Monday, June 8, 2020

Monday Morning Meeting 6/7/2020


Welcome to the Monday Morning Meeting - It's OK if you're running late.  



***Random bits and thoughts that don't really belong anywhere else, but still feel like they're worth sharing. ***


Above is a photo from a master bedroom install we conducted last week.  The room is still in need of some finishing touches, but the details are all coming along nicely.  Follow along on all our designs on Instagram by following @lynnemckeedesign



We put this on everything:


A few weeks ago, I introduced by husband to this siracha aoli after I bought it at a little downtown shop.  Well, I am not going to tell you how many jars of it we have been through since then.  We can't get enough.  It is the perfect level of spice for weenies like us who only want a little bit of a kick, but still want a ton of flavor.  Currently thinking about purchasing it by the case.


The best ever face sunscreen:


Towards the end of the last school year, my oldest daughter went on a field trip to a local marine science center and rehabilitation center.  She came home full of knowledge about the dangers that most chemical sunscreens cause to the marine life, especially coral.  I was inspired by her conviction and promised her that we would make efforts to switch to reef-friendly sunscreens.  Seems, pretty simple, right?  And important too, seeing as how we are Floridians, and the ocean is a big part of our world (literally).  Well, I must say, we went through several different trials (most of them are like coating yourself with white paint), but in the process I found this face sunscreen and it was like hitting the jackpot.  This is saying a lot, considering that my skin breaks out if you even whisper the word "sunscreen" in my direction.  But not with this one.  No breakouts, no greasy feel, and no burns.  Hooray!


Super flattering shorts:


Ann Taylor came out with these shorts, I think, last year.  At least that is when I found them.  Since then I have collected several colors.  I love the length, not "I still think I'm in High School" short, but also not too long, and the tie-belt waist takes them up to the next level.




This blue and white heaven:

This home tour has me daydreaming of a lake house vacation.  The blue and white is so fresh, and the mix of natural textures keeps things interesting.  Be sure to check out the master bathroom!






Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Finds From The Pier One Going Out Of Business Sale

If you haven't already heard, Pier One Imports is going out of business and selling off all their inventory.  I guess that this is a sign of the times.  It feels like Pier One has been around forever, and has been a place I regularly check for accessories when completing projects.  I am always sad to see the brick and mortar stores die off.  Especially when shopping for accessories, having places where you can see and touch the items is a whole lot easier to make selections!  But, this is an opportunity to score some home items for a good deal.  I don't know how long these will last, but here are some picks from the sale.







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Monday, June 1, 2020

Monday Morning Meeting 6/1/2020

Welcome to the Monday Morning Meeting - Did you bring any coffee?


***Random bits and thoughts that don't really belong anywhere else, but still feel like they're worth sharing.***




Last night we had our neighbor over for dinner, and we made this cake as a birthday treat for her.  I think that for the most part, people are either better at baking or at cooking.  Or at least prefer one over the other.  I am definitely more of a cook.  Baking rarely works out super successfully for me.  I have much more confidence with experimentation when cooking; anytime I bake, it feels more like a science experiment that I have to follow the instructions to the letter, or else it will all blow up in my face.  For this reason, my kids usually get box cake mix, or Publix to the rescue.  But, I decided to give it a whirl and bake this cake from scratch.  On my scale of complex baking recipes, this one ranks up there (for me, at least), there are several steps, for sure.  I threw caution to the wind and this time came up a winner.  It was fantastic.  The lemon blueberry flavor just sings Summertime.  








For the past few months I have been focused on starting a new tradition of family movie night on Friday nights.  We have been alternating who gets to choose the movie and this past Friday my oldest daughter picked this one.  We all loved it.  It was such an inspiring story.  





Hidden Figures



I am loving the subtle sophistication of this NYC apartment.  The light is beautiful and the use of neutrals is spot-on.  And of course, who doesn't love Michael J. Fox?  









Ever since I had my second child, my nails just haven't been the same.  They began to peel constantly and nothing I did changed that.  Chalk it up to one of the many odd ways pregnancy changes things.  Then I found this nail strengthener via an Instagram pop up ad and it has been a miracle worker.  I do not say this lightly, I am amazed at the difference this stuff has made.  Believe the hype.  






Friday, May 29, 2020

Wallpaper Picks - May 2020

Some pretty wallcovering picks for you...

