It's done! Midcentury Marvel Nursery for Miles

I know I've been promising nursery photos for a while, but it turns out that photographing a room is a lot harder than it looks on everyone else's blog.  Especially when you don't have time to edit the images when you're done because a certain small person enjoys eating every three hours and you like snuggling with him the rest of the time.

However, Baby Miles is currently napping, so here are the best of the photos I have.  Please forgive the lack of artfully shot closeups of stacked books with an objet on top.

The room turned out pretty much exactly like I pictured it in my head, and I think it will grow with Miles as he goes from baby to toddler to little boy (I don't even want to think about that!) 

My idea for gold washi tape trim looked more like a brown stripe once it went up, so we ended up using cobalt blue tape instead.  The "theme" is really only represented by way of framed prints on the wall and shelves, so if later on he decides that he loves dinosaurs more than anything else, we can make some updates without scraping decals or investing in new pieces.  Plus, the room came together pretty cheaply - nothing is high end, or so precious that it can't withstand life with a little guy.

I hope Miles likes the room as much as I do - his dad and I worked really hard to finish it three days before he was born!

In case you're interested, here's a list of where most everything came from (starting with top photo):

Rugs USA Homespun Trellis Rug (wait for a sale!)

La-Z-Boy Impulse Rocker

Argington Bam Crib (I bought mine used)

Society6 Pillow

Marvel Art Prints (ours are 5"x7") 
Nate Berkus for Target Wall Studs
Nate Berkus for Target Lamp Base 
Hey Y'all! print by Stephanie Creekmur via Etsy
Threshold Grayson Grommet Window Panel (with blackout liner) 
Green/white quilt made for me by my great-grandma in 1983
Sunburst mirror frame (the mirror broke) via Global Views warehouse sale 
Ikea Stockholm Mirror
Changing Pad Cover by BLVD67 via Etsy
Vintage dresser via Craigslist, painted with Olympic Mermaid's Tail 
American Folklore map print by William Gropper, cut to fit collage frame from Target
Walnut toy chest made for me by my late Papa Lonnie
Elderly dachshund is vintage, find similar via All Texas Dachshund Rescue 
Awesome pit/pointer/lab/mystery mix via SPCA Dallas 
Studded initial via Hobby Lobby
Texas A&M bunny via Build a Bear
 

And just for fun, here are a couple of photos from this week.  I think my kid is pretty much the cutest ever!  ;-)

Baby Cardigan's Nursery: Midcentury Marvel

When I found out that I was pregnant, I started dreaming of adorable nurseries.  I've swooned over Joni Lay's designs for a long time, and couldn't wait to piece together one of my own.  Once we found out that Baby Cardigan is a boy, I began scouring the internet for inspiration and was really bored by the standard formula of chevron print + baby animals = boy nursery (I'm so tired of it!) so I decided to make an adult design more juvenile instead.

Here's where I landed:

So far, this is just a design but most everything has been purchased, and it adheres (in theory) to the criteria that I discussed with my husband:

• Include as few baby-only pieces as possible, meaning that the design should be able to grow with Baby Cardigan and accommodate his future preferences without requiring us to buy new furniture other than a bed.  
• No permanent design elements. We are not planning to be in this house long-term, and the thought of painting over a large-scale project like a striped wall or tearing down a large decal (if you're into that) makes me sad.  In this room, the walls are staying neutral and even the gold trim will be washi tape that can be ripped off when we move, or decide to go in a different direction.
• Not be too babyish, since we both hate cutesy looking pieces.  (This has made registering difficult, since the fabric prints on so many products are awful!)
• Include Marvel characters, since N is a big fan and looking forward to sharing that world with Baby Cardigan
• Not contain anything too precious that cannot be cleaned or repaired.  The navy and white rug was bought at 70% off on Cyber Monday and is actually intended to protect our new carpet from a little boy, but it can be steam cleaned if the stains get out of control and was only $205.  The chair is covered in a bonded leather that can be wiped down, and the dresser (similar to the one pictured) is a $150 vintage piece that we are painting ourselves, so any marks or scratches can be covered up with another coat.  
• The chair needs to be inexpensive or reusable.  We ended up going with a mid-priced chair from La-Z-Boy because I will not spend $1000+ on a chair that won't fit in with the rest of our house, and the cheap options at our local big box stores were awful.  I was also not brave enough to buy a chair I've never sat in when return shipping can cost as much as a new chair.  I'm pretty thrilled with our choice, since it will add to the retro feel of the room and is really comfortable and well made.
• Overall, the room needs to come together fairly cheaply.  The chair is our biggest expense, but everything else has turned out to be fairly inexpensive.  We know we'll have plenty of other expenses once the baby arrives, and I set a firm budget that's probably equal to what some people spend on a crib and dresser.  Luckily, I've not had any big challenges once I realized that shopping for regular decor is way cheaper than anything intended for a kid space.  (I think it's like weddings in that the prices are inherently higher because of the emotional purchase)

