3 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Summer

With summer fully upon us, I find myself looking into the future of almost three months at HOME with two kids…. every day. all day. If you are feeling frazzled, overwhelmed, or crazy-mom-brain about the whole “summer at home with kids” situation….. don’t panic! There are a few key changes you can make to your house through intentional design (and even decorating!) that will make your days a bit smoother, more fun, and help you rock this mom-thing all summer long.

As the Decor Mentor, it’s my mission to help at-home moms create dreamy family homes. What does that actually mean? Family-friendly home design is functional and makes your daily life easier and more joy-filled; it is durable enough to withstand the active and rough-and-tumble lifestyle of all the humans and animals who call your house their home; it is affordable enough that you can breathe easy when someone accidentally wears their shoes in the house, or your needs change- you’re not investing in heirloom pieces for your life right now; family-friendly home design is beautiful- it makes you happy to come home and expresses your unique love for your entire family.

Make some time this week to try these THREE WAYS to take control of your at-home mom-life and enjoy your well-designed summer!

1) Create solutions to real problems, not Pinspirations…

Scrolling through Pinterest is fun, addicting even- but it can be dangerous and counter-productive. It can actually convince us that our homes NEED pretty, creative, photo-worthy solutions to problems that we don’t actually have in our own homes!

ACTION ITEM:

Create a new board on Pinterest to collect projects and inspiration for THIS SUMMER, and keep yourself focused on realistic project planning. You will actually get more done and feel more accomplished if you don’t write a to-do list that will never be completed.

2) Identify where your family makes messes+stresses.

Provide simple solutions. Simplicity is key for getting our kids/spouses/houseguests to follow the lifestyle we have designed in our homes.

ACTION ITEM:

think about 1 or 2 areas in your home where clutter gathers, things get lost, or people end up in a traffic jam on a regular basis….. you know, the places that give you hives just thinking about them! Write down the problem that needs to be solved- and then go look for a solution for YOUR home! Make plans to fix the problem in the next 10 days.

3) Make sure your designs match your mom-lifestyle

(simple beds to make, easy toy storage, plates at kid-level) and give yourself plenty of grace when it comes to enforcing a new rule/system. For instance, I have been asking my daughter to make her bed all year. I think it’s the perfect chore for a 6-year-old to start doing independently – without being reminded daily or nagged over and over. In our last house, her bed was tall, a double mattress, and had lots of sheets and blankets- I was still making it like a grown-up bed…..

I recently re-designed the kids’ room in our new house (check out more of the reveal over on my Instagram!) and the results have surprised even me! She now has a twin bed that is low enough for her to reach, and I make her bed with a fitted sheet and duvet. No flat sheet, no extra blankets, and only 2 pillows and her 4 favorite stuffed animals for decor. She LOVES to come down in the morning and tell me she has already made her bed- she is even folding her PJ’s in a little corner under her pillow for the next morning!

I was frustrated for so long because I had been setting an expectation for my sweet girl, but I hadn’t designed a space that allowed her to be successful.

ACTION ITEM:

Share an example of your “mom-lifestyle” that you want to achieve in your home- and what space/system/solution you’re going to work on designing that will make it happen!

Online Home Design: the Client Experience

With the rise of companies like Havenly and Laurel & Wolfe advertising their cheap interior design services…. how do you know if working with an interior designer online is the right path for you? And what if you have already tried working with an online company- and feel like you got left out in the cold after the design plans were presented?

I’ve heard from friends and clients both that super cheap, non-personalized online design companies can be great for helping you get inspired about a new design for your space- BUT the collaborative approach to design, attention to detail and budget, and follow-up to help you make the design a reality just isn’t there. (That’s how they can afford to be so affordable!)

In fact, I have picked up design projects AFTER several clients worked with a budget online design service because of those very reasons…. the items weren’t realistic, they had issues implementing and installing the design plans, or life circumstances changed and the original design wasn’t a good fit anymore…. but the budget designer wasn’t available to help them troubleshoot.

Watch below Watch this interview and hear directly from a client in my NEW and one-of-a-kind group online design program how she is using on-call interior design to completely update her home!