Aqua and Watery Blue




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Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Dining Room Mood Board - May 2020

This Dining Room serves up a bold floral wallpaper and softer feminine touches to keep the space from feeling overwhelming.  What is your favorite part?





Wallpaper  //  Table  //  Server  //  Chandelier  //  Lamps  //  Chairs 

Monday, May 25, 2020

Monday Morning Meeting 5/25/2020

Welcome to the Monday Morning Meeting ( a meeting?! - but today's a holiday!)








Today's Monday morning meeting is going to be short and sweet.  I hope you all have a wonderful day, however you choose to celebrate it.  I wish you all some true quality time with your loved ones.  I am so grateful to the men and women who gave their lives in sacrifice for our country and I hope we all take a moment to remember them and their families today.  

Have a wonderful day! 

Friday, May 22, 2020

Canopy and Poster Bed Round Up

Wednesday's post was a master bedroom design plan that featured a beautiful canopy bed.  Canopy beds and four-poster beds are such show stoppers in the right room.  They tend to work best in either large rooms with tall ceilings and plenty of space, or smaller, tighter spaces, because though its hard to believe, a large piece can make a small room feel bigger.  Just be conscious of any ceiling fixture placement when considering a poster or canopy bed.  You don't want it feeling shoved up against a fixture.

Below I have pulled together a bit of a round up of canopy and poster beds. I mean, we all need to feel a little bit like a princess, right?




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Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Design Board - Dreamy Master Bedroom



Sweet dreams...





Bed  //  Bedside Chests  //  Dresser  //  Chaise  //  Etagere  //  Small Table  //  
Table Lamps  //  Chandelier  //  Large Art* //  Faux Fur Throw  //
Horn Bowl  //  Sketch Art  //  Antelope Pillow  //  Glass Orb  //  Sunburst Mirror//  

* Trade Only resource

Monday, May 18, 2020

Monday Morning Meeting 5/18/20





Welcome to the Monday Morning Meeting - smile, you can wear your PJs.


***Random bits and thoughts that don't really belong anywhere else, but still feel like they're worth sharing.***

So I was completely influenced into buying the Amazon mattress pad that so many people have been talking about in the Instagram world, well, at least those on my feed.  I have to share my completely unbiased opinion that it is life changing.  Well, at least sleep changing.  My bed is like a cloud and I couldn't love it more.  Fair warning: you may not want to ever get out of bed again.  Oh, also, if you get a king, you are definitely going to have to take it to a laundromat to wash it in an industrial size washer.  The thing is huge.  But totally, totally, worth the hassle.  








I discovered this recipe a few years ago, and it is one of our favorites.  The addition of cinnamon to a chicken dish may seem odd if you haven't tried it before, but cinnamon is a common ingredient in a lot of Middle Eastern cooking, and it is delicious in savory dishes.  Reading between the lines:  I use way more cinnamon than the recipe calls for, and I am not ashamed to admit it.  








This ring set may have been a Mother's Day gift to myself.  I love the sophisticated simplicity.  






Speaking of sophisticated, check out this beautiful home tour.  The suede upholstered paneled radius wall in the screening room is so chic and masculine, and I had to laugh a bit to myself when I saw it, because I can only imagine it was a nightmare for the upholsterer to create.  But totally worth it for that look.  Also, don't miss the swimming pool - it's an absolute dream. 




Photo Via: Architectural Digest



Friday, May 15, 2020

Updating Your Cabinet Hardware


One of the easiest ways to give your cabinets or a piece of furniture a face lift is to update the cabinet hardware.  There are endless options for hardware available and beautiful knobs and pulls can really make a difference.  I found some great backplate options so you can really take it to the next level if you want to.  Often backplates are great for furniture pieces, or for times when you really want to make the hardware stand out.  Anyhow, there is a HUGE range in hardware prices, but that doesn't mean that you are stuck with boring big-box store options if you are on a budget.  Whatever you decide,  just don't let it be an afterthought!




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Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Greece Inspired Outdoor Room




Did you see Monday's blog post?  I linked a home tour of the most dreamy Greek island villa.  Looking through those photos not only had me longing for a trip back to those islands full of whitewashed homes, blue painted roofs, cobblestone walkways, and dripping bougainvillea  everywhere you turn; but it also had me thinking of how to capture that feeling at home since I know I won't be getting back there anytime soon.  Hopefully, the mood board below will have you day-dreaming of sipping ouzo and indulging on spanakopita from your own backyard.






