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Shabby Nest: Navy and White Bathroom – The Reveal

May 19, 2012 in Feature, Feature - Mid, Red Wagon with 0 Comments

Today I’m very excited to share the reveal of my kiddos’ bathroom!

This is what it looked like before. A sea of “blah”. Now I’m a fan of neutrals, but this bathroom was ridiculously dull. And since it was the kiddos’ bathroom, I wanted to give it both a dose of color and a bit of whimsy.

Here is the moodboard I created for the bathroom and shared with you a little while back….

And here is the bathroom after:

We added board and batten to the walls to give them texture and interest. We painted the lower half Behr’s Swiss Coffee and the top Martha Stewart’s Azurite.

I added some fun art to the walls. The top piece is a sign I created (free printable here) and the bottom is a piece of vintage art I found from The Graphics Fairy and tweaked to make it match the color scheme.

The fabulous shower curtain is from one of my great sponsors, Elisabeth Michael. I purposely chose a longer size and hung it up close to the ceiling to give the room the illusion of being taller.

We removed the towel bar from the wall and added hooks to the top of the board and batten. I added numbers above the hooks for a little touch of fun (just like I did in my boys’ bedroom in our first house).

Four hooks for four kiddos…

A perfect way for each kiddo to know which towel is his (or hers).

No more blah beige here! The new bathroom is so bright and happy. I just love it!!

And the kids love it too!

the guide:

Wendy is the author of the popular decorator’s blog, The Shabby Nest. Decorating is her passion, and her family is her inspiration. Her goal is to create a warm, welcoming environment without breaking the bank. And she loves to share her ideas with you.

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fashion inspiration: if these {two} outfits were rooms

February 13, 2012 in Black Dress, Feature, Feature - Bottom with 0 Comments

My roots are in fashion. It’s what I studied in college. I had a hard time deciding between fashion and interior design, and even though fashion won out in college, interior design won out in the end. That said, the basic inspiration for each is really very similar…so today I thought I’d have a little fun.

I was looking through the Ruche Summer Look Book (aaaaaah, bliss) and thought it might be fun to see if I could use a couple of their outfits as inspiration to create some pretty rooms. This was a fun exercise. Check it out.

First up, this peppy little number. Sunny and casual, I love the poppy-colored stripes and the tiny touch of yellow in the bangle on her wrist.

Here’s what I came up with:

Sources:

Bedding – Dwell Home

Rug, Headboard and Bedside Table – West Elm

Pillows – Etsy

Table Lamp – PBTeen

Pendants – Frederic Vasseur

Campaign Desk – World Market

I definitely played up the yellow here…but I love the poppy/yellow combo! This room would be so much fun to lounge in!

Next up, this chic little short-all with hot pink sandals (not to mention the pretty aqua-colored cruiser).

And my interpretation:

Sources:

Sofa, Chairs and Ottoman – Serena and Lily

Rug – PBTeen

Lamps – eBay

Pillows – Etsy

Artwork – My own

Table via Olioboard

Now this is a room that really feels like “me”. Lovin’ all the gray with the touches of pink and aqua. So pretty and restful.

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new living room for a new year

December 29, 2011 in Red Wagon with 0 Comments

Does the new year have you itching for fresh changes and updates? Perhaps a fitter you, a new ‘do, or maybe a facelift for your home? Here is an idea from the lovely and talented Wendy of The Shabby Nest blog for a living room that utilizes a neutral pallet with surprises that pop!

Hello, my lovelies!! I’m so excited to share our living room with you all today! It’s been a really fun room to put together with some interesting details that I can’t wait to share. So off we go!

First, the BEFORE photos:

Exciting, wasn’t it? As you can see, the room was just begging for some interest. So we got busy working on it.

Let’s be honest. It was a lot of work. But we had a lot of fun in the process.

So without further ado, here are the AFTER photos:

I am a big fan of neutrals, and in this room I went for a neutral palette, but I didn’t want it to be boring, so I mixed it up with some great patterns.

