The Baby Diaries Part 2: Barron + Serena's Nursery

 Happy Labor Day Weekend!!!  I hope you are enjoying the time off and soaking up the end of the Summer sun!  I've managed to spend most of my weekend in doors, enjoying the AC and laying around relaxing.  Just when I think I have the energy to do something, all I want to do is lay down again.  I'm a complete bum with a huge belly and officially over being pregnant!  I'm still working and plan on doing so till I give birth, which is probably stupid because I get even more exhausted but it keeps me busy and I like the company of my co-workers all day.  I have managed to get a few things done, like decorate the nursery Barron will be sharing with his Sissy (I have packed my hospital bag in case I do go into labor sooner than I expect!)  

 I wanted their room to be very calming and relaxing when we're in there.  I chose Behr's Dolphin Fin as the wall color.  It's seriously a gorgeous color and if I knew how to properly work my Canon EOS camera you could get a better idea of it, but I don't, so take my word, this color is gorgeous!  It's definitely on the lighter side, which I wanted.  Since Barron hasn't transitioned out of his crib yet, I haven't put the bumper pads or dust ruffle on yet, so it's lacking a bit of color there, but you get the idea.

I still have 2 silver picture frames to hang over the crib, one is Barron's birth announcement and once this little girl gets here, hers is going up on the wall too!  

 I made the changing table area for little Sissy.  All her clothes (and I mean all the drawers are packed with her clothes!) are stored here as well as diapers and supplies you need when changing diapers.  I gave in and ordered on Amazon some stupidly expensive diaper pail system since I will now be changing 2 kids' diapers and figured the plastic ghetto grocery bag method I've been using wasn't going to cut it anymore.

 Here's my solution to a glider or rocker...Ikea's Poang Chair in Black/Brown with a Granan White cushion.  First, the thing is cost effective at about $150 all in, second it bounces, and third it's really comfy!  I just couldn't justify spending $600 on a glider that I wasn't going to use that long.  I found this ottoman at a local thrift shop and the thing was totally beat down.  It was $20 out the door and I had my mom give it some tender loving care to bring it back to life!  I found this flamingo fabric at F&S and knew I wanted to use it somewhere in the nursery.  It brought in some coral pink without making the room too girly, so it works for both kids.  The gray leopard pillow I found online at C. Wonder  for about $30 for 2!   

I sadly had to move my white Expedit from my office and switched it with the 4x4 black/brown model that was in here before for more space.  It creates so much storage and the framed art is Barron's first piece that I bid on at his little art auction at daycare!  Kids art is my favorite thing and framed with a nice white matte makes it look even more special.    

 I created a little nook for Sissy's little shoes and growing hair bow collection!

 After countless hours on Pinterest, I was inspired to create a book wall for Barron.  I found these picture ledges at Ikea that were super easy to hang.  I love all the colors the books bring into the room and he can grab a book and we can hang out and read.  

 The chevron pillow was a Home Goods purchase...

I bought the blanket on the bed at Pottery Barn and had Barron's name monogrammed on it, and they don't carry it anymore, which I am super bummed about because I wanted to get a matching one for Sissy, but now I'm looking elsewhere.  The toddler bed was purchased online from Amazon, it's the Davinci Modena model.  It was a pain to put together but it uses a crib mattress and sheets, so it's a nice transition for now.

There are a few more things I want to add like a rug and some colorful pillows, but for now, we are good to go and I'm just glad that I was able to get it done!!!  Now I can relax....

See more inspiring nurseries here!

My Favorite Room: Before and After

 In cased you missed my guest post over on La Dolce Vita, here's a before photo of my office...

...and here's my office after!!!  Check out my post here for more pictures, information on my design process, and list of resources!  Enjoy!

Daydream

Guess what I'm doing this weekend??  Absolutely nothing and I like it!  Oh what I would give to wake up (late) on a saturday morning with fresh air blowing through my room, with a view like this, and coffee, a croissant, my favorite reads, and the sun shining on my face.  Oh wait a minute, I hear the baby crying and the laundry needs to be done....if only in my dreams, this is what heaven looks like to me these days.

Crushing on Jennifer Ferreira

I came across these photos a while ago and they've been sitting in my "when I design my dream condo/apartment in the city this is how I will do it" folder.  I love everything about this place.  Jennifer Ferreira is the talented designer behind these images and she is currently on my radar for inspiring designers.  Zebra rug, check, Louis style furniture, check, acrylic, check, Mies Van Der Rohe style chaise, check, gold accents, drum shade, espresso wood floors, and Tom Ford coffee table book, check!  

I mean seriously, don't you want to just hang out in this room, listen to music, play the piano, pop some bubbly, and chill, while entertaining your fabulous friends??  I sure as hell do!  And it's kid friendly enough for my little baby Barron to run around or ride his bike when he gets old enough!

I love when guitars are just hanging out in a room screaming "play me!"  My sister (Miss Valentine) and I were just talking about this the other day, that it looks very cool when musical instruments are left out for anyone to play.  I always said that when I have kids, I want them to learn how to play musical instruments.  I took piano lessons for years, but I always admired people who could strum a guitar.

I love the cleanliness of this minimal room.  I've been thinking more and more about living with less.  I've done a ton of cleaning out and organizing trying to create a living space that isn't dominated with "stuff."  I really believe that when you live with less, you are happier.  At times I feel so inundated with society preaching that more is better, that we need more and more to be happy.  I couldn't disagree more!  So with that said, here is my example of the perfect space that exemplifies less is more. 

