Our First Place: Making Our Rental Our Home

My boyfriend and I moved into our own place this past August and we love it. We fell in love with the coastal style of the development and all of its amenities (not to mention super close to work). Since it's a rental we've been trying to make it feel like home piece by piece - as far as our budget and it being a rental allows. We literally moved in with just our clothes and bedroom furniture - we had to start from scratch. Now it's a little over a month later and we are pretty darn proud of how it has come along considering our budget. My boyfriend definitely gave into some of the more feminine items I loved since he set up his media center along the main wall - it's all about compromise. We chose to place the sofa in the center facing the TV because of the recommended viewing distance from the TV and sofa. It does make it feel more cozy and we love watching movies there. Since we are loving how it has come along I had a photoshoot with my fellow west elm home stylist, Katherine Schwingel. She got some great shots and now I get to share them with you :)

Our apartment features:

West Elm

Origami Coffee Table / Quinn Sofa in Frost Gray / 

Balcony Bistro Dining Set / Antique Tiled Wall Mirror /

Parker Mid-Century Round Dining Table / Mini Abacus Lamp /

Scoop Back Chairs / Gold Leaf Gallery Frames /

Solid Silk Hand-Loomed Pillow Cover / Jacquard Leaf Silk Pillow Cover / 

Quilted Acrylic Glassware / Carla Peters Sand Glaze Vase /

Clear Acrylic Tray / Reclaimed Wood Display Shelf

Target

Threshold Windham Console Table / Threshold Basket /

Threshold Brushed Silver Linear Shaded Floor Lamp /

Black Gallery Wall Frames

Other accessories/decor from Ikea, Homegoods, World Market + more.

Xo,

Industrial Finds

I'm into many different design styles. I love a well put-together, eclectic space. Rustic, mid-century, modern and industrial are all styles I love. Here I put together some on-point industrial items I've found browsing some of my favorite sites. I'm loving the cobalt blue industrial stool from Rejuvenation the most - it also comes in many other colors. Which one is your favorite??

1 / 4040 Locust Copper Pendant / Urban Outfitters

2 / Felicia Meda Console / Joss & Main

3 / Aiden Coffee Table / World Market

4 / Industry Chair / CB2

5 / Industrial Kitchen Island / West Elm

6 / Industrial Pipe Adjustable Rod / West Elm

Xo, 

Design Styles / Contemporary Design

Simple colors & patterns yet a warm and an inviting atmosphere constitutes contemporary design. Mixed with keepsakes and personal photographs it can be very "homey". It focuses on the simple lines & curves of the 20th century & what is currently in style. On the other hand, it can be very timeless. Modern & contemporary design are used interchangeably but are in fact quite different - a contemporary style incorporates softened lines and curves as opposed to the stark, straight lines in modern design. I chose a bunch of contemporary items so if you're into any of these than you may have met your match!

1. Benchwright Display Coffee Table / Pottery Barn

2. Crawley Pendant / Joss & Main

3. Crewel Pillow Cover / West Elm

4. Dillon Widespread Faucet / Restoration Hardware

5. Hand Tufted Autumn / Nuloom

6. Henry Sofa / West Elm

7. Jonathan Adler For Kravet Brown Vertebrae 

Area Rug / Jonathan Adler

8. Linen Barrel Counter Stools - Set of 2 / World Market

9. Shifting Pyramid Tray / Deny Designs

10 . Threshold Tray Top Table / Target

11. Faust Accent Chair / Living Spaces

Xo,

(Sources: HGTV.com, Houzz.com)

Outdoor Pillows: Fun, Stylish & Reasonable

You may have already purchased your outdoor pillows for this spring and summer season but if not here are a variety of fun, weather resistant pillows that would work in a bunch of different style outdoor spaces. What's great about pillows is that that you can buy new ones at any time and change the whole mood of your space. What's not to like about that?? 

1. Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Outdoor Square Decorative Pillow / $12.49 / JC Penny

2. Outdoor Ogee Pillow / $39 / West Elm

3. Hello Yellow Pillow / $34.95 / CB2

4. Threshold Navy Chevron Pillow / $12.95 / Target

5. Pisa Square Outdoor Pillow / $18 / Home Decorators

6. Coral Outdoor Pillow / $35 / Grand In Road

7. Outdoor Stripe Tile Pillow / $12.95 / West Elm

8. Green and Aqua Dotted Ikat Outdoor Pillow / $24.99 / World Market

9. Calliope Jute Trim Pillow in Spice / $25 / Pier 1

10. Weverly Awning Stripe in Turquoise & Cream / $22 / Outdoor Pillows on Etsy  

There you have it - a bunch of my favorite outdoor pillows & they all come at a reasonable price. The list could of definitely went on but I think I gave you a good start :) Each site has tons more options you can check out also!

Xo,

Nautical Accents for your Home

If you're like me than you have a soft spot for anything nautical. Especially since spring is here and summer is around the corner, incorporating a few nautical pieces may be just what your home needs. Whether you are looking for some new items for your beach house or your beach-inspired space up in the mountains, these nautical accent pieces are some great finds for any space. All of these items would work with most of your existing decor such as a fun doormat and some burlap throw pillows which are a perfect way to gradually add some nautical fun into your home without going overboard (no pun intended) and will look great year-round, too. Enjoy! 

Xo,

Accent Tables Under $100

While searching the internet for inspiring home decor like I usually do, I couldn't help but notice all the fabulous options for accent tables & the best part is they are all reasonably priced at under $100! That's when it struck me to share some of my favorite finds. Whether you're re-doing a space in your home or redecorating for the spring, these accent tables will give a little personality to your home - as a nightstand in your bedroom, an end table in your living room or as an outdoor side table. Some may even come in more colors than shown so check them out - Enjoy!

Xo,