This & That

Just two lovely spaces that look even better together. Happy Monday everyone!

{both via my interiors board on Pinterest!}

Just two lovely spaces that look even better together. Happy Monday everyone!

{both via my interiors board on Pinterest!}

Blue & Bold

I love a room that makes me stop and go, "I would never have thought of that!" Whether it's a patterned wallpaper or a statement wall, these rooms have major "wow" factor — in my favorite color, of course.

{Ashley Whittaker}

{Kirsten Krason}

{Naomi Stein}

I'm usually not a big fan of zebra print but somehow I love it in blue and white. Then there's the perfect pop of reddish pink from the framed flamingos in Kirsten's powder room. But Naomi's desk takes the cake for me. I would never have dared to pair such bright hues and yet the result is so visually arresting that I come back and stare at it probably once a day. Brilliant! 

- - - 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend that's as fun and playful as these interiors! What do you have planned?

I love a room that makes me stop and go, "I would never have thought of that!" Whether it's a patterned wallpaper or a statement wall, these rooms have major "wow" factor — in my favorite color, of course.

{Ashley Whittaker}

{Kirsten Krason}

{Naomi Stein}

I'm usually not a big fan of zebra print but somehow I love it in blue and white. Then there's the perfect pop of reddish pink from the framed flamingos in Kirsten's powder room. But Naomi's desk takes the cake for me. I would never have dared to pair such bright hues and yet the result is so visually arresting that I come back and stare at it probably once a day. Brilliant! 

- - - 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend that's as fun and playful as these interiors! What do you have planned?

Red + Pink

I almost never blog about the color red. The reason is pretty simple: as a redhead, I try to stay far, far away. But then my friend Bailey pinned these two ensembles and got my creative juices flowing...

First of all, Emma Stone is a redhead. Second, both of these ladies look fantastic in red and pink. I decided that maybe, just maybe, if I wore pink on top and kept the red away from my hair, I could give it a go.

{1} Tibi silk top, $160 {2} Loren Hope necklace, $88

{3} Modcloth skirt, $42 {4} Deborah Lippman nail polish, $16

{5} J.Crew bangles, $35 each {6} ASOS pointed toe pumps, $54

{7} Michael Kors ring, $85


If you prefer long sleeves à la Emma and SJP, I'm also liking this hot pink top. What do you think? Could I pull it off? Would you ever pair red and pink?

I almost never blog about the color red. The reason is pretty simple: as a redhead, I try to stay far, far away. But then my friend Bailey pinned these two ensembles and got my creative juices flowing...

First of all, Emma Stone is a redhead. Second, both of these ladies look fantastic in red and pink. I decided that maybe, just maybe, if I wore pink on top and kept the red away from my hair, I could give it a go.

{1} Tibi silk top, $160 {2} Loren Hope necklace, $88

{3} Modcloth skirt, $42 {4} Deborah Lippman nail polish, $16

{5} J.Crew bangles, $35 each {6} ASOS pointed toe pumps, $54

{7} Michael Kors ring, $85


If you prefer long sleeves à la Emma and SJP, I'm also liking this hot pink top. What do you think? Could I pull it off? Would you ever pair red and pink?

Exterior Inspiration

The latest victim of my type A personality was my Pinterest account. Overwhelmed by the number of pins on my Interiors board, I decided to create separate boards for Dream Home and Exteriors. These come from my Exteriors board but do check out the rest!

Some day ;) How do you organize your inspiration? Are you on Pinterest? If so, do share the link in the comments!

The latest victim of my type A personality was my Pinterest account. Overwhelmed by the number of pins on my Interiors board, I decided to create separate boards for Dream Home and Exteriors. These come from my Exteriors board but do check out the rest!

Some day ;) How do you organize your inspiration? Are you on Pinterest? If so, do share the link in the comments!

Boucle + Neon

Dear ASOS boucle jacket with neon detail, 

You are perfect in every way. I love your cropped silhouette, your shoulder detail, and most of all your neon pink trim. I probably wouldn't style you with a pale yellow t-shirt but the fact that I could pair you with your matching shorts or my favorite pair of skinny jeans makes you all the more lovable in my eyes. 

xx

Mackenzie

Dear ASOS boucle jacket with neon detail, 

You are perfect in every way. I love your cropped silhouette, your shoulder detail, and most of all your neon pink trim. I probably wouldn't style you with a pale yellow t-shirt but the fact that I could pair you with your matching shorts or my favorite pair of skinny jeans makes you all the more lovable in my eyes. 

xx

Mackenzie

GIFT GUIDE: FOR THE BOYS

Thanks for tuning in to my fourth and final gift guide this season! Following gifts under $25, under $50, and under $100, today I'm saying, "Let's hear it for the boys!"

{1} J.Crew leather flask, $42 {2} J.Crew Saturdays t-shirt, $40

{3} Sporting tickets (can't go wrong!) {4} J.Crew skinny knit tie, $49

{5} Kiel James Patrick bow tie, $65 {6} Sorel boots, $115

It will come as no surprise to my boyfriend that this list is comprised primarily of items from J.Crew. I just don't think anyone does menswear better! I have one more idea that didn't work itself into this layout and that's gifting an experience. How, you might ask? Lately I've been obsessed with checking LivingSocial for local deals at restaurants and weekend getaways in the area. I won't give too much away but let's just say I've made a few purchases there this season! What are your favorite gifts for the boys?

