Posts filed under Design + DIY

Travel and design, reunited!

Hello, strangers! Long time, no see!

Before we know it, it's already December, it almost feels like it's fall in Houston (ahem, rainy and below 75F :) and we have arrived at a great spot to share an update of all of our recent trips and the few updates we made to our home!

If you have been following Instagram, you may have noticed it has been a busy few months. In this short timeframe, we managed to travel to Gulf Shores (hello, pretty beaches), Miami (hello, posh beaches), Portland (green, green, green!), Seattle (rain...) and Vancouver (even more rain...)! And, in doing so, we have been experimenting with different ways of commemorating the places we visit... Because it seems we are rather nostalgic and sentimental when it comes to travel memories and pretty pictures just don't cut it :).

So, while browsing one of the many museum gift shops we visited (yup, we love these... sometimes better than the museums themselves!), we came across the above incredible novelty... A kind-of-a-globe! But so much better!

So... we started a thing:

This concoction of organic paper, fun watercolor markers (to shade the countries we have visited) and white calligraphy (to showcase the cities in each country we visited) seems to be just the perfect fit for chronicling our adventures! 

Some of our favorite spots for each city are shown below... And, with all good intentions, I do hope to be able to take you on a quick tour of each... In due time!

Portland

Seattle

Vancouver

And just because I really can't help but wanting to share... Other favorite outtakes from the trip! But, more on that later! :)

And... to finish off, there is one more, rather more indulgent and logistically challenging way of keeping up with our travels... Starbucks mugs!! Yes, we haul these from all over! In fact, I can recall carrying at least two of these beauties in my backpack on our way back from Vancouver! 

And, I have a suspicion we may be adding one more of these before year-end!! Let's hope we don't freeze in the process...

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Posted on December 4, 2016 by Katya Popova and filed under Design + DIY, Travel Diaries and tagged interior design globe travels travel diaries vacation.

Fall colors, the white way

There seems to be a running joke in this household.

"Sure, honey, you can choose any color you like.

As long as it's white." 

 

Yes, yes, white is quite abundant around here. But how can you blame us? First, there are an infinite versions of this color (and I am convinced that this household represents at least 94% of those). Second, it looks clean, bright and it forces you to get creative with texture so it's not a COMPLETE snooze.  

All that said, welcome to our version of fall decoration: a healthy amount of white and pale yellow gourds neatly (rather randomly) stacked in a glass container. It still feels like fall and it still fits this home. And, check out all those funky shapes and sizes! So much fun to put together and photograph! 

I think it's completely unnecessary for me tell you how easy this is to put this together (buy gourds varying in size, color and shape and insert into said glass container)... So instead, let's just thank Trader Joe's for their awesome and affordable decoration supplies and wish you one very happy Sunday!

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Katya Popova and filed under Design + DIY and tagged fall fall decor gourds thanksgiving in white white interior.

How I built my first terrarium!

This terrarium is a desperate attempt at adding some greenery to the house without running the risk of killing the plants! Because, as it turns out, a closed terrarium is supposed to be a self-sustaining ecosystem. Let's hope it lives... I will make sure to update you if it doesn't :). 

So this is how this project started... With a bunch of pretty clear containers, some plants, and a terrarium kit:

And, as it turns out, making a terrarium is rather easy:

STEP 1: River Rocks

STEP 2: Active Charcoal

STEP 3: Potting Soil

STEP 4: Soak your sheet moss and apply.

STEP 3: Plant your goodies.

And, lastly, cap it off and enjoy! 

Easy, breezy, and rather pretty!

Happy Sunday crafting, everyone!

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Katya Popova and filed under Design + DIY and tagged terrarium diy diy terrarium indoor plants.

On Instagram...

Welcome, welcome!! We have just enough time for a quick re-cap of the week... (John Oliver, we miss you. When do you get back on air??). Let's start with the important announcements. This week, this blogger starts her new job... also known as, Katya's new and improved career, 2.0! In seven words, I landed my dream job rather unexpectedly. In a few more words, as all things wonderful, this opportunity come around in a rather unplanned and uncalled-for manner! But more words on that interesting story shall come some other time.  

Meanwhile... Also this week, as a last hooray before meaning real business, we took another incredible trip to DC! This city doesn't cease to amaze. I have a feeling that having the best tour guide in the world helps though... Either way, it is beautiful out there! Which brings us to the main story of the week...

