small loft office space in a chic downtown space. I'm all about the black and white look so today I am sharing a bit of the plans for the decorating thats about to go down. Ordering items always takes time so getting a plan together before you actually decorate is always best. In terms of the layout here is what I am thinking...

I love the idea of a computer workstation and art wall. The art I've chosen is a mix of her feminine and boho glamour. I found the chic artwork on minted. I am choosing all black frames for the black and white art so as to not compete but complement the computer screen so it all looks like one big, beautiful gallery wall.

sources for artwork [ bull horns | feathers | nude sketch ]

I also am pretty much obsessed with the Jonathan Adler sconce that I found on lamps plus. We are going to throw in some chic white Eames chairs with wood on the base to break up the harshness in the space. I am all about adding natural elements here.  I also love this black and white chevron basket to put her drafts and photography poles in.  I want to keep her workspace clutter free and super clean so on the opposite side of the desk, we will put the large white bookcase filled with all that she needs.

I find that adding some vintage finds she already has in her home will really be what makes a more loft + modern space, warm. Next, I'll add some greenery to the room, which will give amazing life and energy to the space. I also love how green looks against black and white. I found this plush moroccan rug at wayfair for a GREAT price. It pulls together all the black items and adds a textural element to the room since we are opting for no curtains. The open windows in her loft space are so pretty.

That's it for now, will fill you in on more next week. Don't forget to check out my other fab decoristas and their ORC's:

Abby M. Interiors

Because It’s Awesome

Bijou & Boheme

Chinoiserie Chic

The Decorista

Design Chic

The Design Daredevil

Design Darling

Design Indulgence

Design Manifest

House of Turquoise

Jana Bek Design

Jill Sorensen

Maddie G. Designs

Mimosa Lane

A Piece of Toast

The Pink Pagoda

Stone Textile

Waiting on Martha

The Zhush

Trademarked by Calling it Home

my current mood: wonderful white.

I have a small obsession with Carolina Engman's all white and perfectly modern apartment. There is something so very fresh and fun about it. Although we are leaving summer and not supposed to wear white after Labor Day, I still love all white in the home. I'm inspired by her collection of pillows too. The palm leaf print steals my heart any day. This look is incredibly easy to achieve and totally budget friendly.

There is nothing like the modern white look to me. It's so fresh and fab and keeps things so clean looking. On another note, I also love the look in a more vintage setting. This way I prefer gold accents as opposed to silver, its just a bit more rich and lovely. It also looks better when the photos are so soft and romantic. This look isn't as easy to just whip together. There has got to be collected items that have been pulled together seamlessly.

image sources: fashion squad, jen ramos apartment, vintage luxe tumblr.

fall decor essentials: fur & fringe

Layering up for fall is what everyone talks about fashion wise. Well, what about home wise? You've got to always add your home into the 'stylish life' equation. I am all about adding and subtracting pieces as the seasons change. One thing I love to do is add textures. I think throwing fur {faux fur of course} all over the place is a definite essential for fall. I've never seen black and white fur before and I love this little office nook from afabchallenge.

Another thing I have noticed buzzing around are these chic little fringe things. Fringe is definitely in fashion, so these babies are right on trend.

I really like these little fringe things. You can find them all over etsy. I like this one.

images via. 1-design sponge  2- a fab challenge 3- apartment therapy 4 & 5- tumblr

Interior Inspirations: by photographer Angus Fergusson

I am completely head over heels in love with the work of photographer Angus Fergusson. His photos bring out the beauty of an interior space and show the power of color and vignettes. I am very much a fan of black, but at times I get apprehensive about layering it like in this chic vignette space. After seeing the magic in this picture I now believe that black layers equal complete sophistication.

On the opposite spectrum, I also see how beautifully non matching colors can go together. I think Miles Redd was once quoted saying "all colors go together", despite the color rules we all think we know. This photo is unexpected but perfectly peaceful.

Angus captures interiors so beautifully, no? It makes every finish and detail pop. I even think after these photos, I am now a fan of this exposed wood look. See more of his fantastic work at AngusFergusson.com

organized beauty...

I think this week is going to be organization week here on The Decorista. Yesterday I expressed the importance of an organized office. It is absolutely crucial for a happy home. This morning I came to the realization that next to the office, my vanity is everything to me. It's so important to have a clean and organized area where you get ready in the morning. I found this vanity and fell instantly in love. I love the glass cases on the wall to store beauty products. It's such a chic look. I also am obsessed with the way mirrored trays keep things looking clean and organized.

If I have learned anything about beauty, I have learned the importance of cleaning your makeup brushes. It affects the face and can get bacteria, so it is so essential to keep everything clean. I think its such a chic idea to store make up brushes in Diptyque empty candle glasses. When you have a few its a sweet uniformed look. I also love vintage glasses and vases for the same thing.

Shop the glam vanity look:

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Love this sweet article found on Vogue about beauty. Such great beauty inspiration. Now go out there and beautify your vanity. It will make getting ready so much more fun.

killer color combo: black. grey. white. wood.

I've been on the hunt for a studio space here in Austin. Things are getting very busy and I need a bigger space to work in. I've just outgrown things around here. I also think I am itching a bit to decorate a new space for myself. In just a short few months of being in Austin, my style has drastically evolved. It's a lot of fun to change, play and explore different styles. Austin has a lot of very modern spaces, which I usually am not really into but recently I am loving the vibe of loft life. One studio I found has a gray cinderblock wall which I sort of loved. Then of course my brain got to imagining the styled space and blacks, greys, exposed woods and whites started dancing through my head...

