Inspiration: Navy, Red and White Kids Spaces

The nursery is a red, white and blue color palatte.  I love the color combo but I think there is a fine line between beautifully coordinated and hokey americana.  I think you really need to use restraint when dealing with the palatte of our nation’s flag.  Here are some inpiration pics of the combo done right:

Elizabeth Dinkel Design

Little Liberty

Coastal Living

HGTV

It’s a fun and classic color combo.  I think what I’m liking the most are the room that relied more heavily on the blue and used red sparingly.  Red is a bold color; it’s also a favorite color of mine so I’m trying to use some restraint.  So far, the red in the nursery comes from a red pouf next to the glider and this cute little Janet Hill print in a red frame above the twin bed in the room.

The Glider: The Good, The Bad and The Not Ugly

Well folks,the Walmart glider arrived and I’m very pleased with it.

 

Here are my thoughts in a nutshell.

The Good –

I’m really very impressed with the fabric and the navy welt makes it feel very custom.  It is a true white and navy which I love.  It’s a nice heavy cotton fabric and it doesn’t look cheap.

I think it’s really comfortable.  The back is plenty cushy and I really like the swivel on it.  I could spend hours here (which is good since I wont have a choice in a few months).

The Bad –

The back pillow height is a little low.  I can’t rest my head against the back of it but that’s nothing that a throw pillow can’t solve.

The arms feel a little low for the height of holding a baby but that’s nothing that a “my breast friend” can’t solve.

Overall, I’d say it feels on par with a Pottery Barn glider and I bet you’ll fool plenty of people into thinking it is a much higher quality.  It feels as thought it’ll last and you can’t beat the price.

The Not Ugly –

Gotta admit that I squealed with delight when I opened the box.  It was way prettier then what I was expecting.  If you own a beach house, (lucky you), I think this would be super cute there as well.

 

Nursery Art

I’m actually starting to believe that I will get this nursery pulled together in time.  We’ll call this the 12 week challenge.  Can I get it done while getting completely distracted by other projects around the house?  Dun Dun Dun.

One thing I believe to have checked off the list is art.  I had so much fun with Josie’s art and I love that she has a special keepsake – her map dress.

I made a purchase for the new baby’s “keepsake art” and I’m hoping it’ll turn out as cute as I imagine. 🙂  Through the fabulous Parker Kennedy, if you don’t follow them on Instagram, you really should, I purchased these three brass wall mounted bows…

 

As of now, my plan is to actually shadowbox them with a ticking stripe matting.  But, I haven’t received them yet so we’ll see how my “plan” goes down.  If it doesn’t work, I think I’ll frame silk hairbows, sort of like this…

Here are the other art pieces for the room – a Gray Malin ariel shot of a Chicago beach.

I love having this in the nursery because it’s where Graham and I first lived after we got married and Josie’s “map dress” is of Paris where we honeymooned.  The kids each have a little piece of their parents pre-babies adventures. 🙂

Finally, I have a print from Janet Hill – her pieces have the most fun sense of whimsy and they remind me of my favorite childhood book – Mrs. Rumphius by Barbara Cooney…

The nursery art is turning out to be a tad bit nautical, which is fitting with her glider…

So now, I have art and a glider.  Bit by bit, we’ll get there.

Wrapped in Paper

Josie’s room is the only room in the entire house with wallpaper in it.  Fortunately, it is not a completely offensive choice, not my choice, but not offensive.  It’s a dated beige…

However, I’m pretty sure I bought house so that I could put up wallpaper.

That being said, our walls are old plaster walls and not the most conducive to wallpaper hanging.  Enter Josie’s room – it’s primed and ready to go.  So, this may be where I splurge and get my paper.

I want her to walls to be wrapped in a fabulous pattern.  I have my eye on a few patterns but here is some inspiration…

 

Sarah Richardson

 

 

 

It seems to add to the whole imaginative feeling that is childhood, right?  Simply splendid.

The Happy Hello

We spent the last week getting moved in to our new house and we are absolutely in love with it all.  There are so many wonderful aspects to it all.

I’m having trouble putting into words the love I already have for this house.  So far, it has felt like a giant exhale.  It’s amazing to hear the sweet sounds outside my door of birds chirping, the wind whispering in the tress or, best of all, the neighborhood kids playing basketball.

Every day it feels more and more like home.  We’re making huge strides in unpacking and we’ve even hung art which is really helpful in putting our stamp on the home.

Josie is right at home.  She has a ball exploring the backyard.  I’ve been able to let go so much more having our own back yard versus watching her at the park.  It was hot yesterday afternoon and so I brought out various mixing bowls with water and some measuring spoons; Josie sat in just her diaper playing with the water while I read my book (granted, I only made it through two pages).  I can assure you there is absolutely no book reading going on at the park.  Hence, the giant exhale.

Every day since moving in there is a new surprise, a new wonderful corner to love and a new noise to learn about.  I feel honored that we get to call this place home.  And I can’t wait to share with you more pics as we work on making it completely ours.