One of the projects I am working on at the moment has a little media room tucked away on the third floor. The client wants this to be a warm, family space for watching movies and lounging together so we opted to use a daybed and load it with a riot of fun, bohemian pillows. I love the idea of a causal, layered mix of patterns and textures. We started with a pair of blue batik pillows the client had picked up in Bali and added on from there with a color palette of indigo blues, creams and a pop of pink. The best part about this cozy and chic look is you can't go wrong - no matching required! Here are our fav inspiration images . . . 

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Celeb House Tour: Actress Nina Dobrev's Airy Bungalow

Today we are touring the chic LA home of actress Nina Dobrev. I just loved how this 1929 Spanish style bungalow was updated into a fresh, bright home. Modern elements, organic textures and a few industrial pieces combine with the architectural charm of the spaces for beautiful results! I also adore Dobrev's personal pieces and unexpected home accessories. Any details you love?

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Current Obsession: Round Mirrors

My design obsession of the month has to be large scale round mirrors. I was hunting for a concept to brighten up a client's dark dining space and now I can not get enough. Round mirrors add an instant focal point to any space and a bit of mod drama as well. They also reflect and amplify natural light - creating a spacious, fresh feel! Plus the circular form helps soften a room filled with hard angles (I always try to include a few round or organic forms in every interior). 

Here are some of my favorite inspirations . . . 

There are some incredible designer options out there like this amazing Arteriors Gervais mirror but this Ikea Stockholm mirror is a secret favorite of mine - I love the impact it brings at 32" diameter! 

Designer Tip: Lighting Upgrades

One of my most oft used designer upgrades is to fix a room's lighting. So many rental spaces have harsh, florescent overhead lighting but with the right tweaks I feel that lovely lighting can really set the ambiance for the whole space. I always change out overhead fixtures if possible, and am sure to add lots of layers of softer lighting with floor and table lamps. I also find warm hued, frosted bulbs cast a much more inviting light than their cool, clear counterparts. Here are my top 3 tips for beautiful, welcoming lighting:

- Add a soft light source to 3 corners of a room if possible (in design school they suggest 8 light sources per room but I find that 4-6 is often plenty!)

- Incorporate lighting of various heights - a mix of table lamps, taller standing lamps and hanging fixtures create a layered feel.

- Try a pair - a pair of matched lamps flanking a piece of furniture or set on a large sideboard adds a great symmetry.

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