Furniture Faves II: Beautiful Furniture Brands for the Home

I’ve come to love unique and stunning furniture more and more everyday as I design new spaces. The shops to buy furniture from are nearly endless! There are so many choices, so many styles, and so many different price points available. All of these products and styles makes a lot of room for truly unique Furniture Packages to be born. One of my favorite parts of design is pairing furniture pieces together to craft a particular vibe, and the styling options are endless!

One of the most dramatic ways you can spruce up a space in your home without going full-renovation is to change out your furniture. Even just a couple statement pieces can make a huge impact to the feeling and style of your space. Go bold with a brand new sofa and armchairs, add barstools, entryway tables, side tables, and storage credenzas and you’ve got yourself a completely different space than before. You can always work within a budget to find statement pieces you’ll love to freshen up your home.

This is my second Furniture Faves blog post, and I’ll be sharing a couple more great vendors that I hope you’ll love too! If you see anything you like and need some help putting together a furniture vibe for yourself, let me know and we’ll get started on your vision.

CB2

You may be familiar with Crate and Barrel, but CB2 is a smaller spin-off brand with a lot of interesting furniture and decor! Their style is geared much more to unique and eye-catching aesthetics - think statement pieces with fascinating uses of materials that really make you say “wow that’s cool.” They also have very timeless modern pieces in quality materials like solid wood, leather, and stone. Their pieces are an overall fan-favorite in the design industry for their fresh and design-forward approach.

Citizenry

The Citizenry has some of the most beautiful combinations of leather and wood furniture that are budget accessible. The supple textures of the leather paired with the slim profiles of wood make for timeless pieces that bring a warmth of casual-ness to your space with the edge of maturity to round it all off. Their style is very artisanal and pairs very well with “natural” atmospheres. They offer everything from furniture to lighting to decor and are always releasing the cutest styles of trendy, yet refined rugs, textiles, and home goods. They are a great shop to compliment almost any style.

Dania

This is your one stop shop for classic, simple, mature furniture for any room in your home. Dania has a wide selection of furniture drawing inspiration from Scandinavian styles, Craftsman styles, and Mid-Century styles. Their collections are an easy way to source quality furniture sets that will pull your whole room together - shop for a bed frame, nightstands, dressers, and end tables that all match seamlessly, and throw in a couple lamps and a rug and you’re all refreshed! These styles aren’t as flashy as some brands though, they let the simple elegance in their pieces do the talking.

Burke Decor

Burke Decor has a very wide stylistic catalog of statement furniture pieces. They carry a lot of beautiful pieces with luxe materials like boucle, velvet, leather, marbles, and solid woods. Their pieces are very form-forward with shapes and colors that pair beautifully together. Their products are on the pricier side for the casual home-buyer, but their jaw-dropping styles are likely to leave a lasting impression.

Serena & Lily

This brand has a lot of collections perfect for Beach vibes in your home. Beautiful natural seagrasses and woven textures, light woods, and serene blues. Their limited selection has some hidden gems that I’m sharing below. I personally think some of their pieces are a bit too beachy, but these pieces below have a beautiful versatility to them. Having grown up in a coastal town these vibes warm my heart with relaxed sunny feelings and make me yearn for that fresh ocean breeze.

Which of these brands are your favorite? Any stand-out pieces here that really caught your eye? If you’re interested in getting a curated Furniture Package for a room in your home, fill out my contact form and we’ll get something started!

**I am not affiliated with any of these brands and do not make any revenue by sharing their content

Don’t Start Your Dream Home Project Without Calling on These 5 Experts

Guest Article provided by Tina Martin at IdeaSpired.

If you have decided to have a new home designed and built, it’s important to work with the right people to make sure building your dream home doesn’t turn into a nightmare project. This is because there’s a lot more that goes into creating a custom home than many realize.

What’s more, it’s important that your architect, engineer/builder, interior designer, and landscaping designer work together to ensure the home has a tight, cohesive feel. Ensure that you have everyone hired before making the jump; this way, they can collaborate naturally as the project comes together.

From the time you first break ground to when you’re having the finishing touches added to the interior and landscaping, getting all the details right requires certain professional skills. And if you get the details wrong, it could end up costing you both time and money. 

