Double Your Design Pleasure

Here’s a sneak peak at a nursery bedding set I am making for a client expecting twins. The mother-to-be is not even finding out what she’s having! I admire anyone who has that much self-control. There is no way I could NOT find out. I am the type of person who will ask to know what to expect, when to expect it and how.

Below are the inspiration photos she gathered to give me a feel of the overall room design. By the way, mommy has impeccable style and taste. This room is going to be GORGEOUS! I promise to post final room photos. We are having it professionally photographed.

Here are her cribs, Da Vinci Jenny Lind Crib in Ebony Black Finish (not her bedding). And the bold and beautiful rug from www.Horchow.com



Her window valence fabric, a black and flax linen.



And her bedding fabrics pulled from the luxurious Leontine Linens flax linen and red bedding.

My Little Girl's Big Girl Room

I get a lot of customers requesting to update their daughter’s nursery to her new BIG GIRL room. Most of the time it’s to make way for their sibling baking in mommy’s belly and sometimes it’s because it’s time to move up and out of the crib.

Parents ask me a lot of questions about what the new room should have and how to create a room that will last well into their "tweens". I always advise them before they pick out fabrics, furniture and paint to take the time to plan the room’s layout.

First and foremost consider the architectural details of the room; its size, window placement, closets and door openings. As they grow so does the size of their stuff. Beds are bigger, nightstands become a necessity and they have more clothes and shoes. If the closet is small additional storage will be needed. Then list all the things you want your child’s room to have; a place to play and explore, hang with their friends and eventually study. After you’ve established the basics, dive into the aesthetics and make it a special retreat they’ll love for years.
Below is a perfect example of important elements of your growing kid’s new digs by designer Amanda Nisbet.

A comfortable and inviting bed that can also act as a lounge area with friends.


The memo board is a great place to display their art and family photos when they are little and pictures of their friends as they grow. If space allows consider additional seating options for friends and yourself.


First comes the play table and book cubbies and eventually it will be time for academics. You may not need a desk right away, but plan ahead so you won't need to reconfigure the room when it's time to add one.

Don't forget lighting. Proper lighting is just as important as the bed. It can help set the mood of the room anytime of the day.

Eco Chic

Here’s a little Friday feast for the eyes. Check out this stunning fuscia, orange and aqua eco friendly room designed for HGTV’s Green Home 2009. The overall size of the room is a bit on the small side, but this design packs a lot of punch for a petite room. Just about all the furnishings and fabrics are environmentally friendly which just goes to show you can help product mother earth and still have high style. To read more about this child’s room and the entire Green Home giveaway visit www.HGTV.com.

Imitation is the Best Form of Flattery

A client of mine sent me link to her dream nursery inspiration room she found at www.roomzaar.com. This was the first time I had heard of this site so naturally I was intrigued. Little did I know there was a complete online gallery of people’s personal spaces free for us to preview, judge, gawk and mimic. Parents-to-be if you haven’t discovered this design tool go check it out. You can click on boy’s room, girl’s room and nurseries to gather tons of room design ideas. Don’t forget the rest of your house there’s inspiration for every room.

Below are pictures of the dream nursery we are helping to make, her fabrics and custom monogram. We are copying the bedding exactly and adding a few more items to the overall design. I especially love the way they repeated the stripe pattern in the fabric on the walls.

That’s a great design tip; pull a pattern from your fabrics and apply it to the walls. Gorgeous!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh my!

Today I am sharing with you another baby bedding set in the works. This mother-to-be is going for a zoo theme with a sophisticated touch. She specifically requested the fabrics not be too juvenile and compliment her gorgeous mural below, custom ordered from www.muralsyourway.com. If you’ve never visited their website I encourage you to check it out. You can custom order their art in just about any size to fit your room.


We also created a custom monogram for her bumpers to coordinate with her gorgeous fabrics below. I promise to post pics of the final product. Enjoy!

Where to shop:
Monogram and fabrics – www.Jacquelynreese.com
Mural – www.Muralsyourway.com

High Style for a Steal

Attention all design addicts! One of my favorite interior designers and television personalities Nate Burkes has a new home furnishing line at the Home Shopping Network. If you don’t know Nate, he’s Oprah’s go to guy for all her home makeovers on her show. He use to have a home décor line at Linens N’ Things, but since they closed their doors he moved his goods to HSN.com.

It gets even better! His new line carries smaller scale affordable and stylish furniture. His pieces are perfect for a kid’s game room, study, rec-room basement or bedroom. Now you can have function and fabulous furnishing for the kids for not a lot of dough. Here are a few of his pieces, but you can preview everything at www.HSN.com.

Neon Necessities

Remember back in the day when neon and florescent clothes and accessories where the big trend? I’m talking early 80’s with lace florescent headbands, layered neon belts and oversized neon t-shirts all thanks to Madonna. I would layer on the neon goods and strut my stuff down to the bus stop thinking, “I look good”. In reality I am sure I looked absolutely ridiculous. I never thought the day would come when neon clothes and accessories were the epitome of high style. But low and behold the day has come.

Fortunately it appears we have all learned from our mistakes and fluorescents got a lot more fabulous! Below are a few of spring’s brightest new looks for you and your home.

Where to shop:

Fabrics www.JacquelynReese.com

Dress Roberto Cavalli www.Nordstroms.com

Satin Heels Christian Louboutin www.ChristianLouboutin.com

Handbag, clutch, wallet and sandals www.Toryburch.com