Now is the time where I ask any experienced mamas what things you think I need, especially when it comes to a baby registry?  Or, what are your favorite nursery designs?

//////////////////////////////////////////////////

Product Source Information

Scotch Expressions Gold Washi Tape

Rugs USA Homespun Trellis Rug (wait for a sale!)

La-Z-Boy Impulse Rocker

Argington Bam Crib (I bought mine used)

Society6 Pillow

Marvel Art Prints (ours are 5"x7")

Be Brave print by Charm & Gumption

Nate Berkus for Target Wall Studs

Little Hipster Outdoor Pewter Fabric (for curtains, maybe)

Nate Berkus Lamp Base

It's done! Bathroom Renovation Before & After

At long last, our bathroom renovation is done!  I could not be more proud of my husband for sacrificing his evenings and weekends all summer and fall, and I think the end result looks pretty great!

We live in a mid-century ranch house, and there's not much space to work with, so we did a lot of designing before we figured out how best to utilize the layout.  I also wanted to keep the look modern and fun, but without too any finishes that a future buyer may be scared of.  (It turns out that most people who buy houses think beige is fantastic)

Here was the before shot:

This was the design plan:

And, the finished product (which was REALLY hard to photograph because that room is tiny and the lights are bright):

I decided that gray cabinets would add some contrast to all the white, without blending in with the floor, and a Silestone countertop will offer the same look as marble but without the need for maintenance and no risk of stains.  The existing tub was refinished, and N installed white subway tile all the way to the ceiling to make the dark end of the room feel brighter and more open.

To add storage space, we decided to install two sets of drawers opposite the vanity with a matching countertop, and built-in shelves on top of an ikat wallpaper that the next owners can paint over or rip down if they want to be boring.   Several baskets from Homegoods will let me hide things I don't want sitting out, although most of our drawers are empty at the moment.

Overall, I'm thrilled with the end result and am so relieved for this project to be over.  Doing projects like this yourself obviously saves lots of money, but the timeline is measured in months instead of days.  I'm super proud of my husband, but I'm excited for him to be able to relax after work instead of putting in 3 hours of manual labor.

That said, any ideas for amazing Christmas gifts for the man willing to build this for me will be much appreciated.


Source Information:

Mirror - Purchased from the chip and dent room at Horchow Finale (with a small crack), repaired by Malloy Glass in Dallas, TX

Cabinets - Ordered from Second & Surplus in Dallas, made by Shiloh Cabinetry

Countertops - Lyra by Silestone, purchased as a remnant from Irving Countertops

Floor Tile - Exotica Walnut porcelain plank tiles purchased from Floor & Decor.  We have these throughout our living area and kitchen and love them!

Wall Tile - White subway tiles purchased from Floor & Decor

Wallpaper - Soft Ikat by Patty Lonsinger via Spoonflower

Shower Curtain - via Amazon.com

Rugs - Nate Berkus Aztec Diamond rug via Target

Baskets - via Homegoods

Pineapple Thingys - Nate Berkus for Target (on clearance, no longer available online)

Reader Request: Coastal Chic House

Today I'm excited to help my cousin Michelle, who's about to buy her first home, and is eager to customize it to suit her taste.  Based on her Pinterest boards, I'm calling her style coastal chic (which is fitting since she grew up on the water) and I think that she's going to have an easy time adapting her new(ish) construction home to be less beige and more of a home for her and her boyfriend.

Here we go... and please remember I'm talking about a whole house, and not one room so everything isn't going to match perfectly.  Ok?  Cool.

First, I think a color palette of pale grays, blues and smokey teals will instantly transform the feel of the house.  I'm a big fan of the West Elm and Pottery Barn collections at Sherwin-Williams, since someone has culled the bajillion options for you already.  Then, to add some more personality, Michelle could add some wallpaper on accent walls or powder rooms, and bring in printed fabrics for curtains and throw pillows. 

