9 Best Plug-In Sconces
/I recently added some brass sconces to my second baby’s nursery design, and I can’t wait to get them up on her wall. They will go on the same wall as the crib, flanking the artwork to be hung over the bed, and I think they'll add so much to that side of the room.
Because I didn’t want to add one more thing to our growing nursery to do list (you’re welcome, Jon:) ), I opted for some a plug-in option. In this case, the cord is clear and won’t be very visible on the white board and batten that we have on the lower half of the room. After a few wall anchors and screws, they will be up and running!
Image via Sissy+Marley
But if for some reason they don't work out in the nursery, they can easily be moved to another room in the house—the office, the guest room, etc. That’s another great thing about a plug-in option as opposed to a hardwired, they are much more movable down the road if you want to change things up.
Image via Lonny
I’ve long been a fan of sconces and think they always look so charming in a nursery or bedroom. They offer a variant level of lighting in the room, aside from ceiling and table lamps, and they adorn the wall like pretty little earrings finishing off a beautiful outfit.
The kind I wanted to purchase from Pottery Barn is unfortunately now sold out (I was lucky enough to find a pair on eBay). But if you have the desire to add some "earrings" to one of your rooms, here is a round-up of some more great options. They are all in various styles and finishes to help you find just the look you’d want.
Client Project - A Nautical Nursery
/We recently completed an E-Design for a client looking to create a nursery for their first baby, a boy. The clients live near the beach and wanted a nautical feel with pieces that would easily grow with the baby later. It was music to our ears.
In case you haven’t gathered, we absolutely LOVE creating kid’s spaces, especially nurseries. And because we’re all three moms ourselves, we understand meshing style with function.
In this space, we started with a soothing color on the walls, Wedgwood Gray by Benjamin Moore. Having this blue as the backdrop allowed us to bring in a lot of neutral pieces to balance out the space and possibly transition to another nursery (even for a girl) or room later down the road.
Paint // Ceiling Light // Curtains // Artwork // Crib // Lamp // Dresser // Crib Skirt // Crib Sheet // Rug // Pouf // Pillow // Glider
We kept the space playful by bringing in a mix of textures and patterns, including buffalo check, houndstooth and ticking stripes. For the rug, we chose an indoor/outdoor option for easy cleaning (both for now—baby spit up anyone? and when their little boy gets older with more messes to make). And it could also work great in a playroom one day!
We kept the nautical theme in tact through artwork, textures (the rope lamp), shapes (the bentwood light mimics the lines on a boat) and colors. The key to creating a subtle themed room is using ALL facets of the design to tell the story, rather than branding everything with typical nautical decor. In other words, having an anchor on everything was not the way to go :)
The end product speaks for itself, and the client was thrilled with how we married their love for the water with their fun, yet traditional style. And we know their little boy will soon love it too! It was such a great project, and we can't wait to see some "after" pictures.
If we can help you finish off your space or do a complete room design, drop us a line or go here to learn more about our E-Design process. We’d love to give you a new space to enjoy for years to come!
New looks at CB2
/Typically associated with a more modern aesthetic, CB2 has expanded its product line to include items that are a bit more glam and some that are more of a natural/boho look. Here are a few of my favorites. Click the individual pics to be redirected to the item description.
The canopy bed is a show stopper and loving the art-deco inspired lighting. With my current pineapple craze, I must have the pineapple ice bucket.
I have been wanting to use leather stools in a kitchen design. These from CB2 would be perfect! The leather director's bench would be great in an entry way and the indigo curtains are so hot right now.
What are your favorites?
The Power of White Walls
/This weekend everyone will be all about red, white and blue--and rightfully so. But today, I'm going to focus on white--crisp, white walls that is.
When most people see a white wall, they immediately think it is unfinished and that it must be painted, even if said paint will be off-white. Stark white walls are often unheard of in the U.S., but I think we could all be missing out on something.
Here are just a few great things about white walls and reasons we should all give them a second look before picking up that paintbrush.
1. They work it out. White is a great color for workspaces. With a calm, unobstructed background, your creativity can take center stage with no distractions.
Image by Holborn via A Merry Mishap
2. They let the textures talk. This living room, while lacking in color, is not lacking in interest and texture. The white walls bring the furniture and accessories to the forefront, allowing your eyes to focus on them first. White walls are not a necessity for mixing textures, but they will do a great job of highlighting the various finishes in a space.
Design by Sherry Homerich.
The exposed beams in this kitchen would be lost if competing with a bolder wall color. Here, they make the room.
Image via Adore Home Magazine
3. They help achieve balance. Let the colors do the talking. Unlike the living space above, this room is full of color. But thanks to the white walls and ceiling, the room isn't overwhelming. When using bold art and furnishings, balance the space with a light backdrop. These walls almost act like those in a gallery, letting the colors be the main feature.
4. They let you play. Nurseries and playrooms are some of my favorite spaces for doing white walls. Whether you want to achieve a calming, neutral space or you want to showcase the fun, bright things in child's world, white is perfect for both.
This nursery designed by Christine Dovey is still one of my all-time favorites.
Image via Adore Home Magazine
Image via Pop Sugar
5. It works for all. Whether your style is more modern, traditional or somewhere in between, white works for all spaces. If you thought white was just for sterile, contemporary spaces, hopefully we've proved you wrong!
A traditional white living area.
White ship lap in a bathroom designed by Lauren Liess Interiors via DecorPad.
White meets modern in this contemporary living room.
This California mid-century home embraces white. Image via A Cup of Jo.
DIY Acrylic Frames
/My husband and I recently hung a series of frames on a tall wall in our living room, and every time I walk by them, I smile. It made SUCH a huge impact on the room. The right artwork and frames can do just that—completely transform a space.
One type of framing that I’ve been swooning over for awhile now is acrylic frames. They are so understated (letting the artwork take center stage) while also being complete showstoppers because of their uniqueness.
Love the idea of framing a scarf. Image via Highland Hardware
There are several tutorials for DIY versions online, including this one showcased on Home Depot's website, but you can also buy ready-made kits. Custom framing doesn’t ever come cheap but these are actually pretty reasonable considering the size you can use—Home Depot has sheets as big as 4x8 ft. Talk about a statement piece!
But if you do prefer to have the work done for you, Highland Hardware on Etsy is a great place to look. They also sell the bolts needed, if you go the DIY route, in various finishes.
Acrylic frames are great for keeping wallpaper uninterrupted.
I contemplated framing a dress that belonged to me as little girl in an acrylic frame for Auden’s nursery a couple of years ago but in the end decided to use what I had on hand. Now that baby number 2 is on the way, the idea is back in full force. I think it would make such a beautiful piece in her room, especially on those charcoal slate walls.
Image via 6th Street Design School
What do you guys think? What would you frame in your acrylic piece?
