WEEK SEVEN: ONE ROOM CHALLENGE

Well, there is only one week left for my ORC challenge design, and I am feeling the pressure this time. I might have bitten off a little more than I can chew this time between my full-time job and getting my entire wishlist for the tween makeover done in just eight weeks. So, let me give you a recap of the top three things that we’ve accomplished this week.

First and foremost, the hideous ceiling that has been irking me since we moved in finally got repaired. And—it was NO small feat. The repair took an entire week, and it's actually finished tomorrow. It involved removing old plaster, repairing a poorly done tape repair on a large crack, and then three coats of skim coating. In the final week, the ceiling can get re-painted, and a new light fixture can go up.

Next, the furniture was delivered for the room, including sponsored pieces from RugsUSA and Wovenbyrd. I was relieved to order so many products from Amazon Home, and I used money from the furniture items I sold to reduce the costs. So, the final week is all about assembling everything together in time for the photo shoot at the end of the week.

Lastly, I installed the peel-and-stick wallpaper (most of it) this weekend with my husband, my design partner Cojo, and my daughter. To say that I’m sore after the install would be an understatement. But boy, does the wallpaper make the space feel totally brand new.

For week eight, it’s all hands on deck to make this design come together in time for the photo shoot on Friday. I’m definitely cutting it close this time around.

WEEK SIX: FALL ONE ROOM CHALLENGE

It’s week six of the ORC, and things are heating up. A local charity will pick up the old furniture next week, and everything else is being placed in bins to prepare for the whirlwind of events in the next two weeks. This is also the last week of planning, and from here on out, I’ll be able to share a sneak peek of the installation over the next two weeks. Below are final looks of the before images of this room before it finally gets transformed over the next two weeks.

This week, I wanted to make sure all of the spaces in the room had a design plan. So, I focused on my daughter’s office area, which will serve as a combination between a desk and a vanity. Her old desk was a little too big, her closet door never fully opened, and it was filled with old paper and books. I chose a mid-century modern look to complement the bed and reduce the clutter. The other thing I did since my daughter is a “Swiftie” (I am not), but as a loving and supportive mother, I decided to go for this poster art with twelve 8x12 posters from Amazon that cost $16 and will be a cute wall story above the desk.  

Next week the ceiling is going to get repaired by a local handyman. The ceiling plaster is uneven and requires a skim coating process that will take three days to complete. This repair will allow me to finally do the fun stuff, like paint the ceiling purple, put up the wallpaper, and bring in the new furniture.

. Below are the final looks of the images of this room before it finally gets transformed over the next two weeks.

WEEK ONE: FALL ONE ROOM CHALLENGE

I have officially been bitten by The One Room Challenge after taking my first shot at this collaborative endeavor last spring. This time around, I will tackle my daughter’s room, and it’s honestly the last room in our home to update without doing a gut renovation. So once it’s finished, it’ll feel like my next round of work is all heavy lifting from here on out.

I have been designing my daughter’s room since she was born, and each makeover has been in publications like LONNY, HGTV, IKEA, and more. And now that my daughter is officially entering her tween years, her design aspirations need to be within budget and my eight-week timeline, which will be tough for someone like her who likes to hold onto everything and just keep squeezing in more new stuff.

The Vision

The vision for my daughter’s room is two-fold. The room should be a creative hub for all her aspirations, and be hyper-organized. In addition, there are three obstacles I need to address in her room.

Layout

The current footprint of her room doesn’t work. She has a lot of furniture pieces that we moved from our old apartment into our new home, and they’re oversized in the space due to a wall radiator and two closet doors that swing open into the room. To fix this, I want to remove a dresser from the room, swap out her full-size bed for a daybed, and scale down the size of her desk.

CeilinG

My daughter's overhead ceiling, similar to my son’s room, has a lot of cracks and uneven marks since we live in a home built in the late 1930s. I need to repair the ceiling and, if my budget allows—wallpaper it. Something needs to go up there to add a visual element of surprise.

Closet AND ROOM Organization

The biggest thing to address is storage options everywhere in the room. Since the room has the luxury of two closets, I want to maximize the floor space by maximizing the interiors of these reach-in closets. I also want to find organization for jewelry, hair accessories, and desk supplies so everything has a home when she’s done with it.

I’ll have plenty more to share as the weeks go on and input and videos from my daughter and me tackling this room together this fall. I’m excited for you to join me again for another One Room Challenge. And I may need a lot more coffee this time to manage my tween partner.

Week Eight: REVEAL DAY!

I’m excited and relieved that I completed my first One Room Challenge. My goal for this project was to makeover our office space into a toddler bedroom. I wanted to design a light and bright space that was kid-friendly and brought a city vibe to the suburbs. And based on the reaction from my son, I feel like I nailed it!

The Accomplishments

Courtesy of David Land and Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

The room was originally my husband’s office, and I had three goals. First, I wanted to make the space feel warm and cozy by insulating it better. My son’s room is the coldest place in our home, and I needed an affordable solution to add warmth to the room without a gut renovation of ripping down walls and adding more insulation. Instead, I hired a Durant Paint Company to repair the ceiling and remove all the cracks. Then I installed a wall-to-wall carpet from Home Depot and got the installation for free due to a store wide promotion for May.

Secondly, I wanted to make the space light and bright. I had a mural by Photowall installed by Durant Painting, a local wallpaper and paint installer in my town. Then my husband and I re-painted the rest of the room with Clare paint’s grayish color.

