How To: Style Your Bed
HOW TO STYLE YOUR BED WITH LISA YATES
Along with her general talent for design, you could say Design Director Lisa Yates is a custom bedding guru. From the smallest details, to the entire bedroom space, every piece is thoughtfully chosen, inspiring, and personal.
While, at first glance, the bed seems like a fairly straightforward piece to style, choosing the many components of custom bedding can quickly become an overwhelming task. Lisa breaks the process down in manageable steps, complete with styling tips, to put together a picture-perfect, comfortable bedding ensemble.
Step 1: The Bedding Basics
Those items that aren’t “front and center” are just as important to the overall comfort of your bed. Start with a mattress pad and pillow protectors. Both of these items will extend the life of your mattress, bedding, and sleeping pillows, and will also help to keep allergens at bay.
Step 2: The Sheets
Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it will wear well or even soften over time. Good sheets range anywhere from 200 to 800, but in reality, the type of weave and quality of the cotton or other materials used makes a much bigger difference than the thread count number. Linen sheets are increasingly popular, given the recent trend of the more “unmade” bed look. It wears beautifully over time and is very breathable, but if you’re not of fan of wrinkles, be sure to invest in a steamer! While I will often recommend classic white sheets, this is also a great place to have some fun with colors and patterns.
Step 3: The Duvet and Blanket
Try layering your duvet with a cozy blanket or coverlet. Have fun with the layering and mix it up for a different look by trying out different patterns and textures. Having both allows you to layer up (or down!) overnight as the temperature changes. I personally love how a duvet folded at the foot of the bed gives the space an overall feeling of warmth and coziness.
Step 4: Pillows
Start with stacking your sleeping pillows on top of each other against the headboard, then place larger decorative pillows in front of those. You can add more pillows by working your way forward with smaller sizes. This is another place to play with color and pattern. Start with your favorite and use it as the anchor piece. Choose additional pillows with similar color tones. You can add multiple patterns and textures, as long as they’re all in the same general color palette.
How To: Style Your Wedding
STYLE YOUR WEDDING WITH FURNISHINGS & DECOR
Styling a wedding takes creativity, a love of design and an eye for detail. Every little piece contributes to the overall look to reflect you and the things you love.
Of course, there’s the dress, the cake and florals, but you can also express your personal style through furnishings and accessories on your special day.
Purchasing quality pieces for your wedding allows you and your partner to keep, repurpose and update your own home as you start your new life together. Rather than renting generic seating, purchase furniture that will last for years while holding a special meaning. Choosing your own pieces and upholstery also allows you to completely customize each component to bring your vision to life. Your furnishings and accessories easily become your wedding keepsakes as well as functional, beautiful pieces you’ll use every day.
As more and more weddings are evolving into more intimate celebrations, the focus shifts to investing in more meaningful elements rather than attempting to please and accommodate hundreds of guests. Recently, our design team, partnered with wedding planner Emily Campbell of Go Bella event production to create a romantic setup for a small, outdoor celebration. The team shares some of their tips below for pulling together the wedding of your dreams, with pieces that will last long after the big day.
Include another whimsical seating space for guests to relax in the outdoors. Make it extra magical in the evening by adding candles or a chandelier hung from the trees.
The Lounge Chairs
When choosing accent chairs, you can get really creative with customizations. Each piece can be exactly how you’d like it, from fabric to finishes and nail heads. For your wedding day, and your home, we suggest choosing durable performance fabrics for any custom upholstery. There are so many gorgeous fabrics such as Crypton and Sunbrella that are completely treatable and cleanable in case accidents happen.
The Poufs
It’s fun to feature another texture and add softness to a space on your wedding day with poufs. Poufs are easy to move around can be used for seating in your living room, entry or at the foot of your bed.
The Pillows
Pillows are another fun accessory to mix and match and are completely customizable. Choose a variety of textures or patterns to make it eclectic or stick to the same color palette as the perfect accents featured in the same room.
Revive Your Spaces with New Furniture
REFRESH & REFURNISH YOUR HOME
What do you feel when you step inside your home? Does it bring you a sense of comfort, joy and inspiration? Your home should be your happy place, your respite; not an additional source of stress or anxiety.
If you’ve been looking to make a change in your home, big or small, there’s never been a better time. Whether you’re looking for a few new furnishings or accessories, or a full revamp, our team is here to make your vision a reality.
Here, two of our designers show how they bring existing spaces back to life.
