Look for Less

The thing I love about creating a 'Look for Less' is that you can see what it looks like before you put all the time and money into creating the space in your own home. {Also a great reason why E-Design services are becoming so popular and I will be offering those soon! Stay tuned!} What would we even do without Pinterest these days?? Today's look for less from The Glitter Guide is so simple and neutral as a whole, but when you focus on the key pieces within the space, it's made up of bold statement pieces that are all very useful and reusable {great for those indecisive decor lovers!} Let's go over these great statement pieces, shall we?

1. Simple, Modern Bookshelf - Investing in a bookshelf that has simple, clean lines will be a piece that you will never want to throw away. Whether it's simple in price, design, materials or all of the above it's a must have for bringing some height to the space and showcasing those decorative items.

2. Neutral Mid Century Sofa - This space only has room for a small love seat but it doesn't even matter. It's still beautiful. Following along with the clean lines, mid century style upholstery is great for just that. I'm loving this love seat from One Kings Lane. Also, check out this great guide to the perfect {inexpensive} sofa.

3. Small Scale Gallery Wall - You can proabably figure out by now that I love a good gallery wall. Most people find them very overwhelming not only to layer and piece together but also once they're up due to there always being so many items hanging in one spot. This take on a simplified gallery wall blends similar tones with gold/ brass accents. I love mixing shapes and items such as this mirror, this decorative hanging, and this piece of abstract art.

4. End Table - Finding an side table that works as a unique piece is very key in such a neutral space like this. I love this brass side table from Urban Outfitters but this would be the perfect opportunity to test out your thrifting, DIY skills.

5. Industrial Accent Chair - Mixing decorative styles and elements is a very hard thing to do. But it's definitely possible... especially if you're seeing how great this space works. Here's the perfect example where mid century meets industrial and I love every part of it. These chairs from Dot & Bo are a steal compared to some similar chairs in this wire style.

6. Statement Lighting - As much as I love the brass pendant lighting in this space from The Glitter Guide, I know that hanging a pendant light or chandelier wouldn't be too practical for anyone in an apartment like myself. Take the light to the floor but don't to loose the statement by keeping it bold and tall like this one from One Kings Lane. This also brings in the industrial style like those chairs above... {see how I tied it together there?}

7. Mixing Throw Pillows - Another difficult thing to do is pattern mixing. It seems scary at first but this is a great example of how to make it work with no stress. Mix a colored geometric pillow like this one with a metallic pillow like this one. TA-DA!

8. Statement rug - Here is where you can get creative and add your own touch to this space! Most likely, you already have a rug you own.. or you have a rug in mind you want to purchase. The good news about this look for less is that it's so neutral that you can put just about any rug in this space and it will work. Suggestions? Go colorful but subtle in pattern. I'm loving this one, and this one from Target.

{via The Glitter Guide}

FURNITURE:

DECOR:

Look For Less

I've been swooning over this bedroom revamp from The Hunted Interior since Kristen posted the reveal a few months ago. I pinned this image immediately and I just can't get enough of it. I love the wall detail with the fawn wallpaper and the crisp whites with brass accents and pops of color. The entire space has been pulled together so beautifully, I've recreated the look so you {and me!!} can get this look in your home too!

There are a few key pieces you'll need to pull this look off. Once you have these items you can add in other items and finishing touches to make this your own. Throw in a small vase with flowers, your favorite, neutral area rug and you're good to go!

1. Upholstered Headboard - I love this one from target, but you can always check out flash sale sites like Joss & Main or One Kings Lane.
2. Desk - Instead of a nightstand, Kristen from The Hunted Interior used this desk {custom made, read her post here} I love this simple writing desk from target. It's the perfect size & you can spray paint the handle to add more brass accents to the space.
3. Ghost Chair - The ghost chair is a very trendy piece of furniture right now. With some of them reaching as much as $400-$800, this one is a steal at $100!
4. Multicolored Pillow - You can find a multicolored throw pillow pretty much anywhere these days. Geometric, tribal, anything you would like. I'm loving this one from CB2!
5. Oversized Mirror - I'm loving the contrast of the wood framed mirror in this space. There are tons of great mirrors out there, this one is very similar. I also love this one and this one.

{via The Hunted Interior}

Comfy Cozy

via Sally Rhys-Jones

Back in June, this beautifully soothing bedroom was featured in Adore Magazine. I remember flipping through the pages of their online e-magazine and seeing this beautiful space but moved on thinking, I'll come back to it. Well, a few weeks back I pinned the same exact image to my bedrooms board on pinterest and I immediately saved the image to my desktop. I mean, how could you resist? Look at it! It's perfection!

What's even better? There's a ton of items and ways in this one singular image to help transition your bedroom to the fall//winter months.  Start with your basic white bedding, keeping the furniture you have, and adding some candles, a faux fur throw, a few snazzy pillow covers or some decorative pillows, and a new basket and there you go. Comfy, Cozy and ready for fall! Your sunday mornings spent in bed reading a book will thank you later.

Nightstand // Table Lamp // Blue Pillow // Brown Pillow
Faux Fur Throw // Basket // Tray // Candle // Candle

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?

Home Office {post grad}

via The Everygirl

Alright, Alright. You're past your college days and you want something a little more..... "sophisticated" a little more how I like to say "big bad college grad". I know I've been posting a lot of back to school lately but hey, it is that time of year right? Why not {i know i've got some college readers out there too!}

This one is for all of my fellow college grads like myself.  Whether you work from home, or you are a blogger like me and want a little inspirational corner for your writing and creativity - Here's a great home office space that I've been loving lately. {Full Disclosure: This featured space from The Everygirl is an amazing post including not only once home office space, but 3! Check out this post to see more details on how to style a desk 3 ways!} And here's how to take it home with you!

Shop this look for less:

I can honestly vouch for the desk lamp and the old school clock. I swooned over them til I finally gave in and bought them and they are perfect for my bedroom! On another note, the white elephant and the cheetah print pillow... I'm coming for ya! Which items will you be adding to your wish list?

Eclectic Essentials

Image via Design Love Fest

I'm almost positive I've had this Pinterest image pinned and tucked away for just about six months now. I LOVE all of the bright and bold colors that come together to make this mix and match living room have such a cozy eclectic feel.  All of these pieces are very easy to at a budget friendly price - Especially since they are not all part of a matching set! I'm all about mixing and matching recently... {see yesterday's post} This look would be great in a small apartment space whether it's a New York loft or just a quaint little studio apartment in the city somewhere, smaller sofas and high legged chairs and furniture pieces are great for making a small space appear larger! 

Side Note: mint, navy ANNND gold..? Don't tempt me.

Shop the Look:

Look for Less

Better Homes and Gardens

I just love these two colors together! A good gold and royal purple combination looks great in this stark white bedroom. With the pop of gold, add some touches of washed wood and you've got yourself the perfect beachy-boho bedroom oasis! Read more about how to decorate small bedrooms here.

Shop the Look:

This or That

Looking for something to finish up the look of your living room, or just want to achieve a fresh new look with your space but not re-do the entire thing? The easiest way to achieve either of these is to focus on a smaller space within a room. Working with smaller spaces is great for people like me who are a little on the impatient side and love the immediate satisfaction. {instant gratification is great, yes?}

Thinking about the living room specifically - a perfect example is to focus on a singular side table and accent chair.  This can be of any style and color. The best way to start this would be to find the large pieces {i.e., side table and chair} and bring in your accessories around those. This will ensure that you're accessories will mix well and bring everything together. Note to self: if you already have these two items, say... they're passed down or you found them while at a consignment shop and you think they might not work together, go with it. I bet depending on the smaller items you bring in it'll all come together.

When in doubt - grab a table lamp, artwork or a mirror to hang, stack a few books and place a candle on top of them for an effortlessly styled look! Now, here are two looks I have created that are very similar but give off a different feel with the end result.

1. Hints of blues and a slightly nautical look

2. Hints of gold giving an easily antiqued look

Shop these Looks:

So what do you think? This or that?? Let me know which one you would pick!