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The kids are back in school so it’s project time for this mama!  I truly enjoy mixing things up around our house.  I’m craving more and more simplicity around here.  Less toys, less stuff, less clutter, etc.   We have been purging like crazy around here!  Our family room is currently a mix of furniture I did not want to let go of.  But now it’s time for a refresh!  My team member Elle and I came up with 2 different looks for this room and we want YOU to help choose the winner!  I will have a vote on my insta stories but also feel free to comment below!  The only piece of furniture I have already committed to is the gorgeous sloan sleeper sofa from Interior Define.

I’m including all links for each option below.

AND GUESS WHAT?  After you guys help me decide which option to implement, I’m going to put together a more budget friendly version of the room for those who want the look at an even friendlier price point.  That being said, many of the products linked below are currently on sale and hopefully don’t sell out before I get a chance to purchase them!  🙂

Option 1:  Neutral with pops of black   

I don’t have much black in our house, so this look would be such a fun change yet remains consistent with the style of our home.  The poufs are great for a family room – no sharp edges is nice with kids constantly playing in here.    Clearly missing: pillows.  I will add some from my collection once I choose an option.

Option 2: Neutral with pops of wood 

This neutral style with pops of wood — as you have probably seen in our living, dining room and kitchen — is my jam.  I love the neutral fresh feel of this one.  The coffee table has edges, but would be nice for the kids to sit and do projects on it.

I’m so conflicted!  Please help — vote on my stories, DM me, comment below, etc!  THANK YOU!!!!

And here are the links for both options:

Option 1:  1. sleeper sofa  2. poufs 3. sconce 4. chair  5. side table  6. top rug  7. bottom rug  8. art 1 9. art 2

Option 2:  1. sleeper sofa  2. coffee table 3. sconces  4. chair 5. rug  6. art 7. olive tree (not sure if I would find a faux one like this or try to keep a real one alive in there)

Here are some before pictures (I love it . . .  I’m just ready for a refresh):

And this is the other side of the room – our office space with cabinets for toy storage and a tv.  This won’t change much except for the styling to match whichever option you guys choose!

Some of you have asked for links  . . .  so here is some of my favorite currently available outdoor decor used on my deck

my deck console table link and an alternative link because mine is sold out

outdoor pouf link

similar outdoor couch link

outdoor indigo target pillow link

outdoor chairs link

outdoor lights link

I am SO excited to finally show you guys our new master bathroom!

A little back story — we bought our house 9 years ago.  It has been a labor of love since then slowing remodeling areas of the house.  We have added hardwood floors, built-ins, landscaping, a new kitchen, deck, etc.  Our bathrooms have good bones and function well but are not our style.  After 9 years of debating the design for our master bathroom, we finally did it folks!

The style — Our house is a spanish style beach bungalow.  I wanted to keep the bathroom classic and consistent with the architecture of the house, while also appeasing my modern aesthetic and organic modern style (earthy natural tones with lots and lots of plants).  After spending hours and hours AND HOURS looking for inspo, I saw a kitchen picture with terra cotta floors.  Once I got my heart set on that style, I found handcrafted concrete tile with more diversity and texture than terra cotta and I was sold.  To compliment the floors and appealing to my modern aesthetic, I chose white large subway tile, a wood vanity, lots of whites, plants and oil rubbed bronzed faucets to pop off the white.  And for those of you who knew I was stressed about the grout color — I choose “bleached wood” for both the floors and walls.

Here it is!!!

Scroll to the bottom for sources (the shelf was a DIY using wood and spray painting L brackets – all included in the sources below).

As you can see, over time I replaced the hardware on the vanity for darker hardware.

BEFORE PICTURES:
The tons and tons of travertine were just not our style.  And the vanities had NO storage at all, besides the one basket we could each fit on our vanity.  The layout, however, was great!

SHOP THE PRODUCTS (click below for links*):

1. hexagon floor tile and another option click here  I purchased them from Discount Tile Center – call for availability and cost of shipping (310) 202-1915  2. large white subway tile 3. ladder 4. turkish textiles  5.  bath caddy  6. All Modern tub 7. Lampsplus wood pendant light (not yet installed) 8.  Delta tub filler with hand shower 9.  shower faucet 10. bath mat 11.  rattan basket 12. pots in the hanging planters 13.  Norwegianwood plant hangers 14. blue coral art 15.  kaitcreative art 16.  canister on shelf 17.  Lampsplus vanity lights 18. rejuvenation rounded rectangular mirrors 19.  vase on vanity 20.  build.com sink faucets 21. vanity from signature hardware 22.  sagrario planter 23. wood for shelf (buy a 2in x 8in x 8ft and cut down to size and stain it desired color) 24. brackets 25. spray paint  26. Candle

*This post contains affiliate links 

(I did partner with many of these brands, so while this post is sponsored, I only partner with brands I love and I do genuinely love all of these products).

