Gray Oak Gives Back - Mood Board

We have a lot of wonderful updates for you on our Gray Oak Gives Back project, including a reveal of the color we painted the walls!

If you’ve been following along on Facebook or Instagram, you know that most of the trade work is done. The wallpaper was removed (by our client herself), recessed lights were added and old sconces removed, and every crack and imperfection in the old walls repaired, patched and painted. The room looks brand new.

With the exception of the fireplace. The fireplace is mid progress and has some work ahead. Below is what it looked like when we started this project.

So far, we’ve removed those sconces and wired for new sconces a farther apart than the originals in order to capture the full width of the mantel. We have a beautiful mirror planned for between the sconces. We’ve also removed the diamond and rectangle molding on the top panel of the surround and removed the curved molding sitting on top of the mantel. Then everything was given a fresh coat of White Dove by Benjamin Moore. And here we are now.

Already looking lightyears better. But, the old brick surround and tile hearth are bad. And the brass and black door is worse. Those guys are next on the list. First will be to simply remove that door. We understand that by loosening a couple screws it will come off cleanly (fingers crossed…). Then, the surround will be tiled and the hearth replaced with stone.

But what kind of tile? And what kind of stone? And, seriously, what color did we paint the walls?!???

First, the walls are painted Balboa Mist by Benjamin Moore. It’s a beautiful, warm gray. It has the slightest violet undertone (which adds to that warmth) and works so well in rooms that have traditional elements because it’s not too modern, but still completely fresh and clean.

And now, the details on the fireplace transformation and the rest of the room. Because we’re sharing our mood board with shoppable links to everything! We use mood boards to help our clients see all the elements of the room together. They make it easy to visualize how a space will look and feel. We do warn clients, and we’ll warn you now, that mood boards sometimes feel a bit cold because they don’t include a ton of decor. This is because the accessorizing phase for all of our projects is very fluid and most choices are made onsite during Install Day. Seeing everything in the space is key to making the perfect decor choices that will bring life to the space.

Fireplace Surround and Hearth - The surround will be marble tile in a herringbone pattern with a slab marble hearth.

Mirror - A mirror over the fireplace will bounce light around the room, add visual depth and (of course) bring the pretty. We love the shape and the grayed woodgrain.

Sconces - Polished nickel sconces will flank the mirror.

Curtain rods and curtains - We’re going with a satin nickel finish for the hardware (the exact curtain rods are TBD, but we’ve linked to a budget friendly option). What we do know is that we’re using our favorite linen, ivory drapes. We use them often and we love them always.

Console Table - We’re adding a transitional style console table. We love the low shelf that gives an opportunity for decor.

TV Stand - The key to a great TV stand is the functional, open storage and the functional, hidden storage.

Art - These blue plant prints are a placeholder. Final art decisions (like decor) come later in the process. But, if you like this art (it is modern and cool), we’re including the link.

Sofa - This is a GREAT sofa. It’s wildly comfortable (high quality will have that affect) and the clean, track arm style is modern but ultimately timeless.

Rug - This big boy (we’ll be getting it in a 9x12) is just the right amount of graphic to add interest to the room. It’s also wool, which we try to use whenever possible. Natural materials wear better and last longer.

Armchairs - These guys are a modern take on a classic wingback chair. Beautiful, right?

Ottoman/Coffee Table - This upholstered coffee table is amazing. It’ll be comfy as a footrest and functional as a coffee table with a tray.

Floor Lamp - We believe every living room needs a floor lamp. We’ll be using the nickel finish, but it comes in brass and bronze too.

Pillows - Who knows if these guys will make the final cut, but here are links to all of them: heathered blue, ivory, modern plaid

Navy Tasseled Throw Blanket - We’ve used this in a prior project and we love it.

Last, but most important, we have a list of vendors and craftspeople who had made donations to this special project. The giving spirit of so many has truly blown us away.

DONATIONS

Big Dog Painting - Donated ALL their time (5 days) as well as some materials to repair the walls and paint everything (walls, trim, fireplace, interior door)

Home Decor Group (Peabody) - Donated the paint

Willow Carpentry - Donated time to remove molding from the fireplace surround and mantel

Curtains by Paula (Middleton) - Donated time to hem drapes and fabric for custom pillows

Light New England - Donated the sconces

Worcester Marble and Granite - Donated the marble slab for the fireplace hearth

Pottery Barn (Lynnfield) - Donated the floor lamp, drapes and decor

Pottery Barn (Burlington) - Donated the rug

West Elm (Burlington) - Donated A TON of decor and an accent chair (not in the mood boards, but will be in the final room)

Arhaus (Burlington) - Gave us a major discount on the upholstered coffee table

Four Hands - Gave us a major discount on both armchairs

Wayfair - Discounted the TV stand and marble tile for the fireplace surround

Thank you so much for following along. We’re just so happy and excited for everything that has happened so far and everything yet to come. We’ll be back soon with more updates. Until then, keep an eye on progress by following us on any of our social media accounts (links below).

