Frida House: At Home With the Browns

The time has finally come to list our VERY first home and I couldn’t be more emotional! Ryan and I watched this house be built from studs after our wedding during the 2021 holiday season. To say it has been an adventure would be an understatement - Easton Park has blessed us with a beautiful space to relax and renew ourselves. We’ve met some of the most amazing friends, achieved some of our biggest accomplishments and had life changing dreams that have come to life between these walls on Frida Bend.

EXTERIOR

Kitchen, Dining & Living

Back Porch & Yard

MAIN BEDROOM

SECONDARY BEDROOM & OFFICE

Frida House is currently on the market. For all inquiries, please email maddy@byrne-austin.com

August Amazon Top Products

Find these products on my Amazon Storefront!

1 | Cutout Midi Dress

2 | Hermes-Inspired Blanket

3 | Dumpling Convertible Bag

4 | Acrylic Drawer Organizers

5 | Double Lined Racerback Tank

6 | Floral Ruffled Set

7 | Black Outdoor Chairs

8 | Stone Bookends

9 | Lace Bodysuit

6 Charming Home Goods Stores in Austin

I'm a lover of warm, eclectic interiors and I'm a big World Market shopper, but these Austin home goods stores are perfect for adding a little touch of this city's unique, creative style to your abode. There's no better way to make a house feel like a home than adding some handmade touches and bold patterns where you can, so I've rounded up the best of the best when it comes to shopping for the home in Austin. 

Room Service Vintage

Vintage Finds | 117 N Loop Blvd E

This charming shop features funky pieces from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s — all refinished to be in great condition and ready to bring into your home! They have everything from couches and chairs to home accents, and even some jewelry pieces and other trinkets to purchase.

The Khazana

Soulful Imports | 900 North Lamar Blvd

Meaning "Treasure" in Hindi, Khazana offers furniture and textiles from travels to areas like India, Pakistan, Tibet, Mongolia, and Morocco. Their most notable offerings are the rainbow, egg-shaped chairs so many people use to decorate their apartment patios, as well as a selection of moroccan lamps with intricate designs. I love eclectic home furnishings, and the worldly aspect that The Khazana brings to Austin's decor scene is a great fit for my style.

Apt F 

Eclectic Furniture + Textiles (Fair Trade) | 2505 E 6th St

Home goods and textiles from around the world, with chic bathroom and paper products as well. The owner of the shop is THE sweetest person I've met, making it that more enjoyable to shop in the store! She is really passionate about the pieces she brings into the store, and will gladly give you the background on anything you're looking at. 

Take Heart

Handcrafted Home Goods | 1111 East 11th St

This East Austin gem is best known for their unique tableware and quirky trinkets, handmade from materials like clay and wood. Part of charming East 11th Street, Take Heart is right next door to Blue Dahlia Bistro and I always make a point to stop in before or after grabbing lunch. They have the most unique coffee mugs and tableware, as well as many little books about mindfulness, wellness, and simple living that I love to display around my apartment.

Kettle & Brine

Minimalist Kitchen + Tableware | 908–C W 12th St

This place is IDEAL if you're looking to create the perfect minimalistic vibe! Kettle & Brine sells curated goods for feasts and gatherings, each with a thoughtful design and neutral color palette. I love all of their tableware, but especially their cutlery. It's the perfect combination of character + class. 

Hacienda

Furnishings with a Southern Flair | 204 Colorado St

Locally-sourced and globally-inspired custom furnishings for a modern ranch lifestyle. They have great collections featured online and many limited edition products that span from home goods to accessories and bath products. Their Mexican glassware is one of my favorites -- It's colorful and imperfect, which is great for creating a Wabi-Sabi <> style interior.  

Supply Showroom

Textiles + Accents | 2204 Lake Austin Blvd

A boutique fabric, leather, rug, lighting, furniture, and wallpaper showroom with a modern and sophisticated aesthetic. If you really want to make a statement in your home, look no further than Supply Showroom. This shop has bold, imaginative wallpapers (we're talking everything from florals to neutral colors with African wildlife) and some of the most amazing rugs! Great stop for accent and statement pieces. 

