Inviting Interiors: Seating

I'm bringing back Inviting Interiors! Today's theme: college seating. Whether you're moving into a dorm, apartment or house (or even if you've graduated) seating a critical part of any room. I've gathered some of my favorite looks and options for those of you on a budget.

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You can take inspiration from lots of places, my favorite is actual homes! Even if it's a temporary space, adding certain furniture (that's functional, too) can make it feel more like home.

Upholstered Chair | The most grown up chair on the list. For when you're feeling like you can make half an investment for a chic apartment. 

Moon Chair | I had a papasan chair as a kid & these remind me of it! The shape is perfect for curling up with a book. 

Director's Chair | The beauty of a directors chair is it's fold-ability. Buy a couple & keep them in a closet. Pull them out when you need them & they have a lot more personality than a folding chair. 

Beanbag Chair | Throwback to the 90s. A casual chair with a childhood twist. Prefer a regular bean bag?

Storage Ottoman | The perfect solution for a tiny dorm room. Storage + seating. Win win!

What's your choice for back to school seating?

P.S. It's August which means Lattes with Liv is all about Back to School! Let me know if you have any post requests! 

Inviting Interiors: Holiday Decor

I feel that an inviting interiors post is long over due, and what better theme than holiday decor?  Here's a round up of my favorite, not seen everyday, ideas!

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I love the simplicity of hanging candy canes in a window.  Paired with garland, this is a perfect, simple way to encourage a holiday spirit!

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Hosting a holiday party?  May I suggest a dessert bar with candy jars?  This would also be wonderful as a centerpiece to dinner party. Or just a fun countertop decoration!

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Here's another really simple decoration!  You need: jars, greenery of any kind, cranberries, a floating candle & water.  A 5 ingredient decoration!  This is much fancier than the candy canes, but not any more difficult.  I love how pretty the end result is.

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It's no secret that I love desktop publishing and design.  I'm a giant sucker for subway art & typography.  Simple colors, powerful message.  You really can't go wrong.  The best part of this?  You can download them & print them to use yourself!

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Lastly, even though it isn't necessarily decor, I couldn't skip over this one!  This would be a perfect platter to deliver holiday cookies on.  I love the holidays because it means lots of baking!  (It also means I'll be home & CAN bake!)  Just arrange starlight mints in a circle with a pretty design & bake to melt them together.  Plus, you don't have to worry about getting plates back or send cookies on ugly paper plates!

What's your favorite piece of holiday decor?

Inviting Interiors {Nelson}

It's been a while since I did an inviting interiors post, so I figured it was time!  Today's post features the interior design company Nelson.  They were featured on the Interior Design Magazine Top 100 Giants List for 2012 at number 11.  The project I'm featuring is Unilever Headquarters.

Here's the project summary from the Nelson Website: "Additional key design elements included the use of glass on conference room fronts, entrance areas – allowing the openness and transparency desired by Unilever; areas for company product display – translucent panels with graphics, custom millwork glass shelving in Executive area, built in backlit display shelf in Board Room area; “Stonehenge” concept for the layout of executive area – desks built into a rounded shape which encourages collaboration and transparency even at the executive level in an open environment."

I love the color choices throughout this project!  Blue and orange usually reminds me of UTEP, but not in this case!  The different shades of blue paired with the orange is the right amount of calm and energy.  This looks like a super comfortable waiting area.

Oh conference rooms, how I love thee.  That actually wasn't sarcastic either!  I think conference rooms and lobbys are the most important spaces in an office.  They are the spaces that get the most use by people outside your company.  These spaces help tell the story of your company to who ever comes to visit.
The blue glass door walls remind me of beach glass; super calming.  I also love the displace space along the back wall.  It would be perfect for products or awards.  Did you notice the carpet?  Perfect amount of pattern without being distracting!

Since my parents have been doing the kitchen renovation, I've been noticing a lot of little details in design.  I've also been noticing some bigger elements, like the light fixtures.  Light fixtures can be incredibly difficult to pick out and coordinate.  I love the choice of orange for this space!  It brings back the orange and blue color scheme from the reception area, however I would have chosen a lighter blue for the wall (this reminds me of UTEP just a bit).  I love that they let the two elements of color really stand out, keeping everything else in the space neutral.

What do you think of the Unilever headquarters?

Inviting Interiors: Perkins+Will Part 2

I loved the work done at Perkins+Will so much, I decided to do a second installment highlighting their projects.  Todays project is Cobalt Engineering.  The project was completed in 2011 & one of it's main goals was to evoke a creative image.

This is the main entry way.  I love the use of the yellows and greens mixed with neutrals to let the color pop. This goes hand in hand with the creative image goal and they really let the color speak!  The one downside I might have with this space is the glass walls in the conference center. I think it could get really distracting with people coming in and out of the office.

