Clever Children's Book Storage

Whomever of you has kids, you know that reading is an important part of yours and their lives.  I love reading and hope to instill that same love in my children as well.  Having books on display appeals visually to kids and shows them its importance. We keep books stored in various parts of our home so that if we are ever having a bit of down time, we can just grab a book and read, easily accessible.  So if you are like us and have acquired quite the library of picture books, storing and displaying can be a challenge.  Here are some ideas to help you with that....some traditional, some not so traditional:

love these books in the wagon!

Notice the baskets and shelves. Baskets are an obvious and chic way to store children's items, especially in a grown up space

My favorite most inexpensive storage display is by using the ikea spice racks and a bit of paint (I'll probably use this idea for baby no. 3's nursery):

Putting the shelves at a lower level allows little hands to reach them better.

Project Nursery

As described in my last post, I am planning to design and fully decorate a calming, soothing, neutral nursery space for Baby Boy No. 3 (still no name- not even close).

With every home decorating project, I am on a budget. My goal is to give the nursery a luxurious feel at minimum cost.  Here is what I need: chair, rug, new bedding, artwork, changing table pad cover, lighting, bookshelf/display, pillow, dresser repainted.  With repurposing current furniture and a lot of DIY, I am hoping to decorate the nursery for under $300.  It is going to be tough, but I think it can be done.  

So far, I have found a few things that I may end up using:

Scoutmob Shoppe art print $15

Etsy DotsOnTheWall Art print $6

A pendant similar to this... perhaps a DIY

Pier 1 frame $22-$35

Mohawk 5x8 shag rug from Home Depot for only $77. I
 couldn't believe my eyes!!
And it has excellent reviews!!!

That's what I got so far.  I have a few other ideas but still narrowing down options, etc....  That rug is a definite go though- I mean, how can I go wrong with $77!?!?

Neutral Nursery Inspiration

If anybody is still out there and actually checks in on my blog and is interested in my inspirations, this one's for you (well and me).  I am 8 months pregnant and have nursery on my brain, bigtime.  Within the next few weeks I plan to move the two boys into a shared room (the current crib room) and then create a nursery.  This is my 3rd baby (another sweet baby boy!) and my first time truly committing to getting a room set up.  Ive never had a chair/rocker to nurse in the room, and only partially decorated. Sad, I know.  But we have been moving so often (basically every year in some form or another) that this is the first time we know we will be here atleast 2 more years. So the incentive is there.

In any case, I'd like to do a calming, soothing, cozy nursery space.  I'm thinking whites, creams, greys, gold, natural fiber textures, etc.  I tend to like color in my home, so this will be a different kind of space for me.

Here are is one of my biggest inspirational spaces:

(this is the set of the Tracy Anderson Pregnancy Project. It's the only photo I could find. Isn't it so soothing?)

Here are a few more inspirational spaces:

Stick with me as I will show you my progress and insights throughout the process (and of courser eventually a final product).  So here it goes...and please hold me to it!!!!

New Ikea 2014

I just got my ikea catalog in the mail.  The last place we lived Ikea was ridiculously convenient and close to our home.  Now, that is not the case.  I can get to  one in less than an hour, but it's NY.... so both ikeas are jam packed.  Just not a fun experience.  So it has been a while since I've last been.  But now that I got the new ikea catalog in the mail, it's really fun to see the new products before making the trek.

Of course you compromise on quality for ikea furniture, but the price just can't be beat.  In addition, they have some really cute new things they just came out with.  Here are a few of my faves:

NEW Stockholm Sofa in velvet green!!

Fabrikor Glass Cabinet (Curio). Perfect for chic bathroom storage or an empty space to to display collected items.

Huset Doll Furniture.  I mean, seriously, how cute is this?!?  I don't have any girls in the house, but I plan to buy it for a future gift!

Stockholm Chandelier

Land of Nod

Some of you may know that we are expecting our 3rd.....BOY!! I'm six months along and baby rooms and kid rooms are on my mind.

One place that never disappoints is Land of Nod!  I just received their latest catalog and just had to share a few of their inspiration rooms and items.  They not only have great products, but they also have great stylists for their photo shoots!

Modern decor isn't just for adults.  Loving this dresser and especially the table lamp!

I think this bed is so cute.  It has a vintage feel.  Also comes in white, red and turquoise.  Red is awfully cute.

I'm obsessed with this bedding.  Perfect amount of floral, and love that bright blue background.  I don't have any girls, but may have to find a way to use it somewhere!

I wish you could see the whole photo..... they have this giant fabric bow and hanging paper air balloons. Very whimsical and fun.  

Wouldn't this be so cute in a nursery??? I just might have to have it

What are some of your favorite things from Land of Nod?

DIY lamps

Lately I have been loving lots of different and unique lamps, just not the price tags.  Since summertime is the time for flea markets and garage sales, it's also a perfect time to do some DIY projects (plus with warmer weather, you can actually paint and work outside).

So here are a few lamp ideas that you could easily duplicate with basically just a bit of paint:
 

Take a basic wooden lamp and use milk paint.  As a side note, that drum shade is easily adorned with a little glue and ribbon to trim. 

A basic lamp easily turned designed.  Channel your inner Picasso with a bold or contrasting color.   You could use any lamp base color- blue with white on top, or white with any color. 

Another basic lamp splattered with some gold paint.  Even easier tip- you could use a gold paint pen.  Remember to paint spots in different sizes and no pattern at all  You really can't mess this up.

Ellen and Portia California Ranch

When I was going through the mail and saw Ellen Degeneres and Portia DeRossi on the cover, I was excited.  I know that Ellen has a passion for real estate and design and architecture, so I couldn't wait to get a glimpse inside her latest home.

They bought a ranch in Hidden Valley, CA that was also used as a monastery and as a rehab center at one point.  They did an amazing job transforming the place into something special.  The pictures speak for themselves.  Love it!  Enjoy!!!!