Happy Sunday

Happy Sunday everyone! Mine consisted of getting over a cold and headache but I am feeling better and ready to start my week. My swatches from MotifPillows on Etsy came the other day and I finally placed my order! I ordered two of these handmade shibori inspired pillows for our bedroom and another swatch to be delivered. You may be thinking, "What the heck is shibori and who puts that much thought into just pillows??" Well to answer part one, shibori is a type of Japanese handmade dying technique dating back to the 8th century so each pillow made with this technique is a meticulous one-of-a-kind piece. To answer part two, me! and I am not the only one. Pillows are just one simple way to make a huge impact and quick change to a space which is why I love pillows and all textiles so much. I don't mind spending a little more for a handmade pillow and supporting small businesses! Excited for my new pillows to come in... once I can find a new rug for our living room, I'll be looking into new pillows in that space, too. Oh, and here's a sneak peak of my newest painting's palette I recently finished :) Stay tuned for the next post on my new piece!

xo,

Lauren

Dream Bedroom Mood Board

Hi there! If you have read any of my recent posts, you know I'm currently in the process of finding new pieces to refresh our apartment. So far, we were able to swap out our coffee table with something that fits our space better and is more functional for us. Finding a rug and media console that also fits our needs and wants is actually much harder than expected - especially since my job is interior designing! Go figure. In the meantime, I came across some mood boards for my dream apartment that I created a few months ago if I really was going to start from scratch and stay within some budget. I wanted to share my dream bedroom because, well, I just love it and thought if I could inspire others with this post than it's worth sharing! I would definitely add additional pieces like an accent chair with a side table, leaner mirror, dresser, etc but this would be the overall look I would go off of that I just love. See below for all the sources! Enjoy :) 

Bed / Slub Velvet Edlyn Bed / Anthropologie

Nightstands / Alexa Nightstand / West Elm

Rug / Elo Rug - Ivory / RH 

Lamps / Colton Table Lamp / RH Baby + Child

Stools / Cooper Leather Stools / Serena + Lily 

Art / Maria V Cano - Malibu / RH 

Pillows / Black Hawthorne Stripe Pillow / Caitlyn Wilson Textiles

Lumbar Pillow / Elizbeita Pillow - Violet / Lulu + Georgia

xo,

Lauren

2017 Pantone Color of the Year: Greenery

This year the Pantone color, Greenery, is celebrated in designs and decor of various styles around the world. If you're not familiar with the color of the year here is a little info. Each year The Pantone Color Institute announces a symbolic color selection; a color snapshot of what is seen taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and attitude (Pantone.com). 

The Pantone Color Institute has put together a collection of palettes that incorporates Greenery in a sophisticated way that relates to what all of us around the world see in nature (can see all palettes here). I have since seen Greenery in many different designs that range from modern to eclectic to  traditional. I usually gravitate towards more of an emerald green, but I put together a mood board using Greenery as an accent below that displays a more mid-century aesthetic using one of my favorite chosen palettes by Pantone; Deep Rooted. Are you a fan of this years Pantone Color of the Year??

Medium Mid-Century Wooden Lamp / Rejuvenation

Audrey Nightstand / west elm

Mid-Century Leather Tufted Bed / west elm

Linen Edlyn Ottoman / Anthropologie

Velvet Tillie Armchair / Anthropologie

Hand loomed Shine Rug / west elm

Arabic Print Wall Art / Anthropologie

Hot Pink Abstract Wall Art / Anthropologie

Tulips in Lesterware Wall Art / Anthropologie

Grasscloth Wallpaper - Silver / Serena & Lily

Pillow Me Ikat Throw Pillow / Etsy 

Belgian Linen Flax Ikat Stripe Duvet and Shams / west elm

Warmest Throw Yarn Dyed - Poppy / west elm

xo,

Lauren

**Disclaimer: Images and information from Pantone.com used in this post**

Create the Look: Studio McGee's Office Retreat

Hi everyone! I am starting a new theme of posts every week dedicated to creating looks by some of my favorite designers. I browse social media and blogs often and get inspired continuously. It's always refreshing to check out others work and get ideas. One that I particularly love is Studio McGee. Shea McGee and her husband, Syd, started their design adventure together after realizing that design was their passion. I am constantly inspired by their work and find myself wondering where they find all of the beautiful items they include in their designs which lead me to this post. I absolutely love this office design below - it is so open and light but at the same time bold and curated. I find myself gravitating towards designs like these where you will find minimal pieces paired with natural, and organic elements and it never hurts when there is stunning art involved. Below you will find a list of items I sourced for you to create this same look! If you have any inspiration photos that you are loving and want to send them to me to create a post like this, feel free to contact me and maybe you will see it in the coming weeks! Enjoy :)

