My Office is Moving...

Yeah, I've finally had time to sit and start concepting my next project--my new office :)

Ryan and I started to move my current office (seen here) downstairs to get the room ready for our baby (due Mar 30). My office will be combined with what is now our downstairs guestroom (seen here), which is practically all white...and with my desk and bookcase also being white...I LITERALLY have a white canvas to work with.

What to do...what to do?

I need to come up with an idea fairly fast as I'd like to paint at least one of the walls next week when I'm off for the Holidays.

I've been dying to create a room with grass greens for a while--see my previous blog post about my love for grass green here. Most rooms in my house have a very gray/charcoal tone, so I think this can be unexpected, feminine and refreshing.

Here are some inspirational photos that are tickling my fancy...

 

I am a green paint virgin so I'm going to have to test a lot of colors...but Benjamin Moore's Green Thumb looks pretty good so far...

I also have to think about how I want to dress the guest bed. I like the idea of keeping the bedding in soft and neutral tones like this...

Maybe it's all white bedding with pillows in soft patterns (like above) and a great throw at the bottom?

Another reason to keep the bedding simple is I might be using this awesome rug I recently purchased. I planned to use in the baby's room but now that I'm "making" an orange chevron rug, this oh-so-fabulous rug needs a home and the all white room might be the perfect spot!

Of course my eyes keep darting over to this ridiculous awesome blue--but since my dining room and bathroom are charcoal, my baby's room is navy, my bedroom is gray blue, and my family room ceiling is light gray...I'm thinking I need to move a little out of my comfort zone!

Updated Nursery Board

Hi everyone,

Sorry I've been a little under the weather this week. Today is my last class and I am officially relieved. What a great experience, but super time-consuming!

For my final project we had to create a construction document--this is what you'd typically hand to your general contractor to let him know what walls need to stay, which need to be removed, which walls are painted, what color, which walls are papered, etc. Super detailed. I'll share my doc with you tomorrow.

In the meantime, we also had to do a complete furniture plan for a room. Obviously I picked my nursery since I was almost done with the design. But I added a few new finds. Check out my updated board below...

Here is a shot of my actual board that I'm presenting today in class...

• Slip-covered Glider Chair, PB Kids
• Orange Chevron Rug, Jonathan Adler (I'm going to try and make my own like this...stay tuned :)
• White/Navy Quilt, PB Kids
• Navy Twill Blackout Curtains, PB Kids
• Gilded Gold Frames, Potterybarn
• Kendall Crib, PB Kids
• Cameron 4-Shelf, PB Kids
• Dresser, Burlington Coat Factory (total steal!)
• White Baskets, PB Kids
• Crib Skirt Fabric, Wilmington Multi, Calico Corners
• I totally can't find where I found that lamp and it is driving me crazy...if I figure it out I'll share immediately!

The Rue Magazine Holiday issue is live!

I can't wait to get home and officially devour the new Rue magazine. But here are some of my favorite pics in the meantime!

Also this weekend Ryan and I bought a bunch of our nursery furniture--so fun! I'll post what we bought later this week...and what we're still searching for :)

All images from Rue Magazine

Christmas trees are up!

Happy Monday everyone!

This weekend I finally got both of my trees (living room + family room) up and decorated. I love the feeling of a fire in the fireplace, a good movie on, a decorated Christmas tree, and a cup of coffee in my hand. It really is my happy place that I go to often (in my head) when life feels too hectic.

Here are a couple photos of my decorations (ps I know I need a tree skirt :)

I'm loving the beautiful mercury glass candlesticks and Christmas tree (gifts from my mother-in-law) which are currently living on my mantle.

We decided to decorate the upstairs tree very formal with gold and silver balls and red leaves. The flowers are the best trick I have...not only are they beautiful and cheap (I just buy fake poinsettias at Michael's and pop off the flowers from the stem) but they are perfect for hiding bald spots in your tree.

And here is my downstairs tree...this is where we put all of our family ornaments. As you can see we need to fill in a little more with balls and flowers. But overall, I'm loving it!

Now I just need to get on top of my Christmas cards...I'll post on that later this week!

Costco Beds - Fabulous???

Happy Thursday!

Quick post, got to dash to a meeting...but two things...yesterday was not my second to last class...but third to last class...surprise to me :)

And can someone please order one of these oh-so-fabulous beds from Costco!?!?!

Yes you read that right...Costco! Don't they look almost as divine as the Colette bed from Crate & Barrel or any bed from Restoration!

Here is the Allegro Uphostered Wingback Bed and Headboard

And here is the Wingback Upholstered Bed Collection

Please, if you buy one of these, please send me a picture. I want to see how it looks in your room!

Stylist's 100-year old home renovation

Happy Wednesday...or like I like to call it...Happy Second-to-last-class day!

