FRIDAY INSPIRATION: ROUND RUGS!

The weekend is here and I couldn't be more excited! Earlier in the week, I shared the prettiest crib wall with pressed flower art above the crib and also our lessons learned from gardening with the kids this summer.

This pin stopped me while scrolling partially because of that beautiful wallpaper but also because of that gorgeous rug!!! Sometimes there are spaces where a typical rectangular rug won't work but you still want something practical that adds a cozy factor to your child's room. Cue the round rug. Both pretty and practical, round rugs can suit lots of occasions and these gorgeous rooms will show you just how!

round jute rug in playroom

Design by Black & Milk

I love how this washable(!) rug adds warmth to this serene and neutral nursery!

lorena canals abc rug in nursery

Rug by Lorena Canals

The same rug in a different colourway adds texture and softness to this pretty corner.

lorena canals abc round rug in kids room

Design by Orlando Soria

Round rug under a canopy?? Yes! I love this layered look and how the rug's texture ties in with the basket.

soft kids room canopy and jute rug

Another jute rug in another dreamy kids room!

round jute rug in nursery

Design by Lee Talbot

In this all-white space, the round rug provides a lovely spot to stand and hold the baby after picking up from the crib. A soft reprieve for tired feet.

all white baby nursery

Design by Petite Amelie

The canopy over the crib is a dream and the round rag rug is small and impactful. This room is just so lovely!!!

Soft and pretty girls room

Design by Velveteen Babies

Follow along on Pinterest for lots and lots of inspiration!

5 UNIQUE WAYS TO USE CHALKBOARD PAINT IN KIDS' SPACES!

While there is nothing new about using chalk on a wall for kids, there are SO many more ways you can use chalkboard paint or even decals. Today, I'm sharing some of my favourite ways to incorporate this paint; so simple but adds big impact and fun to each space! Summer is the perfect time to try this as paint dries quickly in this nice warm heat :)

1. FIREPLACE COVER

One of my favourite features in Miles' room is the chalkboard fireplace. While he's still too young to use it, it's already serving its' purpose of providing a safe (and cool!) cover for the fireplace that he was getting into. 

Chalkboard fireplace in Vancouver kids room

When he's a little bit older, the pillows will be moved and he'll have a new play feature he didn't know existed in his room!

fireplace in Miles room

Miles' Nursery

2. BEHIND DOOR

There is often wasted space behind where a door opens and the idea of hanging a framed chalkboard just makes sense. I love how simple it would be to customize this to the perfect size for your wall.

chalk board behind door in kids room

Sissy + Marley

3. CLOSET DOORS

When I created Rafa and Leo's room, our biggest challenge was space. This small room needed to house not one, but two growing boys and their toys, books and play space!!! The idea for these chalkboard closet doors came as we were brainstorming ideas on how to make the biggest playful impact in this space space. This family has sent me photos of how they've used this closet to write special messages on throughout the years which literally makes my heart so happy. I love knowing the spaces I create add to the memories the kids will hold forever!

chalkboard closet doors in shared boys room in vancouver, canada

Rafa + Leo's Shared Room

4. OUTDOORS

I keep meaning to do this in our own backyard because I think our kids would love it so much, but until then I'm sharing my favourite inspiration for an outdoor chalkboard that screams FUN!

outdoor chalkboard for kids

via Pinterest

5. DEFINE A SPACE

Use chalk paint to define a play area for kids! I love this idea as it keeps the chalk contained while providing a super cute backdrop for a toys area, like this one.

chalk paint defines corner play area

Emily Henderson Design

Happy Friday everyone!

FRIDAY INSPIRATION: WALL PAINT FUN!

It's Friday and I have a feeling this weekend is going to be a good one! I love how truly versatile paint is and thought it would be fun to share these ideas of how to use paint in a totally different way! Check out these inspiring ways to create a focal point in a kids' space.

I love how this simple mountain paint creates a subtle but effective background to this neutral space.

mountain colour blocking in kids room

via Zara Home

This painted corner is perfect for creating a personalized side to this shared room.

Shared girls room

Design Pea les Maisons

I love the house shape for all kinds of decor for kids, and this use of chalkboard paint creates just the right effect for the play kitchen to pop!

house shaped chalkboard paint

Design by Room to Bloom

I've shared my love of the half wall trend before and truly any space with this dreamy light, those high ceilings and that gorgeous floor is fail-proof, but the half wall of black paint (and the innovative use of it on the armoire too!) is to die for!

monochrome children's room

via Pinterest

Have a great weekend everyone!

OH MONDAY!

1. We have a winner of the Saje Wellness baby line giveaway!!! A big congratulations to Nicole Sternberg (@nicoleleigh521) who won!

2. I know I shared a room with a hanging chair last week but this chair AND a window bench in an attic playroom? I just had to show you this sweet space.

Serena and Lily Playroom

Image Serena & Lily

GET THE LOOK...

3. The countdown to school summer break is on at our house (6 weeks!) and I am starting to gather ideas for some fun ways to whittle away the ideas. Do you make a bucket list for summer vacation with your kiddos?

4. I came across this beautiful kaftan for kids and can't get enough. Isn't it gorgeous?

little baberham.jpg

5. This renovation of a 70's airstream is blowing my mind!!! I've dreamt of a caravan for the kids venturing to beautiful spots to explore but this is next level!

the modern caravan airstream renovation

Image + Design The Modern Caravan

Enjoy the Spring weather this week!

Melissa Signature.png
 

INSPIRATION: SHARED KIDS' ROOMS SIDE-BY-SIDE BEDS

Whether you are tight on space or just think a sharing a room is a childhood right of passage, these shared kids' rooms are functional AND gorgeous! A couple of weeks ago, we published a post about kids' rooms with bunk beds and today we're showing you side-by-side beds in shared rooms.

I just love how fresh and welcoming this boho room feels. My 6-year-old twins would love this and I think any teen would too! The white twin beds add so much dimension with the detail on their rails and notice how the cream patterned rug pulls it all together.

Boho shared girls room

Design by Pure Salt Interiors

This small space where we designed Rafa and Leo's shared baby and toddler room shows you what can be done if you measure carefully and have a longer term vision in mind. As the crib is narrower than a full twin size kids bed, two twin beds would not allow much space between. The longer term vision is that once Leo is out of his crib and Rafa turns 6, they will be able to install a bunk bed that will go along the star feature wall and allow even more room for play!

Shared baby and toddler room in tiny space by Vancovuer designer Melissa Barling

Rafa & Leo's Shared Room

This spacious shared girls room is ideal as each child has plenty of personal space and there is room to play together in the middle. I love the soft pink of the roman shades and those sweet dolls!

Pretty and soft shared girls room 

Design by Coco & Jack

The natural light and that world map on the wall provide the perfect backdrop for a room to play and grow. How cute is that wooden chair as a nightstand?!

world map.jpg

One of the coolest nurseries out there! That astronomy wallpaper is just amazing and love the modern cribs with the space mobile. As a twin Mama myself, I just hope they are able to capture the adorable conversations the babes have together on the side where the cribs join...it will be the cutest!

Twin baby nursery with astronomy wallpaper and white cribs

Design by Matthew Cane Designs

In case you wondered if this ever happens with kids in a shared room...yes, yes it does!!! 

Kids having a pillow fight in shared bedroom