Design Showcase: Inspiring a Master Suite

Happy Friday!

I'm back again with another design board...two in one week?!  I know...I'm excited too!  Michelle emailed me, asking for help in the last room of her house that was yet to be decorated.  She had run out of steam and was needing inspiration in her master bedroom.  Don't we all tend to stall out when it comes to designing for ourselves?  Especially when you have kids...all of our energy tends to go to making sure their spaces are decorated, but I think it's important to have a space that you can retreat to at the end of the day and really enjoy.  Unwinding and reconnecting with your partner is so important...and that's why I was especially happy to help Michelle get re-inspired.

Here's more from Michelle:

I would love for you to have a go at designing a board for my bedroom. We recently built our family home and I have spent much time and money decorating our three children's rooms along with the family areas. My bedroom has been left to last and I'm afraid I have run out of inspiration. I am wanting to create a comfortable yet stylish room with neutral tones (beiges and greys) for the most part whilst bring in some pops of colour (turquoise, silver) with accessories. I am keen to swap the wooden headboard for a more softer classic look.   My budget is for approx. US $3000. 

However there is a catch - I live in Australia. But I often shop at Pottery Barn Au, West Elm, Etsy & Overstock as those stores deliver to Australia. We also have Ikea which is the same world over. Even if the items cannot be purchased here in AUS I would just be so grateful for some ideas to work from.

 I really like the lines of her current furniture...they look mid-century to me, which is a great style to work with.  And of course I am all about a neutral and calming palette for the master bedroom.

Headboard {similar here} // Pillow // Lamps // Frames // Bedside Dressers // Agate Bookends 

Benches // Blanket // Curtains

Mirror // Ampersand // Chair // Throw Pillow // Vase // Candle // Accent Table

First, I am a firm believer in white linens.  I was skeptical myself, with having a baby and two pets, but it's so easy to throw in the wash {and bleach if need be} and you can easily find a white duvet and sheet set anywhere.  I love how the Mongolian lamb pillow helps to bring in some texture as well.  And of course the teal headboard is pretty divine.

Michelle's windows currently have wood blinds on them, so these sheer curtain panels help to soften it up a bit, while also bringing in some pattern and tying the silver/gray color in.

I am also planning for her to keep the dresser and mirror that is currently in her room. The arm chair would go in the corner next to the dresser and I thought a little corner gallery wall with the mirror and other art would be fun. 

 To tie in the warm wood tones, I'm suggesting the seagrass foot stools for the bottom of the bed. And I adore those glass lamps, which are larger than her current lamps, but they also help keep the room light and airy.  

Last, for more silver, I thought three photos over the bed {maybe with black and white photos of each kiddo} would make for a stately touch. 

I have to say...I am loving how this room turned out and can't wait to see the final product.  I just might have to steal some ideas for my own room!  ;)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

xo natasha

Ethan is 20 Months!

Swim Trunks

What's New:

Ethan's vocabulary grows by the day.  He says "mama" so clearly now that it makes my heart sing.  I LOVE it.  He also says dada and is attempting to mimic other words and sounds.  Speaking of mimicking, Ethan mimics everything.  And I mean everything.  I rub my face with lotion...he must rub his face with lotion.  And wash his hands.  And hums.  And yells.  We are in trouble!  He can also shrug to say he doesn't know.  Cute.

Hoodie// Toms

Wears:

We just moved Ethan into 24 month jammies and size 4 diapers.

Jammies 

Eats:

Ethan's appetite seems to be picking up again.  He loves dipping things.  Like chicken into ketchup.  Or pizza into ranch.  Or cereal into yogurt.  It's lovely for cleanups...let me tell you!

Teeth:

Same as last month.

Talks:

Currently Ethan says: Mama, Dada, Hi {he loves saying HIIIIIIII whenever he sees someone new}, Bye, Nigh nigh, Uh oh, and more.  He can make animal noises for a cat, dog, cow, monkey, fish, bird, duck, sheep, and horse.  He also knows how to whisper now...it's so cute!

Loves:

Copying everything we do.  He especially loves washing his hands, turning the lights on and off, blowing kisses, and giving high fives.  He also is obsessed with our iPhones and can unlock them...and play with all of the apps.  Oy.

Hates:

Not getting his way.  Pretty simple.  And he lets us know it!

