August turned out to be a hectic but joyous month as my family celebrated the wedding of my younger sister and her husband. She and my brother-in-law had a small but intimate wedding. Weeks before their wedding, I had the honor of working with them to design their one-bedroom and living room apartment in a style and color palette they would both love.

Bedroom Before – 

My brother-in-law lived in this apartment for a few years when they decided to live here after their wedding.

Bedroom After – 

I wanted to create a feeling of coziness with a hotel room vibe. Every time they walk into their bedroom, I want them to feel like they just checked into a hotel room with their personal touch.

Bed & Bedding – 

They shopped and picked out this beautiful bed and nightstands from Ashleys Furniture. The bedding is all from Casaluna, one of my favorite Target bedding lines. I made the bed in layers using this quilt and comforter which made the bed feel cozy. I love layering because it makes the bed look super comfy and fluffy.

We kept the white paint on the walls and brought greens, blush, beige, and yellows into the room using pillows, lamps, and curtains.

Living room Before – 

Living room After – 

One thing the couple wished for their living room design was for it not to look cookie cutter. So I went for a bohemian but cozy style. I brought in the same yellow color tones from their bedroom into the living room to create cohesiveness as these rooms are right next to one another.

We hung these beautiful handmade artworks from South Africa and Senegal.

We utilized this large wall by hanging the TV and adding these two 20×20 matted gallery frames to accent the TV and table.

The living room is the first formal area you see when you walk into their home. I wanted to create a feeling like you walked into a cultured space and not in the sense of Somali culture. But a room that has a vibe full of life, meaning, and memory. I believe we accomplished this by mixing African art, the colors and patterns of the carpet and pillows, plants, books, and natural light.

Happy that I could do this makeover for my sister and brother-in-law. It was fun getting to know my brother-in-law through this design experience. We all laughed A LOT while working together. I am so happy for them to start this chapter of their life in their new home.