Lastly, I wanted to make it FUN!!! I added artwork with cars from Society6 (something my son loves), clear toy bins so he could easily access his toys, and a new play area. I wanted to designate a space in his room for him to build blocks, draw, and then hang up his art pieces when he’s finished.

Honorable Mentions

Photos Courtesy of Touch Life Studio | Playkit from Lalo

Photos Courtesy of Touch Life Studio

Photos Courtesy of Touch Life Studio | Wovenbyrd Chair and Ottoman

The space is only 150 square feet, but the new paint color brightens it and makes it feel kid-friendly. The updated footprint of the room is SO much better. I love our reading nook—we have a very comfortable leather chair and ottoman from Wovenbyrd to sit in and read every night. The play area is my son’s favorite spot in the room, and with a carpet, I don’t have to worry about him hurting himself when he falls.

Maybe Next Time

Unfortunately, I ran out of time to update the closet and the changing table nook in eight weeks. The wallpaper and acoustic tiles I ordered for this part of the room didn’t arrive on time, so I’ll have to show those upgrades in a few more weeks.

This project was also a lot of fun to tackle in my spare time in between work and family responsibilities. Seeing the response from my son at the end of the project and how happy he is in the room lets me know I nailed it! The One Room Challenge is something everyone should do to stretch themselves design-wise and see how much they can accomplish. Once you transform one room, you inevitably want to start digging into another eyesore in your home in no time.

Week Seven: Spring One Room Challenge

Well, I’m almost at the finish line of The One Room Challenge, and things are really heating up around here! Now it’s all about tying up the loose ends between my work schedule and family responsibilities. I need to review my to-do list for all upcoming deliveries to have a tracking number and a delivery ETA for this week. Plus, it’s a good time to review the budget to ensure I complete the project on time and within budget.

Progress Report

The New York Skyline mural in grey from Photowall was the jumping-off point for the entire design for the toddler’s room, and it has arrived and was installed this week by Durant Painting. I also had all of the cracks and uneven bumps in the ceiling repaired instead of installing the shiplap ceiling, which saved me a lot of money on the project.

I have begun to bring in accessories from Amazon, like storage bins and organizers (but we will get into those details during the reveal big reveal to style the space). The swivel chair and ottoman have arrived from Wovenbyrd, and it’s already making a big difference during story time at night. As well as the play table and chairs from Lalo so my son will have a designated area in his room to sit and play. Lastly, my husband and I spent the weekend re-painting the bedroom with Clare paint’s grayish. Thank you for your votes, it’s such a calming color, and it's in between gray and green.

INSTALL WEEK

So what’s left … A LOT! I’m going to have a friend assist me this week to button up this room. Below are the big items that I need to resolve ASAP:

• Wall-to-wall carpet installation

• Install closet system

• Paint and style closet

• Install lighting

• Install acoustic wall tiles

• Hang wall art

• Style and accessorize the room for photo shoot

The photographer is scheduled for next weekend for the BIG reveal day. I cannot wait for you to see it and discuss all of the details and budget that went into this project.

Week Six: Spring One Room Challenge

Hey everyone, we are quickly approaching the finish line of The One Room Challenge. A lot of progress was made in the past week. Packages are piling up in my living room, and two more sponsors added to my toddler room design, Lalo and Clare Paint. So let’s dig into the progress report and loose ends that need to get resolved ASAP, or they need to be eliminated from the design if I want to complete this room in 8 weeks. 

Progress Report

I received my mural from Photowall, and it’s the jumping-off point for my entire design. When I initially started daydreaming about this space, I fell in love with this mural as a former New Yorker. I wanted my son’s room to have a taste of city life in the suburbs. I also was enticed by the color palette with shades of brown, cream, green, and blue that I could use for other design elements in the room. This mural gets installed next week, and I’ll share some sneak peeks.

The estimates to install a ship lap on the ceiling of this tiny room have come back, and they’re all out of my budget. And time wise, I’m not sure I can pull off the DIY ship lap ceiling and complete everything else. So, just in case, I’m getting the ceiling repaired and re-painted, so regardless of the timeline, it’ll look pulled together.

I ordered a wall-to-wall carpet from Home Depot, and now I’m just double-crossing my fingers it’ll be installed before the end of the month. Lastly, Clare paint should arrive any day now, and I can begin to paint the entire room, which will make a HUGE impact on the design.

LOOSE ENDS

II still have not confirmed a vendor for a closet system, and the space is just shy of four feet, so it limits my design options of what will fit and look good too. So my focus this week is to button this part of the design up and then begin to focus on the best part—accessories, and styling.

Next Week

I’m going all in with set-up to finish strong for The Room Challenge and will most likely be pulling in friends and family to finish it all up. I also foresee a last-minute trip to Home Goods and/or IKEA because something is always missing or needs just one more finishing touch. So stay tuned!

Week Five: Spring One Room Challenge

We’re officially past the halfway point in ORC, and things are starting to heat up. This week, I got contractors to show up for estimates on paint, ship lap wall installment, and a Home Depot team member came to measure the space for a carpet install. I’m also excited to share that I have two new confirmed sponsors, Photowall and Wovenbyrd. The New York Skyline Collage mural which was the jumping off point for my entire room design will be a feature wall in the space, and the swivel chair and storage ottoman that you all agreed is a must for a toddler room will be in the updated reading nook!

This past week, I also focused on two areas of the room to update. I’ll admit one is a want, and the other is a need. I’ll get your votes on some of my ideas again to see what you think is necessary vs. splurge-worthy.

Wall-to-wall carpet inspiration

Home Depot carpet samples

Update Flooring

One of the major concerns in this process was creating a room with better insulation. Since I live in an older home, my son’s bedroom was built over a sun room, and it loses heat. It was an important design element for me to add carpeting to retain more heat in the room and make a soft surface for him to play on daily.