Goes:

We just got back from a long weekend in Scottsdale...Ethan LOVES going in the hot tub and checking out the bunnies.  Ahh, the life of a 20 month old!  ;)

Rain Boots

xo natasha

Design Showcase: Burnt Orange in the Living Room

Hi All!

I'm back again with another installment of my design showcase series, where I am putting together mood boards for readers and the spaces that have been causing them challenges.

Brenda reached out regarding her living room.  She wants to infuse color into this space, but the catch is that her walls already boast a pretty dynamic color: burnt orange.  Here's more from Brenda:

I would love your help with my living room. I have all the major furniture pieces but would love to inject some color in the space. I would say my style preference is contemporary.

As for my living room, the walls are a burnt orange color (maybe not a top choice for most). I have all the major furniture pieces, although I wouldn’t mind making changes to those if you thought they were necessary. I would love to get some curtains, rug, lamps, side table, pillows, and other accessories (possibly changing what is on the floating shelves). I love color but don’t know how to do that given my wall color. I would like to add some teal in there somewhere. My budget for this space is $1000.

After seeing the room, I was definitely up for the challenge.  I thought a light teal would compliment the darker walls and some of the darker furniture really well...along with some additional natural elements.  I originally suggested a jute rug, but Brenda had given that a try before and wanted something more durable.  I decided to take the teal color to the rug and am really happy with how the space turned out.

 Striped Curtains // Artwork: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Lamps // Pillows 1 // 2 

Side Table // Stool

Vases 1 // 2 // Basket // Rug {I also suggested this rug as an alternative}

And here's an idea of what the room will look like with the burnt orange wall color. 

I really like the striped curtains and think they will add some interest to the room without too much color hitting all at once.  The light teal compliments the burnt orange so well and it will be fun for Brenda to shop around and find some complimentary pillows for those chairs.  I also suggested more a white or beige throw pillow for the dark couch.  To keep things light, I am loving these glass lamps...they will provide ample light without becoming obtrusive.

Thanks to Brenda for allowing me to help her come up with some ideas for her room.

If you have emailed me about your space...hang tight!  I just got back from a quick getaway yesterday, so I am hoping to tackle more projects this week.  I think I may start posting several boards per week, at least initially, so that you can all get going on your rooms sooner than later!

Thanks again and Happy Tuesday!

xo natasha

PS...don't forget to enter to win $50 to Carter's here!

PPS...if you have a St. Patrick's Day recipe, be sure to link it up here!

St. Patrick's Day Lucky Linkup: Mini Key Lime Pies

Hi Friends!

Happy Monday and Happy March!  Can you believe that daylight savings is less than a week away?  Yay!  So happy!  And of course, St. Patrick's Day is around the corner as well.  Which brings me to my blog post today. 

The mamas that teamed up for Christmas and Valentine's Day are planning another party and this time, we want to include all of you!  We're hosting a link up party for the next week and hope that you'll join in on the fun by linking up your favorite St. Patty's Day {or green!} recipe.  Once everyone has linked up, we'll pair you up with another blogger and you'll get to make her recipe.  It's a great way to meet other bloggers and try some new recipes!

My recipe is one that I pulled from the ole archives...but it's a good one, I promise!  It's mini key lime pies and you can find the recipe here!

Ok, so here are all the details for the Lucky (recipe) Linkup. I really hope you'll join us!

1. Post your favorite St. Patrick's Day recipe on your blog anytime between now and Monday, March 10th. It can be anything from green cupcakes to Irish drinks to corned beef and cabbage.
2. Come back here (or to any of the host blogger's sites) and link your recipe post to this one using the LinkyTools below.
3. All participants will then be paired with another participating blogger and you will make her favorite recipe from her blog post (and hopefully meet a new blogger and make a friend in the process).
4. Everyone will have one week to make the swapped recipe. Feel free to make any edits to the recipe you want to fit your dietary needs/restrictions. Perhaps you are dairy free, don't use food coloring, or have trouble finding an ingredient at your local market - no problem! Make any edits you want to make it your own.
5. Share the recipe and photos of your new dish from the swap on your blog on Monday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day). Your recipe will get exposure on another blog and your hosts (us!) will be pinning our favorite recipes to a St. Patrick's Day recipe Pinterest board. 

 So get to cooking or baking and link up below!

xo natasha