Some highlights and notes from the video:

When you just need some direction, advice, inspiration, or help as you plan your own home projects- having a designer to call is helpful and encouraging.
The group (DIY Design Mastermind) is a one-of-a-kind membership program that provides education and guidance for your home design- AND access to Alyssa as an interior designer on-call to help with every little choice along the way!
Find Brittany’s blog at www.simplystayhome.com

Need help figuring out your style so you can get started on your next project with confidence?

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Wish you had a *little* bit of help laying out your project?
Let’s chat and see how I can help you out!

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Watch an Interior Designer Plan a Complete Bedroom Makeover

Do you LOVE home design magazines filled with beautiful rooms, textiles, gallery walls and mood boards of gorgeous room designs?

But when it comes to your own home…. nothing ever comes together QUITE like you dreamed?

Watch below to follow along as I walk through the steps to gathering inspiration, planning a room, visualizing your design, and some easy (and free!) digital tools to make it all come together.

Some of the best tips from the video:

Use Google Image search to find inspiration photos
Copy and paste images into a word processor to create a mock-up
Search for paint colors in an image search to find cute paint swatches for your mock up
Use image resizing to visualize the scale of items in your room BEFORE you start shopping

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Need help figuring out your style so you can get started on your next project with confidence?

Figure out my style now!

Wish you had a *little* bit of help laying out your project?
Let’s chat and see how I can help you out!

Chat with Alyssa for free 🙂

3 Ways to Refresh your Bathroom (without a major renovation!)

Bathrooms and Kitchens often scare us when we’re thinking about upgrading or refreshing our home design, because so many different things are involved in a pretty small space:

plumbing
electric
tile
fixtures
hardware

lighting
backsplash
storage
paint
(and finally….) the decor

Immediately, you might be imaging the dollar signs, mess, and stress that would come with a bathroom renovation… and I get it. But today we’re going to talk about 3 ways to update your bathroom WITHOUT a renovation, either to tide you over until you’re ready to invest in a larger project, or to make do with what you currently have- and hopefully learn to love it!

Bathrooms are an easy spot to add luxury to your home, improve the function in an area that everyone uses daily, and increase the market value of your house for when you’re ready to put it on the market.

Today I’m sharing three steps to update your bathroom that don’t require a major renovation. Either try one, or all three, and see if you can upgrade your sorry bathroom from junky to the jewel box it deserves to be!

1) Paint

One of the easiest, most cost effective, and DIY-friendly ways to make a huge impact in your home is with paint. Tile, bathtubs, and lighting fixtures might all look completely different if they are against a new backdrop. Vanity cabinets can also be painted to make a serious update to the style of a room, for much less money and hassle than replacing a bathroom vanity.

First, identify the color palette of the things that are absolutely staying in the bathroom.

It is tempting to want to match the colors that are already in your bathroom- but if you’re looking for a big change- Don’t do it!

We had a bathroom with a dark tan travertine marble tile on the walls and floor, and the previous owners had color matched a peachy-orange for the wall paint. The room felt small, dark, and dingy (and it was terrible for putting on makeup, too!).

I repainted the room in a simple creamy white (still with a warm undertone to not clash with the tile) and it completely opened and freshened the space. I had *thought* that I hated the tile, but what I really hated was the orange color on the walls. As soon as it was painted white, the tile looked rich and luxurious, and that half-bath didn’t bother me any more.

In another bathroom, I couldn’t update the tile because it was from 1925 and could no longer be matched perfectly. So, I drew inspiration from the accent tile and painted the walls a pale green that was close to the tile. The previously buttercream paint made the old tiles look dingy and dirty all the time. When the paint was updated to a cool green- the white and green wall tiles looked fresh and updated!

Have a bathroom you’re considering painting? Show us in the busy mama’s home design club!

2) Textiles and Details

For a quicker fix, let’s assume everything permanent in your space will stay as it is, and you’re not ready to commit to a weekend of painting.

The textiles and other decor items in a bathroom can be updated quickly and can change the whole style of the room.

First, clear ALL the clutter from surfaces. This includes towels, soap dispensers, shampoo bottles, makeup, medicine, towels, shower curtains, window treatments, and rugs. If you leave *just a few things* in the space, you really can’t see what you’re working with, and it’s harder to imagine a new color palette when you’re looking at your old things.

