Outdoor Hygge Balcony Makeover: One Room Challenge (Week 1)

I am both excited & anxious because never have an ever participated in the One Room Challenge! To be honest, every time it came across my radar I would think to myself, "One day I'd love to do that!" REALLY thinking, "One day when I own a house I'd love to do that."

While you can't knock down walls or swap out fixtures, there is a lot you can do to makeover your rental, transforming it into something that is uniquely you!

So when this One Room Challenge came around I said that there is absolutely no reason I can't participate!

I was already prepping to do different refreshes throughout our condo, with the balcony being my main focus for the spring, so that we could truly take advantage of having this outdoor area.

While I don't know that I'll be able to do everything I'd like, I think I've set some pretty attainable goals & I am excited for the next 6 weeks!

Easy IKEA Hack & Upcycle: Nesna Nightstand Transformation

About a year ago, we bought this nightstand/side table from IKEA -- the Nesna -- with the sole intention of using it as our outdoor side table.

Unfortunately, within the past year, I can count on one hand how many times we cleaned the table *hangs head in shame* or really tended to it at all. It stayed pretty neglected and it was definitely starting to show.

With some grey wood stain and frosted contact paper, I was able to transform this table into something that could still be useful in our home.

Once I'm done tackling the bathroom, I cannot wait to turn my attention to the balcony, new table & all!

Good (and effective) design isn't always about buying the latest & greatest, but instead assessing your needs & taking inventory of what you already have.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsMarch 9, 2018ikea, diy, bathroom, youtube, design therapy, reversible design

Rental Bathroom Refresh Update: Grey Paint & Gold Decor

I'm back in the bathroom!

In my last refresh update, I shared how I used stylish storage solutions, budget-friendly DIY, and creative design to transform my boring, beige bathroom into something more spa-like, tranquil, and Hygge inspired.

I felt great to see that transformation start to take shape but here's the thing:

THE BATHROOM WAS STILL BEIGE!

I was totally in love with the updates, especially considering how pragmatic & affordable they were, but I knew there was something I needed to tackle or I'd never be satisfied -- THE WALLS!

Valentine's Day Date Night Tablescaping

It’s that wonderful time of year where getting a restaurant reservation is harder than trying to get a toddler to bed on time.

I’ve never been one to “celebrate” Valentine’s Day for a myriad of reasons but especially because of the crowds — everyone’s outside with their red dresses, red ties, and red roses clamoring for a spot at a “romantic” restaurant.

How is yelling over dozens of other patrons just for a glass of over even remotely romantic?!

Call me old fashioned but I’d much rather celebrate my love in the quiet, intimate setting of my home. There’s no wait time, no mandatory gratuity, and no dress code.

So this year, whether you’re “celebrating” with your significant other over a candlelit dinner or with your fav besties over a casual brunch, I challenge you to trade in the public fanfare for an at home meal... and that starts with fabulous tablescaping!

Easy Rental Bathroom Refresh: Budget Friendly & Reversible Upgrades

During the holidays I began working on refreshing our condo rental bathroom, to take it from dated & dull to feeling tranquil, spa-like, and Hygge inspired. While still a work in progress, check out my progress so far with stylish storage solutions, budget-friendly DIYs, and creative design.

Creative Therapy Office "Breath of Color" Transformation

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsJanuary 27, 2018home office, workspace, youtube, wallpaper, the design network, creative entrepreneurs, design therapy, self care, edesign, renderings

Casual Glam Beauty Room & Home Office

This makeup artist was inspired by some of YouTube's biggest gurus, Tati Westbrook & Desi Perkins, to convert her "bonus room" into a beauty room & home office.

After watching my first beauty room e-design, she reached out & I was so excited to collaborate with her to create her beauty dreamscape.

This design was everything I love about online design -- collaborating with someone fun & creative, designing remotely with someone I'd otherwise NEVER meet, and most importantly, LITERALLY transforming a room & a life.

Home Gym Haven 3D Design Tour

This full time tech engineer is the definition of a "techpreneur", balancing a traditional job outside of the home, in addition to his full time "hustle". Recently adding real estate to his resume, it is no wonder he hasn't had time to tend to his own home.

We worked together to transform a spare bedroom into a functional yet relaxing home gym retreat area, using metal accents & dark tones in combination with pragmatic, yet tasteful furnishings.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsDecember 11, 2017gym, creative entrepreneurs, favorites, youtube, edesign, renderings, my home, shopping

Beverage Bar Basics: Holiday Edition

Tis' the season for cozy nights & warm beverages -- tis' the Hygge way! And nothing is more Hygge for the holiday season than a warm beverage -- whether you're a hot cocoa drinker, coffee lover, or tea enthusiast.

As I finally pulled together my very first holiday-inspired "coffee corner" I decided to share with you some of my tried & true tips for creating your very own at home cafe.

