Oh Baby… Nursery

Posted in Beautiful Places, Design Challenges, Visual Eye Candy by Mallory

Babies, babies everywhere. I can’t count on one hand the number of little bundles of joy that are about to arrive on the doorsteps of friends and family in the next few months. This happens to include my stepsister who welcomed my adorable first nephew on Sunday!

My best friend also happens to be due in the next week so she recently asked me for some nursery inspiration while she prepped for the arrival of her little girl. So today I’m sharing some of my favorite finds for all styles of nurseries from neutral and glamorous to gender specific and rustic.

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Let’s start with this classic beauty. Neutral colors with a slightly playful theme thanks to the zebra and hot air balloon and a classic crib.

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Contemporary, abstract art over a crib – so glamorous. And the contrast of colors against the moody grey walls – perfection. The patterned rug just kicks it up a notch. This particular nursery is clearly doing double duty too for when those giddy grandparents come to visit.

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How luxurious does this nursery feel? It’s gender neutral and could so easily be achieved with a little blood, sweat and DIY. All you need is quite a bit of cheap off-white fabric, a staple gun, some painters tape and a gallon of paint. Top it off with a glamorous light fixture and you’re in business.

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So I cheated a bit and this is an old ad from Restoration Hardware’s Baby & Kids line. But I’m completely in love with the rustic charm and the perfect way they styled a nursery that’s a little girlie without looking like a pink crayon vomitted everywhere.

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Vintage charm is all over this room. I love that the desaturated blue of the walls is a few shades off the traditional baby blue of most nurseries. And the bunting combined with a it of chevron on those curtains brings it in to the 21st century.

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If you’re looking for more of a traditional space, this is the room for you. I die over the antique-looking toys and that mirror over the crib is so elegant.

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This gem has been making the blog rounds for quite some time, but I completely see why – you want glamour for your little girl, this is the room for her. Shiny surfaces and animal print? CHECK!

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Or maybe she is more into shabby chic, French country charm? Done!

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Or you think she’ll be a little eclectic, but with a sweet side? A room filled with peach, champagne and gold is the place for her.

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Perhaps it is a little boy who needs a little eclectic space of his own? Combine an industrial fixture with a vintage map and some burlap curtains, and you’re good to go.

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White and navy with a touch of silver is perfection. All the pieces (minus the crib) could be repurposed as the child grows or seamlessly moved in to other rooms of the house.

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Minimalist, white and clean. But the light wood, adorable artwork and the sheepskin rug warm up the space for a little bundle of joy.

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Then their are those new moms who just know their little one will be fashionable and always on trend. Then herringbone and tassel garlands are just for them (and it serves as a stylish alternative to a mobile).

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I think we’ve seen some variation of that rug a few times… looks like it’s a clear winner in nursery land. When paired with striped crib bedding and crisp roman shades, the room suddenly has a preppy feel.

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Maybe you just want to embrace your little girl’s feminine side? Swatches of pink, monogrammed wall art and a chandelier are just for her.

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If you’re raising a little gentleman or lady, this elegant nursery/guest room combo is the perfect space.

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Modern. Pink. Perfection. And I don’t even like pink.

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If she really is a princess, this space is for her.

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I die over that kelly green wall paper. Baby would love staring at it!

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Modern and graphic. With a hint of mid-century modern thrown in.

And now for a little extra dose of awesome: a few celebrity nurseries to drool over:

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Bill & Giuliana’s house is perfection. I expect nothing less for their little guy’s space. I want that grasscloth wallpaper. Now.

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This nursery belongs to momma/queen of style Jenna Lyons.

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I’m loving the clean lines and soothing colors of this beauty, the home of Molly Sims’ babe.

So what do you think – I see some serious themes popping up lately in nursery styles – print rugs and giant giraffes are clearly all the rage. I also love the practicality of most of the spaces – all of them seem to be able to easily transition as the child grows older. And not a licensed character in sight! Not that I have anything against Mickey or Buzz Lightyear… I’d just prefer a little more subtle use of whimsy 😉

15Aug2013

Dorm Meets Design

Posted in Design Challenges, DIY, Life Stuff, Mood Boards, Redecorating by Mallory

…And Sledge is back with a vengeance!

Let’s talk college. For those of us who have been there, we all remember the grueling late nights of studying (or rehearsing for us theater folk), the horrible cafeteria options and the dorms. Oh the dorms. That ridiculous rite of passage where by you’re forced to live with a perfect stranger for 9-10 months and cram your entire life into a poorly lit space the size of a shoe box.