xoxo,
Kristin

My home decor style is a lot like my clothing style.  I stick with classic staples and constantly update with accessories.  I buy long lasting jeans and simple tops/sweaters and change my look with jewelry, hats, shoes and bags.  Sort of like my bedroom.  The “staples” are the expensive pieces of furniture that I do not want to replace often.  In my bedroom, the basics are the nightstands, lamps and the bed.  I wanted a more neutral look for the spring so I switched out the accessories.  Here is what I did:

(1) I replaced the rug with this beauty Flor sent me.  Click here for the link.   The color is “bone.”  I’m obsessed with Flor tiles because the quality is excellent and if you happen to tragically spill on it, you can easily replace just one tile.  LOVE.  Another amazing thing about Flor tiles, is you can customize the size.

(2) I was gifted a GORGEOUS photo of Santa Monica beach for over our bed by the extremely talented Mina Teslaru.  A link to her instagram (and shop) is here.  It is soothing, beachy, blue and beautiful.   EXACTLY what I needed in our calming bedroom.  Her prices are reasonable and she is uber talented.

(3) I layered blankets for a textured look.  The blue one can be found here from Target.  The Pom Pom blanket is from Berber Wares and can be found here.  It is STUNNING.  Seriously you guys!!!! The quality is insanely good and its so warm and comfortable.  It will be floating around my house as a bed blanket, a throw on the couch, etc.  I LOVE it.

(4) I made a bench for the end of the bed for less than $40.  The tutorial is on my previous blog post. I accessorized the bench with a $25 basket from World Market but I bought it when it was on sale.  🙂 Click here for the link.

(5) I made neutral pillows and a leather one for a pop of color.  Similar pillows can be found here in my shop.

(6) I framed a small piece of leftover vintage indigo fabric in an ikea frame.  An EASY and inexpensive way to make pretty art.

and finally,

(7) I hung a fern from Home Depot in a macrame hanger that cost me $6.  Click here for the link.

I hope you like the new look!   I changed out a lot of my accessories, but remember that you can make a huge impact by just changing the rug.  Or just changing the bedding.  Or just changing the pillows.  You know that feeling when you have on a new outfit you love (even if the jeans are old)?   Well, that’s the feeling I get when stepping into a newly refreshed room in my home.  🙂

xoxo,

Kristin

*** This post contains affiliate links and sponsored content but I ONLY work with companies for products I love and would never give the products a positive review unless I truly loved them.  🙂

I’m working on a little master bedroom refresh and wanted to add a bench to the end of our bed.  The thought process was — it will look pretty in pictures and will be a new home for “folded laundry that isn’t put away yet.”  I found the perfect bench from Scandis furniture called the Raholt bench but it is backordered.  I’m impatient.  So I built a bench. The best part?  It cost me less than $40!  In case you want to build an easy bench too, here is everything I bought from Home Depot:

Supplies (click each for link):

1. One 2 in. x 12 in. x 10 ft. Premium #2 and Better Douglas Fir Lumber for $18.98
2. One  2 in. x 2 in. x 8 ft. Furring Strip Board for $2.07
3. Medium Grade Sand Paper $3.97 (easier if you attach it to a sanding block)
4. Eight 18-Gauge Galvanized Steel Angles for $.60/each
5. Four #6 x 7/8 in. Flat Head Phillips Zinc Wood Screw (10-Piece/Bag) for $1.18/each
6. One 8 oz. Wood Finish Dark Walnut Oil Based Interior Stain for $4.98
TOTAL = $39.52

Instructions: 

(1) To make this project SO MUCH EASIER, get your wood cut to the desired size at Home Depot (or wherever you purchase your products).  My top piece of wood is approximately 12in wide and 5ft long (the bench seat).  I had the 2x2x8 wood cut into 4 pieces measuring 16.5 inches for the bench legs.

(2) Sand all of the wood really well until it is smooth.  I attached the sand paper to a sanding block, which made it very quick and easy.

(3) Use a rag to apply the wood stain on all of the pieces of wood on all sides.  It helps to wear plastic gloves to prevent getting stain all over your hands.  🙂

(4) Attach 2 steel angles to each leg.  I used a drill to make insertion points and then used a screwdriver to screw in the wood screws to attach the angles.

(5) Approximately 1.5 inches from each corner, attach each leg to the bench seat.  I should have attached my angles so that they formed an L, both facing towards the inside of the bench.  Arrows show where I should have put the bottom one.  Instead, the bottom ones show slightly so I used brown spray paint to disguise them.

Full disclosure – it isn’t the sturdiest bench ever but it does the job and I’m really liking it at the end of our bed.  And it was less than $40 and easy to make!  I love how it looks against our new rug, thanks to FLOR.  You can shop the rug here.  Our color is “bone.”  🙂

Thanks for reading!

xx,
Kristin

Our house made it on Apartment Therapy!  You can read the full article here.

Here is a little teaser (and some of the images) ….