Spotlight White Desk / Crate & Barrel

Vintage French Round Fabric Chair / RH 

Lido Isle Baskets / Serena & Lily

Natural Off White Cowhide Rug / Cowhide Imports

Embossed Wood and Metal Tray / World Market

Small Rippled Cylinder Vase / Target

Samual Kane - Inky Love / Z Gallerie 

Sara Brown - Romance Story / Z Gallerie

Drawing Room Blue 253 - Farrow & Ball

Symmetry Objects / west elm

Striped Angle Marble Bookend / west elm

20th Century Library Double Sconce / RH 

XO, 

Lauren

Bring it On, 2017

Hello all and Happy New Year! It's been quite some time that I haven't made a post (I feel like that is the start of the last few post's I've done) but I am back! This year I am committed to doing a few things that I been thinking about for quite some time. For more than a year, I've been pondering the thought of getting my degree in Interior Design versus taking individual classes, or just gaining as much experience as possible without taking any classes. Although I have been gaining invaluable experience, I would love to take classes to learn the different computer programs which ultimately leads me to my first goal of 2017 - to apply to FIT and start classes this year. My second goal is to own my art business. Lately, I have only been creating custom paintings which aren't always what I want to paint. I would love to create one piece each month or two, and post it on my Etsy page. I have fell off of my Etsy, too, as I haven't kept it up to date at all so I really would love to take the time and create paintings that I love and mean something to me, and if someone wants to purchase it, even better :) My third goal this year is to design a whole space whether it's my own or another's and enhance my portfolio. I can create space plans and mood boards, but I would love to see them come to life in one's home. My very fourth goal is to learn Spanish. I have taken Spanish in high school and two years in college so you would think I could speak fluently by now but that's not the case. I think it's so beneficial to know another language, and this is the year I am going to try my best to learn Spanish as fluently as possible. So there it is! I know it sounds like a lot, but I feel like if I stay committed and set timelines for myself, I can reach them all. I encourage all of you to continue to follow your dreams, whatever they may be. The below quote couldn't of said it better. Stay tuned for my next post!

PS. Redesign of my blog coming soon :)

My Office Design

I think I've been pretty good about this blog thing lately ;) If you haven't followed along until now, I've been on the search for pieces to complete our new(ish) apartment in NYC. There are many things we still need but overall it has been coming together -- more pics to come. I've just been itching for my own office area. We only have a one bedroom right now and even though our living area is quite large, my boyfriend has his desk set up there. So I've been thinking and although the kitchen table has been great, I'm off to create my own little office in our bedroom. That way I can have my desk where I can sketch and blog but also set up my easel to paint. I've already purchased my desk from CB2 and my desk chair which I got from Wayfair. I am on a budget and for those two pieces so far has cost me under $300 which is not bad for a desk AND chair that you love, right?! I would of loved to scope out flea markets but I just don't have the time right now let alone a vehicle to transport items like that. SO I've gathered the pieces I've picked out so far to complete my "office". One of those pieces is an original abstract art piece by Jen Ramos from Made by Girl. The exact painting I am referencing below has been sold but I am most definitely getting one once there are new ones to purchase. Definitely check out Jen's page when you can because it is amazing and so inspiring. I can't wait to see it all come to life! Stay tuned.

desk / cb2

chair / wayfair

pelt / rhteen

palm print / society 6 by the aestate

beach print / society 6 by fit + fab

abstract painting / made by girl by jen ramos

lamp / joss & main

frame / lulu & georgia

geometric decor / west elm

calendar and notepad / sugar paper la

metal paper organizer / target

xo,

Lauren

Home Furniture Favorites: Joss & Main

Happy Sunday! As I've been searching around for pieces for my new office area, I came across Joss & Main which I love but I couldn't get enough of their newest categories (and their prices!). So I put together some of my favorite furniture and decor items all under $200 to share with you. If you're not familiar with Joss & Main,  their other family brands you may know are Wayfair, All Modern, Dwell Studio and Birch Lane. Which piece is your favorite? I have to say I'm a sucker for marble and brass so I'm really loving their Bubble Task Lamp :)

Celeste Velvet Bench / $147

Bubble Task Lamp / $98

Clive Bed / $195

Jamie Side Table / $152

Mei Porcelain Table Lamp / $175

Jeweled Terrain Framed Giclee Print - 11x15in / $99

Reina Side Table / $128

Kinsey Bar Cart / $171

xo,

Lauren

Hello 2016!