From renowned showrooms to hidden gems, these home goods stores have products to serve every interior concept. For more interesting trinkets and goods to display around the home, I would also recommend Uncommon Goods. Are you redecorating or moving anytime soon? If you DM me on Instagram <>, I would love to give you styling tips and advice!

Decorating With Classic Blue: Pantone's Color of the Year

Pantone has picked some preeeeeetty interesting colors for the past few years, which makes me even more excited to report that 2020’s color of the year is — drumroll, please — classic blue! Not quite powder, not quite navy, this shade is easy to incorporate into your household. Blue is a color associated with calm and peace, making it even better for this looking to create a serene atmosphere in their living space. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use this color when decorating!

Four Wintry Room Makeovers Using Only Items from Target

My relationship with Target is a complicated one. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I dread it. Before this past fall, I went for a year and a half without stepping foot in their store thanks to an Amazon obsession (that’s right, I only started using Amazon in 2018.)

Recently, however, I’ve fallen back in love with Target—Mainly for accessibility + affordability reasons. There is SO MUCH cute stuff, and I can always find a sale! Home goods, in particular, are a favorite of mine. You may remember my rose gold + sparkly Christmas decor from a few years back; I now live with a destructive puppy and manly-man, so I’ve had to adapt and re-imagine my Christmas aesthetic. One thing remains, though: I get all my winter textiles from Target.

Click the links below to shop my wintry home decor faves (over 50% of them are on sale through the end of the year!)

1 Chunky Flocked Mixed Artificial Wreath | 2 Metallic Fringe Table Runner | 3 Plush Throw Blanket With Faux Fur Poms | 4 Chunky Knit Throw Blanket | 5 Large Basket With Curved Handles | 6 Textured Throw Pillow With Poms

1 Faux White Pine Wreath | 2 Faux White Pine Garland | 3 Mini Candle Taper Holders | 4 Throw Pillow With Tassels | 5 Hearth & Hand Throw Blanket | 6 Striped Jute Rug | 7 Holiday Jar Candle in Balsam Fir

1 10X14" Mountain Landscape Print | 2 Faux Sheepskin Throw Pillow (Oversized Square) | 3 Woven Plaid Pillow | 4 Faux Sheepskin Throw Pillow (Lumbar) | 5 Corded and Tufted Pillow | 6 Chunky Woven Throw | 7 Acrylic Cable Knit Throw Pillow | 8 Chunky Knit Square Pillow

1 Faux Fur Christmas Stocking | 2 Christmas Flocked Artificial Wreath | 3 Euro Channeled Faux Fur Throw Pillow | 4 Woven Wool Blend Windowpane Throw Pillow | 5 Tipped Faux Fur Oversize Lumbar Pillow | 6 Cable Knit Chenille With Sherpa Reverse Throw

Photos + Links Originally Published on MorelandBlog.com

10 of the Best Design & Decor Accounts on Instagram

If you follow me on social media, it’s no secret that I’m in and out of gorgeous homes on a semi daily basis. Working for a real estate brokerage has its perks! I’ve loved homes and design for as long as I can remember, and a good portion of my brain is 100% devoted to design and real estate.

Get your daily dose of decor inspiration by the following my favorite FABULOUS design accounts!

HOMEADORE | @homeadore

DESIGN.ONLY | @design.only

APARTMENT THERAPY | @apartmenttherapy

EMILY HENDERSON | @em_henderson

KAMILLE MAGETTE | @dreaming_of_decor

TINY HEIRLOOM | @tinyheirloom

APT F | @apt.f

ELLE DECOR | @elledecor

CLAIRE ZINNECKER | @clairezinnecker

WALLPAPER MAG| @wallpapermag

If you’re into homes and decor, be sure to follow me on Instagram (or check out @morelandproperties to see what gorgeous homes are on the market.) I’ll see you on social media!

8 Picture Perfect Living Spaces for a Cozy Fall

There’s no better way to spend a cool fall evening than curled up on the couch writing, reading, or binge watching one of these Netflix shows (Riverdale, anyone?) These cozy living rooms are the perfect way to escape the everyday and relax in style.

