Decorating for the Soul

Posted in Before & After, Design Challenges, Design Projects, Mood Boards, Redecorating by Mallory

First and foremost – I’d like to send out a little love in to the universe as we’ve reached Sledgehammer with Style’s 1st BLOGIVERSARY! I can’t believe I’ve been putting my random thoughts out in to the interweb universe and a few of you have actually read them and come back for more! Thank you everyone for keeping me inspired to keep writing and decorating!

Speaking of decorating, today’s post is about how decorating can be therapeutic and great for the soul. Who needs a shrink when you’ve got a 25% off coupon for Crate & Barrel?! Such is the case for today’s “client”. My best friend Harriet recently went through a life change when she and her husband amicably went their separate ways. She kept their place in Boston and in an effort to get a fresh start, decided she wanted to revamp her bedroom.

So here’s where we are starting: a gender neutral space populated mostly with post-college Ikea furniture.

So once the big split happened, the first thing I recommended to her is to rearrange her furniture. It was the quickest and easiest way to get a new perspective on things without spending a dime. So while we planned her new room, she literally flipped her perspective 180 degrees. And what a change! It felt like a whole new room.

Next up, she decided on her point of inspiration for the design: a peacock feather. It holds some serious sentimental value for us as it was part of our sorority in college, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let her plaster the room with feathers and dip everything in peacock blue. So we took the elements we liked such as that deep rich blue as a starting point.

Since it’s such a bold color, we decided that it could be an accent color while we would create a room around it with soft, neutral colors to give her a calming haven to retreat to at night. So here’s my first run at a plan for her room:

This is also the point when, despite her protests, I convinced her to paint. It’s the quickest, cheapest way to totally transform a space. We decided on a pale purple which would accent the peacock blue/teal accents we had been eyeing. But as all designs go, we didn’t quite agree on which purple that was. She’s a bit more of a girlie girl and leaned more towards a shade with pink undertones. I recommended she pick up some test pots of a few colors and try them out before she paint the whole room in a color we (I) weren’t totally convinced was just right. Here’s the tester:

We both agreed that the one on the left was way too pink. The one on the right is a bit more in line with what we were thinking. So a few weeks later, she bit the bullet, bust out the credit card for some new furniture AND tackled painting the whole room herself with one fabulous finished product (I apologize for the photos as we haven’t had a chance to do some serious “after” photos yet):

Now we had some serious momentum to keep rolling. The dresser is the Sorano 6-Drawer Dresser from Crate & Barrel. It reminds me of driftwood; I’m totally in love with it. Harriet and I went through a LOT of rug choices. She was particularly found of this Sonnet Area Rug in turquoise from Home Decorators Collection:

But ultimately, she decided on the Jasper Area Rug in aqua from Crate & Barrel. And to round out her shopping cart, she chose this amazingly comfortable Haven Chaise which she had fallen in love with during a window shopping trip in LA with yours truly.

Then after a long search for non-white bedding that wouldn’t show dog fur (she has an adorable long-haired dachshund named Snickers), Harriet picked some great bedding from West Elm: the Braided Matelasse Duvet Cover.

So after some tweaking thanks to a new paint color and some new design decisions, here’s the updated mood board for the space:

Then thanks to the Red Sox fabulous season and a spot in the playoffs, Jefe and I took off for Boston for a baseball game and some much needed time with my bestie. Unfortunately for her, the West Elm duvet was out of stock online. I, however, live around the corner from the store…. so my carry-on ended up filled to the brim with bedding instead of clothes.

While we were enroute, Harriet had a great bed frame delivered. It’s got storage for those bulky sweaters needed to bear the Boston winters. It’s from a local retailer, Jordan’s.

Once we landed in Boston, Jefe had to take a work call so Harriet and I took a quick jaunt to Home Goods where we made an INCREDIBLE score. We found a pair of AMAZING lamps that matched her new rug exactly. And they were the perfect way to bring some of the pale, minty teal over to the other side of her room on her future beside tables. Check out one of these gorgeous, curvy ladies (note that we ensured that we could fix the crooked shade before she purchased):

What an amazing score. Under $100 for BOTH of them. We were stoked. And Jefe gave us quite the look when we both walked in the front door, arm in arm with our lamps. We looked like little girls with their arms caught in the cookie jar.