Next, as you’re getting started, stick to a SIMPLE color palette. Simplifying the amount of colors and textures that you look at will make the space feel more pulled together and intentionally designed. You can get your color inspiration from a piece of artwork, or a towel or rug that you love. But Keep. It. Simple.

When you’re sourcing things for your bathroom update (from around your home, vintage shops, or your local big box store….) only add functional/decorative items that are a) absolutely necessary and b) that you like! When you start wondering where something “could” go- it shouldn’t go in the bathroom at all!

Only after you have a combination of the necessary things (towels, curtain, etc) should you even consider non-essential decor! 😉

3) Storage and Non-Traditional elements

Finally, if you’re looking for an update that will truly define your space and reflect your unique style- look outside of the “bathroom aisle” for items to add to your space.

Storage and function are top priorities in this hardworking space in our homes.

Vanity cabinets, countertop trays, towel storage, drying racks, and light fixtures can all be included in bathrooms by using furnishings designed for other living spaces in our homes.

For inspiration, I put together a curated collection of items to include in your next bathroom update- from storage to decor- that will add a designer’s touch to your powder room!

Each week I host a LIVE video series on Facebook to discuss {real} design + decor solutions for {real} family homes! This episode is all about updating your bathroom (on a budget, in a weekend, however you need to!) so that it works the best for your busy family home (and you love it, too!).

What bathroom dilemma are you trying to solve right now? Is the color off? Not enough storage? Are you scared to invest in anything permanent, so you just do NOTHING?

My Online Home Design+Decor Consulting services are designed to help you solve your design problem, make great decor decisions, and implement so you can hurry up and start living in your dream home!

If you’re tired of waiting to love your home, and you’re ready to get started- book a free design chat today!

Not sure how you would update your space even if you felt ready to get started?

Create your Signature Home Design Style with my 5-day email course. Because having a clear plan is the first step towards making that dream home a reality!

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Designing a Farmhouse Master Bedroom

I’m happy to share with you the progress of the Romantic Farmhouse Bedroom that my client Peg has been installing after we wrapped up working together. I love dreaming up designs, researching the best products for my clients, and giving them the confidence to update and decorate their spaces. But the most fun is seeing the finished product and hearing about how they are loving their home!

So you remember, the design for this space started with an inspiration photo of a dreamy white bedroom featuring white linens, natural wood tones, and greenery.

As part of my design proposal, I found representative products to recommend to help my client realize the room that she was dreaming of!

We chatted about furniture choices, reviewed some wonderful pieces she found at local antique and craft fairs, and brainstormed how to arrange furniture in the space so it was the most comfortable and attractive in the space.

Designs sometimes get installed 100% how I present them to my clients, and sometimes clients change their minds or add new elements to a space after working with me.

One of the best parts about ONLINE home design services is that I’m accessible via email and my private Facebook group for my clients to utilize for help throughout the installation. I also love that my services are project-based, and not bound by hourly rates- so you never need to worry about a design taking too long or hesitate to reach out to get my opinion on a design choice.

In Peg’s case, she decided to put her bed back to the original layout because it was the most comfortable for her and her husband, and we agreed that her current furniture looked great in the room (instead of following through with my suggestion that we paint it.) We’ll save painting the dressers for another space!

This great bed frame is the foundational piece in this farmhouse inspired bedroom design. The window and wreath are such a sweet touch!

The existing espresso stained furniture blends seamlessly with the new black metal bed frame. The cathedral window in a dark finish ties it together, and the mix of family heirlooms (the upholstered chair) and new pieces (the window and greenery) make the room feel purposefully designed.

This bench was a lucky find at a local shop, and the creamy linens, crisp white sheets, and muted ivory rug blend to create a warm and inviting space that is till bright and clean.

The pops of greenery really go a long way to bring personality and intentional design to this room. They create a color palette that feels fresh and clean, and perfectly fit Peg's farmhouse inspiration. These industrial inspired nightstand shelves are great for small spaces and really add to the design! — The pops of greenery really go a long way to bring personality and intentional design to this room. They create a color palette that feels fresh and clean, and perfectly fit Peg’s farmhouse inspiration. These industrial inspired nightstand shelves are great for small spaces and really add to the design!