A new Instagram approach! Or simply put, allowing two distinct and rarely overlapping passions to grow and become their own thing! So without further adieu... Make sure to check out:

THE TRAVEL ADVENTURES

 @boutiquekaya

View fullsize While being quarantined, spring has sprung! #skies #clouds #summer #sunset #traveler #travelbug #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveling #naturephotography #naturelovers #naturelove #nature_perfection #travelphotographyoftheday #wanderlust #iphonep
View fullsize Not sure if it’s the weather, or this pandemic, but the serenity is undeniable...
View fullsize Came across this strange little #flower... does anyone know what it is?!? #skies #clouds #summer #sunset #traveler #travelbug #travelgram #travelersnotebook #traveling #naturephotography #naturelovers #naturelove #nature_perfection #travelphotography
View fullsize Looking for a fun #escape from #dc? Look no further. This place is incredibly charming. Rolling hills, great people, tasty food, and a short drive to Harrisburg. Yup!
View fullsize Overlooking the #stanleycup is this gorgeous #glass dome
View fullsize #Christmas decor in suspension
View fullsize I love it when old meets new in #architecture. What a stunning example!
View fullsize 😍
View fullsize But a #bright finish!
View fullsize A #grey start
View fullsize Hello, #canada
View fullsize A view from the #top of #toronto

THE DESIGN ADVENTURES

@kayainteriordesigns

View fullsize A rarely seen corner of the living room that I absolutely love. I had been dreaming about this @designwithinreach bookshelf for years. When it went on sale two years ago, we finally took the plunge. It’s been such an awesome, architectural addi
View fullsize #shelfie still life on display! So many special objects here... with every one of those having its history and meaning. From the letter board with our to-do with a newborn (what a great reminder) to the deer I refuse to put away, even if it’s 7
View fullsize Took advantage of my lunch break from teleworking to head to @traderjoes and pick up eggs and milk. Also bought cherry blossom stems 🤷🏻‍♀️
View fullsize Ready for a serious before and after?? What a difference 1.5 years can make. Paint, floors, and light fixtures make such a huge difference! Swipe! ➡️
View fullsize Also... I am not sure I ever shared little man’s room with you?? Well, let me fix that! 🤦🏻‍♀️
View fullsize Finally had a second to snap a daylight picture of our new #floors! Thank you, social distancing and daylight savings time! What a difference! Swipe ➡️ to see the before!! In love! 😍😍😍 Still left to do?? Adjust curtain height to new floors... and
View fullsize Morning #shelfie featuring me newest @worldmarket finds, including the left pot for less than $6! Also featured, a selection of favorite books and the @aclu_nationwide donation giveaway...a stress ball signed by the favorite Richard Schiff, aka Toby
View fullsize Good morning from this pretty light! Thank you, @traderjoes for the pretty (and affordable) florals 👌🏼 #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiordesigntips #designstudio #decor #decoration #scandinaviandesign #stylingtips #interiors #paint #paintj
View fullsize Also in #designnews... some unwelcome water damage from a nasty washing machine has its positives. Such as, getting new floors in the condo! Pretty sure we’re going with this #whiteoak floor. Swipe left 👈🏻 to compare it our current maple situ
View fullsize Weekends are for #organization, right? Is it just me, or does anyone else also find that incredibly relaxing? I think I’ve been following @thehomeedit too much 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 Thanks, @ikeausa for these bins. So darn cute! I’m also apparent
View fullsize I have been following one of my new favorite accounts @cassmakeshome and she just invited everyone to share their modern look... so here’s #mymodernlook!
View fullsize We’re ready for #christmas!

Traveling and design. Each now belonging to its rightful world, topic of interest and audience! Such a little definition change yet so exciting to announce! And it has already been a bit addicting... the ideas keep on coming and I can hardly contain them all! 

So what prompted the change? Well, it was becoming rather obvious that the original Kaya Instagram account was turning into a travel diary. No complaints here... None. At all! But that also made the few interior design shots I dared to share really seem out of place. And, after the (very) kind and generous encouragement of friends and family, a new avenue to share design ideas was born! 

So... I hope you check it out!! Content will be featured (as it is with this blog :), as often as humanly possible! Well, as often as possible for this human :).

And now that we have covered all things important, we are moving onto some other fascinating to-do's for an average Wednesday... Such as selecting medical and retirement plans :). Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Katya Popova and filed under Design + DIY, Travel Diaries and tagged life update instagram travel diaries weekend travel design.

Oh, hey, living room... And you thought you were done!

