LAUREN LOUISE DESIGN

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Round Up

ROUND UP: STUDIO McGEE FOR TARGET

Best of, Round UpLauren BraudComment
Title Image from Target.com

Title Image from Target.com

I don’t know about y’all but I have been spending SO LITTLE money during quarantine. We’re not going out to eat or for cocktails, we’re being super smart with our groceries, we’re not traveling, and I’m not taking trips to Target full of mindless…er necessary…shopping. Until now. Well ok, I’m going to be putting all this in a virtual cart because Studio McGee just launched a line for Threshold at Target TODAY Saturday April 4. I can’t think of better news.

Heres to hoping everything I want doesn’t sell out as soon as it hits those virtual shelves. Personally I’m going to need that limestone knot and that beautiful candle, and I think my airbnb project needs a couple of those sweet rattan and metal stools as a coffee table. And don’t get me started on the art!

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I’d love to hear from you: what your favorite piece? Whats in your cart? Did something you love sell out super fast?

Please know that our hearts are with everyone affected by the current crisis. Everyone needs something different - internal reflection, constant news, and sometimes we’re just looking for a little escape. I hope this post can provide the latter for you while helping me with a fun and creative outlet that also supports my small business.

This post contains affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission if you end up purchasing, at no extra cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

ROUND UP: FAVORITE SOFAS

Round UpLauren BraudComment
Title Image Via Lark & Linen

Title Image Via Lark & Linen

This post contains affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission if you end up purchasing, at no extra cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Day 5(?) of Corona Virus quarantine and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been spending a LOT of time on your sofa. With my hubs having taken over our home office, I’ve been spending a ton of time on my sofa - my twenty year old, lumpy, dated, worn out sofa. The sofa we have currently was a hand-me-down from my grandma - it’s SO comfortable and well constructed and a neutral color. When I was in apartments I justified keeping it by saying that I didn’t want to buy a sofa until I bought a house. If I was going to spend some money on a sofa I wanted it to be purchased for a space I would be in for a long time. We are going on our third year in our home and it’s seriously time to get a new couch. Being quarantined on it just sealed the deal in my mind.

I’ve decided to take you virtually shopping with me. What I’ve collected are a handful of my favorite sofas from around the web. Many of these come in a variety of great colors, and I’ve noted below which ones are beautiful as sectionals too. Just because I can’t fit a sectional in my tiny living room, doesn’t mean you should go without.

Arlen Sofa

I LOVE the look of this one, so comfy and relaxed - I’m just worried my room is too small for this skirted beauty. I like the idea of being able to see the flooring continue under the sofa to extend the size of my space. None the less, the relaxed linen is calling to me.

Amhearst Sofa

Would you believe this one is only $500?! It’s a great budget option, and I have sat on it in store - super comfy. It also comes in Navy and is really nice as a sectional. I feel like this sofa looks a little small in photos, but I think it’s probably the proportions. It is 83” long with 22” deep seat. Really generous.

Barton Sofa

This was my frontrunner for a long time. I love the plinth base and that you can select from several different wood finishes. I’m also a big fan of the bench cushion. I find that single cushions encourage a few more people to sit on the sofa when there is company because no one has to deal with a crack! My only issue is the arms are maybe a little narrow for my liking. Serena and Lily has fabulous performance fabrics (hello Perennials) that can really take a beating though. This sofa is a forever sofa.

Emmy Sofa

Another sofa I fell in love with in person (and another one that is perfection as a sectional too). This Design Within Reach stunner has a slightly curved back and a modern take on a plinth base. Not the cheapest by any means, but I wonderful investment piece for your home. Particularly if you will be floating your sofa in the room.

Maxwell Sofa

Would I be buying this one in green? Not for this house. Is it amazing in green? Absolutely. So amazing I chose to share the green version with you. Many of these sofas come in a TON of color options. You don’t have to stick to white (although, I think keeping your large pieces neutral & classically shaped helps them stand the test of time as tastes change.)

Cami Sofa

Another more modern take on a plinth base, this time in black metal. I have always thought the arm cushions that extend past the seat cushions is a chic detail. Again we have a bench cushion - great for loading all your friends and family onto one couch. In my case a bench cushion makes the most of what little space I have for seating. When this quarantine lifts you bet I would have EVERYONE over to sit on my new couch.

