Black and Pink Boutique Chic

Let me start this post by saying this room design was A LOT of fun. I love feminine rooms and this one is all out girly. About a week ago I received an email from a mom who reads this blog and wanted to know if pink, black and damask wallpaper would work for a toddler’s room or would it be too much. Here is her question;

My lil one just turned two on July 3rd and we were already planning on transforming her room. I was thinking something fun, pink, black, damask wall paper, boutiquish (if that's even a word ..lol) for her room. Would that be too much for a lil girls room?

My immediate thought was, “How freaking cute would that be for a girl’s room, I want to design a room with that theme.” So I replied back saying stay tuned I would give her some guidance. Below is the room design, but I have added a few design comments below along with a shopping list. Click on the image to enlarge.





Pink and black is a beautiful combination, but you need to keep certain elements to a minimum or your room will end up looking like a Victoria’s Secret store. I would recommend keeping the wallpaper damask pattern to a soft pale pink. I found a paint swatch at Home Depot to help, Ralph Lauren’s Verona Pink VM45. You don’t have to use Ralph Lauren paint because it can get a little pricey, but it’s a good starting point. The wallpaper in the design I found at www.Lowes.com, but I was recently told they don’t sell wallpaper in the stores anymore. Again a starting point if you can’t get your hands on a sample. If you’re going to wallpaper the entire room keep the pink a powder pink tone. Another option would be to only wallpaper the wall the bed is against and paint the other walls a complimentary pink. That can help save some money if the budget is tight.

The fabrics selected are samples only because there are so many options available, but if you are going with damask wallpaper avoid a damask print fabric. Too many competing patterns. I recommend adding a dove gray color in the fabrics as a complimenting color. The tiny dot fabric swatch in the design is actually a soft gray color.

Black can be a dominating element to any design so select only a couple of key black pieces and the rest are tiny accents. For example the black dresser and dress form are large pieces and the pillow and picture frame are delicate accents.
The dresser and nightstand are from Ikea so don’t worry if the kids beat the crap out of it, it’s okay it was cheap. The art is from one of my all time favorite artist Janet Hill. They are inexpensive prints to help keep the budget in check.

A few side notes; the lighting in this design are serious budget busters, but you get the idea. I am sure you can find some reasonable alternatives with the internet. Also, there are a lot of pink tones in this inspiration board-do not perceive that as a design tip. Stick with two dominating tones max. This board is a sample only. Enjoy!

Shopping Guide:
Fabrics – www.JacquelynReese.com
Custom monogram – www.JacquelynReese.com
Mirror – www.Horchow.com
Dresser and Nightstand – www.Ikea.com
Rug, Beanbag, Dress form, Storage Basket, Vanity Seat – www.Potterybarnkids.com & www.Potterybarnteen.com
Pillow and Flower Knob – www.Anthropologie.com
Headboard – www.BallardDesigns.com
Jacket – www.JanieandJack.com
Shoes – www.jcrew.com (crewcuts)
Wallpaper – www.Lowes.com
Frames – www.PaulaPrass.com
Artwork – Janet Hill Studio http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5535176
Chandelier – Petite Paris Flea Market available at www.CircaLighting.com
Lamp – www.christopherspitzmiller.com

Daddy’s Lil’ Copilot

I just finished a crib set for some friends and I’d thought I’d share the pictures. Below is the original inspiration bedding set from Pottery Barn Kids. PB Kids doesn’t make this set for cribs so we custom designed our own. The Mommy-to-be purchased a full size bed sheet set and the rest we customized to her liking.



I think it turned out really cute! Dad is a pilot so of course aviation was incorporated, but not made to be the entire look. This was also my first try at making crib sheets; a fitted crib sheet. I’ve tried it before and they are very hard to make with the varying crib mattress sizes you can buy today. Surprisingly these were a cinch to make. Maybe I’ve gotten better over the years.

Enjoy!

The mobile from PB Kids

Happy Fourth of July!

Just a few images to put you in a celebrating mood. Be safe and have fun!

