A Nursery Bathroom

As you may or may not know, I offer different levels of help or service.  Some e-design, some in person and some hourly consulting.  When this particular client contacted me last year, she was pregnant with her firstborn and was in the midst of decorating her nursery.

She had most everything picked out in terms of fabrics and furnishings, but asked me if I could provide a little bit more direction, answer some very specific questions and be a sound board for some of her beautiful decisions.  She really didn't need my help, she has a very good 'eye'.  

She just recently gave birth to a baby girl and sent me a picture of this!  She did a wonderful job!

Isn't this the sweetest?   I adore the wallpaper!  She still isn't finished with her daughter's nursery. But, she did recently send me a picture of a pillow she just had made for her nursery's playroom.  She now just now needs to get it monogrammed!

I love the mix of the small check and the peach bordering flange!  So precious!

Helping a Client Select Fabrics

I recently helped a client decide which fabrics to use where in her soon to be baby's nursery.  She already had the fabrics selected, but needed help putting it all together.  We discussed what fabrics would look good as window panels, crib bedding, pillows and on upholstered furniture. She was particularly on the fence with whether to do solid fabric with trim or a fun print as the window panels.  I suggested the fun print as I think it can really make a fun statement!

If your budget is flexible, I think picking a fun print as window panels can make all the difference.

Above is NOT the design of my client, but rather an example I created using a fun print as panels.  I have always wanted to use Katie Leede's 'Thebes' fabric!

If you need help designing a room, please feel free to contact 'me'!

E's Bedroom - Finally the Reveal!

In approximately two weeks, we will have lived in this house and in Louisville, KY for one year!  Woohoo!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone. When we first moved into this house, one of the first rooms I was determined to work on was E's room.  For the past three years, the poor girl has not had a proper room!  When we lived in Vienna, her bedroom was a large walk-in closet (with a huge window), but still, it was a closet.

So, I set forth designing her room with gutso.  If you remember, this was the inspiration board I created for her room.

I mainly stuck to the plan, but had a departure here or there as things got underway.  Here is her room now and I am happy to say that my little E loves it (and so do I)!

The window is the first thing you see when you walk in the room and I wanted it to be the focal point.  I picked a neutral buffalo check fabric and had it made into a custom balloon shade that will grow with her as she transitions to a big girl room and so on.  I painted the walls a soft cream to complement the biscuit color in the buffalo check fabric.

I had a scalloped slipcover made for an old glider we had in a white matelasse fabric and created a cozy reading nook.

The framed watercolor above the chair is of the town my mom is from and grew up in - Trier, Germany.  The watercolor was given to us from my mother's family as a wedding present.

The book shelf is actually an Ikea Hemnes bookcase that I painted BM Prescott Green.  I LOVE this color.  Painting the bookshelf wasn't part of the original plan, but as the room progressed I felt it needed a cooler color to offset all the warm tones.  I am so happy how it turned out.

Here are some close-ups of some of the really special things on her bookcase.  

We love reading Little Bear! 

The mirror below is from Target that I whitewashed.  My blue and white lamp is from my step mother and dad given to me for my birthday which I love.  And, her monogrammed baby cup is from her grandparents.  

The dresser below is from Restoration Hardware which I am very happy with and I love how the gray tones work well with the cream walls. 

E just turned 3 and will be transitioning out of her crib soon.  This was previously Luke's crib.  Her crib is very simple nothing fancy, but I love the bolster and touches of blue.  The bunny plates above her crib are my favorite and I had them custom made from etsy. The picture below was taken at a different time so the lighting is a bit off.  The walls and fabric are much more saturated.  

Below is my husband's rocking chair when he was a little boy and I had a custom toile slip made for it. I found the hooks at an antique store and painted them BM Prescott Green.  That is Peanut sitting in the rocking chair! 

E's grandmother made her tooth fairy pillow hanging on the peg hooks.  

So, that is it!! It was a labor of true love as I guess all children's rooms are!  If you are interested in seeing this room when we bought the house, see below.

BEFORE:

Yes, those are some really purple walls!!  I hope you enjoyed my little girl's room and have a wonderful weekend!!

Evolving....

My little girl's room is slowly coming together.  Because it takes this mama forever to finish something, my ideas are always changing a bit which is throwing me a little off track.  I'm slowly getting there, though.  I decided on the wall color....

BM Salisbury Green

It turned out a bit more sage-y than I would have liked, but I think I am going to keep it.  Below is her crib sheet which will be on a white crib.  It was Luke's old crib.  She will not have a crib skirt because she'll be moving into a bed in the not too distant future.  

This Ikea bookshelf will be going in a corner of the room behind a white diamond matelasse slipcovered chair. I probably will put a contrasting color on the backs of the insides of the shelves to lighten things up.  

Ikea Hemnes Bookcase

White Diamond Matelasse Fabric

I am investing in a nice dresser because the dresser that I was stripping will now be placed in our guest room.  I have my eye on a couple.  I can't decide on the finish of the dresser - it's between these three finishes...(remember it's green walls).

 aged white

 french gray

antique natural oak

So, I ordered samples and then will make my decision.  I'm leaning towards either the antique natural oak or aged white.  So, that is where things stand at the moment.  Oh, and if anyone knows a good upholster (in CT/MA), I'd love recommendations.  It appears the one I was going to count on will not work out.  

Casually Elegant

The other day I stumbled across Brian Paquette Interiors via Jamie's blog.  Whoa....can I say, love his style?  I found pictures of this young family's home on his website.  I really like this style - casually elegant as I'd call it.  Perfect for a family with young kids.  Maybe that is why I relate to it so much.

