A minty boy nursery {mint, teal, black and white}

I have always loved designing nurseries and kids spaces using colors that are slightly out of the ordinary.  I tend to use colors as a "neutral" even though they aren't your classic neutral like white, tan, ivory etc.  For my most recent client she already had her walls painted in Sherwin Williams Mint Condition from this room originally being her daughters.  They didn't want to repaint, but are having a boy this summer.  No problem.  I looked at the walls as their neutral backdrop and allowed the rest of the color scheme to come from my inspiration piece I found.  I just adore this saying and thought the colors were fab.

via Live Love Studio

The rest of the room will be compiled of teal, black, white and a few shades of gray.  Along with little bits of an olivey green.  Love those unexpected touches.  

Out of respect for my paying clients I don't share all sources, but I do highlight a few when necessary.  In this case there are so many talented designers involved that you may have never heard of.  Along with Live Love Studio you'll find art from Rose and Julep, crib sheets from Olive and Andrew and the ever amazing (I'm a tad bit obsessed) cross blanket by SpearmintLove.  If you have any other questions or would like to inquire about my design services please email me.  I'd love to chat.

Custom lighting {from a selection of fun colors}

I am always on the search for fun lamps to incorporate into my clients spaces.  It can get tricky though when we are having fun with a variation of a more basic color i.e. pink, but need it in more of a coral.  Or teal.  For such a statement piece you don't want the color to conflict with the rest of the design.  I happened upon Lamps plus and their option of customizing an assortment of their lamps and their shades using their color + plus.  Hello!  Heaven.

To get started you select a color from Lamps Plus amazing selection of colors including those from Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore and Pantone.

 

 

After you find the perfect color for your lamp base, click on it and then it is time to select your lamp shade.

Here is their Rose Circle Ring shade and Pantone 709c color base

It is that easy and it is way too much fun!  

Land of Nod {drool worthy}

How many of you just love when your Land of Nod catalog shows up?! I just love love love it!  I am a huge fan of where Land of Nod has taken nursery and kids room decor.  They have established just the right balance of modern design and kid friendly fun.  I am always able to find what I'm looking for when it comes to Land of Nod.  I thought I'd share a few of my absolute favorite items.

I'm loving the New School Kids sheet sets right now because of the scale of the pattern.  It doesn't look as sweet as you'd expect polka dot bedding to look.  Instead it adds just the right softness along with a bold statement.  These sheets come in a bunch of fun colors.

I can't get over this amazing pendant light called the Up and Atom chandelier, its very similar to another one of my favorites lights.  What a great addition of quirky this would add to any room.  I'm kind of dying for it to make an appearance in my kids room.  Ahhhh a girl can dream, but budget budget budget always gets in the way.

And I think I need to find a client who loves this dresser and the entire Ellipse collection as much as I do, so we can use it in their space.  I love the modern lines and the rich color.  It is just such a "cool" piece.  Adding a changing pad to the top will allow for it to double as a changing station, but then last for years and years after.

Those are just a few of my favorites right now.

Our new home {part 5}

I haven't updated all of you on the progress we are making on our home.  Everyday another project gets done.  I've featured a few so far...

Here is our new pendant light.

Here is our new mini mudroom.

And just this weekend we finished our new bedside lights.  I was ready to do something new next to our bed.  I didn't want the usual lamp/lampshade mix, as I didn't feel it fit with the look I am going for.  Our 'theme' throughout the house has been exposed bulbs and it just felt right to stick with this idea.  I've also had about 8 of these brackets just laying around unused just waiting for a project.

Ikea shelf bracket

My husband and I got to doing some research, found our inspiration and decided on our new bedside lights.
  

I wanted a pendant light cord kit that wasn't just a boring black or white,but that was all that I was finding.  I fell upon this set from West Elm though and loved it, but it just didn't feel like it was going to be right.

Metallic cord set

So, I just kept searching.  While cruising on Pinterest I had seen a few people pin the perfect cord kit that was the black and white 'striped' from our inspiration.  It was from Cost Plus and no longer was available...sad sad moment when I realized that!  I even drove to my local store to see if they had any left in stock...no go!

My search continued...I don't like giving up when I just know a product has to be out there somewhere.  Luckily, through some persons pin in a very lengthy search I found the perfect company who makes these great cord kits.

World Effect pendant cord kit in black and white was exactly what I was looking for.  And even better, for future clients these cord kits come in some amazing other colors.

You must visit the World Effect site and read about the story behind this great company.

Now that my must have items had been found it was just getting the assembly done.  And one of the best parts about this new bedside light was how easy it was to accomplish and the price tag actually came to be less then any of the lamps I was even considering.  Love that!!!

Here is our finished product.  

New pendant light {a DIY treasure}

I'm excited to share this little light creature my husband and I came up with.  I knew in our new home I wanted a statement pendant light to hang over our table.  I also knew that the ones that I love were out of my particular budget.  Case and point....

Jonathan Adler Mini Sputnik 

Satellite Chandelier from Anthropologie

Leona Chandelier

Please, if you can, purchase one of these...they are all amazing.  So, my project was to find something equally as amazing and yet fit into a price point we were comfortable with.  The search was on.  

One day while at my trusty Target I ventured to the clearance section as I always do and found this beauty sitting there starring at me for $17!!!