I scheduled a carpet measure with Home Depot to get a price estimate to install the carpet in the space. A week later, a Home Depot team member showed up on time, measured, and created a CAD mock-up of the room in less than 30 minutes. Then I went to the store to pick up carpet samples and see which options work best in the space.

Courtesy of @em_henderson

Courtesy of @mrorlandosoria

The 5th Wall

A design element I’ve always struggled with in my home are low ceiling. I want to make the ceiling feel taller than it is (essentially a design trick to draw the eye up!). One design trend I’ve been noticing is a shiplap on the ceiling. I recently spotted it in Orlando Soria’s guest room makeover and Emily Henderson’s space this weekend. The existing ceiling has a bumpy texture and needs some TLC. But my first estimate was way out of my budget, but it could also be the design element to pull the design together.

This week on IG I want to get your vote, shiplap ceiling yes or no? Is it really worth it or should I just focus on adding carpeting to the room?

Week Four: Spring One Room Challenge

We’re officially at the halfway point of The One Room Challenge! This past month has been a ton of reaching out to sponsors, purging products, and getting ready for some big changes next month to this room. And thank you so much for your feedback on my IG account about the paint color for the room. Clare Paint in Grayish was the clear winner!

As I continue to tease you about the suspense of what’s to come, I wanted to dig into a topic that I think many parents and design enthusiasts will want to weigh in on. For the reading nook in the toddler room, are you team swivel chair or rocker? With my daughter, I had a glider in her nursery and kept it until she went to kindergarten. But with my son, I’ve been rethinking the tiny room, and those barrel swivel chairs are making me take a double take. They’re so cozy to sit in, and we could cuddle during story time.

The reading nook is small and, at most, can fit a chair roughly three feet wide. Below is my pros and cons list for each chair:

Swivel Chair

Pros

• Stain-resistant fabric

• Soft to touch

• 360-degree spin

Cons

• armless

Rocker

Pros

• Easy to clean

• Greenguard Gold certified

• durable

Cons

• vegan leather will show scratches

So, which would you choose for a toddler room makeover? Vote on my IG account tonight, and I’ll share the results next week.

Week Three: Spring One Room Challenge

Welcome back, everyone!!! As I continue to source products for the toddler bedroom makeover for The One Room Challenge, I have also been ignoring the elephant in the room—paint! I love the charcoal walls in the space right now, but for me to achieve my new toddler makeover—sadly this color will need to say goodbye and get a revisit down the road with another project.

I want the new toddler room to feel light and bright, and with my vision of a mural taking over just one of the walls, the other bare walls need to be changed color. And I feel like I’m gravitating back to a color I have used countless times in past projects, and now it’ll finally be in my new house—light blue. I know it’s not bold, but it is a paint color that plays well with others, and in such a small space, I need it to feel airy, and I can achieve this look without painting the walls white.  

Option #1

Clare Paint Grayish

I’m a huge fan of Clare Paint. My home is painted with Clare, a Black-owned paint company, and the color choices are well-curated. A gallon of paint goes a LONG way which is important when you re-paint a wall from a dark tone to a light color. You should expect to paint at least three to four coats for full coverage. I have often toyed with the idea of using their Grayish paint color, which reviewers state is a soft green, and seems subtle enough to work with my vision for the room.

Option #2

Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light

Now I’m a sucker for Farrow and Ball paint, and although I’ve only gotten a handful of clients, who are ready to pay double for a gallon of paint, they’ve always been thrilled with the results, and it’s worth every penny. So many of their paint colors feel timeless and sophisticated. For a toddler’s room, I still want a color that can grow with my son and will feel airy in a cozy space.

Option #3

I’ve used Benjamin Moore paints projects due to the versatility of color options. I will admit it took me a while this week to narrow down my choices after looking at images on Pinterest and looking for the slightest difference in shade. I landed on Misty Blue—it has a slight gray undertone and feels like it won’t be too heavy in the space.

Benjamin Moore Misty Blue

So, now I’m trying to figure out the right blue paint color for this room, and I could use your feedback. Please vote on my IG stories over the next 24 hours regarding the following three color options.

Week Two: Spring One Room Challenge

Week Two

I know in week two of The One Room Challenge most of us get excited about painting and installing furniture, but for me when I begin a project I like to start with a BIG purge. I also like to access my current items, see what can be upcycled, and (to be honest with myself) what needs to be upgraded if it doesn’t work with the new design.

I’m going to reveal the three big places around my son’s room where I will be making the biggest furniture upgrades. There will of course be more, but first, I want to talk about the heavy hitters.

Closet

This is my please don’t look in here, I am totally embarrassed it is SO messy, and it needs a major makeover. So I am going to empty this space out and plan for a new custom design for the closet to maximize storage. Ideally, I want to conceal the closet door with a wooden panel design so it looks like a wall when it’s not in use. On the interior of the door, I want to install storage shelves well as inside the closet. And of course, it needs to have some playfulness. I plan to wallpaper the interior with understated car wallpaper so it doesn’t distract me from picking out clothes with too much color but adds some interest to a small space.

The CORNER

The office chair, ottoman, and light fixture need to go. It’s time to upgrade to a rocker or stylish glider in this space. With my first child, I already had her nursery done before she was even born, but I’ll admit with my second kid this fell off my to-do list and I made do with my office chair and ottoman for the time being. Moving forward I want to make this a reading nook we can both comfortably snuggle up on together to read books and he can also play with while he looks at the window (one of my son’s favorite morning activities).

