13 Modern Rugs I Love

As some of you might know, I love to design interiors and have gotten more of a chance to exercise my passion in recent years as we have bought and sold homes. My husband is in real estate, so instead of putting extra savings in stocks and bonds, we have invested in real estate. If you follow me on instagram, you might be familiar with the fun and retro interiors of our Palm Desert home, which was a blast decorating because you can go all out with the desert! I am also a lover of color, patterns, textures. and layering, so this was a perfect project for me. 

As of late, we have decided to invest back in Downtown Los Angeles, a market that is booming with growth right now, by purchasing a loft. I work out of LA a lot and we currently live about 45 minutes away on the coast, so knowing we wanted to invest in LA somewhere, this was the perfect location. However, my hubby begged me to please not splatter the apartment with color and vintage eclectic decor, which is definitely my "signature" look if I have one. Instead he said he would love a serene and masculine place thats super modern. Challenge accepted. I have been scouring my top spots for everything from furniture to rugs to lighting and today was all about the rugs. This of course inspired todays post. I can't spend a ton on each item, so tried to keep my hunt for a 9x12 rug under $1000 which is hard to do! Rugs are costly and big rugs like this can run in the thousands and even tens of thousands! I don't have the money for that, so I rounded up my favorite rugs for a modern space that fall right under the $1200 mark, with many well under that! For rugs, I love One Kings Lane for the diversity in brands that they carry and huge selection as well as CB2 for their modern and current taste.

I'd love to know which rugs you love most!

xo, Kim

1. CHARCOAL RUG

2. WHITE AND GRAY RUG

3. ICE BLUE RUG

4. DEEP BLUE RUG WITH DESIGN

5. WHITE WITH SQUARE DESIGN

6. BLUE/IVORY DHURRIE

7. DENIM BLUE AND WHITE STRIPED RUG

8. LIGHT BLUE/IVORY GREEK KEY RUG

9. COBALT WITH DESIGNS RUG

10. WHITE AND GRAY STRIPED RUG

11. LIGHT BLUE WITH CIRCLES RUG

12. IVORY WITH STRIPES AND FRINGE RUG

13. COLORFUL STRIPES WITH FRINGE

6 Gorgeous Ways to Use Velvet

Velvet is one of the most gorgeous materials to use, whether its on a couch or as a throw pillow for home decor. I am obsessed with it! It is so versatile, and can work with the most traditional of taste, to the most eclectic and funky. I fall more into the eclectic category, but depending on how and where you use it, it can make a space look warm, lively, fun, and chic. I'm sure we have all seen velvet done the wrong way, the way that makes people think they hate velvet because they remember their grandmas old couch that was worn and felt old. Im not talking about the way velvet has been done in the past. With ornate wood sofas and tapestries hung in a gaudy way. I love the way velvet is done with a fresh palette and modern clean lines. Here are some of my favorite ways to use velvet!

I am on a huge pillow kick right now because I have been wanting to add a punch of style to my  home since moving (for the third time!). I just had 8 pillows made in different shades of blush, burnt orange, and fuchsia for my couch and bed as well as some swedish blue lumbar pillows! I'm so obsessed and think throw pillows are the perfect way to update a room for less.

I have been dreaming of a blush couch for years now and still don't have one! One day you can bet that I will, maybe in more of a dusty rose/ champagne color. I LOOVE a neutral and feminine pink so as not to completely overtake the room. You cannot go wrong with a velvet sofa, am I right?

A little tip: If you die over velvet dining chair options like I do (especially the brass structured ones from Design within Reach!) and don't have the cash to spend thousands on each chair, buy some off craigslist and reupholster! All you have to do is keep your eyes peeled for a structure you like thats in good condition. Not hard to do at flea markets, consignment stores, or craigslist! So many options out there to create a custom look with!

I think I am getting redundant with how much I like velvet. But to clarify, I like good quality velvet. Some of the cheaper options look good, but use good judgement when pulling the trigger because some velvets also can look really cheap. I love these upholstered beds because you can tell how luxurious and quality the velvet is just by looking at them. I love the slub velvet that has so much variation in color depending on the angle you look at it.

This is a new thing I haven't seen much of! I never thought to recover my floor pillows (or old cushions for that matter!) in velvet. Such a gorgeous option. I love all the pillows above that create such a fun and unique look in any space.

I am using this option as we speak! Im getting my king pillows recovered in dusty rose velvet with a narrow brick pattern and will add a burnt orange lumbar to top off the look. I'll do a post on the final look but think these beds look so cozy and warm due to the velvet. Something I have seen but truly never thought about incorporating. I am in love!

