{ decorating with a boy }

Moving in with your significant other is an exciting time. Grocery runs, late night dinners, early morning breakfasts. All of that is great.  

BUT. 

Decorating with a boy can be challenging y'all. Trevor and I are both very opinionated about this particular subject (seeing as I'm a decorator and he's a product/furniture designer). We always appreciate each others style, but that doesn't mean we don't differ from time to time.

See, when we moved into this apartment, we moved in mostly with Trevor's furniture. After all of my moves in the last year, I've sold a lot of my belongings so I just didn't have much to add to the mix. And while I love a lot of the pieces we have (especially the coffee table and TV credenza that Trevor designed and built), our place is feeling a bit...bachelor-ish at the moment. SWANKY bachelor, but bachelor nonetheless. #needsmorepink #okayfinenevermind #butmaybealittle?

We have a lot of leather, a lot of wood, and a lot of black and brown. So here's what I'm proposing to make things a little more interesting...

That instagram photo in the top left is our dining nook, so we already have all of those pieces (and we've since semi-styled the shelves). We're planning on painting both of the bistro chairs (taken off the curb) black, but I'm not positive which direction to go with the cushion fabric just yet. The round marble table is CB2 and those white, industrial shelves are a couple of cheapies from Ikea. They're really useful though - there are at least 4 places in the apartment that we could use them if we ever decide to move them from that area. 

We also already own: the grey wingback chair (ikea), the plycraft lounge chair (craigslist), and the couch ( also ikea). I don't have photos of the coffee table and credenza that Trevor built but there will be plenty to come soon!

Here's my philosophy on decorating with the opposite sex: Let your significant other win sometimes if you want to create a space thats interesting. If you spend all of your time trying to find a piece that both of you like for every single nook and cranny, chances are you'll come away with a room full of pieces that are just kind of "meh." You don't love it and he doesn't either, but you'll both be fine with it. And you'll live happily ever after in your "fine" house together. 

Instead...

Let him pick the chair that he loves (within reason people! no recliners with cup holders) but then take the liberty of pairing it with another piece (pillow, side table, lamp, etc) that softens it with more feminine details. You'll both feel better when you can look around the room and see both of you in the space. After all, it's your home.

Here's another tip: Start with more masculine pieces and layer in more feminine details. It just works better than going the other way around. A dark leather couch paired with faux fur and scalloped details? The perfect little trio. This space has enough masculinity for Trevor to hang out and play his video games with the broskis and be all "hey guys this is my crib," yet enough feminine details that I can have the ladies over for wine night and feel like we're not sitting in a bachelor pad. #winwin

So! What about you guys? Any recent move-ins with the significant other? If you're in a decorating debacle and need some assistance, lets work together.

lovelovelove.

-C

{ not just for children }

Hey, lovely readers!

Sorry for being MIA yesterday. I was feeling under the weather from all of the heat this week and decided to take it easy while working from bed, but the poor little blog got the short end of the stick.

I'm wrapping up a client project this morning (although, I always say I'm wrapping them up and tend to  endlessly find more things to tweak...), drinking my coffee, and trying to gather pieces of my brain. I feel like lately they're scattered all over Chicago. 

Anyway. Let me get to the point. I was wrapping up a different client project a couple of days ago, and as I was gathering some color scheme inspiration for the sofa, I had a realization:

**If you pin or post this mood board elsewhere, please credit back to my site**

See those Moroccan throw pillows perched on that beauty-full couch? Yeah, those are from Posh Tots.

See these grey bordered roman shades? Yeah. Pottery Barn Kids.

Rugs courtesy of Land of Nod.

So what do you think? Am I crazy, or could this stuff totally extend beyond a nursery or a playroom?

Thanks for stopping in! lovelovelove.

-C

p.s. email me at reverie2realityblog@gmail.com for information and a price quote to work together on your own e-design project!

{ the most divine exhaustion }

via

I fell in love with this dining nook earlier this morning. 

Banquet seating, wishbone chairs, fun textiles, bunch of handpicked flowers, white walls, and lovely natural light.

I am more exhausted than I have been in a long, long time. But it is the most divine exhaustion. I am busy with so many things that I love. And most days I still can't believe I'm lucky enough to be doing everything that I am. I never, ever could have envisioned my life being what it is now. And there are still so many decisions to be made and possibilities to come. I'm not going to share them just yet, but I promise I will soon.

via

for now, you can find me filling up my coffee cup to keep my eyes alert. I'm off to get dressed for Day Two of the Jess LC Lookbook Shoot and a meeting. 

Hope you all have the most wonderful day. lovelovelove.

-C

{ Life Lately }

Hey, everyone! 

Sorry for my absence yesterday. This week has already become one of the busiest yet, and it's barely Tuesday! I'll go ahead and pay for refills of coffee in advance for the rest of the day.

I spent yesterday morning wrapping up a few projects for a client:

{a sneak peek at some of the work for their master bedroom}

Working over at Jess LC:

{photo via Jess Constable}

And doing a mix of designs for clients, The Everygirl, and social media work when I got home. My computer caused a ruckus with some work I was doing which led me to starting over at one point--it's a good thing I love what I do :). 