How to Redesign & Decorate on a Budget

It's the time of year for lots of hosting & entertaining, so naturally you want your place to look the best it possibly could. I know lots of people who take this opportunity to finally work oh home upgrades, not only for guests, but also to start the year off with a fresh look!

But what do you do if you don't have the budget (or desire) for a complete design overhaul because you're buying gifts & things for the holiday season?

Sophisticated Yet Casual Living Room

Look BookAlbie KnowsNovember 8, 2017client photos, moving, youtube, color, nyc living, edesign, renderings, my home, reversible designComment

How To Fit 3 People In a New York City Studio

New York City living is practically synonymous with small space living, so whenever I tell people that we used to live in a NYC studio apartment, in the heart of Manhattan no less, the expressions on their faces tend to alternate between amazement, confusion, and pity. But for 16 months, my husband, daughter, and I all comfortable fit in our c. 500 sq. ft. studio.

Vibe Check, Look BookAlbie KnowsNovember 7, 2017west coast transplant, moving, nyc living, mompreneur, small spacesComment

Charming Modern Kitchen

I love working on projects where the client knows early on what they want for the simple fact that it feels more like a collaboration than a job; and this remodel was, from start to finish, an awesome collaboration! She had a great vision in mind for updated their kitchen. We weren't making any changes to the actual foot print -- this was all cosmetic, and all fun.

The initial mood board was inspired by their style, as well as the style of the house, since th the kitchen is part of an open concept floor plan.

Look BookAlbie KnowsOctober 10, 2017kitchen, renovation, youtube, west coast transplant, nyc living, edesign, renderings, mompreneur, shoppingComment

Outdoor Space & Patio Refresh

The client was looking for help with layout and furniture selection for the outdoor patio; and hoping to incorporate an eating area, with some casual seating if possible.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 21, 2017outdoor, summertime, west coast transplant, dining room, youtube, nyc living, edesign, shoppingComment

5 Tips For Decorating a Rental

Whenever the debate of renting versus owning comes up, one of the biggest points of differentiation is how much you can do with your home -- home owners LOVE to remind renters of what they can't do to elevate the design in their rental. As a lifelong renter, I promise you there are so many options available to you, if you know where to look. Good interior design isn't limited to home renovations, so let's talk about 5 quick and easy ways you can step it up in your rental.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 17, 2017lighting, wallpaper, shopping, reversible designComment

New York City To Hong Kong Living Room & Home Office (Guest Bedroom) Design

One of the biggest reasons I began to really started doing online design was the fact that I'd be able to reach people I'd otherwise never have access to and in the past year, I've worked on so many projects throughout the country. When I initially got the brief for this project, I read their location -- NYC -- and said, "Oh cool, someone from back home" (because I'm geeky & weird like that); silly me for thinking that's where the design was actually located...

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 14, 2017international design, nyc living, edesign, small spacesComment

Organic Glam Dining Room 2D & 3D Design

Working on this dining room, from beginning to end, definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone & challenged me because I hadn't necessarily encountered a client with this aesthetic before... much less 2.

What was a design that I'd originally intended to submit for a 3rd party project bid -- but didn't -- turned out being the exact inspiration someone else needed, helping them arrive at their exact style & aesthetic.

Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 7, 2017dining room, youtube, nyc living, edesign, mompreneur, small spaces, shoppingComment

Cozy Chic Beauty Room 3D Design

There are YouTube "beauty gurus" have built brands from sharing their wealth of makeup knowledge and although that isn't my particular jam, I am here for ALL OF IT. So when this next client reached out to me to create their beauty room, to help grow their brand, I'm not ashamed to say I squealed with excitement.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsJuly 31, 2017youtube, beauty room, nyc living, edesign, small spacesComment

How I Created My First Home Office Back in New York City

Aside from needing a place for work, working from home with a newborn baby, I needed some semblance of order and normalcy, and a work space was critical in creating that. I see this come up A LOT where entrepreneurs, especially, get it in their head that they need huge amount of space or a dedicated room for their office. Add a child to that equation, and the thinking is that any additional space should be for the tots, as though wanting that spapce for yourself makes you selfish. Lies & fibulations!

Look BookAlbie KnowsJuly 20, 2017home officeComment

Welcome to The Journal

A cozy collection of stories, reflections, and inspiration for creating a life (and space) you love — one quiet moment at a time. Brew a cup, get comfortable, and stay awhile.

I'm back in the bathroom!

THE BATHROOM WAS STILL BEIGE!

After watching my first beauty room e-design, she reached out & I was so excited to collaborate with her to create her beauty dreamscape.

But what do you do if you don't have the budget (or desire) for a complete design overhaul because you're buying gifts & things for the holiday season?