Traditional Living Room Inspiration Board~

Today I thought I'd share an inspiration board I made recently for some clients of mine who just redid their kitchen and decided that their living room was now in need of an update as well.

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 out in white, adding a lovely crown moulding 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.

I hope to be able to share the befores and after with you soon!

Have a great day~

Girl's Bedroom Inspiration~

Whenever I have a new space to decorate, I obsess over it.  And when I say obsess, I reallllllly mean it.  So you can just imagine how my thoughts are spinning in circles at the prospect of decorating a new house.  It's exciting and anxiety inducing all at the same time.  My problem really lies in the fact that I like so many different styles of decor that narrowing my options down can be quite a challenge. 

Right now, I am thinking about my daughter's bedroom.  And my biggest challenge is the color scheme.  This is what her current bedroom looked like when I first decorated it. 

And then, because I'm an obsessive tweaker, this is what the bed looks like right now.  I like the addition of the brown because I think it keeps the color scheme grounded, and makes it a bit more sophisticated.

I do really like it. But you see, I had to work around the existing citrus green walls.  They aren't my favorite color.  And since we currently live in a rental house, I wasn't allowed to repaint them.  They gave me a starting point for a color scheme, however, and I'm happy with what I came up with.

But since we will be allowed to paint in our new rental home, my options are endless.  Too. Many. Choices.  Recently though, I have been drawn to these rooms by Restoration Hardware Baby & Child.  At the heart of it, I just really love neutrals..and these rooms do neutrals so beautifully (with just a hint of soft color) that I am absolute smitten.

What do you think?  Do you like lots of color for a child's room...or could you go with neutrals?  Oh, the possiblities!

EDITED TO ADD:  My dear readers, I think I gave the wrong impression with this post.  I realize that decorating my children's rooms is not about my favorite things.  That's why once my children are old enough to truly give me their input, I involve them wholeheartedly in the design process.   The princess and I have been having numerous discussions about her ideal room and her favorite colors, and ultimately, her choices will be my starting point.  But I do obsess over the rooms in my house, and the kids rooms are no exception.  That's why we work together.  It's more fun that way too!   THANKS!

A Beachy Summer Mantel~

Because we are getting ready to move, I wanted to keep my summer mantel clean and simple.  I opted to go for a serene color palette of sand and white, and to use beachy details to give me that summer on the beach feeling.

I started by using the summer lanterns that I shared in this post.

Then I just added in my jar full of seashells, and a few starfish.

Really that's all there was to it.  I really like the understated look.  There's no doubt that it celebrates summer, however.  Nothing like seashells and starfish to create a summer-y statement. 

Linking up to Layla's  Summer Mantel Party.

Have a great day~

Family Room Redesign Inspiration~

I recently had the privilege of working on a family room redesign virtual consultation for one of my fabulous readers, Kelli.  So today I thought I'd share with you the mood board that I created for her.

Kelli loves earth tones but has an infatuation with turquoise at the moment.  She has a lovely family room with a beautiful fireplace, high ceilings and fabulous windows.  I used brown as the base of the palette and added in a warm gold, a bit of red, and her beloved turquoise. I chose to bring the turquoise in with accessories because those are the easiest things to change if a color suddenly loses its charm.

I love the Chang Mai Dragon pillows from Willa Skye Home...they weren't actually the inspiration for the palette, but they could have been.  They tie the whole thing together beautifully. 

The Tuscan Bookcase from Ballard Designs will offer tons of storage.  I suggested that Kelli use baskets on the lower shelves to hide toys. 

Both artwork selections are also from Ballard Designs.  I especially love the abstract piece entitled Blue Reflection.  It's more contemporary which Kelli loves, and it incorporates the blues and golds from the room's palette in such an inviting way.

The curtains are Dupioni Silk  - which gives them a lovely sheen - and are from Pottery Barn.

I grounded the room with the brown Fallon Rug from Rugstudio.  I love the addition of the graphic trellis pattern.

I can't wait to see the finished product!

If you're interested in a virtual design consultation you can find out more about my e-design services here.

Have a great day~

More Boys' Room Inspiration~

I have to be honest, decorating children's rooms is my favorite part of designing.  I like the freedom that comes with not having to take things so seriously.  With being able to add a good dose of whimsy to a space.  Children's rooms are just plain fun. 

So when I know that I get to redo the kids rooms, like I will in our upcoming move, I spend inordinate amounts of time planning and daydreaming about the spaces.

Of course, this time around I have some practical issues to contend with as well...like fitting three boys in one room.  I shared my dreams of a bunkroom in this post, but I also have to realize that the room the boys are moving into won't allow a huge built-in bunk space.  So I have been searching online for bunkbeds with trundles, and other bunk inspiration.  And that's when I found the new line from Restoration Hardware. (Okay, just so you all know...Restoration Hardware is not paying me for this post...this is just me...having some serious infatuation with their new products...)