That’s why Stella May Interiors and Design offers the following tips and resources to help you get that dream project started right.

Real estate agent

When you are shopping for your perfect piece of property for your future home, you will need to work with a reliable, licensed realtor who understands what you are looking for and will help you stay within budget.

• Find a great real estate agent by checking out reviews, and getting referrals from friends, then interview prospective agents to find one with whom you feel you can work well.

• Talk to your realtor about how much you can afford to spend on land, based on your comprehensive buying and building budget.

Architect

A good architect will communicate with you about what you’re imagining in your future home, and create the plans and designs needed to make it happen.

• Learn everything you need to know when hiring an architect.

• When you choose an architect, make sure you find one who has plenty of designs in their portfolio that reflect the aesthetic you are looking for.

Builder

The builder is an extremely important person for your project because they will be coordinating the efforts of many other professionals and working with the others on this list to get the actual practical building work accomplished.

• Find an expert and trustworthy builder by reading local reviews and getting recommendations, as well as by meeting them and talking about your plans in person.

• Always have a contract drawn up specifying stages of the project, completion dates, and incremental payments.

• A good builder will arrange for the services of subcontractors needed to get your house built, such asground workers, plumbers, electricians, and heating/cooling experts.

• A good builder will probably be pretty busy, so start looking for someone as soon as possible, and don’t be surprised if you have to wait as long as six months before they are ready to start.

Engineer

The engineer’s job is to oversee every phase of construction to make sure the house you’re having built will be structurally sound. You don’t want to have your dream house falling down on you!

• The engineer will make sure the grading is tended to correctly. This includes the process of excavation, leveling, drainage around the house, and right of way or environmental concerns.

• They will also make sure all materials used are correct and in good condition.

• The engineer will work with your architect to be sure what they design will function and be safe.

Designers

Your home is not complete until the interior and the exterior have been finished with designs that suit the landscape and the home style.

• A landscape architect will oversee the external design of your home, including land and water management, land design, and garden layout.

• An interior designer from Stella May Interiors and Design can create a home interior that’s stylish, elegant, and functional. This will include lighting, furnishing, color choices, and materials.

The experts you work with should be people you feel you can trust with your vision. They should be prompt and professional and respect your concerns. It’s important for you to communicate with them well, and make them aware of any changes in your plans or budget, too, so you all maintain good and cordial working relationships throughout the process.

Stella May Interiors and Design is a spirited designer and creative visionary with a passion for sparking joy through comforting wholesome design. Let’s get in touch.

Image via Pixabay

Boho Chic Style in the Home

Cozy, textural, vibrant, and warm. Well-traveled, curated, and authentic — these are the layers of joy that make up the boho chic style.

Today we’re sharing just a couple quick tips for bringing the boho chic style into your home. We’ve joined up with Redfin to include a couple words of inspiration for homeowners and DIYers on bringing the boho style to life in their own homes. For more designer advice on what makes the boho style so unique check out Redfin’s latest blog post on 17 Designer Must-Haves for a Boho Vibe at Home.

Layers

Boho style is all about layering - layering colors, layering patterns, layering objects, layering plants, layering lighting, layering rugs, and layering memories. To decorate with boho in mind, really go for it! Put up all your favorite prints, all the unique trinkets from your travels. Think unique and let your decor tell a story of where you’ve been and what you love.

• Layering rugs of different styles and patterns on top of each other

• Layering mounds of colored, patterned, and textured pillows into cushy corners

• Layering cherished objects and plants on shelves together - hand carved figurines, wooden bead embellishments, trailing vine plants, terracotta pots, and flickering candles

• Layer curtains of different weight - sheer, heavy linen, velvet, and macrame

Color

Boho colors really aim to inspire in a warm, sunny, fun, but natural feeling way. Besides the popular sandy clay tones and turquoise hues, try to mix in some deeper saturated mustards that add a bright pop to your palette, some rusty reds to bring in more warmth and contrast, and soft sage greens that round everything out with a natural touch. Set the stage for these colors with creamy textured soft neutral tones. 