I also wanted to warm up the grays and blacks, so we chose to add some brown to the palette.

The rug is from Flor (more on that later) and the coffee table is from World Market.

The sofa is an IKEA Ektorp series. The pillows are from Etsy. (The large one in the center is from my fabulous sponsor Elisabeth Michael.)

That cute rustic birdcage was a gift from my mother.

We changed the stair wall from chocolate brown to this fabulous charcoal gray, Magnetite by Martha Stewart.

I had been thinking of doing a gallery wall in the stairwell, but the Hubby suggested we create one on the charcoal wall. I love it!! The white frames against the gray are beautiful! Our plan is to add more frames as our budget allows until the whole wall is filled.

The tufted chairs are from TJ Maxx.

The white frames are from IKEA.

On the window wall, I framed out the windows with natural linen curtains from IKEA. To create architectural interest (since there was no fireplace) we put a bookcase, and topped it with a beautiful large-scale charcoal done by the hubby’s father.

The leather chair is the hubby’s and was purchased years ago (pre-blogging days) so I don’t remember the name of the shop. The faux fur pillow is from Target.

I hung the curtains, higher and wider than the windows to create the illusion of the windows being larger than they actually are.

The antler was a gift from my mother. I love it coupled with the folded book I made a few years ago. It adds such great texture.

The entry is one of my favorite parts of this whole room design. What appears to be wallpaper on the wall is actually hand done. I’ll tell you all about how I created it in an upcoming post.

I topped the console with a photo purchased from IKEA, as well as the hubby’s photo of train tracks in a tunnel.

I’m really happy with how it all came together! It just proves that neutral doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, they can be down right lovely!!

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wendy’s christmas dining room centerpiece

December 7, 2011 in Recipes & Projects, Red Wagon, your family with 1 Comment

This year, I decided to keep my Christmas palette neutral. I chose to use white, silver, brown, black and green (of course!). I like how the pared down color palette keeps the look sophisticated, yet classic.

For the dining room table centerpiece, the kiddos and I gathered up some branches. After putting them in a big wooden vase and adding a bunch of snowflakes, it adds a perfect winter-y touch.

I love the whimsy of the angel wings…and the wreaths in the windows make me smile.

Now for picture overload. (Mostly because I’m really bad at deciding which is my favorite!) ENJOY!

Let the Christmas merriment begin!

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living room progression…thanks to pinterest

November 5, 2011 in Feature, Recipes & Projects, your family with 0 Comments

My living room wasn’t one of my first decorating priorities when we moved into this house. It probably should have been because it is the first thing you see upon entering. But since I thought it was going to be the most expensive room to put together, it went on the back burner.

But then after finally figuring out the right furniture arrangement for the space, and having a few other serendipitous things happen to give us some free supplies, the Living Room is actually coming together. Last week, the Hubby painted one wall this FABULOUS deep gray, Magnetite by Martha Stewart.

The wall is absolutely beautiful. So sophisticated. It’s going to make the perfect backdrop for a gallery wall. (We even had our family portraits done this weekend for just that purpose. I’m so excited! I’ll give you a little sneaky peek later this week.)

And since I have gallery walls on the brain, today I thought I’d share with you a few pieces of gallery wall eye candy that I’ve been collecting on Pinterest. Oh, yes! Love that Pinterest!!

Source: younghouselove.com via Wendy on Pinterest

Source: hollymathisinteriors.com via Wendy on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Wendy on Pinterest

Source: primed4design.blogspot.com via Wendy on Pinterest

Source: foundbydomesticbliss.blogspot.com via Wendy on Pinterest

Source: mydesigndump.blogspot.com via Wendy on Pinterest

I’m leaning towards doing a wall with all white frames. I think they’ll really POP against that beautiful gray. Hopefully, I’ll have the whole living room finished in the next couple of weeks. I can’t wait to share it with you all!