Don't all those photos make you want to incorporate some bold colored velvet into your home (and life!)?? Even if you are more conservative in your style, a couple velvet throw pillows can really elevate a space and make it feel more dimensional. The fabric is so rich and textured, it does wonders for the most basic palette. I am loving pinks, orange and rust colors, as well as golden yellows right now. What are your favorites from the list above and what colors are you drawn to? I'd love to know! 

xo, Kim

Wallpapered Spaces that MAKE ME HAPPY!

All images via my pinterest

Image via Leos Oyster Bar

Wallpaper has been making a come back in a major way for some time now and the trend is not slowing down. Some of my absolute favorite places and spaces use wallpaper to add charm, character, style, and that wow factor that you just can't get with paint. I wouldn't go crazy and add it all over the home, as it can start to look busy and too loud.  However, adding wallpaper in a powder room to get the most bang for your buck out of a small space can make that room your favorite in the house! Or create a zen environment in your master bedroom with a calm and serene wallpaper that feels warm and luxurious. I always go on Pinterest when working on home projects to see what I am most attracted to and then pin away. I find that I'll pin the same image multiple times and images that are similar which helps me narrow down what I am really wanting. If you are looking to spice up a room in your home, make sure you research and do your homework as wallpaper can be pricey. It makes a huge difference, so is totally worth it when you find the right one! Here are some of my favorite wallpapered spaces as of late.

Image via Marcus Design Inc.

Loving the morrocan and eclectic vibe of this bathroom. Its intentionally a bit much and I dig it.

Anna Spiro Wallpaper

You can never go wrong with this cobalt blue and white combo. Its traditional, yet playful and will look great no matter what the trend.

Image via Amie Corley Design 

This print makes me so happy and excited to start our remodel. Its chic, traditional, eclectic, and artistic all in one. I would use this in a powder room like Amie Corley did here, or as a statement wall mural in a dining room.

Image via Domino Magazine

This room screams femininity and is all things girl. I love it so much.

Image via Tom Ferguson

Ahhhhh doesn't this room make you want to redo your home to be masculine/ modern?  It's calm and serene, anything but boring.

Image via Tom Ferguson

Image via Lucy Interior Design

I am not big on florals, but think this color palette is breathtaking. It's moody, feminine, and chic.

Anna Spiro Wallpaper

I can't seem to get away from pink and playful patterns. This room is cheery and definitely a showstopper.

I'd love to know which rooms you guys like best. Let me know in the comments below! And if you want to check out more great patterns, check out my Pinterest page. Have a great weekend you guys and don't forget to spoil your mamas on Mothers Day!

11 Modern Mirrors I LOVE

Image via CB2

When it comes to adding depth and dimension to a room, mirrors are always the way to go! Mirrors can make rooms feel larger, brighter, and more styled if done the right way. However, mirrors can be costly and heavy so it's important to find the right one that has some serious style impact while at the same time trying to keep the price down if possible. Here are my favorite mirrors, high and low, that add some quick and serious style to any room! 

Images via Target

Images via Target

Image via One Kings Lane

Images via Target

Image via West Elm

Image via West Elm

Image via CB2

Image via One Kings Lane

Image via West Elm

Image via CB2

Aren't these mirrors gorgeous? I love them because they look so quality and add a real sense of style to any room. As you can see I really love brass, because I feel it adds warmth and a bit of glam to an ordinary wall. There are a few options above ranging fro 49.99 - a few hundred dollars depending on your budget!  I am absolutely in love with the oval brass mirror with the shelf! How cute is that? Let me know which ones are you favorites in the comments below! 

xo, Kim

10 Statement Lighting Options Under $500

Image via Etsy

Having just recently moved in and out of three different places in 2 years, I have experience with working and reworking a space to make it my own. Lighting is such a key part of that process for me! It can warm up a space and instantly make it feel pulled together, and be a dramatic statement in your home to display and express your personal style. After having looked for months for the right lights, pendants, and flush mounts, I realized that lighting can be insanely expensive! I'm talking thousands and thousands of dollars.  That's why it felt even more silly to me after having seen these glamorous, clean, and statement making chandeliers for a fraction of the price. They are all substantial and stylish without making you feel foolish for spending $3,000 on a light you may want to change in 4 years. Take a look and let me know what you think! Im loving the cool factor with every single one of these!

image via CB2

Image via One Kings Lane

Image via One Kings Lane

Image via CB2

Image via West Elm

Image via West Elm

Image via West Elm

Image via West Elm

Image via West Elm

Every single one of these lights has been on a wish list of mine for different areas of our house. They add a punch of style and a huge bang for your buck. Im a big believer in getting as close as you can to "the look" without overly committing on price because at least for me, my style evolves and changes over time. Saving that dough can also give you opportunity to spruce up another area of the house! Yay!

 These lists will ensure a bright and stylish start to any home! Let me know if you guys like these and what your favorite type of lighting is right now in the comments beolow! 

xo, Kim