Enjoy these sweet moments in your finished master bedroom. It was a joy to work on this space, and I’m so happy you love it!

Our sweet helpers for the photo shoot <3 — Our sweet helpers for the photo shoot ❤

How to add Transitional Design Elements to your home

Do you have treasured family heirlooms you want to include in your home design, but can’t figure out how to make them match? Or love the outlines and formality of traditional housewares, but also feel drawn to more simple, modern pieces? Chances are, your favored design is Transitional.

A client asked me to illustrate key pieces to include in her living room for a Transitional Design Style, featuring mostly neutrals and a pop of color.

Navy is my favorite accent color lately, and it was so much fun to put together this navy, ivory, and gold living space!

The room is grounded with a neutral rug inspired by traditional Oriental rug designs. The Chesterfield sofa is a very traditional silhouette that continues to be a classic and lasting addition to any home. Great accent chairs can be found for less than $200 and are a high impact piece that really accentuates your design personality by adding bold colors and patterns to your room. Emphasize your accent colors with pillows, blankets, and accessories that are easy to update as your tastes or seasons change.

Looking for the product information for this design? You can get this design (and every worksheet and design sheet I will ever create) in the Design Vault! See you there!

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How to Add Professional Design to an Empty Room

This week, I had a mama ask me how to update the design of a newly renovated room. Starting with a clean slate can be so much fun, but it can also be intimidating!

Read on for a run-down of my design proposal for her room, and some quick tips for adding professional style to your home.

This room design started with a pretty bare room that includes sunny yellow grommet curtains and a yellow and gray rug. The homeowner let me know that the sofa and tables would be replaced when they update the rest of the room, but I wanted to create a design that could work with their current couch if they want to update the space sooner than the new sofa arrives.

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I really like the grommet curtains, and the rug is a good match. My suggestion would be to stick with these pieces since they can be expensive to replace, and the yellow is really nice paired with the gray paint.

The neutral floor is beautiful; multiple rugs could be used to divide the space into separate zones if she wants to create several divided areas.

Are you planning a home improvement or design project? Stay organized and on track with the Busy Mama’s Home Design Handbook- created just for you so you can design like a pro.

Get the Handbook!

For this space, I relied on my “5 Components to Create a Complete Design” that I layout in the Home Design Handbook.

Color:

Yellow and Gray are the leading colors in the room, but don’t feel like you have to stick with ONLY one shade of each. Including black and white adds contrast, and several shades of yellow make it feel rich and interesting, instead of cut and pasted from a showroom floor.

Texture:

The main texture in this space is the mix of textiles. Lots of pillows creates a blend of patterns and designs that make a room feel organic and inviting. The pouf and chunky knit blanket add to the cozy and welcoming feel. The soft textiles are in stark contrast with the industrial metal and wood table and glass lamp.

Function:

First and foremost this is a family room, that will include a fireplace, wall mounted TV, and give the family a cozy place to unwind and relax together. Plenty of seating and comfortable places to lounge are the first priority!

Lighting:

There is an overhead light in the room, but I recommend having several indirect lighting sources for different times of the day and different uses of the room. Table lamps on end tables are a great addition, and I would even explore an arc floor lamp to add another zone of lighting near the accent chair if there is room in the space.

Personality:

This room certainly does not lack personality! Artwork and textiles are my favorite place to add personal touches in a space, and they are easy to update with seasonal decor or current trends if you wish, as well. An affordable and personal way to add artwork to this space would be to print black and white family photos and create a gallery wall. The wall in this room are large and currently bare. Make sure your artwork matches the scale of the room- err on the side of too BIG if you’re concerned!

Want to hear me break down this design and get into more detail about my choices for the room? Check out the video in my Facebook Group: the busy mama’s design club!

Join the club!

Steal-a-Style Sheet #1: Fresh White Bedroom Update!

I’m so excited to share my new weekly design resource with you: Steal-a-Style Sheets!

These are streamlined design plans that you can use for inspiration to update your own home, or you can cut and paste the entire thing into your room for a complete refresh.

