I was so excited when I saw that Tory Burch launched her home line. I’m not even a little bit surprised that she is entering the world of home decor. If you have stopped by any of her retail locations, you probably have noticed the design is right on point. The tabletop collection is comprised of dishes, coffee mugs, decorative boxes, brass frames and needlepoint pillows to name a few pieces. The entire line is classic and timeless but I especially love the hand-painted dishes with the blue and white speckled pattern – so prep. The classic color combination reminds me of 19th-century English ceramics. The Spongeware dish colection can truly be used for any occasion and would also look amazing if you mixed and matched pieces.
I recently came across this picture online from Maggie Stephens Interiors. One of the main reasons I was drawn to this image was mostly because how clean and airy the room appears. The gold mirror combined with the brass pineapples on the mantel provide a great focal point for the room. In addition, the team at Maggie Stephens Interiors was not afraid to mix patterns and colors. i.e the greek key pillow on the couch + the floral patterned pillows on the white chairs. Rugs and pillows are probably two of the easiest ways to mimic a room fast and not to mention they are relatively easy to swap out when you get sick of the color/pattern.
When it comes to getting the look, One Kings Lane is one of my favorite destinations to scope out similar products I see in images online. You can search and shop “black and white rugs” pretty easily to find one that suits your needs. And as many of you know, shopping for large pieces of furniture like coffee tables, upholstered chairs and couches can certainly come with a higher price tag. Luckily One Kings Lane provides a wide variety to choose from that can fit both your budget and your style. Although I love the wood detailing of the chairs featured in this room, I opted for these dumont chairs from One Kings Lane (love the black pipping).
The one product that was quite hard for me to find – surprisingly – was the gold round mirror above the mantel. You would think one of the major retailers would have something similar but I literally could only find this West Elm version here – which is in grey for $179. I do like the West Elm version because it does have the simple aesthetic like the one featured below but come on peeps, we all know I love gold. If any of you know where to find this gold mirror below, could you drop me a line? All in all, I would still move in here. Thoughts? Xo. Lauren
I was browsing through my Design Eye Candy pinboard on Pinterest the other day and I noticed how many of the rooms I have pinned have the classic Moroccan diamond rug perfectly placed under beds, kitchen tables, and couches. Take Domino Magazine for example, you will notice these shaggy rugs in just about every home feature.
Traditionally Moroccan rugs were woven by tribes for utility rather than decorative purposes. The people of Morocco utilized the carpets as bed coverings, saddle blankets, sleeping mats and even for burial purposes. You also may notice that Moroccan rugs have various designs. It is known that most major cities in Morocco have a unique style or design characteristic that distinguishes their carpets. Each design is traditionally passed down from weaver to weaver. The Moroccan rug design I am referring to from my Pinterest board reign from the Beni Ourain people. They almost are always in a neutral palette (ivory background with brown or black geometric lines), and have a shaggy pile.
Although these rugs have been a staple in the decorating world for almost a century it seems like in the past few years they have really caught on. It wasn’t long before retailers caught on to the craze until they started designing look-alikes. If you ever shopped or purchased one of these, you know how pricey they can be. Authentic Ben Ourani rugs can be thousands of dollars but luckily companies like Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, Jonathan Adler, One Kings Lane and West Elm have more affordable options. So what do you think? Do you think Beni Ourain rugs are too trendy or timeless?
This post is inspired by my friend Steph. A few months ago, her and her boyfriend moved into an amazing one bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village. She recently asked me about what type of plant(s) she should look into getting for her apartment. Now there are several things to keep in mind when it comes to city living and investing in plants or indoor gardening. First, is space. For example, my apartment is a one bedroom convertible so the living room is not ideal for incorporating a large plant. Luckily for Steph, she has a lot of room to work with so this isn’t quite an issue for her.
Secondly, do you want to indoor garden? Whether this be with herbs or flowers, having a large windowsill or at least an area where you know gets regular sun light (which is also questionable in a New York City apartment) is key.
My third question for her came down to upkeep. I asked her how interested she was in watering/feeding a particular plant. I totally understand that some people don’t want to deal with the maintenance of having plants in their apartment so easy upkeep is important.
Insert the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree.
They are pretty easy to grow and don’t need special pampering so I’ve rounded up a few popular questions and key tips to help you master the art of Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree survival.
Does it need sunlight? Kind of. The answer to this question is that it needs plenty of light, however, not direct sunlight. Too much sun on the fiddle leaf fig tree can cause damage to the leaves.
How often should I water? This depends on the size. As a general rule for an 8-,10-,12-, or 14-inch diameter pot, you will want to water the top inch of the soil. Once the soil becomes dry, that’s how you’ll know when to water again. Note: the Fig Leaf Tree is used to tropical environments with consistent moisture and even temperatures so the temperature and humidity in your home will affect how much you will need to water your plant.
i.e. Placing your tree next to a radiator or in a drafty area, will most definitely effect how much you will need to water the tree. The best way to determine if your tree needs water is to insert your finger into the soil to determine how dry the soil is.
What to look for? When shopping for a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, look for one that has even, green leaves with no discoloration. Also, stay away from ones that have roots coming out of the bottom. Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees are generally sold with a single trunk and a leafy top or are multi-branched with evenly spaced branches up and down the trunk. You will need to prune annually depending how fast your tree grows which could be 2 to 3 ft each year (tip: spring is the best time for pruning).
Where to buy? The best place to buy is your local independent nursery. If they don’t have one, I’m sure they would be happy to order one whole sale for you. If you prefer to test the waters before you invest in a full grown fig tree, Ikea sells them for $14 dollars (note – the don’t come potted). I’ve also heard recently that local Home Depots and Lowes have started selling them. I would call your local retailer first before you make the trip.
What do you think? Would you invest in the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree? I’m in. Xo. Lauren