Living Room Progress

Today is the day! I'm flying to San Francisco today and starting my summer adventure there working on an exiting beauty app. Stay tuned for app updates in the coming months. I can't wait to share it with you all and get your feedback! We already have a jam-packed schedule starting the moment I get to SF which is exciting jumping right in! This weekend I'll be in LA for the Generation Beauty Event by Ipsy meeting tons of beauty bloggers (hello Michelle Phan!) and networking. Follow along on Instagram and Twitter for tons of photos. But before I fly out, I want to give you a look at the living room progress in my house in Iowa. I won't get to decorate the house for a few months while I'm gone, so I was running around like crazy trying to finish the main projects.

Hanging the floating shelves turned out to be a huge project that I didn't anticipate taking four hours. We got the wood cut at Home Depot and my boyfriend stained the boards. It was going so smoothly until we started drilling holes in the wall and hanging the shelves. We were drilling into sheet rock and the boards were literally ripping out of the wall the moment we put any pressure on it. So after a run to the hardware store, a desperate call to my dad, and three gaping (they are still visible) holes later, we finally securely hung the shelves. I knew it was important to hang heavy pieces in studs (the boards behind the sheet rock holding it up), but I never expected the shelves to cause a problem! Luckily, we were able to find the studs and shift the brackets securing the shelves accordingly. It's not a DIY project without a little madness.

We picked out the sectional and hairpin leg side table at Nebraska Furniture Mart. You probably recognize a lot of the decor from my previous studio apartment. Most of it transitioned perfectly into the new house without being too girly. The theme for the house overall is blue coastal. You can find my inspiration photos here. Painting the walls white was a given because I'm obsessed with light and bright spaces, and in order to incorporate my boyfriend's style I wanted to bring in some rustic elements. Nautical decor is popping up everywhere lately and I'm totally diggin it. Even though the house isn't a beach house, minor nautical elements like the striped baskets and wicker add a subtle touch. Since taking the photos we have hung white sheer curtains. I just need to add a little wall art, some final styling details, and the living room is complete!

I'll share the floating shelves and blue credenza tutorials later. I hope you all are having a wonderful week!

P.S. My bright and colorful office was featured on The Office Stylist yesterday, so head on over to check it out and read about the inspiration behind it!