WHAT GOES IN OUR EASTER BASKETS

March 13, 2019

It’s March and for us, that signals the start of ‘birthday season’, a time of year that launches Spring and always reminds me to get ready for Easter!

Last year, I shared a roundup of Easter gifts for kids and this year I thought it would be fun to share the EXACT items that are going into our Easter baskets!

While we do an egg hunt on the day, and are starting a tradition of drawing on a wooden egg each per year, I always like to leave a little basket of treats on their placemats at the breakfast table on Easter morning as a surprise and this is what is going in them this year.

01. // Easter basket; 02. // Bunny planter (for the twins’ room); 03. // Easter lego set; 04. // Mini Jellycat softie; 05. // The Country Bunny book; 06. // Mini eggs; 07. // Chocolate bunny; 08. // Bunny pjs; 09. // Striped pjs.

5 WAYS TO ADD TEXTURE TO A BABY OR CHILD'S ROOM

February 28, 2019

Texture is what gives a kids room that cozy factor and entices you to step deeper into the space. It’s the things that you can ‘feel’ and the things that add dimension and in my opinion, all baby and children’s spaces need a little (or a lot of) texture. Texture is what truly brings the space to life!

girl’s room e-design project

There are lots of furniture items that can add texture to a room (hello grasscloth covered dresser!), but today I want to make it easy and share 5 ways you can add texture no matter what your furniture is. Sound good?

ONE. ADD A RUG

This is a simple way to add texture and nearly any rug will give an instant cozy lift to a space. Look for natural fibres; my favourites are wool or cotton. The boho shag rug below adds SO much texture with just one item!

TWO. LAYER A BLANKET

Adding a blanket to any part of a kids room instantly makes the room say, “hey…come on in and snuggle up”. Just think about a blanket draped over a crib, or a chair, or even draped out of a basket.

warm neutral reading corner in a children’s room

THREE. ADD LIGHTING!

You wouldn’t really think of it, but I believe adding a pendant light (especially this feather light), a wall light (even a nightlight!) and a task light (on dresser or desk) adds an extra layer to the whole place.

FOUR. PUT UP WALLPAPER OR WALL DECALS

While my true love affair will always be wallpaper (just order a sample to FEEL the texture and see the sheen), decals are a fabulous lower cost alternative that still give big impact, dimension and texture!

FIVE. INCLUDE SOFTIES!

Every baby and little one deserves a special stuffed toy and soft patterned pillows will provide a similar textural effect. There are so many adorable options on the market, it’s truly the EASIEST way to add a little texture.

IF YOU LIKED THIS…YOU MAY LIKE THESE TOO:

6 WAYS TO ADD LIGHTING TO A CHILD’S ROOM

HOW TO CREATE A HOMEWORK AREA FOR KIDS

HOW TO CREATE A READING CORNER

THE STORY BEHIND WINTER DAISY

February 20, 2019

Vancouver based designer and blogger Melissa Barling from WINTER DAISY Interiors

Photo by Amanda Haddow

I’ve held off sharing my story about how my business started, mainly because I am no where near where I hope to be one day! I’ve learned though, that it really doesn’t matter; we are all just living our own journeys at our own pace.

Winter Daisy started when I was laying on the couch (for weeks!) while pregnant with my identical twin girls. I couldn’t find a designer devoted to children’s spaces and knew there was no way I could finish their nursery myself (I could barely move). The lightbulb clicked on and I knew there must be others out there who, like me, didn’t have the ability or time to get their kids rooms finished in the way they wanted to.

Fast forward a few years(!), then working back at my job as a Management Consultant, and decorating any space I could on the side, to finally realize the time was right. I wanted my children to see me working in a role that I LOVED and where my time away from there felt purposeful. My son was born 23 months after our twins and when my son was two, I left my corporate job and launched Winter Daisy!

I am so thankful to have you here and absolutely LOVE designing dreamy spaces for the little ones in our lives.

15 OF THE BEST WALLPAPERS FOR KIDS ROOMS

February 8, 2019

Source: Three Birds Renovations

Source: Sarah Sherman Samuel

This wallpaper post for kid’s rooms is one that I’ve been excited to write for awhile. Wallpaper is probably the item my clients debate about the longest, with some skipping it altogether because it feels daunting, even permanent. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to feel that way! In my opinion, wallpaper can truly be the one item that turns a really good room into something exceptionally GREAT!

Source: Monika Hibbs

Without a doubt, wallpaper is impactful and memorable. It sets the tone of the entire space as you walk in. I can still remember the bold floral orange and brown wallpaper in my parents’ bedroom growing up and while it may no longer be something I would choose for my own home, it brings back lovely memories of crawling in for snuggles when I was little. Wallpaper evokes a feeling; it screams FUN, adds a layer of texture and above all else will create memories in your children’s minds for years to come. If you are ever in doubt, I say go for it! Thankfully modern wallpaper is much simpler to remove than in years past if you ever do change your mind.

When it comes time to actually choose a paper, ALWAYS order a sample first so you can feel the paper, see if it’s wipeable (ideal for toddler spaces) and check for any shine or texture which can be SO much prettier in real life than in the photos. The colours and the texture truly has to be felt before you buy. By ordering a sample first, it also proves useful to keep in your purser for matching paint and other decor items as you shop.

Without making you wait any longer, here are 15 of my favourite wallpapers for kids that will prove beautiful if you decide to use one in your baby nursery, kids room or even playroom. Click on any image to see where to shop it!

FRIDAY INSPIRATION: CLIMBING WALLS IN KIDS ROOMS

February 1, 2019

Maybe it’s the weather and we’re all feeling a little house bound, but I am so inspired by climbing walls in kids spaces lately! I have yet to find a client who is game to actually go for this, but how cool are these amazing designs?!!