3 brooklyn inspired

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! I had a ball catching up with family and friends in North Carolina - but I had Brooklyn on my mind the entire time! I actually ran into a few of my friends who have relocated to Brooklyn and love it there, and talking with them about it reminded me of the fabulous new collection from Aphro Chic! Jeanine collaborated with illustrator Samantha Hahn to create a beautiful assortment of home accessories including pillows, table top decor & even a shower curtain. All of it features beautiful watercolor illustrations depicting the good life in Brooklyn. They did an awesome job capturing the spirit of the BK, which inspired me! I decided to create a design board based around my favorite piece in the collection.

The design board below features the "Brooklyn Life Indoor" pillow from AphroChic and products from CB2, Urban Outfitters, Pottery Barn and more.



DETAILS: Lamp, Rug, Mirrors, Pillow, Drapes, Side Table.

Need some inspiration to get a space in your home up to par? Contact me today to have a custom design board done, complete with where to by and installation instructions starting at only $150!

2 all black everything

Powder room. Half Bath. Whatever you call it... why not make it dramatic? I love the idea of a surprisingly chic bathroom.


Play with geometry with this stunning mirror on top of a cubic print wallpaper. Enhance the small space by adding a chair rail with high gloss black paint. And most importantly, choose a toilet beautiful enough to scare away any of those god-awful toilet rugs.

This design features products from Graham & Brown, Home Depot, Jonathan Adler & Horchow.

Have a space that's longing for some TLC? Contact me if you would like a design board tailored to your taste & fit for your budget!

10 sneak peek + painting tips

So you may be wondering how my paint job came out a couple weeks ago since I said I'd reveal the finished product. But, I decided to withhold revealing the whole room until it's all done! The above photo is a little sneak peek of what's to come. The starburst clock is a vintage hand-me-down from my mom's aunt, and one of my favorite things. The clock doesn't actually work, but it's stunning! I can't believe how well it's kept up over probably 60 years...

When I was choosing the color for our living room, I kept this piece in mind. The idea was to choose a color that would create a nice contrast with the saturated gold of the clock to really make it a focal point. I think the blue I chose does this nicely!


Here are some painting tips for those thinking of doing a little painting themselves!


Tip 0.1) Don't make a mess like we did!



1) "Light & Long".Whether you're using a roller or a brush, you want to make sure your strokes are light & long. They should be light in the sense that you are not pressing too hard on the surface, and as long as possible to avoid short choppy lines.

2) Pay attention to your brush! There is a thin line between just the right about of paint and too much paint on your brush or roller. Too little can leave your painting streaky and you'll know you don't have enough because you'll start to press too hard. Remember, light & long! Also, watch to make sure no paint is dripping from your brush/roller; that means you have too much.

3) Use your tools wisely. I love to use the Shur-Line Edging pads to save time on taping everything, but they still aren't error proof! Use whatever helpful tools you can, but it doesn't substitute for good ol' patience and precision.


4) The color will dry lighter. Don't freak out if once you start painting the color looks darker than your paint swatch. It will dry lighter! The important thing is to make sure you're painting a nice even coat. Most quality paints don't require a second coat if you do a great first coat (except for select colors).

5) Have fun with it! Paint is amazing in that it can create a dramatic impact but is 100% temporary. Although nobody wants to waste their time and effort on a paint job gone bad, any mistakes you make while painting are totally fixable. Just take the necessary precautions to protect other surfaces and go for it! Have a ball! Want to try a cool pattern with a stencil? Faux finish an accent wall? Nothing should stop you from trying; you can always paint over it!

I hope these tips inspire you to do a little painting of your own. Have you painted in your home recently? I'd love to hear about your project!

All photos by A. Burton

6 midtown condo living

Hope you all had a fab weekend and beat the heat! On Friday I mentioned that I am now working with a client to redesign his midtown condo living room. I'm so excited to start working with him because he has a beautiful space that deserves to be dressed in the best possible way!


Here is what the layout is like now...



And I did a preliminary sketch over a photograph of the space. This photo does not do the view from his balcony any justice - because he's on the top floor of his building, you can see the entire downtown Atlanta skyline from his balcony. For that reason, we will NOT be covering up those windows!


The owner has already purchased some great furniture, so we'll just be adding a few, but necessary pieces to complete the set. He's also in desperate need of lighting; there are currently no table lamps and no overhead light! He loves images of the city, and modern style, so I'm planning on adding in some industrial & contemporary accessories.

Look for my design plan and renderings later this week. Stay tuned!

5 get kim's look - for less!

In case you missed it... this was posted on Chic Modern Vintage when I did my Moonlight Monday post! I want to share it with the SBP readers that didn't get a chance to check it out last week. Enjoy!
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Kim Myles is one of my favorite designers because she believes in accessible design. She knows that great design doesn't have to come from high end stores or follow rules. Her rooms always seem collected and inspired, which appeals to me every time. Last week, Kim posted the before and after of her own living room last week and I fell in love with the bright & eclectic look she came up with.


I decided to create a moodboard based on Kim's room filled with budget friendly items. For details on what Kim actually used, please check out her blog. To see what I chose, read on!