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fashion inspiration: if this outfit were a room

August 30, 2011 in Feature, Recipes & Projects, your family with 0 Comments

While spending time on Pinterest the other day, I found this fabulous outfit.

And I thought to myself, “Self, that FABULOUS outfit would make a FABULOUS room!” Yes, I do, in fact, think things like that.

So here is what I came up with.

I’m in love with the rough textures mixed in with a touch of femininity in the pillows and art. There’s a nice yin and yang going on in this room. Besides, I’ve been in love with that Chesterfield Sofa from Restoration Hardware for a long time, and have been wanting to try it in a room design. Liking this!!

Sources:

Rug: Rosenberry Rooms

Sofa and Coffee Table: Restoration Hardware

Pillows: Etsy (Seamstome23 and Misoul)

Pendant Light: West Elm

Art: Pottery Barn

Mirror: Ballard Designs

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do you pinterest?

July 25, 2011 in Feature, Recipes & Projects, your family with 2 Comments

I have recently discovered the addiction that is Pinterest, the virtual pin board on which you can place inspiring ideas.

Okay, let’s be honest, I jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon a while back when it was first getting popular. But my account sat there. And sat there. And sat there. Until one day I actually pinned something. Wow!

And that’s how it all began. I love Pinterest. My boards are still pretty empty, but they are filling up fast. And you know what I love? The links to the photos stay with the photos. Hurray! I can remember where I found each one in the first place! LOVE THAT!

Let’s look at a few of my pins, shall we?

There’s decor (OF COURSE!)…

And a bit of fashion…

And some darling entertaining ideas…

Just lovin’ this site! Do you Pinterest?

You can find me on Pinterest here.

Happy Pinning!

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a little living room inspiration

July 3, 2011 in Feature, Recipes & Projects, your family with 1 Comment

I thought I’d share an inspiration board I made recently for a client’s living room update.

The color scheme for this design is inspired by some new pale blue rugs they purchased for the space, as well as their current wall color.

Although they already have a soft gold color on their walls, I suggested that they bump it up a notch to an even warmer gold similar to that in the living room photo pictured. In this case, I suggested Fresh Butter by Benjamin Moore.

That living room photo is there for another reason as well. My clients currently have a fireplace with a dark wood surround and painted brown brick. I suggested they lighten it up to match their new white kitchen by painting the woodwork white, adding a lovely crown molding similar to that pictured, and flanking it on either side with white built-in bookcases. (Hence, the pictured *bookcases.)

They currently have a set of matching loveseats in a rich floral. I suggested that they slipcover them in a soft cream, and add two ottomans (similar to that pictured) in front of the fireplace for extra seating.

Blue curtains, pretty beach-inspired pillows, and round end tables covered in complimentary cloths (not the white one pictured) complete the coastal feel.

Feel free to use these inspirations to give a room in your house a little sprucing up!

*Tuscan Bookcase from Ballard Designs

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easy kiddo silhouettes

June 7, 2011 in Feature, Recipes & Projects, your family with 0 Comments

I needed some art for an awkward spot. Long and narrow. I have been mulling over what to do for some time, and finally settled on the idea of doing silhouettes of the kids. And because I wanted to use things I already had on hand, I decided to create the silhouettes out of adhesive vinyl. (The great part is, you don’t need a cutting system to do this…just scissors!)

Here’s what I did…

1. I took photos of each of my kiddos in profile. I took them in front of a window, because the bright light from the window made the kids images darker and made their profiles easy to distinguish.

2. I carefully cut out each profile photo, and used the cut out as a template, which I traced onto the paper backing of the vinyl.

Note: Make sure that you reverse the image when you trace it onto the vinyl.

3. I then used scissors to cut out the vinyl along the lines I had traced.

4. Now, here is where I think I am particularly clever. (Even cleverer than choosing vinyl as my medium.) Rather than sticking the vinyl to paper, I stuck each onto the glass for the frame I was using. I used a credit card to carefully smooth out the bubbles.