Bookcase

Lastly, it’s time to upgrade this bookcase that my daughter originally owned and passed down to my son. We have had this piece for ten years, it can easily be donated for someone else to breathe new life into it. I need a new bookcase with an option to conceal some of the toys and fewer opportunities for my son to wedge his whole body into it.

Stay tuned, this coming week I’m hoping to nail down my sponsors and get feedback from my installers about my vision. And see if my dream will fit my real budget (fingers double crossed!).

Week One: Spring One Room Challenge

Week One

I am excited to challenge myself this year by participating in the One Room Challenge. As an interior designer, I’m no stranger to renovations and executing projects from a mood board to a complete project. But I must admit, when it comes to my home, some projects have been overlooked as I have made client projects my top priority.

So this spring, I decided to participate in the One Room Challenge and change our gorgeous home office featured in Better Homes & Gardens (sigh!) into our dream toddler room for my son. And if you are not sure what the One Room Challenge is, let me fill you in on the project.

The One Room Challenge, aka ORC, was started over ten years ago by Linda Weinstein, the founder who wanted to do a one-room design challenge with online besties to create a room. She found that by working together as a design community, design lovers could work together to meet this challenge. Over the years, it has blossomed into a bi-annual event for interior designers and influencers to share their interior design tips, DIY skills, and everything in between that comes with big or small home renovations.

The Backstory

So when I moved into my home a few years ago, our extra third bedroom was converted into an office space for my husband. And—I learned while preparing for a home tour with Better Homes & Gardens that I was pregnant with my son. Fast forward to today, the office is gone, and what’s left is a makeshift nursery that needs a lot of TLC, and the true Angela Belt Interiors touch to make it shine. Below, check out the before images of the space, and in the following weeks, I will share how I will give this small space a major upgrade.

THE VISION

I’m excited to transform this office into a toddler-friendly room with fun design elements and maximize the storage for organization. Some of the design challenges to address in the space are listed below:

• Insulation

• Closet organization

• Toy organization

• Designated play area

• Multiple lighting options

• Air purifier/humidifier

• Maximize the square footage

I’ll have plenty more to share as the weeks go on, so I’m excited for you to join me first my first time in The One Room Challenge. Let’s GO!!!

HGTV Home Tour: The Living Room Before and After

Who’s ready to move to the next room? This week it’s all about our living room transformation (and we didn’t even change the paint!). I don’t know about you, but once we went into quarantine this spring it became abundantly clear to all of us that the living room needed some major updates. I was tired of living without a coffee table and I was sick of sitting on our old sectional.

SO during a lot of down time with my family, we discussed what we wanted our dream living room to look like. I want to share with you pieces I was gifted from various companies to make our dream living room a reality. This space now makes me feel like I’m on a staycation because who knows when I’ll get to go on a real vacation again!

Sectional

The biggest issue we had in our living room was our sectional. Our old one was over 7 years old. The cushions had turned to pancakes, the sectional connector broke so someone always inevitably fell into the crack, and my daughter broke one of the legs jumping on it. So needless to say it was time for an upgrade.

We partnered with US based company Apt2B to totally transform our living room. This time around I wanted a sectional that you could truly cuddle up in at the end of a long day at home. I wanted bigger cushions, a bigger footprint, and an injection of color. The Mulholland sectional completely elevated the whole look of the room, and nobody has to fight over the chaise anymore. My husband likes to refer to it as the hotel lounge area (this is high praise from a very opinionated spouse).

Coffee Table

This is the first time we’ve had a coffee table in two years. For those of you who are kid free you are probably thinking what?!? But I have had so many parents DM me that they love this table, but they have to wait until their kids get bigger to buy something like this.
Well I disagree, I got this table from Urban Outfitters for two reasons. One, it’s new but looks like a vintage one-of-a-kind piece. The Ria coffee table has a rattan tabletop with a unique woven pattern, and the organic shape of the legs make me want to swoon. Secondly, it’s light weight and sturdy enough to move out of the room so my daughter can play Just Dance.

Pillows & Rug

One of the main requirements for this room was that it didn’t have any pink in it this time around (yes, opinionated spouse again). This became a very difficult challenge for me because I love mixing blue with blush. So, I had to get out of my comfort zone and move towards ochre.
When I discovered these pillows and rug from Lulu and Georgia (I was saved). I loved that each piece had these abstract hieroglyphic-like patterns, and I could easily blend them with existing pieces in my home. Most importantly, the colors played nice with my sectional.

More Plant Babies

As I have shared many times before I don’t have a green thumb, but I’m trying my best with my new plants from Bloomscape (I refuse to name the plants until they’ve been alive for a solid 6 months, and I’m half way thru my goal🙌🏾)

This burgundy rubber tree is just what the doctor ordered when it came to this corner of my room. Normally in a corner I would add an accent chair, but with a sectional this large and generous who would sit there? So I decided this was a perfect opportunity for me to try out a plant. There’s a window nearby for indirect sunlight, and it forces me to remember to water all of the other plants.

1. Aimee Mohair Throw, Merlot

2. Moroccan Flatweave Rug, Ochre By Sarah Sherman Samuel

3. Iconic Stripe Pillow By Sarah Sherman Samuel

4. Charlotte Velvet Pillow, Burnt Orange (***What is shown is goldenrod SOLD OUT)

5. Iconic Stripe Lumbar Pillow By Sarah Sherman Samuel

6. Mulholland Drive 2pc Sectional Sofa in Baltic with pecan legs

7. Ria Coffee Table

8. Burgundy Rubber Tree

***All items listed above were gifted

HGTV Home Tour: Entryway Office Before and After

Photos by Julius Ferrer at First And Last Productions LLC

This month I will be taking you room by room through my home tour with HGTV. This week I’ll be focusing on the entryway, which is now my office. The hallway was never my ideal space for an office, but when I realized during quarantine I needed to fit 3 desks in one apartment, I had to get creative. I put together a list of 5 things that completely transformed my entryway, and I think you should check them out too.