Dining Table  //  Chairs  //  Umbrella //  Rug  //  White Pillow  //  Embroidered Pillow  //
  

Monday, May 11, 2020

Monday Morning Meeting 5/11/2020

Welcome to the Monday Morning Meeting - no Zoom required. 


***Random bits and thoughts that don't really belong anywhere else but still feel like they're worth sharing.***

The other day I succumbed to the quarantine baking trend that seems to be sweeping the house-bound.  Banana bread.  I had honestly been avoiding it because I knew that if it was around that it would last approximately 30 seconds before we (mostly me) ate the entire thing.  Well, I was right, but, wow, it was worth it.  You can find the recipe here, but don't blame me if it's gone as soon as you put it on the cooling rack. 

Halfbaked Harvest's Banana Bread 


*Image via Half Baked Harvest


I had ordered these sneakers several months ago and there was a waiting list, so I had pretty much forgotten about them until they showed up last week.  As a huge fan of all things leopard, and an equally big fan of Superga sneakers, these are an instant fave.  

Superga Leopard Sneakers



I am currently loving this Thibaut wallcovering.  It is bold in pattern, but subtle in color.

Thibaut Anna French Seraphina Paper



This archived article from Architectural Digest has me daydreaming about traveling again. We were lucky to have been able to visit Greece last year for our anniversary and I loved every single second of it.  This villa is inspiring and the images have me longing to go back to the Greek Islands.  



Greek Islands Compound 

*Image via Richard Powers for Architectural Digest



Friday, May 8, 2020

A Soft Gray Powder Bath With A Feminine Feel


Today's look is a feminine take on a soft gray powder bathroom.  The warm gold metal finishes nicely compliment the cooler gray tones.  The rug incorporates both warm and cool to bring the look together.  The towel ring and paper holder mix silver and gold finishes, and the antiqued mirror frame of the vanity mirror keeps the room from being overpowered by the gold.






Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Easy, Budget Friendly Home Decor Updates (Part 3 of 3)

Today I am bringing you the third and final installment of my list of inexpensive updates you can make to your home to make it more of a place you can stand social distancing in.  The good news is that once we are back to normal again (whatever that may mean) these changes will still be making you happy when you are spending time in your home.  Just hopefully less time.  :)  If you missed parts 1 and 2, you can find them here and here.



Change Your Throw Pillows

The stereotype is totally true.  Design professionals love pillows.  We do.  Pillows are awesome.  They can add so much personality to a space so quickly, and can be switched out just as easily.  Generally when planning pillows for a living room sofa situation we combine different sizes (I usually opt for a 22" square with a 20" layered in front of it) and sometimes different shapes (for a large sofa I will use a lumbar in the center of the sofa, and usually a lumbar in a chair).  For clients, we pretty much always have custom pillows made, but, if you are looking for a more budget friendly option, Etsy, again, is a great resource for pillows made with designer fabrics at a reasonable price.  Ideally I like to have the face and the back of the pillow in the same fabric.  It is a bit more $, but it's a finish detail I really like.  A decorative trim is a detail that will finish off a pillow and make it look more professional, but if you opt to not do that, at least go for self piping at the edges.  Feather/down inserts will be your best bet when ordering inserts online.  We also use down alternative sometimes, but the ones we use are custom made, and there is a HUGE variation in the quality of the loft of down alternative inserts, so I would hesitate to recommend any that are online.  Pro tip:  Use an insert that is the next size up when filling your pillow cover.  For example if your cover is a 22", use a 24" pillow form.




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Update Your Kitchen Rug

This one is pretty self-explanatory.  Ditch that rubber backed cotton kitchen mat and bring in something with some style.  Don't be afraid of using a rug in a kitchen space.  Wool rugs are super durable and cleanable (not in the washing machine, though) and flat woven mats are easily vacuumed.



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Add Texture

Bring in texture to your space.  Just about any style of decor can have an element of texture introduced.  A natural texture will warm things up and add interest without committing to color.  There are so many ways you can bring it in, check out some ideas below.





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Monday, May 4, 2020

Easy, Budget Friendly Home Decor Updates (Part 2 of 3)

Hi there.  Today I'm back again with part two of my tips on easy and inexpensive updates you can make while living the quarantine life.  If you missed the first post, you can find it here.
So let's jump right in...

