Things are moving and grooving over here at South Harlow! We have several projects nearing their finishing line and awaiting photography, and we are so eager to share them with you all. Amongst these projects are several bathrooms and kitchens of all characters and styles. So that got us thinking, what do these spaces have in common that is a necessity as well as serve as a form of stylistic accessory? Faucets of course!
My oh my, there sure are many faucets of all shapes and sizes out there in the ether, so where to begin? Each room carries its own needs in terms of preference and function. For a kitchen faucet, you are wanting something with a high arch, sprayer, and something that will fulfill all of those daily kitchen tasks. For the bathroom, depending on how big the space may be, we must consider vanity space and if you are wanting to go the wall mounted route or the deck mounted route. Maybe you are looking for something that will elevate your bathtub to feel more like a spa-like experience. There are plenty of factors to take into consideration, to say the least, but when it comes to selecting your faucet, that part can be fun!
We know the options are endless these days therefore honing in on selecting your perfect piece can feel a bit challenging, but consider this part like accessorizing your outfit for the day. Depending on what you plan on doing in the space, you want the faucet to be as functional as it is attractive. You want the faucet to pair with the overall style of your home. If you have a set tone for your home, select a faucet that sticks with that same style. On that note, however, mixing finishes can be fun, too. We love that look of mixing metals between faucets, hardware, and lighting. Just try to keep the mix minimal and make sure the overall color palettes flow together.
We’ve checked our sources, and we’ve selected some favorite faucets of all types and styles for your viewing and purchasing pleasure. Whether you’re looking for something for your kitchen, bath, or perhaps even your laundry, we’ve got you covered. Take a little scroll below and maybe give your sink a little upgrade.
Happy 2021! We’ve made it through the first month, and we can’t help but feel like we are on the upswing. We are keeping things light for this month’s post. Cozy, fluffy, comfortable… any guesses?! If you guessed, throw pillows, you’re in for a treat!
Today, we are sharing our tips for styling your throw pillows and some pointers on how to select pillow combos, too.
First things first, curate a color palette. You can pick colors of the same family and similar hues, or you can select colors that compliment each other and flow together cohesively. We like to start with a neutral base and then add in color from there to keep a nice balance.
Don’t be scared to mix different types of prints! Prints can be so fun, and believe us, you don’t want to miss out on a good time. Mix colors within the patterns that flatter each other and don’t compete. On the other hand, try not to go overboard with too much of the same print. For example, try not to use too many stripes. Mix those stripes with an organic floral pattern or something graphic to break up the print. Remember to play with different scaled prints, too. Using a big bold graphic? Try pairing it with a smaller, daintier pattern for a nice mix of weight and contrast. Lastly, when in doubt, mix those prints with a solid color. Bonus points if this solid has a nice textural element like braided wool or nubby linen.
We often get questions from clients on how to make throw pillows look so effortless and in the right place. To be blunt, how do make pillows look pretty and not like a hunk of fluff? Well, let’s work our way from back to front. Biggest pillows in the back! We are talking those 24” x 24” or 22” x 22”. Once those are in place, start layering in those medium pillows next. Those 20” 20” or 18” x 18” – we are looking at you! Yep, you guessed it, smallest in the front. We love placing a pretty little lumbar in the front for a nice variation in shape and size.
HOT TIP: When placing the pillows on the couch, we always start by placing pillows in the corners. It’s the perfect little nook to add layers of texture. Also, work from the outside inwards. The first pillow in the corners, then add in the front pillows moving closer towards the center.
For a bed, we like a little 3, 2, 1 effect. The three biggest pillows in the back, the two medium-sized next, then a longer lumbar in the very front. This depends on the size of your bed of course, but it works like a charm almost every time.
Hope you all learned some fun tips on throw pillows. Next time you or a friend is in a pillow crisis, you know who to call. Scroll down below to check out a few of our favorite pillows from us here at South Harlow Home and beyond!
We have made it! The never-ending year of 2020 is finally coming to a close, and boy are we ready. Though the year has felt like it has been concocted by some cruel Hollywood movie directors, there have been some major moments of celebration, too. To sum it all up, 2020 has been a YEAR, and we are pretty sure that everyone can agree on that.
So on that note, we are here to wrap up the year with a good old fashioned, fun-spirited, inspirational design post. We are talking about timeless trends, people! Though the word “trend” gets a bad rep, we can’t help but notice similar design themes circulating amongst the industry. Today, we are uncovering some of our favorite looks that we’ve seen throughout the year that we can’t wait to see more of in 2021. These looks are way more timeless than they are trendy, and we wouldn’t mind seeing them over again and again. Take a little scroll below, and let us know of any timeless trends you all are loving.
Now, this is the type of 2020 drama we DO like. We have been seeing several versions of oversized pendants across all forms of styles: modern, traditional, & coastal to name a few. We are loving the bold statement these light fixtures make yet they don’t seem to take over the show. They are the perfect way to play around with different weights, symmetry, and balance in a space. You can have one show stopper, have a classic pairing of two, or even have an entire group of pendants (like the example shown below) for the ultimate jaw-dropping effect.
