FRIDAY INSPIRATION: UNIQUE PLAY NOOKS

March 22, 2019

It’s Friday and that means we can all breathe a little easier knowing that the weekend is just around the corner. While it means full on kid mode for most of us, it’s also a time that our little ones play in the environment that they usually feel most comfortable; home.

Sometimes, by creating special little nooks or finding a new area to play helps while away the hours a little more easily. These unique spots to add toys either come about for function (there is no other space in the house!) or just for magical fun…either way, here are some of my favourite unique kids nooks that create the dreamiest environments for children’s play.

A Secret Room:

Yes, really! This dreamy little play nook WITH A SKYLIGHT is located behind a bookcase and houses one of the cutest play kitchens of all time.

Source: Emily Henderson

Playspace Under the Stairs:

It’s really such a great use of space! Add a few of these ice cream decals, and you have a playroom for the littles.

Source: Pinterest

Source: Von Fitz Design

Attic Playspace

Adding skylights to an attic opens the whole space up to so many possibilities. This play area is the perfect place to whittle away house while the sun shines in.

A light-filled attic children’s playroom

Source: Pinterest

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

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?!!

Design by Mahno

Design by Scenario Architecture

Design by Notre Loft

If you love being inspired by kids room ideas, go follow me on Pinterest where I add new photos from the web each week.

HOW TO DECORATE YOUR ENTRY FOR CHRISTMAS

November 22, 2018

If your kids are anything like mine, they have been begging to hang up the wreath and decorate the house for Christmas since the day after Halloween! While we’ve fought this a little bit over the last few years, their excitement won us over this year and we are decorating extra early. I love the holiday season, mainly more catch ups with friends and seeing the magic of it all on the faces of the kids. To create space to enjoy this special time with them, I try to get as many things done before December, such as decorating the front entry and ordering Christmas cards so they can be written and sent in the first week of December. Last year’s cards were so cute and I can’t wait for this year’s to arrive! Even though we are the first family on our street to have a wreath up, it feels great to be ready when guests arrive. It really is just three simple steps to make your entry extra special.

STEP 1: HANG A WREATH

WHY NOT ADD SOME BELLS TO MAKE YOUR WREATH FEEL EXTRA FESTIVE?!

I chose a fresh wreath this year but if your climate doesn’t allow for that, this fresh wreath is by far the prettiest I’ve found online. Use a sturdy door hanger to hang it. I like to match the colour of the hanger to the door so that it is as inconspicuous as possible.

STEP 2: ADD A FESTIVE DOORMAT

Buy a fun and festive doormat wherever you can find one. Hardware stores often stock seasonal mats and this doormat is on its’ second year at our house. If you are ready to splurge on a gorgeous mat, this Merry + Bright doormat is modern and pretty much perfect. Where size permits, I love to add an extra rug as a base layer to an outdoor entry. Use a 3’ x 5’ rug suitable for the outdoors as a pretty underlay for the doormat and why not take this chance to add a pretty pattern or some colour. This indoor outdoor rug is THE BEST and we have owned it for over a year with three kids tromping over it daily and IT STILL LOOKS NEW!

STEP 3: ADD ACCESSORIES

Use this moment to have fun adding decorative features! Get the kids to help (cute buckets are a perfect place for them to add sticks or pinecones that they collect on walks). Display a small tree like this 3’ one in a wicker basket if your entry is under a covered area and add festive bins for added fun.

CHOOSE A LIGHT THAT ALLOWS THE LIGHTBULB TO BE CHANGED EASILY - I LIKE OPEN BOTTOM PENDANT LIGHTS OUTDOORS FOR THIS REASON

USE A BASKET FOR A SMALL TREE, FIREWOOD OR EVEN PINECONES! THE TEXTURE ADDS A LAYER OF WARMTH + INTEREST

PIN the image below to save the full look of a jolly, festive and bright entry for the holiday season below.

outdoor entry decor for christmas and holiday

01. // Outdoor pendant; 02. // Outdoor base rug; 03. // Fresh wreath; 04. // Gold bells; 05. // Merry Christmas doormat; 06. // Galvanized bins; 07. // Tree basket; 08. // 3’ Faux tree.

FRIDAY INSPIRATION: ROUND RUGS!

August 24, 2018

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!

Design by Black & Milk

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

Another jute rug in another dreamy kids room!

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.