Tag: interior design

Take a Tour: Dark Horse

Last Monday, Angela and I decided to explore my old stomping grounds of Adams Avenue. My first apartment in San Diego was on Adams and it would be a nice neighborhood to move back to someday. Since I left, there have been a lot of great changes on Adams including restaurants and shops, the newest of which we stumbled upon–Dark Horse Coffee Roasters. They’ve only been open for two weeks!

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

The owner, Daniel, is congenial and very easy to talk to. Any feelings of intimidation that I normally have when visiting a hip new establishment vanished–I could tell he is dedicated to his quality coffee and the success of his store.

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

The most fabulous thing, to me, is that he DIYed the whole interior of the store himself. Being a design geek, I ate it all up. The wood-paneled wall, the coffee bar facing the window–the counter, everything was DIY. He was eager to share his secrets as well–he explained how he made the wood-paneled wall in a way that even a novice DIYer could feel confident replicating. The chalkboard paint trend was represented in a tasteful, limited, and totally functional way. And how awesome is his accent color of mint green on the counter? It totally keeps the place looking fresh, balancing out the earthy wood tones!

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

The narrow bar facing the window was a great way to maximize the limited square footage. In the space that would have accommodated just another 2-person round table, he managed to fit room for 4 seats–or a casual place to lean while waiting to order.

The branding was not only consistent but cost-effective. He has a few different rubber stamp designs, which he used to decorate the bar, the trim, bags, and even cups. By buying plain wares and customizing them himself, not only is a handcrafted feel created, but money is also saved. Think of the other businesses who can take a cue from this method!

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

You won’t find espresso offerings here–just craft coffee–but Daniel was friendly enough to explain the difference between a pour-over and a French press. I had a French press and Doug had a pour over–the flavor of both options was out of this world. Monday, I literally had the flavor in my mouth all day–the best cup of coffee I have ever had! I couldn’t wait to pop back in Wednesday to take these photos and get another cup!

If you’d like to go, the address is 3260 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA. For more info, follow Dark Horse on facebook!

Check out some of my other tours by clicking here! 

Me TOO!! (Blu Dot for Target)

How have I not heard a lot of internet buzz or hubbub about the Blu Dot collaboration with Target, “TOO,” that came out online a few months ago? I am in love with some of these pieces! Given how beloved Blu Dot is is with the interior design crowd (especially the Strut table and the Real Good Chair) I would have thought this would’ve come across my radar by now.

I happened across the line while searching for dining chairs on Target.com… which is the kind of thing I do regardless of whether I have the money to buy them or not… what can I say? Online window shopping is definitely a hobby of mine.

Truthfully, I have been socking away some money for a big furniture purchase in the near future, the problem is that I’m mega torn between so many priorities. Bed & headboard versus new couch, versus media/entertainment unit… etc. The wish list goes on, unfortunately.

Naturally, after living here for almost 4 months (has it been that long already?) I’m thinking it’s time for a big fat shakeup of the furniture around the apartment. The first step might be the addition of a new (old) glass and chrome dining table from my parents’ garage… the possibility of this which means I will be in the market for new dining chairs. The wood dining table we got for free from my aunt is simply too cramped. It is a 4′ circle but only holds four chairs due to the leg placement. I think I would like something that can fit four comfortably and six in a pinch.

Anyway, along with a new (old) table would have to be new chairs. I love the look of these and think they would look awesome with the glass/chrome table… but I hesitate because I don’t want things to be “too modern.” Perhaps for someone who was more willing to commit to the totally modern look. I prefer the chartreuse ones (still such an “in” color!) but Doug leans toward the practical gray version.

TOO Blu Dot for Target

My second favorite selection from the TOO line is this funky media unit. According to the reviews, it comes with this fun yellow door, or a grey-brown alternate. Additionally, the reviews note that this is a great little piece of furniture–IF the package is treated with care during shipping. :/

TOO Blu Dot for Target

I’ve had media units on the brain for the past, um, four years and have yet to commit to one. The cheap ones are too generic and the ones I really like are out of my price range. The hunt continiues…

Below are some more favorites from the TOO line.

TOO Blu Dot for Target

1. Take A Seat pillow – love the blunt welcoming statement.
2. “Time” lounge chair – an awesome contrasting statement piece to pair with a solid colored sofa.
3. Daisy accent table – the wood and red combo would look good next to a sofa, as a bedside table, or as a plant stand… really this table could be used for anything!

Unfortunately the line is all online-only which bums me out because I like to see stuff in person before I buy. Still, I think a lot of this has some awesome potential for someone looking to inject some modern, punchy pieces into their living space for a fraction of the price!

Go ahead, check out the whole collection. What do you think?

Bohemian Direction

I got a great question (from my mom) in the comment section on last week’s State of the Home post.

What kind of vibe are you going for in the new place? Will you keep the eclectic mid-century/urban look, or go for something else?

It has been a real head-scratcher as to why I can’t seem to catch my last place’s mojo and infuse it into the new place. I have the same furniture and the last place had all white walls. Should be easy to translate to an all-white apartment, right?

Wrong.

I know I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. We just moved in three weeks ago? Anyway I was trying to put my finger on it and I realized a few things.

  1. The old place was oozing architectural details–the fireplace, vaulted ceilings, arched doorways, to name a few.
  2. The old place was broken up in a much more chunky way.
  3. With lots more windows (see #1) there was more opportunity for texture- like lots of different curtains and the bamboo shades.
  4. While I thought the last place was dark (and it was compared to our light-soaked loft apt) this place is even darker! In order to put a positive spin on it, I’m going to call it “moody.”

Instead of clinging to the light and airy eclectic-meets-mid-century-mod feel of the old place (what a mouthful!), I think I need to make a slight shift to the bohemian side of things. Obviously I can’t just ditch all the existing furniture, but I can reuse items in ways that seem more laid-back and incorporate more fabrics–getting more creative than just curtains on windows to add texture, and bring in more aged objects (maps, etc). I live in California now, after all, I should be able to find tons of old hippie cast-offs at area thrift stores.

Naturally, I turned to Pinterest for inspiration. I have written before about my technique. I do not look for inspiration by searching Pinterest for a key word, nor do I look at old pins, but I look at what I have pinned in the past and what images I am still drawn to even now, a few months or even a year later.

I have a bright white dresser acting as buffet/sideboard–it is the first thing one sees when entering the apartment. Gotta soften that corner somehow. I also have three bright white bookcases now (post coming on those soon!). So the place is leaning a bit towards “mod” at the moment and I need to lean it back toward “boho.” There: a goal has been set.

Images: Please click through for the full tours and much more!

  1. Giovan & Chloe’s Handmade Honeymoon Home on Apartment Therapy
  2. Tommy & Todd’s Bohemian Chic Collection on Apartment Therapy
  3. Michael’s Masculine & Modern Open Studio on Apartment Therapy
  4. Justina Blakeney’s Bohemian Bedroom <$1000 
  5. A room Julianne Moore decorated, photo linked by Emily Henderson

So, in conclusion: 

  • I’m going to fill up the walls.
  • I’m going to find some kind of awesome brass accent.
  • I’m going to dial down the colors a bit from bright to muted.
  • I’m going to hang way more curtains than necessary.
  • I’m going to layer rugs on top of carpet.
  • I’m going to get a plant and try to keep it alive!
  • I’m going to make the open layout work for me not against me!

And with that, I have created myself a compass to look at while making decisions! Do you have a decor compass you use when you’re stumped?