The perfect white, simple bookcase {a round-up}

I was on the hunt for a simple white bookcase the other day for a client's space.  I didn't want it too heavy or chunky, I wanted plenty of shelves and I knew I wanted it to be metal.  My wants were definitely pretty specific so it made my search extensive.  In the process of my search I saw a few other really great options that would be a nice piece for any room.

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I'm Back...

I just got back from a weekend away with my husband celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary poolside out in Palm Springs.  It was just the relaxation time I needed.  So, now that I'm back I want to make sure you all feel included in this blog.  This is my avenue of staying connected with possible clients, active clients or just blog friends.  I did create Emerson Grey Designs in order to have my creative outlet I love, but also to help those struggling in creating the perfect place for their little one (or ones).  There are a few ways to stay involved in this blog:
1) is my Wowza Wednesdays.  I feel like half way through the work week, or mom week, is worth acknowledging.  So, my Wowzas are recognizing something that mid-way has made me smile, chuckle, laugh, cry...there are no rules!  I would love for you all to share with me something that has made you feel something worth mentioning.  Send them to me at brimoysa@emersongreydesigns.com and I would love to features yours after mine.  If you take a look back at my Wowzas, they aren't anything spectacular...so don't be shy.
2)  is to leave comments.  I love comments.  Thank you to those of you that leave them often.  It is a constant reminder that this is being seen by a few of you, hopefully someday, by many. 
3) is to contact me for my services...duh, right?  =)  I'm not sure what avenue you have found my site through, but I'm glad you have stopped by and hope that I can be of some assistance. 

Okay...now that that is over...lets chat about ways to display books in a room.  We all want our kids to be good readers, have that intellectual imagination strengthened and books are the greatest gift to that.  But how can we display the enormous amount of books we accumulate over the years in a cute way? 

A while back I posted how I put picture ledges up in my kids room.

I love this option because it allows for open floor space and yet you can still display your favorite books. 
Other creative ways I have found recently:

I just love this idea, using an old cable spool and turning it into a new library table, it can also act as a craft/art table for the kids.  You must head over to Reading is Fashionable and check out the tutorial. 

I also saw this and thought...hmmm that could easily be a fresh way to organize and display books.  Better Homes and Gardens was showing it as a way to display your china...but, I like it for a kids room.  Baskets on the bottom, books, toys etc.  The spacing from one shelf to the other is what I really like.  It truly created a 'piece of furniture.'  Got to love Ikea Expedit bookcases. 

I've always been drawn to this idea. I love the asymmetry and the numerous possible color options and combos you could customize it with.  You can see the tutorial here, but I am sure you could tweak it so many different ways.  The concept itself is super fun. 

How about a flea market find...I want to run to the nearest one and see what treasure I can find.  How great is this spinning rack? Even better is the room that it calls home. 

For a play room or a boys room how fun would this locker console be?  It also comes in red.  Too fun and could grow with them for awhile. 

The possibilities are endless.  I think the fun is finding a newer way to do it, making books more then just books.  Making them a feature in a room.  How do you display the books in your kids rooms?

Weekend in review

So, it has been a weekend of projects.  I love weekends like that.  The kids room continues to get new bits here and there. 

The book wall has gone up, the old black bookcase has been sold, (Love Craigslist) and the window bench has been partially constructed.

The zipper-like pillow on the far right is from IKEA.  It is only $12.99 and comes with the feather insert!  It has a velvety texture to it and my son is very excited about. 

The book wall was created with the Ribba picture ledges from IKEA and you will be so surprised how cute it turns out.  I'm sure many of you have seen it in other kids rooms, but it truly is a great way to display books and not take up floor space.  I love the positioning we did cause for now the bottom shelf is my daughters (she's 17 months), the middle shelf is my sons (he's 4 1/2) and the top shelf they can't touch.  That is where the classics and the special books are kept. 

We are slowly, but surely on our way to a new room for the kids.  Can't wait to be able to show the entire room completed. 

On another note, I found a very helpful tool for all you Pinterest lovers.  When you are on a website, whatever it may be, highlight the text you would want to appear in your description box and then hit your Pin It button.  Go...do it right now...are you so excited...now you don't have to remember the name of an item, come up with something yourself, all of the above! 

That is my weekend in a nutshell...DIY and Pinterest haha



Dandelion

There is something about a Dandelion that I love.  Its softness, its freeing ways...it's so similar to a child.  It exudes tenderness, so why not use it in a nursery?  Today I've played with this theme and created a space for a little lady.

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Splurge vs. Thrifty

I love a thrifty find.  Don't you?  This find actually has three options to it.  I came across this Splurge vs. Thrifty while designing a clients E-design.  You may have seen this find in a few nurseries appearing on sites like Project Nursery and Apartment Therapy.  It's a tree bookcase.  It is a really fun, unexpected look for a room.  But these furniture pieces aren't necessarily on the inexpensive side.  The original find is gorgeous.  It is made by Nurseryworks and is low in VOC as all their products are.  It measures to be 47" x 6" x 63" and is priced at $850.

The next option is by Babyletto (a sister company of Nurseryworks) and has a very similar look and will give you the same impact.  It measures at 40.96"L x 51.17"H x 5.9"W and is $269

And the last, and most cost effective option is to use a wall decal of a tree.  There are so many available on Etsy.  Place the wall decal on the wall and then put up shelves scattered on existing branches to create the illusion of a bookcase.  Similar to the image below. 

This decal is created by Lulukuku. 

All are a great addition to any nursery or kids room. 

Splurge vs. thrifty...what is your way?