#DAcoachhouse: a plan for the bedroom

I absolutely loved how my bedroom turned out in the last apartment. The custom patterned headboard, the pink lamps, the Eiffel Tower "Alaina" bedding. It was girly to the umpteenth degree and just what I needed in that home. I would have kept everything the same if my job wasn't what it is; but of course, Danielle and I plan on featuring our new place somewhere (fingers crossed a favorite home decor mag, but we'll see), which means I have to mix it up. Magazines and decor sites don't want to publish something that's already made the Pinterest rounds. "Old news" so to speak.

Before showing ya'll the plan, I like to recap how I got to where I currently am so maybe you'll better understand where I hope to go... (so profound)

my bedroom on move-in day

Once I was bit more settled - clearly needed a rug and curtains. Problem is the ceilings on our second floor are crazy low, hanging curtains would look a bit goofy. And all of the curtains I own are hella long from the high ceilings in my last apartments. So curtains and brass rods are sitting in a closet. Sad.

Then I rearranged... I really didn't like how the dresser covered one of the windows. AND I ordered my dream mirror from Wisteria that I've been wanting for forever, and I didn't think leaning it in front of the window would work. I kept the room like this for a couple of weeks and I quickly learned I preferred having access on and off the bed from both sides, and walking in and seeing a big blank wall was just not cutting it. 

I developed a plan to put a gallery wall there and went to Minted.com to curate a black and white look. Did you know Minted sold art? Neither did I! I saw an ad in Domino Magazine. Hmm turns out advertising does work!

It's pretty brilliant actually. You can favorite whatever items you like and then create a mock-up of what your gallery wall will look like. Pretty fun. I knew I wanted a mixture of photography and paintings/drawings. See below:

The prints I ended up choosing were (clockwise from top left):

Landing by Neeta Sawhney

Almond Milk by Carolyn Maclaren (because almond milk is my favorite)

Desert Diptych by Annie Clark

Construction by Becky Nimoy

Embrace by R Studio

You can also add custom framing, which was relatively inexpensive compared to most custom frames.

I also found this brilliant work of art and new it was meant for the bedroom. I love things that are a little cheeky.

Moving right along... I knew the bed would have to go back against the wall it was originally on, so I moved it back a couple of days ago. Sometimes I just wake up motivated and make things happen. In an effort to keep the ball rolling in the room redesign, I went to West Elm and picked up their Jute Boucle rug in their lightest color, Ivory, to see how it would look. (It's been a favorite for years; it looks great with any style and you can't beat the price point.)

I came home, laid it out, and it turns out, I love it in the room. The rug looks perfect, actually. (This photo doesn't do it justice.) It brightens the whole space and makes it much cozier.

 So here's the new plan (which I didn't mention, I put together back before I even rearranged the room to begin with). I am embracing this neutral-only apartment (my roommate/business partner is adverse to color). And because I didn't really ge to appreciate the bar area in my last apartment (I put it together three days before having to pack it up and move out - solely for the purpose of a photo shoot!), I wanted to recreate something similar. Blacks, whites, gold, a smidge of gray, big gallery wall. Sleek, contemporary,  sophisticated, lived-in, and cozy at the same time. Or at least that's the goal.

SHOP THIS LOOK:

Mirror: Wisteria

Lamp: LampsPlus

Dresser: Kathy Kuo Home

Pouf: Joss and Main

Rug: West Elm

Roman shade: Pottery Barn

Nightstand: West Elm

Wall Sconce: Schoolhouse Electric

Antlers: Kathy Kuo Home

Art: (see above)

Headboard: Kathy Kuo Home

Throw pillows: Eskayel (these are sold out but I am OBSESSED and want something similar)

Blanket: Schoolhouse Electric

Sheets: Crane and Canopy

Duvet: Serena and Lily

I love so many different styles... contemporary, graphic, cozy, rustic, frilly and feminine, French country, glam, relaxed beachy country... It's really kinda crazy actually. So I'm attempting to kind of throw it all together in this space and just embrace it. Hence the plaid throw and antlers, paired w/ a gold gilt mirror refined dresser, and sleek wall sconces with graphic photography.