I'm a firm believer that you don't have to go crazy with seasonal decorations. I love Christmastime just as much as everyone else, but I like to see how I can subtly incorporate those seasonal elements in a natural way that doesn't feel too commercial or cheesy. These interiors accomplish just that!

Image Credit

Natural

This gorgeous Spanish style home has the most amazing windows! The natural light and stark white walls feel much more cozy with a warm-colored chair and lush greenery in the corner. I love the firewood basket as well for fall—The simple design is just bold enough to make a statement.

Image Credit

Eclectic

I love everything about this room! The burnt orange hues mix perfectly with the fuchsia oriental carpet and the beautifully painted fireplace. I'm a fan of living spaces that have tons of layers, and this room is full of detail. From the furry pillows to the threaded cotton hanging on the mantle, this eclectic space is perfect for fall!

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Moody

A gorgeous piece in any home, this Midcentury couch adds a moody vibe to this living space. This rich shade of maroon, layered against a plum-colored wall in the background, is perfect for lounging on a gloomy fall day. Dying plants, books strewn about, and unfinished canvases give the room a brooding feel.

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Antiquated

Individually, the pieces found in this living room aren't my favorite... But together they work well! The fireplace is the centerpiece of this room, with its beautiful details and dark steel frame, but it's balanced well by the unique light fixture hanging from the ceiling. Wall hangings, especially the tapestry above the fireplace, make this room feel bright and warm.

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Earthy  

This is *technically* an entryway, BUT I love the pillows used on this bench! Velvet is having a moment this season, and the ornate design on the accent pillow blends perfectly with the stain of the bench and the cream blanket draped over the side. As for wall art, these gourd + plant illustrations take fall decor to a more chic level!

Image Credit

Vibrant

I'm not sure I could live with these burnt orange walls year round, but I love the use of this color in this case. Using bold paint choices that can easily transition from season to season is a surefire way to make a statement, and picking a color with warm tones will make your living space feel infinitely cozier. Spark visual interest by adding a bright-colored couch, a funky earthy painting, and a natural wood table.

Image Credit

Bohemian

THis living space is rich in texture, pattern, and color! Thick woven pillows, a tapestry on the footrest, and a gorgeous printed rug make the space feel cozy and warm! The single pumpkin placed on the side table between the couch and bookshelf is the perfect hint of fall.

If you need me, I’ll be lounging around on my couch with my Trader Joe’s Vanilla Pumpkin scented candle burning and laptop in my lap!

Austin in Photos: 2018 Tribeza Interiors Tour

When I was ten years old, I dreamed of being an interior designer. Not just any interior designer, but a *cool* interior designer. (Yes, that's a Mean Girls reference. I watched it this weekend and it re-awakened my love for the plastics.) I wanted to live on the beach in California, die the underneath of my hair jet black, learn to surf, and ultimately become the best designer ever. 

So far, that plan's not really on track. But I WILL say this—Austin has some of the greatest interior designers around! I had the pleasure of attending the Tribeza 2018 Interiors Tour this past weekend, and reveled in the work of their amazing brains. Here are a few photos from the homes I saw. You can read more about these four designers here!

Merrilee McGehee - Merrilee McGehee Design

Andrea Giles - Andrea Leigh Interiors

Robin Colton - Robin Colton Studio

John Allison - NEST Modern

Are you drooling yet? Lord knows I sure am! For a complete list of the designers on tour, visit the Tribeza website. As for upcoming home tours, the Modern Homes Tour will be taking place at the end of February. Click here for ticket information! I'll be attending if anyone wants to join.  

Chic Target Christmas Decor

Two weeks before Thanksgiving, my mom asked me if she could send me some Christmas decor for my apartment. I was all, "NO MOM, MY APARTMENT IS ONLY 600 SQFT WHERE WOULD I PUT IT." And then she rolled her eyes at my being ornery (I assume, because we were only texting.)

