room decor

Interior Design Blogs We Love / April 20, 2018 by Mackenzie Collier

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

March Design Favorites Round Up / March 29, 2018 by Mackenzie Collier

March came and went, which was a good thing here in the MCI office since we were super busy, producing fresh designs left and right! This month, we also introduced a new design service called Room Service—which has been pretty fun and exciting. March was great for design, and we're so excited to move forward and spring into April.

Of course, like always, we end the month with a roundup of a few of our favorite things, which we featured each Friday on our Instagram.

Anthropologie Tulip Chair

Anthropologie Tulip Chair in Gold Velvet

This gold velvet tulip chair was our first Friday Fave for spring, and it couldn't have been a better choice! This chair from Anthro is a biomorphic design piece, which means it draws inspiration from natural patterns and organisms. We also love how it's a vintage inspired piece from the 40s, and you can customize it to whichever color and/or fabric you feel works best for your space.

Source: Anthropologie

Caressi Colours Kitchen Taps

Caressi Colours Stainless Steel Kitchen Tap

Color your kitchen tap with the Caressi Colours line.

Caressi Colours Stainless Steel Kitchen Tap in Yellow

Caressi Colours Taps

These fun stainless steel kitchen taps are so fun and a great way to brighten any kitchen without completely conforming to one specific color. These taps come in 12 different colors, which makes it even harder to choose!

Source: Caressi

FLOR Palm Reader Rug

FLOR Palm Reader Rug Carpet Tiles

Textiles are a great way to incorporate trends, and we love the use of the currently-trending palm pattern here! FLOR square tiles are perfect for any size room, and each square can be easily replaced or clean when needed. Being 100% recyclable, these are perfect for just about any home—especially those with kids! That's a sustainable design trend that we are over the moon about!

Source: FLOR

Cathy Terepocki Ceramic Stools

Anthropologie Cathy Terepocki Ceramics

Cathy Terepocki Ceramic Stools from Anthropologie

These ceramic stools from Anthropologie were a favorite from Aleah, and we totally understand why. They are multipurpose and can be used as alternative seating in just about any space since they are easy to move around and can go just about anywhere. The geometric motifs and metallic accents are an added bonus.

Source: Anthropologie

Which one of these is your fave? Comment below and let us know!

Room Service by MCI: A New Interior Design Package! / March 12, 2018 by Mackenzie Collier

Image: Joanne Encarnacion — Image: Joanne Encarnacion

Guys—it's here. We are so excited to announce the launch of our new, made-to-order design service: Room Service by MCI!
*Cue upbeat dance music*

Great design, made to order.

Room Service is a flat-fee package that delivers a fully developed design plan to your doorstep in under two weeks. We work together to understand your design vision, then give you all the resources needed to achieve your dream space. No matter where you are in the world, we get to know you, your personal journey, and your unique style to curate a design that is exclusive to you and functional for your everyday life. You'll get complete personalization and transparency, without the hidden expenses.

For more information and a full break down of the Room Service Package, make sure to check out our Room Service Page!

Room Service Inquiry - Blog

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First Name

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Email Address

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The first delivery.

We kicked off the service with our dear friend, fitness and lifestyle blogger Joanne Encarnacion (aka GoFitJo), and it was such a delight.

Joanne and her family just moved into a beautiful mid-century double A-frame Eichler home in the San Francisco Bay Area. They've dubbed it the Highwood Haus, and it is an absolute dream!

We wanted to create a retreat-like atmosphere for Jo and her family that fosters inspiration and creativity and cultivates a sense of wellbeing and harmony, all while honoring the Eichler aesthetic. Most importantly, we wanted to make sure to reflect the vibrant family that inhabits the space!

We had so much fun designing their amazing home and are happy to say they were completely thrilled with the results! We can't wait to see their design come to life.

To stay up to date on the design process, make sure to check out @GoFitJo on Instagram!

Decorating For Couples: Tips for Finding Common Ground / February 10, 2018 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.

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.

Screen Shot 2018-02-07 at 3.36.06 PM.png

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

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!

Lulu & Georgia Anniversary Sale on All Home Decor! / October 14, 2017 by Mackenzie Collier

Lulu & Georgia is offering 25% off sitewide with code HBD—it's their best sale of the year! All rugs, furniture, accessories, bed & bath decor, lighting, gifts, and more. Even their new stuff! If you're looking for playful, pretty, fun home decor, this is a great resource.