Thanks for tuning in to my fourth and final gift guide this season! Following gifts under $25, under $50, and under $100, today I'm saying, "Let's hear it for the boys!"

{1} J.Crew leather flask, $42 {2} J.Crew Saturdays t-shirt, $40

{3} Sporting tickets (can't go wrong!) {4} J.Crew skinny knit tie, $49

{5} Kiel James Patrick bow tie, $65 {6} Sorel boots, $115

It will come as no surprise to my boyfriend that this list is comprised primarily of items from J.Crew. I just don't think anyone does menswear better! I have one more idea that didn't work itself into this layout and that's gifting an experience. How, you might ask? Lately I've been obsessed with checking LivingSocial for local deals at restaurants and weekend getaways in the area. I won't give too much away but let's just say I've made a few purchases there this season! What are your favorite gifts for the boys?

Bienvenue Beeta!

I'm excited to be welcoming a new sponsor to the mix here on Design Darling! Beeta is an Etsy shop filled with handmade infinity scarves that are as cozy as they are cute. Do drop in and add the shop to your favorites!

- - -

Interested in sponsoring Design Darling? Reach thousands of stylish readers each day for rates that keep small businesses in mind. Email me for rates and traffic statistics!

I'm excited to be welcoming a new sponsor to the mix here on Design Darling! Beeta is an Etsy shop filled with handmade infinity scarves that are as cozy as they are cute. Do drop in and add the shop to your favorites!

- - -

Interested in sponsoring Design Darling? Reach thousands of stylish readers each day for rates that keep small businesses in mind. Email me for rates and traffic statistics!

GIFT GUIDE: EVERYTHING UNDER $100

We've done gifts under $25 and gifts under $50 so now it's time for gifts under $100! These are lovely little luxuries for the most wonderful women in your life. I'd try to pick a favorite but I'm afraid it's no use...

{1} J.Crew bow clutch, $88 {2} Loren Hope necklace, $80 

{3} J.Crew pajama set, $78  {4} Once Upon A Time by Slim Aarons, $54

{5} Graphic Image leather planner, $86 {6} Kate Spade bow ring, $75

{7} Luxury Monograms pillow, $95 {8} Bellissima tortoise bangles, $68 each

{9} K. Slademade tassel clutch, $62

Whether you fancy a classic monogram, a cozy pajama set, or a life-of-the-party clutch, I hope you've found something you love! I'll be back tomorrow with a gift guide for the boys. What are your favorite gifts under $100?

We've done gifts under $25 and gifts under $50 so now it's time for gifts under $100! These are lovely little luxuries for the most wonderful women in your life. I'd try to pick a favorite but I'm afraid it's no use...

{1} J.Crew bow clutch, $88 {2} Loren Hope necklace, $80 

{3} J.Crew pajama set, $78  {4} Once Upon A Time by Slim Aarons, $54

{5} Graphic Image leather planner, $86 {6} Kate Spade bow ring, $75

{7} Luxury Monograms pillow, $95 {8} Bellissima tortoise bangles, $68 each

{9} K. Slademade tassel clutch, $62

Whether you fancy a classic monogram, a cozy pajama set, or a life-of-the-party clutch, I hope you've found something you love! I'll be back tomorrow with a gift guide for the boys. What are your favorite gifts under $100?

The Design Dialogues {Maggie Morgan}

I first connected with this week's guest through her weekly column on the business blog Makeunder My Life. Maggie quit her desk job six months ago to pursue a career as an interior designer in Seattle and writes each week about the highs and lows of self-employment. Today her blog and her business are a testament to her passion and persistence and I'm delighted to have her here to tell you all about it!

What you do: 

I'm an interior decorator specializing in rooms that mix old and new and look gathered over time.

Five words to describe yourself: 

Thoughtful, feminine, traditional, determined, creative.

How would you describe your aesthetic? 

Mixed-era simplicity with a dash of glamour. My description of it changes all the time, but I love mixing pieces from different time periods, clean lines, gorgeous fabrics, and something sparkly (like a fantastic chandelier!).

Who are your style icons? 

For interiors, Windsor Smith and Billy Baldwin. For fashion, Rachel Bilson and the Duchess of Cambridge.

How did you decide you wanted to be an interior designer? 

Like many decorators, I can look back at my childhood of serious dollhouse decorating and constant bedroom redesign and know that it seemed to just come naturally. But I followed several other passions during high school and college. It wasn't until a year or two out of college that I reevaluated my career and realized that something was missing. I'd been blogging about interior design for a year and was helping friends and readers with their homes. I thought, "Hey, some people get paid to do this!" That was the beginning.

What are the best and worst aspects of your job? 

I love playing with fabric, but the best moments are hearing from my clients that they feel like I "got them" and that their house feels like a home. The worst aspect? Well, I'm still a very new business so it's wondering where my next client will come from! And dealing with back-orders or discontinued products.

