Lounge: to pass time idly; an expensive bar; living room of a private home or city apartment in Chicago

Once again inspired, well often inspired, but more often hesitant.
Today, we are pushing through.

I would like to share with you a little project I completed a few months ago. I have a friend who commissioned me to update his apartment this past winter, and ever since, I have been working on spaces and weddings galore.

Here is one such example: The Lakeview Lounge. Two Florida natives trying to stay warm in one wretched Chicago winter, thus making the burnt orange ever so appropriate.

Before:


The pillows and metal frame chairs were my addition that day.
  I was confirming my vision.


Final staging and reveal:

Chalkboard hallway. For notes and quotes and friends.

Living space by day, bedroom by night.
This is also one of the tenants sleeping quarters.



Bar. Shovel. Boston fern.

Library corner.
Even if most of the books are about football.



 




Tufted leather chair was a thrifty find at $50.



Found these perfect visuals at Posh.



Yes, I do need an interior photographer.

Oh, and did I mention this was all done on $400 budget? Happy styling!

Covet: to wish for, especially eagerly; particularly when referring to one's bed

I have recently encountered a few people who covet my covers. Some of them online viewing pictures I have posted on facebook, others are friends visiting my apartment and room. Some have even attempted to try it out and are dismayed when I shoo them away.

You see, one of the things that makes this bed so delightful is the clean sheets rule. No clothes that may have ridden the 'L', sat in gum, or been worn when cooking onions are allowed. Pajamas Only. Preferably ironed ones (a little much, I know)

Whenever someone suggests they may covet my covers I think, "everyone deserves a bed so delightful, restful, and retreat worthy!" I would like to help. Listed are some of the things I have learned in my bed making days at Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn, as well as my own tested tips.



1. Make the bed everyday. I understand things come up, but make everyday the goal. The visual impact of walking in, after a long day, to a fluffed bed is the first step to certain comfort.

2. Go in clean. I aim to wash my sheets every week. Also, only allow pajamas or freshly cleaned loungewear.

3. Cotton is best. Thread count is deceptive. Cotton is the most breathable type of sheet you can use, making for a less sweaty sleep. Although we think bigger is better here in America, the highest number in your thread count doesn't always mean the best sheets. The best sheets are found in the types of cotton used...egyptian, and pima are best. Oh, and please read the fine print because some try to trick us by actually only including 5% of the good stuff.

4. Vacuum your mattress. Cleaning the bedding itself is easy, but the mattress is a different story. Grab the upholstery attachment on your vacuum and let it go to work on dustmites. Moisture is a mattress's worst enemy so don't ever use liquids here. Invest in a mattress protector that won't allow water or tea spills to leak through on those Saturday mornings spent reading in bed :)  Also, do rotate your mattress from head to foot every 3 months.

5. Add layers.This one began in highschool for me with another flurry of fabrics, my clothes. First of all, layers are how Pottery Barn and the like achieve that cloud like look. It adds depth and demension. Second, many of us layer our clothes. If it's a tried and true approach for what's on you during the day, why not follow suit at night?

...more to come on bed dressing, layering, and selecting bedding at a later date...for now, let's all get some shut eye.