So now our search has turned to sheets, nightstands and a side table for her chaise and some artwork. We both love the idea of black and white photos throughout the whole room; we just have to find the right ones.

And while we were there, we discussed a few other areas of her place we’d love to tackle down the road. I love a good project so there will definitely be more to come!

15Aug2013

Dorm Meets Design

Posted in Design Challenges, DIY, Life Stuff, Mood Boards, Redecorating by Mallory

…And Sledge is back with a vengeance!

Let’s talk college. For those of us who have been there, we all remember the grueling late nights of studying (or rehearsing for us theater folk), the horrible cafeteria options and the dorms. Oh the dorms. That ridiculous rite of passage where by you’re forced to live with a perfect stranger for 9-10 months and cram your entire life into a poorly lit space the size of a shoe box.

Well for you new readers, I promise you there’s hope. Your first year does NOT have to consist of you gaining the freshman 15 and sleeping in a drafty room that reminds you of where Martha spent a year in West Virginia.

No matter how many times you’ve scoured your school’s website and Google Image searched, you really have no idea what kind of space you are walking in to. Maybe a little something like this:

via

Or worse:

via

But there are plenty of tips, tricks and advice towards making this cement block of a space feel like home.

The key to really enjoying your space is making it comfortable. That starts with the piece of furniture you’re going to spend most of your time in: the bed. Let’s start with support – a solid mattress pad and an egg crate are musts. Egg crate you ask? Yes, you can thank me later. Those mattresses are likely very uncomfortable and any extra cushion will be appreciated.

Good sheets are just as important. I’d recommend going a step up in the quality department. Seriously. Those college nights can be long, no matter what you’re doing and you’ll love coming home to a bed that doesn’t like it came out of Van Wilder. Personally, Jefe and I loved our Striped Sheet Set from West Elm. They’re extremely soft and held up really well after 2 years of solid use.

Comforters and duvets should be washable. Trust me. This will be your bed, couch, study spot, dinner table, and dance floor all in one. Spills are bound to happen. In terms of style, I’d pick something that’s uniquely you without screaming “Star Wars is my jam!” Going a little bit more sophisticated never hurt anyone. A moderately priced duvet may be your best best as it’s washable and can be swapped out if you tire of it. This actually was my duvet eons ago, in a bit more a sage color, and it was worth every penny; it got softer with every washing and paired nicely with the buttery yellow walls of my bedroom in our sorority house. To pair with those great striped sheets, you could try a luxurious, yet neutral option from H&M’s new home line:

Now lets talk pillows. As I suggested, that bed is going to get some serious use (wink wink). So besides your usual pillows, I would get a few “decorative” ones that can serve multiple purposes. I’ve found bigger European and body pillows are best and can turn any bed in to a couch or help create an extra seat on the floor.

via

Luckily, floor pillows are all the rage so it should be easy to find something in your particular taste. I’m a big fan of these floor cushions that would work great as a backrest on your bed or tossed on the floor for added seating.

Lastly, I would add a throw blanket. It can be folded at the end of the bed, draped over the foot rail or used for extra warmth in cold months (or to cover your new best friend who fell asleep on your floor after a late night out). And it adds a homey touch to an otherwise cold room.

via

After move-in day and you’ve had the chance to spend some time in your space, you can always look in to some DIY options for headboards. Is it necessary? No. Will it help make the space feel like it’s more yours and less like a cement cell? Definitely. There are plenty of options from large wall decals to simple pieces of foam and fabric-wrapped wood that would really take your room up a notch. You’d be amazed what batting your eyes at that upper-class man with a pick-up truck will get you. Usually a free trip to Home Depot for the wood for your DIY project AND an invite to his house party later that night ;-). Alternatively, you could go the wall decal route:

via

While researching this post, I also came across this great new invention: over the bed storage that can also double as a “headboard”. You can customize the back wall with decorative paper or fabric and a little modge podge. It also gives you some much needed storage above your bed for those photos of your besties from back home.

