Quadrille Macao Nursery by Madre

Photo by Molly Winters

Very happy to make the acquaintance of the Madre Instagram account. And this nursery. It showcases one of my all-time, all-time favorite fabrics - Macao from Quadrille. Set atop spotted wallpaper and peachy-pink baseboard (and I'll assume molding?) this nursery is incredibly fantastic. I'm also in love with the lavender trim on that crib bumper. 🙌

Meanwhile, the designing women at Madre have some charming design chops...those in Dallas may want to inquire.

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Friday Crush

Design by Michael Boyd, Photo by Emily Followill for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Well, now that's clever. Take a great striped fabric and turn it horizontal for the pelmet box. Wonderful statement. And did you even notice this is a nursery? Those walls are amazing.

I am pretty happy to lay low this weekend. Hope you have some fun plans. See you next week!

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Mac's Nursery: Inspiration

Mac is finally getting a nursery...I think.

The plan has been to put Mac in Ana Claire's room once she moves over to the bed from her crib. Which has not happened. And Mac is still in our room. And we are approaching one year.

Carter and I are convinced that having them together would actually work fine (and would be more convenient for us). But it's a question of timing and I'm getting impatient with Mac's unsettled state and the fact that the little guy has no dedicated space in our house (stuff. is. everywhere.).

We also agreed that there is something nice about devoting space to a child...Ana Claire's room is hers. The older she gets, the more she loves her room. We designed it for her and every little touch that went into it was carefully planned for our baby girl. And I want to do the same for Mac.

So, that's where we are headed. Though we asked Ana Claire if she wanted Mac in her room, to which we received a hearty "Yes!"...hmmm, what to do with that.

In the meantime, the nursery design is coming together rather quickly in my head. And I stumbled across this picture which is part inspiration and part teaser to show you where I'm kind of going with my own design:

Design by and image via Smitten Design

LOVE this nursery. It's not exactly where I'm going with Mac's space but I'm hoping the overall feeling is similar. I am employing black and white buffalo check, a wood jenny lind crib (Ana Claire's current crib once we evict her) and dogs.

I am no dog person, but I can appreciate a solid dog motif. Especially for a little boy's space.

I'm hoping to strike a balance between whimsy and masculine and the above nursery captures that quite well...though I'm planning for more color (you know me).

Plans will be shared. I think I just need to mentally get over the room-sharing idea which was our hope...but I know having a sweet space just for Mac is going to make my heart happy.

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Warm Ruggy Nursery

I fear this is one of those images that already made the internet rounds and y'all are rolling your eyes, like get with it, Daniela. Old news. But I'm willing to take that risk, I like it so much.

Designed by Amber Interiors, it oozes California cool. And like this room, I can't take my eyes off the rug.

Photo by Tessa Neustadt via Domaine Home

I LOVE the style, although admittedly, it's not my own. But elements of it I would snag for myself like the rug juxtaposed with white walls and the warm wood furnishings. I also love the basket as a hamper (we use a similar one for Ana Claire).

Were you wondering where my post was about Mac's nursery design board? Because there wasn't one. Because the little nugget doesn't have a nursery. Right now, he's rooming with me and C with the eventual hope that he can move in with Ana Claire (after we de-girly the room just a little bit).

Our house is such that if we give Mac his own nursery, Carter and I will need to move into one of the rooms downstairs and we don't like that idea. We much prefer to cozy up the kids in one room upstairs with us in the other. Not sure Ana Claire will be down with the sharing idea...cross that bridge when we come to it.

So poor Mac is a nomad. But I do like to dream about what his eventual room will look like - be it a nursery or a big boy room. And this pic is going in the inspiration folder.

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New Nursery Monogram Prints

My friend Crystal is at it again...this time with a dynamite vintage floral monogram nursery print in the most delightful color combinations, now available in her Etsy shop.

Sweet and adorable, yes? I'm a sucker for these florals and I love the imaginative color combinations. I signed up for one in a custom colorway for Ana Claire...which is not a reserved service for me because I'm special - she'll do it for you too!

I also love that these are square little numbers ready to hang in an IKEA Ribba frame...a perfect little keepsake gift.

Visit Crystal's shop here...

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Margaret Kirkland

I love what Margaret Kirkland is doing in Atlanta. Her interiors are just classic, elegant perfection and I can't get enough of this home that is featured in the current (May 2014) issue of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles:

 Photos by Mali Azima

Delicious, right? That nursery!!!!! The colors are a dream. And I love how the home flows...no two rooms are using the exact same color palette but they all employ cool tones that relate and that work great with the home's architecture.

The blue door in the kitchen has to be my favorite. I feel like it completely ties the kitchen to the rest of the home's style. A small detail that has a big impact.

Love, love, love. Check out more of Margaret's work here.

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Periwinkle and Red Nursery

Love Sarah Richardson and most all that she does and this nursery is no exception. Her designs are always so crisp and colorful - classic (North) American style (she's Canadian).

This nursery is bonkers good...I was looking at it when thinking of Baby Irwin because, truly, a little boy, girl or both could inhabit this space. A great example of how color can still be used in a gender-neutral space.

