Surprise, Surprise!

Surprise, Surprise! Alright, so I haven't kept up with blogging like I wanted to, although I did keep up with reading many other blogs and my love for home design is bigger and better than ever. And I'm back because I guess I feel like I have something to share.

So, for the first time I started thinking how I would design a space that wasn't for me. Usually, I walk into a room and think how I might rearrange things or incorporate things into it that I would love or would make me most comfortable. I've also thought about how I would design a space for a family one day. Or, I'll see a photo in a magazine or one of my favorite design blogs and see it through the lens of how I m

ay edit it to make it my own.

My brother is looking to spice up his life and make his stinky apartment (no offense) into a swanky bachelor pad. He's on the right track and has picked up some good staples from the local IKEA; the infamous LACK coffee table and matching TV console (which I incorporated in my design scheme), but I thought I'd map out a visual of what the place may look like at its fullest potential. I wish I had pictures of the before, but here is what the grand reveal will look something like...

All items are from IKEA and very affordable, cost is always one of my main concerns. Second surprise of the day: it does not take a ton of money to have a nice place to live! Anyone can do it.

I stuck with clean, modern lines-but with a little curve in the side table- and then added in some good texture- tweed sofa, shaggy carpet- and a much needed splash of color- I think the bright orange and punch of blue in the carpet off set each other nicely. The patterned pillows mix things up a bit with their almost-tribal theme.

My brother mentioned wanting to hang some black and white photos that I took, so I thought a more earthy theme would go nicely with the overall modernness of the other pieces.

For paint colors, it's best to stick to cool neutrals and nothing too bold, there's enough going on everywhere else. The standing paper lamp sort of wraps things up in what I like to call a simple (but fun) midcentury day in the city park with Ansel Adams, ya like?

This was a lot of fun to dream up, and even more fun to try to figure out what my brother would feel most comfortable coming home to everyday...maybe I'll tackle his bedroom next. Watch out, other family members!

P.S. Is it weird that I sort of hope he hates it so I can go back to the drawing board?

-Janet