via

Lets talk lighting. Quite possibly the worst part of dorm life – those horrendous overhead fluorescents that make your skin look green. So we are going to TURN. THEM. OFF. Lamps are your best friends. It’s safe to say that you’ll need a minimum of 2 to truly avoid the overhead: one for your desk exclusively and one for the rest of the living space. And your eyes will thank you for that soft white light while you’re cranking away during a marathon study session. It will also give your space a great, homey atmosphere that will be the envy of all your hallmates. I would recommend a style that could easily transition to a first apartment so you’re not buying something as a temporary solution.

via

And that rule applies for just about everything other than those extra long twin sheets that you will most certainly never use again: purchase for longevity. My third year of college I bought a queen size duvet for my twin bed; my only regret was not doing it 2 years earlier. I manage to found one that was great quality (without breaking my budget), so I was able to keep it for the long haul and still use it today.

Desk space. Lets get creative. Do you really need that plain mesh pencil cup from Office Depot? How about a pretty monogrammed mug from CWonder instead? It serves the same purpose but gives you a little panache.

via

I think the same can be applied for just about anything: why choose a plain notebook when you can get one covered in chevrons that makes you smile every time you look at it? Or how about a cork board covered in fabric? Maybe some DIY bookends (kids still use actual books, right? Or am I that old?!)

These are from CB2 but could EASILY be DIY’ed

The point is, take this as an opportunity to really exercise your imagination in how you can really put your stamp on the space so it’s as inviting as possible.

Storage. You’re gonna need more, no matter who you are. Unless you’re one of those lucky kids that gets an apartment in their first year and are spared this form of mild university-condoned hazing, you will inevitably need some form of storage beyond the blond wood, 30 year old dresser you’re issued. Once you’ve spent some time in your space, figured out what fits where and what still needs a home, plan that trip to your local Target (or if you’re one of the lucky kids near a city, a nearby Ikea). Modern, design savvy storage has come a long way since the standard clear plastic bins of my college years. Below are some suggestions:

via

(Drink cart anyone?! For your bottles of Diet Coke…)

Closet storage is pretty straightforward. Just find the things that work for you and your space. 3M hooks can be a lifesaver as are those hangers that can hold 4 pairs of pants at once. I also used to drape my scarves over hangers to save space.

Lastly, let’s talk food. Yes, I know you’ve got a meal plan. But there will inevitebly be those times that you’re just sick of the cafeteria’s chicken parm or you really want a late night snack and don’t feel like leaving the building. For this, I’d recommend one full set of dishware. We’re talking real metal silverware kids. As for the plates, melamine has come a LONG way and there are so many cute options now. Just make sure that yours is microwavable as you never know when you want to heat up some leftovers or make a bowl of soup. Yes, you will have to wash them, but there’s just something nice about having something to call your own that is semi-permanent. And besides – you don’t have the space to hoard stacks of paper plates and cups.

Now for some inspiration of some epic dorm room design:

Boho Glam

This is probably the most shared, epic dorm room design I’ve ever seen.

Minimal Glam

So simple and easy! A rug, some art, a pedestal, a plant and a new bookshelf.

For the bright and bubbly sorority girl

Traditional and masculin. Love the suitcases for some under the bed storage!

As you can see, dorm room decorating has come a long way. So here are two great examples of how to do a blue dorm room, on a budget, in different styles to really make your space your own:

PREPPY FEMININE

MASCULINE ECLECTIC

25Jun2013

Mid-Century Storage

Posted in Design Challenges, Reader Q & A by Mallory

Today’s reader Q & A comes from another college friend, Christy (Carnegie Mellon represent!). She, her husband Chris and their adorable daughter Hazel just moved cross-country from a condo in the heart of Chicago to an incredible tree-lined property, complete with horse barn, in Seattle. But between two grown adults that work from home, a baby on the verge of walking and a menagerie of pets, they are in desperate need of storage until they have the opportunity to start the large renovation they’ve been planning.