Peel & Stick Wallpaper

No one in my family wanted me to paint the hallway, it’s been a favorite for awhile so I let that battle go. However I needed the space to feel different so I would actually want to work there everyday. I started with the peel and stick wallpaper from Chasing Paper called Shaping Up. I wanted a graphic pattern and it needed to play nice with my existing walls in shades of green. Once my husband installed it, I knew it was the right choice. My eyes naturally look up, and this one wall feels like it’s own space.

Computer Set-up

One of the things that I wanted to update was my keyboard. The one on my laptop wasn’t cutting it all. My husband had recommended getting a mechanical keyboard and I was definitely “meh” until I went to the website. The amount of options that Mechanicalkeyboards.com has for both Macs and PCs is NUTS . I wanted to pick a keyboard that was going to make me want to come to work in the hallway every morning. This keyboard made all the difference when I know its time to check my emails.

Plant Babies

A term I thought I would NEVER use, but there is a first time for everything, right? I originally had planned to go with faux plants because if you listened to my interview with the Plant Doctor Hilton Carter you would know I’m not great with real plants (didn’t hear it, well here is the link). I also knew that one of the things I wanted to change about our space after going into quarantine was to bring more plant life in. Once I got bit by the patio plant bug, I naturally decided to bring in real plants all over the place.

I decided to partner with Bloomscape because they have their plant game down! I have worked with many plant vendors over the years as a visual merchandiser and designer, and let me tell you it’s a lot of work. Each plant vendor is very different in how they deliver and inform you on how to maintain plants. Bloomscape made me feel at ease because not only did my plants get delivered in excellent care, each plant comes with letters on how to take care of them, and shares what type of plant they are. In my office space, I went with the ZZ plant and the Ponytail Palm (from the easy peasy collection). I have not named either plants yet because I think it could be bad luck with my black thumb history. The ZZ plant is perfect in this space because it can live in a space with low light, and no windows. With the help of my hubby I do rotate this plant around the house from time to time for direct sunlight, but it has not been impacted by being in the hallway corner. The ponytail palm is happy as can be, I water it once a week, and make sure it also gets direct sunlight throughout the week.

Desk Organization

When it came to finding the right organization for my desk, I definitely hit a creative wall. I didn’t want file folders that blocked out the wallpaper because it was such a tiny space, and I needed pieces that could be pretty versatile and easy to move when I’m recording a podcast.

These LUND storage containers from The Container Store do the trick. Since they’re a acrylic they don’t interfere with the other decorative accessories or the wallpaper on the shelves. Plus, the wooden lids match the wood finish of my desk perfectly.

Something Cozy Underfoot

Photos by Julius Ferrer at First And Last Productions LLC

The item I was most excited about was my rug. Most people would say you’re crazy to put a cream runner in the entryway of your home (especially living in New England). But hear me out, I redesigned the other half of my entryway(which I will reveal in good time), so shoes come off and get stored right away. SO far this design idea has worked.

I wanted this rug because of its feminine feel. It has gold sequins woven into the fibers, shaggy boho chic diamond patterns, and then there are long tassels at each end of the rug. I don’t know if you can tell or not but I LOVE this rug. So for me the runner was the icing on the cake to make my entryway office super feminine and chic.

To shop the look click the links below:

1. Stone Sequined Tribal Bands Area Rug

2. Lund London Nordic Magazine Holder

3. Easy Peasy Collection (Ponytail Palm)

4. Svalnas Desk with drawers

5. 108-Key ABS Doubleshot SA Keycap Set - Cotton Candy (Hardcap / Ducky) & Varmilo VA87M Orange and White White LED TKL Dye Sub PBT Mechanical Keyboard

6. Lund London Nordic Triple Storage Pen Cup & Poppin Fineliner Pens Pkg/4

7. ZZ Plant with charcoal planter

8. Lund London Nordic Modular Stacking Boxes Set of 3

9. Shaping Up in Blush Peel & Stick Wallpaper

HGTV Home Tour: The Patio Before & After

I’m so excited to be kicking off my blog series about our HGTV home tour this week!!! But before I even talk about what’s inside my apartment, let’s talk about what’s outside—the patio space aka a little slice of heaven.

You can see on the right in the before image there was literally nothing to work with but a wooden chipped table, and three chairs (one of which I took from my dining room when we all wanted to eat outside). The pandemic was a turning point for us to make some big moves outdoors. I was CRAVING nature and I just wanted to be outside, and sadly for the past few years I have never done anything with the porch (until now). So I decided to reach out and collaborate with Article and RugsUSA to transform this space into our little oasis.

Mood board designed with Morpholio Board App

The first thing I started with was a mood board (of course). I wanted to design an eclectic space with a mix of materials and patterns. I also wanted to make sure it felt like “me.” So going with some boho-inspired and mid-century pieces were right up my alley, and then sprinkled with a ton of pattern play.

Photos by First and Last Productions LLC

The first piece that I started with was the Trella sofa I wanted to build my design around this piece because I fell in love with the mix of material of black and natural wicker, and the curved back was the perfect shape for our patio space. That side silhouette is just right for a small space. We were also concerned about durability since we’re in the North East super durable for the outdoor elements because the black and natural wicker materials actually conceal the aluminum frame of the sofa.