Needless to say, it was a late night and I didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning, which is terribly late for me these days.  The extra sleep was much needed.

The rest of this week will include more of the same, plus a couple of really fun/big styling projects which I can't wait to share with you so soon! You're gonna flip.

Hope you all have a wonderful day :) If you're needing some extra assistance with your home, feel free to email me for a price quote! I'll be taking on new clients this week :)

Thank you so much for stopping in. lovelovelove.

-C

{ Love Note: Shoppe by Amber Interiors}

I'm sourcing items for a couple of clients bedrooms right now, and I can't help but to continuously peruse Shoppe by Amber Interiors. My personal taste tends to favor texture and pattern over color, but with Amber Interiors, you neednt sacrifice either. The suzani pillows, in particular, get me all hot and bothered. Le sigh...

Do yourself a favor and head on over to the Shoppe now. I'll be there, as well. Wistfully browsing.

Have a wonderful day, everyone! lovelovelove.

-C

{ Make It Work: One Couch, Two Ways }

Let's be honest. When you're decorating on a budget, sometimes you've gotta do as Tim Gunn would and "make it work." A couple of years ago my roommates and I were generously gifted a large, brown leather sofa for our new apartment by one of our moms. We were thrilled to have such a huge expense taken off our plate, but were originally a little bit stumped on how to make the piece feel like "us." If you can relate to a similar challenge, don't fret. There are endless possibilities to furniture pieces even if they aren't what you would originally envision.

Here we have two opposite looks that you can achieve with a basic, brown leather sofa. Note that I didn't use a brown leather sofa from Restoration Hardware with gorgeous tufting and lines. We're talkin' the basics here, because I'm not tryin' to pull the wool over your eyes! This is truly about making what you have work without sacrificing your taste or vision for your space.

Option One: Soften the space with cool, subtle tones and mix glam, shiny materials with worn wood to keep things well rounded. A pop of fresh flowers and a soft, fluffy throw pillow will balance the harsher dark leather.

Option Two: If a dark leather couch seems too traditional and serious for you, there are plenty of ways to insert personality. Bright accessories, a graphic rug, modern shapes and plants will make your living room come alive in no time. 

You don't have to pigeon hole yourself with the pieces you have to work with. Have fun, try things out, and see what works. Throw pillows aren't permanent, and experimenting is half the fun!

Need a little extra help? Email me your design dilemma and receive a custom mood board and breakdown for only $30***. See here for more details.

Thanks so much for stopping in, guys! Have a wonderful day. lovelovelove.

-C

***Because of demand, my services and price list have expanded and changed! See here for more details  about how we can work together :)

{ Open for Business! }

Good Morning, friends! Happy Monday!

My new schedule has left me still trying to find my rhythm here in the Windy City, but I think this week I'm gonna nail it :). Fingers crossed.

Since my Home Tour was featured on The Everygirl in April, I've gotten emails here and there asking for some decorating/design advice. So, I got to thinking and decided it was time to finally pull the trigger on something I've been wanting to do for a while now!

Whether you've got a specific design dilemma, or just moved into a new home and need help getting a room or two together, I would be delighted to help by creating a custom mood board just for you!

Your custom mood board will help with furniture selection, color scheme, layout, etc. 

Here is what I need from you:

*2-4 photos of your space

*3-5 inspiration photos of rooms that you love (check out Pinterest, House Beautiful, Better Home and Gardens, blogs, etc.)

*a budget for all of the changes you'd like to make

*a brief letter explaining what your current issues with the space are

In addition to the mood board including a selection of furniture, accessories, ideas for a color scheme, I'll also include a breakdown of the chosen products, and layout and budgeting suggestions. I'll help you figure out which pieces you should splurge on and can even help scour Craigslist for options in your area.

Whether you need help selecting some furniture pieces, or choosing new accessories to revamp the pieces that you already have, just email me and we can figure something out for you. The main purpose of the mood board is to get you inspired to reinvent your space and narrow your direction and focus! Don't let your budget stop you. Being thrifty is my jam.

Seeing as I'm away from my beloved apartment all summer, I'm itching for projects. So do us both a favor and don't hesitate to reach out ;).

{photo by Arielle Elise Photography for The Everygirl}

For now, mood boards will start at $30, ** so get 'em while they're hot! Email me at reverie2realityblog@gmail.com for more information or to sign up today for your custom mood board! You know you wanna. 

Hope to hear from you soon! I hope you have a wonderful week. Thanks so much for stopping in! lovelovelove.

-C

**because of demand, my decorating services have expanded! See the "Hire Me" page for more details! 

{ A Cottage By the Sea... }

Chicago in the summer has turned a beach gal outta me. I take Lakeshore Drive whenever possible just so I can glance over at the pretty blue water at every chance I get. Suddenly I can't stop imagining a little home smack dab in front of the water...perhaps somewhere on the coast. The first place that popped into my mind for seaside decor inspiration? The Beach Cottage, of course.

