Working From Home? We Have You Covered. Design Special: $575 Home Office Plan

Times are tough right now. Coronavirus putting the world under quarantine has many of us going stir-crazy. Those who are fortunate enough to be able to work from home may be finding it difficult to function the same. That’s where we come in.

We want to provide you with a space that is fun and FUNctional. An environment where you can get work done from the comfort of your own home. For a limited time, we’ve got a special design plan to help you spruce things up. For $575, you’ll get a custom curated plan for your space in just 1-2 weeks.

Included but not limited to: hardworking parents + individuals, hustling college students, cool grade-school kids. ;)

Here is what a home office design process would look like…

Video Consult

Discuss your work-from-home needs + wishes for the space with one of our awesome designers.

[Image: Go Fit Jo; Keith Haring Wallpaper: Blik; Desk: Ikea]

Custom Color Palette

To make sure we’re heading in the right direction, we’ll send a custom color palette your way for feedback + approval.

[Image: James Stewart Photography; Desk: West Elm]

Design Concept Page

Items we’ve sourced for your working space:
Furniture
Art
Lamps
Accessories

[Image: Alivia Fields]

Shopping List

A digital document of our curated selections. Just click & order.

[Image: James Stewart Photography; Desk: Crate and Barrel]

Pinterest Board

A link where you can see other items we considered durning the process.

[Image: Go Fit Jo; Storage: Ikea]

FIN

Now you have a space to get productive work done! Take that, COVID-19!

[Image: Roehner + Ryan; Chairs: Restoration Hardware; Desk: Anthropologie]

Again, this is a limited time offer, so jump on it! Give us a call to learn more: 602-529-2191

Minimalist Portland Apartment Tour with Alivia Fields

MCI recently partnered with Portland-based lifestyle photographer and travel blogger Alivia Fields (@aliviafields) to help design her new PDX apartment: an eco-friendly oasis filled with light, love and avocado toast. Now we’re excited to share the reveal!

@aliviafields

Travel photographer + social influencer + environmental activist. Alivia Fields is passionate about ethical living and sustainability. Learn more about her mission to spread light + love at aliviafields.co and check out her travelogue, Never Going Home.

Minimal and sustainably minded, the space combines earthy hues, natural textiles, and modern elements to create a stylish, down-to-earth atmosphere.

Check out Alivia’s Southeast Portland apartment tour for an inside look!

Read our post on how we blended styles to create a cohesive space for Alivia and her husband Zach.

Anthropologie Launches New "Weather Ready" Indoor/Outdoor Living Collection—Here's What We Love!

Source: Anthropologie

Anthropologie did it again! They launched a new line that we are over the moon about and making us want to spend all our money on outdoor furniture. Forget a vacation to Asia this summer, their new "weather ready" line makes you want to cash in your plane ticket for a whole new patio collection so you can just vacay in your backyard. The new "weather ready" outdoor furniture collection is SO cute and has so many bold pieces to transform your patio. The best thing about a lot of these pieces is that they are truly versatile and can work inside and outside. 

So, before you head to the website and start adding everything to your cart, we want to show you a few of our favorite pieces so far...

Handcarved Lotus Indoor/Outdoor Daybed

A handcarved traditional day bed that creates the perfect outdoor living room feeling.

Source: Anthropologie

Tahiti Indoor/Outdoor Hanging Chair

A hanging chair that can be posted in the backyard or in the living room for ultimate relaxation.

Source: Anthropologie 

Wrapped Rattan Indoor/Outdoor Bar Cart

You can never go wrong with a bar cart; and that goes for outside as well. Making cocktails on this bar cart is the perfect lemon wedge on top. 

Source: Anthropologie 

Palmyra Indoor/Outdoor Chair

Talk about ultimate poolside glamour while sitting in this chic chair. 

Source: Anthropologie

Bombatta Indoor/Outdoor Chair

Patio can't be complete without the perfect chairs to sit in while soaking in the sun. 

Source: Anthropologie

Sun Porch Pot

Top it off with a couple of these glazed earthenware pots since everything is better with plants.

Source: Anthropologie

We just showed you a couple of the pieces we love from the collection, but there's so much more on their website we're dying to get our hands on. Make sure to check it out and let us know which one you like best!

Interior Design Blogs We Love

Picture: Jungalow

This week on the blog we decided to share a few of the places where we draw some of our inspiration from. Design trends are always changing and it is important to stay up to date on everything and anything design related. Since we can't travel constantly to get our inspiration (Sigh. One day...), we like to peruse various blogs, websites, and Instagram accounts that show space transformations and tips and tricks from all over the world. 

So, we had a mini discussion in the office and put together a list of some of our go-to blogs and websites that we think you might enjoy as well!

Apartment Therapy

Source: Apartment Therapy

It would be weird if Apartment Therapy didn't make it on the list. Design trends are changing constantly and Apartment Therapy is always informing us of new ideas, tips and tricks as well as refreshing inspiration from everywhere in the world. Also, their Instagram is a must follow for all the pretty pics!

Instagram

Refinery 29

Source: Refinery 29

Refinery 29 writes on A LOT of different things, and yes, sometimes it happens to be about home design. A lot of their home design articles tend to be about various spaces in New York, which gives a lot of inspiration on ways to make do in tiny spaces. While on their website, you may even run into a thought provoking or fun article that's super feminist and informative.

