Reader Design: Emily's Curated Creation

There's something about Emily, the focus of today's reader design spotlight, that makes me think we should be friends. Sure, there's the practical "we both live in Seattle" part. But, we also chose bright turquoise couches as the focal point of our living rooms. I mean, that has to mean something, right?!

I saw Emily's home pop up on Instagram a few months ago and was immediately in awe. It is quite modern but still cozy, neutral while being bright and deep. 

“My design style incorporates a bit of everything, I typically describe it as eclectic modern. I love modern elements, but I also incorporated traditional, art deco, bohemian, and plenty of vintage pieces to give it a curated feel. It takes a lot more time, but gives a space so much more personality. This “design philosophy” is the reason I named my business Cohesively Curated.”

It's got a cool but classic London vibe. As Emily describes - 

“The city of London above all else is very classic, but it also has so many modern gems and up and coming trends to discover.”

It's a perfect fit for a similarly rainy, gray, but oh-so-cozy and interesting place like Seattle; I like to think Seattle & London are sister cities. Does anyone else buy that? 

With a focus on classic and modern looks, Emily has carefully selected every piece inside this home, filling it up to the brim with pottery, textiles, and art. She grounds herself in things that hearken back to her design philosophy and uses that as her foundation for making decisions. 

“I think it is challenging with social media, Pinterest, blogs, etc. to not let yourself be swayed by other designers styles. Taking something as inspiration and figuring out how to integrate it with your own aesthetic can be a bit tricky. The trend I struggled with most is the boho trend and not going overboard, because that really isn’t my primary style. I included some vintage textiles and rugs that fall into that category but made sure to integrate them with my core aesthetic. ”

This home has to be one of my favorites yet, and I encourage you all to follow Emily along on Instagram @cohesivelycurated for more! We really just scratched the surface. 

Happy Fall, y'all! 

Reader Design: Shelley's Stunning Space

Today, we're heading off to the West Coast. Specifically, the Pacific Northwest. I'm particularly excited about this one as it just so happens that my boyfriend & I will be new PNW residents starting this Summer - in Seattle! Big news... 

But, this is not about me. It's about Shelley, and her stunning La Grande, Oregon home that she shares with her husband, Ian. 

Her home is a perfect blend of neutral elements, metallics, textiles, and just enough color to keep things interesting. 

“My style is definitely a mix of mid-century/Scandinavian/bohemian. It took a long time to find my style and it has definitely evolved over the years. I grew up in Los Angeles and always loved the mid-century home designs. I love the simplicity of clean lines, but also love color. ”

Another element that is clearly a 'must have' for Shelley is greenery. She absolutely nails that interior green thumb, and plants of all kinds - including a StyleMutt favorite: the snake plant - can be spotted all over her home. 

Another 'must have?' 

“When we purchased our house, a ‘must-have’ was a formal dining room. I love hosting dinners and holiday events at out house.”

Another lovely element in Shelley's home is the perfectly-styled bedrooms. As someone currently living in a cramped basement city apartment in DC, I am totally envious of the extra room. Her master is #goals to me. I have similar pieces - the black mid-century modern lamps, the classic white bedding, and the indigo pillow - and she brings those elements together perfectly. 

And then, there's the most precious room of all. 

“In our nursery, I love the dresser and the plant corner. I am a big sucker for West Elm dressers. I am always willing to splurge on rugs. I think they can really make or break a room design and can completely change the feel of the room. ”

Shelley, you better believe I'll be channeling you once we have our new Seattle pad to decorate. Thank you for the inspiration! 

Follow Shelley along on Instagram @the_tattams, or to check out her stellar wedding photographer go here. 

Reader Design: Kelsey's Viral Vision

Her home has taken Instagram by fire. I've been following along since day one, and it's clear to see that Kelsey has filled her Dallas, Texas home carefully, lovingly, and authentically. She's an engineer, newlywed, and new homeowner and is taking every opportunity to make this place her own. 

From Kelsey: 

“I would describe my style as modern-collected-eclectic. Most of my accessories are vintage pieces I had been collecting long before we owned our home. I’ve also developed a deep appreciation for worldly décor from my travels to the Middle East and other parts of the globe, and I love creating juxtaposition between exotic textures and clean-lined, modern furniture. ”

Her collected but modern style is something I seriously strive for. 

Let's take the kitchen for instance: the all-the-way-to-the-ceiling marble hexagon tiles; the baby blue lower cabinets; the brass hardware. It is EVERYTHING - on trend without being too time-specific. Kelsey's managed to make a pastel baby blue feel like a neutral. 

“When it comes to trends, there have been a few struggles. As a closet artist and lover of color, my knee jerk reaction is to say yes to all things bright, bold, and colorful in décor, but when designing our home, I knew I wouldn’t be happy with the end result if I didn’t find a color balance. My new obsession is natural textures and exotic textiles which has allowed me to create a more neutral palette without losing interest.”

Since she's tried to tone down overt colors, Kelsey also adds interest through the one-of-a-kind pieces she proudly displays. 

“In our living room, my favorite pieces are our vintage brass Moroccan tray and the art above the fire place. I found the tray while antiquing during college at one of my favorite shops. I gasped the first time I spotted it, but discovered the price tag was a little too steep for a broke college student and sadly left it behind. Months later, I returned to the shop and found the tray wedged between some old, dusty boxes in the back of the store (maybe someone else was ‘saving’ it for later) but at that point I knew it was meant to be and I snatched it up – the rest is history! The painting above our fire place was one of the only items we bought back from our recent honeymoon in Hawaii. We wandered into an art gallery owned by the sweetest couple, and although we had a smaller budget, they were so excited to help us commemorate our new marriage with a painting. After an hour of great conversation and multiple phone calls to the artist, we were able to purchase our first piece of art as husband and wife. ”

Kelsey's taken those lessons from college and her honeymoon to heart and is committed to spending that hard-earned cash on things that are unique and bring you nothing but the purest joy: art and rare vintage finds. 

“In those moments, I usually ask myself ‘will I always regret if I walked away and never found an item like this again’ and that helps me decide whether to move on or make a splurge worth it.”

Kelsey, we are so grateful for the opportunity to get inside your home & get to know you better! Can't wait to continue to follow along and see how your home continues to evolve - you've got some serious talent! Follow Kelsey along @leftandlevel for more! 

Now, let's all go about our days and just try not to be too envious of this stunning Texas home.