Then I went home before a friend's wedding just outside of my hometown, and went to run some errands at Target. I'm not sure if it was the decaf peppermint mocha or the fact that I was in my childhood Target, but I changed my mind upon seeing the Christmas junk in the dollar aisle and decided I must have all the cute things for my apartment this holiday season.

Since I have a pretty dark couch and semi-dark wood flooring, I knew I wanted to do something airy and bright to decorate. I decided to splurge on my tree, because it's a skinny tree and perfect for a small apartment like mine! The theme I had in mind was kind of "champagne chic", which I achieved using lots of tan, rose gold, and glitzy accent pieces.

SHOP: Tree (Pre-lit), Tree Topper (lookalike), Candle, Tan Leather Pillows (lookalikes), Joy Pillow, Wreath

I decided to keep it simple and not do ornaments on the tree, because I didn't want it to look too bulky—but if I did include ornaments, Target has a great assortment of bronze and gold mini-ornaments that would complete the look.

If you're headed to Target soon, BE SURE to check out their dollar section! They have some great holiday finds this season, and many of the things can be turned into something more elaborate or used in creative ways to add festive little touches to your apartment, home, or dorm. I love this simple wooden tree and the cinnamon-scented candle in the eggshell blue mug (below), especially since I am planning on freezing the wax after the holidays and reusing the cup in my everyday life.

I hope you enjoy my little snowglobe of an apartment! I didn't take photos of my bedroom, because it isn't as "Christmas-ified" as my living room, but I did hang up some twinkly lights. There's no greater feeling than curling up in my bed with the soft lighting, the last of my Pumpkin candle from Trader Joe's, and reading Uninvited to wind down for the day!

My Family's Weird Thanksgiving Traditions

Mat: Pottery Barn

It's Thanksgiving! Also known as the day where I eat a shit ton of coffee cake, unsuccessfully attempt to watch the entirety of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, waste about an hour trying to find an open Starbucks, and sweat through my sweater that it's way too hot to be wearing.

The best-worst part about holidays is always this: That you know exactly what to expect. Some traditions are sweet, some are overdone, some are actually enjoyable, and all of them are familiar. Tradition is comfortable, and sometimes that's a great thing! But other times, it leaves you going *SMH* all day long because you feel like you've lived that 24 hours about a thousand times over and you're wondering if you'll eventually carry on those traditions when you have children and if they will be writing a blog post about how monotonous those holiday traditions are when they're older. 

With all that being said, I really do love Thanksgiving with my family -- and we have some pretty great traditions. And even though I want to go feed the homeless and try doing a turkey trot and maybe finally spend the holiday with a friend my age, I still enjoy the monotony of my mother's favorite holiday. In case you were wondering, this is what we've been up to (this year and the 21 before that.) 

Sweater: Abercrombie & Fitch, Jeans: TopShop, Shoes: Clarks

Coffee cake.

This is undoubtedly the most exciting part of my Thanksgiving holiday. I only let myself indulge in baked goods for breakfast, like, three times a week, so I greatly look forward to sitting down with half of a coffee cake on Thanksgiving morning and shoveling it in my mouth until I feel like I'm going to die. This year, I awoke to a house without coffee cake. As the children say, I was shook... And then ventured out to find some for myself. Spoiler -- They had some at the Starbucks at Kroger. 

My mom watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds until Santa shows up at the end. 

I think I may have been born into the wrong family, because I don't like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Not that I don't looOOoOOve watching a ton of giant balloons floating around a crowd that looks miserable because of the cold, but, like.... I don't like don't looOOoOOve watching a ton of giant balloons floating around a crowd that looks miserable because of the cold. 

My dad using the phrase "There's too many cooks in the kitchen!" multiple times in one day. 

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without my dad's amazing, wonderful, yummy turkey! But he's often cooking for 3-4 other families in a sweltering hot kitchen where the dog won't leave him alone and I'm always in and out trying to get napkins for when I spill my coffee cake on the couch.. 

A photoshoot before our family friends arrive for dinner because we all look so stinkin' good and festive. 