- Leah

* This post contains affiliate links*

Holiday Gift Guide 2019

We wanted to give you an update on Gray Oak Gives Back today, but we’re holding out until next week when we’ll have a really juicy update - mood boards and all! We’ll also reveal the wall color we chose. We put a poll on Instagram stories and had tons of guesses (at least 50% of the guesses were Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore). While we fooled most of you (it’s not Revere Pewter), there were two correct guesses. You’ll have to wait one more week for the reveal.

But fear not because we have an equally awesome post for you today - our Holiday Gift Guide! And we think it’s the best we’ve ever pulled together. Just sayin. So, with plenty of time to get shopping, here are our ideas for everyone from you mother-in-law to your slightly annoying co-worker.

First up, vases and planters. These are great gifts for the hard to shop for people on your list.

1. Blue Flowery Vase - This colorful vase is a great hostess gift. Something small and pretty.

2. When Pigs Fly Hanging Planter - This whimsical hanging planter is so fun and so funny. We think it would make a great Secret Santa or Swap gift.

3. Girl Power Vase - For your favorite feminist, you know exactly who she (or he!) is.

4. Modern Fluted Bud Vases (set of 3) - These are universally beautiful and useful.

5. Minimalist Hygge Planter - This guy comes in several sizes and would be a great gift paired with a plant to go in it.

6. Rose Gold TRex - Give the gift of a plant, and this amazing planter, to a little one in your life! It’s an opportunity for him/her to nurture something more low maintenance than a pet.

7. Mini Cat Planters (set of 6) - The perfect gift for your cat friend. Because another cat mug will be 1 (…or 5) too many.

8. The Miniest Cactus Ever - Because. Just because.

Next up - Candles. Yes, a safe gift. But, also a really awesome gift if you give a good one. Candles are one of those things that you don’t want to spend money on for yourself, but you also don’t want to cheap out and get yourself a bad one. A bad candle is the worst. So, the candles below are amazing and, thus, amazing gifts.

1. Sea Salt Soy Candle - Even the packaging on this one feels pure and fresh.

2. Capri Blue Candle in Sparkly Gold Jar - Capri Blue candles have a cult following and this one (and number 7) come in extra pretty and festive jars.

3. Set of 3 Volupsa Mini Candles - When picking one scent is too much pressure, get the luxe variety pack.

4. The White Company Country Scent - Smells of moss and nature and fresh goodness.

5. Mokara Large Candle - People obsess over this candle, the Sephora website has something like 800 five star reviews.

6. Thank You, Mom - She’ll thank you back.

7. Capri Blue Volcano in Iridescent Jar

Awesome Gifts Under $50. This is a potpourri of fun, reasonably priced ideas.

1. Coffee is My Spirit Animal Tea Towel and I Fall Apart Tea Towel - These guys wrapped up with a dozen chocolate chip cookies (we highly recommend Sugah Butter Flour if you’re local) will be the perfect Yankee Swap gift.

2. Guided Gratitude Journal - This is such a feel good gift. For the right person, you’ll give them the tools to kick off the new year an action plan to make their resolution happen.

3. Salted Chocolate Caramel Peanut Bark - This will be the best gift someone receives this year. It could be from you.

4. Beautiful Recipe Box - Write your favorite recipe on one of the cards to personalize it.

5. 2020 Planner - This is one of many gorgeous planners from Anthropologie.

6. Luggage Tag - For your favorite Jetsetter.

7. William Sonoma Guest Set (Winter Berry Scent) - This is a truly safe gift. And we all need one of these.

8. Mr. Rogers Mug - His sweater changes color when the mug if filled with hot liquid!!! How amazing is that?

9. Cutest Mini Desk Calendar Ever - It’s $8.50.

Awesome Gifts Over $50. This is a potpourri of fun, less reasonably priced gifts.