I first chose this convertible sofa from Urban Outfitters because it's a great price($588) and serves two functions. One of my favorite details of this room is the light pink wainscoting effect around the room. Mythic Paint, an eco-friendly high performance line, has a similar shade in their collection. I found a mirror similar to the center mirror Kim used at Zgallerie, however, she found hers at Home Goods, and I've seen that style mirror there all the time. Kim had a great eclectic mix of pillows on her sofa, and I think this Etsy find and West Elm pillow cover give that same look at a great price point. She received her amazing coffee table as a gift, but you can splurge on this one from Environment Furniture and get that organic (and eco-friendly!) look. Kim's yellow curtains add drama and warmth; you can get similar IKEA curtains for cheap. And lastly, Kim's amazing floral rug grounds the entire room and pulls all the color together. My pick from Target is a great option and only $379 for a 8x10 size. Kim's personality shoes throughout the room via her accessories, like the blue vases on the tables & framed mask at the center of the room. There are throws scattered strategically throughout the room giving it an inviting and cozy feel + more color. All these elements are things you probably already have in your home!


And I am so thriilled that Kim loved this post! She gave it a shoutout on her blog. If you don't follow her blog, what are you waiting on?

0 rachel's living room makeover

Rachel Stewart, a talented artist & jewelry maker, recently made over her living room and did an awesome job! I love what she did with the lighting and the color throughout the room.


:::BEFORE:::


The room looked great before the makeover, but every once in a while we all want a little change! Rachel did a great job of using the main elements in her room (furniture, rug, and key accessories...) and creating a totally different look.

:::AFTER:::

These lamps really create a lounge like feel in the room and the graphic pillows pop off her sofa, unlike the solid colored ones she had before.



Rachel's mix of African inspired accessories with modern graphic pattern really speaks to her love of both! I happen to know from reading her blog that she's a huge comic book fan and hip-hop junkie - and these kinds of prints fit her two passions perfectly! When decorating, don't be afraid to include what YOU like, even if it doesn't "go" with you home. If you would wear it on your body, you shouldn't feel like it doesn't belong in your living room.


Lastly, Rachel created an beautiful original piece of art to complement her new room. Although Rachel is a professional, I encourage anybody to try creating something original for your space while decorating. It doesn't get more YOU than something made with your own hands.


Thanks to Rachel for letting me share her space on SBP. If you have a space that you've made over, I'd love to feature it here! Email me at hello(at)nikimcneill.com. And if you have a space you want to make over but are lost about where to start, I'd be happy to offer my design services through SingleBubblePop Design Studio!

5 bachelor pad basement details

These are the key elements to the space I designed for the bachelor pad basement. My objective was to make the space feel modern, comfortable and not like a basement! I wanted to make sure there was plenty of seating without making the space feel cluttered. The products I used can be found at Target, Overstock.com, West Elm, Room & Board and the AphroChic Shop. If you love the AphroChic Haze Mimosa Pillow, be sure to enter the giveaway on Hello Splendor and you might just win one! For more information on Rachel Stewart's art, please check out her website.

If you or someone you know is interested in having a room designed, please contact me! I'd love to work with you. Email hello(at)nikimcneill(dot)com

6 bachelor pad basement design

A friend of mine has a gorgeous town home with a completely empty basement. He is a bachelor and has great taste, but with a job that requires him to travel, he hasn't had a lot of time to put together his large basement. We've talked about me designing the space for him and this is what I came up with. I happen to know that he loves the color red, and I wanted to feature the artwork of Rachel Stewart and throw in an AphroChic pillow!





Stay tuned for more details on the elements of the room, including where to buy, later this afternoon!

9 swoon-worthy home

Textile designer Malene Barnett was featured on The Selby last week and I cannot get over how gorgeous her home is. The colors, the light, the artwork, it's all fab! Check it out.









I featured Malene's rug designs last week; if you missed it, you can see them here.

0 style icon: alexa chung

Alexa Chung is one of those "IT" girls that you cannot really pinpoint what it is that makes her so cool. She seems like she's been here on Earth before, and she collected all the "cool wisdom" in her previous life. On top of that, she makes it look so easy! I adore her mix of feminine and masculine, and she knows how to make retro current. I imagine her home would look like a well edited collection of unique but classic pieces from high and low.

Can't get enough of Alexa's style? There is a Tumblr dedicated to this stylish muse. Check it out!

6 wishful designing

A month or so ago, I posted about my inspirations for an office space of my own. Since then, I haven't done any real world work towards creating an office space. But, this week I thought it might be fun to create a design plan for my hypothetical future office, so here's what I came up with! I created a 3d model using Google SketchUp and added in a few key pieces.



My personal style is very eclectic; I love to mix it up with color and texture so I would love to have an office that reflects that. I found this amazing eco-friendly wallpaper at Mod Green Pod and that was the inspiration for the rest of the room! I would only do one wall in this paper though, as a whole room of it would be overwhelming. I'm also an avid thrifter, so the sofa that you see is just a visualization of what I would create using a sofa I find at one of my favorite second-hand stores. I'm determined to own a Louis Ghost Chair at some point, so why not include it in my hypothetical office? Check out the rest of the details below.

