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

Tips on Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall

Source: Framebridge/Leslee Mitchell

Gallery walls are always a hit and is something that can help show more of your personality in your home. They can bring so much life to a boring wall in and transform the space completely. They can be as big or small as you want and can range from any color or style—whichever suits your space and personality. 

Now, we can all agree about how much we like them, but putting one together can seem like a hard task; one that might get you discouraged. Don't back out now, keep reading! We're going to give you a few tips on creating the perfect gallery wall that complements and adds to your ideal space! 

1. Plan out your purpose

Maybe you want to fill a boring blank wall. Maybe you have a few pictures you love but you don't know what to do with them. Maybe you just want a gallery wall since they're fun and cute. Whatever the reason is, make sure you plan out your purpose or the story you want your gallery wall to tell. Do you want it have a certain style or color theme? Think it out, brainstorm, get inspired, and most of all have fun with it.

Source: Domino

2. Choose art that you love

This should go without saying, but it's still something we felt was important to add. If a picture goes with your theme but you kind of hate it, don't add it to your gallery wall! The best thing about a gallery wall is that it can be eclectic and incorporate a bunch of different things you love—just make sure it's something you actually love, not something you think you should love!

Source:Elle (Sweden)

Figure out your ideal size and space 

First thing's first: pick out the perfect spot in your home for your gallery wall. Try getting creative and use spots you wouldn't normally think of like stairways and corners. Once that's covered, it's all about the ideal size you want for your gallery wall. Sizing all has to do with the space you have to work with, your style, and the number of items you have to contribute. Do you want a bold gallery wall with just a couple of big items or do you want a bigger one that's a little more spread out with numerous pictures and pieces to add? Make sure to make good use of your planned space while considering style and budget.

Source: Inside Out

4. Plan and measure

Planning out your gallery wall is key for creating the perfect one. Lay out all your frames on the floor and see which color and styles you believe to be complimentary of each other. This gives you an idea of how you want to arrange your pictures based on their individual style. Next step is to get butcher paper to trace the frames and arrange it on the wall to make sure everything is perfect before you start drilling or command stripping. 

Source: Momtastic

5. Work your way out 

Starting in the middle and working your way out is a great way to anchor your collection. A good tip is to start with your boldest, biggest, or favorite piece and then add all the other pictures around it. This makes it easier for planning since you are drawing a lot of your inspiration from your favorite piece or one that sticks out the most. Try to not be symmetrical and use an odd number of frames or items—nothing's perfect and that makes it fun!

Source: Mor Til Mernee

6. Don't forget the alternatives

Last but not least, don't forget about all the other items you can use to create your ideal gallery wall. There is so much to choose from: mirrors, clocks, plants, macrame, decorative objects, baskets—you name it. This is an expression of you and what you love so make sure to show that in any way possible. 

Source: Love Chic Living

Easy enough, right? Don't forget to have fun with it and comment to let us know what has worked for you! 

Five Low Maintenance Houseplants You'll Love

Photo by Mackenzie Collier Interiors

Houseplants, who doesn’t love them? They are aesthetically pleasing, purify your indoor air and can brighten up just about any space. They are the perfect, inexpensive way to change and freshen up just about any room.  If you don't have a green thumb, picking a plant that has a chance of surviving longer than a month can be a bit challenging. We've put together a list of five plants that are some of the easiest to care for as well as versatile for any space. Oh, and did we mention how easy they are to take care of?

Aloe Vera

This plant is definitely the easiest plant to take care of and it’s also a good one to have around the house. Not only can the leaves from Aloe Vera be used for the healing of cuts and burns, but you only have to water it when the plant’s soil is completely dry, which can be every two to three weeks (depending on your climate). 

Photo by Domino

Snake Plant

Also known as the Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (oof), the Snake Plant is a pretty popular houseplant and is the best kind for those who forget plants need love. It thrives in a pot and rarely needs sunlight or any attention at all. Place it in the bedroom —possibly in a cute plant stand like this one—since it does an excellent job at releasing oxygen at night. 

Photo by Suburban Bees

The Chinese Evergreen

Talk about a plant that thrives in what some would think are intolerable conditions! This plant, with its colorful green leaves, is a very durable houseplant that can grow exponentially in poor light and in pretty much all conditions. Although it prefers humid air, misting it a few times every week is an easy fix if the air is too dry. 

Photo by Bakker

The Rubber Plant

The plant that can prosper in extremely low temperatures and bright but indirect sunlight. The rubber plant can grow up to 8 ft tall, but if you’re not up for it, just make sure to keep them in a small pot. Keep the soil most in the summer and a little drier during the other seasons.

Photo by Miss Moss

The Spider Plant

The Spider Plant is the houseplant that can easily adapt to almost any condition. It's the perfect plant to place in the bathroom since they don’t really like a lot of direct sunlight, and it's super pretty in hanging baskets and pots. Although they are easily adaptable, it’s best to keep the soil moist and use distilled or purified water when watering them.

Photo by BritCo

Welp, there's our list on the top houseplants just about anyone would have a hard time killing.

Also, all of the plants listed, except for the Chinese Evergreen, are pet friendly. Of course we thought about your four-legged friends as well!

Comment below and let us know which one is your favorite or any other tips and tricks dealing with houseplants!

Decorating For Couples: Tips for Finding Common Ground

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

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. 

View fullsize

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. 
 

View fullsize

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

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!