Ah, yes, my personal favorite. Each year before our guests arrive for dinner, I force everyone in my family (and any friends I've dragged to Thanksgiving festivities with me) to take some super cute super fun pics out front because I believe they look beautiful and amazing. Also because I am a tyrant of a photographer and feel the need to obsessive compulsively document everything in my life.

Me taking 6 rolls from the bread basket as soon as it hits the table. 

Tom who? It's all about the rolls, let's be real. I like to do this thing where I like to make what I call "Thanksgiving sandwiches." I take a roll (okay fine, six rolls) and add the turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce on top. By the third "sandwich", though, I pretty much just give up adding anything else and just eat the rolls. 

ALL the cute decor. 

This year, we're living in a Williams Sonoma add with our festive napkins and neutral place settings. I'm also such a sucker for chalk lettering around the holidays (especially in Texas), and I'm happy that my mom still uses the cute little signs I made her years ago! I can't guarantee a Longhorn win this weekend, but at least we're showing off our spirit during the holiday. 

Table Settings: Williams Sonoma, Chalk Art: Michael's, Football Sign: Round Top

Anyways, just another Thanksgiving at the Hill house! Of course I wish I was spending Thanksgiving at Rosemary Beach, but I can't complain because Thanksgiving dinner always tastes better in Cypress anyway. Does your family have any weird Thanksgiving traditions? Let me know below! 

5 Cheap Ikea Pieces to Spruce up Your Space

It’s no secret I’m not the biggest fan of Ikea, but you can use their cheap pieces to add personality to your apartment if you're decorating on a budget.

One-of-a-kind pieces, like my mom’s old dresser from her childhood bedroom, are more of my jam. But when you reach the bottom line (and the bottom of your bank account), Ikea might be your only option.

It was my only option when it came to really customizing my new space, so I put my animosity of the overwhelmingly utilitarian store aside and decided to see what I could do. I had lots of success mixing metals with plants, which is something I’ve wanted to do in my apartment for quite some time!

Here are my favorite Ikea “personality” pieces that are surprisingly cheap:

Krusning Lamp Shade ($19.99)

I purchased this with a Hemma Pendant Cord (available in-store) and a Ledare LED Bulb. The best part about this lampshade is that you get to crinkle it up yourself!

Tarno Table and Chairs ($49.99)

I thought these things were around $100 each for some reason? Turns out you can get the entire set from Ikea for under 50. These babies are solid!

Ragkorn Plant Pot ($29.99)

When I think of woven pieces, I definitely don’t think of Ikea... But there I was standing in an aisle holding a pot for my plant that definitely looks like it’s from Pier 1 or World Market. Not the most inexpensive pot I could have probably found, but it caught my attention and makes a great statement piece compared to something solid.

Grundtal Pieces

This is a customizable wall storage series that you can do SO many different things with. Here’s what I included in mine:

Rail ($7.99), Utensil Holder ($9.99), Shelf ($9.99)

To decorate this and spruce it up, I used:

Dekad Alarm Clock ($6.99), Fejka Potted Plant ($4.99), Gradvis Vases ($5.99) and assorted artificial flowers.

Raskog Bar Stool, 24 ¾ “ ($34.99)

Bar stools can be expeeeennnnsive, and I wasn’t about to drop a ton of money on something like that. I found these metal stools and loved the cream color against the vibrant red of my Moroccan tapestry, but they come in black as well.

Valby Ruta Rug 5’7”x7’7” ($69.99)

A personal favorite (and a three-time champion of apartment decorating) is this rug. It’s made its way from my house on 38th street to Grandmarc and over to the East Side. It’s hard to find a good oriental rug for cheap, but this one is a winner!

While I’m always more inclined to visit World Market for my affordable accent pieces, I p roved to myself that I can make Ikea work when I need to. It’s all about mixing and matching as well as taking yourself out of the context of the store and thinking about what will really look good in your space.

Planning was a huge part of this as well. It makes the store even more overwhelming to visit when you don’t know what you want, but if you have a clear idea of what you’re trying to accomplish before you visit Ikea, you’ll be able to piece together the perfect room.

Do you have any favorite Ikea products? Let me know by commenting! 

