OMG!!! Word Wall Trick

I'm about to Rock Your World if you LOVE the look of hand-painted lettering on your Walls. I went into a model home (BTW...great way to get clever design ideas) last month and loved just about every inch of what the design team had done with the space. It was Over-the-Top GORGEOUS and the Best Part was that it was very similar to my floor plan. It really helped me to look at my space in a new light and try some design ideas I might never have thought of.

One of the first things that grabbed my attention was the dictionary definition of "Family" along an expanse of what would otherwise be a boring, blank wall. I have a long wall at the top of my stairwell that I've been agonizing over what to place there for two years to be Exact. When I saw this...it was that "Ah-Ha!" moment for me!

Since seeing this Word Wall, I've been trying to decide how to go about executing it so that everything looks straight and the spacing is exact. I knew this could be acheived with vinyl stick on lettering, but I don't have a big budget to spend on a hall wall and I think hand painted is so much prettier. It's a really big space and so I know the letters will have to be magnified by quite a bit.

Then I ran across this great blog, My Sweet Savannah , which happens to have the step-by-step tutorial for this exact word wall idea! I'm guessing the team that furnished the model home where I got the idea from, probably got the idea from this blogger in the first place!

Tutorial on "Family Word Wall"

I'm so EXCITED! Not only am I about to try this Word Wall out this weekend on my upstairs hall wall, but I've come up with about 6 other ways to use this technique around the house. The best part is that other than getting it magnified at Kinko's, it's virtually FREE! Love Me Some Free!!!!

I hope you get some great ideas!

xo, Kristen

Going Ga Ga for Baby Rooms

So Super Psyched to be introducing a line of baby bedding in the next few weeks to Urban Farmhouse! So of course fabric choices and patterns have been on my brain nonstop lately.

Preview of one of the new looks: Toile and Ticking Stripe Black and White Set: Retailing at $175

So as I started researching for the crib bedding line, I realized that there really isn't that much out there for new moms on a budget who really want that custom look. I had that problem when trying to find pretty bedding for Nikolas' nursery and of course a round crib has even more limited choices.

I'd love to get some feedback from any Mama's or Soon-to-Be Mama's on what you're craving for baby bedding looks. Here's a few nurseries that I had to share....

More Toile...love the pink with a soft brown

J Lo's Nursery..how much do you think that chandelier was? (I wager more than my house is worth)

Ooh La La...This has got to be one lucky baby! Loving the gathered fabric on the lofted ceiling. (Photo courtesy of Little Crown Interiors)

Little Birds Flying High...I love how this designer used wallpaper on the ceiling to give the effect of a mural above the baby's crib. I'm diggin' anything with birds lately...especially in a nursery!

Bonne Nuit Opulent Nursery Courtesy of Posh Tots

Sigh...I could look at nurseries all night, but considering it's midnight and I have a little munchkin that'll be jumpin' in my bed at 7am....I better get some beauty sleep!

Sweet Dreams!!!

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Walking in a Winter Wonderland...

If you live in Dallas and you wished for a White Christmas....you got it this year! It was just beautiful. Here are some pictures of our snowy holiday.

Hope you had a Magical Day!

Redecorating Nikolas' Room

So I have a problem with buying pieces of furniture before I realize that they don't necessarily work in the space they will live in. Case in point...my 3 year old son's room.

I was so excited that we were ready for a "big boy bed" that I ran out and found him a huge Cargo style bunk bed system and refinished it in navy blue. It looked amazing....just not in his room. With the bulky style of this system we couldn't even open one of his closet doors and it blocked the light from one of his windows.

So the bunk beds went on Craigslist and I decided to take my time to really PLAN OUT what I envisioned his room to be. I wanted something that he could transition from a toddler to a teen in...so even though he LOVES trains right now, I don't want it to get too themey (is that a word?). I also have to redo the room on a MAJOR budget.

So, I'll be posting pics as I continually add to the room. This is a process :-)

A little Background...

We originally decided that this particular room was going to be the nursery even long before we decided to have a baby. The great lofted ceiling and the cute little window seats screamed "NURSERY!"

Here's a picture of the room, before baby. I decided to paint the walls as soon as I found out we were having a boy...big shock, blue. Luckily I chose a soft blue that actually goes well with what I plan to do with his room now.

Here's one of Tres painting the ceiling, while I in my "delicate condition" document it. (sexy shorts, Mr!)

And me, seven months preggo excited to finally have the crib assembled :-)

And finally, putting the finishing touches on...

and...he finally arrives!

But enough trippin' down memory lane for now...I have a 3 year old's room to transform now!

Step 1: Bargain Hunting for the Right Pieces

I was searching for months for the perfect twin bed. I hit the jackpot with JCPenney's Black Friday Sale where I got it for $199 with free shipping. I was really surprised at the quality and it is a dead ringer for the PBK bed I'd been eyeing but couldn't justify the price tag.

I also got a killer deal on the perfect nightstand as well.....I think I'll paint it dark red to pull out some of the colors in the train bedding we chose.