Holy darling stuff, Batman!  I admit that I got excited when I found out a couple of years ago, that RH was starting a line for babies.  And I liked it.  But I wasn't wild about it - everything was pink, green or blue with polkadots or stripes- that's it.  So even though I received their emails, I didn't often take the time to read them.  Until this week when I saw the one with the picture of the bunkbeds.  I didn't know RH made bunkbeds, so I clicked on it.  And fell in love.

I am big into a soft-industrial look, especially for the boys' room...so these spaces are all right up my alley.

I love the zinc-finished wall pockets and the storage behind the bed.

Here I am in love with the bedding....and the vintage lockers. 

I would live at the beach if I could, so nautical rooms are always a favorite.

I love the stencil letters on the wall...and check out those cute floor pillows.

So much inspiration in one room.  I love the vintage school chairs and the table with the metal top (I'm seriously considering getting a metal-topped table for our dining room- virtually kid proof.)

I love the metal storage baskets, and the amusement park art.

I adore this menswear-inspired bedding.  When we moved into our last house, I was determined to find menswear-look bedding for the boys room...not as easy as it might sound.  And now, here it is.... hmmm.

Lovin' the locker-style desk and the ticking stripe bedding.  And those cute vintage clipboards used as frames!

This room is just plain soothing. 

A leather headboard....don't know if I dare with my crazy kiddos...but I love it.

And here's the bunkbed that caught my eye.  Lovin' the dark stain...and the heaviness of the piece.  It even has a trundle.  Alas, I think the pricetag might be a bit rich for my blood.  But a girl can dream, can't she?

So I'm off to plot and plan for the boys' room some more...I'm having too much fun!

Bunk Rooms: Shared Space Inspiration~

As I mentioned in this post, we are moving.  And in the move, we are going to be downsizing.  So all of my boys are going to be sharing a room.  I have been wanting to build a bunkroom for ages...and this gives me the perfect excuse opportunity.

So today I want to share a few bunk room ideas from my inspiration files...

I love the nautical theme in this bedroom and the  "porthole" window near the lower bunk.

traditional kids design by chicago general contractor Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers

I love the built-in beds, the drawers underneath for added storage...the "wainscotting" molding on the sides of the beds.  Perfection.

traditional bedroom design by boston architect Smith & Vansant Architects PC

In this room, I'm in love with the sconce above the top bunk and the planked walls. mmmmm.

contemporary kids design by atlanta interior designer Brian Watford ID

Although not technically "bunks", I love the built-in cubbies for each bed...and the curtains for privacy.

eclectic kids design by birmingham interior designer Tracery Interiors

This room has amazing use of space...love the built-in bookcases and workstations on each side of the bed ( although that top bunk needs a higher safety railing, if you ask me.)

traditional kids design

This room had me at "hello". I love the putty colored built-ins. The stairs/ladder is pure perfection. And I simply adore the addition of the built-in bookcases at the head of each bed.

spaces design

I have been enamoured of this bunk space for a long time. I love the juxtaposition of industrial elements with feminine elements (and that oversized photo is amazing!) Of course, remove the butterflies and the twinkle light "chandelier" and this space could work just as well for a group of crazy boys like mine.

spaces design

All rooms above via Houzz.com

This is perhaps my favorite bunk room image of all time. It's from BHG, and I've had it in my inspiration photos since, well, I've lost track of how long it's been there. I love EVERYTHING about this room. The bunks are amazing, the built-in workstations are inspired, the colors are perfect.  Now to figure out how something like this can translate to a smaller space. Ohhhhh the possibilities.

via BHG



Sure does give me a lot to think about.  Whether you have kiddos or not, I hope that you've been able to gather a little inspiration from this set of shared spaces too!

Have a great day~

Creating a Gallery Wall~

There is a wall in this house that has been driving me crazy since we first moved in. It is at the end of a long hallway. It is quite large. And it is BORING.


I decided to create a gallery wall there some time ago, but I was dragging my feet a bit. I wasn't sure exactly what type of gallery wall I wanted. So I gathered inspiration and finally decided that I wanted something fairly cohesive but a bit organic.


Here's how I turned this wall (which, by the way, might be the most boring photo ever posted on the internet)....

Into this gallery wall....

First of all, I had to make a decision about the frames. Did I want black frames? White frames? Mismatched frames?

I finally decided that I wanted white frames...and not just any white frames. I wanted matching white frames. And I couldn't spend a fortune. So I went to IKEA and found some in a couple of different sizes (some for 5x7s and some for 8x10s).

I am ashamed to say that after I got the frames home they sat...for quite a while. Because I had decided that I wanted the gallery wall to be a bit organic, but I wasn't sure how I wanted to accomplish that task.

Remember when I told you yesterday that I had the perfect place for my sweet Lisa Leonard pennant banner? Well, once it arrived in the mail, it gave me the perfect idea for how I wanted to finish my wall.

So I gathered up my photos and filled those frames. Then, I laid the frame out on my bed to get an idea of how I wanted them to look on the wall.


I've seen a lot of gallery wall tutorials with kraft paper and carefully measured placement. And those are wonderful. But I am not that girl. Impatience is my middle name...and I love to eyeball things. (When I'm doing things for myself that is.) So I started with the middle photo in the collage and moved out from there. Eyeballing measurements as I went.

And to add to the organic/ eclectic feel of the wall, I threw in a couple of monogram "H"s. This metal one is from Anthropologie...it used to sit on the white buffet in my living room.

The white "H" came from JoAnn's.

And then, the piece de resistance my pennant banner. Love. it.

Here's the finished wall again. I'm so happy with the way it turned out.

There's still time to enter the $75 Lisa Leonard giveaway...just scroll down to yesterday's post and leave a comment!

Have a great day~

Subway Art: My Version and a Mini Buffet Makeover~

Okay, so I have to preface this post by reminding you that I have an obsessive need to constantly tweak and redecorate. So I had barely finished redoing my small buffet (as seen in this post) when I already had the desire to tweak it. Don't get me wrong. It was pretty. Just not quite "me". Know what I mean?

BEFORE (pretty, but not quite right):

The more I looked at it, the more I knew that I wanted to bring back a bit of the black. I like the sophistication that a bit of black brings.

I also have been crushing on all the subway art signs that I have seen floating around blogland. So I decided that it was high time I made some for myself.

Here is my version...filled with cities that are meaningful for our family. For example, Kennebunkport, Maine - at the very top of the sign - is where the hubby and I spent our honeymoon. Newport, RI is where we spent my 24th birthday. Just last year. (ha, just kidding!) You get the idea.




When I put it up on the wall, I knew other things were going to have to change as well. The pretty pink faux cherry blossoms looked much too sweet against the sign. So I replaced them with white blossoms in a rustic vessel. Then I brought back my pretty terrarium that had previously been on the buffet. But the two things looked a little bit lonely, so I added a stack of old books tied with twine.

Finally, I decided that the lamp needed a little bit of zing, so I added some grosgrain ribbon around the top and bottom. A little dab of hot glue holds the ribbon in place so that I can easily remove it when I'd like another change.

So here she is...the little buffet all done over (again.) I'm lovin' this version. And that cute subway art? I'll have a tutorial for you soon.

Have a great day~

A New Season, A New Room, A Giveaway~

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
Maybe it's the whole concept of Spring as a new beginning that does it, but I always feel the urge to redecorate during this season. How about you? Do you find yourself wanting to pull the old switcheroo? Rearrange the furniture? Maybe freshen up the artwork on your walls? Or perhaps you want to change it all...new paint, new fabrics, even new furniture? Come on. I can see that glint in your eye.

Sometimes, however, it's hard to know where to begin. What would be the best way to freshen up that room? Do you really have to change everything, or would a few simple changes give you the new room feeling you're longing for? It's not always easy to know. And sometimes a fresh set of eyes is just what you need.

That's where I can help. I have been decorating for as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl, I was interested in decorating. I batted my eyelashes at my daddy until I got him to build me a window seat for my room. I talked my parents into painting my walls lavender for my 8th birthday. I saved up my allowance until I could buy that bedding set I had my eye on. I even made my own curtains.

Now that I'm "all grown up", my home is my decorating laboratory. But, let's face it...I can only tweak my own rooms so often before I face a revolt from my family. That's where you come in, my lovely readers! Because I have such a passion for decorating, I want to share it with you! I want to help you tweak your rooms. (My family will thank you. ha ha!) So I offer virtual design consultations here at The Shabby Nest. You send me photos of your room, and I send you my ideas on how you can spruce it up, along with a virtual "shopping list" including links to where you can find my suggested purchases. And I can help you create a beautiful room on any budget. No budget? No problem! I can even offer suggestions on how you can improve your space for little or no money.

Interested? Well, you're in luck, because today I'm participating in the Nester's giveaway day! One lucky reader of the Shabby Nest will win a FREE one-room e-design consultation!! That's a $125 value!

To be entered, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. You can tweet, facebook or blog about this giveaway for additional entries, but you must leave an additional comment for each in order for the additional entry to count.

Want to see all the other great giveaways going on during today's giveaway day at the Nesting Place? Click here.

Good luck!