See what I mean? How dreamy is that home? This new love of seaside living may just be a dream for now, because let's be honest, realistically I know that I could never abandon my love of city life for the beach altogether, but maybe that's why Chicago seems like the perfect city to call home. You get the best of both worlds.

Or Barcelona. Barcelona would do, too :).

-C

p.s. I'm also over on Maggie Rose Interiors today sharing my favorite budget-friendly decor options! Go take a peek! lovelovelove.

{ Love Note: Dabble Magazine }

Do you guys read Dabble Mag? It is decidely my perfect cup of tea. Travel, Design and Food.

My three most favorite things in all the world.

I browsed their gallery this morning and couldn't click fast enough on just about each and every photo. So much inspiration. I simeltaneously want to leave town and travel the world, redesign my entire apartment, and eat something delectable.

Sounds plausible, right? Do yourself a favor and go check it out if you  haven't yet.

Thanks for stopping in, everyone. Have a wonderful weekend!

-C

*all photos from Dabble Mag's Gallery via their website*

{ kodak moments }

It used to be that while I loved snapping photos of precious kodak moments, I never really could find a way to display them through the house without feeling like it looked cheesy. Then I found these images, which have me thinking that I need to stop storing images on my laptop and start getting them printed ASAP. 

I love how displaying these in mass makes such an impact. It feels personal, original, yet elegant and chic. And if you follow Rita Konig's example in the second photo, you have a much less expensive option for art above your mantle than purchasing a large statement piece of art. Totally in love with this.

What do y'all think?  

Thanks for stopping in! lovelovelove.

-C

*I have no source for this first photo. Can anyone help a blogga out?

Second photo source

{ Love Notes: Rita Konig }

Rita Konig, style writer and interior designer, and as it turns out, responsible for about 75% of all the images I drool over on Pinterest. I was browsing her online portfolio last night, and holy guacamole. 

I love her.

Her use of patterns and color is so well done, and I love that her rooms feel playful, never stuffy (even when they're traditional).

Don't you just want to dive into those heart sheets from the first photo? What a beautiful, cozy room. The styling in all of them is outta this world.

Okay. I will pick my jaw up off the floor now. But only because I have to get to work.

Hope you all have the most wonderful day. Do you have a favorite designer?

lovelovelove.

-C

All photos from Rita Konig

{ Thank You }

Thank you all so, so much for your kind words about The Everygirl feature yesterday! Each comment, email, or tweet made my day. You guys are the best :).

I've had a lot of questions about where I got certain things in the apartment, and a few blog post requests to share some more tips on my favorite ways to put a home together on a strict budget (and sometimes, no budget at all).

So that's what the rest of this week is going to be about. I'm going to go through my source list with you and give you all the tricks up my sleeve. I hope it helps. Check back tomorrow to get started :).

Thank you all so much for stopping in today. lovelovelove to each of you.

-C

All photos by Arielle Elise for The Everygirl

{ Sneak Peek of My Home Tour! }

As mentioned in a previous post, my little apartment is being featured on The Everygirl on Monday! I am so, so excited to see the feature, and can't wait to share it all with you. Here's a couple of sneak peeks:

Be sure to check it out on Monday, when the tour goes live :).

The last couple of months have been totally surreal. I can't believe the opportunities I've been so lucky to have. I just continue to be so thankful to be learning and growing each day. Thanks to each and every one of you for inspiring me on a daily basis. I hope you all have the happiest of weekends.

lovelovelove.

-C

Photos were taken by the amazing Arielle Elise Photography

{ What's black and white and striped all over? }

These beauties.

I love them. Like many others, I definitely tend to gravitate towards neutrals when it comes to the main pieces of a room because I love switching things out all the time. Even though the stripes offer more interest, I would still consider these to be super neutral. I would have a ball mixing in some jewel toned floral pillows. Or keep theming simple just as they are here. See? Flexibility.

What do you think? Would you say yes to a striped couch?

Thanks for stopping in, guys! lovelovelove.

-C

photo via 

{ Stony Run Home }

(love these floors)

I spent my extra time in Baltimore this spring break (when not hanging out with my big sis) browsing furniture stores, antique shops, thrifting, etc. It's my idea of a grand time.

When my friend Christine suggested that I go check out Stony Run Home, an extremely well curated furniture boutique and studio owned by designers Lauri and Patrick Fitzgerald, I happily obliged.

What. a. treat. It's off the beaten path a little, and had Christine not pointed it out to me I probably would never have found it. I couldn't snap pictures fast enough (if only I had more than just my iphone on me!). Each corner was filled with quality, beautiful items, and the whole shop had a cozy, yet light and airy feeling about it. If you are in the area, I highly suggest you seek out Lauri and her daughter's design services, or at least stop by the boutique/studio. You'll definitely leave feeling inspired.

Thanks for stopping in today! lovelovelove.

-C

*all photos via my iphone