Ivy League Dreams

I am so taken by this room for a number of reasons.  First I envy the smart use of space for both sleeping and study areas.  Second, I love the college like feel the dark colors evoke.  I am not normally a dark moody green person, but this one I like.  And third, this chic design allows an easy transition from preschool to tween age.  I could even see this room done in a dark navy, brown or charcoal. 

image via

Nursery Inspiration

As most of you know I am not having a boy, but I was very inspired by this picture and squirreled it away.  I love the muted color, bold pattern rug and modern crib with rustic dresser.  I was also taken by the huge longhorn painting; it would have been the perfect homage to my husband's alma mater

Image via ?

A Young Gentleman's Room

It's hard to find a classic and chic room for teen boys that can carry them through college and double as guest room.  This design for Atlanta Home Magazine's showcase home has it all.   Go ahead leave the door open when company's coming; it's just too beautiful to hide behind closed doors.

Max's Big Boy Room

My new favorite room for a boy is this hansome retreat from Isabella & Max Rooms. For more pics and the amazing transformation featuring chalkboard paint and an Ikea rug visit Janell's blog.

If I was having a boy...

No I am not pregnant; but if I were with a boy, below is the my nursery inspiration.

Shopping Guide:

Rug - Dashandalbert.com

Glider - Serenaandlily.com

Basket - Potterybarn.com

Fabrics - Jacquelynreese.com

Pillows - http://www.fabricadabra.us/

Patrick the Pup - FAO.com

Zinc Letters - Anthropologie.com

Mirror, Lamps and Console - Ballarddesigns.com

Painting - Dog Art Studio via Etsy

My New Favorite Blanket

I was in Pottery Barn today shopping for some baskets when I spied this beautiful throw tucket away in a cubby.  It's perfect for a child's room for so many reasons.  It's stylish, soft and big - perfect for cuddling with adults.  I could see this draped over a glider in a nursery or at the foot of a bed for older children.

Or maybe in my living room.....

Varsity Blues: A Future MVP Nursery

Recently I completed bumpers for a baby boy that to me, said future All American MVP.  The bedding is really very simple, yet very baby without the in your face themed bedding.   We started with the following fabrics and left the decorating open to many options. 

And here is the final product.  So cute if I don't say so myself!

Room to Dream via Elements of Style

Erin with Element Interiors design firm and her famous design blog has given us a little boy's room to boast about.  She custom designed this amazing space for the Room to Dream Foundation and you can read all the fabulous details here.

Tory Burch at Home

This black and cream boy's room in Tory Burch's home speaks to me in so many ways.  I love the elegantly understated design.  Of course I would expect nothing less from Ms. Burch.  To see more photo's of Tory's home click here.

Photo via Habitually Chic

Theme Room Done to Perfection- HGTV Dream Home

A new year brings a new HGTV Dream Home and naturally I love to cruise the online tour and soak up all the design details. I was especially excited to see that this year they did a child's room with a theme. A Toy Story theme, but done in a childish-sophisticated manner (now that’s an oxymoron) so it's not in-your-face over-the-top Disney. I can appreciate a child's room decorated with a specific theme in mind, but always with subtle details.

Notice how if you just remove the toys the theme is gone and the room is still a perfectly designed room that will grow with the child.  Nothing else needs to change, nuetral elegant bedding, bright and cheerful walls and simple window treatments.

The bed and bedding is my favorite part of the room.  Orange, turquoise and white bedding with just a touch of black. By the way, this is my favorite way to dress a child's bed with pillows.  Euro Sham in the back helps to anchor the bedding, standard sham and then the accent pillow for that little pop of color in a fun pattern.

To take a virtural tour of this room click here.

Gray is the new Black AND Blue

Incase you haven't noticed, gray is THE color of the moment.  Interior designers, home furnishing stores and design magazines all claim gray is the color to have in every chic home.  So...if you are anything like me and are a slave to trends (I love trendy touchs in a home) then you'll want to know how to incorporate a little gray without having to overhaul all your furnishings.  By the way, any of these items below work for children and adult spaces.

Any of these rugs from West Elm would look beautiful in any room.

Even Ikea has a beautiful and affordable gray rug.

I also love these Chunky Tassel Throws from West Elm.  The throw name is Platinum.  How chic.

This Gray Damask fabric from Buyfabrics.com is one of my favorite affordable fabrics around.

And if you think gray is too drab for your taste, check out the color paired with yellow.

Restoration Hardware has painted all the interiors of their stores from their classic silversage blue to beautiful gray and the result is stunning. 

These gorgeous antiqued candle sconces from Wisteria are painted a beautiful aged gray.  They are sold as a pair and would be beautiful in a girls room.

Another option for lighting, this gorgeous platinum pendant shade from West Elm.

Love this gray hutch from Layla Grace.

For those of you who have some serious cash to spend, there is this beautiful Gustav Gray children's furniture set from Posh Tots.

Or if your cash flow is more in line with mine, then perhaps this more affordable Ikea option in dark charcoal gray.  This vanity would make a perfect desk for a child.  You can see the entire Edland line from Ikea here.

And yes even our beloved Pottery Barn is riding the gray train with their PB Teen line.  Check out just one of their new bedding styles for boys.  Gray, of course.