• Creamy neutrals

• Sandy clay tones

• Turquoise hues

• Saturated mustards

• Rusty reds / terracotta tones

• Soft sage greens

Statement Pieces

Furniture and lighting in a boho setting want to feel authentic, welcoming, balanced, but also a little bit funky. Kick it up a notch and introduce some unexpected pieces- these could be massive wicker pendant lights that make a statement, or lounge chairs and dining chairs with a more sculptural form - the arch shape in rattan furniture is hot right now! As long as these pieces are textural, warm, comfortable, and emphasize natural materials like wood, rattan, and cotton, you’ll be golden. 

• Natural woods, thick leather, soft cottons, cushy wools and sheepskin

• Textured rattan, wicker, wooden beaded, woven touches

• Play with size and form variation

• Emphasize statement pieces

• Focus on comfort

• Introduce draping and layering elements

Texture

Lots of varying textures is what sets the boho style apart from most other styles! There are many ways to introduce texture into your home, through furniture, decor, rugs, art, and accessories. The more handmade and well-traveled these textures feel the better!

• Mixing in soft furry pillows next to tight woven couch cushions

• Placing heavily knotted macrame next to the shine of polished stone.

• Papery accents and brass metal accents next to rough terracotta and brick textures

• Layering rugs of different materials - like simple woven jute with fluffy cushy wool or authentic sheepskin

• Rich smooth wood next to supple leather

• Add furniture pieces that have rhythmic layers like wood dowels, or concentric details

• A lush vibrant plant in a hand-thrown ceramic pot

Pattern

Introducing pattern is really where the boho vibe can come to life. Bringing in influence from Mediterranean patterns, Indian patterns, southwest patterns, and eclectic styles like mid-century modern can make for striking bold statements. Some of these can be vintage or from other countries to craft a well-traveled aesthetic. Look at the following places to introduce pattern:

• Rugs

• Bathroom tile

• Kitchen Backsplash tile

• Blankets and pillows

• Accent wallpaper

Visit our Home Pinterest board to see more boho inspired styles!

Cutie Dishware & Decor Shops

Let’s talk about dishware! Curated style even down to what’s in my kitchen cabinet is something I really cherish. I know - they’re just dishes, right? But they’re a piece of your home that you interact with daily. Having a set of pieces that contribute to the overall style of your home and bring you joy every time you eat, snack, or dine is well worth it! I’ve been slowly building up our kitchen set, along with other decor in my home that fits our personal style - handcrafted, textural, minimalist, and a little bit boho. Personal style aside, I’d love to share some of my favorite shops that I look to first when searching for new dishes and decor.

Lone Fox Home

This small business carries some of the trendiest yet accessible pieces for the modern home stylist. A lot of their pieces have unique character to them without feeling too chained to any one style. I particularly love their selection of vases, planters, mugs, and bowls. But if you see something you like, you better get on it because they often sell out fast!

Vizzini Vintage

I absolutely love to shop local and second-hand when I can. This shop is my favorite Portland based Vintage shop for all my solid home decor and dishware needs. Think antique vases, handmade ceramic dishes, glass centerpieces, unique vintage sculptural items, even some one-off furniture like this glass coffee table. I’ve styled my own kitchen with a handful of gorgeous pieces from Vizzini, all of them one of a kind from their site! If you’re looking to really bring character and authenticity into your home with pieces that tell a story - that is exactly their mission and this is your kind of shop. This online small-business vintage shop is a real gem.

CB2

This well known brand is always hitting the mark on trendy and timeless home decor. If you’re looking for some simple dishware pieces that support other pieces already in your kitchen, they have a ton of selections that can go a long way. Some of my favorite styles from them really emphasize getting the form and balance of the pieces right with flair coming second. Everything pictured here is simple yet elegant and charming.

Creative Co-Op

This cute shop has some really charming and unique kitchen and home decor! Their style merges the artisanal touch of hand-stamped prints on ceramic with the accessibility of reasonable prices. I discovered this brand in a local grocery store that featured rotating seasonal items, they’re a great place to look if you’re shopping for patterned pieces that bring a little color or graphic into your home.

Zara Home

A more recent find for me, this shop really packs a punch of playfulness into their pieces that is unlike any other. I love the textural feel and unique shapes their collections have. This is a great place to source a featured item, like a centerpiece or special vase.

