GUEST ROOM MAKEOVER & CONTEST

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One of the best things about our new home is that it has plenty of space to host friends and family. I've always dreamed of creating a hotel-worthy guest room that made our guests feel welcome and rested. Living Spaces helped make my dream a reality with some of the most beautiful and affordable furniture around, and I'm excited to share it with you (P.S. you can win this whole space).

We all know that pineapples are a pin-worthy subject lately, but did you know that the pineapple is a symbol of hospitality that dates back to Christopher Columbus (see more here)? Well, as a woman that loves a good dark wall and one that loves pineapples, when I saw this Hygge & West ebony pineapple wallpaper I knew that this was perfect for my guest room and source of inspiration for the rest of the room.

The color palette was set by this wallpaper, but to avoid it feeling too matchy, matchy I wanted to introduce some natural textures, grays and other patterns. I selected a full sized, gray upholstered bed. It was only $370, and looks like it costs over one thousand. A crisp white duvet is always something you find in hotels these days, but these black and white accent pillows accompanied by a soft black throw made the bed feel even more luxurious.

I then picked an area rug to anchor the space, and I fell in love with this jute rug with black lines. Other elements that added this natural quality were an outdoor rope stool doubled as a side table and a woven basket used as a planter.

When I think about the different elements that make up a comfortable hotel room a cozy reading chair always comes to mind. This black, brass studded, leather chair is so classic in design and the perfect reading chair for my guests. I added a brass reading lamp next to it that could also be turned if someone decided to read in bed. Of course, being able to put your feet up and relax is important and this printed ottoman called my name.

The room is 11 ft wide and 8 ft deep, so I didn't have too much room for side tables. Instead, I opted for the small rope stool on one side and a brass and marble bookshelf for the other. I decorated the shelves with elements that you would often find in a hotel room such as a clock, books, bottled water, wash cloths and flowers (or in this case palm leaves to continue the tropical flair). You'll also always want a mirror for your guests to check their hair and makeup without having to go down the hall to the bathroom. I love this 44 inch gray mirror. It has an island feel to it and the color softens the room.

Last, but not least, I made sure there was a tray of welcome gifts and small design accents to make the space feel homey. A pitcher, a notebook for messages, a good smelling candle, wrapped soaps to enjoy, lavender body lotion and even brass keys to make it really feel like a hotel. I even had my friend Katie Sterbenz design a sign for the room showing wear to go to enter the oasis. On the right, the guest room, and on the left, Elle's room.

I hope you love the room as much as I do. I'm considering inviting all tired moms who need some sleep to come and use it. haha! But seriously, if you love this room you can WIN it. Living Spaces is doing a Pinterest contest where you can win a $2,500 gift card to shop this room or buy other elements that make up your dream space. Click here to enter. Be sure to check out their 4th of July sale to find amazing deals too!

To shop the space be sure to visit my Pinterest board with all of the items. 

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

PERFECT PLANTS FOR BLACK THUMBS

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I have a black thumb and generally stick to fake plants. In fact, if you saw on Snap Chat (@avestyles) yesterday you would have seen that I killed my purple fig cactus. A cactus!!! Lord, help me! So, when it came time to pick plants for our yard I thought to myself, "Oh no. I don't know if I want to spend money on things that are going to die a couple months later." Haha! But, I can't put fake plants in my yard, so John Harper from Harper's Landscape came to my rescue!

I went to Harper's Nursery to select plants for my Hayneedle outdoor makeover (click here to see how it turned out), and I said, "John, you gotta help me. Please show me some plants that are hard to kill." I don't think it was his first time running into the likes of me. He was really knowledgable and showed me exactly what to buy. Here's what I bought:

Sky Flower - this plant is so beautiful (shown above). It has berries and purple flowers. It also grows like a weed and look pretty in big planters. It definitely needs a good amount of water every day, but that's really it.


Mexican Fence Post - It's a hearty cactus that seems to be doing just fine. The hot, hot summer and direct sunlight haven't killed it yet. 


Agave - Another hearty desert dwelling plant that needs hardly any water. That's my kind of plant. It really thrives in the sun and warm temperatures. It's nice to know we can leave on a weekend trip and know that this plant will be a-okay.

Sour Orange- If you want a plant that can grow sky high, give a lot of shade and have it create a hedge then you might want to buy a sour orange bush. John told me that these are just as good as oleanders, but they aren't poisonous to animals. They do have huge thorns on them though.

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Bottle Palm - Nothing says paradise like a palm tree. I wanted to fill these cool Hayneedle planters with a substantial plant, and so John suggested a Bottle Palm Tree. They just need good drainage and clean water. 

My yard feels like such an oasis now. I highly recommend Harper's Landscape for all of your landscaping and gardening needs. Their customer service served me well, and I know that would do the same for you too.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

BACKYARD MAKEOVER WITH HAYNEEDLE

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Even though it's a record 120 degrees in Phoenix, we still enjoy being outside and living in our pool all summer. This is the first summer in our new suburban home, and it's the first time we have been ready to invest in some outdoor furniture. I was delighted to get to partner with Hayneedle to create a modern, comfortable outdoor living space. They offer all different design styles at affordable prices. Do you want to see how it turned out?