 I love the simplicity of this conference room.  They kept everything really simple so employees could focus on the task at hand.  They bring in color through the chairs just outside the door.  They would be perfect for visitors waiting on a meeting!

 This individual office is very simple (notice a theme?).  I love that they brought in color through the chairs!  It was a perfect way to tie in the color scheme.  I also really like the unexpectedness of the sliding door.  It's not something you would typically see in an office.

 This looks like a great break room!  The motivational image words on the wall help to remind employees of the company's vision.  The simple sleekness of the design is calm and soothing.

Who wouldn't love to work at a place with a view like that? I'm jealous! The designers took that into consideration and gave them large windows to admire it through.  I love the variance in workspace here, the drafting tables, the table & chairs, and the traditional desk.  They bring in color through the dividing panels so it isn't overpowering.

I think this is another successful design from Perkins+Will.  What do you think about the space?



PS All of the images are from the Perkins+Will website, found here.

Inviting Interiors: Design Firm Spotlight

For this segment of inviting interiors I've decided to spotlight one of the industry giants when it comes to interior design.  They ranked #3 on Interior Design Magazine's list of 100 giants two years in a row.  They were established in 1935 in Chicago, IL.  They employ over 1,500 people.  The firm I am describing is none other than Perkins + Will.

I discovered this firm working on a project for my interior design class & fell in love! (Yes, I am writing this post instead of working on said project... ooops!)  They have so many innovative designs that are still very simple and classic.  The first project I want to spotlight is L'Oréal. This project included workplace guidelines, office design & executive offices. 

 I love the wooden paneling here.  Wood paneling can be very 70s if it's not done right, but this is definitely right.  The glass with the railings helps to open up the entire space.  I also really like the contrast between the dark wall on the right and the white wall on the left.  They stand out just enough to balance each other out.

How great are these green chairs? I love the pop of color!  This would be a great collaborative space.  The whiteboard walls are perfect for sharing ideas, along with the pin-board wall adjacent to it.  The large windows allow in lots of natural light to combat all of the computer light people are usually confronted with all day long.

 This space is so crisp, clean cut and simple!  But it still makes a great statement.  I love the single statue, the dark metal really draws your eye to the statue to make it the focal point of the room.  It is accented by the small amount of black in the rugs and the photo frames.

 This is another great lobby area. The colors are kept really simple and the lines are all clean.  I like that the flowers are a very neutral color, but they serve as a focal point.  Focal points don't always have to be big and drastic!

These little "cubicals" are a great upgrade!  I love the pop of orange and how low the walls are.  You can tell this is an office designed with collaborating in mind.  There is still enough work space and storage space to keep everything neat, but they are small enough you can still work with the person next to you. 

This storage & product highlighting is great.  The products are there without being super overpowering and they are integrated into the design flawlessly.  I would also like to point out the light fixtures in this room. They are made of simple shapes, but put together they add another dimension to this room full of color!

What do you think of these spaces?




All photos from here.

Inviting Interiors: Pops of Pink

Introducing my newest segment... Inviting Interiors!

Fun, inspiring interior design.  I've always had a passion for interior design.  Get ready for some jaw dropping, wish-inducing interiors! Today's theme: Pops of Pink!

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I love these pink curtains! They are the perfect way to bring in some color, without going overboard.

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An entirely pink wall is probably a little bit more than a pop, but I love this look!  The patterned wall makes the bright pink not as harsh, and paired with white accents it really stands out.  I also love the giant monogram on the wall, baby's first monogram!

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At Dots corporate headquarters, the entryway features some lovely disco-esque dress forms.  A bright pink dress form would be a fabulous addition to any aspiring fashion designer's room!

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Scared of pink overload? Adding a vase of simple pink flowers is a great touch!  Adding flowers to any room can help liven up the space and bring a small pop of color.  I especially love how green the flowers are to bring in some of the green from the kitchen and the pillow.

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I am swooning over this chair! I'm absolutely in love!  I can just imagine this chair paired with some lovely grey walls and a white sofa.  Add a low, modern coffee table with some blue flowers and of course a coffee table book or two and you have a fabulously chic living room!

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Wallpaper is a simple way to bring pattern and color to any room!  I love this damask pattern, mixed with white it brings just the right amount of bright color to the wooden table.  Wallpaper can be a very sophisticated option for decorating with color.

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An unexpected source of color... a very small kitchen!  I would have never thought of doing such a bright pink in a kitchen, especially for the counter tops, but I love this result.  Maybe in a larger kitchen a pink backsplash could be used?  Would you ever use pink in your kitchen?