Kitchen

Mackenzie's Mood Board /  by Mackenzie Collier

Photo by: The Culture Trip

Photo by: The Culture Trip

Hey guys, it's Mackenzie!
I'm changing it up this week from the normal Friday Fav blog post and pulling inspiration from my personal pinterest board. As well as producing really awesome designs, I am planning a trip to Bali and I can't wait to get even more inspired by the beauty of Indonesia. I can't talk about my Pinterest without showing at least one of the beautiful pictures of what I I plan to be immersed in this Summer!

Now that my obsession of going to Bali is out of the way, we can focus our attention back on interior design and various products and ideas I am all about right now!

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Serene kitchen dreams.

The serene green blue cabinets paired with the marble backsplash creates the ultimate calm and peaceful kitchen. Also love the blank cabinets with no ornaments—super calming.

Photo by: My Living

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Giant cactus in the living room, yes.

Live in the desert and still can't get enough of cacti! Placing an oversized potted cactus in the living room is the perfect way to bring a little bit of what we love about the outside, inside. 

Photo by: SF Girl by Bay

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Bring a little bit of Morocco in your home.

This cool, coastal, moroccan style dresser is definitely understated and set perfectly with the white walls and warm wood chair and picture frame. Navy, white and warm wood pairs so perfectly together!

Photo and dresser by: Anthropologie 

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Ditch the kitchen cabinets, it's all about drawers.

Having drawers in your kitchen calls for easy access, organization, efficiency and of course, style. 

Photo by: Apartment Therapy

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Bath and shelves.

Not only does this seem like the most ideal place to take a bath after a long day, but the added shelves on both sides for storage are simple and genius! Towel, bath bombs and essential oils all in arms reach...ahhhh.

Photo by: Home Made in Heaven

Decorating For Couples: Tips for Finding Common Ground /  by Mackenzie Collier

Moving in together is a big step. As cute and romantic (and sometimes scary) this step may be, we want to suggest a few tips to help with the decorating process of it. How do you make a compromise with your significant other so they won’t hold on to that one thing you absolutely despise? How do you try and get your dream of having a velvet blue couch in the living room when they are not into it? We've all heard how the secret to a great relationship is communication, and that factor definitely plays a role when designing a new space for the two of you. Communication is key to finding the right balance and design when merging into a new space with your love.

Image: Mackenzie Collier Interiors

Image: Mackenzie Collier Interiors

With Valentine's Day around the corner, we decided to dedicate this post to design tips that will help you combine styles with your boo to create a functional space that represents the both of you!There is always a common ground between even the most widely differing styles. The key is finding it before you cause a breakup...

Pinterest is your mutual bestie.

Get to pinning. Both of you create a Pinterest board and pin every design-related thing you like: your favorite bathroom designs, living room furniture, bedroom lighting, art, color palettes—anything and everything you like, pin! Get ideas flowing so you have some concrete ideas of what you do and don't like. 

Share your ideas. 

Time to hear each other out. Compare your boards and (nicely) point out what you like and don't like from both of them. Look at the mood boards side by side; there HAVE to be common elements. Find them. (White walls? Good lighting? A certain color?) Make a list of what you have in common. Create a third mood or Pinterest board that shows only the items/qualities/features you both agree on. Maybe there's enough to go on with this? If not, expand on the things you have in common to find new ideas that are cohesive with what you both agree on. If you are creative enough, you'll find them without having to duke it out. Remember, this space has to express both of you guys—so be open! The more open you are, the fewer arguments you’ll have. 
 

Image: James Stewart for Mackenzie Collier Interiors

Be considerate.

For all the items you don't agree on, priority should go to the person who spends the most time in a given room. For example, if the closest thing you do to cooking is putting your Postmates order on a plate, but your partner is a part-time chef at home, then you probably shouldn’t have the first pick on all kitchen decisions. Whoever spends the most time in a certain space should get a final say on decisions involving that area. That seems fair, right?
 

Image: Heather Kirchhofer for Mackenzie Collier Interiors

Image: Heather Kirchhofer for Mackenzie Collier Interiors

Need a tie breaker? 

Still can’t decide on what should be done in the dining room? Let the architecture of your space be the final judge. There are certain color schemes, furniture shapes, etc. that just suit a specific architecture type. Research your space and the architecture associated with it and look at what works best. When in doubt, ask an Interior Designer!