While the bedding, furniture and rug are from retail stores (Serena Lilly, Pottery Barn, West Elm), it definitely has a custom and collected feel to it.  Don't you think?  I like how it is elegant, casual and not fussy.

I want to create a cozy nook like this in our bedroom.  I also love the color of the hardwood floors. I need that floor lamp.  I wonder if it is from RH?

Ahhh, I love the weathered vanity - so beautifully paired with the classic polished fixtures.  And, I love the green ticking shower curtain.  Although, I wish it just went all the way to the floor. 

I checked out his blog and spent longer than I'd like to admit browsing his photos.  Great inspiration.  

Beautiful work.  Wouldn't you agree?  I love when I find new designers (well, at least new to me) and I really get inspired by their work.

Unfinished Furniture

The idea of using unfinished furniture and transforming it to look great is nothing new.  I feel like five years ago there wasn't much selection in this arena, but things have certainly changed.  The other day, I browsed a couple of websites and was pretty amazed by the possibilities!

I love this little girl's room designed by Estee Stanley.  See the nightstand?  I found a very similar look for probably a fraction of the cost ($99).  

No need for a nightstand?  How about the same style as a bookcase?  I could this see using this in a nursery ($109).

I found the below table/desk and was considering using it in the corner of my dining room.  But, I wasn't sure?

And, then the other day I saw a photo of a living room Katie Fine designed and see the black desk/table in the corner?

I was like A-ha!  I really like how it works in this space.  So, perhaps it could work.  Besides, if I tire of it, I could always use it again in my daughter's room for her desk.   I'm particularly fond of the french inspired style.  See below.

So feminine and sweet.  I also love the idea of using it as a night table as well, like Sasha Adler did in her bedroom.  

All you would need to do is paint it black, use a gold leaf pen for the edging and you're suddenly sporting a very chic desk!   

Speaking of bedrooms, I really like this headboard and I think you could really be creative with upholstering the framed box so it would be padded.  

Not really sure?  Here is some inspiration....

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I could go on and on.  I found many pieces that could work in your home from demilune consoles to three drawer chests.  Personally, I would look on craigslist first to see if you can find the perfect piece, but if that fails, going the unfinished furniture route is a great option especially when you have to work within the limitations of a tight budget.  

Bonpoint Nursery Inspiration

One of the bonuses of living in a cosmopolitan city is that you are surrounded by high-end stores.  Now, I don't shop at these stores, but I DO window shop!!  And, on my early morning walks,  I always window shop and it is great because nobody is around and I just stand in front of the window (like a fool) and soak it all in!!

One shop that completely inspires me is Bonpoint, the french childrenswear store.  So, a couple of Saturdays ago, I actually made a point to go into the store and I was blown away by the decor (and by the clothes too), but mostly the decor!!

I was able to get a couple of pictures.....

First, I LOVE the color palette.  Greenish grayish, orange and pops of yellow.  This color palette would be perfect for either a boy or girl.  Second, I love the clean lined dresser.  Third, how about those industrial chic pendants?  I love how they contrast with the chandelier (which you can't see) above the gray distressed farm table.

Check out that rug!  I actually found the source here.  Aren't the colors fantastic?  So hip.

This was a hand made mobile that hung down from the second floor ceiling.  It was gorgeous and the artist (I don't know her name, but know she is from Boston) hand makes these beautiful pieces of art. 

There were so many more things that inspired me, but it was SOOOO hard to take pictures.  In fact, I was told I couldn't take pictures, but after schmoozing with the saleslady for 20 minutes, she let me take these pictures.  Crazy.....

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed them as much as I do!  I really feel there are so many fantastic take-aways here to incorporate in your own nursery design.  

One Kid's Room: Two Looks

This weekend, I stumbled onto the blog called, And George, which is authored by Christy Ford.  The mother (Jan Roden) and daughter (Christy Ford) duo run a fantastic store called, And George, in Charlottesville, Virginia.  I need to make a point to visit.

In one of the posts, Christy talks about her children flip flopping rooms more times than her husband would like to count.  Ever since her home was published in Southern Living's November 2010 issue (see here), I have been a long time admirer of her children's rooms.  One of my favorites is seen here...

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So adorable.  The soothing pastels, florals and small prints - what's not to love?  Well, I guess at one point her son, Henry, moved into this room and Christy did a fantastic job decorating the space for a boy.

Christy Ford for And George

It looks as if the same paint color (Tranquility by BM) was kept which makes re-decorating so much easier.  I love how both rooms are filled with such personal style that they are magically kid friendly.  Neither room is over designed.  I love it.  And, can I just say how much my son would love those bunk beds?

Kristen Panitch Interiors

I stumbled across the portfolio of the Los Angeles based designer, Kristen Panitch, the other day while doing a search on wallpapered rooms.  I now know why her pictures popped up - she is not afraid of using wallpaper.  And, I love it.  I can't help but think that the style these rooms portray is exactly what I want to achieve in our next home.

I also found an interview that Nicole Gibbons, from So Haute, did with Kristen Panitch.  Below is a snapshot of Kristen's office.  I guess Kristen's home is being shot by one of the shelter magazines so I can't wait to see that!  I assume it hasn't been published yet?

So, what do you think?  Don't you love her mix of wallpapers, patterns and moody colors?  I like the eclectic yet traditional feel.  Doesn't it make the interiors feel so real and lived in?

Haven't seen enough?  Paula from Two Ellie (here) and Erin from House of Turquoise (here) also did posts on Kristin Panitch.  Go check them out!