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Creating a Family-Friendly Living Room for All to Enjoy

Guest post by Decor Aid.

A living room is often the most-used space in your home, so it’s important that you really enjoy the way it looks to make the time you spend there the most fulfilling. However, the living room of a younger, single person may have different needs of those who have small children roaming around the home. Renovating around the needs of your family isn’t always the most visually appealing, sometimes needing to change things around for practicality and safety reasons as opposed to stylistic ones. Décor Aid is here to debunk the myth that family friendly design needs to sacrifice aesthetic appeal, and is instead bringing you a plethora of ideas that you can incorporate into your living to create a space that’s enjoyable and functional for all.

Gallery Wall

While the gallery wall has made its way into homes around the country as one of the most popular trends, it still holds up as a striking element to add to your room. To bring a bit of expression to your living room, we suggest creating a gallery wall that revolves around your family—without using solely family photos.

While it’s typical to see a collage of professional photos of your wedding, combined with baby’s first photoshoot and subsequent birthdays, think a bit more outside the box when looking to express your family through artwork. To mix things up and make your gallery wall more dynamic, look to include other important elements of you and your family’s life together that have significance, like professional photos of your favorite vacation spot, ticket stubs from your first family ball game or concert, a precious note from an important family member, or artwork that was drawn by your children. The contrast between these elements will make for a much more intriguing approach, and incite more visual interest.

Ottomans with Storage

As most parents know, you can never have enough storage, especially when your living room seems to constantly be strewn with brightly colored toys that don’t quite mesh well with your decor. It’s important to invest in storage, but even more important to look for options that are multi-purpose, so that you can truly make the most of the limited space you’ve got. Instead of using a trunk that will simply take up space, look to an ottoman that contains storage inside. This is the perfect place to store rogue toys, extra blankets, or seasonal decor that you’ve swapped out. Furthermore, a rounded, plush ottoman is a safer option than a coffee table with harsh edges, and can still serve the same purpose and more.

Plants

Our high end Interior designers can’t stress enough that plants are a timeless addition. There’s a plant for essentially any style, so you’ve got a wide variety to choose from when sourcing some greenery for your living room. And not only do they bring a bright and healthy feel to your space, but many plants are air-cleaning and purify the air in your home by removing toxins. Look to plants to add some much-needed greenery and vibrancy to your indoor space, but also to show your children the important of maintenance and care to facilitate growth. Keeping a few easy care plants in the living room may actually be a great learning experience for your children to learn how to care for living things, and see the value in nurturing something to grow.

Wood

Wood brings a warmth that is incomparable to most elements. There’s something that inspires the feeling of nature or a quaint cabin without having to go all out with your design. There are a number of ways wood can be used to incite warmth in your living room, from furniture to decoration. Our designers are huge proponents of using wooden beams to add some depth or dimension to a home that seems to be lacking something. They create a more cozy space, but also one that is dynamic and bold, with beams that really attract the eye and serve a visual purpose.

Furthermore, we suggest sticking to wooden furniture as opposed to metal, because it brings a softness and warmth that other materials can’t replicate. Look for sofas and chairs that have wooden legs, coffee tables or console tables that are made of wood, as well as smaller decorative items to tie it all together. The warm honeyed shade of a medium shade wood is comforting and familiar to most, and works wonders in a room meant for family time.

Warm Palettes

To play off the element of warmth even further, look to your color palette to fully realize this vision. As this is a space you’ll often be relaxing in or spending time with family, friends, and other guests, you’ll want to feel comfortable, and color palette plays a significant role in achieving this. Because the tastes of you and your family may change over time, we suggest sticking with neutral shades like beige and brown that have a tinge of warmth as your most prominent, so that you can adjust the supporting colors without having to repaint your walls to match. A beige wall can be minimal, but still intriguing, so you’ll have freedom to vary the color as you wish.

From there, we suggest adding colors like gold and brown in your decor, furniture, and artwork to bring a relaxed and cozy feel to the space. By including these colors in smaller elements they don’t overwhelm the room, and can be easily moved around the space without disturbing the flow or feel of the room. Look to the upholstery on your furniture to define the space, as well as smaller elements like accent pillows or throw blankets. With your artwork, you’ll have a lot more freedom to expand on your color palette, but we recommend still finding a way to tie these warmer shades in with the rest.

