The studio welcomed Jamie Zeppetella of @therenovatedroost. She is a mother of 3 and a realtor who loves decorating and creating warm welcoming spaces in the home. Originally from Florida, she has since moved to Southern California and has lived here for 22 years. Jamie oozes positive and down-to-earth vibes that truly transcend into her room designs in the studio. When we stumbled upon her Instagram, we absolutely fell head over heels for her ability to capture the space’s cozy lived-in feel while also keeping it modern and contemporary. She takes inspirations from many different social media influencers to combine and create her own unique take on classic trends mixed in with DIY-inspired projects. She considers her style to be eclectic blended in with California cool tone while also being timeless and lived in. She got into design as a creative outlet when she was not working and needed something else to do as a stay-at-home mom. It has since evolved into a passion which she can meld together with her real estate career.
Sadly, a few months ago, she suffered an unexpected aneurysm (subarachnoid hemorrhage) which nearly cost her life. Though this was a terrifying experience, her family was there to support her throughout this terrifying trial. Family is an important part of her life which serves as her rock and inspiration. Jamie has chosen to be open in sharing on her social media platforms the health scare and recovery experience in hopes to educate and spread awareness.
The Plan
We have provided Jamie with 2 sets to style: The Cooper Sofa in Dark Gray and The Roxy Extendable Dining Table with 4 Chairs & Bench in Homestead Brown.
The Prep
She styled each room using a blend of Mor Furniture accents as well as her own décor pieces brought in from her house.
Challenge One: Cooper Sofa in Dark Gray
Jamie started with the Cooper Sofa in Dark Gray and filled it with welcoming pillows that create a lived-in space for this living room idea. We loved the compactness of this design as she perfectly designed a space that would work well with a small living room or apartment, which is perfect for a budget-friendly design. Her approach was to style on a small space scale to pull off a mid-century modern plus conventional style that can be achievable for someone who has never tried mid-century design before. We playfully called this look a mid-century modern starter kit for those who are skeptical to try this type of interior design in their home but want to try. Jamie made everything look so easy and doable while keeping the space feel welcoming and cozy. The Cooper Sofa is a great transitional piece from classic to mid-century to modern. It is a sofa that can grow with your personal style and home.
The choice of accent furniture and décor make the room as Jamie combines the sofa with the Kisper Coffee Table in Brown featuring a low-profile height and matching skinny table legs. She added a pop of gold with the Posh Tray on top of the coffee table and placed a mixture of neutral accents that made the table come to life. For balance, Jamie chose the Granada Rug in Diamond Ivory 5x8, which brightens up the room against the darker toned furniture pieces.
Have we discussed the Forestmin Bookcase yet? No? Well, we are going to gush about it anyway! Jamie filled this bookshelf with personality from top to bottom, with the Jolina Boxes in Gray and the Oakden Metal Globe creating a studious atmosphere that lends to the contemporary, modern feel of the room. She intended to pair the sofa with a different style of chair but ended up choosing the Maguire Accent Saddle Chair as it screams simple but serves as a statement piece with its light tan leather and black metal features shine brightly.
Challenge Two: Roxy Dining Table, 4 Chairs & Bench in Homestead Brown
The Result:
This design gave us Modern Rustic style as the Roxy Extendable Dining Table shines as the main staple of the room. “Stay with classic and timeless pieces,” Jamie comments on staple piece furniture, “and then add or change décor accents onto it as needed.” Choosing the right staple piece will pay off overall, as it will stay with you through design transformations.
Jamie's favorite detail in this dining room collection is the wooden-curved back on the chairs and bench. It is a shapely feature that adds character to the overall design of the dining set. We really love the small touches of accent décor on top of the table with neutral yarn-wrapped balls inside of the large Moises Bowl in Brown and bottles of wine and glasses to top off the center table. The yarn-wrapped balls speak to Jamie’s personality for her love of DIY projects. She filled the Hannela Small Vase with lush faux plants that flow in an overgrowth above the table for a touch of nature green.
We were pleasantly surprised by the addition of the Oengus Large Arch Mirror on top of the Roxy 4 Door Buffet in Homestead Brown. Jamie had previously wanted to use a different artwork above the buffet, however, she found that the mirror worked better for the style choice she decided to go with. We think she made the best choice because few designers have been able to style a mirror in our studio. The two Shavon Table Lamps add symmetry and balance to the buffet table. To complete the room, Jamie handpicked the Jodene Pendant Light for size and a polished off look with Edison-style bulbs bringing in more rustic modern aesthetic into this dining room set.
Check out Jamie for home design and health/wellness inspiration at @therenovatedroost.
