Inspiration: Bugs, Bugs…and More Bugs!

I am not a big fan of bugs, but for some reason boys and girls alike love them.  I’m not exactly sure what the big fascination is with these little critters but the following decor items show how to incorporate them into your little one’s room with pizzazz.

These pillows from Posh Tots are great starting points for a dragonfly or ladybug theme.  Priced at $48 (1) and $40 (2) they are an excellent addition to the bug inspired room.

The entomology tapestries are available individually from Restoration Hardware Baby & Child for $139 each or as a set of 3 for $375.  I must admit that even I think the beetle tapestry is pretty cool.

Now we’ve included the dragonfly, the ladybug, the grasshopper, the bee and the beetle, but I think my favourite bug (for right now anyway) is the snail.  I just love this little guy.  Here we have (1) a snail print priced at $15 (what a steal!), (2) a snail figurine from Jonathan Adler priced at $78, and (3) a snail applique throw pillow from Decaf for $66.

Colour Wednesday: Black & White

Most parents turn to a pastel palette when deciding on colours for the nursery, however, we may be seeing black and white as an increasingly popular colour scheme for babies.  Research shows that newborns are highly stimulated by the graphic boldness of black and white, so I included a number of great items that explore this colour theme.  Enjoy!

-Lay Lay

Lay Lay’s Tips: Bling on a Budget

Everyone loves a great splurge, but the key to staying on budget when designing your nursery is knowing when to spend and when to save.  The most cost effective strategy for saving a buck is always reusing what you already have, but if you do need to go out and add to your decor repertoire, get creative and look for items that won’t break the bank.The above pink scalloped ceiling medallion from Rosenberry Rooms is priced at $52 and is a perfect way to add bling for less (especially if your lighting is a little on the plain side).

 

These white butterflies from Pottery Barn are $24 for the set of 4.  Talk about a steal.  This is a great and inexpensive way to make your daughter’s walls come alive.

 

Although each one of these knobs from Pottery Barn Kids is $22, I included these as items to be used when working with a tight budget because they can really spruce up furniture that you already have.  Think about saving that old dresser and sprucing it up with some new hardware.

 

This whale acrylic mirror is perfect for adding some interest to a child’s room.  Not only is it cute… its cheap too!  Priced at $36 this is a real steal.

 

Lay Lay’s Picks: Elephant Love

With neutral palettes being all the rage I thought I would do a post with my favourite theme for a nursery – the elephant.  I don’t know why I love little elephants so much, but I think they are just the cutest nursery character ever.  Today’s post showcases the elephant in a way that you can keep your palette light… think grey (yes, we still love grey), pale blues, lavenders, and taupes.  The elephant shows how versatile it is, and how it can be used in a sophisticated way.

 

Sourcing:

1. Cuddle Plush Animal Rocker, RH Baby & Child $149

2. Stand By Me Canvas Wall Art, Oopsy Daisy $59

3. Oversized Wool Felt Elephant, RH Baby & Child $399

4. Elephant Grey Picture Frame, Dwell Studio $40

5. Sphere Lamp in Grey Elephant, Rosenberry Rooms $176

6. Dylan Crib Bedding, Serena and Lily $325 for 3-piece set

7. Elephant Bank, Jonathan Adler Junior $88

Runway to Nursery: Comfort & Whimsy Redefined

This week’s Runway to Nursery post is inspired by Burberry’s Fall/Winter 2012 collection where sophistication meets whimsy in an array of different, yet complimenting, textures and textiles.  From the cute ‘owl’ inspired tees to the amazingly well fitted pencil skirts, this fall collection truly reflects the current trends in nursery decor.  Check out my take on this style where comfy fabrics, hints of bold colour, and quirky graphics work perfectly together.

Burberry Ready to Wear Collection Fall/Winter 2012

Sourcing:

1. Thao Cabana Stripes Pendant in Orange, Rosenberry Rooms $225

2. Winslow Iron Crib, RH Baby & Child $899

3. Junior Templeton Chair in Cambridge Charcoal, Jonathan Adler $1,095

4. Owls Sky Boudoir Pillow, Dwell Studio $36

Inspiration: Let’s Give Thanks…

Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays (right after Christmas of course), and us Canadians get to celebrate it in October – and again in November if we have family members south of the border.  While looking for some fun and creative ways to include the kids (trust me when I say we have a million coming over) I stumbled upon some creative decor ideas from Pottery Barn.

I love the little hats that hold the crayons… what a good idea!

These dinner accessories will add an element of fun to any thanksgiving table.  The Thanksgiving Vinyl Placemat Set (1) comes in a set of two for $14, and the Toddler Divided Plate and Sippy Cup Set (2) $30 ensures that even the little ones are not left out on this special occasion.  Also, this personalized Thanksgiving Bib (3) priced at $24  is definitely something to treasure.