Design by Sarah Richardson, images via sarahrichardsondesign.com

The light periwinkle is totally brilliant paired with a saturated red and lots and lots of white to keep it clean and sweet. Love how the ceiling is painted and the wallpaper is adorable. So much to love in this little space.

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DIY Starry Ceiling

The first image that popped into my head as I started planning baby Irwin's nursery was this one:

Aloe walls and a starry ceiling...it was exactly where I wanted to start because I knew Tyler would love it. And stars are sweet and childlike without being indicative of any gender.

Now, being clear that putting stars on a ceiling is not an original idea, I did try and think through how to accomplish it, as papering the ceiling in Osborne & Little's Coronata wasn't really in the cards. I know folks have painted those stars using a stencil - a possibility, but I thought Timmy would curse me for all eternity if I gave him that assignment. There had to be an easier way...

Enter wall decals. Easy to put up, easy to take down, easy to fix if you mess up, not permanent, inexpensive - so many bonus points. And a quick Google search gave me exactly what I was looking for:

I found 8-pointed wall decal stars here...initially I was bummed thinking they just came in this large size. But no! They come in a 2" size in gold metallic. Done and done.

The room's ceiling is already white so this should be an easy afternoon project for us (read:Timmy) to knock out. I'll let you know the success factor.

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Sweet Neutral Nursery

It's baby season! Lots of ladies in my circle are rockin' a bump and I love it. More friends for Ana Claire!

My dear friend Tyler and her husband Timmy are among this crowd of new parents-to-be with their first due this August. And they aren't finding out what it is...such restraint.

T asked me to help her come up with a nursery plan that could fit a baby girl or baby boy and work around a gray crib and dresser, which are about the only things she knew she wanted.

I present Baby Irwin's future digs:

Aloe walls, gray furniture, a starry ceiling and elephants will all combine to create a soft, quiet space that will be as sweet as this new baby. Tyler has ordered the area rug, is getting paint swatches and the furniture is narrowed down. So we are off and running!

I told T I wouldn't give away all her sources as this room was created especially for her, Timmy and baby but I'll divulge one fun DIY from this board tomorrow. Stay tuned!

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Sweet Nursery Name Prints

My super-ridiculously-talented friend, Crystal, is not only an amazing photographer but is also a major graphic designer. She has so many skills. I'm constantly in awe and have learned SO much working with her.

Her latest venture, inspired by her sweet little girl Paige, is custom nursery art. She recently showed me these name prints she has up in the shop AND I LOVE THEM. So sweet:

Stop it. So cute. And Crystal is wicked creative, so I'm sure that if you like where these are going but have a particular subject matter in mind, Crystal could whip you up something extra custom.

Check them out in her Etsy shop!

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AO House Tour: Ana Claire's Nursery

Welcome to Ana Claire's nursery:

 Above photo by Crystal Downs

Ta-da! Above is the money shot because A) it wasn't taken by me and B) it shows 90% of the room's goods. We opted for a crib and twin bed combo and love how it turned out. I made a huge valance box to really highlight the Le Lac fabric and trimmed it out in the most adorable red ribbon. See how the painted dresser turned out? A yellow paint job with gold hardware was the way to go! You can also see a glimpse of the vintage headboard I bought and our Jenny Lind crib.

Sorry for the terrible photography, y'all. I just don't have that talent and I even borrowed a fancy camera! I probably should have shelled out some cash for professional photos but let's all use our imagination. This room is so dark - great for sleeping babies, bad for blog photography. 

Above might be the only shot of the light fixture - an awesome vintage pagoda-style situation that was originally yellow and got a coat of glossy red spraypaint.

Don't ask me why, but I always wanted a Jenny Lind crib in cherry. I'm glad I had already made that decision pre-baby because it was a great piece with which to start building the room. Once I actually went to purchase it, I was thrilled that it was one of few inexpensive choices on the baby crib market. 

After a weekend meltdown realizing that huge and pregnant, I wasn't going to be able to sew a crib and bed skirt in matching red fabric, I turned to the internets and found the perfect ruffled red crib skirt for $20. Hallelujah. But, I found that it wasn't quite long enough. Luckily I had bought several (thinking I might cobble them together for the twin bed) and just sewed two skirts together (one on top of the other) to get more length for the crib.

Looove the dresser. Took SO MANY coats of yellow paint, but so very worth it.

I got Matouk's Le Scallop coverlet with pink piping for the twin bed as well as a matching bolster pillow with AC's monogram. The scallop detail on the coverlet is so sweet. The shams are from Carleton Varney's line for HSN...had them for years and they finally found a home. The bed needs more zhushing - like a duvet and another pillow, but I ran out of creative juice and haven't seen anything I like yet.

 Above photo by Crystal Downs

One of my favorite items in the room is this pair of vintage ostrich bookends. Found them on Etsy and bought them before the room had really come together. Didn't realize how perfectly they would work! And I think I need red, pleated lamp shades for these pink lamps. I haven't found any yet but I'm on the hunt...