As a result, they’re not looking to spend a lot as most of these solutions will be temporary. But, as both Christy and Chris are both very design-minded and crazy artistic, I’ve been charged with the request that my solutions “can’t look ugly” and in terms of style, Christy said “I hate that country shit.” She is also definitely not a fan of wicker (so there goes most of my basket ideas).

Here’s a little bit more about Christy’s design storage dilemma, in her own words:

OK, so here’s the deal:

We are completely overhauling this house within the next year (gut remodel), so I have been hesitant to fully “move in” and make my space just so. However, I have recently come to the realization that with all the other stress in my life, at the very least, I need my most-lived-in space to be a lot more livable in order to maintain a peaceful state of mind. (aka: SANITY)

I spend most of my time when I’m at home in these two connected rooms: the family room and kitchen. The family room serves three purposes: 1) Hazel’s play room, 2) My office, and 3) Relaxing on the couch in front of the fireplace (sadly, this rarely happens).

This house has many attractive features, but one thing it is severely lacking is STORAGE. You will see from the pics of my kitchen that we are exploding out of the space. Believe it or not, my kitchen in our condo in Chicago had about double the storage space. We had tall ceilings with floor-to-celiling cabinetry, a large original built-in in the hallway, and a huge pantry. Now we have no built ins, no pantry, and only one row of cabinets (first world problems!) But it does suck, because then we end up using our precious counter space for things like loaves of bread and ridiculous milk frothers.

Oh – and our aesthetic tastes tend to converge around Mid-Century Modern +/or warm contemporary. We hate ultra-modern stuff (read: cold!) and love a good, simple, hardwood furniture piece. We dislike things that are “clunky.” I love industrial objects juxtaposed with warm organic elements. It’s the German in me coming to terms with the Artist somewhere in the middle. Luckily, my husband and I agree on most things aesthetic.

Anyways. I need help. And I can’t spend a lot of money. And I have like no time. – Christy

So, let’s attack the kitchen first as it seems their milk frothers are running over. I’d assume all of their cabinet space is filled to the brim. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at any additional areas we could take advantage of for more storage. Next to their wall oven is the perfect place to add some hanging shelves. Depending on how sturdy Christy can make them (she’s quite handy and is the one who taught me how to use a drill), she could use it as extra space for smaller kitchen gadgets, like those frothers, coffee grinders, etc. Alternatively, she could use those shelves for additional food storage.

In the open area to the right of the wall oven where the windows are, I’d recommend a bigger island/bar cart than what they have now. It will give them both additional table-top surface as well as additional space on the shelves below. I think the Ikea Forhoja is her best bet. It’s simple, made of real wood (and could be customized if she chose to keep it) and always has high demand for resale on Craigslist if they choose to not bring it back in to their renovated space. It could also be put to great use for dinner prep if they are living in the space through the reno. Finding a space to make a makeshift kitchen is essential to surviving a major renovation.

via

Moving in to the living room, the first thing I would add is a console table behind their sofa. This will give them a shelf for additional storage and an open area underneath to store some of Hazel’s larger toys without having them out in the open. I wouldn’t recommend this table in terms of style for Christy, but it illustrates a creative way to store kids toys in an aesthetically pleasing way:

Some examples of great console tables that would coordinate with their current style are the Foundry table from CB2 for an industrial look or a vintage piece like this mid-century modern classic.

Underneath their new console or their coffee table, I would add some Christy-approved baskets for Hazel’s smaller toys. These from CB2 and Crate & Barrel would fit right in to their mid-century modern style:

For that long wall filled with Hazel accutrimont, there are two ways Christy could go: the budgetary/immediate option or the pain and gain option. My first inclination is to spend a little more on some pieces that Christy and Chris can keep and use after the reno such as a mid-century modern George Nelson-style shelving system. It would require some rearranging of their artwork, but this option would provide the additional storage they need in the living room and still provide lasting value to their overall furniture collection.I see this as something that would be a great piece in Christy’s future office to display her artwork, stacks of books, and pictures with her favorite red-headed friend, kind of like this one:

(Yes, this picture is now 10 years old… I suddenly feel ancient)

Alternatively, Christy could go with the lower cost option that is still made of solid wood and would not require her to put giant holes in her walls (or break her budget). I’d suggest going with the World Market Espresso Charles Slanted Bookshelf. The style is simple enough that it could blend with the current furnishings and as it’s moveable, could be reused post-reno. Also good for resale on Craigslist if she chooses not to keep it.