Note: Whenever I see decent looking wood frames at the dollar store, I stock up on them. Then I have them on hand for projects, gifts, etc. It’s easy to simply spray paint the wood to my desired color…in this case white.

5. Then, I placed each piece of glass back in its frame and put some pretty patterned paper in each. The great thing about this is that I can switch out the patterned paper and completely change the look! I also love the fact that sticking the silhouettes to the glass gives the finished piece a bit of a 3-D effect since the silhouette sits above the backing paper on top of the glass.

It was a perfect fit for my hard-to-design space!

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how to create personalized subway art

May 9, 2011 in Recipes & Projects, your family with 2 Comments

When I decided to create the personalized subway art that I showed you in this post, the first thing I had to decide is what I was going to create it on. Originally, I thought that I would use wood, but while I was at JoAnn’s one day I lucked onto a sale on painter’s canvases.

I chose one that is 15″ x 30″. They had a larger one, but I knew that I was going to use my Silhouette Digital Cutter to create the words, and I wanted to stick with the existing size templates I had (which only go up to 12″), so I thought that the 15″ width would be perfect – allowing me 1 1/2″ margins on both sides.

To create Subway Art the way I did, you will need:

Pre-stretched Painter’s Canvas (available at most craft stores) or Wood cut to size
Black Paint
Fine-grit Sand Paper
Adhesive Vinyl
A Craft Cutting Machine (Silhouette or Cricut, etc.) – Or there are many vinyl shops out there that can cut custom words for you
Ruler
Pencil
PATIENCE

Here’s what I did:

1. I made a list of a bunch of places that have personal significance to us as a family.

2. I typed each place into my Silhouette software using the Arial Narrow font in Bold. Then I resized each word so that they were all 12″ long. NOTE: by making the words all 12″ long, some will be larger than others. This is normal and actually helps your sign look more authentic. ANOTHER NOTE: Because you can’t be sure exactly how tall the words will end up being once they are all the same length, it is wise to cut out more places than you think you will need…I learned this the hard way.

3. Here I taped the words to the canvas (still wrapped in plastic) so that I could get a rough idea of the order I wanted them in. This is where I figured out that I needed more places…so I ended up cutting out 3 more.

4. Then I painted the canvas black and gave it a light sanding to give it a little character.

5. After I decided what order I wanted the places to go, I started by measuring down from the top of the canvas approximately 2 1/2″, and in from the sides 1 1/2″ and put light guide marks with my pencil. Then I adhered the vinyl lettering the way I normally do.

6. For the next place name, I measured down from the bottom of the previous name 1/2″ and in from the sides 1 1/2″ just as I did for the first and put guide marks. Then I adhered the vinyl lettering.

7. I followed this same procedure 12 more times until I had all the places adhered to the canvas. I found that the vinyl stuck very well to the painted canvas – I had been a little worried about that initially, but I was pleasantly surprised. (Because someone is bound to notice, if you look at the photo above where I had taped the words to get an idea of placement, you’ll see that I misspelled Niagara…oops! Didn’t even notice until I had put it on the canvas. But you’ll be happy to know, that it only took a bit of elbow grease – and by that I mean fingernails – to pull the incorrect version off and replace it with the right one.)

8. Then I hung the canvas on the wall and admired it…just like I do everyday now when I come into my dining room!!

The whole process was actually quite easy…just a bit time consuming. But I love the result, and I’d do it again…in fact, maybe I will!

Happy-Subway-Art-Making!!

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Shabby Nest: Navy and White Bathroom – The Reveal

the guide:

fashion inspiration: if these {two} outfits were rooms

new living room for a new year

wendy’s christmas dining room centerpiece

Let the Christmas merriment begin!

living room progression…thanks to pinterest

fashion inspiration: if this outfit were a room

do you pinterest?

a little living room inspiration

easy kiddo silhouettes

how to create personalized subway art

To create Subway Art the way I did, you will need:

Here’s what I did:

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