The above items serve as great inspiration for DIY projects.  The glittery ‘Give Thanks‘ garland is 5’ long and you can create it yourself, however, if you don’t have the time to complete this task it can be bought from Pottery Barn for $24.  The Bottlebrush Turkey ($10-$30) and the Kids’ Turkey Headpiece $15 require a little bit more DIY expertise but serve as great inspiration non the less.

Hope these items inspire you and your turkey celebration… Once again, Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

-Lay Lay

Colour Wednesdays: Let There be Orange…

Fall is here… and its my favourite time of year (what can I say, I’m October born)!  As we wind down into the cooler months we begin moving towards some of the warmer fall hues.  I’m loving orange right now, so I thought for this week’s colour post I’ll showcase some of the hottest nursery decor items in this hue.

Lay Lay’s Picks: Ikea to the Rescue – A Play Space to Inspire

Ikea has some fabulous finds at some really great prices.  If you’re looking for storage solutions (who am I kidding?  Us mothers always need more storage solutions), and some cute accessories for a play space, then Ikea has some great options without breaking the bank.  Check out these items to get the most bang for your buck.

The above storage unit can be customized with smaller bins as well if you need additional options, and there are many different colours to choose from when picking the storage bins.  Check out some other items that can make a really fun and special play space for a kid.

Sourcing:

All items are available at Ikea

1. Skojig Pendant Lamp, $34

2. Krokig Wall Hook, $2.99 each

3. Mammut Children’s Stool, $9.99

4. Trofast Storage Combination, $99

5. Ekorre Rocking Moose $39

6. Mammut Children’s Table, $49 & Mammut Children’s Chair $19

7. Krokig Clothes Tree, $29

8. Circustalt Children’s Tent, $19

Colour Wednesday: Monochromatic Blues

As I continue my investigation on colour combinations, I remembered one of my favourite combos is the monochromatic colour palette.  We often pair colours together, but I think some of the most genius colour schemes come from a monochromatic arrangement.  Just think of a nursery exploring blues with a base colour of Cool Breeze CSP-665, with an accent wall of New Providence Navy (1651), all the decor along the lines of Robin’s Nest (618), and all trim in an off-white with a blue tint such as Chantilly Lace (2121-70) – All from Benjamin Moore Paints (see below).

Check out the following pic for more ideas on creating a monochromatic child’s room with beautiful blues…

Sourcing:

1. ‘Read With Me’ Illustration in Blue, Sarah Jane Studios $16

2. Eco-Friendly Latex Paint in Cloud Blue & Navy, RH Baby & Child $39/gallon

3. Junior Lampert Sofa, Jonathan Adler Junior $2,095

4. Ahoy There Mirrors in Blue, Land of Nod $69 for set of 3

5. Wheels Motif Crib Set in Cobalt, Oilo Studio $399

6. Grace Square Set in Navy, Jennifer Delonge $549

7. Stripe Double Cylinder Light in Cobalt, Oilo Studio $249

Lay Lay’s Picks: One Daybed Three Ways

I love daybeds (probably because of the amount of pillows you can use with this type of bed), and if you can get one with a trundle then this is a bonus as it provides extra sleeping space – and with a family like mine, trust me, extra beds are essential.

Posh Tots has a beautiful daybed with trundle system called the Mix and Match Sleighbed.  The daybed is priced at $1,149 and the trundle is $499, and it is available in a variety of colours.  The great thing about the Mix and Match line is that you can purchase many different items that have different styles and colours but are all compatible with one another.

Sourcing for The Preppy Boy look:

1. Organic Star Sheeting, Pottery Barn Kids $18-$135, 2. Jonah Drum Chandelier, Rosenberry Rooms $560, 3. Red Letter Pillow, Serena and Lily $58, 4. Junior Anchor Rug, Jonathan Adler $695

Sourcing for the Girly Girl look:

1. Morgan Blush Lantern, Layla Grace $300, 2. Mix and Match Oval Mirror, Posh Tots $349, 3. Belle of the Ballet Canvas Wall Art, OopsyDaisy $149, 4. Paint in Shell and Juice, Serena & Lily $45/gallon, 5. Plum/Putty Diamond & Jaipur Pillow Covers, Serena & Lily $64/each

Sourcing for the Gender Neutral look:

1. Serena Chandelier (small), Currey and Company $2,042, 2. Green Lemon Pillow & Blue Apple Pillow, Jonathan Adler Junior $110/each, 3. Classic Wooden Block Wall Clock, Rosenberry Rooms $164, 4. Custom Upholstered Chakki in Dark Walnut, Serena & Lily $450