Well for you new readers, I promise you there’s hope. Your first year does NOT have to consist of you gaining the freshman 15 and sleeping in a drafty room that reminds you of where Martha spent a year in West Virginia.

No matter how many times you’ve scoured your school’s website and Google Image searched, you really have no idea what kind of space you are walking in to. Maybe a little something like this:

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Or worse:

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But there are plenty of tips, tricks and advice towards making this cement block of a space feel like home.

The key to really enjoying your space is making it comfortable. That starts with the piece of furniture you’re going to spend most of your time in: the bed. Let’s start with support – a solid mattress pad and an egg crate are musts. Egg crate you ask? Yes, you can thank me later. Those mattresses are likely very uncomfortable and any extra cushion will be appreciated.

Good sheets are just as important. I’d recommend going a step up in the quality department. Seriously. Those college nights can be long, no matter what you’re doing and you’ll love coming home to a bed that doesn’t like it came out of Van Wilder. Personally, Jefe and I loved our Striped Sheet Set from West Elm. They’re extremely soft and held up really well after 2 years of solid use.

Comforters and duvets should be washable. Trust me. This will be your bed, couch, study spot, dinner table, and dance floor all in one. Spills are bound to happen. In terms of style, I’d pick something that’s uniquely you without screaming “Star Wars is my jam!” Going a little bit more sophisticated never hurt anyone. A moderately priced duvet may be your best best as it’s washable and can be swapped out if you tire of it. This actually was my duvet eons ago, in a bit more a sage color, and it was worth every penny; it got softer with every washing and paired nicely with the buttery yellow walls of my bedroom in our sorority house. To pair with those great striped sheets, you could try a luxurious, yet neutral option from H&M’s new home line:

Now lets talk pillows. As I suggested, that bed is going to get some serious use (wink wink). So besides your usual pillows, I would get a few “decorative” ones that can serve multiple purposes. I’ve found bigger European and body pillows are best and can turn any bed in to a couch or help create an extra seat on the floor.

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Luckily, floor pillows are all the rage so it should be easy to find something in your particular taste. I’m a big fan of these floor cushions that would work great as a backrest on your bed or tossed on the floor for added seating.

Lastly, I would add a throw blanket. It can be folded at the end of the bed, draped over the foot rail or used for extra warmth in cold months (or to cover your new best friend who fell asleep on your floor after a late night out). And it adds a homey touch to an otherwise cold room.

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After move-in day and you’ve had the chance to spend some time in your space, you can always look in to some DIY options for headboards. Is it necessary? No. Will it help make the space feel like it’s more yours and less like a cement cell? Definitely. There are plenty of options from large wall decals to simple pieces of foam and fabric-wrapped wood that would really take your room up a notch. You’d be amazed what batting your eyes at that upper-class man with a pick-up truck will get you. Usually a free trip to Home Depot for the wood for your DIY project AND an invite to his house party later that night ;-). Alternatively, you could go the wall decal route:

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While researching this post, I also came across this great new invention: over the bed storage that can also double as a “headboard”. You can customize the back wall with decorative paper or fabric and a little modge podge. It also gives you some much needed storage above your bed for those photos of your besties from back home.

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Lets talk lighting. Quite possibly the worst part of dorm life – those horrendous overhead fluorescents that make your skin look green. So we are going to TURN. THEM. OFF. Lamps are your best friends. It’s safe to say that you’ll need a minimum of 2 to truly avoid the overhead: one for your desk exclusively and one for the rest of the living space. And your eyes will thank you for that soft white light while you’re cranking away during a marathon study session. It will also give your space a great, homey atmosphere that will be the envy of all your hallmates. I would recommend a style that could easily transition to a first apartment so you’re not buying something as a temporary solution.

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And that rule applies for just about everything other than those extra long twin sheets that you will most certainly never use again: purchase for longevity. My third year of college I bought a queen size duvet for my twin bed; my only regret was not doing it 2 years earlier. I manage to found one that was great quality (without breaking my budget), so I was able to keep it for the long haul and still use it today.

Desk space. Lets get creative. Do you really need that plain mesh pencil cup from Office Depot? How about a pretty monogrammed mug from CWonder instead? It serves the same purpose but gives you a little panache.

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I think the same can be applied for just about anything: why choose a plain notebook when you can get one covered in chevrons that makes you smile every time you look at it? Or how about a cork board covered in fabric? Maybe some DIY bookends (kids still use actual books, right? Or am I that old?!)

