#SalaganHome Guest Bedroom/Office: Part 1

Well, we're officially in our new home and things are moving fast! I feel like the month of March just whizzed right by us, as we spent most of our nights and weekends slowly moving our stuff over to the new house. It's been a very tiring few weeks.

While we have big plans for all of the rooms, the first space we had to tackle was the Guest Bedroom / my home office. Our twins will be here before we know it and we will have a lot of guests coming in from Windsor - so this room was first on our list!

I was immediately inspired by THIS post by Jillian Harris and knew this was the direction I wanted to go in terms of design. The airiness of this space, the metal framed bed, the fresh white linens - I wanted to basically duplicate this room.

Knowing that this room also has to double as my home office, I have to get creative with the floor plan. Considering this is what I do for a living, this will hardly be a challenge. I am more excited to have actual windows in my working space now!

The empty space - look at all of that LIGHT! 

We already have a double mattress & frame but were in need of a headboard & footboard. I started to look online and while I found some pretty affordable options (like THIS one & THIS one!), I knew I could find one cheaper secondhand. I scoured Kijiji and LetGo for weeks until I found the one. A very random find in Blenheim, Ontario!

A little matte black spray paint & I'll have the look for $30!! I live for a good deal.

I picked up THIS bedding from Ikea - something fresh & airy and easy to wash, which will pair nicely with THESE pillows from Tonic Living. You can never go wrong with classic black & white ticking!

So there's a little update on our Guest Bedroom / Office. I'm so looking forward to seeing how everything will come together - stay tuned for more updates as I'm going to document as much as I can throughout this move. Make sure to follow me on Instagram to see all of the behind the scenes as well :)

Thanks for reading!

xo

L.

LIFE AS A FREELANCER

I’ve been fortunate enough to run my own business as a freelance Designer since 2013. Never in a million years did I think that this is what I would be doing, but I’m so glad that I am! I didn’t expect to be working for myself so quickly when I first moved to Toronto, but I instantly learned that being a freelancer is the new normal here. In just 3 short years I’ve been able to work for several talented Designers within the GTA.

I’ve created this list of my best tips on how to succeed, flourish as a small business owner and gain a slew of new clients!

1. Create your business identity – I know it’s such a cliche thing to say, but understanding your identity before you venture off is crucial for your business. Who are you? What is your business? What do you stand for? What types of services can you provide? These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself as a business owner. Once you’ve established your identity, make your presence known through the use of social media & networking to get your name out there.

2. Charge what you’re worth – Freelancers either charge what they’re worth or they don’t. Most often, they don’t. When you’re first starting out, it’s difficult to gauge your worth. This knowledge comes with experience, talent and exposure. Once you establish yourself and are confident in your talent, re-evaluate your rates & charge accordingly. There is absolutely nothing wrong with increasing your rates every year or so, as long as you have the talent & knowledge to back it up.

3. The Power of ‘No’ – If you are far too busy for another client at the moment, it is completely ok to tell people ‘No’. This was very hard for me to do the first couple of years. Naturally, I’m a people-pleaser. And when your name is on the line, you don’t want to disappoint your clients. However, it’s not healthy to burn yourself out. So if you have too much on your plate, take a step back and prioritize your clients & take on the jobs you feel best reflect you and your brand.

4. Social Media Social Media Social Media! – Using social media can connect you to potential clients and partners within your community. I cannot tell you the amount of Designers who have personally messaged me on Instagram looking for assistance with miscellaneous design work. Post photos of your work, use tons of hashtags and tag your clients. Businesses, especially Interior Designers use social media every day to showcase their work, so use all platforms to get your name out there!

5. Plan your days ahead – I spend my Monday mornings planning for the week ahead. I check all emails from the weekend, look at projects that require immediate attention and schedule any meetings throughout the week. Carving that time out every week keeps me sane, and allows me to take control of my schedule. While planning, I make sure I balance my time evenly between all of my clients so everyone is happy.

SPOTTED: DALMATIAN PRINT

Dalmatian print is a trend that I’m seeing more and more everyday, in both Fashion & Home Decor. And I have to say, the more I see it, the more I love it! It’s fun, a little unexpected and adds the perfect pop of pattern to even the simplest room. It’s definitely a pattern that makes a statement, and lends itself to many different colour palettes.

I’m going to make the bold statement here and say that Dalmatian print is here to stay!

1. Paul Smith Dalmatian Print Slip Ons  2. Tonic Living Dalmatian Spot Pillow Cover   3. Hello Ginger XO Gold Foil Dalmatian Print   4. Oversized Dalmatian Spot Clutch  5. H&M Pattern Satin Blouse

Below are some more spaces where dalmatian print was spotted!

Classy Clutter offers temporary decals in dalmatian print, which allows you to decide how many spots you’d like on your walls! Perfect for the control freaks!

Pattern play! Loving this subtle hint of dalmatian, mixed with botanical florals &  modern stripes! Photo cred: Makeup by TiffanyD

Are you a fan of Dalmatian print? Comment below & let me know if you think this is a trend that will stick around!

xo

L.