Our next priority was a dining table that would seat all three of us and it had a mid-century modern feel. I find a lot of outdoor furniture is boxy and typically teak, but I wanted something that looked SO good you would have a hard time believing it was made for the outdoors. So when I saw the Ballo table (and then measured my outdoor space), and realized this round table would fit I was elated. This table definitely brought in some sophistication to the space. The angle legs and thin round top look so good its hard to believe its outdoor, until you try to move it, this table is made of galvanized steel and it has a matte black powder-coated finish, believe me when I say it’s not going anywhere.

For the chairs I wanted to pair the table with something playful and easy to clean. The Svelti chair in daisy yellow checks both of the boxes no problem. The yellow makes such a bold statement on the patio, and whenever food spills or soil drops on it when I re-potting a new plant (which it inevitably does) it’s super easy to clean up. Plus, after having these chairs in direct sunlight for the past three months the daisy color still is bold.

Lastly, I really wanted a rug in my space, but it’s a very narrow patio, and I kept going back and forth on whether or not I needed something underfoot for the sofa. Well thankfully I went with this gray striped tribal Indoor/Outdoor runner from RugsUSA. A lot of outdoor rugs for durability purposes have a plastic feel to the touch, but this rug has a soft feel underfoot even though it has a thin pile. Plus, the graphic geometric pattern adds another layer to the design which I love (any reason to layer on the more let’s do it).

Let me tell you I am soaking up every little bit of sunshine I can get from my new patio space. I call it my new room, and most people can find me outside these days in paradise. To get the look click the links below:

1. Svelti dining chairs in daisy yellow (gifted)

2. Ballo Round Table (gifted)

3. Trella sofa in black and natural (gifted)

4. Gray Striped Tribal Indoor/Outdoor 2’x8’ area rug (gifted)

5. Outdoor Pillows from The Inside
   

5 Tech-Friendly Gifts For Dad From Home Depot

Father’s Day is literally right around the corner, and if you’re like me you’ve been secretly trying to figure out the perfect Father’s Day gift this year. Since my daughter is pretty young and not the best at keeping secrets yet, it’s up to me to do some investigating on finding the perfect gift for my husband this year.  

I know he loves electronics, but let’s face it these days, who doesn’t want something with wifi and bluetooth capabilities?  Well I decided to reach out to Home Depot for some help this year, and rounded up 5 tech-friendly gifts that Dad is going to love, and you’re gonna want to use all the time because they make major home improvements to your house, too.

Samsung 24.2 cu. ft. Family Hub French Door Smart Refrigerator in Stainless Steel

Kitchen- Samsung Smart Refrigerator in Stainless Steel  

A pretty annoying and common question that happens in my house around dinner time is, “What’s in the refrigerator Dad, and what are we going to eat?” I feel like my husband has to go foraging through the refrigerator to find all of the ingredients for the night.  There are a lot of discussions around when are we going to upgrade this fridge. Well ta-da, here is the dream fridge. The Samsung Smart Refrigerator is much more than a big metal box to hold food.  Forget about the magnets and the chalk boards to write down the entire family to-do list, this refrigerator has you covered on all fronts.  Where do I even begin to talk about all of the bells & whistles. There are three cameras that let you see what’s inside the fridge without ever having to open the door. Your smart screen can pull up recipes to help assist with the ingredients in your fridge. It can connect to your family calendar, and it responds to your voice so there is no need to type in the grocery list, just tell it what you need. This is the type of Father’s Day gift that the whole family can enjoy. But if Dad is questioning whether or not this gift is really for him, remind him the screen can also be used as a TV and he can watch whatever he wants.

Traeger Pro 575 Wifi Pellet Grill and Smoker in Black

Patio-Traeger Grill & Smoker

It’s less than two weeks until summer, and now is the perfect time to grill.  But grilling is so much more than just plopping some meat on the hot racks. We all have a family member (usually Dad that we trust with this responsibility) to make sure we eat well cooked, juicy meat.  Dad is normally hovering over the grill the entire BBQ to make sure the burgers are flipped at just the right time, and checking that the roasted vegetables are browning just right. To be honest, Dad misses most of the fun because he’s manning the grill, until now.  

In comes the Traeger Pro 575 Wifi Pellet Grill and Smoker.  This is so much more than just a grill. I mean where do I even begin to talk about all of the bling that this grill comes with.  First of all, the grill has smart WiFIRE technology, which means you can set the temperature from anywhere. That’s right, no more feeling for the right temperature with your finger tips, you can digitally tap in your desired temperature or if you are on your way home, you can have the grill fire up remotely from your phone with the Traeger app (I know, what?!?) This grill burns on real wood pellets, so your food gets that nice smokey flavor, and it cooks faster than a traditional grill.  Lastly, if you feel like you are out of ideas of what to cook on the grill, no worries. The Traeger app has you covered with loads of recipes to try out on your new grill.