Most of the gallery wall is up. I'm still waiting on the headboard and wall sconces. But so far I love it! Here are a few sneak peeks.

After I started to hang the gallery wall, I quickly ran out of black and white art. So I flipped through an old issue of Vogue, last year's issue w/ Tina Fey, and ripped out a favorite snapshot of one of my favorite role models. I think she works well on the wall!

And then there's this grouping, which I lovelovelove.

All Adventurous Women Do needlepoint art from Furbish

Antler trio very reasonably priced compared to others I've seen from Kathy Kuo Home

So that's that! I unfortunately won't be able to show photos of the finished product until it's photographed and "published," which likely won't be for a long while (hoping next winter).  But I'm always posting sneak peeks on my instagram, @alainakaz! Just follow the hashtag #DAcoachhouse to see snapshots of the whole place.

Thoughts?!

Shop This Shop: Kathy Kuo Home

Over recent months I've come to learn of some really great home decor brands popping up online (some aren't new, but they're new to me). Friends are always asking me "Where do you shop?" or "I need a mirror/sofa/rug/fill in the blank - where should I look?" I obviously have my favorites (West Elm, CB2, Joss and Main, etc.). But I really wanted to start sharing these new finds with all of you. So here's a new little series called "Shop This Shop," highlighting my favorite products from my favorite new stores.

First up is Kathy Kuo Home, a New York-based furniture retailer owned by designer of the same name. The RISD-educated entrepreneur has curated the most beautiful collections broken up by style:  French Country, Industrial Loft, Rustic Lodge, Coastal Beach, Global Bazaar, and Hollywood Regency (French Country and Industrial Loft are my two personal favorites). I am actually getting a couple of items from her store for my bedroom redesign (including a new headboard! more on that soon).

I literally got lost in a daze, browsing the beige, gold, and grey products for a good hour. Do I want this headboard or that headboard? Do I want this labrador silhouette or that antler trio? Then I started browsing categories I didn't even need like chandeliers and pinning like crazy, planning my imaginary dream home. Every item on every page is lovelier than the last.

SHOP MY FAVORITES:
chandelier | mirror | lantern | headboard | lab print | coffee table | foot stool

What's your favorite item of the bunch?

LCY Yard Sale: Neutral queen-sized upholstered bed!

Hey everyone! So I bought a new bed off Joss and Main on a complete whim and found a different headboard on sale elsewhere that I actually want instead.  I know I am crazy. No need to tell me.

So I am selling it! It's literally never been used. The base is still unassembled in a box. Super neutral, nailhead trim, works in any space.

Cash and carry!

Asking $300 or best offer/highest bidder. Retails for over $500 on Wayfair.

Email me at alaina dot lcy at gmail dot com! Would love to see it go this weekend!

Ladyplace: The "Office"

Well the peekaboo shelf arrived faster than a Jimmy John's sandwich. And it's perfect! Just what I needed for storage, a place to stow the printer, and some extra surface area (for paperwork and the like).

So I figured I'd snap a few good photos not with a camera phone to better paint the picture of how this space is coming together...

 

Not too shabby!

Not entirely sure what I want to do with my desk chair. If I keep it I desperately have to re-cushion and recover the seat. It feels like I'm sitting on a piece of plywood for 10 hours a day. Also not sure I want to keep the pink in the office area or just go completely neutral in these rooms (entry, living, work, and dining). I'm thinking neutral. Also not sure if I want to even attempt to hide the kitchen floor. The tile is pretty grimy... I was thinking a gold speckled hide. Or something soft in color like this one from Lulu and Georgia. But I'm worried it'll be too many rugs at the point. And I'm not sure how comfortable I'd really be having animal skin. Faux hides exist right? I need to look into that.

That's all for now, folks!

GET THE LOOK:

Ladyplace: Plans for the Entryway

I love that my teensy apartment has a formal entryway. I find the separation of rooms charming, and I want to make a Wow! impact for guests when they arrive (and to put a smile on my own face when I walk through the door). Wallpaper is out of the budget and the question, because let's be honest, who knows how long I'll even live here... but I'm thinking stripes are a perfectly suitable alternative!

