Mi Casa est Mi Casa

IMG_4149 IMG_4150 IMG_4151 IMG_5132 IMG_5133 IMG_5139 IMG_5140We are homeowners. Like whoa. We've owned a home for nearly 4 months and that's just crazy. We live in what some most would consider the middle of nowhere, but our house is simply the best. The walls are already lovingly destroyed thanks to our wild child. Seriously, forget pet deposits when renting, where are the toddler deposits?!  But as we design our space to fit the lives of parents with 2 kiddos AND 2 dogs, we've tried to keep a few things in mind. Kids will destroy it. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to just give up and have a bleh space! I think it requires just a little bit of planning, a touch of creativity, and a whole lot of not worrying about stuff. It’s just stuff. My thoughts on design with a kid are not much different from my thoughts on interior design in general. Do it. Just do it. If it's something you like, go for it. Rarely have the weird design decisions I've chosen to make turned out poorly! Seriously! People always make comments about my design aesthetic, which I lovingly refer to as Tacky Chic, but truthfully it's so easy, it's about loving your space. YOUR space, so if you want crazy mismatched pillows and a bright overdyed rug and mexican blankets, then go for it! Hang pictures and hang them well out of reach from prying baby hands. I've made that mistake. Print and hang ALL. THE. PICTURES. Canvas on Demand, the app Parabo Press, and Mpix are my go to's for photo printing, but also don't be afraid of finding cool pieces in unexpected places. I look for artwork everywhere and don't believe in rules, so if I like it, I go for it. I found an amazing gold shelf in the kid's Pillowfort section of Target, but I don't need any rules how to rock, so it's in our living room. And vice-versa the kid's rooms have almost no decor that was intended for a nursery [with exception of their cribs]. Basically, don't bring yourself down with the don't and rules of design, have fun, spend lots of time on Pinterest figuring out what you like, and be realistic about your lifestyle. Boom. Design Wisdom.

Our living room is probably our most utilized room in the house. We love it.  Nothing is too fancy that we worry about Sir Peanut Butter Hands destroying it, but still feels pulled together and fun! We started with a sectional from good ole IKEA. It’s comfy, hides stains well, and easy to clean! We had our eye on a more expensive option, but ended up choosing practicality. Our pillows are a collection of West Elm and Target. I think the piece de resistance is most definitely our RugsUSA over-dyed rug. It’s a synthetic fiber rug, that looks great and is so super easy to clean making it a major yes. So while I would've loved a antique overdid Persian wool rug, the price point makes our rug well worth the damage my boys will inflict upon it. We don't have any fancy silk pillows or a expensive antiques, but our home is kid friendly all without sacrificing style!

It's still a work in process. We will probably add more art, fill up the gold shelf, and we are having a table made for the boys that mimics our own dining table to use with the play chairs!

rug | sofa | hustling pillow | mexican blanket | shelf | oh joy pillow - similar | fluffy pillow | | kids chairs | pillowfort shelflamp | coffee table | black n white throw

Picture This…

Blissful Happenings - Shoot 3 - 024Sooooooooo first let me apologize for being an incredibly unreliable blogger over the past few weeks. Sigh. I know, I know. All 13 of you have been super stressed not getting your BH fix. I'm so verrrrryyyy sorry, but damn, sometimes life is busy and crazy and busy. Over the span of 2 weeks we had 10 house guests. 7 people and 3 dogs, in case you were wondering. It was wonderful getting to spend time with family, but boy-oh-boy I was wrecked!!! I hate that the blog had to suffer, but I'm back and we are ready to roll… like rollin' with my homies. Ya dig? Moving on. I love pictures. I fill my house with them. Nothing makes me sadder than when you walk in someone's house and only a lonely wedding photo and their college diplomas grace the walls. Yuck. I want life! I want pizazz. I want to know you just by looking at the pics on your wall!! This is your home where you live!!!! Make it uniquely you, filled with photos and pieces that matter!

Blissful Happenings - Shoot 3 - 022pics by Kelsey Erin Photography

This is our formal living area. I love this wall. Simple, yet a little funky. As you will notice, I sorta hate symmetry but I also love balance. I think one thing people are afraid to do is print massive pictures! 8x10's are so small!!! Give me a 16x20 any day!! They are perfect for anchoring a photo wall and really make an impact. Also, never underestimate the power of a pair of antlers, they never get old. Blissful Happenings - Shoot 3 - 023Probably my favorite wall in my house! Full of my boys, my favorite kid, The Captain, and weird "art" work. I have a mix of pro-photography, home pics, and magazine clippings. I have been obsessed with my Kate Spade t-rex ad and my Alexander McQueen top hung in the meat packing distract since college, both are torn from magazines. So a super fun magazine ad paired with a killer cool off center mat looks baller… in my own wacky opinion. I 'm not so much a fan of matching frames… clearly, but if you are that can work too!! It's all about what most suites you and the photos you want to hang!!

Blissful Happenings - Shoot 3 - 025So this wall is in my super girlie guest room. Loooove that room. I like how organized and clean this one is. The shelves are good ole Ikea and they do the trick nicely. I love how the Made By Girl print balances the shorter shelf. I tried to keep these frames simple, doing only black, silver, and white. I love using photo shelves and think it's super fun to stack and arrange the photos like you have amassed this huge collection over the years that has organically grown.

I think that's the trick with any kind of decorating… You never want to look like you bought the mannequin… Ya know, you don't need  everything to match! You want your home to look like you've spent years collecting pieces that give your space character! Have fun and don't put pressure on yourself to have that house you saw on Pinterest, instead create your own pin worthy home!!! How's that for inspirational!?!? Boom. Drop microphone. But then pick it up because it's probably expensive…