You can see this better in the first photo, but we opted for wood-toned blinds and they were a great decision. Really added some nice depth to the room as opposed to the crispness of white wood blinds. Obvi the valance box and curtains I made are the focal point of the room. I just could not be happier with this fabric choice and how it all turned out.

I framed two small watercolors by artist Jennifer Love to flank the window.

Ugh, bad photo. But you can see where the rocking chair ended up. Love how this one turned out (upholstered by my guy, Hakan)!  You can also see my vintage fretwork table with a glossy red paint job as well as a vintage mirror that belonged to Mama Jo, Ana Claire's great-grandmother. This chair needs an ottoman but I have yet to find one whose dimensions will match up correctly. To the left of this little vignette is Ana Claire's closet which we have yet to tackle, so no pictures :)

Zebra salt and pepper shakers from Furbish. Clearly made for a nursery.

This is the room's alcove, on the same side of the room as the twin bed. Made the perfect little area for our changing table in a Jenny Lind style that matches the crib. Those kimono prints are straight from Hong Kong! My friend Kat sent them and I about hyperventilated when I opened her sweet package that arrived from halfway around the world because they were PERFECT. I fretted forever about painting those sconce lampshades (which are glass) red, but then these little prints arrived and I didn't need to anymore. Thanks, Kat!

This little monkey sits atop a vintage chair that I bought not knowing where on earth I'd use it...but now it's found the perfect home at the foot of the twin bed. Great use of an impulse buy.

I really wish I had better photography and styling skills, but hey, keepin' it real folks. Trust me when I tell you that this room is just delightful in person. At least I think it is. It's sweet and girly and I can really see it growing with Ana Claire.

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SOURCES
Paint Color - SW 6437 Haven, by Sherwin-Williams
Small Watercolor Art - Jennifer Love
Curtain Fabric - Le Lac by Brunschwig & Fils
Curtain Trim - Red ribbon from this Etsy seller
Lamps - Arteriors, purchased via One Kings Lane
Dresser - Vintage purchased via Craigslist
Crib & Changing Table - Da Vinci Jenny Lind Collection in Cherry
Star mirror - HomeGoods
Book ends - Vintage purchased via Etsy
Headboard - Vintage purchased at a local shop
Crib skirt - American Baby Percale Dust Ruffle
Bed skirt - Patch Magic Red Dust Ruffle
Coverlet/embroidered sham - Schweitzer Linens
Pillow shams - Carleton Varney for HSN (no longer available)
Block Print Rug - World Market
Panda Rocker - Happy Trails via Amazon
Rocking Chair - Vintage, reupholstered by Simply Upholstery
Yellow pillow - Target
Fretwork table - Vintage, purchased at Lucketts
Zebra salt & pepper shakers - Furbish
Mirror - Vintage hand-me-down
Sconces - Hampton Bay Sadie Wall Sconce
Hamper Basket - Charming Basket from Land of Nod
Pagoda light fixture - Vintage, purchased at Lucketts

AO House Tour: Nursery Plans

I am thrilled to be talking about Ana Claire's nursery. It might be my favorite room in the house. It's one of those spaces that just came together. And if you remember this post, I was fretting over this room because my initial concept was a total #fail.

But I'm so glad I had to rethink the direction. Here's the design board which illustrates most pieces of the space:

I took the color palette from the star of the show, Brunschwig & Fils' Le Lac, which I used on the curtains:

Carter painted the walls the most PERFECT shade of jade green and then I used a combination of pink and red in her bedding and the rocking chair as well as red trim on the curtains.

If you recall my posts on this room, it is chock FULL of vintage pieces, all re-imagined for this space. Here's a parade of some of the items that got a makeover:

Many of these treasures I already had and just had not found the right spot for them. And some of these I picked up specifically for the nursery. I love that they all have a little history and Carter and I cleaned them up and made them super pretty for this space.

Tune in tomorrow for all of the "after" photos...

p.s. If you want to take a tour of nursery posts with more details on the planning, click here...

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Jungle Jubilee and Macaroni

I have loved every fabric from the Lulu DK Child collection for Schumacher...adorable textiles in punchy, sweet colors. And I just came across a two-fabric combo that is just so good - Jungle Jubilee with Macaroni. (Love the names too...)

Imagine Jungle Jubilee on the front of a nursery armchair with piping and a contrast back done in Macaroni!

I'm crazy for the saturation of these colors - they are just gorgeous. And those animals are just the cutest and make a perfect pairing with the smaller geometrics in Macaroni. Oh my, what about a crib set in this? Like a skirt from Macaroni and bumper with Jungle Jubilee with a solid-colored crib sheet. Yup, that would be good.

Adorable!

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Watercolor Safari

I have found THE coolest animal watercolor prints on Etsy. Shop indigo mutt is creating these whimsical, irreverent, incredibly hip pieces of animal art:

I want them ALLLLLL. I've seen variations on this theme of modern fauna against white drawn up in a quirky fashion but indigo mutt's is my favorite! I'm completely smitten with the use of pastel colors to create these beautiful little patterns on each creature. A wall of prints would be so, so charming in a family or kids space...obvi.

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