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Grow Your Art Collection With These Original Prints From Permanent Press Editions

Every year around spring, I start searching for new art pieces to bring into my home. As I grow my art collection, I like to refresh my space with each season and either ask the people I love to paint something for me or shop around in vintage stores. Recently, I came across Permanent Press Editions online, and fell in love with their original collection. 

Founded in 2014, Permanent Press Editions specializes in original photography series for interiors. Their editions are meticulously crafted and developed to function as a collaborative system. So, if you've ever wondered how to pair your artwork or build that gallery wall, you are in luck! Permanent Press Editions has designed color palettes and themes that work together seamlessly in pairings or groups. 

All prints are on with archival-quality pigments on matte cotton rag paper, and the photographs are available loose or framed in solid wood with plexiglass. Check out the rest of their collection here! 

Which of these prints is your favorite? 

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The 6 Chicest Places to Instagram in NYC

Living in New York City, I’ve encountered many changes, new beginnings and incredible experiences. From the changing seasons, to breathtaking rooftop views and experimental cocktails there’s always something new and exciting to check out and try. With hundreds of beautifully designed spaces in NYC, and no better time to visit than autumn, I’ve narrowed down a few really chic and instagrammable spots to enjoy while you are in town. 

Hop on over to  The Decorista to check out my top picks! 

Cover image courtesy of Apartment by The Line.

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These Inspiring Abstract Nudes are Actually Magic

I’ve always been attracted to artists (and people in general) who push boundaries and challenge the status quo. Needless to say, when I came across Caroline Walls’ work on Pinterest, I was intrigued. 

Caroline Walls is a Melbourne based artist whose minimalist, abstract artworks feature the female form. I was blown away by her unapologetic view of sensual, deconstructed nudes. 

Below are a few paintings from her 2nd solo exhibit, “Another Thought”. If you love these fluid lines and the subdued palette as much as I do, you can buy a limited edition print on her website or here. 

  Photos courtesy of Caroline Walls. 

Caroline Walls' next exhibition, Maybe She, will take place in November 2017 at the Saint Cloche Gallery in Sydney, Australia. Let me know what you think of these paintings in the comments below! 

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It's Here: A Killer New Restaurant in Amsterdam

Heading to Amsterdam sometime soon? If so, you are in luck! Kimpton Hotels has just opened their first boutique hotel destination outside of the U.S. 

The Kimpton Dewitt Hotel, houses the new Wyers Restaurant and adjacent coffee shop, Miss Louisa, which were both designed by Studio Modijefsky. This restaurant and cocktail bar has room for 140 guests and was home to Firma Wyers, a Dutch textiles company, which inspired the interior design. I’m into everything in this space, from the portraits on the wall to the herringbone floors to the shades of muted greens.  

Images courtesy of Yatzer. 

Been to Amsterdam? Share your favorite restaurant and travel tips below! 

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This Restored Boathouse in Tuscany is So Good!

With a mix of metals and textures, architect and designer Vincenzo De Cotiis, has turned a beat-up boathouse in the Tuscan town of Forte dei Marmi, into the perfect holiday retreat.

I fell in love with the vintage armchairs covered in a bright yellow fabric, and the marble and brass table in the bathroom, also designed by De Cotiis. The large ceilings and aged walls mirror the impressive vibes of both the marble and concrete furniture pieces, while warmer accents and vintage furniture in pops of color bring in a nod to the building's seaside history. Basically, I'm ready to pass out over how good this is! 

Hope you enjoy! 

Images courtesy AD France. 

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Our Garden-Inspired Wedding was Literally the Best Day Ever

"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."  -- Maya Angelou

Guys, planning a wedding is the most exhilarating, beautiful, emotional thing ever. After planning my own and attending 7 weddings this year, I thought I'd share some of our special day and a few quick wedding planning tips with you all. 

I love to throw a good party and with a celebration so special, every decision we made was based on wanting our wedding to be a true reflection of who we are as a couple. For us, that meant a beautiful space, dancing, food and good drinks!

We fell in love with our wedding venue,  Studio 450, the moment we walked in. It was an all white blank canvas, and we knew it was perfect for our minimalist color palette. I worked with our florist, Bobbie of BAHTOH, to create an all white & natural green space, with a nod towards the greenery surrounding us the day we got engaged at Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, NY. 

