Home for the holidays: A collaboration with Article

Like many others, we are home for the holidays. For anyone new here, I should probably mention that my husband and I are new to parenthood. We had our baby boy last week and are finally back home with our new bundle of joy, and very much looking forward to the holidays as new parents. Although we won’t be going out and taking part in the holiday festivities like normal (I mean...there’s no going out amongst crowds of people with a newborn - especially without completing his vaccinations - and especially during a pandemic). That said, it was so important for us to make our home as comfortable as we could during this time. 

We wanted to feel like we weren't completely removed from society during our time adjusting to parenthood. We are also really big on being outside, and wanted a way to get some fresh air without putting our son (baby Jack) at risk. We live in an apartment, which means we share our common areas with others. This leads us back to square one - having to spend the majority of our time in our apartment. BUT, the good news is, we have a patio. Though it’s a small area, it’s a means to us safely being outside and getting fresh air without putting our sweet baby Jack in harm's way… or in germs way I suppose. We were so happy to be able to partner with Article to complete this space, and make it cozy enough just in time for the holidays, and Baby Jack’s arrival.

We were able to give our patio area a very cozy and California coastal-holiday update using two of Article’s Corvos Corner Modules in Whisper Gray along with the Corvos Ottoman in Whisper Gray. The Corvos, with its brushed fabric and cushioning made the patio feel like a lounge area, comfy enough to spend hours out there unwinding (I’m currently sitting comfortably outside as I write this blog).

I should also mention that Article offers contactless deliveries, which gave me a huge piece of mind, knowing I wouldn't have to deal with anyone coming in and out of our home during such a fragile time. Not to mention, The Corvos is lightweight and easy to cart in and out, My husband was able to easily carry each piece into our home and onto the patio. In a regular circumstance (where I’m not pregnant), I’m sure I could have also managed the pieces.

But back to how comfy the Corvos is! I should also mention that my husband is 6’4,” so having a realistic setup where our furniture is big enough for him to plop down onto was also important. The fabric is made with breathable polyester and polystyrene beads, so it pretty much hugs you back when you fall into it. Another item of importance was for us to have a place where we could lay out comfortably with the baby in the morning while we have our coffee or wind down during the evenings to drink our tea.

 The Halden Round Side Table in Dark Charcoal made this possible. With a clean and aluminum slate, this coffee table offers a sleek look, with ample room for plenty of coffee cups and breakfast burrito plates. This setup truly makes us look like “the cool parents” haha… We are loving our new patio setup, and it makes us feel like we are still outside and a part of the world during such a trying time. 

Wishing a happy and cozy holiday to you and yours!

From our patio,

My mom’s living room reveal: Collaboration with Mitzi

My mom’s new mid-century meets minimalist-glammed up living room.

Hey there!

If you don’t know by now, I’ve been assisting with re-designing spaces in my mother’s home in exchange for room and board. This totaled seven months of free rent (and we know how expensive it is to live in Los Angeles). Though my husband and I have moved out since then (into an apartment in the meantime) we’re still heading over during the weekends to help my parents complete projects.

We’ve finally finished the living room and thanks to Mitzi, we’ve got some beautiful lights that contributed to my mom’s glamorous midcentury and minimal design concept. I’m so happy to post the before and after photos of this space, and share the beautiful lighting that made this transformation possible.

BEFORE photo of my mom’s dining room.

AFTER photo of my mom’s dining room, featuring Belinda Pendent.

The Belinda Pendent

The great thing about drop pendents are the versatility they bring to spaces. These pendents gave us so many options as it pertains to variations, while still offering functionality. We decided to play around with this variation by hanging three pendents at different heights over the dining table. What we loved about the Belinda Pendent was the cylinder shape and double-layering of glass. They really added a layer of elegance and sophistication that played a major role in maintaining a mid-century glammed space in contrast to the rustic shiplap wall.

Mitzi Belinda Pendent featured.

The Belinda Sconce

We used the Belinda Sconce as ambient lighting in the living room space. These sconces provide a warm comfort in the room drawing people into the space when lit. Along with the many movie nights that will take place in this space (my mom loves The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit and plans to have viewing parties for these movies) the location of the lighting also offers my mother the option of task lighting, as she can sit underneath either sconce and burry her nose in a good fantasy book.

Mitzi Belinda Sconce Featured.

Mitzi Belinda Sconce Featured.

Mitzi Belinda Sconces Featured in my mom’s living room reveal.

The Ariana Sconce

The Ariana Sconce was one my favorite and by far the most asked about lighting accessory via my instagram. This glass shade beauty effortlessly drops and rises smoothly (even wave-like) from a single base. We even had the option of mounting it horizontally however, we went the vertical route - as it felt right for the space. When putting together the mood board for this space, I was looking for an abstract fixture that would coincide well with the smooth shape of the nightstand, and the Ariana Sconce did just that.

Mitzi Ariana Sconce featured in my bedroom reveal.

Mitzi Ariana Sconce featured in my bedroom reveal.

Mitzi Ariana Sconces featured in my bedroom reveal.

There are so many choices when it comes to selecting the right lighting for a space, as the styles are endless. Mitzi provides an array of “well-designed, well-made, and well-priced lighting.” Their lighting offered the glamour each one of these spaces needed, and it was a pleasure to collaborate with such an amazing team. Also, did I mention Mitzi is LEED certified? It doesn’t get any better than saving the planet while having a beautiful space - I’d say it’s a win win!

What my bed linens mean to me: My collaboration with The Citizenry

“We believe our homes should be reflections of the journeys we take. Our personal spaces deserve designs with a soul, a story, and a purpose.” - The Citizenry 

Everyone should come home to a space that makes them feel, happy, comfortable, and special. This is the reason I named my blog “True Home.” I believe the best designs are the spaces that truly reflect the people who live in them. I partnered with The Citizenry because I too believe our homes should be a reflection of who we truly are. Like them, I’ve always kept these three very important aspects in mind when curating my home spaces, and the spaces of others: soul, story, and purpose.  It took me all week long (running around like a chicken with my head cut off, desperate to find the perfect bed sheets) to remember exactly the reasons I design, and working with them during this collaboration served as a perfect reminder.

BEDDING FOR THE SOUL

My soul longs for peace, warmth and stability, and what else should a bedroom be besides peaceful? We (as a people) have been through so much over the past months, and we deserve a calm and safe place to lay our heads. This is why choosing to partner with The Citizenry on their bed bundle was an easy choice. Choosing the perfect color palette for my bedroom was important in creating just the calm I was looking for and the colors they offer in bedding are right up my alley, as they provide an array of neutral and natural color palettes. Our minds process colors and allow for a certain reaction, and this sand striped color in stonewashed linen offers relaxation. Like other browns, the sand stripe evokes warmth and security. It also gives a sense of earthy stability similar to many members of the brown family. 

BEDDING WITH A STORY 

I don't know about you, but I can surely appreciate a piece with a good story behind it. I like to know that the items that live in my home come from a place filled with artisans, designers, and dreamers. I want the pieces in my home to have been created with care, and to feel like it was created especially for me. This is why handmade goods are my favorite. My bed bundle was crafted in Portugal and the fabric is so luxurious, it's customary for the sheets to be given as a wedding present. How special is that? It makes me feel so good to know my bedding was touched by a real person who put love into them, and the process of making them involves their life experience, culture, and upbringing. When laying in these, you can truly feel the love, the joy, the craftsmanship.  

BEDDING WITH A PURPOSE 

I want to come home to a place that doesn't feel overwhelming and too complex.  Their linen bedding is organic and offers a laid back and effortless yet luxurious appeal. This is exactly what I strive for as it relates to my bed (my sanctuary). It is truly the softest fabric you’ll touch, and it’s only gotten softer with every wash. To top it off, they are made sustainably and in a fair-trade environment. If you’d like to sample and experience this fabric for yourself, I’d suggest you test it out for yourself and order your own LINEN FABRIC SWATCHES.

On that note, I’d love to leave you with a little something to give you insight on what it is to be a creator, designer, and/ or craftsman, and hope that it inspires you to continue on encouraging these very important makers. 

When buying from a creative, you’re buying more than just an object.

You’re buying hundreds of hours of failures and experimentation.

You are buying days, weeks and moments of frustration,

You are buying moments of pure joy.

You aren’t just buying a thing.

You are buying a piece of heart;

Part of a soul,

A moment of someone’s life.

Most importantly, you are buying that creative more time to do something they love.

Lying peacefully in my bed linens,

Ajai