And there we have it! There are definitely more shops to consider when thinking about adding pieces to your kitchen or other spaces, but these five are a great place to start with styles that do not disappoint! Thanks for reading, and visit my “Home” Pinterest board for more home and decor styles.

**I am not affiliated with any of these shops and do not make any revenue by sharing their content

Practical House Hunting Ideas for Your Home-Based Business

Guest Article written by Tina Martin from ideaspired.com

Image via Pexels

According to the Institute for Economic Policy Research, about 42% of Americans work from home. With more people finding innovative ways to make money without leaving the comfort of their own house, now’s the time to start the home business you’ve dreamt about.

If your current residence doesn’t have the space you need to run a business, it may be time to upsize with your career and family in mind.

Envision More Space

Talk to your real estate agent about the space that you need. Before you begin your home search, decide on a budget. Be sure to include some wiggle room, especially if you’re planning on modifications to your new home to better suit your business. This might include things like a privacy fence, additional parking, a separate entrance for clients, and a client restroom and waiting area. 

While changes may vary in accordance with your final choices, get some estimates so you have a feel for what to expect. Then, with your overall budget in mind, make a list of your business’s needs and your family’s needs. Organize your list by must-have features and bonus features.

When looking at homes, keep your business and how it functions in mind. Be sure you select a property that is spacious enough for you to be productive. Think about things like whether there will be room for your business to grow, and what that will entail. You might need spaces for equipment storage, for instance, or a spot for surplus supplies. 

Speaking of Storage

If you use a computer at all for your bookkeeping purposes, client communications, invoicing, and so forth, give some thought to how you store your data. As Comparitech explains, you’re responsible for the sensitive information you collect. Getting hacked can be a costly experience, not to mention a hassle to resolve, so take steps to protect the information that passes through your business by using proper passwords, payment software, firewalls, and so forth. 

Protect Your Assets

There is another aspect of protection worthy of your attention, and that’s your own personal assets. When it’s time to choose a legal structure, many small business owners opt for an LLC for this reason, but there are other benefits, too.  An LLC provides you with flexibility for when you grow, and there are certain tax advantages. Just be careful about filing in accordance with your state guidelines; ZenBusiness offers some instructions on how to form an LLC in Oregon.

Think About Privacy

While running your business from home is flexible, you still need to set up boundaries. Set aside a time to work and a time for family. Let your family in on your schedule so that they’re less likely to interrupt, and ideally your office should be away from family traffic areas. Some people who work from home find it helpful to have ways to indicate that they cannot be disturbed. This can be as simple as a sign on your office door.

Aim for Curb Appeal

If you meet with clients, business partners or other professionals at your residence, your property needs to stay well-maintained. Curb appeal is critical to a good first impression. During your house-hunt, think about the neighborhood. Would your guests feel comfortable driving through it? Neat landscaping makes a big difference in how inviting your home is.

If the last owners didn’t invest in landscaping, analyze the yard’s potential. Consider hedges or garden beds for the property. Make sure that your family can keep up with the yardwork or hire a landscape professional.

Search for Parking Options

Clients and other guests require parking if they visit your business. Be sure to discuss parking with your real estate agent. Some neighborhoods may have restrictions. Think about how many guests you may have at your home at any given time. Would one open spot in your driveway be enough? Will your guests need to use street parking? Keep HOAs in mind when you’re considering parking. If the cars become a nuisance, you may make enemies out of your new neighbors. HOAs may also have specific rules regarding parking.

Check Local Rules and Regulations

In addition to looking into parking regulations, you’ll need to do plenty of research about operating your home-based business within the confines of your neighborhood. For example, zoning laws may restrict the type of business that you can operate out of your home. You may need to contact your local zoning board to obtain waivers or a zoning variance to legally operate your business from your home. Additionally, you’ll need to check with your Homeowners Association and look over your deed or lease to determine whether your home-based business violates any ordinances regarding noise or traffic. Last but not least, you may need to obtain special permits if you intend to put up any signage for your business.

House-hunting is always an adventure. It can also be incredibly daunting. When looking at properties for your home-based business, make sure that you let your realtor know what you need regarding features, location and other amenities, and they’ll have you in the perfect home in no time!

Transform your home into a space that inspires relaxation and mindfulness with Stella May Interiors & Designs! Complete this form to learn more.