From the tumbled brick, to the big square-paned glass, to the round, knobby hardware, Old English is back and better than ever. Who doesn’t want to feel like they are peacefully tucked away into a cottage in the countryside? Old English is known for intricate millwork and quality craftsmanship, so every detail and the mix of soft earth-toned materials oozes with comfort and charm.
A classic case of two is better than one. One island designated for food prep and the sink and the other for counter seating. Having this much counter space is what kitchen goals are made of. Let the friends and family cooking affair begin! Once COVID is over of course.
Brass is no new thing, but the way we use brass has become more bold and daring, and we are big fans. Brass can be a great way to add in an unexpected layer of warmth while keeping things elegant, and we all know, brass only gets better with age. We love a good patina!
A mix of old and new at its finest. The style “rustic” is known for the look of reclaimed wood beams, stone walls, and outdoorsy elements – it has a feeling of being undone. Couple that with sleek plaster, modern lighting, and paired back Scandinavian furniture, and we have ourselves a refined masterpiece made in heaven. Opposites do attract, friends!
Thanks for reading and following along! We have the deepest gratitude for each and every one of you. Have a safe and happy new year, and just like that, 2020 – it’s a wrap!!
Ho ho ho! It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are finally amongst us. Can you believe they’re here?! 2020 has felt like a never-ending story, but here we are. Cozier and more bundled at home than ever. This year, there is no question that we have all felt the importance of home and how all the little things that we surround ourselves with during our day-to-day really do matter. We have no room for clutter and not so cute nonsense within our walls. With all the time indoors, especially with winter approaching, it’s becoming ever so clear that our houses should feel peaceful, inspiring, and be a space that can allow us to be the best versions of ourselves during life’s crazy. Now that the holidays are here, holiday décor should be no different! It should be of no surprise that holiday decorations can get bad and cheesy pretty quickly, but do not fret friends, that’s why we are here! We have rallied up our favorite holiday décor pieces just in time to welcome the festive cheer. No shiny overweight Santa Claus figurines around these parts! Take a look below and shop the dreamiest of holiday accessories curated from us for you. Happy holidays and happy shopping!
Hello friends! We are getting into a favorite décor item this month, rugs! Whoop! A rug can be a total mood changer in any room. It quite literally can make a whole space feel grounded and can pull together an entire space. Need some warmth and texture? A rug can do that for you. Does your room feel unfinished, and do you need a way to make a space feel cozy and inviting? Yep, a rug is the answer to that, too.
Depending on your style, the options for this lovely base layer goes on for days. You can go vintage, you can go natural jute, you can go bold and graphic, or even go with braided wool. We love a good vintage Turkish rug, but sometimes we want to go for something more classic and paired-back in pattern. Depends on the mood and depends on the house, right?
We thought it would be handy to do a quick little rug size and layout guide for three of our most lived-in spaces: the living room, the dining room, and the bedroom. So take a scroll below, and we hope you enjoy a few tips of information.
Oh, the living room. This is one of the most asked about spaces in terms of rug size queries. We know we have had our fair share or rug dilemmas in this room that’s for sure. When it comes to a living room rug, it’s best to get a rug that is longer or as long as the length of your couch. As for furniture layout, make sure that just the front furniture legs are on the rug and allow for the back furniture legs to be on the floor. It allows breathing room and allows for the rug to anchor together all of the furniture so that they don’t look like they are floating around in space. If you have space for a large enough rug and for your furniture to be entirely on that rug, by all means, go for it! Just make sure the rug is longer and goes past the edge of each side of the sofa and accent chairs or else it will make your furniture appear like it’s being squished, and who wants that? We are going for comfort all the way!
Also, for the ones who like a two for one special, don’t forget about layering your rugs! This is a great option if you have a rug that seems to be too small, but you are dying to use it. Layer that treasured gem over a larger jute area rug, and you have yourself a textural masterpiece.
One last little note, consider the amount of traffic your living room gets. Consider a type of rug that is durable and a color that won’t be getting dirty too quickly. If you are considering a rug that is lighter in color, definitely go for a material that is easy to clean.
A rug in the dining room is dependent on many different variables: the size of the room, the size of your dining table, and the shape of your dining table. The best rule of thumb is to select a rug size that is large enough so all chairs remain on the rug even when chairs are pulled out. A rug under the dining table provides cohesiveness between all of the pieces of furniture while also protecting your floors from scratches from the chairs. A win, win! If your dining table is a rectangle, go for a rectangle rug. If your dining table is round, go round. It’s best to keep shapes consistent!
We can all agree that the main goal of the bedroom is to feel relaxing, cozy, and peaceful. The best way to add in those serene elements is through the use of linens, natural materials, and drumroll please… rugs! A rug in the bedroom can add character and a sense of tranquility. It’s the last thing your feet touch before diving into bed at night and the first thing your feet touch in the morning upon waking. That sense of touch sets the tone of your day and sets the foundation of your space. We love selecting a rug that feels comforting underfoot while also visually bringing your mind to ease. A printed Persian rug in soft hues is one of our favorite go-to’s.
Adding a rug sets the perimeter around the bed and can help the room feel put-together. A favorite layout of ours is selecting a medium-sized rug and placing the foot of the bed on top of the rug and the head of the bed slightly off onto the floor. This brings personality into the room without the rug feeling like it is taking over the entire space. Another method is layering a medium-sized rug over a large size. This is a great option for those who want a good neutral base layer mixed with a bit of pattern. For a smaller space, try going for two small runners on each side of the bed. This will add symmetry, color, and interest. Just make sure that the runner is wider than your bedside table and does not exceed the length of your bed or else the room could feel uneven.
We hope you enjoyed our tips and tidbits on rug sizes and layouts. We couldn’t wrap up this rug party without giving a few of our top picks, so take a little scroll below to view some of our current favorites. See ya’ll next month!
It’s that time again! This month, we are talking tile. WOAH, tile can be a hefty discussion to take on, but we are here to break down the basics. Like paint and wallpaper, tile is an easy way to take a room from basic and flat, to interesting and textural. On the flip side, tile can no doubt be a more expensive and permanent change to your home, but the results are worth the investment, we promise!
In terms of breaking down the tile knowledge, we figured it would be best to break it down per room: kitchen, bathroom, & laundry room. In our projects here at South Harlow, we find that these three rooms are where a lot of the tile designing takes place, and the magic of mixing patterns and materials come together in one happy home.
When it comes to the kitchen, it’s not just for the cooks, but often we find that the kitchen is the hub of the home. Since most families spend so much time here, it’s important to make the heart of the home feel clean, open, and of course, beautiful. A great way to bring in some character to the kitchen is, you guessed it, tile.
We often find ourselves selecting tile for backsplash, walls, perhaps even the kitchen island, hood range, and flooring. When it comes to selecting tile for your kitchen, it’s important to consider the layout of your home. Is it open concept? Is it separated? What is the flow? If rooms are connected or you have an open floor plan, make sure your tile selections go well with the rest of the house and are cohesive to your overall color palette. We typically like to stick with neutrals over here, but if you’re a risk-taker, always refer back to your original color scheme without going too awry.
Our favorite types of tile in the kitchen are zellige, a classic ceramic subway, and natural stone. Designer tip: selecting tiles in a glossy finish is a great idea for the kitchen! Gloss is easy to clean, so when you’re cooking up a storm over the stovetop, the aftermath and tidying up will be a breeze.
We have made it to the holy grail of tile talk, the bathroom. It can be a lot to unpack, but let’s just start things simple. In the bathroom, there’s a lot of space to cover. You could be tiling everything from the floors, to the walls, to the shower surround and shower threshold, you name it. Using a variety of sizes, shapes, patterns, and layouts are where the design fun comes into play. You don’t want to go overboard, however, you do want to keep things interesting and mix the materials and the types of tile you’ll be incorporating. Think of mixing a classic subway inside the shower with penny tile shower floors. Pair that with an interesting bathroom tiled floor, perhaps a fun patterned encaustic or a hexagon mosaic, and you have yourself a nice mix!
Straight Herringbone with Hexagon Mosaic Tiles in our La Jolla Project.Herringbone Walls mixed with Hexagon Cement Tile Floors in our Hymettus Project.
Once you have your tiles selected, next consider the layout. Straight stacked? Offset? Herringbone? You choose! Just consider the feel you are hoping to achieve. For example, if you are hoping for your master bath to feel like a spa, you probably don’t want to go for any patterns or layouts that are too busy. If you have one tile that is a total showstopper, make surer the rest of your selections are more subtle and paired back. We don’t want materials to be competing. We do want materials to enhance each other and make the room feel in balance. Another little hot tip: when choosing tile finishes for bathroom floors, it’s best to pick something in a matte finish. A matte finish means no slipping on wet surfaces – yay! When it comes to the inside of the shower, pick shower floors in a smaller tile shape. A small shape means more grout lines, and more grout lines mean more grip. As for the shower walls, a glossy finish is always a great option, because as we learned earlier, glossy is easy to clean.
On that note, one last topic to discuss here is grout. Yep, so fun right? Right! We will leave this short and sweet. Contrasting the grout and tile color will bring out the tile layout and pattern, whereas a similar grout and tile color will allow for the layout to be for subtle and less noticeable. Similar rules apply with grout width. The wider the grout, the more pronounced the tile layout and shape will be. The thinner the grout, the more subtle and less pronounced the tile layout will be.
Lastly, we have the laundry room. The laundry room can sometimes be a neglected space within the home, so it’s important to make it feel as beautiful as it is functional. If the laundry is a bit separated from the rest of the home, this can be a fun opportunity to use a playful and patterned encaustic tile. Have some leftover tile from your upstairs bath? Use that tile on the laundry room floor. We promise it will make those household chores feel way better. Just make sure that the tile is as durable as it is good looking.
That’s it from us, folks. We hope you enjoyed a little tile talk, and we hope you found this information educational or useful in some way. We will be back with more next month. Ciao for now!