Paints from Sherwin-Williams  /  Ikat wallpaper  /  Bird wallpaper

Stone print wallpaper  /   Nate Berkus fabrics  /  Ikat fabrics

In areas where there is wood, tile, or just carpet that she'd like to cover up, I think a fairly inexpensive geometric rug from World Market or Homegoods will add personality and be dog-friendly since you can send a rug off to be deep cleaned in a way that you'll never achieve with carpet.  

Some rugged furniture will add a masculine element to the rooms, but not make it feel like a hunting lodge since it can be offset by classic pieces, colorful accents, and pretty nailhead trim.  And since everyone in our family is convinced that we can indeed do it ourselves, I'm sure a painted vintage piece will make its way into the home sooner or later.

Medallion rug  /  Ivory Moroccan rug  /  Coffee table  /  Sofa  /  Nailhead trim chair ($269!)

Accent table  /  Silver vase  /  Sea glass vase  /  Painting by Clare Elsaesser 

Antique map of Galveston, TX

Overall, my main advice for people approaching a house from scratch is to set the mood with paint, and then start buying what's important to you and don't settle too much.  It's hard when nice things cost a lot of money, but what you don't want is a house full of things you want to get rid of in five years.  Luckily, you can inject tons of personality into a space with affordable art from Etsy and secondhand pieces that just need a little attention.

Good luck, Michelle!  You know where to find me if you need more opinions ;-)

I Made Decisions! (Bathroom Renovation Update)

For those of you who don't know me in real life, let me just say that renovations are tough and mine is currently in full swing.  My husband is working his tail off, and I hardly see him.  I'm about to help with tiling, and the room is really coming together!

Since I was running out of time, I had to quit second guessing myself and just make some big purchases.  Here's where I netted out, and what our room should look like:

And that's why we've been busy.  See you Friday!

Marriage is about compromise... and fewer pillows

It's hard for me to believe, but I've been married almost three years.  They've flown by and been mostly carefree, though not without a few compromises.  One of the things that has been hard to accept is that we simply do not have room for the mountains of pillows that I'd like to layer on our bed.  At my husband's insistence, I am changing the look of our bed so that we won't have a pile of euro shams and throw pillows in the corner.

Since I'm not what you'd call minimalist (ha!) I started looking for alternatives and realized that I have enough fabric layout around to make a long bolster pillow that will span most of the bed and still bring color to the room, but stand neatly against the wall when not in use.

Like these:

 

I think I am going to use my yellow Nate Berkus ikat fabric to make mine, and perhaps with gray and white polka dots on the back side.  Originally I wanted leopard, and probably will get one someday, but for now I'll use what I've got laying around.  Hopefully I can sew a rectangle!

P.S.  As part of my compromise, I am selling several sets of pillow covers and have inserts for free for Dallas people.  DwellStudio euro shams for sale here, and zebra print Wisteria covers for sale here. 

Reader Request: Baby Girl Nursery

Hello!  I hope all of you had a great holiday weekend.  We had a great party on Saturday, and a couple of downright lazy days after that.  It was wonderful.

Today I'm happy to be back on the internet and helping Claire, a blog reader looking for some ideas on decorating a nursery for the baby she's having this fall.  Even though I'm no decorator, I like playing with mood boards and had a great time playing around online to create these options for her.

For a baby girl, Claire likes a gray, coral and yellow color scheme.  I don't care for true themed or super juvenile rooms, so I tried to create a mix of items that could grow up to include a regular bed and desk.  That means staying away from matching furniture sets so new additions don't look out of place, and buying quality pieces for long-term use and cheaper things for baby years only.

  

lacquered dresser  |  elephant print  |  curtains  |  flamingo print  |  mermaid print  |  mirror  

rocker  |  yellow otami bedding  |  pillow  |  lamp  |  animals

Claire is also looking for baby boy ideas, but that board is still bouncing around in my head so look for it later this month!  Until then, check out the queen of nursery mood boards - Joni at Lay Baby Lay.

And, all of you mamas out there, please chime in with words of wisdom and suggestions.  I have no children, so my ideas may lack practicality.  :)

Reader Request: Modern Bedding for a Master Bedroom

Good morning!  I hope everyone had a great weekend, and that it was as productive and relaxing as mine was.  I had a couple of dinner dates with my husband, and we undertook some much overdue house work (me) and yard work (him).  Now, I'm about to enjoy some shrimp and scallop kabobs from the grill, and am excited to work on today's request post.