Before
After
Collective Design Team
What spaces were the clients looking to update and why?
The clients bought the entire home furnished. All of the pieces were pretty traditional, dark, heavy and not very functional. They wanted to brighten, refresh and open up their spaces. We introduced lighter tones and stylish pieces in a more practical layout that complimented the client’s taste.
Was there a theme in the pieces chosen for the project?
The overall theme was mountain modern. We incorporated different color schemes throughout each room of the house, which was fun and made each space unique.
What’s something unique about this project?
We wanted to do something different and playful in the stairwell since there’s about three levels of wall space. We knew our custom skier, snowboarder and climber wall art figures would be perfect. The clients chose which poses and figures they wanted to display, and we mapped out which would look best where. Then it was just a matter of picking the right colors to make the ombre effect happen! The figures start out as red at the bottom of the stairs, to match the family room color scheme, and have an ombre effect leading to the dark blue figure up top that ties in the living room’s color scheme.
How did your clients react to the final design?
They were excited to see their home in a whole new light. These are a few of the comments that they shared…
“This was our first time working remotely with a designer. We appreciated the level of detail that was put into presentations, samples, etc. to ensure we were comfortable with the selections. The ease of the process and the team made us happiest. Everyone was positive, accommodating and communication was excellent. There were no financial surprises and the design team provided very detailed reports of project costs. We now have a beautiful home with quality furnishings and a relationship going forward for future needs. The experience exceeded our expectations.”
Before
After
Catherine Lykins, Associate Designer
What spaces were your clients looking to update and why?
My clients were looking to refurnish their entire new home. Upon moving in, there were a few pieces left behind from the former owner that were mostly log-style, more traditional furnishings. My clients and I wanted to go in a completely different direction. I wanted to help liven up the space by introducing a more mountain modern vibe that complemented their home and their personal aesthetic.
What was the process like for this project?
I always ask a ton of questions from the beginning to get to know my clients personally, get a sense of their style and what inspires them. It’s so important to build that client-designer relationship so we are able to work together and continue to build trust throughout the project.
For this project, we basically started from scratch to create an entire new look. My clients shared images of their primary home to show their style and what they love. I knew exactly what they were looking for, so we were up and running in no time! From there, I got familiar with the home and provided a few floorplan options for each room. Once my clients decided on the final layout, I started sourcing pieces that not only fit with the home’s character, but also provided beauty and functionality for their family.
Was there a theme in the pieces chosen for the project?
My clients wanted a more mountain modern look with touches of whimsical accents. I featured some of my favorite embroidered pillows that tied the living and dining room color schemes together perfectly.
Want to see more of our projects? Check out our before & after remodels blog or our interior design portfolio. If you’re ready to bring your vision of home to life get in touch with our designers today.
Our Favorite Home Bar Designs – Cheers!
OUR FAVORITE BAR DESIGNS
Our Collective design team shares their favorite home bar designs…
The thing I love most about this bar is that it blends perfectly with the home’s environment and doesn’t stand apart from the overall décor. It comes equipped with ample shelving space for bottles and glasses and has everything necessary to relax and entertain in style. The location complements the home’s living space, allowing for easy access to that perfect cocktail after a long day of working from home!
~ Adrienne, President of Design
This was originally dead space underneath the stairs. Our client is an engineer by trade, and upon noticing the dead space, asked if it might be possible to use it as a wine room. With a lot of creativity and collaboration with the construction team, we made it happen. Although it has a glass door, you don’t really know what’s in the room until you walk in and go under the stairs. The glass door definitely piques your curiosity to see what else might be in the space! We incorporated materials used throughout the rest of the home – natural stone walls, wood flooring done in a herringbone pattern to make it feel special, barnwood, and decorative lighting. The clients were thrilled with the final result and say it’s one of their most favorite spaces in the house.
~ Lisa, Design Director
I love that this bar and family room provide an open concept space with plenty to do! It incorporates ample seating at two bar areas, a theater, pool table, and a game table. We also included mirrored bronze crackle glass countertops instead of granite. I love that it helps reflect light in the lower level and it’s definitely a conversation piece! ~ Catherine, Associate Designer
Want to see more of our favorite spaces? Check out our interior design portfolio and follow us on Instagram for daily inspiration. If you’re ready to bring your vision of home to life, get in touch with one of our award-winning designers.