Behold: the inspiration

I definitely want to do vertical since it's a small space and no single wall is especially long. And I want slightly wider stripes (like the powder room shot above) - I'm worried thinner stripes will feel like a jail cell.

My entryway has been nothing special at all since moving in. Mostly a holding area for my old coffee table, shoes, and dog paraphernalia.

Until FINALLY, I was able to get a perfect entryway table. It was difficult finding the right size because it  couldn't be too deep, and I definitely wanted it to offer some kind of storage. I knew I wanted a light color since I was going to put black on the walls. 

This white wooden 3-drawered option from Overstock works perfectly!

It's also available in grey and a washed mint, both of which I was considering. But ultimately, I knew I wanted LIGHT and BRIGHT.

As you can see, that door straight ahead leads to my bedroom, but I've decided to leave it permanently closed since it's the only wall space in the bedroom that fits my dresser. (As you can see in my full apartment tour before I moved in, the bedroom has two entryways.)

You can also see I'm finally getting my letterpress European series framed properly thanks to affordable custom framing at Framed and Matted! Those will be hung here in the entry. But more on that later.

Still lusting after this French gilt mirror from Wisteria (which is conveniently out of stock). 

Not sure what I'll do about the rug. The jute one I got off Joss and Main simply isn't the right size and the door gets caught on it. Fooey. Maybe a flatweave from Dash and Albert. Don't know... we shall see. This is a heavy traffic area and the rug will get very dirty. But now I'd be hesitant to put dark or a pattern on the ground since I'm going striped walls.

Help! What do you all think?!

UPDATE: per reader Annie's suggestion, I moved some things around and instagrammed the new arrangement. LOVE it. The door looks like a great architectural accent instead of a secret, unused door. Thanks, Emily!

Ladyplace: Living Room Details

Today I thought I'd share with you some of the details to my wee lil living room.
Sofa is Pottery Barn Carlisle, rug is from Joss and Main, brass curtain rod and curtain are West Elm.

My Paris-inspired gallery wall complete with my own letterpress print of the Eiffel Tower.
You can purchase here.

The pillows on the sofa. Per everyone's suggestion, I removed the pink one, and am left with:
grey trellis from Serena and Lily , black and white spotted from Furbish Studio,

and gold polka dots from Caitlin Wilson Textiles.

Styling the new coffee table is a bit trickier with the different layers and round shape. I've included some of my favorite magazines, a vintage sterling silver tray I picked up at the Brown Elephant for $5 - I use it to store photo booth and polaroid photos (got this idea from my friend Caitlin Flemming), the marbled box is from Furbish Studio, and that beautiful white and gold candle is from a boutique in Charleston.

When I downsized, the only two pieces of furniture I was able to bring with me included the couch and the bed - the two pieces I never wanted my dogs on. So it was time to finally get them a bed they'd actually like. Unfortunately, the styles at Costco and Petco just weren't cutting it. Thanks to Harry Barker for this stylish black and white toile bed. It's the medium size so it's large enough for both of my 25-lb furfriends. They love it. And I'm happy.

This will inevitably change, but for now the $30 brass end table I got in Craigslist is showcasing a few decorative pieces from my old place. The milk glass lamp, the faux topiary (I can't keep real plants alive), a candle, some coasters, and my favorite porcelain horns that are Jonathan Adler but I got from Furbish Studio.

photos by Alaina Kaczmarski

Black, White, and Read All Over

I moved one of the sapien bookshelves that had been in my office out into the living room. The fact that I've always liked the look of books in living spaces combined with my ADD for rearranging my own home made this an obvious choice. But my brightly colored books were too saturated for my neutral living room decor, so I made a bold - yet perhaps crazy - styling decision.

I decided to show only the books with black spines, and turn around all others so that their white or yellowed pages faced outward.

I added in a few accessories: a vintage camera and an antler, both of which I picked up from last year's Randolph Street Market, and black and white box from Jo Malone that I thought was pretty and decided to keep.

