Sweet Dreams Are Made Of...

Clean and Classy Night Stands
By: Priya Patel

Most of our nighttime routines consist of reading a few pages of a New York Times Bestseller - or debating on watching the next 10 episodes of "Breaking Bad" on Netflix. Regardless of what you choose as the last bit of pre-slumber stimuli, one philosophy will always remain consistent...a well organized room will help you sleep better. In this post we'll discuss a classic and clean nightstand - one that provides the right amount of "put-away" storage, with just enough table-top space for your daily go-to items.

An underutilized, plain and simple night stand is just as bad as a cluttered one - it lends zero aura to the room, and presents an "I'm just taking up space" attitude. With just a few simple accessories and must-have items, we can transform this simple piece of furniture into a well organized inspiration platform for the rest of your bedroom.

 
A good nightstand storage policy to adhere to is dividing your items into three categories: infrequent - magazines, "back-up lotions", various chargers, and that shirt button you just can't seem to ever throw away...in my case, I've appropriately named this storage area "stuff". Daily - lotions, jewelry, medications...any item that you'd want easy-quick access too, but don't want to necessarily display to the public. And lastly, the "OMG Where is my..." category - these are items that you'll want easy, uninhibited access to, such as your phone, keys, or glasses.

The most important element of your nightstand arrangement will be your lamp - with the top of your nightstand considered premium real-estate, you'll want to select a lamp with a small footprint. I found that the Emilio Table Lamp from Kenroy Home fits this criteria perfectly. Emilio's base is only 9.5 inches long and has a width a little over 5 inches. An additional benefit is the off-center shade position...while the footprint is small, the shade protrudes out almost 9 inches, this gives you a better viewing angle for nighttime reading or tablet surfing without sacrificing table space. 

      

A few decorative accents such as a chrome etched vase, and white candle positioned on top of a vintage box creates a classy and modernly inspired nightstand that will make your day-to-day routine a snap! 

Emilio can be found at your local lighting showroom - or online at these great retailers;

  

    

Raw and Rustic Design

I'm a world traveler...or am I???
By: Justin Draughn

Sometimes interior design can be a little rough…and that might be the exact look you’re after. In this post we explore a simple side table design theme that can change the look of your room from “daily commuter” to “rough and tumble world traveler”.

We begin with a highly unique light source; the “Sheaf”table lamp from Kenroy Home – this rustic bundle of reeds has a true expedition feel. This stand out accent piece immediately sets a “raw” tone to the room – and would be further complimented in a living space featuring hardwood floors. The fanned reeds filter the shine of the bulb into a nice warm glow.

To further drive home the “world traveler” look you can employ a simple mason jar filled with foreign currency. Ideally these notes would be souvenirs from your “real” world travels – but if you’re content to "stand in the place where you live", you do have a few options. Most banks offer currency exchanges, and some may impose a minimum order...best to check before you stop by your banking establishment, you don't want to end up with a $200 design piece. Your other option...become good friends with someone in the military, more than likely they've picked up several notes during their tours of duty.

Lastly, to round out the look – an aged wood picture frame extends your traveler table display onto your wall space. This balances out the roughness with a series of softer images of family and friends. Extra credit given to at-home designers with proficiency in Photoshop...  

With just a few accent pieces you can modify your living space into an inspiring focal point that will have your guests chatting about your unique taste in design. The "Sheaf" floor lamp can be purchased at your local lighting showroom- or online at these fine retailers.