Each Style Sheet will include links to all of the products on the page. You’ll get early access to the Sheets in my Facebook Group: the busy mama’s Design Club. I’d love to see you there!

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This White Bedroom Design is inspired by the versatility and classic style of all white bed linens. When you start with quality foundation pieces in your home design, you can easily and affordably change the style of your entire room by just changing your accessories and accent colors.

I love the idea of a reversible duvet cover as well- it’s like having two sets of bedding for the price of one! In this room, I stuck with black and gold as the accent colors. Metallic pieces can be adapted to MANY spaces, and black and white are always a good idea in my book!

Another key element of these Style Sheets will be that they stick to a strict budget. This entire bedroom refresh can be installed in your space for $300 or less. If you already have window treatments and a duvet- it’s even easier to add personality with a few key pieces.

Need some more help with a room design project? Let me know! Schedule a Design Discovery call today.

Book a FREE call with Alyssa

Transform an Unused Formal Living Room into a Functional Family Office

My client Laura came to me with a dilemma. She was moving in to a new house, and didn’t know what to do with the very traditional and formal front room. Her family is busy, and all of them have work to do- which usually would just get piled on the kitchen table! Two teenage daughters and two working parents adds up to quite a bit of homework, laptops, and paperwork to organize!

We dug into the design challenge of transforming the traditional, formal “sitting room” in the front of the house into a (hard working) functional family office that is bright, welcoming, organized, and inspires creativity!

The original room, like many formal sitting rooms, is directly off the front door and leads into the dining room. There are great windows facing the front yard along the long wall. Laura shared photos of the space with me, as well as photos of items she was considering using for the room after they moved in.

*SIDENOTE: Planning a room design before moving in to a new home can save you so much time and headache when it’s actually time to move! You will have a plan and a place for things before you unpack, and will get to start enjoying the space that much sooner.*

The original room

This formal front room was being used as a formal living room and piano room before Laura and her family bought the house. With great lighting, nice hardwood floors, and a neutral paint color- furniture placement and functional pieces will make the greatest impact for the new homeowners.

Laura’s priorities for the room were to create 1) a welcoming space for the whole family, 2) an office workspace for her to use when she wants to work on her business closer to the family in evenings/weekends, and 3) a great space for her older children to work on homework (that is NOT the kitchen table!). AND- to do all of this in a fresh style that reflects the energy of their active home.

Using existing items

Since the family was moving, Laura had plenty of flexibility when deciding which items to use in this room, and which things would need to be purchased new to complete the new design!

This cozy chair for reading and lounging would stay in the space.

This farmhouse style table with a bench was not needed for the dining room, and provides great workspace for the entire family.

These desks are the perfect size for a homework station for busy students.

MoodBoard and Inspiration

When I’m starting a new client design project, I love using moodboard collages to get things rolling. Moodboards are a great tool to create a shared “language” through visuals that helps my client and me have productive conversations about the design of the space.

For this office, Laura let me know that her favorite sources for her home are Pottery Barn, World Market, and (of course!) Target. She is drawn to cool greens and blues, and wanted the space to be inspiring and uplifting.

The home has great hardwood floors, so the neutral furniture and interesting patterns of rugs and textiles would really create the personality of the room.

I used Laura’s photos of pieces we would use in the space to mix and match them with the new design ideas.

Floorplan and Furniture Layout

This room needed to serve several functions. By using furniture to divide the room into smaller areas, the large space feels like more intimate work areas that have a defined purpose. Rugs also help define separate zones in the space.

I suggested using the corner of the room that is just inside the foyer as a sitting area to welcome guests into the home. Then, repurposing the dining table as a large workspace along the far wall prevents the large piece from crowding the room, and keeps walkways clear.

The Big Reveal

View from the from entrance, looking back into the dining room.

The addition of a sofa and window treatments makes the room even more inviting.

The blue chair and a floor lamp create a cozy corner for reading or studying.

Wouldn't you just love to do homework in this room?!? — Wouldn’t you just love to do homework in this room?!?

What does Laura have to say about her new office?

I LOVE how the room came out. It is totally functional – we are all using it!