These are from CB2 but could EASILY be DIY’ed

The point is, take this as an opportunity to really exercise your imagination in how you can really put your stamp on the space so it’s as inviting as possible.

Storage. You’re gonna need more, no matter who you are. Unless you’re one of those lucky kids that gets an apartment in their first year and are spared this form of mild university-condoned hazing, you will inevitably need some form of storage beyond the blond wood, 30 year old dresser you’re issued. Once you’ve spent some time in your space, figured out what fits where and what still needs a home, plan that trip to your local Target (or if you’re one of the lucky kids near a city, a nearby Ikea). Modern, design savvy storage has come a long way since the standard clear plastic bins of my college years. Below are some suggestions:

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(Drink cart anyone?! For your bottles of Diet Coke…)

Closet storage is pretty straightforward. Just find the things that work for you and your space. 3M hooks can be a lifesaver as are those hangers that can hold 4 pairs of pants at once. I also used to drape my scarves over hangers to save space.

Lastly, let’s talk food. Yes, I know you’ve got a meal plan. But there will inevitebly be those times that you’re just sick of the cafeteria’s chicken parm or you really want a late night snack and don’t feel like leaving the building. For this, I’d recommend one full set of dishware. We’re talking real metal silverware kids. As for the plates, melamine has come a LONG way and there are so many cute options now. Just make sure that yours is microwavable as you never know when you want to heat up some leftovers or make a bowl of soup. Yes, you will have to wash them, but there’s just something nice about having something to call your own that is semi-permanent. And besides – you don’t have the space to hoard stacks of paper plates and cups.

Now for some inspiration of some epic dorm room design:

Boho Glam

This is probably the most shared, epic dorm room design I’ve ever seen.

Minimal Glam

So simple and easy! A rug, some art, a pedestal, a plant and a new bookshelf.

For the bright and bubbly sorority girl

Traditional and masculin. Love the suitcases for some under the bed storage!

As you can see, dorm room decorating has come a long way. So here are two great examples of how to do a blue dorm room, on a budget, in different styles to really make your space your own:

PREPPY FEMININE

MASCULINE ECLECTIC

29May2013

Q & A: The Great Merge – Part 1

Posted in Design Challenges, Mood Boards, Reader Q & A by Mallory

Today’s reader Q & A comes from my college roomie, Ali. Some of my first true interior design projects occured when she and I moved into a cramped room in our sorority house. It included my first wall paint job (in the perfect buttery yellow) and styling the room with coordinating lamps, bedding and art. Not to mention finding an appropriate place for the all-so-important mini-fridge and bar.

Since those days that suddenly seem too far away, Ali’s done her fair share of trapsing across the globe. As a musician, artist, and all-around bohemian extraordinaire, her style is quite eclectic. Recently she moved in with her boyfriend in Washington, D.C. and she’s encountered the same problem most of us have when taking the plunge into co-habitation with a significant other: the Great Merge of belongings.

Here’s Ali’s request:

Hi Mal!

Here’s some info on a couple of current problem areas (there are several more…) of our new place. As we enter Week 3 of unpacking and merging our belongings, we have most of the big furniture situated and are starting to unearth enough space to hang curtains, and soon some photos/art!

We need help with storage and textiles in particular. Justin likes to keep an extra blanket on the bed when we’re not home to keep it from getting swathed in dog hair, and we’re in the market for a new one because I don’t like the color of the current one. Also, the bench cushion is in really rough shape and I’d love to cover it. I know he’d prefer a solid (in corduroy if possible) and I’d love a muted pattern, even though our bedding has stripes. I’d love for it to be a rougher texture – wooly, or woven, or nubby.

We’re trying to stay responsible and not buy new everything, and that’s tricky since my previous style leanings and Justin’s are pretty different. Thankfully nowadays we both agree that we really like the looks that West Elm has going, it’s modern enough for Justin and fits enough with my funky taste (fair isle navajo more patterns yes!) and plethora of instruments. I have given in to cool colors in the bedroom, although that’s not natural for me.

Here’s a video:

As this is a rather large task, I’ve decided to break this up in to a two-parter. Today I’ll focus on the bedroom and in our next post we’ll take a look at the dressing room area.

For the bedroom, let’s break this down in to each area to tackle:

New throw blanket for their bed
New nightstands & lamps
Fabric to recover bedroom bench
Storage solutions
Add some much needed Ali flair in terms of styling

Let’s start with the bedding. They’re sticking with the above blue-toned striped duvet cover. Adding another pattern in to this mix will be tough; I’d recommend a solid colored blanket with a woven texture for visual interest and to soften up the hard lines of the current bedding. Seeing as Ali always prefers warmer colors, I’d go with a chocolate brown to really give it an inviting feel and coordinate with the stripes of the duvet cover. As this blanket will be used primarily to prevent their dog Dakota from creating his own version of a blanket on the bed, I’d opt for something machine washable.

My recommendation: the LLBean Vintage Matelasse Coverlet in Chocolate Brown. It meets all of the above criteria and although it’s a little more expensive than something at Target or a comparable big box store (this guy clocks in @ $129 for a queen size), it’s made by a company that prides itself on quality so you know this puppy will last. They also sell matching pillow shams so Ali could turn it into a true bedding set if she wanted, instead of it just being a barrier between Dakota and the bed.

Or for a slightly more modern pattern in a lighter brown, I’d go with the West Elm Lexington Quilt + Shams in Clay would be a nice alternative.

To top off the bed, I would finish it with a throw pillow or two. The West Elm Embroidered Dot Pillow Cover in Dusty Blue is a great option that is simple enough to coordinate with the current bedding, the LL Bean or West Elm coverlets and still gives a bit more of an organic feel to the bed. The handsewn embroidery with its slightly uneven lines helps to soften the rest of the lines of the bedding. The blue accent thread will tie in with the blue of the duvet.

Next up are the night stands. For the left side, once they unpack some more boxes, they’ll have a decent amount of space over there. As they’re hurting for storage, I would go the untraditional route. Do NOT buy another nightstand. I would go more with a cabinet or small dresser that sits at the right height. It will give them more storage space and Ali a larger tabletop for things like her stacks of books, the lamp, etc. And by going with something that is more unique, you won’t have to worry about it matching your pre-existing furniture. My biggest pet peeve is quickly becoming bedroom sets that are too matchy matchy, including my own (what can I say, you live and you learn).

The Single Shutter Doors Holbrook Sideboard from World Market is a perfect example of something totally unique but serves all of the purposes Ali needs. And it would add some much-needed eclectic style to the room.

Then above it, you could always hang a mirror, like this bargain – the Threshold Round Captain’s Mirror from Target (I still can’t believe this is $29.99 – I’m dying to get one for our place) to help reflect light from the nearby window and hang hooks on either side because as Ali puts it “We literally need a place to hang our hats. We have so many hats!” Spoken like a true Renaissance woman.

For styling purposes, I’d go with a ridiculously simple lamp on that side of the bed. The BRÅN base and JÄRA shade from Ikea will do just the trick. And because it’s basically clear glass and a white shade, there are a ton of ways to customize it if Ali so chooses, such as adding color to the glass base or sprucing up the shade.

On the other side of the bed, you could go with a coordinating lamp such as the Target Room Essentials Solid Shade Ceramic Silver lamp as Ali and Justin prefer more of a brushed silver look.

But back to the nightstands, if Ali decides to work with what she’s got, I would recommend a little DIY. The easiest trick to perk up those existing pieces is to swap out the knobs. Anthropologie and even World Market have a TON of options to choose from.

Ali could also bust out a can of paint and really customize them to her linking. She and I were never afraid to get a little dirty (or crazy) back in the day. Obligatory college photo here:

Back to the nightstands again – depending on how crafty Ali wanted to get, I’d recommend something a little like this DIY from Megan over at Craft Habit.

Lastly, Ali definitely wants to get crafty with her bench. She’d like to recover it with a durable fabric. I’d recommend something a little heavier weight, such as upholstery fabric. You could go solid, but I’d take the opportunity to bring in some more organic lines with a subtle pattern, such as the Waverly Strands/Sterling fabric from Joann Fabrics.

So there you have part 1 of Ali & Justin’s GREAT MERGE. Check back next week for Part 2! I’ve also included the full mood board below, including a few pieces of art, the curtains, and the run they already own.

So what do you guys think? Anyone else facing the Great Merge these days? I learned a LOT from when Jefe and I did it– namely that I’m a hoarder and he’s a minimalist. Somehow we’ve managed to meet in the middle. For now 😉

Sledgehammer With Style

Hollywood marketer by day, design blogger by night.

Tag Archives: Eclectic

Oh Baby… Nursery

Dorm Meets Design

Q & A: The Great Merge – Part 1

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