My friend Kate is married to my husband's best man, and they're a couple that don't get to see very often but always wish that they were local.  They live in an apartment in Houston, and Kate is a talented architect with very classy, modern taste much like my own, but with a little more sophistication where I like to use all of fabrics at once.  She's been on the hunt for some new bedding for their master bedroom, and is wanting something chic that isn't striped or girly.  All of her usual stores haven't offered anything suitable, so I'm here to share some more options:

 

West Elm // West Elm // West Elm

Villa Home // Roberta Roller Rabbit // Roberta Roller Rabbit

Pine Cone Hill // Jonathan Adler // Jonathan Adler

Serena and Lily // Serena and Lily  // Jonathan Adler for jcp

Deny Designs // Deny Designs // Deny Designs

Bassett Furniture // Nate Berkus for Target //

That was actually pretty difficult!  There's a lot of girly and a lot of ugly out there.  If it were me, I'd play with textures and find a great set of crisp white sheets and then layer a solid color quilt or matelasse duvet cover on top.  Then, I'd find a great fabric and then have some shams or a bolster pillow made to bring some pattern to the room.  Or, I'd splurge on some shams from DwellStudio or Jonathan Adler and let them be a focal point.

What about you?  Do you have a great source for bedding that Kate should check out?  Do tell!

Awesome Pillow Covers under $30 at Society 6

Perhaps I am a cheapskate, but I do not believe that $140 is a good price for a single throw pillow.  Sorry, but I don't, and probably never will.

$20-$28, however, is much more my speed because I tend to get bored of them after 2-3 years.  Luckily, I just discovered that Society 6  has expanded their offerings to include 16-20" pillow covers!

There are literally hundreds to choose from, and if your taste skews modern, you'll be thrilled.  All are available in three sizes and sold with or without an insert.  You can restyle a whole couch for under $100!

Here are my favorites:

 

I think my favorite is the green scalloped one (fifth from last), but the yellow ikat, and art deco patterns are calling my name too.  What about you?

Reader Request: Bedroom Makeover

Ok y'all, I've never claimed to be a decorator.  However, I often wish I'd taken that career path and sometimes people ask me to help them design rooms and I love it.  It happened again this week, and I was really excited to help my friends Leslie and Gef begin decorating their bedroom.  They currently live in a rental house in Tampa, so they're limited in what updates they can make to the room itself, but the walls are a soft gray and Leslie wants the room to be soothing, but not boring or stark.

They asked me to pretend the room was for me, since they like the feel of mine and N's house, and I had a lot of fun dream decorating (on a real life budget)!  And since I have fairly mainstream taste, I thought a few of you may enjoy it too - enjoy!

 bed // sham // west elm shams // rug // bolster 1 // bolster 2

dressers // tall chest // nightstands

 

mirror // drapes (add blackout liner) // gourd lamps // mercury glass lamp // linen bench // gray nailhead bench // teal bench // wood tufted bench 

Texas print // lion and car prints (Janet Hill Studio) // scuba print (Matte Stephens) // Target sunburst mirror 1 and 2 // LOVE print // custom dates print

  P.S.  Since Gef is a brain scientist, I couldn't resist including these prints that Leslie hasn't seen yet!

Upholstered Beds on the Brain - Help Me Pick!

Hi internet!  Sorry for the silence yesterday, but I got busy and then it was time for Game of Thrones.  I have priorities, you know.

Anyway, my husband and I are now about to be the proud owners of a king size Tempur-Pedic mattress, and we have no bed frame for it.  In an effort to minimize the weeks spent on a box spring on the floor, I've been frantically deciding what sort of bed to buy and have decided a neutral upholstered option is the way to go. 

Look how pretty:

 image via Rue Magazine

 image via Lonny

 image via Lonny

image via Rue Magazine

image via Rue Magazine

I do have one problem, though... I'm scared to spend $1200 on a bed without seeing it.  So far, the Jacqueline bed from Z Gallerie is the front runner, but we may need something a little taller.  West Elm is an option too, but I'm not willing to pay $1700 for anything from Crate and Barrel, and options at Macy's don't have enough positive feedback for me to risk a purchase. 

So, has anyone else found a great upholstered bed (not just a headboard) that they love?   Any leads on something like the bed above?  Help me, internet!