We asked those closest to us to have a hand in making our day extra special. My husband designed all the paper goods, including the invitations, bilingual signage, petal toss bags, and  welcome bags.  My aunt hand-wrote our seating chart, and our midnight snacks were empanadas prepared by my grandmother's longtime friend and neighbor. My father officiated the ceremony, while one of our cousins read us a quote on love by Maya Angelou. We also incorporated a memorial table with photos of family members who have passed away. It was our special way of making sure everyone we love was present.

One of my favorite memories is when my 3-year-old niece walked up to the altar and gave an impromptu speech in the middle of our ceremony on the importance of listening to your parents and loving puppies! 

5 Quick Wedding Planning  Tips

1. Start with your big-picture, dream wedding ideas and then narrow down your must-haves from there. 

2. Shop around and compare prices. It will give you a better sense of what you want/need for your wedding day. For example, I was able to work with my florist on finding budget friendly flowers to  bring my overall wedding vision to life.

3. Download the app by The Knot. It literally walks you through every detail of planning your wedding, and has a very handy and adjustable timeline.

4. Use Zola for your registry. They have an app and I was able to conveniently update registry items on the go.

5. Let go and trust your vendors. They are professionals and will allow you to truly relax and enjoy your wedding day.  

Vendors

Venue - Studio 450

Catering - Creative Foods Catering

Month-of-Coordination - Cynthia Ross Events

Photography - Chaz Cruz Photographers

Flowers - Bahtoh 

Cake - Butterfly Bakeshop

Midnight Snack - A Neighbor

Paper Goods - John Arcella

Seating Chart - Dorcas Garcia Design

Officiant - Bride's Father

Music - Team Sayles

Photo Booth - Sweet Booths

Makeup - Christina Amador Beauty 

Hair - MG Hair & Makeup

Groom's Attire - J. Crew

Bride's Dress - Tony Ward Couture via Kleinfeld Bridal

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The Best View in Dumbo Now Belongs to the New Cecconi's

The incredibly gorgeous new Cecconi's on the Dumbo waterfront is the newest iteration of the Soho House restaurant group, owned by Nick Jones. With outposts around the world, including the flagship in London, Jones seamlessly brought Soho House's elegant vibe to Brooklyn. 

Images courtesy of Cecconi's Dumbo

My favorite part of checking out a new restaurant is taking a look at the small details. I love a good, stylish dinner party and eating out at a chic restaurant feel like a natural extension of that. More than likely you'd find me at the bar having dinner, since I prefer the ease of sitting down on my own and starting conversations with whoever's next to me.

Cecconi's describes itself as a classic Italian restaurant in an airy, sophisticated space. According to Eater, "there’s also an aperitivo menu from 4 to 7 p.m. with drinks and dishes between $4, $7, and $9". Open 7 days a week, with views of the Manhattan Skyline, the all-day small bites menu makes my heart sing! 

Images courtesy Eater

So, yes, you should be heading over to Cecconi's. And, yes, you are going to like it. Enjoy! 

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Norm Architects & Menu Design New Co-Working Space

Menu, a minimalist home and furniture brand out of Denmark, just opened a new showroom in Copenhagen with the help of Norm Architects. The showroom, Menu Space, will function as a co-working space, office, and cafe. It seems like the perfect recipe for success! 

There seem to be more and more co-working spaces opening with similar design-focused concepts, like the now global We Work brand, and the new A/D/O in Brooklyn, NY. Menu and Norm Architects sought out to create a sense of community among designers and design lovers with an open space plan, prompting creatives to share ideas and spark collaborations. 

“{W}e had the pleasure of {bringing} this new approach to running a successful design business to fruition by creating a space for great ideas, beautiful design, powerful concepts and inspiration” -Norm Architects

The architects designing Menu Space were influenced by its location in the up and coming neighborhood of Nordhavn, near Copenhagen’s harbor, and used the natural materials found nearby to create the raw and industrial design. 

While the bones of Menu Space are concrete and steel, there is a fluid movement that occurs based on the needs of those visiting, including sheer drapes used to create privacy when needed.  

If you’ve been following along for a while now, you know that there is a very special place in my wanderlusting heart for Copenhagen. This city was the host of my very 1st trip to Europe and the source of many, many design and style inspirations since. If you happen to be visiting Copenhagen sometime soon, plan a dinner at one of my favorite places in the city, Höst, which is designed in Menu furniture and ceramics. 

