Reader Design: Ashlee's Calm & Comfy Home

After a bit of a hiatus on these reader design features, we're back and headed to sunny California! Ashlee is a sweet mother-to-be and talented interior design who draws inspiration from the calm and comfortable Sacramento surroundings.

From Ashlee:

“I’m a true California girl, and my personal style and interiors style, I think, are a reflection of that. I would have to say one geographic place that describes my homes aesthetic would be Venice or Ojai, just that simple modern California feel. I love evoking feelings of calm and comfort. I want my home to be a place where people just want to hang out for long periods of time and can truly zen out.”

The home is classic and soothing, but still entirely on trend without it being too much. That's the California way, isn't it?

“I have to admit I have dabbled in a few trends myself. Brass being one that is seen in my space. When making the decision to add some more trendier elements in my house that I know may not be around forever I kept it to a few select things (lighting, coffee table). It is easy to get carried away, but if you keep them to a few select items you can always switch them out later. ”

Amongst the brass and plants are plenty of older and vintage touches. Take the dining room for instance.

“While not a piece of furniture, the built-in element of our apartment is a total favorite. The building we live in is over 100 years old and recently went through a complete renovation. They kept the charm of the molding, built-ins, and doors that I truly love and appreciate. Plus I fill it with treasures that represent us as a couple. ”

It's a home that's as classic today as it would have been years ago - and will for years to come. Ashlee, thank you for letting us in and showing us around!

Follow Ashlee along on Instagram at @ashlee_berry. And for more gorgeous photos, follow photographer Nicole at @nicoledianne.

Reader Design: Abbie's Layered Look

Off we go to California! Abbie's home is layered with textiles and fun finds, but all of it cohesively ties together for a home that's consistent with it's Southern Cali location.

From Abbie:

“We are influenced the the beach community around us. There’s a certain lifestyle here that promotes approachable interiors. We have a large indoor/outdoor space that we use for get togethers and family events. When we remodeled to create a dining room, so many people questioned why we would want such a “formal space.” It actually isn’t formal at all. Our dining space is a common room that facilitates our lifestyle. We love design and modern living, but it has to be approachable. I would also add that the “cool” part of our space is the approachable, laid back feel. We want friends to visit and not be afraid to touch things or sit on things.”

“When I’m designing and decorating my home in particular, I always want to feel that our space is fresh and not too on trend. I love the look of a well-curated, well-traveled space. I want each item to feel like it has a story behind it, not just some piece that was acquired to fill a spot. The more time we spend here and the more places we travel to, I think the better our home will “age.” I also think it’s important that our space reflect comfort as well as spirit! I want our home to have a personality!”

“I love to mix textures. I’m big on sticking to a neutral color palette but then layering that color with various textures, materials, and patterns. I’m a true textile lover being that I have my own line of pillows and blankets. I’m always on the hunt for unique textiles to liven a space. I also feel that my space is a true reflection of high and low as well as collected items. If I’ve purchased furniture from a larger company, I make sure that my smaller furnishings are unique and special to me. That means that I try and collect items from my travels to incorporate into my space. That personalizes a room so much! ”

A perfect example of Abbie's use of textiles is right in the living room. All those pillows are stand-outs on their own, but when paired together, they create what may possibly be the most inviting couch I've ever seen! 

In the office, one of the best elements has to be the polished concrete flooring, which speaks the same language at the floors throughout the rest of the home but adds a surprise element.

In the nursery, Abbie picked out this wallpaper from Ferm Living before she chose anything else, even though she was aiming for a neutral space. But let's be honest... slate-navy wallpaper is pretty much a neutral and makes for a pretty stylish nursery! 

All these details have come together to create a truly perfect family home. It certainly didn't happen overnight, but it was absolutely worth it.

“We closed on the house on our wedding day and went into renovation immediately. It was a 1960’s original. We pretty much gutted it all, and it was a labor of love. Last May, we did another remodel, turning our outdoor pergola into a dining space. We also added 4 feet off the kitchen to make a cozy breakfast nook. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect with our little one starting to walk (and now run).”

Abbie, thank you for showing off your space - you have a lot to be proud of! Follow Abbie along on Instagram at @anaberdesign for more.

Reader Design: Ashley's Cali Cool Home

Let's go to California! It's finally starting to feel like springtime, and that Los Angeles sunshine is just what the doctor is ordering. Today, we're off to tour Ashley's home in the Mid City neighborhood of LA.

This home is the definition of cool, California style. It's laid back, has a healthy dose of mid-century modern design, and makes ample use of plants. 

From Ashley:

“I’d say my style is a mix of California casual and eclectic bohemian. I like to collect unique pieces and style around those. In our living room it is the colorful rug from West Elm. I picked pink pillows and mustard-colored throws to accent the room, both colors pulled from the rug. I’m also embracing the millennial obsession with plants. Every open space I find gets a plant.”

“I style our home based on the seasons, changing the color of our bedding and the centerpiece of our dining room table. I’ve had people comment on my Instagram pictures saying it looks like an LA winter. I have only ever lived in LA, and I hadn’t realized the influence the city had on me until I started following other interior accounts from across the nation. I have a lot of plants and cactus that require heat and bright light, and I decorate with a lot of warm colors and I throw eucalyptus pretty much everywhere. ”

“I want our home to feel comfortable. Every piece of furniture was purchased based on comfort. Our couch is a dream for binge watching the latest Netflix show and our bed is my sanctuary. I have layers of pillow tops and the most comfortable linen bedding. Our bed is always the thing I miss the most when we travel. It’s also important to me that our home represents us. I want people to walk in and know immediately that this is our home. They see my husband’s collection of DVDs and the art we brought back from our travels and know this is our home; they know our interests. ”

“In our bedroom, the weaving over our bed is by far my favorite piece. I commissioned this from Erin of Sunwoven right when we moved in to our place. It dictates everything I bring into our room. I love the texture, the pop of gold, the copper rod; everything about it makes me happy.”

(For those interested, check out Erin's work @sunwoven!)

We all have different items or pieces we prize in our homes, and the best to create a loving and welcoming home is to focus on those.

What's the prize for Ashley?

“Anything custom by a talented creator. Those are the pieces I will cherish and bring with me to future homes.”

Ashley, thank you so much for the tour! Follow Ashley on Instagram @ashleyhosmer for more!