Brynn Sofa

This is the real steal of the bunch. At just $875 (and I’ve seen it as much as $200 less. World Market loves a sale.) this skirted sofa is beautiful and looks MUCH more high end than it’s price point.


Ok, so what if you love your sofa, or arn’t ready to pull the trigger on what is really one of the most expensive pieces of furniture in your home? PILLOWS! I’ve rounded up some favorites - again at a bunch of price points - that you can mix and match for a whole new look at a fraction of the cost. I think each one of these would look good with a mix of any of the others.

Top Row: 1 | 2 | 3 Second Row: 1 | 2 | 3 Third Row: 1 | 2 | 3 Fourth Row: 1 | 2 | 3 Fifth Row: 1 | 2 | 3

Top Row: 1 | 2 | 3 Second Row: 1 | 2 | 3 Third Row: 1 | 2 | 3 Fourth Row: 1 | 2 | 3 Fifth Row: 1 | 2 | 3

ROUND UP: HEARTH AND HAND’S FIRST COLLECTION

Shopping, Round UpLauren BraudComment
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UPDATE: This post was originally written at the launch of Hearth and Hand for Target. Many of the items are no longer available but head to my pinterest for more of my favorite items for the home!

I'll admit I was hesitant the check out Hearth and Hand - the new collection from Chip and Joanna Gaines' that launched at Target earlier this week. I don't really need anything and our tiny apartment is SO overcrowded as is, but then oops I was in Target making a return, I clearly blacked out, and woke up with 3 ceramic houses in my cart. We've all been there. So, why not share some of my favorite pieces from the collection so you can make the same wonderful mistakes I did? Now, I've heard some complaints about the monochromatic feel of the collection but isn't that so inline with Joanna's signature style? This collection is edited, simple, and just the essentials. The handmade, natural feel is completely on trend and no one but Joanna could have created a successful, budget friendly version of the California-cool minimalism that has taken instagram and pinterest by storm.

What I'm Loving:

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I think the entire dinnerware collection is magical - I love the organic hand-moulded look of these pieces. The incorporation of black throughout the collection is refreshing; with the overabundance of bright white interiors these days a few moments of black help to anchor a space. The vases are all amazing, particularly the metal boxes that include a grate on the inside to help support the florals (which are now sold out, boo), making arranging a breeze. Now, I've seen the smoked glassware trend a few places this season and these pretty glass vases are spot on. These oversized glass vases would be gorgeous used as hurricanes with a big pillar candle (or a couple) inside on a front stoop or on your patio! (IRL NOTE : I tried to put candles inside the vases at Target today: the openings are too small! You would need skinnier-than-normal pillars - I still think it would be really pretty so if you DO try this let me know.) I wish I had wood floors because this tree skirt is fabulous (just not on my beige carpet, sigh, one day). I should have put those pot holders on my "I'm going to buy" list because the more I look at them the more I need them in my kitchen. Striped? Leather details? Yes and yes. Finally this log storage house is hands down my favorite piece in the collection. I wish I had more reasons to keep firewood around the house here in Southern Texas. 

What I'm Buying:

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This sweet little black house budvase will live on my desk at work. Same with this handmade-look mug for pens and such (any excuse to buy a new mug). I may really need this tote. This sweet little brass bell door hanger was the very first thing I bought - it makes the prettiest sound (and I've hung a similar-to-this looking wreath from a past Threshold Christmas collection on it. And yes I already hung up my Christmas wreath. What?) Oh and those salt and pepper shakers somehow jumped into my cart too. They'd make a perfect little stocking stuffer or hostess gift.

I know I left out almost all the Christmas stuff. That part of the collection just didn't do it for me, but that may have been because I already have way too much Christmas decor. If I was starting from scratch I might be more inclined to buy some. The bags and wrapping are fun but in the end skewed too rustic for me. Overall the collection is very Pottery Barn-esque, but at a far better price point. Now it's your turn! What are your favorite pieces? What are you CRUSHED already sold out?