Pendant Lighting

You'll never realize what a difference lighting will make to a space until you see it. You may be thinking yeah, yeah, lighting is boring..and unless you are a complete and utter nerd like me, the last thing you would want to do when you move, or buy a home is shop for lighting. Well, let me change your mind a little today. A few weeks ago, a new restaurant opened up in Charlotte called Bakersfield. If you're in the area you might have heard of it or even visited for a margarita and some tacos. But if you haven't been by - You must stop in and try it. Not only for the amazing tacos and pitchers of margs in mason jars, but the lighting is simply captivating. Endless amounts of strategically placed pendant bulbs hanging from the ceiling created such a warm and edgy atmosphere all at the same time.. and did I mention the Margs? YUM.

Check out some of my favorites:

via Remodelista

via House of Turquoise

via Lonny

via Purodeco

via my paradissi

Savoring Summer

Shop these Looks from CB2:

Shop the Extras:

Don't go putting away those bright colors just yet! I know fall is right around the corner but let's talk about how to get the most out of those spring/ summer brights & bolds.

A great way to get the most of that bright decor is by changing up the placement of it all. Take some time this weekend and stage up your coffee table with all those pieces. The great thing about spring and summer is that you can get away with mixing bright colors and bold accents - a little thing we like to call color blocking.  Come fall and winter, you don't need to put all those decor items you love so much away for the season per say... You could very easily separate all of the colors and add neutrals and mixed metals to bring the  feel of the decor right into the next season. More details on how to transition to come! As for now, what's your take on squeezing the most out of the last few days of summer?

Hosting & Toasting: Part 4

via Style Me Pretty

There are numerous ways you can set a table for an event. No matter what you may be hosting, when there's a will there's a way, right? To finish out this wonderful little mini series with The Blush Label, why not give you some inspiration and shopping ideas so you can bring the party into your home and be prepared to host and toast with your friends and family!

via The Perfect Palette

via Design Love Fest {includes placemat tutorial}

image

Here's are ideas for setting your table depending on whether your event is formal or informal. It's a great cheat sheet if you ask me! You'll look like a pro if you follow this!

via Alexan Events

Shop Dinnerware:

Shop Glassware:

Shop Dinner Party Extras:

And don't forget to check out The Blush Label for all of the table linens you could need! Placemats, cocktail napkins, they've got some darling patterns and colors!

Mixing & Matching

Tables, Tables, Tables.... Once you've got your upholstery items all settled into your humble abode and ready for some wine and movie nights with your friends, you're going to need something to set the wine and cheese down on {am I right?} Here are my top 6 picks for both coffee tables and side tables. I love mixing and matching different finishes with styles to create the finished look - Who says you need to buy a matching set?

And you can bet that there's a selection for any kind of budget in my picks! From Ikea and Target all the way to Crate & Barrel and West Elm - You've got all the selections right here! Whats on my wish list? I've got my eye on coffee table #1 and side tables #4 & #5!

Which ones would you mix and match? Comment below to share your favorites!

Shop Coffee Tables:

Shop Side Tables:

Look For Less

Bungalow Blue Interiors | Atlanta Homes Magazine

This week's look for less is so simple and sophisticated I can't even handle it. Mixing different shades of one color and layering textures with it is on trend right now! If you love the trend of doing just that but are afraid you won't be able to pull it off this Look for Less will show you just how to do it.  And I promise you there's no better color tone to do it with than Neutrals.

Neutrals are so easy to find in wooden accents, rattan furniture, rugs, decor, anything really! Mix in some added touches of gold and you are good to go - I was so inspired by this image from Bungalow Blue Interiors, I couldn't help but recreate it with my own little touch! Here is today's look for less with the perfect use of neutrals:

This is the perfect example of using Ikea products wisely and mixing pieces in with other brands to complete the look. This creates a high end feel within the space, rather than using all Ikea products which can often give off the look of a college apartment... You all know what I'm talking about.

I also saw the perfect opportunity to use this gold starburst mirror and I pounced on it without thinking twice. I've been swooning over for a month or so now... but seriously, it's been in my "shopping basket" for that long.

The Look:

Chairs: Ikea | $30 each

Coffee Table: CB2 | $349

Side Table: Target | $59

Table Lamp: Target | $25

Mirror: Target | $35

Pillow: H&M | $14 {cover only}

White Vase: Target | $20

Black Vase: Target | $15

Flowers: Target | $13

Paint: Benjamin Moore | Horizon Gray

Shop the Look:

Small Style Sofas

Following up with yesterday's post, let's continue with small scale furniture and take advantage of today's Wish List Wednesday to help you find the perfect fit for your home! If you are in the market for small scale furniture in the near future here is a great list for you. I have compiled my top five favorite small scale furniture pieces and they are each under $1,000! Large upholstered items can get pricey especially with a designer tag, but these have the designer look and won't break the bank!

Tip: When shopping for a small scale piece of furniture, you can often reference 3 types
1. Loveseat | a small sofa typically designed for two people
2. Settee | [se-tee] a long upholstered seat for more than one person, with back and arms
3. Apartment Sofa | smaller version of a sofa usually running 66"-76"in length

1. Rue Apartment Sofa | cb2 | $999

2. Skyline Tufted Settee | Wayfair | $952

3. Tufted Loveseat | Target | $387

4. Skyline Velvet Settee | Wayfair | $543

5. Pennie Sofa | Crate & Barrel | $899

Shop These Pieces:

Will one of these pieces be in your home or apartment?

Small Scale

Apartment living can be tough. The adjustment to a small space can take some time getting used to, and you might think that taking mom and dad up on their generous offer of the old sofa from the living room is a good idea for a few reasons.  It will save you money, yes. It might also help ease the adjustment of leaving home for good and venturing into your own place.  What you haven't thought about.... that old sofa most likely weighs more than you and your friends bargained for when you decided not to hire movers to help you move into that second story walk up. And lastly, that sofa is probably way too big for your studio apartment wherever it may be.

As we near graduation season, the job offers are becoming real and reality of the big bad college grad world is knocking at your door. If you are most likely going to find yourself in the situation of a small apartment, then listen up because this one is for you! 

Let's talk small scale furniture. It doesn't have to scream, I live in a dollhouse - But it can also be functional. It all depends on how you style it to fit the space and make it your own. Here are some of my favorite small scale furniture looks:

via DesignLoveFest | sofa cb2

via mom toob | Pinterest

via Better Homes and Gardens

via Plum Pretty Sugar

via hip hip gin gin | Pinterest

A few tips when shopping for small spaces; choose compact furniture. Skinny frames and leggy uphosltery pieces will make the room feel as if less space is taken up. Mixing light, bright and metal furniture will make the space feel open with less clutter. Stay away from sofa's and chairs with skirted bottoms that make pieces feel low to the ground and create the illusion of less floor space.

Love these looks and want to know more? Stay tuned for some shopping finds fit for a small scale apartment!