Yes, It's Possible for Us to Love Target More

This fall Target is giving us two new reasons to be obsessed. I know, you're thinking - NOT possible, I couldn't possibly love Target more or spend more of my time or money there. We love Target too, just the way it is. We often use Target home decor in our kid's room designs (like here and here) and we personally use Target for just about everything (best diapers ever). But, hold onto your hats because in one week and then again at the beginning of November, Target is going to get even better!!! 

On September 19, Target is launching Project 62, a new home line of contemporary furniture and decor inspired by the classic midcentury modern vibes of 1962. 

SO pretty. SO cool. Head over to the Target website (click here) for a sneak preview.

Don't you want it all and feel the sudden urge to redecorate your entire home a la midcentury modern? Or at least your bedroom, right? 

So much to love. And only a week until the wait is over! 

Then, just when you're getting over the excitement of Project 62 and the joy of all your purchases, on November 5th Target launches Hearth & Hand. What per se is Hearth & Hand? A little pop-up shop within Target designed with Magnolia Home's queen bee: Joanna Gaines. It's a collection of home decor...unclear whether furniture will be included...in the "modern farmhouse" vibe. I can't give you any visuals because none have been released as of yet, but I think we can all close our eyes and conjure up a pretty solid image of what the collection will look like: gray scale with hints of blue, classic farmhouse designs with modern spins, looks fabulous on a reclaimed wood table...altogether fantastic.

Someone cut up our credit cards.

- The Gray Oak Team

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Modern Dining Chairs Roundup

Each interior design project has it's one (sometimes more) tricky element. The paint color that needs to look as serene in the sun-soaked corner of the room as in the dimly lit back wall. Or, the rug. Oh, the rug! Or, the frame gallery...it's just not coming together organically. There's usually something that needs tweaking and editing and more tweaking before we land on the perfect finished design.

For one of our recent projects, it was the dining chairs. We quickly found so many gorgeous, affordable, kid-friendly dining chairs that fit our big picture design. But getting approval from our client wasn't so easy. The importance of dining chairs is huge, especially in designs (like our clients) where there is no formal dining room. When your dining chairs are your everyday dinner chairs and your holiday hosting chairs and your pull-it-over-to-the-TV-for-extra-seating chairs and everything in between chairs, they need to check many boxes. And so, finding the perfect chair was a journey.

Here was our original vision for the dining room, in mood board form.

                                                                                    Wall color / Chandelier / Dining chairs / Dining Table

We were inspired by this lovely dining area that seamlessly mixes modern with rustic.

                                                                                                             (photo source)

And so, we proposed ghost chairs! The perfect everything. Right?! If your little one spills grape juice, it takes a few paper towels and all is restored. They're also chic, cost effective and the ultimate design chameleon. Unfortunately, our client didn't love their look. They're also not always the most comfortable choice, especially those that are affordable.

So, we went back to the designing board. After some back and forth...okay a lot of back and forth (hence the "tricky" part)...we landed on the right chair for our client and for our design. We'll get there in a minute. But first, we thought you might be interested in some of the chairs we researched and considered. So many great options under $200...with one fabulous exception.

1. Ecole chair from Article (on sale for $179)

2. Viena white wood dining chair from Crate and Barrel ($109)

3. Marley arm chair from All Modern ($259.99)

4. Hugo dining chair from Wayfair ($176.99)

5. Madeleine side chair from Restoration Hardware ($132)

6. Parker dining chair from Target ($146.99 for set of 2)

7. Kelly-blue teal indoor metal chair from Amazon ($56.78)

8. Molded chair from Rove Concepts (on sale for $79.99)

And now, where did we land with our client? The Madeleine side chair from Restoration Hardware. We went with the white finish, which is no longer available (bummer). It's kid-friendly, comfortable (and cushions can be added in the future when little hands spill less grape juice), both classic and right now, well-priced and really pretty. Covers ALL the bases.

We can't wait to show you the finished project later this month!

- Leah

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Labor Day Weekend Sale - Top Picks from Cost Plus World Market

For most of us, Labor Day weekend signals the unofficial end of Summer and the beginning of Fall, it's also a great time to take a look at your space and to freshen things up. We'd like to share our top picks from one of our favorite stores, Cost Plus World Market, and bonus, they are all on sale. There is also coupon code worth an Extra 10% Off Entire Purchase + Free Shipping on orders of $150 or more.

1. Bistro Counter Stool

2. Large Capiz Lotus Pendant Shade

3. Faceted Glass Paxton Pendant

4. Round Wood Keaton Dining Table

5. Blue Ginko Velvet Lumbar Pillow

6. Langley Storage Cabinet

Have a great long weekend, and happy shopping!

- The Gray Oak Studio Team

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