Minna Parikka’s Colorful Home is What Dreams Are Made Of

Minna Parikka, the amazing designer behind those adorable bunny sneakers you may have seen Kylie Jenner rocking, has an even more adorable home. Parikka has a space that’s uniquely her own. Instead of embracing the Scandinavian design aesthetic that dominates the homes of her native Helsinki, Parikka uses color in a way that creates the dreamiest space ever! Seriously, you guys. This woman’s style knows no limits. She stated in an interview with ElleDecor, “I wanted to create a home that looks 100% like me and that does not follow the usual Nordic home design. I wanted it to be fresh, fun, and adventurous, but still comfortable and functional,” says Parikka. “I love creating worlds that are filled with fantasy and escape from the mundane.”

There is nothing worse than a beautiful shoe that is impossible to wear or a unique home that makes every day more difficult”

One of my favorite details is the TV cabinet that is masqueraded as a piece of art. The illustration of Ziggy Stardust by the fabulous NY-London based illustrator duo Craig & Karl“

The furniture is made to order: the bed and the padded leather headboard wall, fitted closets, bedside tables and the window shutters. Not to mention the pink carpet or even the ceiling. The inspiration for the bedroom came from the totally pink Sketch restaurant in London.“

I love a sauna. It is the best way to relax after a long flight or day at work. It is common to have one in Finnish houses. It is the luxury of everyday life”

Interior Design Trends to Look For in 2018

Confession: My Christmas decorations are still up and I’m toying with the idea of just turning my place into a New Jersey-style restaurant to avoid taking them down. But with so much on the horizon in the world of interior design and home decor, I’m feeling inspired. There are so many cool ideas gaining popularity that I might have to get off my a– and pack this stuff up now. I haven’t made it a secret how much I love those Scandi, mid century modern, and minimalist styles. I’ve even learned ways to spice things up a bit with a Bohemian twist. Still, the lack of bold colors present in these design trends really gets to you after a while. Seriously, who doesn’t cheer for Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Macguire when all those beautiful colors start to wash over Pleasantville? Apparently, everybody cheers because 2018 is going to be all about color! Check it out!

2018 Interior Design Trends

Maximilism

Yeah. This is becoming a thing. Mixing contrasting patterns and prints, Maximilism, marks the moving away from the mininmalist and Scandinavian design aesthetic that’s been on trend for some time now. Be honest. Haven’t you been getting a little bored scrolling through Instagram and seeing all the uniform colors and patterns? Well, Maximilism is the antidote.

Cubism

Apart from the neutral color palette that’s dominated design, form and function has been super popular. We’ve been looking at sleek and functional designs in furniture and home decor for so long that sooner or later we knew there had to be some kind of backlash. Enter Cubism. Cubism celebrates the complexity of perspective. It’s like looking at one thing from many viewpoints all at the same time in one piece. I mean, I’m no art historian, but I’m pretty sure that when Picasso finished painting the Sistine Chapel, he was so excited that he accidentally cut his ear off. You gotta respect the art coming from a dude like that. This year, expect to see a lot of colorful wall hangings that are perfectly imperfect.

Ceramic

Subway tiles have been trending for what seems like forever, but this year expect to see something moodier, darker, and more dramatic in design. Handmade, painted tiles are going to take over kitchen backsplashes, while handmade ceramics will be a prominent feature on counter tops. Also, if subway tile has taught us anything, it’s that more grout = harder to clean. This year you’ll definitely see a trend toward bigger tiles.

There are so many exciting things abuzz with design, and I promise I’ll keep my ear to the ground for you guys. Check back with me often and be sure to follow me on Pinterest.

5 Thanksgiving Tablescapes That You’ll Adore

I’m awesome at cooking a meal for one or two people. Four people tops, but when you start getting into catering numbers like the 17 people that will be at my house for Thanksgiving, I pass the torch to my sister. The trade off is that I’m always in charge of decorating the dining room. Seems like a fair trade until you factor in how neurotic I am when it comes to staging the perfect table. There are so many things to consider. Color scheme, seating, floral arrangements. The list goes on.

I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. What I usually do to get inspired is I scour the internet for snapshots of beautiful tablescapes, and then I just recreate them in my own dining room, usually at a fraction of the cost thanks in large part to stores like Michael’s, Target, Thrift Stores, and even the Dollar Tree! I rounded up some of my favorite tablescapes so you can get inspired too! It’s not too late to create a beautiful and elegant Thanksgiving.

For more dining room inspiration, check out my Pinterest board Because Dining Rooms & Because Homewares

Scandinavian Design With a Bohemian Twist

My first love is definitely Scandinavian design. I love the muted colors. I love the simplicity. I absolutely love how practical, functional, and streamlined the furniture is. Most of all, I think, I love the lack of clutter. A place for everything and everything in it’s place, ya know? If I’m being completely honest, I’d have to say that I don’t mind bold colors or wacky furniture as long as there isn’t any kind of clutter. So how do you marry the sleek and functional with your inner bohemian?

Start with a Blank Slate

Paint your walls white. Before you get upset with me, just hear me out. White walls allow you to see your space in it’s natural state. This is a perfect situation if you live in a rental. You can add color in the furniture and the accent pieces you choose without having to paint and then repaint.

Layer Colors

Think of those white walls as a blank canvas. The colors you choose will really pop and create visual interest without compromising the overall streamline look of Scandinavian design. Try maintaining a simple color palette to unify the space.

Use Texture

Chunky knits paired with soft fabrics and jute rugs are really the unifying elements of both Scandinavian design and Bohemian design. To get started experimenting with texture, try draping your furniture with an interesting throw. Don’t fear the sheepskin, that’s all I’m saying.

Personalize the Space

Remember that awesome wood carving you got from that roadside shop in the middle of nowhere? Or that thrift store score? That funky lamp that nobody likes but you. You can put those items on full display! Create a beautiful mantel or a well thought out occassional table. The key is to keep your bohemian items from looking cluttered. Try to keep these items within the same color family and overall theme of your space.

Images: ElleDecor MyDomaine

If You Love Color, You’ll Love This California Farmhouse

Today is my parents’ 50th anniversary, y’all!!! So I’m gonna keep this post short and sweet so we can go celebrate. I’m just going to let these pictures speak for themselves. This California farmhouse design was inspired by a particularly colorful piece of wallpaper. The result is an amazingly cheerful space that’s making me re-think my love of Scandinavian design. See for yourself!