Another update to the living room! Because a home is never done. Well, at least this home is never really done - too many ideas, all competing for the little space available! 

So, the latest and greatest around here is this practical addition... Also known as, storage. Better yet, hidden storage! That also acts as a display for meaningful things that had no home before. Win/win!

I had been eying the IKEA's Besta series for a while. On Pinterest. In IKEA. Some more on Pinterest... But I never pulled the trigger for some reason. That is, until I voiced my idea, which was not only liked but rather enthusiastically embraced... Yes! All the encouragement I needed! Off to IKEA we went.

Here is what we came home with:

(x2) Besta Frames  (x4) Lappviken Doors  (x4) Besta Soft Closing Hinges  (x4) Nannarp Legs (x2) Blankett Pulls (not on the IKEA site but available in the store)

Some 2 hours later... and we had ourselves new, behind-doors storage for all sorts of unsightly things and convenient display for all things beautiful. What a great start for the week! 

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Katya Popova and filed under Design + DIY and tagged living room townhome houston townhome house tour IKEA besta Besta hack.

Let's talk Capri!

Oh, wait... that's not Capri now, is it? 

That, too, shall come! Promise! In the meantime, as I was looking through the archives, I realized that this blog is turning into a travel diary and travel diary alone. Not that I am complaining (not even one bit)... but I thought it was time to go back to the basics and talk a little bit about interior design! So.. without further adieu, did you notice that brand new living room?? Let's take an even closer look... (oh, hey, Rebel!). 

Goodbye, old and beloved sofa! You will be somewhat, but not really, missed. Welcome home, sweet, beautiful, lounge-ful, comfortable, big-enough-for-two-(maybe three, if you count Rebel) sectional! What a difference!

This amazing home addition is one of those fine moments of opportunistic shopping I tend to enjoy the most. But first... What inspired even wanting a new couch? Well, apparently, the old beloved sofa was just not good (big) enough for two to lounge on comfortably. As simple as that. So, after observing a few data points (aka a few uncomfortable nights of watching The West Wing), a decision was made. And this was the plan:

The biggest and baddest IKEA sectional available, plus a few (well, 16) custom legs from Etsy... plus a new coffee table. And, yep... Yet another testament as to how design plans usually don't work out quite as you expect them to! And so glad they didn't! Because, as we were walking through IKEA (a rather distraught-looking IKEA, by the way - they have a habit of constructing right when you need them not to!), we stumbled upon this perfection of an As-Is sectional! At half the originally planned-for budget! 

Now we can't seem to get unglued from it. We love it so much! It's perfect for reading, Netflix binging, napping, cuddling... you name it. Pure perfection.

With that said... let's get back to business - diversifying some of this blog content! As I was working through my Italy recaps, two more amazing trips happened: Orlando, FL and Washington, DC. Both of which are well worth the share (and not necessarily aiding in this diversification effort...:)

I am also in the middle of amping up my cooking and reading experiments. Also, Chewie got his portrait hung in the entryway. Not sure how he feels about it...

Oh well... He will surely warm up to it. Eventually. 

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Katya Popova and filed under Design + DIY and tagged houston townhome home tour home decor new sofa nockeby ikea.

Two quick updates... then back to GOT

It has been a while since my last post which is not to say I have not been busy. So I figured I'd share a quick update on the things that have kept me away from writing.

First... LET THERE BE LIGHT!

Remember when I added string lights? Well, their awesomeness made the rest of the patio seem rather drab and sort of creepy. So I got to work. See, when I did the big patio renovation 5 years ago, I installed some in-ground lights when everything was still in shambles. They were epic. And then I started losing them, one by one. Maybe it was the passing of time, the never-stopping water, the pesky ants, who knows... but those guys were clearly not meant to last.  Or so I thought...!

Ta-daah! A few new light bulbs, rearranging of the wires and one replaced unit later, my dark corner of the patio is now one glorious well-lit garden!

MEANWHILE... on the inside...

I was finally able to carve enough time to clean out my second bedroom/office. I joke you not, 7 large bags of donations later, I was left with one perfectly furnished room. Which begs the question... how did I accumulate 7 bags worth of donations? We do not need more space, ladies and gentlemen, we just need less stuff (one of my favorite TED talks, by the way). 

So these are my two quick updates... I do promise I am working on a few (real) posts for you though! Until then... happy Sunday! And now, back to Game of Thrones :). 

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Katya Popova and filed under Design + DIY and tagged patio lights office clean-out.