Decorate Your Mountain Home for the Holidays
HOW TO DECORATE YOUR MOUNTAIN HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
When planning your holiday decorations, think about what inspires you. My husband and I are always taking hikes and exploring, which inspires me to bring the outdoors into our home this holiday season. Mixing natural elements with pretty, sparkling accessories makes any space cozy and festive. Here, I’ve put together some simple tips to bring the holiday spirit into your mountain home.
How To: Decorate Your Mantle
Winter foliage and evergreens are a great place to begin when it comes to the mantle. I started by placing the wreath. I wanted to add that natural element while drawing the eye up. Then I placed a simple garland to run the greenery the full length of the mantle.
Another thing to remember when styling a mantle is adding height to either side. You don’t have to worry about being too symmetrical. It gives the decor a whimsical vibe if you interchange a few different heights and materials, like the candle holders and glass trees.
If you want to add a little more color, throw some ornaments onto the garland. The pop of red mixed with the silver and glitter from the ornaments is so pretty and really ties the design together!
How To: Decorate Your Coffee Table
It’s fun to think outside the box when planning your holiday decor. Simple tricks like adding a wreath to your coffee table is an easy way to do so. You can fill the center of the wreath with gorgeous ornaments to display those festive colors.
Another easy holiday decorating trick is adding candles to your design. The soft flickering light brings warmth to the space, while adding a different element to your decor.
How To: Decorate Your Dining Table
Wow your friends & family this year with an amazing holiday table! The best design trick here? It’s all about layers! Lining stylish vases down the middle of your table with winter foliage is a great place to start. Then, mix in some fun candle taper holders on each side. You can add greenery or garland between the vases and more candlesticks to make the centerpiece look fuller.
Another simple holiday trick is adding pinecones or nuts to the table, bringing in warmth with another natural element. Don’t forget to incorporate festive linens or napkins to add softness and color to the table.
How To: Style Your Nightstand
HOW TO STYLE YOUR NIGHTSTAND
Cat Lykins
Associate Designer
The bedroom is a space where you refresh, relax and recharge, so it’s important that it’s very “you.” Nightstands are a piece you can completely personalize, mixing your favorite photo and your latest book club novel with great accessories. You’ll see these just before you sleep and right after you wake, so put some thought into how you want to feel in those moments and the pieces that will get you there. Here are some of my favorite nightstands and accessories and tips on how to style and personalize bedroom furniture.
Choosing a Nightstand
Before I choose a nightstand, I measure the space to be sure I’m getting the perfect fit. An appropriately sized nightstand will sit even, or as close to the top of the mattress as possible. Typically, I will line the back of the nightstand up with the back of the bed and leave a few inches between the two for bedding. Then I love to choose a unique yet stylish nightstand that makes a statement in the room. The goal is to have it catch your eye and work as a focal point.
One of my favorites is our Greyson Nightstand. The raised harlequin pattern on the Greyson’s facade gives it a playful feel. Its modern-machine look comes from its hand-aged, zinc finish, while three drawers provide ample storage. Plus, it’s neutral so it can work in any space.
After selecting a strong focal piece as my foundation, I’ll choose the nightstand accessories.
Lamps
A lamp is a great bedroom accessory and highly functional, adding personal lighting to your space. Again, I start by measuring. A good way to properly size a lamp for your nightstand is to measure from the top surface of the nightstand to the top of your headboard. The top of the lamp should sit near the top of the headboard. I love the Quail Lamp which brings a splash of color to a neutral space.
A lamp is a great bedroom accessory and highly functional, adding personal lighting to your space. Again, I start by measuring. A good way to properly size a lamp for your nightstand is to measure from the top surface of the nightstand to the top of your headboard. The top of the lamp should sit near the top of the headboard. I love the Quail Lamp which brings a splash of color to a neutral space.
Books
To add more height and color to your nightstand, a stack of books is a decorative and functional way to accessorize. Always include your favorite reading book over a few of our tabletop books: Good To Glow, A Beautiful Mess, Dog People, Cuba, or A Tribute to Flowers and more. Make sure that it’s an odd number in the stack. Believe it or not, this helps give visual balance.
Greenery
Add a succulent or a small vase of flowers for a natural element that visually softens the room.
Meaningful, Purposeful Pieces
Finally, add a favorite small accessory to your nightstand. A photo frame holding your favorite memory, a jewelry dish or simply a pair of glasses. Have fun with it and play with items outside the box!
Collective’s team welcomes the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your remodel goals—and how we can become your partner in designing a home you love!