Step 2: It's All in the Details

Ever notice the little details that give a room character? For me, I'm drawn to wainscotting and trim in bright white glossy paint. Unfortunately our house lacks these features...we have large expanses of sheetrock walls. I've always wanted to do wainscotting or beadboard paneling in Nikolas' room, but the cost and the fact that I'd have to rip out the existing baseboards before putting up the paneling, made me reconsider.

I had seen BEADBOARD WALLPAPER on other design blogs, and I thought well, for $15, why not give it a shot.

It ROCKS! Let me tell you, it was so easy! I just measured the length I wanted and cut the strips. Then I filled the bathtub with water and submerged each strip in water for a few minutes before sticking it to the wall. Just make sure to smooth it out really well to get the air bubbles out and make sure your lines are even.

Here is a picture of the first wall I did. You can see my uneven lines at the top but they were quickly covered by a chair rail moulding.

 

Super easy....you just get it wet and lay it on the wall smoothing out the bubbles.

Here's a picture of the wall with the chair rail moulding put up (it's still wet here but today it was totally dry and it really looked like the real thing).

I haven't decided if I need to paint it glossy white or not yet, but I will go back and caulk the corners and edges. I am now a Beadboard Wallpaper Believer! I have big plans for how to use it in the rest of the house.

Stay tuned for pictures on the final room transformation :-)

Decorating for the Holidays on a Shoestring Budget

Some of the best design ideas come from using your imagination and not your wallet. I love these ideas so much that I know I'll be incorporating them into my home this season.

1. Bringing in Elements from Nature.
I love the idea of using a TREE LIMB that may have been knocked down on a windy day. You can create this look by suspending a branch above the dining table with fishing line and thumb tacks. A few ornaments really add finishing touches. This also eliminates the need for a centerpiece since the limb makes a big statement of it's own. Total Cost: $0....gotta love free!

Photo Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

2. Front Door Charm.

Another great place to decorate using the outdoors this year is on your front porch. Just by collecting twigs, greenery, and a few pinecones, you can give your front door a Christmas makeover without spending a dime. Make it fun! My son and I go on a "NATURE WALK" pulling along his wagon to collect our finds in.

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

3. A Repurposed Theme.
Look around your home at what you already have that could be incorporated into your holiday theme. Some of the best design ideas for holiday decorating come from using everyday items. Fill glass apothecary jars with ornaments or pine cones. I always love taking glass hurricanes and filling them with fake snow and adding a chunky pillar candle.

4. Incorporating Sentimental Objects.

You may have your grandmother's favorite books from when she was a child, or your dad's old flexible flyer sled stored up in the attic. Use these sentimental pieces in your holiday decor. I love old sleds, vintage Santa's grouped together and even antique ornaments strung up like garland.

Most of all just have fun with it! If you mix old and new and repurpose items, it makes your decor interesting and unique to you and your family.

Happy Holidays! :-)

Living Room vs. Playroom...Big Dilemma for Families with Youngsters!

Okay, so I've been dealing a lot lately with function vs. pretty. Function definately wins the battle when you have a toddler. Most of the time, the functional necessities are not by any means pretty to look at! (i.e. our recent bathroom step stool makeover)

Since most of our family time is spent in the great room (family room and kitchen area), it is inconceivable to think we could keep this area free from "kid clutter". We want our house to be beautiful, but first and foremost a comfortable place.

I had been wanting to get rid of our coffee table for quite some time. It was modern, sleek and exposed every scrape and scratch that little matchbox cars could make in a veneer overlay table top :-)

While out thrifting one day this summer, I found just the piece to replace our old table. It was an old, beat up chest made of wood with one side that flipped open (acting as a toy box) and the other side lined with little drawers (perfect for little character figurnes and Thomas Trains). It had obviously been through several bad paint jobs and now sported an interesting shade I'll call Cheeto Orange. The best part was that it was only $39.....I felt like I hit the jackpot!

My husbands reaction was a little different. "You actually PAID money for that?" That's okay, he just couldn't see my vision yet :-)

After a good degreasing to get the hornet nests, spider eggs and whatever else had called my new table HOME for the last decade, it was ready to be sanded, stained and painted. I love the look of a walnut- stained tabletop and a cream base. The contrast is beautiful together.

So with a little elbow grease and a new paint job....VOILA! Our French Country coffee table....

Then I decided to do the little wooden table that my son uses to play/eat at next to the sofa. It was just a natural blond wood stain. It really didn't match our decor in the room. I wanted to keep it child-like but also make sure it blended with our living room furniture.

I decided to paint the top cream and then give it an antique glaze to coordinate with the coffee table. Then I painted the legs an espresso dark brown and stenciled some numbers around the table's edge.

It's great to watch him walk around the table pointing and counting the numbers. He told me it was the best table ever because Mommy made it for him. (he has his moments).

Happy Saturday! :-)

It's All In the Details

Architectural Details, that is. If I've learned anything in the last few years about design, it would be how the subtle details in a room, make the biggest differences. Trim, wainscotting and window casings can all add so much warmth to a home, giving it character.

Take note of the details in these inspiring photos below.
In this first photo, take a look at how something as simple as wainscotting can really break up a wall and keep the dark paint from overwhelming the room.

Happy Thursday :-)