Images courtesy Norm Architects & Dezeen.

Shop My Favorites from Menu

Menu Mirrors & Clocks - 'Norm' metal wall clock in Brushed brass Solid brass Menu Furniture - 'Afteroom' lounge chair in Black, Cognac Powder coated steel (RAL 9005) Menu Vases - 'Echasse' vase in Brushed brass, smoke Solid brass, glass Menu Vases - 'Folded' vase in White Ceramic Menu Lighting - 'JWDA' lamp in Grey, brass Concrete, brass, glass, textil Menu Serving & Trays - 'Cylindrical' tray in Ash Ceramic Menu Glassware - 'Bottle' in Clear Glass, solid brass, silicone Menu Lighting - 'Socket' lamp in Brushed brass Solid brass, silicone, textile Menu Tea & Coffee - 'Kettle' in Clear Glass, stainless steel, plasti Menu Decorative Objects - 'Hover' bowl, large in Brown Marble Menu Vases - 'Cylindrical' vase, large in Ash Ceramic Menu Mirrors & Clocks - 'Pepe' marble mirror in Black Marble, brass, glass mirror Phaidon Books & City Guides - Wallpaper* City Guide Copenhagen in Various Paper

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24 Hours in Cabo San Lucas

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Last month I travelled to Cabo San Lucas for a short celebratory getaway. I fell in love with the gorgeous views,  contemporary architecture and incredible food! Here are a few snaps I took on my phone while wandering around Cabo. The homes are gorgeous, the sun is strong, and cacti are tall! 

Getting There

There are no direct flights from the East Coast, so expect a layover. If you plan ahead, spend some time in a city you haven't visited! 

Getting Around 

The hills in Cabo San Lucas are steep, so I suggest comfortable shoes if you'd like to walk around and take in the sights. Otherwise, cabs are readily available to get you down those hills. 

Where to Stay 

Villa Vista Pacifica in Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas.

Perfect for a getaway with a group of friends or family. 

Sleeps 12 with 2 pools.

What to Do

Snorkeling Tour on La Gringa Cabo .

Stop at The Arch,  Lover's Beach, and Divorce Beach for the perfect photo op and snorkeling.

Where to Eat

El Farallon at the Resort at Pedregal.

Enjoy cliffside dining at this romantic restaurant for the most incredible views. 

What to Eat 

Order "La Abundancia de la Baja", the "Baja Bounty", for a variety of local fish and seafood while sipping on a Cucumber and Ginger Mojito at El Farallon. 

How do YOU like to vacation in Cabo San Lucas? Tell us below! 

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Daydreaming of Casa Horta in Barcelona

When I first came across Casa Horta I thought I was daydreaming. It's rare to find something so magical, done so well. 

This 3-story home from the 1920s, was built in the Guinardo's neighborhood of Barcelona and refurbished by designer, Guillermo Santoma.  Santoma designed the home with a whimsical vision of vibrant, modern colors while using traditional moldings and tile.  Most notable in Casa Horta is a "fake skylight", complete with painted blue skies and clouds. The design can't help but entice all of your senses, and does a fantastic job at creating a both eccentric yet elegant modern space. 

Images via Sight Unseen & Guillermo Santoma

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The Coolest Designers from Sight Unseen's Offsite 2017 - NYCxDesign

Last Friday I attended the 4th annual edition of the Sight Unseen Offsite contemporary design fair in Soho, New York. It's design week in NYC (follow #NYCxDesign for more inspiration) and this highly curated show has the newest & coolest independent designers.  Below is an assortment of my favorites from this incredible show. 

Eny Lee Parker

Norway x New York Collection

Grain Design; Room Divider. 

Crosby Studios

Elyse Graham; Handmade Resin Vessels

Aesthetic Pursuit, Pieces Collection.

TWNS Studio x Wallpaper Projects

Slash Objects

Atelier Areti

Erich Ginder Studio

All images by Maia Alejandro for estilonyc.com. 

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Coolest Places to Brunch in NYC This Weekend

I've always loved a good meal, almost as much as I love a well-styled table. I'm not sure if I prefer brunch over dinner, but there's something about sitting outside with the sun shining behind my glass of Prosecco that I live for! Here are my choices for the Top 3 Coolest Places to Brunch in NYC this weekend. Plus, these 3 restaurants are in the perfect neighborhoods to keep the post-brunch fun going. 

