How to Make Your Home More Romantic...

Ah, love is in the air! Valentine's Day is approaching, and it's time to turn up the heat. With this holiday in mind, we want to show you how to take your home from plain to passion with just a few simple tricks. Consider a sunken lounge for those cozy cuddles, a warm fireplace, a library, curved furniture, indirect lighting to set the mood, and soft fabrics to sink into.

Credits in photos linked below per section. Click photos in sections below to find the respective designer.

Sunken Lounge…

Having a sunken lounge in your space instantly adds a romantic and playful vibe, but you do have to plan ahead with this one. It’s easiest to implement a sunken lounge when you’re building a new construction project and it’s slightly more difficult to add into a renovation, but it is still possible. Be sure to plan ahead and hire a designer if you want to include a seductive sunken lounge in your next project. You can play with the level changes, the materiality and the sheer number of seats. Don’t forget important things like the view, surround sound and mood lighting as well. (More on mood lighting later in this post.) Sunken lounges are also known as ‘conversation pits’ and we love that this retro trend is booming again.

Swings…

Indoor swings and hanging daybeds are a great way to add some romance to your home. Not only do they create a playful and whimsical atmosphere, but they also provide a cozy spot for relaxation. Imagine curling up on a hanging daybed with a good book, or a mid-day nap with a loved one. These unique pieces of furniture are not only functional, but they also add a touch of sexiness to any room. Playfulness is an important element to consider in lasting relationships.

Curvy Furniture & Ultra Soft Fabrics…

When it comes to creating a romantic atmosphere in your home, choosing the right furniture is key. Selecting the right fabrics is equally as important. Curvilinear furniture makes your space feel less strict and stuffy. It adds a hint of feminine softness that can help make a space feel more relaxing. Ultra-plush textiles, plush area rugs, velvet curtains, and silk bedding can give your home a luxurious and inviting feel. The combination of curved furniture and soft fabrics creates a cozy and intimate space that is perfect for curling up with a loved one or enjoying a romantic evening at home. So, if you want to add some romance to your home, consider incorporating curved furniture and soft fabrics into your decor.

“Everyone loves to explore with their sense of touch. Explore your space by layering different types of textiles throughout.” - Tara Miller

Cozy Fireplaces…

There is something undeniably alluring about the warm, flickering glow of a wood-burning fireplace. It has a way of transforming even the most mundane of living spaces into a space that is both romantic and intimate. Whether you're snuggled up with your significant other, enjoying a glass of wine and conversation, or simply basking in the quiet solitude of a crackling fire, a fireplace has a way of making you feel connected, grounded, and at peace.

Mood Lighting…

The right lighting can create an alluring and romantic atmosphere in any space. Indirect lighting softly illuminates the space, creating a cozy ambiance. Backlighting can highlight objects and add depth to a space, making it feel larger and more dramatic. Uplighting, on the other hand, can add a touch of elegance and sophistication, especially when used to highlight artwork or architectural features. And of course, there's nothing quite as romantic as the warm glow of candlelight. We suggest scentless candles and we prefer beeswax if possible.

Library Aesthetic…

Creating a home library can be a wonderful addition to any household. Not only does it provide an aesthetic appeal, but it also creates a cozy and intimate atmosphere that is perfect for reading… and other activities. A home library can be designed in various styles, from modern and sleek, to traditional and ornate. A library is a highly personal room because you fill i with your own personal collection of literature.

“The books you have on your shelf say a lot about you. Showing someone your personal library is like showing them a piece of your soul.” - Tara Miller

Overall, incorporating these elements into your home can help create a romantic and inviting space that promotes relaxation and intimacy. By adding softness, warmth, and playfulness to your decor, you can create a space that feels like a romantic getaway right in your own home.

Spring 2022

Here at The Heartland Interior Design, we love spring! We like saying goodbye to the frigid cold of winter and hello to sunnier days. Plus, we love watching the grass turn green and seeing seasonal florals in bloom. We’re ready for back patio hangs and short sleeves. We put together two mood boards that capture the spirit of what we each love about springtime.

“I created this mood board to have a soft feminine feeling.” - Tara Miller

The above mood board was created by Tara Miller, the owner of The Heartland Interior Design. When speaking about the mood board she said, “I was inspired by the exterior paint of this Irish home in Wicklow County. When the sun sets, the paint takes on a pale pink color. So I started with that pale pink color and moved onto other things that inspire me like English Gardens, brass fixtures and stone garden ledges. I also feel like Spring has a sense of delicacy since flowers are so delicate, so I chose a delicate light fixture to play off of that feeling. I like the ‘lived in’ feeling of antique brass and aged marble so I tried to let that shine. I recently saw the custom staircase on Rachel Halvorson’s instagram and I was drawn to the newel post. It’s metal, which is a heavy material, but it’s done in such an intricate and subtle way. I absolutely love it.

“Spring is the transition from old to new. The new growth of spring is so inspiring to me.” – Chelsey Segura

When asked what she enjoys about spring, Chelsey said, “I love to spend time at home and admire the new growth of spring.” She also added “[I] appreciate things that are in the past, old and worn.” She likes the “mixing of old vintage pieces with greenery and natural elements” during this time of year. “The first thing I thought of when creating this mood board was bringing the outdoors in… I focused on using wood tones and shades of green and brown in this mood board. I love this combination of color for the spring because it makes me think of a new budding tree, soil and greenery, and so much more.”

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SOURCES for Tara’s Mood Board

1. Architectural Digest. 2. Pinch London. 3. Pinterest. 4. Pinterest. 5. Sotheby’s International. 6. Rachel Halvorson Interior Design. 7. Inside East Designs. 8. ABC Stone. 9. Pinterest.

SOURCES for Chelsey’s Mood Board

1. Huey Lightshop. 2. Huey Lightshop. 3. Zak & Fox. 4. Pinterest. 5. Pinterest. 6. Studio McGee. 7. Shoppe Amber Interiors Art + Etsy Frame. 8. Studio McGee. 9. Heirloom Art Co. 10. Salt Creek Mercantile. 11. Pinterest.

Sweet Magnolia's Bake Shop Remodel by The Heartland Interior Design

It was an incredible experience to be a part of the remodel for Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop. First of all, if you haven’t bought some of their baked goods, you are seriously missing out. My husband is a “sweets snob” and he stated that, “Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop is by far the best bakery in Nebraska.” When the owner Katina approached me for the remodel, I was ecstatic. I loved the vibrant website Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop had and I was drawn to how colorfully curated their social media presence was. I saw that the interior environment did not align with their digital image and knew we could help make the necessary changes to get them into alignment.

Before

AFTER

“Our goal was to design an interior environment that accurately reflected the brand’s existing identity as seen on their website and in their colorfully curated social media account.”

— Tara Miller

A few of the ways we accomplished this goal was through a hierarchy of focal points, both the addition and removal of color, and lighting. Let’s start with talking about the focal points. The original space had their old logon painted on some palette wood on the back wall. It was small and dark so it was hard to see. We wanted customers to immediately connect with the bold & colorful Sweet Magnolia’s they knew and loved as soon as they walked into the space. So we designed a HUGE feature wall that covers the ENTIRE back wall. We did a background of their magnolia petals, and overlaid their logo in white with a deep purple outline to make sure it was highly legible. We also scaled it appropriately for the large wall and large enough to be easily seen from the viewing distance upon entry. Then we had the extremely talented local muralist Sharon Manhart of Arbor Street Studios paint the mural. She was incredible to work with and did an amazing job. Below the mural there are multiple sinks that get used everyday. In order to protect the wall from any unwanted water splashes, we found a white picket tile and had it installed vertically just below the mural so it would block any moisture from getting onto the drywall. It is beautiful and highly functional.

Before

AFTER

While the logo wall is the primary focal point, the baked goods & point of sale became our secondary focal point. The baked goods are so beautiful, they speak for themselves. We just wanted to give them a beautiful canvas to be displayed on. Katina wanted to consolidate her goods from two display cases into one. This gave us the opportunity to have a custom built “front desk” area that could also display goods on top of it. We went with a durable quartz countertop in a dusty gray color with subtle veining. This neutral backdrop really allowed the colorful baked goods to POP! Katina also wanted to bring in a Tiffany’s blue color into the space. We knew the front desk would be the perfect spot for this color so we had the base of the front desk made of paneled wood and painted in this vibrant color. We also made sure there was usable storage below the countertop and on the back side of the front desk so employees could store boxes and other miscellaneous items there.

Before

AFTER

The tertiary focal point is… you guessed it: the “GET SCONED” wording on the floor. The old tile had to go. It was dark and did not add anything to the space. We had that removed and replaced with a bright white penny round mosaic tile. Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop is known for their epic scones. (My personal favorite is the Blueberry scone, and my husband loves the Spinach Feta scone.) We knew we wanted a tile quote on the floor and Katina had the idea to choose the words “GET SCONED,” in order to pay homage to their excellent scones. It was the perfect flooring solution! It’s much brighter, more fun and even more slip resistant than the original flooring because there is grout every 1” instead of every 18”.

Now while focal points are super fun, they are pieces of the overall puzzle and need to be supported by the other puzzle pieces to be successful. The first thing we actually did in the space was give the walls and ceiling a face lift with a fresh coat of white paint. This helped give the space a bright and airy feeling and reflect the natural daylight from the windows back into the space. Next, we removed old fans that weren’t being used and had three pendants installed over their prep island. These brass fixtures have white enclosed shades on them so if a bulb ever went out (or God-forbid exploded) all the glass from the bulb would be contained in the white shade and no debris would find it’s way to the food-prep surface. #safetyfirst! This is one of the MANY reasons why it’s important to work with a professional commercial interior designer on your commercial space and NOT work with a decorator. Building Code knowledge saves you from being closed due to not passing building inspections. If you’re curious what the difference is between an Interior Designer and a Decorator, you can read the legal description as stated by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification found here.

All in all, we loved how the remodel turned out for Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop because it feels bright, colorful and lively. We feel that this accurately reflects their incredible website and social media presence. If you have any questions about our Interior Design Services, please go to our SERVICES page to read more! Thank you!

Rutabaga's Remodel by The Heartland Interior Design

From a dark and dingy old pizza joint to a vibrant and fresh vegan restaurant! This blog post is here to take you along the creative journey as we helped transform Lazzari’s Pizza’s old space into the Rutabaga’s Vegan Comfort Food restaurant you know and love today! Rutabaga’s opened their doors in downtowln Lincoln, NE on O st during the middle of the pandemic in 2020, and today I’m writing a blog post to tell you all about the interior remodel that happened prior to their opening.

Before

AFTER

Do you remember the old Lazzari’s Pizza? I do because during college one of my close friends worked there. When I wasn’t slaving over a model in Arch Hall, I’d stop in to visit her and eat some delicious pizza. One day, Sara reached out to let me know that her restaurant Rutabagas was moving from it’s current spot to it’s new home on O St. I was so excited for her and her staff! When I found it was the old Lazzari’s bay and toured it in it’s current condition, it felt like walking back in time! The place was mostly gutted by the time I arrived but the old mural was still in place.

During

AFTER

We intentionally designed the "wow" moment of the bar so customers would see that as soon as they walked in. We wanted to incorporate some natural textures because the cuisine focuses on natural foods. So we dropped multiple rattan pendant lights over the bar. We paired this with a bold patterned tile for the bar front so this area would be really eye-catching. We brought Rutabaga’s branding colors of purple and green into the interior because we wanted the interior to be as bright and colorful as their cuisine. We wrapped the exterior walls of the kitchen in purple and made the point of sale green to attract customers and be a natural wayfinding device. Bold colors naturally draw people in. We brightened the walls, ceilings and HVAC with a fresh coat of paint that was light enough to help pull the natural light from the front of the bay all the way back through the space. We also added multiple LED disc lights throughout the ceiling to add to the light and airy vibe we were creating. We also worked closely with the local graphic designer and muralist Cold Hearted Co to create a welcoming mural that featured both Rutabaga’s logo and one of their favorite quotes. We love how it turned out!

AFTER

We wanted the food to be the star of the show when it came to the tables. So we specified natural wood tabletops with a clear finish so the colorfully plated food would have a nice neutral backdrop to sit on. Then we flanked the tables with white metal chairs to keep things bright. While these chairs look nice, they are also durable and wipeable if food and drinks get spilled on them. We kept the gorgeous exposed brick but painted the half walls and columns that were wrapped in drywall. Then we made the trim lighter than the walls for a little bit of interest. You can also see how nice it is to have the metal HVAC units painted the same color as the ceiling instead of being a dark metal finish. In the photo below you can also see one of the light tubes that was added to the back portion to help bring natural light into the farthest areas of the dining area.

Before

AFTER

We did not want the dining area to feel like cafeteria with a sea of seating. So we pulled together four tops, two tops, rectangle tables and some circle tables. Our favorite moment is the custom built in bench along the back wall. We drew our designs in CAD and had a local woodworker fabricate and install this bench. Every time I come in to dine at Rutabaga’s, the bench area is always full. Having different seating options and different seating styles gives customers more options so that they can pick a spot that feels most comfortable to them.

During

AFTER

All in all, people love Rutabaga’s Vegan Comfort Food and we do too. We feel honored that they selected us as the interior designer to help them transform their space into one that felt authentic to them and their brand. I love visiting this special spot on O street and I hope you do too! The staff keeps the space filled with art from local artists and fresh florals. Plus the food is tasty too! What’s not to love?

BEFORE and AFTER: The Rainbow Playroom

I am not lying when I tell you this playroom is what dreams are made of! But it didn’t start that way. Not by a long shot. This space was used as a catch all storage area above the garage before the home owners decided to hire The Heartland Interior Design to remodel it. The before and after photos for this project are STUNNING. But the best part is, this went from being the least used room in the home, to the family’s MOST used room in the home. That my friends, is what good interior design can do: it can truly transform the way we live. Spaces have the power to shape our lives and great spaces attract people. I am so thankful that this family trusted me with their playroom remodel and I am beyond humbled that they love it so much.

This storage room was a catch all for old furniture and discarded children’s toys. If you have kids, you KNOW how many toys they collect. We buy them toys, grandparents shower them with toys, and all of the sudden, the house is completely COVERED in toys. What’s a parent to do? This family called us wanting to create some stylish & functional storage to house their son’s giant collection of toys and books. They wanted this to be a fun playroom children of all ages and genders, but they also wanted it to be place where adults felt comfortable hanging out too.

What I love about this space is that we were able to transform it into an area of the home that is both FUN and FUNctional. It is beautiful and livable. We worked with a local contractor to fabricate custom sliding storage drawers and various lengths to fit seamlessly into the angled walls. The reason these walls are angled is because this space is technically the attic of the garage!

I find that when most people begin projects, they have big dreams and lots of pinterest boards which is great- but- I also love getting to know the clients. I like to find out what they are interested in, what they are passionate about, how their family uses the space and what they value. This helps me create a design that will truly be timeless for that particular family.

This family had spent some time living in California before they relocated back to the Midwest to be closer to family. When they lived in California they loved going on hikes and they were particularly fond of Yosemite National Park. They generally love the great outdoors and they also enjoy traveling. After finding this out, I decided to 1- yes make their playroom feature some important storage, but also 2- be inspired by Yosemite, nature and travel. I began the design process by finding the art. I knew the art would be the jumping point for everything on this project. I searched through dozens of vintage Yosemite National Park prints until I found the perfect one. What made it perfect? The colors! It was a color scheme that would work for any gender and any age.

Not only does this playroom NOW have ample storage, it has multiple hang out spots. There are the two lounge chairs by the big window that I think are great for cuddled up book reading, but there is also the coloring station for little artists. Then there is the furniture grouping around the TV. This spot in particular was designed with both kids and adults in mind. The large green sectional was selected to be ultra comfortable and to serve as a visual anchor for this furniture grouping. It’s the perfect size for this little family to sit on. We added an accent chair in a lively print that featured peacocks and jaguars in the jungle. The pièce de résistance is no doubt the reclaimed redwood tree slab that we had a local woodworker finish and add legs to. The husband is especially fond of this piece. We pulled this area together with a large woven area rug, end tables, picture frames and greenery. We also replaced all the lights within the room. This area got a sputnik-styled fixture and we added two wall sconces that we put on a dimmer.

Fun fact: at first the plan was to completely replace the existing carpet and repaint all the walls, ceiling and trim. However, most projects come to the point where we have to save money somewhere, and for this project, new flooring and paint got the ax. BUT! I decided that we wouldn’t just select “pretty” light fixtures, we would also select high lumen and cool kelvin temperature light fixtures that would truly brighten up the space. So as you are you are looking through these “before” and “AFTER” photos, you may think the walls got repainted, and perhaps new carpet, but I assure you they did not get changed. I promise! Good lighting can make all the difference! That’s one of many reasons why hiring a professional interior designer is well worth the investment.

The biggest change to the actual structure of the house took place above the ceiling. We wanted to add a swing for their son, but the client made a smart request. They asked if it could be strong enough to support the weight of an adult too. Absolutely! So we designed this in a way where this little swing seat is attached to the ceiling, but can be “un-clipped” in the future and this swing can be swapped out for an adult-sized swing. How fun is that? Comment below if you would use a swing if you had one in your playroom! I know I would :) The client had another fantastic request: they wanted a designated space to display their child’s artwork. So we didn’t just throw up some pin boards, we framed corkboard AND included an LED light strip so the art can really be on display when they turn that light on. It’s such a sweet little corner in this playroom. I love it!

This is not my playroom, but goodness gracious I love it! We were able to fill this space with so much love. We filled it with the client’s books, toys, hobbies, interests and at the end of the day, THAT is timeless design. Whatever is timeless in mainstream magazines, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s timeless for you and your family. I believe if we curate a unique design that reflects a particular person or family, it will be a look that they love for many years to come. Thank you for reading this before and after, feel free to see more about this project on our PORTFOLIO page. Thank you! - Tara

Our Nursery Reveal

Wow. Motherhood is an incredible and indescribable journey. It is the wildest ride and the biggest life-changing experience I’ve ever had. I can’t believe our son is now 5 months old. Where did the time go?? As I mentioned in a previous post, I knew that we would not have our son’s nursery ready before he was born and I was totally okay with that. I did not want to stress over getting every last nursery detail squared away before his arrival. I was more focused on trying to set the business up for success in the days prior to our induction, and I was trying to take care of myself too. #2020struggles

All photos by Mandy McGregor Photography.

In the months leading up to our delivery day, my husband and I worked hard at transforming our spare bedroom (which was mostly a catch-all storage room at this point) from bland to baby-ready. The walls were neutral, the trim was original and the lighting was horrible. I was set on having a room with dark walls to replicate the dark cozy feeling the baby was used to in the womb. I knew I wanted high contrast furniture and rugs so that the baby’s developing eyes could clearly see things around him. As his eyes continued developed, I wanted interesting and sculptural elements to stimulate creativity and imagination. I’m so happy to say we incorporated all of this into our son’s tiny nursery. I’ll go over these things, and some of the biggest nursery DO’s and DON’Ts.

I wanted the room to be dark, but also timeless. What is one thing that never goes out of style? Nature. I knew that if I rooted the room’s design in nature, the look would last for many years. At this point, I knew I wanted dark green walls. I rounded up all my paint decks and quickly narrowed the color choices from hundreds down to five, and then three. My husband preferred the slightly lighter green, and I preferred as dark as he’d let me go.

My husband and I went to Menards and got lots of wood slats that we then primed, painted and installed on the soon-to-be crib wall. My husband painted the remaining walls the same dark green as the vertical slats. I landed on PPG’s Dark Sage (PPG1124-6) for the wall color and I am still in love with it. We left the ceiling white and all the trim remained it’s original warm oak color. Ideally, I’d like to change the trim stain, but it actually isn’t that bad with the green walls.

I wanted to incorporate both local art and art that was inspired by nature into the room. A few years earlier, I had two very talented friends make an incredible piece. My friend Nicolette Wagner is a trained designer, and spends her days traveling the world, taking incredible photographs and hosting workshops for others to attend. She took a stunning photo of the Nebraska Sandhills and I was so in love with it, that I had my other friend paint it! Rael Belke is a phenomenal painter based in Lincoln, Nebraska and she translated that photo onto canvas with her beautiful brushstrokes. I had this piece in a different room, and I thought it might be too small to hang above the crib, but then I saw Kelly Wearstler hang a tiny piece of art above a fireplace at the Charmaine’s Restaurant, and listened to her talk about scale and proportion in her Masterclass, and I decided my painting would fit just fine. The piece brought in so many lovely colors inspired by nature and it makes me so happy to look at it because it reminds me of how beautiful our state is.

My husband and I spent a long time looking for a crib that we could agree on. I was looking for a specific wood finish and my husband is always looking for the best deal. We searched through so many crib options and most of them were out of stock. That was a trend we kept noticing: during the early months of COVID everyone must have stocked up on baby room supplies, or the vendors simply weren’t shipping anything. I fell in love with the Harper 3-in1 crib designed by the incredible Novogratz in the walnut finish, but it was out of stock everywhere. I signed up for every e-mail list to be notified when it would be back in stock. The months rolled by, and nothing. Then, one day, my husband saw it in stock one some website. (I honestly don’t remember which one at this point.) We bought it immediately! It was a total miracle.

I knew I wanted a rug with some subtle pattern, but that also felt neutral and timeless. What pattern is timeless? Stripes! I wanted a low-pile or thin-piled rug so that the door swing of the closet could easily open and close without making the rug curl up. Getting a rug that is too thick is a “Nursery Don’t” for me because it can get in the way of door swings, it could be a tripping hazard, and dimensional rugs tend to be higher-maintenance in the cleaning department. I have a dimensional rug in my fireplace room, but I didn’t want one in our nursery. I found a flat-weave, striped rug with a lovely oatmeal-colored background with slate-blue stripes on it. It was perfect! A big interior design tip is: don’t buy rugs that are too small. You want the rug to take up as much of the room as possible. Ideally, I’d like every piece of furniture to have their front “legs” on the rug. That way the rug feels like it is truly anchoring the room, and not floating in the middle of it.

Having a mix of materials was important to me. I didn’t want the room to feel like it was all wood and walls. So I incorporated a brass mobile which brought metal and reflection into the space. I was so excited about this metal mobile since the website showed it above the crib, but when it arrived it had a paper stating that it was not allowed to be hung above the crib. I was sad, but it also made a lot of sense, so we hung it in the corner of the room near the crib, but not above the crib. Our son Wesley loves looking at it! The air from the floor vents make the mobile dance and he just loves watching it.

The next element I wanted to add in was leather. At first I looked at was this stunning leather rocking chair, but my husband was not a fan of the price. So I kept looking. I reverted back to the fact that I wanted a lot of contrast and the rug alone wasn’t enough. So I began searching for a white rocking chair, but I was also looking for a very particular arm shape. I did not want a scroll arm, a pleated arm, a saddle arm, a key arm or any ruching or nail heads.  I wanted it to be clean-lined, but not as harsh as a track arm. I wanted a slight curve to it too. (Am I picky or what?! Lol.) I also did not want a low-back chair because I wanted to be able to lean my head back and rest on it. Most of the chairs I found had short backs and were WAY TOO LARGE. That is the # 1 “Nursery Don’t” that I see happen is when people buy furniture that is too big for the space. Oversized furniture is for sale everywhere, and can be very affordable. But that doesn’t mean it fits in your space. Finding furniture that fit well into the scale of your room is so important to maintain balance in the room as a whole. When looking at recliners and gliders, you also have to take into account the additional space behind and in front of the chair for when the piece is in motion. I frequently see oversized chairs measuring 36” wide x 36” deep stuck in the corner of a nursery. But they are so big that they basically sit in the middle of the room. I drew the entire floor plan up in AutoCAD and knew what size of chair could fit in our room. I ended up with a cream swivel-glide chair that measures 25” wide x 32” deep by 37.5” high. It fits like a glove! Not too big, and tall enough for me to lean back and rest my head.

It came with a matching fabric ottoman but I ditched it and kept looking for my leather element. I always wanted one of those leather Moroccan poufs so I thought now was a good time to finally get one. They are sold on almost every website so it was easy to find many different options. I wanted a cognac leather color and I wanted the pouf to be tall enough that I could comfortably use it as an ottoman replacement instead of the matching one that came with my rocking chair. I believe we ended up getting our pouf from Wayfair because it was less expensive by a hundred dollars or so, but I can’t find it anymore. Here is the West Elm pouf but it is considerably more money than what we spent on ours.

I wanted an itsy bitsy table to put next to the rocking chair. I checked my floor plan dimensions in AutoCAD and knew I could barely afford the room, but I knew something out there would work. I’d seen many drink tables and “martini” tables before so I figured I would find something similar. I ended up going with this super cute little metal table in an antique brass finish. I love having it in the room at night to set the bottle on after a feeding. It’s just the right size. :)

Now it’s time for the dresser/ changing table. I really wanted to pull in a dark navy dresser with brass accents and I completely fell in LOVE with this one from Crate & Barrel but it was way too wide. (54.75”) It would technically fit in the space, but it would have felt crammed in there and would have scrunched into the seating area AND I would not have had room for my Oobi or trash can. I searched high and low and ended up finding this one that is on many different websites, and it was slightly smaller at 45” wide. I noticed that it was not exactly a “navy” color but more of a slatey-blue-grey color. I was hoping it was just a bad photo and I prayed it would come in more navy, but alas, it did not. So it’s not my ideal dresser but I think it still works in the space.

Since I only had room for a little dresser, this meant I basically only have room on top of the dresser for the changing pad and some wipes. This meant that I could not have a regular sized lamp and I had to go with a floor lamp. I wanted a sculptural floor lamp that wasn’t typical. I wanted it to be sculptural so that when my baby looked at it he would see interesting shapes. I didn’t want it to be just a simple straight line. I LOVED this one but my husband did not like the price tag. Luckily, he came up with a solution. He found this lamp at Target and I really liked it in the Espresso finish. It works great!

I wanted a sculptural piece of art above the changing pad because I wanted something interesting for our son to look at. I wanted a piece that would spark his imagination and creativity. I searched high and low for that perfect little something that I just couldn’t put my finger on. Then I finally remembered a local Midwestern maker I’d been following on Instagram for a while: Candice Luter. She’s an incredible fiber artist and I had been wanting to use her work in one of my projects. I was happily surprised when my own home was the first project I included her work in. She has so many incredible options. I selected the Ecru color for the fringe and brass slat detail to tie into the other brass elements I had throughout the room. I measured the height from the top of the changing pad to our ceiling to determine which size of art would feel most balanced on that wall. I am extremely happy with the purchase and highly recommend her work! The funny thing is, our son was incredibly shy and almost afraid of mirrors when he was born. (How could I have known that?!) But he LOVED the gallery wall in our living room. After finding that out, I decided to put a mini gallery wall in his nursery right behind the rocking chair so he could look up at it. And he loves it! :D I pulled together a bunch of different frame sizes, colors and textures. I wanted this to be a dynamic little moment. But I still created balance. Then I filled each frame with super cute photos of Wesley. (UPDATE: He also loves mirrors now. He smiles at himself and me all the time. Phew!)

I was pregnant during COVID and had our baby during COVID. So both of my baby showers were virtual. We were so lucky and received many new fluffy teddy bears and I was excited to incorporate them into his room. I also included vintage bears too! I grew up with my black and brown teddybear named “Teddy” so I put him in Wesley’s room too. My husband’s grandma gave us her vintage orange-ish / tannish bear and I put him on our window ledge too. I love to mix old and new items together. It’s so important to include sentimental and personal items in a nursery. It adds to that extra special feeling.

Overall, designing my son’s nursery was incredibly fun. But I have to be honest, it is even MORE fun now that he’s alive and IN the space. I love watching him stare at the mobile, reach for Candice’s art (ah! lol.) and explore his surroundings. I feel like he knows that this space is his and I believe he feels most comfortable there. I love him so much and I’m very pleased with how his nursery turned out. Thank you for reading along! I hope you’ve enjoyed this post.

NURSERY DO - Design your room to scale.

NURSERY DON’T- DON’T buy oversized furniture.

NURSERY DON’T - DON’T use under-sized rugs.

NURSERY DO - Have fun! Design a space that is colorful and exciting.

NURSERY DO - Design a room that goes with the rest of your house.

NURSERY DON’T - DON’T design a space that can’t grow with your child.

NURSERY DO - Purposely include CONTRAST to help your baby see the environment.

NURSERY DON’T - DON’T fill the space with tone on tone shades that your baby’s developing eyes can’t differentiate between.

NURSERY DO - Include funky shapes that will stimulate your baby’s creativity! (Think different types and shapes of art! Think funky mobiles! Think sculptural lamps!)

NURSERY DO - Include both new & old items. Vintage and store-bought. Items that have sentimental value, and new items that will be sentimental in a few years.

NURSERY DO- Hire me to help you design your nursery! This was so much fun and I’d love to help you make a special space that is uniquely for your little one.

Nursery Sneak Peek

Our little family was lucky enough to have Kimberly Dovi of Kimberly Dovi Photo come to our home and photograph our newborn son weeks after he was born. Our sweet little nursery was not even close to being finished, but we had the basics: a crib, a chair, a rug, a dresser and a mobile. It was not complete, but it was ours and we loved it. We hoped that our sweet little son would love it one day too.

My husband and I had already installed vertical wood slats on the crib wall and painted them a delicious dark green. In my previous blog post, I explained that I wanted to design a dark nursery that would feel cozy and promote sleep. I learned that as baby’s eyes develop, they see contrast the best. I am no child expert, or optometrist, but I read that early baby eyes see dark and light shapes best. If everything is light, or if everything is dark, they can’t see it very well because there is no contrast there. So I took this into consideration moving forward with the design. I chose dark walls (to feel dark and cozy, similar to the womb) and then I chose a bright off-white rocking chair, and a light rug with dark stripes in hopes that he would see these contrasting shapes and be interested.

There is so much more to tell you about our nursery and there is SO much more to show you now that it is officially done, and I promise I will show you those photos soon. In my next blog post, I will explain the depths of the design intent, and I will let you know where you can find all the furniture. :) If you want to read about where I found inspiration for our nursery, this blog post explains it very well. I searched high and low for unique and interesting nurseries that were far from status quo.

My Nursery Inspiration

Hello everyone! And welcome back to my blog! I haven’t posted in a minute (10 months to be exact). But I promise it’s for a good reason! I was busy growing and having our first child!! Phew! What a whirlwind. Our son is 4 months old (almost 5 months now) and I fiiiiiiinally finished his nursery. Have you ever heard the saying “the mechanic’s car is always broke down,” or “the dentist’s wife has bad teeth,” etc?? I think the sentiment behind these sayings is that whatever you do for your profession, you do it with all your heart and soul. But when it comes to doing that exact same service for yourself / your family, it falls to the absolute bottom of the “to do” list. Is this true for anyone else!?

Design: Studio Giancarlo Valle. PC: Stephen Kent Johnson.

Design: Studio Giancarlo Valle. PC: Stephen Kent Johnson.

Design: Kelly Wearstler. PC: unknown.

Bone Street Trout Hall Design Team. PC: unkown.

I knew our son’s room wouldn’t be done before he was born. And I didn’t put that pressure on my first-time-COVID-pregnancy-self. I knew we would get it done eventually and he wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate the room right away anyway. So I dove into research mode. I researched designer upon designer. I searched with the basis that I wanted a few things: 1- a dark room to promote sleep. 2- a room rich with different textures 3- multiple sculptural elements to inspire creativity.

Designer: Dina Bandman Interiors. PC: Christopher Stark

Design: Chad Wood. PC: Jenna Pefflely.

I did not want a white room with blond wood tones because I heard that a little newborn has developing eyes and they see contrast the best. I knew if I did white + blond wood, that would be too “tone-on-tone” for an infant and therefore, not very exciting. I also did not want a white room because I wanted the room to be dark and cozy to promote relaxation and sleep. The sweet babe was in my pitch black uterus for 9 months so I figure he was used to a dark and cozy environment.

Design: Debbie Propst. New Canaan, Conneticut. PC: Alex Hemer.

Designer: Sarah Sherman Samuel. Michigan. PC: John Stoffer

During my search for colorful, contrast filled, textural and sculptural nurseries, I found some incredible spaces. I mean INCREDIBLE. I’d like to point out that my research included both kids rooms and “adult” rooms. Not every one was exactly what I was going for. (It never is!) I just thoroughly enjoy seeing well curated palettes. I joke that I admire 10 different interior design styles before breakfast each day lol. :) You will also notice that I was inspired by rooms for both genders because we did not find out our gender right away.

Designer: Design Loves Detail. PC: Travis J Photography.

Designer: Alexa Pulitzer. New Orleans. PC: Morgan & Owens Photography

Designer: Ginny McDonald Interiors.

Designer: Unknown.

This blog post features some of the luscious nurseries I uncovered during my research. It took some digging and a deep dive into the design world, but once I was hot on the trail, I uncovered a pandora’s box of incredible nurseries- so I had to share with you!!!

Designer: Unknown.

Designer & Photographer: The Animal Print Shop.

Designer: Annie Portelli. Eltham UK. PC: Caitlin Mills.

While this post ISN’T my son’s nursery, it does feature some of the inspirational spaces that helped shape his nursery. Photos of our nursery were recently taken and I will share my son’s FULL nursery reveal with you very soon. I hope you enjoy these photos for now and I can’t wait to share our dreamy little nursery with you in the future. Thank you for reading! Have a great week : )

Designer: Amy Berry Design.

Designer: BHDM Design.

Designer: Michelle Gerson. Manhattan, NY. PC: Michael Partenlo.

Designer: Bria Hammel Interiors

Designer: Unknown.

Wax Buffalo - Retail Design - The Ins and Outs

Retail Interior Design is so near and dear to my heart because it involves working with the business owner in order to translate their brand into a built 3D space that their customers enjoy and make purchases in. I get to know people, their brand, and their work so well which enables me to authentically communicate their brand through interior design.

“As an interior designer, I help clients transform their retail environment in a way that evokes emotion, influences mood and engages the customer more fully in the retail experience as a whole. Retail design is about more than just making one sale. It’s about curating a space where customers return again and again.”

-Tara Miller, owner of The Heartland Interior Design

The space planning (and ultimately the floor plan) is a crucial design element that I love working on because it sets the tone of the retail environment. How the space is laid out invites people into and through the space. Interior design can reinforce a brand identity and greatly impact the customer’s experience with the brand.

Strong relationships equals a strong client base. Brands are already crushing it with a great logo, website and social media presence. Once they make the leap to opening a storefront, my goal is to make sure there’s no disconnect between that brand and their retail environment. Therefore, it’s important to me to engage in meaningful conversation with the business owners about their business and their customers so that we can exceed expectations by delivering a one-of-a-kind space.

One-of-a-kind doesn’t mean top dollar. One-of-a-kind simply means that you aren’t like everyone else and your space shouldn’t be either. It is easy to fall into the latest design trend seen on TV and social media, but we intentionally explore other options that are more in line with your brand and the message you want to convey to your customers. With all of my construction experience and design exposure, I can reveal creative solutions and alternate designs that will last the test of time.

“What sets The Heartland Interior Design apart is our focus on the final cohesive composition and not only the material finishes. My goal is to understand what the client wants to do with their space and not just select some surface-level finishes, but deliver interior design solutions that inspire.”

-Tara Miller, owner of The Heartland Interior Design

This was all kept in the forefront of my mind when I worked with Wax Buffalo on their first brick and mortar space. I started by asking my list of intentional questions to learn what their hopes, dreams, budget and timeline are for the project. Then I dove deep into researching their brand identity and what how customers identify with that brand. I created a conceptual level presentation board to indicate the design direction moving forward.

Conceptual Mood Board created by The Heartland Interior Design using photos from Wax Buffalo’s website, social media and other sources.

Next, I got to work measuring the existing site to create a working floor plan in AutoCAD. This enabled me to explore multiple different ways to lay out the space which influences customer interaction. Once I landed on an optimal floor plan, I focused on the elevation of each wall and what customers would be see. After the basic black and white elevation drawings were approved by Wax Buffalo, I went into Photoshop and added a little bit of color and materiality to breathe life into the drawings. This helps you visualize the space a little better, and think through your options.

STEP 1- Draw the Elevation of the EAST wall using the dimensions from the floor plan made earlier.

STEP 2- Use Photoshop to add materials and finishes to the elevation.

Once the floor plan and elevation drawings were finalized and approved, I moved onto solidifying the FF&E items. What is FF&E you might ask? In the commercial interior design world it means: Furniture Fixtures and Equipment which is a short way to summarize anything that isn’t physically attached to the building. So this is stuff you can take with you like furnishings, rugs, art, plants, décor, removable signage, TVS, computers, window shades, curtains, curtain rods, vending machine, etc…. You get the idea :) Every one of those items is not used in every project, but that list just gives you a general idea. There are TONS more FF&E items that aren’t in that list too.

We found sofas, art and tables that were the correct size and style to fit both the floor plan and the brand aesthetic. Then I worked diligently on designing, dimensioning and fabricating a large custom art piece that is quite a focal point within the space. It highlights an important quote to the Wax Buffalo brand which is “Collaboration over Competition.” Rather than put this up like any old sign, I wanted to bring in some interest by making it three-dimensional and I wanted to make it approachable and inviting by creating it out of fluffy green moss. I used a font developed by the local lettersmith Nic Fred and went to work in AutoCAD making sure the sign would fit just right on the size of wall we were working with. The green of the moss has great contrast against the white wall and I wanted to warm it up by introducing another natural material- leather. I chose the cognac leather because the space needed some natural warmth to anchor the room.

There are multiple important design impact moments throughout the space that reinforce the brand identity. One is the “Collaboration over Competition” moss quote, but another is the “BEAUTIFULLY IMPERFECT” verbiage over a bench near the point of sale counter. I personally love making a bold statement in bathrooms, so instead of investing in fancy custom wallpaper, I suggested they take their readily available black “X” stickers and post them all over one bathroom wall to make a stunning visual impact that is – of course – on brand.

Speaking of simple and affordable solutions: the existing light fixtures were dark purple which is not on brand at all, but lights are expensive to replace. So I suggested using a matte black Rust-Oleum spray paint to freshen up the existing light fixtures rather than replacing them. After ripping up the old carpet, the floor was covered in old carpet glue. I suggested using the extremely affordable (and durable) LVP (laminate vinyl wood plank) for the flooring to bring in another material.

The team at Wax Buffalo is crazy talented and they care so deeply for their customers. I believe that the design of their lovely store reflects that on so many levels. I am thankful that they welcomed me into the design and construction process, and I am so pleased with how their space turned out.

“If you are opening a retail store, I would love to learn more about your brand, your vision and your customers so I can help make your space the space of your dreams.”

-Tara Miller, owner of The Heartland Interior Design

Heartland Home: Bright and White

The midwest is full of inspiring people and places. "Heartland Home" is one of the topics I'll be exploring in order to highlight some of the amazing homes throughout our central region. The homes in this area are just as inspiring and beautiful as the people who call the heartland home. 

All photos by Nicolette Wagner with Life Unbound Photography

Our very first home of the series is nestled in the capitol city of Lincoln, Nebraska. I'd like to thank Erin and Dusty Stanczyk for opening up their house and being featured as our very first "Heartland Home." You may recognize Erin and Dusty from their awesome social media presence titled "EAT MOVE REST." But did you also know that they have a knockout home?! YES! It's true! They put their very heart and soul into their house and have created a wonderful space. I couldn't think of a better way to start off this series than to show you this amazing home.

Their handsome dog Beau rests in his favorite spot in the house.

Loving this stylish drop zone right off the entry.

While their Instagram is plum full of vibrant colors, their home sets the stage as the perfect neutral space to eat, move and rest in. Dusty and Erin moved into their home during Thanksgiving weekend in 2015. They fell in love with the white kitchen cabinets right off the bat. The windows had beautiful white wood shutters that filtered the natural light perfectly. However, the kitchen was walled off from the rest of the space. 

Before long, Dusty kept asking Erin if he could start demoing the house already.  Erin said "yes" and came home after work to a pile of rubble. Their goal was to open up the space and let as much natural light in as possible. They achieved this by installing French doors and tearing out the walls that separated the kitchen from the rest of the space. Now, they are able to open up the French doors and enjoy the fresh air on a nice night.

The current sitting room used to be the dining room, and their current dining room used to be a carpeted living room. The first thing they did when they moved in was paint all of the walls white. They used Home Depot's Behr paint in the color Painter's White. This brightened up the space immediately. 

They wanted white marble countertops, but were advised not to invest in them since the natural stone stains easily and can absorb red wine, beet juice and more. They replaced their original blue countertops with a white quartz and couldn't be happier. They purchased their dining room furniture and the kitchen island as a set, but they added a slab of white quartz on top of the island to give it a more permanent feel. 

They removed the walls surrounding the kitchen to open it up to the other spaces.

They spend most of their time in the kitchen because they love to cook and entertain guests. The open floor plan makes their space the perfect location for a get-together. They can have a dinner party with some people in the formal dining room, some people in the sitting room with coffee, and more people standing with drinks at the kitchen island. There are multiple gathering areas within the one large space. This layout enables a group to be in close proximity without being separated by walls.  

This lovely sitting area used to be the dining room. The space is now flooded with natural light from the gorgeous French doors they installed.

"Everything we have is a mix of old and new." -Erin Stanczyk

Not only can the Stanczyks tear out walls and install new doors, they are also talented artists! The cocktail table in the sitting room was found on Craigslist. They proceeded to sand and white wash the table until it turned out perfectly. The painting in their dining room was originally pink and blue, but Erin painted over it with neutral tones. The finished product adds texture and contrast to the large white wall.

As you can tell from the photos, they have some seriously amazing plants- and they are ALL REAL! The Fiddle leaf fig was an anniversary gift that Dusty gave Erin years ago. All of their plants started off tiny and have grown extremely tall over the years. They thrive on the natural light from the large windows. 

The credenza in the dining room was originally dark brown, but they painted it a nice neutral grey color and swapped out the old knobs for some fun ones from Anthropologie. The dining room is filled with great plant variation. When they started renovating their space, their goal was to have a bright white space with lots of plants. They definitely accomplished that goal! 

Erin explained that part of her wants to be super minimal, but her and Dusty both like interesting decor items. A perfect example of this is the head sculpture from Restoration Hardware in their entry. "It makes it interesting," Erin says. "Not everything has a story." They have the perfect balance of repurposed and new pieces to give their home that "homey" vibe. 

They also painted all of the doors and trim in the space white because they used to be dark brown. This brightens the entire space and adds to their light and airy aesthetic. Speaking of "light"- they searched high and low to find the perfect light fixtures for their home. They typically start by finding a fixture they like on Pinterest and continue the search from there. Erin said, "Dusty goes to Home Depot almost every other day and they have really good priced fixtures as well." The light fixtures in their space draw the eyes up towards their lovely high ceilings. 

Read the note above to find out what the Stanczyk's love most about the home they've created.

Their back patio is just as lovely and inviting as the interior of their home.

Don't forget their back porch! The "bright and white + plants" aesthetic continues into their backyard as well. The Stancyk's could not have created a more perfect spot for relaxing outside. Their home is absolutely gorgeous and is in the heart of Nebraska.

If you live in the Midwest and have a home that is uniquely "you" and beautiful because of it's own special qualities, please reach out to me via our "contact" page. I would love to feature your home in the Heartland Home series.

If you have a friend or family member that has a wonderfully special space that people find themselves drawn to, please reach out to me about them. Erin and Dusty were happy to have their home shared as the first Heartland Home and I look forward to sharing many more. It is up to each homeowner to choose if they would like their identity to be revealed in the post or not. The goal of this series is to celebrate the uniquely beautiful homes of throughout the heartland. 

[ All photos in this blog post were taken by Nicolette Wagner with Life Unbound Photography ]

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