Easy Eucalyptus Garland DIY

Decorating your apartment or home on a budget can be hard, but this easy DIY project is great for adding a bohemian (and affordable) touch to your living space!

I originally had the idea for eucalyptus garland when I was on Pinterest the other day. This was the original pin, but since I am only hanging this on my wall above my two side tables next to my bed, I wanted to make these strands look a little fuller than they do on the original pin.

Supplies (Hobby Lobby)

Natural Jute Twine ($2-3)

Three Eucalyptus Stems ($3-5 each)

Scissors

TOTAL: $11-18

Steps:

1. Cut twine. You will need 18 2" pieces and 3 20" pieces.

2. Braid twine. Braid the 3 strands of 20" twine and tie in knots at the end. This will make the sturdy part for the eucalyptus to hang on.

3. Cut the excess pieces off the eucalyptus. I bought pretty thick pieces of eucalyptus and decided to use the smaller excess pieces in between the long stems as opposed to keeping them on the original stem.

4. Tie the eucalyptus onto the 20" strand using the 2" pieces of twine. I varied the lengths of the eucalyptus, making the middle strand hang the longest and the ends a little shorter, with the smaller pieces in between. Use two pieces of twine per stem!

5. Cut off the excess wire at the top of the eucalyptus. The wire can be hard to cut through (and I had no wire cutters!) so I cut as hard as I could into the wire and then bent it so it would break off.

This is a pretty straightforward five step DIY project, but it can be even shorter if you decide not to cut off any excess eucalyptus and tie it on as-is! That will give the hanging garland a fuller look and is a lot more "no fuss no muss." You'll only need 6 pieces of 2" twine as well!

If you're ever in need of a little more decor inspiration, you can always follow my Apartment Decor board on Pinterest! I love bohemian interiors with eclectic pieces, so I pin tons of inspo related to those kinds of vibes. What do you like to bring into your home to make it feel more cozy? Let me know in the comments!

Simple DIY Washi Tape Wall Calendar

If you're anything like me, you're super neurotic when it comes to organization and never feel like you REALLY know what's going on until it's written on at least three different calendars! Enter this super easy five step DIY washi tape wall calendar. 

The hardest thing about making this calendar is measuring for the squares, but once you have that down you have the entire thing to just play around with. You can see in my photos I went from designing it one way to completely switching it up between the stage where I was taping and writing down days and dates. 

Supplies (Amazon)

4X3 ft White Board ($48 -- you can always go smaller and cheaper!)

Washi Tape ($2-15 depending on how much you want. I only used 2 rolls!)

3X3 in Post It Notes ($4-10) 

Dry Erase Markers ($7)

Scissors

Sharpies

TOTAL: $61-80

Steps:

1. Measure the calendar. If you want to set up your calendar like mine, mark dots along the top and bottom that measure around 6.5 in apart. For the left and right sides, the dots should be around 5.5 in apart. 

2. Tape the calendar. I did the horizontal tape first since I wanted the patterned washi tape to go under the solid colored tape. Tape from dot to dot. Next, tape vertically from dot to dot, removing excess tape above the top line so you have space to write the month. 

3. Write the dates. I used Post It notes for this, but you can also use magnets or just write them directly on the board. I cut the Post Its in half and then set the non-sticky sides aside for later. I cut the sticky sides in half again, putting them in the top left corner of each calendar square. 

4. Write the days. Remember those non-sticky Post It pieces you just set aside? Cut 4 of them in half longways and write the days of the week on them. Use extra washi tape to stick them on the board (I rolled it into loops and stuck it behind the Post It so it wouldn't show.) 

5. Write the month and your to-do's! I originally had "September" spelled out in sticky notes, but it looked a little childish so I said nah and just used a cute typeface instead! I'm big on color coordination, so I decided to color code my events. 

Ta-da! Now you're (one step closer to being) as organized as me. This wall calendar sits on my desk at work -- social media is no joke and you have to be SO WELL ORGANIZED. Never do I miss a deadline with this thing, and my entire office can see what's going on! 

Thank you, washi tape, for making my desk look less "high school classroom" and more "employed adult trying to bring color and fun to the workplace."