8 Oct 2015

One Room Challenge: Week One
13

Good morning!

What are you guys doing for the next six weeks?

As I mentioned a month or so ago, since resigning my lease here in New York I am on a mission to give my bedroom the appropriate love and attention it so deserves. Living in a rental is hard, especially in New York. Things can change so fast – roommates, jobs, buildings can be sold, bedbugs are real.. the list goes on. My main challenge with living in a rental in New York is that I never know how long I’m going to stay. A year can go by so fast so I never want to invest too much in furniture as it may (literally) not fit into a studio whenever I move out of here.

So anywho, after talking to Gabby at length about this she suggested I take part in the One Room Challenge as a guest since my redesign was pretty much lining up with the fall go-around. Linda from Calling It Home was also nice enough to convince me. So here we go. With whole new year on the horizon I have decided to freshen it up around here and will be documenting my re-design process along with the One Room Challenge!!

I’m working with several amazing brands and can’t wait to share my progress with you guys over the next six weeks. Let’s get to it, shall we?

BEFORE:

Lauren-Nelson-Apartment-Home-Tour

Lauren-Nelson-Apartment-Home-Tour-2

Bedside-Table-Accessorizing-Lauren-Nelson-Apartment

Lauren-Nelson-Gallery-Wall-3

Here’s what needs to get done.

  1. My super needs to paint these beautiful (and dirty) white walls of mine. I’m very excited to be partnering with BEHR on my paint color! After visiting Home Depot, I realized how many paint colors there are to pick from. How is a girl ever to decide?

Paint

I have determined I want a shade of blue (surprised?).  After living with one gray wall for two years, I’m so over it! Once I narrowed down the colors, I painted three different sheets of paper with my top picks and taped them to my wall. What I’ve learned is that it’s important to look at the samples at different times of the day as the light will effect how the color appears on your wall. Which color is your favorite?

Lauren-Nelson-Bedroom-Update-2
2. I need a whole new gallery wall refresh.

3. These gray and white striped curtains have got to go.

4. Sam inspired me to invest in custom bamboo shades! So I will be partnering with the Shade Store to get these made! My samples are below. There are so many beautiful options – need to figure out the best option given my paint color and curtain material.

Paint-2

5. Speaking of curtains, also need some beautiful new hardware – particularly brass.

6. New bedding! All of the new bedding.

7. A fun and colorful rug.

8. A new piece of art for above my bed which has already gotten delivered.

9. Update my bedside table situation. I would really like to invest in a desk since I mostly work on my couch or bed at the moment. It’d be nice to have a more formal work space in here – somewhere…

1o. Last but not least, debating on investing in a new mirror for above my dresser. This one below I picked up from a flea market in Connecticut for $15 dollars. It might be about time to get a new one… thoughts?

Bedroom

Every Thursday I’ll be posting about my progress so be sure to check back next week.

You can keep up with all of the participants and guests in the One Room Challenge right this way!

One-Room-Challenge-Guest-Participant

 

7 Oct 2015

French Bistro Chairs
2

One of my absolute favorite things about Paris is everyone sitting outside the cafes or restaurants no matter what time of year in french bistro chairs! It’s very apparent that french bistro chairs play a major role in the chic-factor of Paris.

Not only do french bistro chairs compliment any restaurant or cafe, they look quite pretty in your home, too! I always seem to be drawn to spaces incorporating french bistro chairs whether they are mixed with a refined wood table or a white marble countertop. There’s doubt that I will most certainly invest in some french bistro chairs in my next apartment!

Today I’ve rounded up some of my favorite options you can shop today.

Serena and Lily have the ultimate selection or bistro chairs ranging from dinning chairs to bar stools in various colors. William-Sonoma also has a great version that would compliment any breakfast nook. Last but not least, Wayfair has a very affordable bistro chair option that comes in numerous colors. Are you a fan of this look? Xo. Lauren

French-Bistro-Chairs-1

Victoria-Hagan-White-Kitchen-French-Bistro-Chairs-Bar

French-Bar-Bistro-Chairs

French-Bistro-Chairs-5

Screen Shot 2015-10-07 at 8.25.10 AM

Screen Shot 2015-10-07 at 8.25.57 AM

*Image 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

6 Oct 2015

How To Decorate With The Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
3

The fiddle leaf fig tree lives in hundreds of stylish rooms across the country, it’s no wonder why the top interior designers love this ultimate indoor plant! With it’s bright green leathery leaves and various sizes, the fiddle leaf fig tree can up the stylish factor in just about any room.

I blogged about the fiddle leaf fig tree last year when one of my girlfriends was looking for a low maintenance plant for her new apartment. You can see some of key tips on how to care for your fiddle lear fig tree here.

In the meantime, I thought it was only appropriate to bring back my obsession with the stylish plant and round up 8 amazing interiors where the fiddle leaf fig tree easily makes a statement! Xo. Lauren

How-To-Decorate-WIth-Fiddle-Leaf-Fig-Tree

Fiddle-Leaf-Fig-Tree-6

Fiddle-Leaf-Fig-Tree-2

Fiddle-Leaf-Fig-Tree-7

Fiddle-Leaf-Fig-Tree

Fiddle-Leaf-Fig-Tree-3

How-To-Decorate-With-Fiddle-Leaf-Fig-Tree-2

Fiddle-Leaf-Fig-Tree-5

Image 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

18 Sep 2015

Home Tour: Studio McGee Nails Coastal Prep
1

Bonlay-Dresser-Coastal-Prep-Interior-Design-Lauren-Nelson

Gold-Mirror-Coastal-Prep-Home-Tour-Lauren-Nelson-Interior-Design

Serena-and-Lily-Rug-Interior-Design-Coastal-Prep-Lauren-Nelson

Coastal-Prep-Interior-Design-White-Drapery-Lauren-Nelson

Bungalow-5-Chairs-Dinning-Room-Lauren-Nelson

Table-Scape-Styling-Blue-And-White-Interior-Design

White-Wingback-Chair-Pillow

Navy-and-Leopard-Print-Coastal-Prep-Lauren-Nelson

There’s nothing I love more than a little east coast design inspiration. I have been a fan of the design firm Sutdio McGee for quite some time. Shae McGee’s aesthetic is on point and she is one designer I very much admire. Each home she designs includes blues, whites, and a whole lot of print. Yes, please!

You can shop some of my favorite pieces from the feature below.