Where to Shop:

Childrens' clothing - www.JanieandJack.com

Table Scape and Burger - www.SocialCouture.com

Family Beach Towel and Umbrellas - www.Potterybarnkids.com

Stylish Storage for Kiddy Clutter

I once had a stylish and sophisticated abode worthy of dinner parties, cocktail gatherings and the occasional bridal or baby shower. Of course this was all B.C. (Before Child). My beautifully decorated home is now littered with toys, shoes, clothes and other random things thanks to my two year old. You would think I’d have thighs of steel with all the squatting, bending and lunges I constantly do picking up all the clutter.

Because of this I am always on a quest for stylish storage solutions. It gives me peace to see the clutter crammed in esthetically pleasing baskets, buckets and tubs. Below are a few I happened upon on my latest search for MORE storage.

I covet these Bradshaw Kirchofer toy boxes, but they are serious budget busters. Available at www.laylagrayce.com

Of course there is always old faithful Pottery Barn and Land of Nod.

Chic on the cheap options at www.Ikea.com

Or affordable custom work from www.Etsy.com

There's Inspiration Around Every Corner

Happy Friday! I thought I would share with you a room design I did for a contest. The rules were you could design any room of your choice as long as the inspiration came from the Domino the Book of Decorating cover. Since I love designing rooms and bedding I decided to enter the contest and naturally I chose to design a nursery. I love the way it turned out. Click on the image below to enlarge the design and read the notes. By the way, the notes are added for my blog readers. I hope it brings a little inspiration to your day.



Where to Shop:

• Fabrics www.Heatherbaileystore.com
• Lattice Fabric and Monogram www.JacquelynReese.com
• Mirror, Table Lamp and Glass Knob www.Anthropologie.com
• Rug and Chandelier www.Potterybarn.com
• Wicker Shelf Basket www.Potterybarnkids.com
• Dress and Sandals www.JanieandJack.com
• Oversized Stuffed Dog www.FAO.com
• Yellow Dresser and Bookshelf www.Ikea.com
• Waste Basket www.Marye-Kelley.com
• Crib www.Artforkids.net
• Glider and Accent Table www.Serenaandlily.com
• Lucite Tray www.iomoi.com
• Moses Basket www.Mosesbaskets.com
• Bird Mobile and Rattle www.BlaBlakids.com
• Domino Decorating Book www.Amazon.com
• Paint www.BenjaminMoore.com Hazy Blue and Antiguan Sky

Top Ten Cutest Chairs for Kids

Elle Décor’s April ’09 issue features their top ten picks for the most stylish choices in children’s seating. I especially love the Lou Lou Ghost Chair by Philippe Starck but a more economically option is the Leksvik chair by Ikea. Click on the image above to enlarge (my apologies for the awful scan, uploading this image was brutal!).

All of the above are sure to add a touch of sophistication to your child’s room, but a few of these are definite budget busters. Below are some more affordable options left off the list but sure to bring a sense of style to their room.

1 2 3


4 5 6

7 8 9

Chairs 7 and 8 are the most affordable of group and from Ikea and chair 9 is a modern eco friendly option. With the exception of the two Ikea chairs all are available at http://www.allchildrensfurniture.com/.

Design Tip: Check out this cute idea on how to customize the chairs by Pottery Barn Kids. You can easily add their name to any of the wood or plastic chair options, just visit any online custom decal store for design ideas.

Here's a Bright Idea

If you are decorating your nursery or kid’s room I want you to walk to the center of the room and look up at the ceiling. What do you see? If it’s a ceiling fan I beg you to please consider these lighting options. Break the norm and don’t be afraid to add a little something unexpected.

Perhaps you prefer an elegant statement

or something more whimsical;

maybe an touch of the unexpected

or understated elegance.

Whatever your design style is adding a beautiful ceiling fixture to your child’s room is a simple way to pull a design together.

Design Tip: Add a dimmer switch! It’s a chic on the cheap way to create instant mood lighting. Plus they are great for bedtime stories, middle of the night feedings and scaring away monsters under the bed.

Where to Shop

http://www.overstock.com/

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/

http://www.westelm.com/

http://www.ikea.com/