Creating Insta-worthy Interiors
For most of us, when we move into our homes, our living room is a blank white box. Sure, some may have crown mouldings, and some may have original hardwood floors, but essentially we are all beginning with a blank slate. And therein lies the beauty! From an empty white living room, you can create your own oasis.
We’ve spotted three popular design styles that we’re seeing on Instagram—desert chic, modern farmhouse, and Scandinavian industrial. Each style begins with a white backdrop. So whether you’re moving into a new home, or simply need a room refresh, we’ve curated specific elements to help you replicate the look and create your own insta-worthy interior!
DESERT CHIC
This week we’ll delve into the dusty hues of desert chic. While the Mohave Desert of California may be thousands of miles away, all things desert are trending in interior design. Native prints, warm earth tones, succulents, and cacti are popping up everywhere, as seen at the groovy Amigo Motor Lodge in Salida, Colorado.
And spotted in this dreamy living room with touches of denim by Amanda Barnes Interiors, photographed by Alyssa Rosenheck.
Though the style has been gaining popularity over the last few years, it’s now reached the peak of main stream popularity. If you love the style as much as we do, you can bring a bit of that laid-back Joshua Tree vibe to your east coast living room…
WHITE PAINT
The ultimate backdrop. Give your walls a fresh coat of pure white paint in your favorite shade. Nest Broker’s #1 white paint choice is White Dove by Benjamin Moore.
PATTERNED RUG
Whether you’re staring with wooden floors or carpet, layering a large patterned rug will set the color scheme for the room. Go for warm reds, burnt oranges, and rich blacks and browns in a southwestern or native pattern, like this Veranda rug by Momeni, $299.00, rugs-direct.com.
LEATHER ELEMENTS & SHEEP SKIN THROWS
Touches of leather keep the look rugged and lived-in. Worn leather couches, butterfly chairs, and leather poufs are all great options. To up the comfort level, top with a faux sheepskin throw.
Stuffed Morrocan leather pouf, $119.00, etsy.com.
GREENERY
An abundance of greenery is key to nailing this look. Succulents, cacti, and unfortunately, plants that generally prefer an arid environment. In our humid climate, faux versions are a great option. We love the copper bands around these Cactus Arrangements in Concrete and Copper Pots, $7.99, kirklands.com.
World Market has a great selection of cacti ranging in size and price. Our favorite is the Faux Prickly Pear Cactus Plant, $199.99, worldmarket.com.
NATURAL ACCESSORIES
The desert is wild and untamed. Keep a bit of natural flair with antlers, cowhide rugs, and tree stump tables.
QUIRKY FINDS
To keep the look from being too cookie-cutter, scour local antique stores for quirky finds and vintage pieces that will add some character to your space. Think velvet Elvis paintings, tin cans, and sculptural vases.
CACTUS PRINTS
Veering on the edge of being too literal, when done right, a photograph of a moody desert landscape can set the tone. We love the selection at Jenny’s Print Shop. Some of our favorites are Desert Bloom, Blue Desert, and Agave.
MACRAME MOMENTS
No desert chic room would be complete without a touch of macrame. Yes, that macrame. Back in all its groovy glory, you’ll find wall hangings, plant hangers, and even reinterpreted in this Fela Tassel Chandelier by Justina Blakeney, $194.00, shop.jungalow.com.
PILLOWS
The icing on the cake is the pillows! Try native patterns in rich hues that pull from the color palette of your rug, or mud cloth prints in cool blues as seen in the Amanda Barnes room. One of our favorite desert chic sources, Tribe & True, has taken the guess work out by grouping three pillow covers together in their Casa Collection – Joshua Tree Diamond, $108.00, tribetrue.com.