What advice would you offer aspiring creatives? 

Save up money before leaving your job so that you can truly invest all your energy into your new business without worrying about bills for at least six months to a year. Creativity is cramped when you're trying to fit it into what will make money. And get beautiful professional photos of your work or product!

Three items on your to do list. 

Wrap up a mini-session for a giveaway winner, open a few trade accounts that I haven't gotten around to, and finish up my latest e-book.

Where would you like to see your business in five years? 

My overall vision changes daily... but I know that I want to be doing residential design for high-end clients in the Seattle area. In five years I'd love to have a talented and dedicated small team, possibly a product line, and be published in a magazine.

Three items on your wishlist. 

I asked Santa this year for a watercolor set (just to dabble!), The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman, and my favorite candle, Voluspa's Huckleberry.

Three tasks on your bucket list. 

Have a book published about my work, visit Machu Picchu, and raise a happy family.

- - - 

Thanks, Maggie, for participating in The Design Dialogues! Don't you want to run out and start collecting globes? I know I do!

I first connected with this week's guest through her weekly column on the business blog Makeunder My Life. Maggie quit her desk job six months ago to pursue a career as an interior designer in Seattle and writes each week about the highs and lows of self-employment. Today her blog and her business are a testament to her passion and persistence and I'm delighted to have her here to tell you all about it!

What you do: 

I'm an interior decorator specializing in rooms that mix old and new and look gathered over time.

Five words to describe yourself: 

Thoughtful, feminine, traditional, determined, creative.

How would you describe your aesthetic? 

Mixed-era simplicity with a dash of glamour. My description of it changes all the time, but I love mixing pieces from different time periods, clean lines, gorgeous fabrics, and something sparkly (like a fantastic chandelier!).

Who are your style icons? 

For interiors, Windsor Smith and Billy Baldwin. For fashion, Rachel Bilson and the Duchess of Cambridge.

How did you decide you wanted to be an interior designer? 

Like many decorators, I can look back at my childhood of serious dollhouse decorating and constant bedroom redesign and know that it seemed to just come naturally. But I followed several other passions during high school and college. It wasn't until a year or two out of college that I reevaluated my career and realized that something was missing. I'd been blogging about interior design for a year and was helping friends and readers with their homes. I thought, "Hey, some people get paid to do this!" That was the beginning.

What are the best and worst aspects of your job? 

I love playing with fabric, but the best moments are hearing from my clients that they feel like I "got them" and that their house feels like a home. The worst aspect? Well, I'm still a very new business so it's wondering where my next client will come from! And dealing with back-orders or discontinued products.

What advice would you offer aspiring creatives? 

Save up money before leaving your job so that you can truly invest all your energy into your new business without worrying about bills for at least six months to a year. Creativity is cramped when you're trying to fit it into what will make money. And get beautiful professional photos of your work or product!

Three items on your to do list. 

Wrap up a mini-session for a giveaway winner, open a few trade accounts that I haven't gotten around to, and finish up my latest e-book.

Where would you like to see your business in five years? 

My overall vision changes daily... but I know that I want to be doing residential design for high-end clients in the Seattle area. In five years I'd love to have a talented and dedicated small team, possibly a product line, and be published in a magazine.

Three items on your wishlist. 

I asked Santa this year for a watercolor set (just to dabble!), The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman, and my favorite candle, Voluspa's Huckleberry.

Three tasks on your bucket list. 

Have a book published about my work, visit Machu Picchu, and raise a happy family.

- - - 

Thanks, Maggie, for participating in The Design Dialogues! Don't you want to run out and start collecting globes? I know I do!

GIFT GUIDE: EVERYTHING UNDER $50

I'm so happy you all enjoyed the under $25 gift guide last week! Today's features gifts within the $25-$50 range and I hope you'll like it just as well! 

{1} Old Navy color-blocked sweater, $27 {2} Marley Lilly monogrammed hat, $30

{3} Spike The Punch necklace, $38 {4} Hunter wellie socks, $30

{5} J.Crew John Derian paperweight, $30 {6} J.Crew striped top, $35

{7} Furbish coral on lucite, $45 {8} Loren Hope earrings, $32

Monograms, sparkle, and stripes, oh my! Which is your favorite?


P.S. I'm sharing my wishlist on Fallon's darling blog A Lovely Being today! Please stop by and say hi :)

I'm so happy you all enjoyed the under $25 gift guide last week! Today's features gifts within the $25-$50 range and I hope you'll like it just as well! 

{1} Old Navy color-blocked sweater, $27 {2} Marley Lilly monogrammed hat, $30

{3} Spike The Punch necklace, $38 {4} Hunter wellie socks, $30

{5} J.Crew John Derian paperweight, $30 {6} J.Crew striped top, $35

{7} Furbish coral on lucite, $45 {8} Loren Hope earrings, $32

Monograms, sparkle, and stripes, oh my! Which is your favorite?


P.S. I'm sharing my wishlist on Fallon's darling blog A Lovely Being today! Please stop by and say hi :)