Instagram

Design*Sponge

Source: Design*Sponge

A design blog run by a girl who was declared a "Martha Stewart Living for the Millenials." We love that founder Grace Bonney doesn't just focus on the the design process but deeply shows the personality with each space. She does an amazing job at giving her readers insight into the personal stories associated with each project for her goal of curating a true, unique, and authentic space. Plus, her travel city guides and food and drink recipes are definite go-to's.

Instagram

Domino

Source: Domino Magazine

Domino magazine is a refreshing go-to website on a bunch of tips and tricks as well as getting inspiration from all over the world. We love how they keep you up to date on various interior design news as well as DIY's and cool room transformations. 

Instagram

The Jungalow

Source: The Jungalow

Our favorite and ideal boho-botanical inspired designer that we love due to how she incorporates her travel experiences and Arts and Culture degree into many of her designs. Founder Justina Blakeley is everything we love for creating a space that truly shows the personality and shares the journey of those living in the space. Bonus, she loves plants just as much as we do—or maybe even more.

Instagram

A Beautiful Mess

Source: A Beautiful Mess

Two sisters, Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, created a lifestyle brand company built on everything they love—all while making sure to have fun. Although we love all the interior design inspiration from their blog, we also love their yummy recipes, DIY projects, and posts of them living a colorful and fun life.

Instagram

Design Milk

Source: Design Milk

Think of Design Milk as an online newspaper but just for daily stories related solely to interior design and architecture. It aims at giving you your "daily dose of vitamin D (that’s “D” for design!)" while also making sure to supply us with an endless amount of design inspiration pics—cause we can't get enough of them!

Instagram

Dwell Magazine

Source: Dwell Magazine

The perfect magazine for modern design tactics and inspiration. A lot of their articles include a look into how some spaces have a historic past or look on the outside while incorporating a modern look on the inside and still paying homage to the space.  

Instagram

Multifunctional Seating Ideas to Get the Most Out of Your Space

Source: Anthropologie 

Unconventional seating: it's a great way to enhance your space. Utilizing pieces of furniture that are refreshing and different, but also multifunctional, opens up a world of options! Instead of having your guest sit on a normal chair, pull out a bench or ottoman that can also double as storage. Thinking about rejuvenating your reading nook? Opt for a hanging chair or cozy bean bag to make things a little more cozy. Unconventional seating is the ultimate solution for saving space in smaller homes or apartments all while making your home accommodating for more guests.

We picked a few great pieces that range from bean bags and benches all the way to unique design chairs that can be used in various homes and office spaces to incorporate movement. 

Anthropologie Edlyn Bench

This oh-so-classic bench is definitely on the list when it comes to unconventional seating. We love this one from Anthropologie since it's customizable, letting you pick from an array of fabrics, colors and finishes. This can go in an entryway, a dining table or even in the living room in place of a couch. One of our interior designers Jenna suggests pushing the bench against the wall when you're not using it, since it doubles as storage, and pulling it out when you need it. 

Source: Anthropologie 

Urban Outfitters Cooper Faux Sheepskin Lounge Chair

A '90s revival that brings back so many memories for the MCI team. The bean bag chair, for grownups, is comfy, fun, and the perfect addition to any space. Wine night, game night, movies or even reading a book instantly becomes cozy with this chair, and it is definitely on Mackenzie's Pinterest board for a future purchase. 

Source: Urban Outfitters

Anthropologie Woven Hanging Chair

The perfect way to bring a little more fun in your space. Hanging chairs are also good at creating the illusion of more space since it is of the floor, opposed to most of your furniture items. This hanging chair from Anthro is an ideal way to make a comfortable nook in your home, filled with plants and ideal lighting. Pro tip: get a floor hook instead of mounting it to the ceiling so it's not permanent and you can move it wherever, whenever.

Source: Anthropologie

West Elm Montauk Nest Chair

Okay, so this one is technically a chair, but we just had to add it to the list! The shape is so different that we can't classify it as your average seat. This chair could live inside, outside on the patio or even in a cool Arizona room. Our Project Manager Aleah thinks it's a modern papasan chair that "looks like it just hugs you when you're sitting in it." 

Source: West Elm

Urban Outfitters Trixie Inflatable Chair

Inflatable furniture, it's making a comeback and we are supporting it's revival. This takes you right back to the '90s and can be a cool addition to a teenager's room. Can we also dream about how much cooler pool days would be when floating on this...

Source: Urban Outfitters

CB2 Leather Ottoman-Pouf

Sophisticated and chic—but still a fun, and not so risky, unconventional seat. This leather floor cushion is multi-functional and an ideal piece to add to your space without sacrificing style. Use it as an extra seat for guest or as a temporary home for your favorite book or magazine. Bonus points if you have an ottoman that doubles as storage!

Source: CB2

Design Within Reach Spun Chair

When talking about unconventional seating, this chair takes the cake! It is so fun to sit in but it's still architectural and can give your space a unique or edgy twist. Take it outside to sit by the pool or grab it for movie night with the fam. Whatever you do, you're destined to have some fun it. 

Source: Design Within Reach

Tree Stump from West Elm

We at MCI love the outdoors, that's no secret! So, we had to include an alternative seating idea that is inspired by what we love. The tree stump is so underrated and a multifunctional item that's a bonus to have in any home. This little guy can be a side table one minute and quick stool the next minute. You can even take him back outside to use on the patio!

Source: West Elm

Which alternative seating do you like best? Comment below and let us know!