Home Netwerks Decorative White 110 CFM Ceiling Mount Bluetooth Stereo Speakers Bathroom Exhaust Fan with LED Light

Bathroom- Home Netwerks Stereo Speakers Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Have you ever thought if it was up to your Dad there would be a speaker in every room?  Well, here’s to getting Dad a little closer to his dream with the Home Netwerks Stereo Speakers Bathroom Exhaust Fan.  Yes, every bathroom needs an exhaust fan to keep air moving so we’re not stuck with the funk of wet smelly towels. But what if your exhaust fan could do so much more, like have a bluetooth speaker to pump out your favorite songs while you are in the shower, and also give you more overhead lighting with an LED light? I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of bringing my phone into the bathroom to play tunes because of all of the moisture, and speakers sound terrible in the background to the sound of a shower. But no more worries with this baby, you can play your tunes or even meditate or listen to the latest TED talk with this smart exhaust fan. Get your day started off right!

iRobot Roomba i7+ Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal (7550)

Living Room-iRobot Wi Fi Connected Robot Vacuum

Nobody likes to vacuum. This is definitely a job that all of us would gladly give over to a robot. So if your Dad is the clean freak in your house, constantly trying to vacuum up all of the kids’ mess (yeah and your mess too), then help him out with this iRobot wifi connected robot vacuum.  Dad is going to absolutely love this gift. Vacuuming can finally become stress free. All he’ll need to do is set-up the app, tell the robot which rooms to vacuum and its off.  If you’re feeling a little stunned by the sticker price, don’t--this vacuum is worth every dime. Think of it as an investment to end all of those arguments about who’s turn it is to vacuum the living room today and for years to come. This vacuum moves gracefully from carpets to hardwood floors with no problems. Not only that, this robot is so independent it can dump its own dirt. I mean talk about a smart household cleaner, this is a big time saver for Dad, who can now sit back, relax and just enjoy the day.

Ring 1080P HD Wi-Fi Video Wired Smart Door Bell Pro Camera, Smart Home, Works with Google and Alexa

Front Porch-Ring Doorbell

More and more packages are being delivered to our homes, and a peephole and doorbell just aren’t doing it, mostly because we’re never home.  If your dad is tired of sending packages to his job or a back door because he’s worried about something getting swiped, well no need to worry anymore with the Ring doorbell. This is so much more than just a doorbell with built in video surveillance.  It comes with an app so you can be connected at all times to your home.  Some of the great highlights of this device is the two-way voice conversations you can have between you and a visitor, and everything can be monitored and saved if your neighbor says one thing, but you video records another. It’s great for peace of mind while you are out, and Dad will have a lot of fun making sure that your home remains safe.  

Okay so if you have a techie Dad in your house like I do, then head over to Home Depot to pick up one of these goodies. Also don’t forget these types of Father’s Day gifts actually add quality of life to your home, and make the day-to-day chores practically disappear so Dad has a lot more time to do the things that he actually wants to do.

GIVEAWAY: 5 Tech-free Travel Toys For Kids

Do you remember what it was like when you went on road trips with your parents as a kid?  There were no tablets, you complained a lot about are you there yet, and then eventually you started making up some pretty weird games in the car with your siblings and a couple of pennies and dimes (well this was definitely my experience).

These days, whenever we take a road trip or are headed to the airport its become a no brainer to grab the tablets, the nintendo switches, and press play on TV screens so you can travel in peace and quiet. But as we learn more about how much screen time is actually good for our little ones, you quickly realize that on a road trip your kids are binging on tech.  Plus, the weirdest thing happens when you try to take those devices away from kids. They turn into little monsters who have major temper tantrums and their attitudes get real turned up.  SO to avoid all of that nonsense, I have partnered with five awesome companies to do a giveaway of some great alternatives to devices that you can play with your children on your next vacation.  

Quote by Anne England, Co-founder of Favor

Toys

I know you’re thinking well of course we pack toys, but it's almost way too many and a few of them inevitably get lost on each trip. What if you could have a toy like this wooden hand held game, where all of the buttons actually work?!  The goal of the game is to get all of the hoops through the spikes in the middle. There are so many reasons to love this toy. First, it’s a great way to wean kids off their tablets, and it's probably the toy they’ll grab for first thinking it is a tablet (haha, you tricked them good this time).  Secondly, the retro vibes of this design and the compact size of this piece makes it easy to bring along on a trip. And if you’re like me and you are tired of toys being made of plastic and who knows what else, this toy was designed in Japan with beech wood and non-toxic paints by the company kiko.  

Quote by Quarto Kids

Activity Books

Traveling with an activity book is a lifesaver. In my experience, the right book with a new game on each page can distract my child for hours, or at least until snack time.  So the next time your planning to pick up an activity for your next trip, check out Quarto Kids. On the Plane activity book is just right for the next time you go jet setting.  This activity book works for a wide spectrum of age groups, and has pretty durable pages so bring on the markers. It’s so much more than just puzzles and connect the dot activities; your kids also learn fun facts about how airplanes operate, there is a diary to chronicle their adventures, and design their own passport.  

Quote by Matthew Goins, Found of Puzzle Huddle

Puzzles

When you are on a long flight, an activity for both the kids and you is always a good puzzle.  Pull down the tray (permitting you have enough space if the guy in front of you hasn’t gone into a full recline), and begin to strategize together to solve it.  I’m a big fan of Puzzle Huddle because their puzzles come in a range of sizes. You can get a small size 14 piece one that’s easy for on the go trips all the way up to XL sizes.  More importantly, at Puzzle Huddle their puzzles focus on images of people of color (which is a huge opportunity in the commercial puzzle market today). It is exposure to imagery and play that we can all benefit from on a trip.

Quote by Kerry Stokes, Found of Calhoun & Co.