Lalito

Located in Chinatown, Lalito offers healthy-ish Mex-Cal inspired brunch options. The well-rounded menu includes agua frescas (fresh squeezed juices), cocktails with whey, and even a few vegan options. Plus, Lalito's design is influenced by the classic NYC diner, complete with rounded barstools and some very cool mustard leather seats. 

De Maria

One of NoLita's newest locales is this elevated all-day cafe inspired space, serving perfectly styled grain bowls and avocado toast for your mind, soul, and Instagram feed. Go for breakfast or lunch to enjoy De Maria's sun-filled earthy tones and pastels designed by MP Shift. 

Sundays in Brooklyn

Spending your Sunday in Brooklyn at Sunday in Brooklyn is probably the smartest thing you can do this weekend. Sure, it sounds like the beginning of a tired joke but this place is actually a very cool 3-level home designed as a hybrid retail and dining space, with a marketplace, barroom, dining room, and rooftop garden. The chefs have set a goal to repurpose as much food waste as possible, using leftover ingredients in their creative cocktails and side dishes. As you walk into the market, you order and then head upstairs, where the dining room is designed with beautiful natural elements, like exposed wooden beams and marble. 

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Header image courtesy of De Maria. 

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Three Restaurants Relishing in Millennial Pink

Millennial pink looks like it’s here to stay for a while, and the 5 year-old girl in me in SO HAPPY! With everything from pastels to different shades of salmon, millennial pink is slipping into our interiors in the most impressive way. Here are three gorgeous restaurants from around the globe, fully living their pink-loving truth. 

Nanan Patisserie, Wroclaw, Poland

Pietro Nolita, New York, NY

Sketch, London, UK

Do you have another favorite space in millennial pink? 

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Casa la Vista, A Luxury Villa in Ibiza

After spending our honeymoon in Madrid and Barcelona last year, I can’t stop thinking about exploring the rest of Spain, with it’s breathtaking coastline and incredible island adventures.

That’s how I came across this luxury villa in Ibiza, Casa la Vista, with some of the most incredible views on the island. 

Even though Ibiza is internationally known as one of the top party destinations on the globe, this private sanctuary embraces time for peace and rejuvenation. The owner even runs week-long dance retreats! 

This Moor-inspired 6-room villa was designed by Rolf Blakstadt, and has been noted as one of the world’s best luxury escapes. Casa la Vista has direct access to the sea, a freshwater infinity pool, and meticulously designed Moroccan gardens. Surrounded by 30 acres of forest, Casa la Vista is an unbelievable retreat for anyone looking to escape to the gorgeous island of Ibiza. 

Where is your favorite place to stay on Ibiza? 

Casa la Vista & Conde Nast Traveller

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The Swedish Home of Meli Meli Home Founder, Amelia Widells

Welcome to the home of Amelia Widells, interior designer and owner of Swedish furniture and textiles showroom, Meli Meli Home. Her apartment exudes the flair of a Moroccan riad, inspired by many her global travels. 

Amelia's space has an overall calm vibe, with pops of bright color in each room.  I am in love with the way the blue paint color flows from room to room, and how she blends both new, modern pieces with family heirlooms. The large pink painting in her living room was painted by her grandmother and inspired by the gardens in their family home. Having recently lost my beautiful grandmother, I know how special and cathartic it can be to honor someone you love in this way. 

While looking through Amelia's home, I found myself in awe of her many accomplishments. Founding a home design store, being a mother, and becoming an incredible interior and textile designer! She's also focused on selling in a way that keeps costs down, allowing her pieces to enter the homes of many design lovers without huge budgets. Amelia knows the importance of a peaceful home that speaks to who you are, so be sure to check out the Meli Meli Home collections online or in person the next time you are in Stockholm! 

all images courtesy of Elle Decor SE

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Design Crush: Rue Vert in Copenhagen

My favorite Scandinavian city, Copenhagen, seems to have an endless supply of design inspiration. Enter in, Rue Vert, an uber sexy home store with perfectly curated modern and vintage pieces with a global flair. Here's an inside look at this dark, yet romantic, new furniture showroom in Copenhagen. 

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. 

What are your favorite places to visit in Copenhagen? Tell us in the comments below!