Like what you see? You can buy these items here: Frame, Desk, Bookshelf, Rug, Chair & Lamp. Of course, if you'd like me to design a space just for you, feel free to email me at hello(at)nikimcneill.com. Hopefully by the end of this year I'll have my own space and will be able to make this design happen. Until then, I'll keep wishing!

Have a great weekend,

0 bring the jungle inside

Yesterday I was so inspired by Justina's Jungalow that I had to search for items that could be used to get a similar look! Here are a few things I picked from around the web.


I know from reading her blog that she purchased these rhino and zebra heads made from recycled French books and cement bags. How cute! A lot of her furniture was hand-me-down, so I picked this amazing vintage looking leather sofa from Anthro. I loved her leaf print curtains, and you can find some similar ones here. The orange lamp (similar to the one in her office nook) and the green pouf are from CB2. You can't help but love these fabric wrapped vases from West Elm and the giraffe rug only seemed appropriate for this jungle paradise living room!

Bring a little bit of jungle inside you place! ;)

3 bare naked walls

My friends Lauren and Tonii both asked me about inexpensive wall art ideas, so here are some of my tips for creating an interesting space out of a blah wall!

Remember, when you are adding things to your wall, think about how they work with the rest of the room. Are you creating a reading nook or a focal point to anchor the room? Does your room need color or texture or both? No matter what your design needs and budget, you can create something with a little bit of cash and maybe a little more effort! I'm a huge fan of upcycling, so all of these ideas involve reusing, instead of buying brand new products.

Idea #1: Empty sculptural frames. This is a great way to add architectural detail without create permanent changes to your space. Frames can be found everywhere from Goodwill to TJ Maxx for very little! Add a little spray paint to make the uniform, and you have an impactful wall. The photo above is a great example, but you can do this with color too!

Idea #2: Display your collections! Remember in elementary when you used to make collages? Get creative with the things you already have. The key is to remember elements of design, like rhythm and symmetry. When I was in college, I used 16 vinyl records to create a "headboard" behind my bed; it added an illusion of structure, color from the labels in the centers, as well as a little sparkle to the room with the shiny vinyl! Also, when displaying your collectibles, make sure you use a proper mount, or try shadow boxes, to insure your pretty things don't fall off the wall.

Idea #3: Vintage magazine covers. Not a fan of tons of personal photos? Vintage magazine covers have a great graphic quality and totally brighten up a space. They look great in gallery frames (like the Ikea Ribba frame) and the cover headlines add an element of nostalgia in the way that photos do, but in a less intimate way.

Photos via Pointclickhome, Google and Grain Edit

For more about how I can help you design your space, visit my website!

6 office s p a c e

I am in desperate need of an office space! I don't even have a a desk right now and I do all my "work" from my couch... on my tiny netbook. When I'm working on artwork, I do it on our dining room table... with poor lighting, and not a lot of room to spread out. After getting my new tablet, it's become so clear that I definitely need a defined, comfortable and *beautiful* work space. Here are some images from aroun the web that are inspiring me right now.

I like the idea of stacking frames of art within arms reach... It makes the artwork more accessible! The vintage desk with all those drawers would keep me organized too...
LOVE the chalkboard calendar in this one... and I actually have a vintage-looking black phone like the on the desk :)
Tiffany Blue is one of my favorite colors and added an upholstered chair with the nail head trim just makes this little office nook so elegant!

For some reason, I'm always attracted to the color orange...

I think think it sparks productivity and creativity in me. And how cute is the little white ceramic puppy??

images via design sponge, elements of style and get togetha

P.S. - can you believe January is almost over? I feel like this month flew by....

1 new! sbp home + style icon: kerry washington

You may or may not know that I've spent the last 2 or 3 years studying Interior Design. I love the idea of fashioning the spaces we live in to reflect who we are and maximize functionality. It's also really important to me that we shift our consciousness to preserving and protecting our planet, which I believe starts at home!

With that said, earlier this year, I had the idea to start a separate blog called SBP Home. Lately, as I plan the growth of this blog, I think it's more appropriate for me to include my interior design interests on SingleBubblePop!

That brings me to today's post. This was originally meant for my SBP Home but I want to share it with you all today!

Ever wonder how your favorite celebs translate their fashion sense into their homes? In each "Style Icon" profile, I'll create a collection of items that I think reflect their style.

Kerry Washington is one of my favorite style icons because of her elegant modern style. She epitomizes old hollywood glamour in a very current way. She always pairs classic sihlouettes with a touch of sparkle and a little edge.

1. Anthropologie Scallop Mirror

2. Saarinen Womb Chair

3. Zgallerie Gemstone Paperweights

4. Crate and Barrel "Lago" Lamp

5. Zgallerie Mirage Side Table

6. Restoration Hardware "Delaney" Sofa

7. Ikea Silk Pillow Cover

Let me know if you like this type of content and what you'd like to see more of! I'm always open to suggestions/requests.