“My husband and I bought our house when I was pregnant with our first-born nine years ago. It was a foreclosure and previously owned by someone who was trying to “flip” it. We did not like the design choices he made but we loved the neighborhood and luckily, choosing to buy in Venice, California has been a great investment,” writes blogger and designer Kristin Dion. “Over time, we have made several improvements. We replaced all the doors, added hardwood floors in the bedrooms, remodeled the kitchen, added bi-fold doors and a deck off the kitchen/dining area and built-ins in the family and living rooms. Our next project is the master bathroom!”

(Image credit: @life.just.so)

(Image credit: Kristin Dion)

(Image credit: @life.just.so)

(Image credit: Kristin Dion)

(Image credit: Kristin Dion)

Any advice for creating a home you love? In reaction to my Instagram posts, people often ask me how I keep my house so tidy — especially considering I have two kids. The truth is it isn’t always picked up and clean. For me, “home” means a place that is fun and comfortable for all of us. I want my kids to feel free to make a mess, pull out toys and crafts and just be them. But I also want a place I am proud of that is pretty and comfortable for me and my husband to relax in. If toys were everywhere, I would not be comfortable. So for us, the key is having a place for everything. Even the kids know where everything belongs. Built-in cabinets in our family/playroom were important to hold toys. So yes, they have fun and make messes but they know how to clean up, too.

(Image credit: @life.just.so)

I also think it is important to accessorize. My favorite accessories are pillows and plants. I love decorating with neutrals and woods and adding pops of color through pillows and plants. It gives our home a styled but natural vibe.

Hi guys!  I took a month off from creating pillows over the holidays to spend lots and lots of time with family.  I’m baaaccckkkk!!!!  I’m shopping for fabrics today and hoping to find lots of pretty indigos, neutrals and maybe even some pops of color!  I will keep you updated on my progress on instagram.  I really enjoy creating for you.  Thank you for the opportunity!  I hope everybody has a happy and healthy 2018!  xoxo

Welcome to Tegan’s new “big girl” bedroom.  I think she’s like me and has inherited the itch to change up her space every couple of years.  So we did.  The wallpaper is the star of the room, in my opinion.  It’s removable and super easy to apply.  The cactus theme is pretty mature and should last her a few years . . . but if we want to change it up, it is so easy to take down!  The butterflies used to be the focal part of her accent wall but they were a little juvenile and she only wanted to keep a few.  Over her bed, we wanted to incorporate art but not art that could fall (in an earthquake) and hurt her.  So we hung a lightweight wall hanging that I made by stringing together two placemats from Home Goods and tied it to a piece of driftwood Tegan found on a recent camping trip.  Her bed is a couple years old and we are still as in love with it as the day we bought it.  It is a double size and will last her many years.  The woven rattan pendant light, from Eclectic Goods (SUCH a good online shop) is a really cool accent.  It provides fun texture and eye candy and Tegan LOVES it.   The lights wrapped around her bed were a last minute addition due to her recent fear of monsters in the middle of the night.  🙂 The linen blanket is from Fig in Ojai, CA.  The vintage pillows are made by me and some similar may still be available in my shop.

Opposite her bed is this wall, containing many of her toys and books.  When organizing, I’m a huge fan of trying to find a place for everything, so that when cleaning up, there is an obvious place for each toy.  Each basket in this bookshelf has a purpose:  (1)  small figurine toys, (2) building blocks, (3) crafts and (4) doll and dollhouse accessories.   We organized the books together in rainbow order, which was a fun project and stays in order because she can easily color coordinate.  The large basket in the corner, from Home Goods, is the perfect catch-all for the bigger toys and stuffed animals.  For decor, I added succulents/cactus to go with the wallpaper theme.  The pineapple picture was staged by me and taken by my son.  We all agreed that a pineapple was appropriate for her room. Much like her, a pineapple wears a crown, stands tall and is super sweet.  Framebridge framed it for me.  BEST customer service and such an easy and successful process. Click here to check them out.   I highly recommend them for your framing needs.  Use code kristindion15 for 15% off your next Framebridge order!

The last wall in her room contains her dresser, another catch-all toy basket and her “peace corner.”   The dresser is an ikea dresser – simple and practical.  I changed the knobs to make it blend better with her room.  The lamp was another new addition to go with the more natural feeling and elements of the room.   With the wall decor, I went with a gallery wall, thinking that it will be fun for her to change out the pictures from time to time.  The mirror is from Target and the frames are from Ikea.  Her school is big on “peace corners” to provide the children with a safe place to go when they are experiencing “big feelings.”  We love the idea and have adopted it at home.  She sits in her to calm down, to look at books, or just to play with her babies.  The canopy is from Pottery Barn kids and the big pillow is from World Market.    I layered the jute rug with a faux sheepskin for comfort.

and that’s a wrap!  Thanks for stopping by!  Now… I have to get going on my son’s room makeover.  🙂