I have long been obsessed with the following kitchen. In fact not only have I saved it in my inspiration files, but it was one of my jumping off points for my kitchen project in class. I just love the unexpected use of the unlacquered brass hardware, found in vintage shops and on eBay. It really makes this kitchen special.  And can you believe these cabinets are from Ikea!?!? Reinforces my desire to do a completely wonderful kitchen reno using Ikea cabinets and fabulous hardware!

So when I found out more about this gorgeous home, I had to share with you.

This newly renovated jewel is the home of Toronto props and food stylist Sasha Seymour. Check out the spectacular "after" photos, featured in House & Home, of this 100-year old home.

PS--I'm really digging roman shades lately. They aren't nearly as dramatic as floor to ceiling curtains, but they really show off a bold graphic print well without overwhelming the room.

Photos by Michael Graydon

Cottage Chic Guest Room

Happy Tuesday everyone! I have another exciting project in the works...I am helping a friend refine/reorganize her den/study, living room, and guest room. Besides the fact that her house is absolutely gorgeous (her and her husband recently finished huge renovations) she is so sweet and has great taste...let the fun begin!


I started with the guest room, as this is the simplest room as far as design so I figured it'd be a good place to start...

I normally don't like to source everything from one store, in this case Potterybarn, but I definitely knew the look I was going for and everything I had in mind just happened to be at Potterybarn. I wanted to do something charming and cottage-y while still being crisp and chic. I absolutely love Benjamin Moore's Woodlawn Blue, it is the perfect balance of country and modern. I thought the color combination of Woodlawn blue, white, cream and natural accents (with a pop of mirror) would be absolutely stunning!

Here is what I came up with...I'll let you know what we actually move forward with. 

Cottage Chic Sources

Stratton Bed & Baskets

·      Potterybarn, $999

·      Full/Queen Bed: 60" wide x 80" deep x 16" high

Charlotte Headboard

·      Potterybarn, $499

·      Queen: 62" wide x 2.5" deep x 63" high (I’m guessing it’s about 50” high at lowest point)

Charlotte Armoire

·      Potterybarn, $1149

·      46" wide x 26" deep x 72" high

Park Mirrored Bedside Table

·      Potterybarn, $399

·      24" wide x 18" deep x 28" high

Gilded Gold Frames

·      Potterybarn

Grace Duvet & Sham

·      Potterybarn, $129 queen duvet, $49 Euro Sham (x2)

Pick-Stitch Quilt & Shams

·      Potterybarn, Sandalwood, $159 queen, $25 Standard Sham (x2)

White Sheets with Monogram

·      Potterybarn, White with LightBlue/Porcelin Blue Monogramming, $89

Benjamin Moore paint in Woodlawn Blue

Natural Roman Shades for both windows (Smith & Noble or Next Day Blinds)

Botanical Calendar for art (we can frame with gilded frames)

·      Paper Source, $21.95

Navy + Orange Nursery

I'm back! I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. This has been the longest I've ever gone, and I've missed it every day! To say I've been a little overwhelmed is the understatement of the century! Between work, school, the holidays...oh yeah and did I forget to mention...I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant!! :)

That's right! I'm having a little boy, due in late March/early April. So exciting!!!

Which has made me focusing on nursery designs...I think I'm going to do a preppy navy/orange/white

Something like this...

I love when baby rooms are charming without being overly baby!

Check out some other super cool navy & orange spaces & ensembles...

And here's a photo of me preggers...

New Nov/Dec 2011 LONNY issue is live!

Happy 11.11.11 everyone!

Sorry I've been a little distracted the past couple weeks on my blog...I might be able to explain more next week!

In the meantime, today is one of my favorite days because...the new LONNY issue is here!

Check out some of their super cool images below.

If anyone needs a stocking stuffer idea for me...I am currently coveting this coffee table book!

This sofa looks great...and at only $699 from West Elm...if it's comfortable in person it's an absolute steal! 

Here is a great inspiration photo for Thanksgiving! I need to get my butt in gear and figure out how I'm setting my table this year!

My love for spray paint

I wanted to share a super cool contest going on over at Valspar...

So if you follow my blog you know that I am completely obsessed with Valspar (I only use Valspar paint and if I am dead set on a Benjamin Moore color I have the Valspar paint mixed to my color) as well as spray painting every piece of old furniture I buy.

So Valspar spray paint is like my mother ship!

Here is the last thing I sprayed...a table I bought for $11 and looks amazing!

After:

Before:

To celebrate the launch of their new Spray Paint Formula and Can Design they are giving their fans a chance to win a Valspar Spray Paint DIY Kit through their Facebook page.

Visit Valspar's Facebok page  and upload a photo of an item you want to "spray" on the Play to Spray Photo Contest--then get people to VOTE! The top ten voted items will win a kit, which includes five cans of spray.

The improved paint formula and intuitive design of the new Valspar Spray Paint minimizes common issues such as finger fatigue, dripping, and spitting.


I'm definitely finding a piece in need of a little TLC and submitting...I'm thinking of this piece...