The best seat in the house: Window Seats

Window seats are often underrated.. but these can be some of the best places in the home if treated the right way. What better place to sit down and read a few chapters of your favorite book, or listen to the new music you just downloaded then in front of the window where you can look out over your beautiful yard. With a simple cushion and pillow combination, a nice big window, and some drawers or shelves, this space can become something special!

From TV Sets to Reality

People are always asking me what I'm going to do after school.. especially since graduation is only 2 weeks away. Yes I said it.. I will be graduating college in t-minus two weeks. Holy Crap. The most common question I get is "What the heck does interior design have to do with your Communication major??". Well, a lot actually. Not to mention that I also have a Studio Art and Arts Management minor.. so they all come together to create some sort of 'creative business framework'. Well, at least that's what I like to call it. It sounds legit if you ask me, and totally has to do with starting an interior design business. 

But anyways.. today I came across a real and true connection between my Communication major and interior design... besides those that I like to come up with on my own. Production Design. This means creating those cool houses and rooms that we fall in love with in all of our favorite TV shows and movies. Now this has a real connection between the two! How cool would it be to sit down to watch Revenge or Scandal and say HEY! I DESIGNED THAT! I think it would be pretty sweet. So.. this could be a future aspiration.. we'll see. But for now, I've decided to use these sets for some design inspiration. So here's some of my favorite TV homes and how to get these looks for yourself!

Revenge: If you were as obsessed with Revenge as I was you will know what I mean when I said I had an obsession with Emily's style and even more with the Grayson Manor and the Beach House. Here's how to recreate your very own Hampton Beach House just like Emily Thorne. 

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Friday's Favorites: Inspiration Boards

Sometimes we all just need a little push in the right direction when it comes to getting things organized. I'd like to pretend I am a pretty organized person, but sometimes the craziness of life gets in the way. It's hard to stay organized at all times, especially when it comes to your thoughts and ideas (they are easy to forget!). Doctors appointments, birthdays, deadlines, etc, all get in the way making life that much more hectic. So besides writing a million to-do lists anywhere I can find a place, something I really like are inspiration boards. It's a simple way to remind yourself of your thoughts and inspiration and keep them organized in one space. This is an especially good idea for the office, and it makes for a functional and stylish way to spice up the wall. For this week's Friday's faves I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite inspiration boards. 

Cameralink

Stationary Supply

Brown Parcel Press

So, it's safe to say there are some amazing & talented people out there. And in my very biased opinion, many of them reside in the design industry. As I've gone through exploring and learning all I can about interior design, event design, graphic design, art, visual merchandising & all other forms of design work.. I have come across some extremely awesome people and businesses. It's been quite the journey thus far, and soon my real 'big girl' design schooling will begin this fall when I start Grad School for interior architecture. But for now, I've found most of my inspiration and knowledge exploring Pinterest on a non-stop basis, ordering every possible book on Amazon, and working with, talking to, and interning with some amazing people. 

There are some simple things that overlap in all design fields. A few really important things are pattern and color. So I thought it'd be fun to look at some of my favorite kinds of art... STATIONARY! I came across some awesome businesses and people that create stationary that are works of art themselves, so I wanted to share them! It's hard to avoid pressing the add to cart button on all of these!

Emily McCarthy

Friday's Favorites: Words of Wisdom

Sometimes it's easy to get a little down on yourself or find yourself struggling to find inspiration. Whenever this happens to me, I like reading quotes. I'm not sure why, and Morgan almost kills me every time I get in these moods, but it really works! So, I suggest you try it. Which is why today, my Friday's favorites are my 10 favorite interior design- related quotes. With our time at UMass Amherst coming quickly to an end, Morgan and I find ourselves stressed out all too often trying to find a job, or figure out what the heck we are going to do after we graduate. But, we've always known one thing, that interior design and Macanoon is where we will end up someday, so I chose these quotes because they keep me focused on this goal and my desired career path! I challenge you to read these ones and love them, or to seek out your own quotes that keep you motivated if these aren't the right fit for you! Share your favorites with us in the comments section below...

Frivolous Foyer?

The foyer could be argued as the most important room in the house. It’s the first room your guests will see and the last when they leave. It’s where you put your bag so you don’t forget it and where you drop your keys when you come home.