Because our suburban home has a traditional style of architecture, I wanted to honor that and insert some modern, clean lines that are true to my style. I think it's important to try and balance the integrity of the exterior space because all modern would have stuck out like a sore thumb.

The color palette was kept simple with off-white, wood and pops of blue thrown in. I picked blue because of the bright blue skies and blue water from the pool. 

On our furniture wish-list was a big dinner table that could seat our whole family, as well as different areas we could lounge outside and watch the kids swim and play. Hayneedle offered so many modern conversation sets. It was really easy to find what we wanted.

Coley and Lindsey, stylists and founders of Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market, helped me put the final touches on the makeover project. You can see more of the design process and reveal photos on Hayneedle's blog. Click here to check it out. Shop the entire space here.

Also, be sure to check out Coley's boho outdoor spot and Lindsey's industrial modern makeover with Hayneedle on their blog. Here's a little peek below.

Lindsey's backyard is amazing! This hammock looks so dreamy!

Lindsey's backyard is amazing! This hammock looks so dreamy!

Coley's backyard is a boho oasis. I love how she combines old vintage pieces with new furniture.

Coley's backyard is a boho oasis. I love how she combines old vintage pieces with new furniture.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

SUBSCRIPTION BOX WORTH YOUR MONEY

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Everyone loves getting mail and receiving gifts, so the concept of subscription boxes is truly genius. Each month or each quarter, depending on the service, you receive a box in the mail with goodies. There are subscription services for foodies, for crafters, for kids and for fashion lovers like myself.

I recently received one from FabFitFun, where they aim to give you a little of everything for "a life well-lived." The "fab" is all about feeling and looking great, so in my box I received a necklace and several different beauty products such as bath bombs, lotion, hair products, etc. to try. The "fit" is all about wellness and I found a yoga mat holder that doubles as a resistance band. The "fun" aspect was a DIY herb garden.

It was definitely a fun unboxing experience because everything was a complete surprise, but I wouldn't say everything was tailored to what I would generally pick out for myself. I planted my herb garden, which was something out of the norm for me. I feel like it encouraged me to try new things which made it fun. However, I was also left over with products I didn't really like the smell of or wouldn't use such as hair oil.

All in all, I would say that subscription boxes are worth the money if you are trying to give someone a gift that keeps on giving. They are also great gifts when you don't really know what the person would like because they give you a little bit of everything. I wouldn't necessarily buy it for myself, but I absolutely see it as a luxury to give someone else. If you are interested in trying FabFitFun you can get 10% off your subscription by entering the code "AVE" during checkout. Click here to check it out.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

MASTER BEDROOM REVEAL

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Master Bedroom Reveal - AVE Styles

It's finally finished! This project has almost been a year in the making, but we finally have a gorgeous bedroom retreat thanks to Decorist.

We moved into our new home in August, I had Levi in September and then we just slept on a mattress on the floor for about three months until we got our bed. Haha! Priorities, right?! 

Historically, our master bedroom has never been a priority for home design. You know me, I love decorating spaces, and I had such fun with Elle's room and Levi's room, but with there being so much to do as a mom and business woman, I usually prioritize our bedroom to be at the end of the list. After-all, we just sleep there, right? 

So, when I was introduced to Decorist and had the opportunity to work with them on a design of any room in my home, I actually picked my bedroom. They were able to give me a beautiful design within a week of submitting photos and answering questions. 

It was a wonderful experience because, Jessica, my designer, asked me questions that I would never ask myself. Such as, "What would your dream bedroom look like?" "What do you want the space to feel like?" If it was left up to me, I probably would have found a simple king size bed and I would have put two simple chairs for my reading area in the room instead of this insanely awesome hanging chair that I found at Home Goods.

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I'm a lover of modern design, contemporary design and eclectic textures, but Jessica pushed the design to create a modern boho experience that has become a refuge and retreat from the world outside. It is so much more than a place to sleep. We now hang out all morning in our bedroom. In fact, I spend a lot of days working in my bedroom instead of an office. It's such an inspiring and enjoyable space that I can't stay away from it. It really has showed me what good design can do for a space.

I have never loved going to bed more in my life than now, and waking up feels like I'm living in a bird's nest in paradise thanks to this amazing bed from Anthropologie. I never would have picked this bed if it wasn't for Jessica, but now this space feels so special because of it.

What is also great about Decorist is that they give you an idea to run with, but you don't have to buy everything that they suggest. You can work off of the inspiration to find similar items. 

The bed, bedside tables, lamps, pillows, wool stools, pendant light, animal skin rug, juju hat and curtains are all from the original design. However, I found my area rug, bench, table-side accents, plants, hanging chair, side table and art work on my own. Decorist was there to affirm my choices, but it gave me the freedom to easily stay in my budget. (See a full list of sources below).

If I have any advice to give after this experience, it's to prioritize your bedroom design. Once you fully decorate your space you will end up spending more time in it and finding more enjoyment and rest in your home.

Look below to see a full source list of everything in the bedroom and where to buy it. Also, check out Rue Magazine for a full feature on the design process with Decorist.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer