Heartland Home: Local and Thrifted

Welcome to the vibrant and colorful home of the Bruner family! Our second Heartland Home features an oasis nestled in Lincoln, Nebraska. With all of this winter weather we’re having, you will LOVE to feast your eyes on this fresh and colorful space. Lo Bruner answers the door with a huge smile and welcomes us into her home. Her house immediately smells like heaven because she has lots of local Wax Buffalo candles burning all at once.

All photos taken by Life Unbound Photography

Nicolette Wagner and I walk into her home and head straight for the kitchen to take photos. I saw this space about a year ago on Instagram and knew that it was a special gem that had to be shared with the world! It’s vibe was so unique and appealing. I couldn’t wait to see it in person! Lo tells me that the natural light immediately drew her to this house. The home is nestled up against a wildlife conservation which makes for an epic backyard. The kitchen originally had blue counter tops, a chicken tile backsplash, and the floor was severely uneven.

With a lot of work, the Bruner family was able to create a space that is uniquely their own. Lo’s husband Aaron is a jack of all trades. He made a concrete mold and made a new countertop for them. It was created in two sections and adds some masculine texture to the space. Lo painted the bottom cabinets pink, but left the upper cabinets the natural stain.

“The main thing I love about my home is that it feels warm.” - Lo Bruner.

She describes her style as, “Jungalow” and tells me how all the greenery compliments the pink in the room. She said that she really got into plants about three years ago. Lo explains that her daughter is really into plants and frequently gives them as gifts. They are not just for aesthetic purposes though, as her pothos vines produce oxygen which provide clean air for her home. She loves to cook and says that she needs fresh food in the house too. You can see pops of color throughout her home in the form of plants, fruits and fun little accents like her fluffy pink fur throw! This fluffy fur was sourced at Nebraska Furniture Mart along with the mirror-front Credenza that they use as a kitchen island.

Lo has collected her decor over the years. She says, “I’ve always had a thing for wicker baskets and my grandma had a wicker peacock chair.” She’s picked up many items at local thrift stores, Home and Closet, and Hutch. She says that the large hide on the floor adds a lot of warmth to the space. She got the large one at Junkstock from Cactus Creek. They’re this AMAZING store in Weston, MO. They have tons of great finds! I’ve been to Weston, MO on girls trips with my aunts and cousins, and it is a fantastic place. Lo got the smaller hide from Stella Collective in Lincoln, NE.

In the Shop with Pax Lighting

Pax Lighting is a lighting design studio founded by Jeff and Teegan Nordhues located just outside of Riverdale, Nebraska . They design and fabricate their own high quality light fixtures. They specialize in ceramics and brass and their forte is letting materials speak for themselves. Pax lighting is known for the honesty of their materials and the excellence of their products.

Photo courtesy of PaxLighting.com

Pax Lighting began in 2015 and has been producing high quality custom light fixtures ever since. The Nordhues sell these fixtures in the trade market throughout the Midwest to designers, architects and builders.  Their products have raised a few eyebrows outside of the Midwest as well. They have caught the attention of Interior Design Magazine, Architectural Digest and more! They’ve presented their products at the Love the Local’s event in Lincoln, Bench in Omaha and they will show their work at the Architectural Design Show in New York City in the ‘MADE’ section this March! Impressive! You can also find some of their high quality fixtures installed locally at Zipline Brewing Co, and Mercury in Omaha. Their exquisite light fixtures are also in many residences throughout the Midwest.

How did a refined lighting company end up in Nebraska? Great question! After studying at the Art Institute in Denver, designing luxury lighting at Dessin Fournir Companies in Kansas, and getting a master’s degree in product design from the Rhode Island School of Design, Jeff decided to move back home to Nebraska and start Pax Lighting with his wife. Teegan is an expert in marketing and public relations and also worked at Dessin Fournir Companies in the public relations department. Jeff also has the title of ‘Professor’ on his resume as he developed curriculum and taught industrial design at UNK for seven years.

Jeff starts with hand sketches and then transfers his designs into AutoCAD. Within the entire production process, he controls the variables and optimizes his system by implementing a manual relief system. It takes approximately 12-14 weeks to produced a custom light fixture. They have custom glass developed in Omaha, custom colors and custom forms designed. They either create their own components in-house, or have them machined in Lincoln. The last step is having their metal finished in Omaha. Not only did the Nordhues choose to to base their business in Nebraska, they also keep it local and patronize other local businesses throughout their creative process. I love that!

Courtesy of Pax Lighting’s Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Pax Lighting’s Instagram.

It’s rare to find such outstanding designs created in the middle of a cornfield. Nebraska is home to so many outstanding craftsmen and artists. But I have to say, Pax Lighting is extraordinarily exquisite. Please consider using this talented team to meet your lighting needs, especially if you are an architect, builder or a fellow designer. They should be at the top of our “go-to” selection list because we want to celebrate and keep this local brand thriving. It is my personal goal to utilize their fixtures in my future interior design projects. I can’t wait to see how far Pax Lighting goes and all the beautiful applications their fixtures will be installed in! I know their reach already goes far, far beyond the Cornhusker state and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Image courtesy of Pax Lighting’s Instagram.

Image courtesy of Pax Lighting’s Instagram.

A Day in the Life of a Dairy Farmer

“A Day in the Life…” is a video series that I’ve started because I want to highlight a few of the different jobs and industries throughout the Midwest. There are tons of people doing so many different things and I want to give them a platform to share what they love with others.

This video kicks off the series as we join a local dairy farmer and help him with his evening chores. The videos begins with an informal interview and towards the end we get a lot of hand's on experience. Enjoy!

This is one of the many ways of life that keep people busy in the Midwest. If you are interested in having your job, business or passion covered in your very own episode of "Day in the Life..." please reach out to tara@theheartlandshop.com . Thank you for watching! A special thank you to Clark & Schmidt Studios for making this episode a reality. See more of their incredible work here.

Shop Local: Fall Favorites

Smell the air- it is here! Today marks the first official day of fall. I love so many things about fall that I shouldn’t try to list them all because this post would never end. To keep it short and sweet, I love the smell of fall, the crisp weather, all the fun activities and the cozy apparel. I am happiest when I throw on a pair of boots, jeans and a jacket and rush out into an autumn world. The corn and beans have already turned golden brown, and the trees are starting to turn as well.

While all of these things make fall an extra-special time of year, there are a few things that come to my mind when I think about fall in the Midwest. I love to support local small businesses and I try to shop local as much as possible. The heartland is full of talented creative people who work in many different fields. Some of these people bake, others craft products with their skillful hands, and many spend extra time doing things they love during the fall months.

An autumn-scented candle can instantly trigger happy fall thoughts and create the perfect ambiance for your room. My favorite fall candles are hand-poured in Lincoln, Nebraska by Wax Buffalo. If you have one of these little gems, you know what I’m talking about. If you don’t have your own little slice of heaven in a amber-glass jar, don’t walk- RUN to your nearest local vendor and get yourself a Wax Buffalo candle. Their current fall collection features the best smells ever: Autumn, Classic Pumpkin, and the Orchard. I have the Classic Pumpkin burning in my living room right now! I love all of the scents because you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Image from Artemis Teas Instagram page.

Another great smell comes from warm fall beverages. My go-to fall drink is a hot cup of Artemis Teas. The huntress flavor is specifically my favorite because of the name, the flavor and the aroma. This tea has hints of cinnamon and lavender in it. (So good!) Not only does it taste great, but it is actually good for you too! This drink promotes increased vitality, stamina and creativity. We all know that I need more creativity- right!? I love being creative and this tea is just the icing on the cake! Besides being an all-around great tea, it has epic packaging too. Brew yourself some this evening and take it easy knowing that all of the teas from Artemis are mindfully-crafted by a clinical herbalist in Omaha, Nebraska.

I may be biased, but I wear my #Heartlander tee almost too much. To me, a “Heartlander” is a person loves what they do, and loves the location they are in. This shirt is made of ultra soft tri-blend fabric that is screen printed by hand. The image was hand drawn by Joe Horacek at the Little Mountain Print Shoppe and our goal was to capture the heart of the Midwest. The 'military green' is an earthy color that looks great on all skin tones! This will be your favorite shirt. No doubt. You can find the link to purchase the #Heartlander t-shirt here, or you can head over to the “SHOP” tab at the top of this website.

Photo courtesy of the Little Mountain Print Shoppe.

As I mentioned earlier, fall apparel is second to none. Throughout the fall, I can be found wearing a sweatshirt probably 90% of the time. A good cozy sweatshirt is the most reliable thing one can have in their closet. As the temperature drops it is wise to wear layers. My dad always said that you can take layers off, but you can never add them if you don’t bring them. With this wisdom, I’m either always wearing a sweatshirt or bringing one along with me just in case. Last year I bought my very first sweatshirt from the Little Mountain Print Shoppe in Lincoln, Nebraska and my life has been forever changed.

I consider myself somewhat of a sweatshirt connoisseur and I’ve collected quite a few sweatshirts over the years. The Little Mountain Print Shoppe’s sweatshirts not only feature hand-drawn graphics, but they’re also the softest article of clothing you will ever wear. These quality sweatshirts come in a variety of sizes and colors too. I went into the Little Mountain Print Shoppe to get my husband a gift, and walked out with his gift plus a sweatshirt for myself. This is the best present I’ve ever given myself. In the photo to the left, I’m wearing my favorite sweatshirt from the Little Mountain Print Shoppe. You can find it here. If you love yourself, put one of these sweatshirts in your closet and thank me later. You won’t regret it.

Photos Courtesy of Nature Nurture Instagram.

If you are anything like me, I am always cold. Since I tend to wear layers, I strive to keep my head and neck warm as well. Last year I met Katie from Nature Nurture and I fell in love with her hand-knit products. She creates tons of different scarves, hats, ear muffs and more. She knits hats and scarves in many different colors, patterns and yarn weights. This enables you to wear a Nature Nurture piece with practically any outfit and in any season. Not only does she sell her products via her website and etsy shop, she also attends many local events and sets up a booth to sell her cozy products. You can find her at the annual Love the Locals events, Bench Made, and Handmade Omaha events. You can find me wearing my favorite knit hat from her when it gets too cold outside for my ears.

Then there are the foods of fall. S’mores are probably one of the greatest outdoor friendly desserts ever invented. I was recently asked what my favorite dessert was during a group ice-breaker and my knee-jerk response was, “anything chocolate and s’mores.” I find s’mores to be one of life’s simple pleasures. If you don’t find yourself near a bonfire, there are many other ways to have a s’more or bring some with you to an event. My friend at Tasty Good Toffee in Lincoln, Nebraska has perfected the s’mores flavored toffee. She actually used real chocolate flakes, graham crumbs and somehow drizzles an ooey-gooey marshmallow on top of each toffee piece. I love bringing this sweet treat to a fall get-together or having in a bowl during a movie night at home. If you like s’mores and want to take them anywhere you go, Tastey Good Toffee is the perfect solution for you! These tasty treats can be found at all Russ’s Markets and Super Savers in Lincoln, Nebraska. They are also found in boutique shops in Seward, York, Hastings, Kearney and Omaha. See the full list of vendors here.

Photo courtesy of Anchor Axe Co Instagram.

Photo Courtesy of Molly Jogger.

If you are ready to take things up a notch, you can make yourself a real bonfire. I have fond memories of helping my dad chop up a fallen trees for bonfire wood. We would start with a chainsaw to cut the trunk up into more manageable pieces, and then we could use an axe or a log splitter to cut the chunks into firewood. While I do not personally own a colorful axe from the Anchor Axe Co, I sure do admire their colorful axes. These guys grew up as carpenters in the midwest and developed Anchor Axe Co to create axes that can be used and handed down for generations. I love that they take the time to decorate each axe handle with a pop of colorful paint. I think it adds a unique personal quality to each piece and I would love to give one as a gift to my dad someday. As you may know from a few of my Instagram posts, I am also fan of the Des Moines based Fontenelle Supply Co. I own some of their shirts and love their general aesthetic. My favorite thing about the Fontenelle Supply Co is their commitment to creating local access quality clothing and accessories. When it comes to bonfires, I am particularly fond of the waterproof storm matches that they sell. These matches will stay lit for twelve seconds, even after they have been submerged in water. That is reliable!

Photo courtesy of Method to the Madness Instagram account.

I could not summarize all of the things I love about fall without being able to keep it all in order. If you know me, you know that I live by my planner. I don’t live by my phone planner or my computer calendar. Instead, I have always functioned solely thanks to a trusty paper planner. I used to utilize leather planners from Barnes and Noble, but then a Nebraska native developed and made the ultimate paper planner. Jocelyn Schade designed, developed and delivered the Madness Planner with her brand “Method to the Madness.” These quality planners help you not only schedule your life, but identify and achieve your own personal goals. This planner even allows you space to draw, doodle, take notes and so much more. It is structured to help guide you based on what is most important to you. Jocelyn created it this way so that we don’t get lost in the chaos, and that we quite literally develop a method to our own madness. I love the concept and I love her planners! Just recently Jocelyn revealed that she will be taking her new planner to KICKSTARTER this November! This new planner has been revised based on her customer’s feedback and many months of tweaking. I can’t wait to see the new planner and see where this awesome local business goes. I see big things in the future! Do you? :) I hope you all have a fantastic fall and I can’t wait to see what you are working on and how you are living in the Heartland.

Before and After: Roots Collective Hair Salon

It was early April and Addis Browne was taking a leap of faith by opening her own hair salon. She wasn’t just opening a salon in an existing salon building. This wasn’t some change of ownership ordeal. No. She was going to open her hair salon in an empty space on the second story of an old building in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska. I immediately fell in love with that goal.

This bold pursuit energized me and I reached out to Addis in order to offer her my interior design expertise. I wanted to be a part of this neat salon coming to downtown Lincoln. I worked on many renovation projects in the past where I helped give new life to old spaces so I knew it could be accomplished. I also knew that Addis had a knack for bold and colorful looks, so I wanted to help materialize her style into the interior design of the salon.

All professional photos taken by Nicolette Wagner with Life Unbound Photography.

Before. April 2018.

Before. April 2018.

After.

When I first met with Addis, I wanted to know all about her vision for the space. I loved listening to her describe her dream salon. I asked questions about her favorite colors, the clientele, timeline, budget and more. After gathering enough critical information, visiting the site, and gathering all necessary dimensions, I got to work designing a beautiful and functional space for Addis’s hair salon.

I began my first design approach by giving Addis everything she specifically asked for in a salon. It included the exposed brick, bright white walls, and the typical ‘coffee-shop-style’ interior design that we see so much of. She immediately loved it! I was pleased, but told her I had a couple of tricks up my sleeve. I asked her to bear with me and explore another design option that I created based off of the information I gathered about her personal style and her target clientele.

“I asked her to bear with me and explore another design option that I created based off of the information I gathered about her personal style and her target clientele.” - Tara Miller

This is when I let my talent shine through. This is when I delivered her with an interior design direction that took her wants and needs and elevated them to the next level. That is what an interior designer’s job is. It is my goal take the client’s wants and needs and turn it into an even more fabulous space than the client could have ever imagined on their own. It is my job as an interior designer to do that, and make sure that the space meets building code for life and human safety, fire and egress codes. (Basically- rest assured that your building will be safe.)

I showed her a design direction I created based on her vision for the salon but I added some specific things to make it stand apart from the rest. I suggested things like bright colored orange chairs, a large-scale bold wallpaper print for a statement wall right off the entry, I switched up her lighting with a knockout chandelier she hadn’t seen before, and I made the suggestion to keep the orange laminated ceiling beams ORANGE instead of cover up their raw beauty with white ceiling paint.

When Addis saw the elevated design that I created based on her other likes and interests, she loved it! I was over the moon excited because when my client’s are excited, I know that I have done the first part of my job well. From there we moved on to the second part of my job: Project Management. I helped Addis by providing a detailed list of where different lighting, furniture and accessory pieces could be purchased.

During the construction phase I draw floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, elevations and 3D renderings of the space. These drawings precisely communicate the client’s desires to the contractor and electrician. These detailed drawings leave little room for misinterpretation. I made finish specifications, furniture selections, lighting selections and so much more. We made it our goal to follow her budget and source as many local pieces as possible. Her salon features of mix of items found at Home and Closet Vintage, Craigslist and new products sourced both online and in store.

“We made it our goal to follow her budget and source as many local pieces as possible.” - Tara Miller

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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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Before and After: Julia Mason Art Studio

When I heard the incredible news that Julia Mason was going to quit her full time job to follow her dreams, I was immediately inspired. When I found out that her new endeavor involved sprucing up a cute little shop to use as her retail storefront, I quickly offered my interior design services. To my amazement, she graciously accepted and we quickly got to work. I began the process with a secret inspiration board on Pinterest that I curated to fit Julia's aesthetic. 

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

At our first site visit, we discussed ways to freshen up the exterior with some simple paint options. I used Photoshop to show Julia different exterior paint colors and signage options. Julia showed me around the charming little studio and explained how she wanted it to function. She told me that she planned to use the space to display her work, sell her art, and work on current projects. She shared her love for natural wood finishes, her need for display, and that she wanted her art to be the focus of the space. She told me that the main design challenge within the space was how to address the two windows and a door that led to a different part of the building that the landlord owned. She mentioned that when people entered the space, their first comment was, "What is behind these windows and that door?" We did not want this to be the focus of the space. I took measurements of the space to draw a floor plan in CAD and quickly got to work.

AFTER

AFTER - detail shot -

BEORE

AFTER

I mentioned that we could utilize peg board to fit precisely within the trim of each window and door. Then customers could not see beyond the space, and we could utilize the peg board for product display. I shared my secret Pinterest board with Julia and showed her some bold statement walls that were covered in faux greenery and featured a neon sign hanging the middle of it all. Julia loved this look and utilized it as both a way to cover up the windows, and a way to showcase her work. Brilliant! We also incorporated an encouraging neon sign over the greenery of the second window. It reads, "DO WHAT YOU LOVE." This inspirational quote was spoken by Julia's father and it is a special personal touch within the space.

Julia told me that she wanted a streamlined look. It would be very clean and intentional. I was fully on board! I spoke with Julia about her process and the different types of artwork she produced. It became clear to me that this space would be primarily used in three different ways: to sell "LOCAL" art, to promote her "CUSTOM" capabilities, and to work on projects currently in "PROGRESS."  This simple understanding lent itself nicely to signage throughout the space. We achieved this when Julia hand-painted these three words onto separate pieces of wood, and mounted them in pre-selected areas in the studio. This not thoroughly explains how the space is laid out and what Julia is selling, but it also draws our eyes up towards Julia's high ceilings. 

BEFORE

AFTER

" It became clear to me that this space would be primarily used in three different ways: to sell LOCAL art, to promote her CUSTOM capabilities, and to work on projects currently in PROGRESS. "

- TARA MILLER

BEFORE

AFTER

In order to further connect with her customers, I suggested that we create a "sign in" area where people could put their names and e-mail addresses if they wanted to be kept up to date via Julia's e-mail newsletter. I sketched a simple sign in table made of natural plywood that fit into this little spot next to the stairs. This is a great spot to capture e-mails while customers peruse from the "CUSTOM" to the "LOCAL" display section of Julia's studio. (Check out those adorable totes too!)

BEFORE

AFTER

The storefront windows flood the space with gorgeous amounts of natural light. I thought this would be the optimal spot for some seating and a little accent table. This snug seating area could be utilized for a one-on-one sit down meeting with a customer to discuss their custom art piece. The seating area lends itself to great conversation while being out of the  main circulation paths throughout the space. 

BEFORE

AFTER

Initially, I pulled together a few seating and accent table options for Julia and I to work through. She landed on a stunning duo of pink metal chairs + a ceramic accent table. The accent table came in right away, but the original chairs got delayed for MONTHS. I love perusing through local shops and boutiques and luckily, I had just picked up a gem. This lovely chair was upholstered in a peachy/ pink vinyl and it had intricately carved bamboo wooden legs. It didn't work for the first spot I tried placing it at, but when I brought it to Julia's studio, I knew it was magic. It worked perfectly! HUGE shoutout to the great people at Starts With Vintage for helping me source these amazing pieces. Thank you so much! #supportlocal 

BEFORE

AFTER

Left: Interior Designer Tara Miller with The Heartland. Right: Artist Julia Mason with Julia Mason Art.

Floor plan drawn by Tara Miller at The Heartland Interior Design

All photos by Nicolette Wagner with Life Unbound Photography.

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Shop the Look: The Grove Juicery

I love supporting local small businesses. Most of the time, when I’m wanting or needing to purchase something, I ask myself, “can this product be sourced locally?” From there I take a moment to rack my brain or do a quick google search to see if there are any local businesses or makers that I can go to. I would much rather stimulate the local economy an purchase something from a big chain.

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Photo @justbebalanced

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Photo by @kimberlydovi

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Photo by @cait.perman

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Photo @wellesleylauren

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Photo @uglyhumanbeing

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Photo by @kat_foster_

From time to time I’m going to share a few local businesses on the blog that I enjoy. The Grove Juicery and Wellness Cafe opened it’s doors to the public on Monday May 28th and it has been quite literally taking over the internet ever since. Instagram feeds are plum full with shots of the trendy interior and their colorful juices. *Swoon* It is dreamy for sure. 

It took me about a week to find the time to stop into the cute little spot on 24th and Farnam. I stopped there on my lunch break to see what all the buzz was about and experience not only the beautiful atmosphere, but also to drink some epic juice. Once I looked over the menu (and realized how hungry I actually was) I opted for their Açaí bowl instead of the juice. I had multiple appointments afterwards so I didn’t want to buy a bunch of juices and let them sit in the heat of my car for the remainder of the afternoon.

Like a moth to the flame I made a bee-line towards the electric navy sofa after placing my order. Who doesn’t want to sit on lush velvet? There I waited for the barista to take the orders of the numerous people in line behind me. During that time, I was able to really look around and soak in my surroundings. While doing this I realized that I recognized many of the beautiful furniture pieces and light fixtures in the space.

I am an Interior Designer. Therefore, I am constantly shopping for furniture, light fixtures, etc, for my clients. You can say I’m on the internet – a lot – and that is how I can sometimes easily identify products.

In this blog I’m going to share with you how you can “get the look” of The Grove Juicery and buy the pieces for yourself. Most of the products can be easily sourced online and shipped directly to you. I hope you enjoyed reading this and I hope you'll like the quick work I did on identifying the charming elements in The Grove Juicery and Wellness Cafe.

Photo via Anthropologie.com

The Velvet Lyre Chesterfield Sofa from Anthropologie can be purchased in a variety of ways. You can click here to order it in the "Forest" green colorway with the dark hickory legs on rollers. If you want additional options, you can click here for a full list of all the fabrics and leathers the sofa is available in. See the "Velvet in Navy" color code in the adjacent photo for additional information on the blue sofa.

Photo via Anthropologie.com

Photo from Target.com

The Jewel Round Side Table via Target's Opalhouse collection is made of rattan and adds natural warmth and texture to the space. This piece is available in both the natural and a black finish. It is approximately 19.75" in diameter and 19.75" high. Click here to see additional information on the side table.

Photo from Anthropologie.com

Each table is accented with the Pari Ratan Arm Chair from Anthropoloie. This rattan chair is not only comfortable to sit in, the fact that you can see through the chair makes it visually "light" within the space as well. 

Photo from Houzz.com

The Safaveiah Leda Rattan Bar Stools can be purchased through a variety of vendors such as Hayneedle, Houzz, and Overstock.com. Be sure to check the dimensions on each website to see if they are selling the counter height, or the bar height version. This information can typically be found in the 'product info' section or under the 'dimensions' section.

Photo by WorldMarket.com

(Scroll down to see information on the lighting, tiles and paint in the space.)

The Basketweave Bamboo Pendant Shade can be found at WorldMarket.com and is available in both natural jute and a black finish. This product is hand woven onto a metal frame and is sold separately from the actual lightbulb and chain. You can see WorldMarket's Electrical Cord and Swag Kits here. 

My favorite finish in the space is the original mosaic tile flooring. These intricate pieces compose a striking pattern on the floor and give a freshly acquired look. They tell a story of a time when developers, real estate agents and business owners invested in the hard surfaces of their space. They weren't worried about if the pattern would affect resale value, and they didn't argue over wheather it was "timeless," or not. They knew that mosaic flooring was a great investment and they just did it. It's simple, and it is magnificent. 

While this look may be from another era- there are tile manufacturers today that are creating similar looks at a decent price point. Jeffrey Court came out with a tile line last year called Chapter 18 - Rotunda. This collection features many magnificent tiles, but a few particular styles lend themselves as an exquisite alternative to this historic look.

If you click on the Junaeu Mosaic, the Montpelier Mosaic, or the Augusta Mosaic, you will see dainty compilations of mini-square tiles. These tiny pieces create a large floor pattern similar to the flooring at The Grove. Each of these patterns are available in two colors: Nero Marquina (Black), or Tunisian Grey. 

You could easily put Jeffrey Court's Rotunda mosaics in your home, office or business to create a striking floor pattern, and I guarantee people will love it! (Not everyone of course, but the majority of people will be drawn to it.) Be bold! Be different. Be you! If you like pattern, then I'd like to encourage you not to be afraid of it! :)

Last but not least, let's talk about those WHITE WALLS. We see photos of white interiors everywhere. But have you ever gone to the store to pick out a white paint color? There are literally MILLIONS of white paint options to choose from. So how do you know which white is a good white? The last thing you want is to have all of your walls painted "white" and then end up feeling like they're peachy, or that they have a green undertone.

Some of the brightest stark whites in the business are Sherwin Williams -Pure White (SW7005), Benjamin Moore's -White Heron (OC-57), PPG's -Commercial White (1025-1), and BEHR's Home Decorator's Collection's -Nano White (HDC-MD-06). However, a paint selection depends so much on the flooring, the furniture, the lighting and many other elements in the space. So these whites might not be the perfect fit for your space.

If you ever need help picking a paint color, or anything else that has to do with interior design, feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I am happy to help!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post covering the ultra-trendy interior of The Grove Juicery and Wellness Cafe. Go for the atmosphere - stay for the juice. It's divine. <3 #shoplocal #interiordesigner

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Not Your Basic Backsplash

People tend to gather in kitchens. Whether you're throwing a party, it's the holidays, or the kids have some friends over. Somehow, people tend to congregate in the kitchen. With all of the attention your kitchen gets, it's wise to make sure that your kitchen is a place you enjoy. There is nothing wrong with loving your kitchen! It is basically loving yourself. :) If you are going to spend plenty of time somewhere, you want to make sure that it fits your lifestyle and your actual style. 

Fatima Field Tile from the Duquesa series by Walker Zanger. Hand-painted terracotta tiles.

Currently, white subway tile backsplashes are all the rage. ALL. THE. RAGE. We see it all over the internet, your insta feed and pinterest boards. Subway tile is a simple solution that gives you a clean finished product. It's easy to maintain, it comes in various shapes and sizes, and is relatively easy on the pocketbook. I will be honest with you and tell you that I do like subway tile. I think it is a good design solution with a timeless style. However, it has become extremely mainstream and I know that some other tiles are getting overlooked because people get "subway tile tunnel vision." 

Walker Zanger

Walker Zanger

Walker Zanger

Walker Zanger

Maybe you are a free-spirited funky small business owner. Or maybe you're a minimalist first time home owner with a great side hustle. Maybe you own a killer bachelor pad, or hunting lodge. No matter who you are, or what you do, you are unique. You are truly one of a kind. You have options! If you are looking for something different than the standard subway tile, this post is for you! Maybe there is a backsplash tile out there that you could LOVE. Why not find something that is so absolutely "you" for your backsplash? It doesn't hurt to see what options are out there. If you don't see anything in this post that strikes your fancy, call me up and we can design something that is perfect for YOU. I am always happy to help.   :)

Walker Zanger- Shingle

Shingle close up

Why are white subway tiles being installed in almost every household in America right now? Perhaps because people love the idea of a bright, white, fresh and airy kitchen. That is a great thing to want! However, it can be achieved in many ways. White backgrounds offer a great neutral canvas for us to display things that are uniquely personal to us. In a kitchen, a white background can help set off a neat brass faucet, a custom forged range hood, funky knobs and pulls. Or you can set a bowl of fruit, or a fresh bouquet of flowers in front of it. Any color looks good in front of white! This is all true. However, the subway tile is not the only fresh white look for your potential kitchen backsplash. There is an unlimited amount of options and maybe there is an option out there that you could fall in love with. There might be a tile out there that is uniquely "you." #youbeyou #thinkoutsideofthebox #notyourbasicbacksplash

Walker Zanger

Walker Zanger

Walker Zanger

Walker Zanger

If you continue to scroll through this post you will see various  kitchens with fresh designs that incorporate backsplashes of interest. These kitchens have a little bit more personality in their backsplashes. Since backsplash tiles cover a vertical surface, they can be a form of "wall art" for your space. You are free to have subtle interest, texture or even - color- if you want! But you know that. Perhaps you just aren't aware of all of the fabulously awesome tiles that are out there. Hopefully this post helps show you that there are many options out there and perhaps there is a tile better suited for your style. Maybe the standard subway tile is the perfect choice for you. That is great! Rock on! But if you have found something else you like, that is cool too. Enjoy!

Walker Zanger- Clover

Jeffrey Court - Island

The design world is full of infinite options in everything- not just tile. There are many options for flooring, walls, lighting, counter tops and SO MUCH MORE. If you found this article helpful and would appreciate the design assistance from a professional Interior Designer, please click here for residential design assistance, and please click HERE for commercial Interior Design assistance. Thank you for reading this post. Have a wonderful day!  

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A beautiful array of Walker Zanger tiles via Walker Zanger on Pinterest.