Well hello everyone. It's been quite some time since my last post! Thanksgiving, the Holidays and the New Year flew right by. 2015 was a great year for me all around - I painted often and participated in art shows, moved back to New York (although I dearly miss CA), started a new position with Restoration Hardware, and my sweet niece and Goddaughter, Andriana, was born. I cannot wait to see what 2016 has in store for me. My goal is to push myself to take my art and blog to another level and focus on growing in the design field. I'd love to see where it can go if I truly put my all into it. In the meantime, I've had my eye on some new pieces for our place so I wanted to share a sneak peek. Stay tuned for which ones end up in our home :) 

1930's Martini Side Table / RH 

Go-Cart White Rolling Desk / cb2

Mini Industrial Cage Lamp / west elm

Parisian Cornice Single Shelving in Black Oak / RH 

Reclaimed Russian Oak Parquet Coffee Table / RH

Vintage Steel Desk Chair in Antiqued Brass / RH Teen

xo, 

Serena & Lily Fine Art

Whoa, it's been some time since I've posted last and not once did I post in October. So much has happened -- birthdays (including mine), a trip to Boston for the first time, the launch of RH Modern in the gallery I work in, and the list goes on. It's also been 3 full months since my boyfriend and I moved into our new place and it still isn't complete. I have so many ideas but there really is no rush. I've been browsing through websites for art to complete our kitchen space and living room and came across Serena & Lily (I actually didn't go on their website for art at all but did fall in love with their art collection, naturally). I absolutely love finding and exploring new artists, especially since I'm a painter myself. I thought I'd share some of my top picks with all of you. There's way more so it's definitely worth checking out the website. Enjoy :) 

"Faceted Gem #1" by Natasha Marie

"Underwater Plantlife #7" by Jennifer Ament

"Indigo #1" by Jenny Prinn

"Flight" by Stephanie Sherman

"Stormy Sea #2" by Jerry Schwabe

Xo, 

New Obsession: RH Teen

Okay guys, I'm about to show you some serious eye candy. Just last month Restoration Hardware announced RH Teen -- and just by the teaser photo, I was already so excited. Now with the new website up and running, there is SO much to be excited about and it's no joke. These pieces can be used in adult spaces as well as teen. Pricing is less than RH Home but that's not saying too much but at least you DO know the quality is there. These pieces are truly something teens can grow into and have for years to come -- that's what excites me most. Here are some of my favorite photos from the new website ( I have to come up with a list of my favorite items). Oh, and for those of you who don't know I now work at Restoration Hardware so I can't wait to get my hands on some designs where I can include some of these items. Definitely check the new RH Teen website out for more! 

How amazing are these spaces? I'm loving it all but the decor is especially 

on point. Enjoy!

Xo,

I'm Back!

So, we made it back to New York and found our own little place again, actually for New York City it's pretty darn big. I've been super behind on my blog but I am going to step it up again! Even though I design and style for a living, putting together our own place has been quite the task. We brought back a few main pieces of furniture like our bed, dining table and chairs, and media console. Although stressful at times, I do really enjoy getting to decorate our own place again. We live in a pre-war building so our apartment is large, has high ceilings, and character that is just hard to find. We definitely didn't get that in California....even though palm trees and beaches were nice. Anyway, it's still a work in progress for sure! Here are some new pieces that have come in or are coming in soon. We are both so happy with how it is coming along :)

Rug in kitchen under table // Urban Outfitters

New entry console // Pier 1

Curtains in bedroom with same rod // west elm

Dresser in bedroom // west elm

Bedroom rugs, two on each side of bed // Target

Love our new living room rug // west elm

Laguna Beach print for above bed // Society 6 

Pendants in bedroom // Urban Outfitters

Stay tuned to see where all these pretty little items end up and follow me on instagram @laurenmaiorana to see more up-to-date photos while we make our new place home again!

Xo,

SoCal Rental Condo Design

Well hello everyone. It's been quite some time but I am back! Things have been crazy on my end, not only are my boyfriend and I moving back to NY (from the other side of the country) but I have been juggling more than a couple larger design projects and custom paintings. Although I've been up-to-date on my social media, I've slacked on coming up with posts for you! But now that one of my designs have been approved and is now in the works, I decided to share the same mood boards I presented to my client. Oh, and I would totally live in this space myself...just saying. You'll see many shades of blue and touches of yellow and gray. This rental is right by the water so I really wanted to bring the outdoors in and compliment the beach. I chose to stick to a complimentary color scheme for most of the space. Stay tuned for after photos :)

I post more on my social media so follow me @laurenmaiorana on instagram and @lauren_maiorana on twitter (icon links on main page) to see more design and art by me!

Xo,