"Honey, I'm Home!"  I want to just throw my keys and purse down on this little vignette when I get home.  I love white furniture, the color combo white + pink + black and this wallpaper is super cool (I think I've seen it in pink before in Kelly Wearstler's stairway, no??!!)   

Another thing to check off the list - BLACK DOORS!  I have promised myself that one day I will paint every door in my "dream city condo/apartment" black.  How utterly chic, especially with the gold knobs!!!???

Images via Jennifer Ferreira

I Adore Snow Leopard

I'm currently obsessed with this fabric from Hinson & Co. called Snow Leopard.  I'm planning to recover my bedroom bench in this one.  It adds just enough leopard glam without being too cheesy!     

 You may have seen it before, Jan Showers regularly uses it in her interiors and she used it for the cover of her book Glamourous Rooms!  

I Heart Books

I've been on a book buying binge these last couple of weeks after receiving an impressive Borders gift card over the holidays...  

...now I just need to find a large square 2 tier glass coffee table to display them on and make one last purchase - the TOM FORD book (perhaps a Valentine's gift to me?)

What do you collect?

Dear Santa...

...If I could wish for one thing this Christmas, it would be Coralie Bickford-Smith's complete collection of F. Scott Fitzgerald's books.

Not only was The Great Gatsby my favorite book in high school, but I love collecting books. This collection is simply beautiful and would look stunning on a shelf with it's art deco themes that capture the essence of time during which these stories took place.

Here are some additional classics in her collection that are just as beautiful and would be the perfect stocking stuffer for any avid reader or book collector...

Organized

I came across this studio and am totally inspired by this hanging bookcase of "cubby holes." What a great way to create storage that doesn't take up precious floor space, especially in small rooms or apartments. I would love to create a space like this for my office.

Now the trick is actually pulling this off by having it installed so it doesn't come tumbling down! Do you have any suggestions???

Images via The Glamourai

OCD

I'm all for being organized. I believe everything should have its place, easily accessible and serve a purpose. Shoot, I even color coordinate my closet and bookshelves, but this library takes the cake on freaking OCD! I thought I was bad, well someone else has it worse and I love every bit of it! I found this over at the blog etc. I've grown addicted to this great blog of "extras" by the author of Le Fashion, Le Love, Le Smoking and Olsens Anonymous. (I don't know how she manages FIVE blogs; I can barely cope with one!)

Mrs. Brightside

I think I'm on hallucinogens after perusing Kelly's new book about color!!! I'm counting down the weeks to pick up my own copy in bookstores this November...it's gonna be a sheer sensation!

Glamorous Profession: Jan Showers

I was first introduced to the fabulous, and I mean really oh so glamorously fabulous, Jan Showers, while working at The David Sutherland Showroom at the Pacific Design Center. Not only was her product line a favorite of mine, but from time to time she and her husband Jim would stop in the showroom, have lunch with the staff, and would share their glamorous stories of travels to far away places, parties, and interesting people they met along the way.

I loved observing and listening to Jan as she talked about furniture, design, and style. I believe the only words to really describe Jan's outlook on style and life is simply her: Joie de Vivre (translated in English: hearty or carefree enjoyment of life.) I am thrilled that she now has a beautiful new book to add to her repertoire called appropriately enough *Glamorous Rooms* The book is divided into 6 rooms ranging from entry halls, dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, private spaces, and outdoor living. Here's a little peak inside:

The foreword is written by Michael Kors where he explains the parallels between exceptional design in the fashion and interior design worlds…

“I think it’s Jan’s great eye for fashion that makes her such an incredible decorator. She always says that people should look great in their rooms, and I love that. Because Jan isn’t creating environments that exist only to be looked at; she’s creating rooms where people want to spend their days and nights. She’s orchestrating someone’s favorite place in the world — not just because of how it looked with that person in it. It’s the same as great fashion design.”

I particularly remember Jan speaking about using personal objects to decorate, especially books. According to Jan, "Nothing adds character to a room as much as a book. There is nothing like a book to truly reflect your passion." In the library above, a wall of books becomes a wall of art.

I am fond of the way Jan uses commodes in entryways. An entryway suddenly becomes more inviting and draws visitors inside.

The Mercer Bench at the foot of this bed is perfect! I just adore the lucite legs and tufting - I want one in sea foam green!

I can't wait to pick up a copy for my own collection and put it on display for all my guests to enjoy!

And now let's take a little tour of my favorite pieces from Jan's Collection...

No. 107

Clark Chair

Every room needs a little dash of zebra - need I say more?

Venetian Series #4 in Turquoise

Turquoise is known for its calming qualities and good energy. This lamp reminds me of my favorite turquoise ring I bought in Ibiza that brings life to anything I wear and strangers are always stopping me asking me where it is from. Like jewelry, this lamp complements many styles and is a statement piece that adds that little punch of something special to any room.

No. 803

Miles Lamp

I mean, are you serious!!?? Just look at the details of of the graining of this gem that has been transformed into a lamp! I can see this piece in my dream vacation home in the foothills of Tucson, AZ. How stunning would this look in a living room with floor to ceiling glass windows with a sunset hitting desert red rocks out the window!!?? All I need are a couple of silk rugs, a caftan (a la Talitha Getty), some Miguel Migs on the decks, a vodka soda with lemon, and I'm set!!!

No. 407

Mercer Bench

Acrylic legs, tufting, 'Nuf said

No. 405

Jan's Commode

Any furniture that is mirrored is a friend of mine!

No. 118

Daphne Chair

I fancy the acrylic legs, but what I love even more about this chair is its size. I want this one for a dressing room or my office. I can just imagine coming home from a night out on the town and throwing my coat and dress on this chair.

*all photos via Jan Showers