New Room for Large

I'm almost done with Large's room.

She loves how it came together and I do too.

There are small things left to do and I'll pick them up randomly as I find them.

The black and white fabric on her bulletin board is a major score from Ikea,

only $7.99 per yard.

It reminds me of Albert Hadley's Fireworks print.

Albert Hadley Fireworks {via}

Apple Green Rustoleum was exactly the color I was looking for in a desk chair.

It's the perfect mint green.

Frames are from Target.

Wall color is BM Ming Jade.

Bedding is from PBTeen and the monogramming is only $7 extra per monogram.

Last but not least,

the perfect finishing touch to the room is the decorative pillow I bought on Etsy from

Pearl Button Designs

at the wonderfully low cost of 35 bones.

Okay. I'll stop.

Exciting News

I was officially asked to design an office space for a friend who works from his home.
When I say 'official' I mean he offered me money.

I've helped numerous friends with their homes but always felt silly taking money from them.
But now I feel it's not so silly.
It's what I want to do with myself, hopefully more so after kids are older.
Also, reading this helped.

Large's room redo is almost complete.
Her new bedding and curtains came last week and they look amazing with the new wall color.

This is her new wall color.

Benjamin Moore Ming Jade

I also found a vintage bentwood chair for $35

that I'm painting mint green to go with the desk I scored on eBay for $99.

I love eBay more than most people I know.

True story.

And as long as I'm divulging everything, this is my new favorite table topper from Jayson

that I don't own but someday hope to.

{via}

Jardin Chinois by Waterhouse

Shit is on.

Yesterday was dining room wallpaper install day and it was exciting.

Let me just say

THANK GOD I hired a professional.

Maybe I could've done it...but I'd STILL be gluing and hanging and cussing and crying as I write this.

The gentleman I hired did none of those things {except the gluing and hanging}
and was done in six hours.

Before
{holes filled/walls prepped}

After

I had the crown and wainscoting painted a warmer white to match the white in the wallpaper.

Benjamin Moore Cloud White

It came out exactly how I imagined.
I'm still putting the room back together but I wanted to give you a peek.
Wallpaper is my new jam.

New Year, New Rooms

Winter break is over
sending kids back to school tomorrow and I couldn't be more thrilled.

I've spent the last two weeks holed up with family...it feels like months.

I mean I love them, 

but I can't wait to get some time on my own and do whatever the hell I want.

Some exciting home projects will be starting and I can't wait to share them with you.

First off,
dining room wallpaper was delivered.

Hopefully it will look as awesome as this.

{via}

I'm also working on a room redo for my eight year old, Large.

She has outgrown the current room style that looks more nursery than 'older girl',

which is how she refers to herself.

Her room doubles as guest bedroom so I'd like it to be a bit sophisticated though still a girls room.

I've acquired different pieces here and there for the last few weeks.

An old mirror for $24 at the local antique mall.

A bulletin board that will be covered in fabric to hang pictures and stuff.

An antique writing desk for $99 on eBay.

Before.

After will be coming soon.

My entryway/living room/upstairs hallway will be repainted in a couple weeks.

I'm still thinking Chelsea Gray.

I was worried the house would look too dark,

but there's a lot of natural light throughout and also I always regret not going bolder.

Have I mentioned that we've lived in this house for four years and this will be the third time 

the same area has been painted?

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray

{via}

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

Hubs spent the last two days painting the family room and kitchen.

It looks crazy good.

We decided to paint the doors and surround trim the same navy as the walls.

I wish I had the words to describe how much I love it.

While attending Abigail Ahern's masterclass this summer 

the ideas that stayed with me most were

1. Go to the dark side with paint

2.  Paint walls, doors and moulding the same color

When everything is painted the same color,
the stuff you purposefully put in your home is pushed to the front--

furniture, art, books, rugs.

All the doors and trim in my house are painted white but not for long.

Why would I want the first thing people see be the doors?

Look at the art!  

I carried it home from trips abroad.

Look at the books!

Every museum I've ever visited has a book in the shelves.

Look at the furniture!

That was my great grandparents.

Don't look at the doors. They builder grade and they ugly.

A round of applause needs to be given to BM Hale Navy.

It envelopes you and its cozy and its exactly what I was hoping for.

Painted Doors

{via}

This is it.

All doors and frames in my house will be painted the same color as the room.

No more white molding.

This navy will envelop the back half of my house
which is my family room and kitchen.

Benjamin Moore

hale navy HC-154

The front entry and living room will be this.

Benjamin Moore

chelsea gray HC-168

Here's an example of chelsea gray in Brooke Shield's NYC townhouse.

{via}

In my head the new colors look amazing.

I may even get that poster from the first image because it will be where its fuckin at.