A third option would be to go the budget friendly, industrial route. This option from Ikea would add a significant pop of color and hide toys behind closed doors. Another great piece that could be carried over to the future space, repurposed in Christy’s art studio, or resold.

Beyond furniture, there are a few other options Christy could opt for that would help corral throw blankets, magazines, and the stray dog chew toy. I’m loving this basket (Christy, trust me on this one) from Crate & Barrel.

This storage ottoman from CB2 would provide storage as well as an additional seat for when the house is filled with more grandparents than chairs, which from what I hear, is a likely scenario.

So what do you guys think – any other storage options you’d suggest for Christy? And in case anyone doubted that a bunch of sorority girls knew how to drill (get your minds out of the gutters people!), here’s exhibit A:

(This may be my favorite picture of this girl. She’s kind of bad-ass. Although I’m slightly afraid that she may be revoking my design privileges for posting this…)

24Jun2013

June Lust List

Posted in Lust List by Mallory

As we’re more than half way through June, I figured it was time to share with you this month’s lust list!

Adidas Dragon Shoes: For those that don’t know, Jefe could give Imelda Marcos a run for her money. He’s got great style and LOVES himself a rocking pair of sneakers. As I could use some new casual shoes that aren’t flip-flops (and I’m sure Jefe would be thrilled if I upped my game in the kicks department), I’d love a pair of these in Bluebird.
Caitlin Wilson Teal Arrow Pillow: I am loving this new pattern from Caitlin Wilson. Her newest line is bright, happy and perfect for summer. I love this pattern in particular but may go with more of a traditional blue version as an accent for our bedroom.
Ray-ban Wayfarers: These will always be a classic. And I could use a pair of sunnies that are both stylish, classic, and don’t get caught in my mess of frizzy hair when I plop them on the top of my head this summer. That East Coast humidity during vacay can be brutal.
Merona Relaxed Bermuda Shorts: I love me some New England preppy style, particularly for summer. On a recent trip through Target, I was browsing for a summer dress and came across these in a a fun orange print. And the lobsters had me at hello. They’re already in my closet.
Bathroom Faucet Photos: After Jefe picked up this old Gillette print for the bathroom, I decided we needed some matching artwork for the opposite wall. I found these great black & white photos from Etsy. They’re simple, fit the new bathroom style and didn’t break the bank.
Ezeiza Weekender Bag: Found this guy on One Kings Lane. It’s just begging to be taken to wine country for the weekend. I love that it is unisex so Jefe or I could grab it for a quick getaway.
Asymmetrical Mini Letter Necklace: I’m in desperate need of a new gold necklace. I’m also a sucker for anything monogrammed. Thank you BaubleBar for this little beauty. Kate Spade’s new line Saturday also has a similar, slightly less expensive version.
Crate & Barrel Paterson Black Two-Door Cabinet: The credit for this find has to go to Jefe. He got the itch a few months ago to replace our tv stand with a Paterson, which we did. And now that we have this fancy new piece of furniture, we’ve got the itch to keep at the upgrades. We’d love to get this cabinet to replace our old Ikea dresser that we’ve been using as storage in the living room.