Update Your Lighting

Lighting is important.  I mean really important.  When planning a space we usually make a plan to layer lighting based on it's purpose (general, task, and accent).  This is done to facilitate the function of the room and also to allow the room to have different moods.  If your room currently only has overhead lighting, adding at least one more layer of lighting to the space will make a substantial difference.  Also, pay attention to the size of the lamps you do have.  While tiny lamps are definitely having a moment right now, they are meant to be accent lighting.  The lamps that are too small for their designated function (i.e. smaller lamps next to large pieces of furniture) would be better exchanged for something built for the job intended.  





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Bring In Flowers

Let's face it, flowers make us happy.  The shot of color from a floral arrangement can brighten a room.  Like the mention of greenery in the previous post, florals can be real or faux. but just be a discerning shopper if you are opting for faux flowers.  There are some great ones out there, but you may have to sort through a lot of frogs before you find that prince.  And, to be honest, the good ones are usually pretty pricey.  When you take into account the cost of keeping fresh cut florals in your space every day, the price really is better on a faux, over time, but sometimes it can be hard looking at that purchase price.  Grocery store flowers are also a great alternative.  Pro tip:  keep to one single kind of flower for an easy way to get a stylish look to your arrangement.  Arranging flowers is not always as easy as it looks, but a simple glass bowl of roses is always a good look.




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Bathroom Refresh

Maybe it's the bathroom that is making you feel a little crazy.  New bath accessories, an orchid on the vanity counter, a new rug...just a few switches can have you feeling like you have a new space.  Now, of course paint  (or wallpaper), new light fixtures, and new plumbing fixtures will make it next level, but that's for a different post at a different time.





Left:  Bath Accessories   //  Rug  //   Frames  //  Towels
Right:  Bath Accessories  //   Rug  //  Towels  //  Prints

Friday, May 1, 2020

Easy, Budget Friendly Home Decor Updates (Part 1 of 3)


I don't know about you, but all of this staying home has had me taking a more critical look at my own home.  Now, being a design professional, evaluating living spaces is my job, but often my own home gets a bit overlooked.  Due to lack of time and energy, my personal design projects often take a back seat to work projects, so my list of "To Do's" grows ever longer.  All these hours spent at home have given me the time to push those projects to the forefront and has motivated me to get going on things.  I thought that maybe some of my friends out there are also facing a similar situation, staring day after day at an unfinished or half-finished home, and perhaps feeling unsure of what needs to be done to bring things together.  Or, maybe your place just feels stale and in need of an update.  Below,  I have compiled a list of easy changes that can bring that final layer together.  Two more posts will follow to round up the list of suggestions.  All of these are easy to accomplish, even with the current quarantine restrictions.

You can view part two of this series here.


Add Greenery

To me, greenery is an often overlooked layer to design, but is so essential to bringing everything together.  Whether real or faux, greenery brings life into a space in a way that nothing else can.  I know, faux greenery can be somewhat controversial, but for serial plant killers like myself, it is a necessity.  If you are one of those lucky people who is good at keeping plants alive, even better.  Live or faux, look for ways to add greenery to your space.  A tree in an open unused corner, a floor plant nestled close to a bookshelf, or a small plant on a living room side table.  These are just a few ways to bring some green into your life.


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Refresh Your Bedding

Is your bedroom feeling a little drab?  Perhaps a bit outdated?  The bedding can set the tone for the whole room.  One of the easiest, no-brainer ways to approach bedding is with solid tone bedding.  If you are longing for more color, add in some forward pillows in either a print or a solid coordinating color.  Layering in patterns and colors will bring more interest, but a solid base will simplify the process and you can bring as much or as little pattern/color into the mix as you choose.  White bedding is always a classic, but there are also beautiful solid color options to be found.  Combine the same color in different textures to elevate the look.  Utilize a matelasse on the top of the bed, with a duvet folded at the foot, back pillows and forward pillows to create a luxury escape in your own home. 


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Start Your Art Collection

Art is subjective.  Anyone will tell you that.  Due to that, selecting artwork for a client's project can be one of the more tricky parts of my job.  Art in your home needs to reflect your personal taste, but it also always looks better when it relates to the space (with a few exceptions).  Often good art also means a financial investment, but one of my favorite sources for original art and art prints is Etsy.  There you can find all styles of art for all levels of pricing.  Etsy is a rabbit hole of endless art pieces that you can enjoy falling into.  You can also find custom cut frames and mats on Etsy.  Minted is another great online resource for pieces.  




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