Reader Design: Tatiana's Bright Space

Can you all believe that it is already August!? Back to school commercials started this week, and I just cannot believe that the summer is coming to an end. I haven't even seen the beach yet!

But alas, that's the reality. So while we can, we are bringing some color into your lives. Today, we're visiting Tatiana in Ottawa, Ontario.

Tatiana keeps this home for her family of four interesting by never being "done" with decorating; after all, that wouldn't be any fun, would it? She describes her style as modern classic with vintage and colorful twists. 

“While I do incorporate pieces from big box stores, I am an avid vintage treasure and flea-market hunter. There is nothing more satisfying than finding an interesting vintage piece, putting it in the right context, and making it shine.
The overarching goal is to make my home feel bright and happy. ”

All that color is definitely representative of bright, sunshiney summer and helps make those Canadian winters just a little easier. 

In Tatiana's home, two things are the stars: her abstract art collection and her textiles. Her favorite pieces are prominently featured in the living room and are complicated perfectly by the neutral simplicity of the kitchen. 

“My favorite pieces in my living room are the large mid-century abstract painting by Sinai Waxman that currently sits above the sofa and the Persian rug. With two children at home, the rug works beautifully! Both pieces have a rich palette and provide an invitation to play with different color schemes in the space.”

The winner in the bedroom is the orange headboard. There's something about orange tones that is just so comforting and welcoming. It's not for everyone, but it works for Tatiana. And that's a good thing, because Tatiana and her husband custom-made this for their space! 

“For a long time I was looking for a vibrant headboard, but all I could find was upholstered in neutral fabrics. Left to my own devices, my husband and I constructed this nice looking headboard out of a piece of plywood and covered it in juicy orange velvet. ”

What a fun home this would be to shop in - to change the art around, move things to new places, and shift pieces until your heart's content. Tatiana, thank you for letting us in today. 

Follow Tatiana along on Instagram @tatiana.wojtan.studio. 

Reader Design: Lauren's New Build Nest

Lauren's home may only be 18 months old, but it's filled with a sense of warmth and character that can only be attributed to Lauren's eye for design. The home was built on Napoleon, Indiana soil that grew corn and beans for harvest, and those same down-to-earth roots can be felt throughout this home. 

From Lauren:

“I love to create and recently found this passion for interior design through creating our spaces here in this new home. My husband and I both grew up here in Indiana, so even though there are many different style running throughout our home, we try to keep the bones of our home as the farmhouse we intended it to be, making this house our home!”

This home is where Lauren and her husband are raising their three boys, so this home is playing the most important role there is. The oldest just moved into his own room - there are exciting things happening in this household!

Her favorite piece is in the dining room: the geometric Ikea statement rug. Lauren has moved it around her home a few times before finding the perfect spot! 

Lauren describes her style as 'farmhouse eclectic,' with a heavy emphasis on wood, black, and white. It's modern, with bohemian elements, 

“I always try to create calm and peaceful spaces in our home. It’s important to me to have spaces for everyone and give my boys places they can thrive in.”

She doesn't get caught up in fads, like shiplap (despite her love and admiration of Joanna Gaines), and feels confident sticking to what she knows. As you should, Lauren... as you should. 

That said, if you put something with stripes in front of her - ANYTHING with stripes - she'll probably bring it home. Vases, textiles, rugs... you name it. It's one pattern Lauren can't get enough of, but thank goodness that stripes are totally timeless. 

(Take a look at that dining room rug again. Stripes, of course)

This is a gorgeous family home that's ready and able to grow an awesome family inside it's walls. Lauren, hats off to a job well done. Thank you for showing us around!

Follow Lauren along on Instagram @laurenraes for more!

See you next week,

Reader Design: Kiel's 'Scandifornian' Home

I am so excited to share today's feature with you all! I know you're all probably curious as to what Scandifornian (a term Kiel himself coined) means - but fear not, you will quickly understand once you see what this home is all about. 

Their Milwaukee, WI home was built in 1951 and was slathered in orange and brown paint when they found it. Kiel, an architect, and his husband, an apparel designer, were clearly the perfect buyers for this fixer-upper and quickly got to work making it their own. 

“We love the neutral, minimal qualities of Scandinavian/Nordic style, which also delicately balance modern, traditional, and rustic sensibilities, but we also go after the light, airy, organic qualities we loved from our Californian lifestyle. We have shoved all of those into a Cape Cod in Middle America and feel that it’s a recipe that lends to a very happy life for us.”

Both having backgrounds in design, Kiel and Andrew each had strong opinions on the direction they wanted to follow for their home. Andrew gravitated toward color and pattern, while Kiel preferred neutrals. They used a familiar favorite for designers and amateurs alike, Pinterest, to curate their inspiration. Surprisingly, they quickly realized they were pinning the same images and landed on their aesthetic: "bright white spaces with minimal-leaning appointments."

They stuck to their guns, even when others questioned their decisions, and used social media inspiration to pull off the look. 

“Our all-white rule is often not understood by Wisconsin locals, who rightfully question how we could possibly want to spend the Winter months, when the ground is covered in snow four months out of the year, trapped inside a white box. But we counter by reminding that those same four months are also very grey and dark, and that our white rooms maximize what light there is and bring to us a great amount of peace and serenity.”

The couple took their time picking finishes, large-scale items, and accents alike, realizing and appreciating the importance of each choice. 

“The mobile lighting fixture in the dining room was the first thing we bought for the house, and we feel it set the tone for us to add some streamlined accents in this very traditional house.”

One of the most difficult decisions was that of the tiles. Kiel was drawn to the look of graphic painted concrete tiles and even placed a huge order. But they eventually realized that it was time bound trend, and their money would be better invested elsewhere. They instead to decided to focus on creating a home that would make them happy for years to come. 

My personal favorite space in their home is the master bedroom. The shiplap detail and white painted floor created a space that is immediately restorative and serene. As Kiel says, "It's an incredible room to wake up to in the morning!" ...I'll bet! 

This entire home is just full of memorable and beautiful design moments. Kiel, hats off for a job well done, and congratulations on owning your first home! Thank you for inviting us in. 

Follow Kiel along on Instagram @kielaaron for more!

Until next time,