12Jun2013

Top 10 – Tools on the Go

Posted in Tools by Mallory

For those at home following along on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram you’ll know that I was on set two weekends ago working on my first “official” gig as a production designer. I say official in quotes as I’ve worked on a lot of films in the last 6 years, mostly as a Jack-of-all-trades producer, some of which has involved doing a little production design. (Side note: you can see some of my bathroom/special effect construction skills here.) But this is my first gig as a legit production designer since really immersing myself in design and I really enjoyed it.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been on my last film set. Last weekend was a great reminder of all the little tips, tricks and must have tools both film crews and designers need to get something done FAST. So I decided to share my Top 10 List of Tools on the Go:

1) A Tape Measure – Preferably one that weighs less than a bag of flour. After working on Jefe’s parents place so much lately, I’ve discovered the necessity for a LIGHTWEIGHT tape measure, especially when tossing it in to your little leather handbag. I picked up this one from Ikea:

2 & 3) Small hammer and Screwdriver – Whether you are hamming your little heart out or putting your fair share of screws in a wall, a solid but portable hammer and screwdriver are a must. I came across this adorable set in the new gift section near the greeting cards at Target.

4) 3M Hooks & Mounting Tape – whether hanging lightweight artwork, or a few quick hooks for a coat & purses in the hall, 3M is really a life saver. I love the real metal options that look just as good as similar hooks which you have to actually screw in to the wall. They are really ideal for renters who want to hang things without the added hassle of patching up holes upon move-out.

5) Painter’s Tape – A roll of this stuff has saved my butt on numerous occasions and has many more uses than the label may advertise. I’ve been known to use it for marking out where I want to hang things on a wall, particularly if you’re trying to hang something evenly beside another piece of art that’s already on the wall. I’ve used it to tape out furniture arrangements on the floor (which may have come from my days stage managing in the theater where we marked all set pieces out for rehearsals). Last week on set we had to dull the reflection on a piece of glass in a picture frame so it wouldn’t reflect the camera and lights; we used a roll of this stuff to protect the frame’s edges while we coated the glass in hairspray (another useful tip!) So far I’ve only ever used 3M Scotch Blue Painter’s Tape in varying sizes, but I know there are a ton of bloggers, like my favorite Katie Bower, who swear by Frog Tape.

6) iPhone – For better or worse, I am never without mine. When you’re out shopping, it’s the best point of reference. I’ve saved all of my apartment and furniture measurements in the notes section, taken pictures of a label or particular item at home to match it to another in store, and I have all of my shopping lists, budgets and other creative material saved in things like Reminders, Google Drive, and Room Planner. You can use an app to turn it in to a level and in a real pinch, a tape measure (although you only get about 3 inches…) It’s also great to have on hand to take pictures of an item you may be considering, a certain arrangement of items on display (thank you West Elm for the ideas), or to save vendor information– I’ve been known to photograph business cards or a store’s hours if I’m in a hurry.

7) Hot glue gun – You never know when you’re going to need it. Whether it’s attaching a bird to your latest DIY craft or playing McGyver on a film set, these things always come in handy. Case in point – last weekend we need a prop for one of our actor’s: a very girlie pen. As no one had one on set and we were too short on time for me to run out and purchase one, I took a regular old BIC ballpoint, a strand of fabric ribbon, and a plastic flower I popped off an old faux arrangement and VOILA! Although it may not have been the prettiest thing up close, from far away on camera, it read perfectly. Unforutnately I’ve had my glue gun so long I have no idea the brand, but Stanley tools are always reliable.

8) Sharpies (multiple colors) – You never know when you’ll need one. Besides the usual use, they can be used to color in a nick on a piece of furniture, or even create some really quick art.

9) X-acto Knife – Before I learned the error of my ways, I used to need something to help get a clean line when pulling up painter’s tape after I let a paint job dry. X-Acto knife to the rescue. It certainly did the trick then but has a million other uses. Whether it’s trimming a piece of art to fit a frame or cutting a FLOR carpet square to size, it is by far the best way to get the straightest edge.

10) Keep your receipts – This is more of a rule rather than a tool, but it is still essential, no matter what job you are on. As a rule of thumb, I usually buy more than I need for a job, so I can have options the day of loading in and styling a space. You never know when you’ll need the perfect knick knack or throw pillow to finish off a look. So buy more than you think you need, play with the different combinations until you achieve the perfect look and return what you don’t use.

Sledgehammer With Style

Hollywood marketer by day, design blogger by night.

Tag Archives: Ikea

Decorating for the Soul

Dorm Meets Design

June Lust List

Top 10 – Tools on the Go

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: