My (And My Friends') Ikea Must-Haves

I'm so excited to take a trip to Ikea this weekend. It's been awhile and Josh and I need to pick up a few things for the nursery. I can't wait to decorate that sweet little space for our babe!

I decided to ask my friends on Instagram for their top Ikea items that they can't live without and more specifically, things for baby. I received all kinds of great answers and tips and I had several people ask if I would share said answers so I thought I would in case you are planning a trip to Ikea soon.

Creating a Cozy Home

Recently in the early mornings I leave for work the weather has gradually become colder and colder. As soon as I step outside my front door into the chilly darkness I wish I was back inside again. Driving to work, I dream of when I can return home to the cozy comfort of burning candles, hot coffee, and chunky knitted blankets.

I think it's important to create an atmosphere for yourself, husband, and family where they long to come home and find those four walls to be a place of refuge and warmth. 

As I was thinking over what makes a house a home (besides the people of course) there were a few things I curated, particularly for this time of year:

A Room of Their Own

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” 

~ Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice 

Anyone that knows me well understands that books are very precious to me. Josh still reminds me of something I told him when we were dating: "Books are my dear friends." 

My Anthropologie Spring Picks

Just the other day Josh and I spent the day in Huntsville and whenever we do that a trip to Anthropologie is a must. I was so so excited and inspired by their new design displays that I decided to snap a few photos and share them with you all. The designers did a GREAT job of decorating the store and everywhere I looked I was just enthralled with the fresh, lively colors and objects. I mean, seriously, look at that wall of mirrors. Heart eyes for days...

My favorite houseplants & how to keep them happy

I have been wanting to blog about houseplants for a long time now and am finally getting around to it! I am often asked about plants and what are my favorites and how to care for them. Anything that I can share has been strictly from trial and error and finding what works best for my space. Obviously, each home is different considering lighting conditions so you may just have to try out a few before you find your personal favorite. Fortunately, small houseplants are relatively cheap so just start out small and try your hand at a few.

I love the warmth that plants can bring to a home. They instantly give life and color to a space. Just recently, I felt like my bedroom was feeling a little "too white" and I wanted something to warm up the space. I added a couple new plants and they immediately made it feel homier.

Here are a few of my favorite houseplants that for the most part are very low maintenance, and have been a lot of fun growing in our little home....

fiddle leaf fig 

I purchased this big guy a couple years ago when he was a baby. I actually ordered him through the mail because I couldn't find any in our area. Fiddle Leafs can be a little fickle I've heard but mine has always down well for me. A few tips I would say are to keep it near a window with direct light, water it once a week (only once the soil feels dry), and try not to move it around much. It likes to stay in a stationary place and does not take to interchanging light conditions.

Fun Finds: Display Easels

Simply Style Your Space

I do love a beautiful, clean space! It keeps my mind, home, and focus clutter-free and inspires me to be creative. About a year ago I painted our tiny living room white and since then have painted two bedrooms, a bathroom, and our hall way white as well! I love the clean and bright vibe it gives a space! It instantly made our living room appear larger and I was able to work with colors that before had appeared chaotic.

Home Tour // Master Bedroom

I'm so excited to finally share my master bedroom with you all! I apologize for the delay since it has actually been completed for several months. I had decided last summer that I was tired of my dark chocolate walls and bright pops of color and wanted to do something very calm, minimal, and airy for our bedroom.

So I gathered inspiration and ideas and kept them in the back of my head for when I would finally make it happen.

The nice thing about a four poster bed is it's very versatile so if I no longer want a canopy overhead I can take down the beams  and do more of a simplistic look. I had been eyeing linen bedding for awhile and wanted to get some for our bed but could not justify the price tag. I finally found a very reasonable set at Ikea. It is actually very nice quality, 100% linen and I have enjoyed it so much. I also discovered that Ikea has linen curtains as well so I grabbed a couple sets of those for our bedroom as well. One of the many reasons I love Ikea is that they sell curtain panels in sets of two (like it SHOULD be).Who only wants one curtain panel? I'll never get that. To add some texture I placed a cozy throw (that doubles as a blanket scarf) at the end of our bed. 

I'm a huge fan of repurposing things you already have, especially if they have some sentimental value. My bedside lamp was in my grandmother's house while we were growing up. It was a very dull silver when I received it. I'm not usually a big fan of chalk paint, but for a small project like this I just sprayed it with a few coats of black chalk paint and it looks like a totally different lamp. 

The antique vanity was a steal from a local antique shop. I have a good friend who is a wonderful fixer-upper so I had her refinish it for me. I love the feminine and old world feel it brings to our room. 

The photos are ones I took when I lived in Scotland for a short time. I captured them on a trip I took with friends to the Highlands and they will always remind me of that very special time in my life. 

This tapestry was hand-made by one of my favorite girls I follow on Instagram. I love that a little app can connect you around the world to some of the most lovely and interesting people. 

If you are looking for some luxurious but wallet-friendly sheets then check out Ikea's. They are now my favorite sheets! So soft but durable. I feel like I am sleeping on a cloud. 

Sources (click on item to shop):  linen duvet cover, linen curtains, beige pillow covers, West Elm grey throw pillow (no longer available), Ninelle's tapestry, Ikea sheet set, black candelabra, Paint color: Falling Snow by Behr

Photography by Hannah Briggs 

Ten Classic Interior Styles I Love

My idea of a relaxing, creative outlet is browsing beautiful interiors and design styles while sipping my second or third or fourth cup of coffee of the day. Some days I surf the web, scroll Pinterest, or flip through magazine pages to gather inspiration. I thought I would share some of my favorite interior designs that I am loving right now and how all of them remain classic styles instead of passing fads. 

• Floor-Length Curtains 

How gorgeous and luscious are these floor-to-ceiling curtains? I love the elegant and luxurious 

look they bring to a space.  

• Herringbone Floors 

Searching Airbnb for a place to stay on our European adventure this spring, I have noticed a lot of this type of flooring in Parisian flats. I have really fallen in love with these floors! So chic and timeless. 

• A Classic Chandelier 

One of my favorite things in our home is our fabulous chandelier hanging over our kitchen table. It makes ordinary meals feel just a little bit fancier and adds charm to our dining nook.  

• Brass Candlesticks 

You can score some of these for fairly cheap at local antique stores, thrift stores, or eBay. I found a box full in my husband's shed when we got married, polished them up, and now have a small collection on our fireplace mantel. I also love to use them to adorn the dining table for gatherings or even a simple dinner for two.

• Table Linens 

My friends who know me best, know I love some beautiful table linens. Last month for my birthday and then again for Christmas, two different girlfriends gifted me with some lovely linen napkins. Add a gorgeous flowing tablecloth, a few brass candlesticks or a fresh bouquet, and you have quite the fabulous table. It makes every meal quite the elegant affair.

•  Marble Coffee Tables 

I spotted the one directly below from a photographer's feed I follow on Instagram. I wish you could see it better in the photo but I discovered that her husband made it for her! Too sweet. I know what Josh's next project is going to be. 

• Makeshift Closets 

Limited on closet space? Make your own. I love this idea of displaying your favorite (and color-coded) apparel within arms reach. 

• Portraits 

I obsess over a brilliant oil painting. My old soul craves them and loves spying them in eclectic homes. We recently added one to our cozy den and he has an uncanny resemblance to Josh which makes "Baron Von Briggs" seem apart of the family. 

• Canopy Beds 

They are my favorite! Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted one so when I moved to Alabama I broke down and made the purchase. Of course, my amazing bed came with me when I married Josh and moved into his home. I love the classic, simple lines of a canopy, or four-poster bed. I sometimes get bored easily and want to mix things up so this way I can keep it classic or fasten the beams to the post and hang faux leaves to create a romantic, whimsical haven below. Someday I would love to try the look below and hang yards of linen draped over the railings. Swoon. .

• Mirrors 

I enjoy decorating with mirrors but have run out of room for them! There are so many unique, interesting, and intricately designed ones out there! I love how these rooms incorporated them into their aesthetic.

I noticed looking back that you can see several of these elements all together in many of the pictures. My interior design taste is ever evolving but currently, I am loving clean, simple, elegant, and European (specifically, French) style. 

Au Revoir! xo 

All photos were taken from Pinterest.