Sadly, they don't have it available anymore, but this post may make you look at a lamp base a bit differently next time you are out shopping.  

I bought it and brought it home and my handy hubby got to work.  

He bought this conversion kit from Lowe's

It is called the Portfolio mini pendant kit and is only $18. He wired it into the Target lamp base so that it would hang properly from the ceiling.  He then did his "Mr.Electric" thing and hung it yesterday.  It took him all of five minutes and I'm pretty excited that for less then $50 we have a unique pendant light hanging above our nook table.  

Here is what the nook likes like today...it will be changing though because I'm just not feeling the table. It will get there soon and I'll be sure to keep you all updated!  

Linking up 

Gold Lighting

Have you seen this lamp from Land of Nod?

It's called the Between a Rock lamp base and I think it is the perfect, quirky, modern lamp to help add a bit of gold to any room.  It's small in size which is great for those a little weary about adding gold to their decor.  Baby steps right? 

Here are some of my other favorite gold lamps I've seen recently.

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A bit of glimmer

I love a subtle bit of glimmer in a room, especially one that you wouldn't necessarily expect it to be in.  And one way to do this, while adding some real wow factor, is bringing in gold on a light source.  The reflection the light makes is just the right bit of shine.  And I love what it can add to a child's space.  Can you picture any of these in your child's space?

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These are just a few of my favorites.  Which one do you like best? 

You've been mirrored

Adding a mirror to any room is a great rule to follow in design.  It can make a room feel larger, it adds reflection, sometimes even glamour.  And who doesn't want a bit of glamour?  It's time to think outside the box and find ways to put mirrored items in a room, rather then just putting up a single mirror. 

Mirrored Quill wall decal from Urban Outfitters

Strips of Mirror from Urban Outfitters

Mirrored tray from Target

mirrored words by Studio Liscious

mirrored three tier chandelier from Horchow

mirrored nightstand from Neiman Marcus

mirrored wall hook

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

Today was supposed to be race day...and you only know what I am talking about if you live with a Nascar fan or are one yourself.  I happen to live with one, two actually, my son has become a fan.  So, because the men in my life love the Daytona 500, I thought I'd create a design board using cars as my inspiration.  I love the use of vintage, rustic and modern.  They play off of each other, almost without letting any one be the shining star.  The teal and yellow colors also liven up the space with different finishes and patterns. 

Start your engines...

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Raspberry Swirl Big Girl Room

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I wanted to do a fun big girls room today!  I'm loving the bright, jenny lind beds from Land of Nod.  I would have just loved one of those as a girl.  That P. Kaufman fabric is to die for, it's called Shalini Raspberry and is just a pure beauty.  I'm thinking of using it as floor length drapes possibly and maybe a throw pillow on the bed.  I thought the subway art was the perfect little girl touch, to this somewhat sophisticated room. Play school, have a tea party...love.  I hope you enjoy!

Turquoise and Chandeliers...a perfect pair!

I have seen some amazing lighting fixtures lately and thought I'd share some that I love.  From girly and light, to slightly modern, to just plain amazing (but out of many clients price range.) There is no price constriction when you are just plain enjoying the view.  To keep myself on track I thought I'd just focus on one color and its many different ways of being featured on a chandelier.  Turquoise...ah turquoise! Is anyone else kind of in love with this color? 

This adorable chandelier is actually a vintage piece that got a new lease on life.  It's amazing what a new coat of paint can do to a chandelier.  Look at your local antique, consignment or even GoodWill stores for these pieces...but look past their current exterior and just imagine what they can be!

This chandelier is whimsical and modern at the same time.  The geometry of the repeatitive disks could add such a fun focal point to a room with clean lines and light colors.  At a price tag of only $129 why not do three above a changing table as a mobile and decorative lighting...hey, thinking outside of the box is way more fun. 

                                       

Now this beauty is the show stopper...how amazing is it?  Now, it may not be your taste, but you have to admit if you walked into a room and this was hanging in the middle of it, you'd kind of have to stop and stare!

And lastly, here is a room that was featured on Project Nursery that shows just how fun a turquoise chandelier can be. 

Let a little light shine in

Lighting... not too many people get too excited about lighting.  But why not?! Lighting can act as a focal point, a conversation piece, a mobile...the possibilities are endless.  And there are so many beautiful options out there.  Lanterns have become a great option for lighting because they are inexpensive and they come in so many colors.  Not everyone uses them as lighting, some just use them for decoration...either are great options. 

I love the use of the lanterns in this photo...its a colorful mobile, adds interest to the room and a focal point as soon as you walk in.  Check out the rest of this nursery that was featured on Chiccheapnursery.com

And who doesn't love a beautiful pendant light just exuding beauty?  And how much do we love the $89.99 price tag?!  This again can look amazing over a crib, centered in the room or in a cozy corner along with a glider and ottoman. 

And one of my favorite finds for lighting comes from two places....

The top pictured white pendant bloom chandelier is from Possini and runs about $200 and the next pendant pictured is from IKEA, love that...and its $29.99!!!  I have one myself. It is whimsical and give off a gentle amount of light.  Go run to your nearest IKEA and buy one.  Find somewhere in your house to put it.  Can't think of one?  Your laundry room may need some beautification, hmmm...something to think about. 

Have fun bringing a little light into your life!