And voila! Neutral-colored bookshelves for my black, white, and grey living room. I know it seems silly not being able to see the names of the books but 1. I've read all of them already anyway so it's not often I find myself reaching for one and 2. the openness of these shelves make it very easy to flip a book around and see what's hiding.

Thoughts?

Note: My vertical spine shelves were from West Elm, but they no longer sell it. You can find a similar style at CB2 or Design Within Reach.

alaina's notebook: style with black

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

New Apartment sneak peak: living room/dining room

After three in a row, I am taking a little break from Kindred Spirits. But no worries, another will post at 3pm today!

Instead, I thought I'd give you an update of my apartment. As you may recall, it looked like the following three photos when I signed the lease. Fortunately, the landlord already had a contractor doing some work on the place, so they let me pick out the new paint color for the interior walls. I went with a light grey - Behr's Dolphin Fin to be exact (swatch shown at end of post). When I walked into the apartment last week and saw the finished result, my face lit up like a kid's on Christmas morning. I looooooooove it. Love. Love. Love. Oh, and did I mention I LOVE IT?! (Please excuse the awful lighting fixtures. They are staying, and there ain't nothing I can do about it.)

Before...

view of dining room from living room

view of living room from dining room

dining room upon entering the apartment, living room on right

and now!

dining room - so much brighter! (despite being shot in the daylight)

view of dining room from living room

view of living room from dining room

I love how much more the two rooms flow together. I want this to be more of one great room for entertaining, rather than separate rooms. Mission accomplished, I'd say.

and my favorite shot: the living room bay windows!

*my new office is that door on the right

To add a teensy bit more detail to the sneak peak I last showed you here (along with my neutral-palette inspiration for this space), here is an expanded snippet of what the room will feature. Included is my newest obsession - the mirrored wall sconces from West Elm - Christmas gifts from two of my dearest. Thank you, thank you!

I know the room is looking a tad West Elm/IKEA weighted... but that's because I'm dealing with online photos. I can't wait to show you the revamped chairs and table for the dining room - both CraigsList purchases. All in good time, my pretties... all in good time.

Nice and neutral.

I've been going back and forth with how to decorate my new apartment. I've played it safe by buying neutral furniture pieces (most of them used - I love you CraigsList) and I made the obvious choice of painting the walls grey (who's not surprised?), but in terms of adding some color, I remained confused as ever. Some days I like blues and greens. Other days pale pink. Always yellow. But I have big plans for my grey and yellow office. But when it came to the living room/dining room combo, I was stuck. Then I kept seeing neutral rooms on blog after blog after blog... and realized, "Yes. Stick with neutral." If it's not broke, don't fix it, right? The space will include various hues of brown, taupe, grey, and white, with pops of color coming and going in the form of holiday decorations, flowers, and throw pillows.

So with the following images in the back of my mind, I am hoping to make an inviting and relaxing space great for both entertaining and cozy movie nights with my boy and the puppies.

Sit back, relax, and wish you were getting an invite to the first game night...

Elegant and simple. Great window treatments.

Love the natural wood elements in this room. Must find and acquire immediately.

A grey (faux?) fur throw just like the one I purchased not too long ago... perrrrfect.

The couch and chair I'll be using have similar coloring to the seating in this photo. My West Elm couch is a cream/beige (you'll see below) and the chair is off white.

Love the artwork in this photo. And the bar. Double inspiration in one shot. Shnazzy.

Will hopefully get a lucite coffee table similar to the one pictured here. Fingers crossed!

Pretty, eh?

So here is the room... and yes, I am referring to the brighter room with the bay windows and awful ceiling fan/lighting fixture combo. The space in the foreground will be the dining room.

And here is a tiny peek of what the room will look like!

I don't actually own the chair pictured (it belongs to my friend), but I own the couch version of it in that same color. I bought it along with the Andalusia rug off CraigsList for an uber good deal. The charcoal, animal print pillow and fur throw are mine, both of which I plan on using on the couch. The wall color is Dolphin Fin by Behr.