Playing cards

There is always time to play cards when you’re traveling, especially at the airport when you’re waiting to board with kids.  You will absolutely fall in love with these Always Play Nice (please) playing cards by Calhoun & Co.  The cards’ modern illustrations are a much needed update to the old-school deck of cards we played with as kids (Remember the stoic king and queen, why can’t they smile and enjoy life a little!?!)  Also, the joker cards have been replaced by dogs. Plus, there is a cool tropical design on each card that really cements the idea that you are on vacation, and it's time to just sit back and relax. With one good deck of cards you can play an endless amount of card games like spades or go fish and begin to teach them some serious strategy moves. Or in my experience, they can teach you the game of how to pick up 52 cards in a short amount of time over and over again.  

Quote by Ashley Aikele, Co-Founder Bravery Magazine

Magazines

I know that whenever I go on a trip, I make sure to pack all of my interior design goodie magazines like Elle Decor & HGTV magazine. But I rarely have a magazine for my daughter, that is until now.  The Bravery magazine focuses on strong female role models that are great for any kid to read and play with on a trip. This magazine is so much more than just reading stories about heroines of the past and present, there are also fun DIYs and activities to do that go along with the theme of each issue.  This is a carry-on that you can make room for on every trip.

Traveling is a time to be unscripted, the daily routine of school is done, so it’s time to spend some quality time together.  So if you liked what you saw, and you want to take all of these items home before your summer vacation, well then sign up for the giveaway which ends Monday, May 27th at midnight.  To be considered for the giveaway you must follow all of the above websites on Instagram, and tag a place that you want to travel to this summer.

Beyond Mudcloth

In May, Beyoncé threw an Africa-themed push party to celebrate the expected arrival of her twins Sir and Rumi. A medley of patterned fabric cemented the aesthetic but led some Africans to question the extent to which the riotous decor truly paid homage to Africa. African print is about as African as pizza is American – an import from Europe that has become so entrenched in the daily life of West African culture that to peel back its history seems an assault on regional identity. As a result, several thought pieces have debated the misnomer ‘African print’.

Beyonce’s mom at the push party opened debate on the continent about the use of Dutch wax as the main ingredient for an Africa décor theme.

Actually, the application of African textile to home styling remains odd to many a West African.  Perhaps it is the psychology behind preferring something foreign over something local.  I once used a traditional cloth as a rug on a TV show set and was immediately scolded by an Aunt for disrespecting our culture because the cloth was on the floor.  Perhaps it is the cultural importance we attach to the cloth that makes us hesistate to apply the cloth outside its original function.  The reasons are likely as vast as the number of African fabrics that exist. However, it puts into question why the African-themed home is synonymous with the use of such fabrics when it is such a rare sight in our own communities, although this is slowly changing.

Understanding Prints

Dutch Wax Print Pillows

http://www.reflektiondesign.com/category/pillow-covers?page=1

African print refers to the technique used to manufacture the textile. The patterns are machine printed onto existing cloth and produced mainly in Holland, thereby referred to as Dutch wax prints. Dutch wax print is called ankara in Nigeria and pagne in most of francophone Africa. Kitenge or kanga in East Africa is a locally made wax print. However, traditional African textiles are mainly associated with what is handmade rather than manufactured. These include the beloved mudcloth, kente, batakari, aso oke, gabi, among many others.

A Word On Mudcloth

Mudcloth Pillows

http://www.houseofc.nl/

The darling textile of the moment is bogolanfini from Mali (or bogolan for short) - commonly known outside of West Africa as Mudcloth. It is made from raw cotton which is loomed and then dyed in a concoction of hues derived from plants, dried and finally hand-painted with iconographic secrets. The paint is made from fermented mud, hence the nickname. Mudcloth was traditionally worn by men during hunting expeditions as camouflage and protection against the elements. Bogolan eventually found its way into contemporary African fashion with brands like Nio Far, and into the home industry via a panoply of branded scatter cushions.

To Dye For

Bazin Fabric

http://www.aboubakarfofana.com/

Besides weaving, Africa is also famous for its dyeing techniques. The Kofar Mata dye pit has existed in Nigeria since 1498 and continues to operate. Traditional indigo artist Aboubakar Fofana has cornered the luxury market with bedspreads retailing at up to $3,500. Bazin, a fabric popular in Mali is an imported white damask from Austria, Germany and Holland (ironically normally used for upholstery). However, it is the dyed, starched and 3-hour wax-stamped version that has made it a local fashion staple. 
 

The Future Of Production

Higher demand for traditional textiles like Mudcloth is pushing makers to speed up the production process through mechanization. A fear looms that this will translate into a loss of skill and employment. Already, producers of Mudcloth shortcut the production process by using stencils rather than painting the designs free hand. Furthermore, designs which were once part of a symbolic dialect are now randomized geometric shapes devoid of the cultural significance they once held. 

Bogolan [de]constructed Mudcloth

http://www.osxnasozi.com/product/zori-half-moon-bogolan-pillow-cover-de-constructed

Ultimately, global discourse around what is an African fabric and whether any certain umbrella aesthetic or technique can apply to them will continue for many years. Contemporary African designers are responding to the brouhaha by reimagining traditional fabrics including Mudcloth, exploring ways to couple modern technology with ancient African knowhow, and are subtly announcing the birth of a new iteration of African textile design. Get inspired by them below:

-Xnasozi

-Raffia Ghana

-Johanna Bramble

-Bole Road Textiles

-House North of Addis

-Chrissa Amuah

-Donald Nxamalo

Her brand strives to build a community around African design. She was Assistant Set designer on hit TV show An African City, Season 2.  

BIOGRAPHY

Nana Spio-Garbrah is the Founder and Creative Director of Blueprint Africa, an interior styling consultancy specializing in African aesthetics.  She is also a trained economist. Follow and connect with her below.

Website | Twitter |  Facebook  | Instagram | Pinterest