I truly enjoyed working with Alyssa in designing our front room – which was traditionally used as a formal living room. As a family who spends most of their time in the kitchen and family room – I did not want to have a formal living room that would never get used. I explained to Alyssa that I wanted a room that was completely functional for my family. A room to read, do homework, work on projects or play a game or just sit and relax or talk. Alyssa nailed the design!! I was so excited with what she came up with. She completely took into consideration everything I was looking for. She incorporated furniture I already had. She just “got it and me!” She is so easy to work with, responsive, full of energy and ideas. Working with each other from a distance – was no issue at all. Probably even faster and easier than someone I would have had to meet with in person. With technology today – it totally worked for us. I highly recommend Alyssa. I cannot wait to do my next room with her!

Until next time, mamas-

xoxo,

Alyssa

Rustic Farmhouse Family Basement: Before & Afters!

This project was a start to finish transformation of an open-concept basement that needed to function as a comfortable and efficient space for the entire family. See below for Before and After photos of the room from start to finish!

Here is a great view of the transformation of the entire space from start to finish. Michelle had already updated the can lights and added drywall to the space. She was also happy with the tile on the floor, but was looking for some added texture and color in the space.

By using the three purposes of the space as a guiding principle for the design, and keeping Michelle’s love of rustic farmhouse style (especially reclaimed materials!) in mind- we found a floorplan that finally helps the room make sense!

Check out some of the DIY projects that make this space customized for Michelle and her family:

A DIY bar table behind the couch adds functional and social seating options, and helps define the social/lounging side of the room.

Michelle found this awesome window and turned it into the perfect mirror for her space.

This corner shelving unit was built to hide a sump pump in the basement. By painting this awkward corner a navy blue, and leaving the shelves white- the items on the shelves really POP! The saxophone has sentimental value, and is hung on a DIY display of pallet wood.

These DIY shelves echo the pipes from the bar table and bring in great natural texture with the raw edge of the wood.

Michelle has cats in her home, and they hate rugs.... so the design incorporated a flat printed straw mat as a carpet- and they love it! (success!) — Michelle has cats in her home, and they hate rugs…. so the design incorporated a flat printed straw mat as a carpet- and they love it! (success!)

What’s Michelle saying about her basement?!?!?

Alyssa turned my space from mheh to wow! After a short phone call, she designed the space in a way I was unable to for the last three years. She was even able to add functionality by adding my partner’s office into the space. She turned our basement into a place where my family can live and create memories! All without ever seeing the space in person and working within my budget!

Easy as 1, 2, 3: Online Home Design

Michelle's reaction: .....Perfect! — Michelle’s reaction: …..Perfect!

Consultation call and Inspiration

First, I worked with Michelle to nail down her design style and her priorities for the space. We chatted on video chat, and she shared a Pinterest board with me.

After we agree on the mood board and have a clearly defined direction for the room. I get started on the next steps!

Floorplan and Furniture Layout

After I understand my client’s dreams for their space, I can dig in to the functional and harder working areas of the space. Michelle and I went back and forth several times before we found the perfect layout. With a 3D room generator program and accurate dimensions of the room and furniture- this is SO MUCH EASIER than dragging your own furniture around, or guessing at dimensions when you’re shopping online.

This large basement has a support pole in the center, and we needed to incorporate an existing 12 foot sectional sofa. It took a few turns of the sofa to make it fit, but once it was int he right spot- we knew it was perfect!

Shopping List and room Installation

Once the floorplan is complete, I get to work creating a shopping list of all of the components of a room that will bring the look together (style AND function!). For Michelle’s basement, this was a rug, toy storage, desk chair for her partner. I also made a list of the DIY projects she was planning to complete- and provided helpful resources for design inspiration and How To’s when necessary.

Room Reveal!

The most exciting part of the process, besides helping my clients realize their dreams for their home, is seeing the Before & After photos of the room.

This basement was thrown together and didn’t feel like it had a purpose. There was no storage for toys, and no office space either.

To wrap up, a final note from Michelle:

Have I mentioned I’m OBSESSED with this space? SO. OBSESSED.

Let’s work together to make that unloved room in your home your new obsession. Call me!

Book a FREE Design Discovery Call