I love the way the modern color palate mixes with wood to create a warmer, cozier vibe. While its a more masculine combo, I think you can still make it feel feminine and pretty. Just a more sophisticated pretty.

Of course you can't forget how important the details are. I love exposed lightbulbs, wood accents, clear antique glass items, and of course vintage art. Portraits are so in right now so I've been on the hunt for those when I'm antiquing.

Whose ready to move now too?

Shop the look:

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images via vosgesparis, 79 ideas, rydeng

Currently Obsessed: Anthropologie hardware

The other day I was hanging with a girlfriend and we were chatting about furniture design, etc. It was brought to my attention that Anthro stepped their game up when it comes to hardware and sure enough, they have! I'm pretty much obsessed with everything  new they are doing. Lots of metallics and angles. Here are my favorites...

1. Prism handles. I'm obsessed with the shape of these.

2. Agate hardware. These are always so glam.

3. Gramercy knobs.  I absolutely love the contrast metals.

4. Geometric brass knob. This one is so current. I love it.

5. Saddle stitch handle. I love the elegance of leather.

6. Bee honeycomb handle. These are so charming, to add to any kids space.

image via Rue magazine

Paris apartment tour...whimsy & color

It's been taking me a minute to get adjusted back to the week. After having guests all weekend, I need a good time to recoup, reflect, prepare,etc. Monday was a slow start for me but today I'm finally getting back around to feeling sane again due in large part to coffee. What I love about the home, is that if decorated well, it can completely support you in life. I love my little condo and just looking around at beautiful things that are aesthetically pleasing and complement each other, it just makes me feel so good. I'm a huge believer in that. While black, white and gold are my happy place, I am certainly made happy by the colors of the ocean too and that was made obvious to me when I saw this room and the gorgeous blue sofa...

So, when I found this home, even if just perusing online, it did the same thing for me...happiness McGee. I love the grey wood flooring and the grey walls. That shade of grey is fantastic. It makes the blues and greens pop so beautifully. Not to mention the mix of brass and natural accents. That's when I decided that sharing this home was so necessary. A few things to note here, a painted ceiling. I really enjoy when an entire room is painted and not just 'ceiling left white' situation. The palm wallpaper in the breakfast nook. I've never really seen this pattern before, therefore I adore it!

The darkness of the walls and the light wood flooring is such a winning combo. This Parisian apartment just killed it for me. Colorful, yet still whimsical and modern with metallic accents. Yes.

images via AD Paris

Get the look: Romantic Modern Bedroom

I'm feeling like giving myself a bedroom makeover. I love my lilac and gold bedroom, but I am getting restless and want to change up the vibe. The moment I saw this bedroom I found on Style at Home, I stopped and decided to put together a little shopping board for this look. I want to call it a romantic modern bedroom glamour.

Shop it: pink bed / beaded chandelier white lamp/  bone inlay side table / pink overdyed rug/  gold greek key bench/  coral accents/ grey grasscloth wallpaper/ luxe fur pillow/  shabby chic ruffled bedding/  pink curtains 

bath talk: earth elements in the bath

Because my current projects are in the Austin area, many of you may have noticed I've done a lot more wood posts than normal. This town is all about earthy elements in the home, so I'm learning all about it. Right now I'm redesigning a bathroom and all the client wants is a zen like, earthy space. I've found that wood is predominantly the easiest element to work with and here are my current inspirations...

The second I saw this first photo, I thought, YES! This is a pretty cool bathroom, warm it up with more towels and rugs and we are good to go. I love the exposed wood around the sink and the wood shelving. It's pretty fun. I also think the circular stone shape of the shower is cool and goes perfectly with the floor. The grey and wood combo is such a pretty vibe.

Now if I wanted to go a little more modern with the bath, I would do something like this stone lined bath. SUCH a cool look with the aqua tiles on the floor. I love that pop of color. I imagine it would be pretty inexpensive to do, possibly a DIY, if you're up for the challenge.

I also love love love this after bath [found here]. This is pretty easy to accomplish if you have a great wood guy, I know a genius one who works in the NYC or Austin area if any of you need.  To mix up the wood look, the marble on the wall and subway tile on the floor makes it clean and modern. Although, I'm currently obsessed with wood flooring in the bath, if you can get it coated and water resistant. I live for this chevron pattern...

Now, if you aren't into redesigning your entire bath, I also think that just adding touches of wood goes a long way when styling your bath.

A few wood accents for a chic bath...

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pops of chartreuse

If you were to see my living room in person, its all black, white and gold. I've been thinking of adding some color to the mix but I'm afraid I'll hate it and be bothered every time I see it. On the flipside, if its the right color I may just love it. I don't want to do the usual think, teal or pink. I've been thinking of stepping outside of my comfort zone and adding a wild and bold color. Perhaps something that will transition nicely from summer to fall. On my list, Chartreuse.

Since my sofa is black, I think a pair of pillows like this could be ever so chic. I also love the idea of curtains that are bold, right now mine are black and they are ehh.

I also love chartreuse seating options...

A few options to bring this fab color in your life...

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image sources: 1- paul costello 2- kelly wearstler 3-domino 4-traditional home 5-pinterest

Magic in Madrid...

Hope you all had a fun Labor Day weekend. I had a whirlwind of fun in Dallas with my family. By Monday, I was laying on the couch perusing the web and vegging out. I stumbled upon Mudd Magazine, a new online interiors mag with super chic style. The Madrid home of Maria Llado took my breath away. All of the art has me ready for a bigger home & a bigger art collection. Just take a look at this magic.