1. Pendleton Throw Blanket - I want one. It comes in blue (like above) and pink.

2. Handwritten Recipe Platter - We’ve featured this gift before because it’s just awesome. If you have a handwritten recipe from your nana, this is a great, great gift.

3. Indoor Herb Garden - It’s, allegedly, incredibly simple to grow happy herbs.

4. Weighted Blanket - They’re finally making beautiful weighted blankets. Functionally and aesthetically on trend. Winning.

5. Rocket Nightlight - This Etsy shop has a bunch of amazing, beautiful nightlights.

6. The Rihanna Book - No one will see this book and not want to flip through the pages. Meaning, it’s the ultimate coffee table book.

7. Polaroid Holiday Everything Box Set - We think adults and kids would love this one.

Phew. We did it. You read it. Thank you. Happy shopping!

- Leah (+ Sonia too)

*This post contains affiliate links*

Weighted Blanket

Gold Wish Bone

Mini DIY Hacks for Every Corner of Your House

In a behind-the-scenes video from our most recent Install, Sonia caught me crawling all over the family room floor as I taped down the curled edge of a new rug. (Side Note: behind the scenes photos and videos from Install Days, and otherwise, can be found on our Instagram stories) On a project’s Install Day, when all the furniture is placed and the decor is styled, we swoop around the room like little house fairies and take care of all sorts of functional needs, including curled rug edges.

An Instagram follower saw the video and messaged us asking what kind of tape we used/recommended. She didn’t realize that there is a specific type of tape that is designed to solve this curly edge problem. It got us thinking that of all the mini hacks we use on Install Day. So, today we’ve dedicated a whole blog post to these little tricks - some of them will take you 30 seconds to completely and totally change your life. Everything is linked and shoppable!

Level with Ruler - Did you know there are rulers that have a built in level? If hanging a gallery wall is in your future, you need this. It will make the job 1000 times easier than shifting back and forth between a bad measuring tape and a regular level.

Magic Eraser - The magic of a Magic Eraser is real. When a spray cleaner fails, a Magic Eraser won’t. We find them especially useful for little marks on the wall.

Cabinet Bumpers - For cabinet doors that get a lot of use from kids, clear bumpers are a great precaution. You put the tiny bumper on the inside of the door and it prevents the door from banging against the frame when it’s shut a little too hard.

Furniture Leg Pads - These guys go on the bottom of furniture legs to prevent the legs from scratching the floor. They also make furniture really easy to move around because it can (typically) just slide across the floor.

Mini Steamer - This handheld steamer is great for getting rid of curtain wrinkles.

Big Steamer - For linen curtains, the mini steamer won’t do it unless you’ve had them ironed/steamed before hanging them. This guy will be much more helpful.

Command Strip Velcro - We are obsessed with these. They have so many uses. We recently used them in the little boy’s bedroom in our Prospect Project to hang decor the wall as part of a gallery wall (the mini oar in the photo below). We also use them in addition to more traditional frame hangers. The traditional nail and hook is used to hang the frame and then the Command Strip Velcro is put on the back of the frame to prevent the frame from wiggling around on the wall when curious hands are tall enough to reach them.

Rug Tape - This is the brand we use. It does the job and doesn’t leave a mark on the floor.

Rug Pad - The trick to a great rug pad is the felt/rubber combination. Felt to cushion and rubber to prevent slipping.

Picture Hanger Kit - We love this kit because it includes wire. Using wire to hang a frame, versus just a hook through built-in loop, gives a bit of leeway if you hang the hook too high or too low.

Lint Brush - For clients with pets, a quick lint brush on a sofa cushion handles it. If you have a coffee table with a drawer, it’s a great place to store it.

Furniture Repair Marker Kit - We recommend this to our clients with young families for post Install Day life. Inevitably, a nick in the finish of furniture will happen. This “repair” kit is basically a set of really nice markers in a range of “wood stain” shades. They work shockingly well to hide nicks and scratches.

Plant Pot Tray - Putting large plants and mini trees in oversized baskets is one of our favorite moves. This means that the plant/tree stays in its plastic nursery planter and the whole planter is then placed inside a basket. (Design/Plant Lady Tip: It’s good to leave plants and trees in their nursery pots for at least a few months. They are shocked at the change of environment and transferring them immediately could create further trauma). But, nursery planters have holes in the bottom. These trays handle any water overflow.

We hope you find something on this list useful to improve a small, everyday household annoyance. Because small problems that you deal with everyday are actually huge problems!

- Leah

*This post contains affiliate links*