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  • September1st

    3 Comments

    Transformation!!

    Posted in: General Decor

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    We have been working on a total house transformation! Specifically, we decided to 1) make our TV room a sitting room, 2) make our dining room the TV room, 3) make our formal living room the dining room, 4) sell our china cabinet and two rugs (Email me for info), 5) decorate it all. Whew! Did you follow that? My head is spinning but I LOVE IT! So, excuse my post today as it will be rather photo intensive (and focused on the DR/TV switch). FUN!

    Here is the “before” shot of our DR (WHY is the picture so small? I don’t know. Sorry. I’ll try to take a better one and post again tomorrow!):

    We decided (in conjunction with a friend/genius interior designer, Brandeis Short of Ann Brandeis Interiors) to make the wall with the china cabinet the station for the TV. After looking at lots of terrible “media center” choices, the lightening bolt struck…Ikea sells Malms! Malms are wonderful for creating a TV console!! I tackled the project in spite of the Malm’s CLEAR assembly instructions:

    Now, if you are a genius like I am, this is no big deal. CLEARLY, the box at the top of the instructions is telling you, “You will be SAD and NOT accomplish anything if you try this alone. However, if you find a similarly shaped man with a pencil behind his ear (indicating his genius-like qualities), you will be happy and the Malm will be successfully assembled. Because, don’t you know, this IS rocket science, you stupid idiot.” Hey, Ikea, I did this by myself. In your FACE!

    I put together two three-drawer Malm dressers and one six-drawer dresser. This is what it looked like when I finished it (no man with a pencil behind his ear could’ve done THIS!):

    (“WHOA!”) Exactly.

    Step 2 was to stencil the entire room. We chose the Zamira stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils on Etsy. WHY? Because it’s f’ing amazing. That’s why. I post my style interests like this stencil and other “covets” on my Pinterest Boards. Me heart Pinterest! Have you been there yet? GO NOW. Follow me on Pinterest by clicking HERE.

    Luckily for me, the color scheme in this example was exactly what I wanted in the DR. And, our walls were already painted my go-to color from Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter. It truly works for everything. Do it.

    Here is the beginning of the project (more on the actual stencil work later…it is NOT easy but NOT hard…um….):

    And, here is the picture a lot of you “oohed and ahhhed” at when I posted it on FB (the completed wall):

    It is not finished, by any means, but here is the situation with my pretty new glass lamps from Pottery Barn:

    I KNOW! I am really excited about it!! Oh, you’re talking about the wall? I was talking about watching Regis and Kelly. I never watch TV much less morning talk shows. I was really pumped to be painting and listing to that “k-razy” pair. Ha!

    Now, why is the Malm so boring, you ask? Because in this picture it doesn’t show the GENIUS O’verlays I have since applied. WAIT FOR IT. I will post again about applying the O’verlays. I have opinions so watch out! Until then, happy, happy day to all of you!

    Adrianne

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  • April18th

    2 Comments

    Obsession = Artichokes..and a Little Fun in NOLA

    Posted in: General Decor

    Yes, my dearies, my latest fixation came in the form of white ceramic recently. I went to New Orleans (shocker) to visit my new main squeeze, Miller. (Miller is the wee, precious babe of one of my dearest friends and is, oh, about two months old now.) If you didn’t know, Miller is betrothed to my Anna:

    I digress but I must tell you a little about my trip before moving on to the latest discovery. My trip started off just right with finding this beauty in line with me at the airport (I traveled on St. Patrick’s Day). Yes, he let me take a picture of his shirt…awkward? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely. I present to you:

    Side note: We have a really good friend, Paddy, in Virginia. Yuk, yuk!

    When I arrived in New Orleans, I realized the shirt was only the beginning of the fun. On a walk through Audubon Park (memories!!!) we witnessed this strategically placed sign about Abraham Lincoln (I was quite relieved to not have to cut the grass in that particular area.):

    Oh how I miss the land of filming random (and not-so-random) movies! Who will you see today??? It’s anyone’s guess…it could be the “bubble girl” or “Guy dressed like Lucifer” on the way to class or…eh hem…Ryan Reynolds! Yeeeee!!!

    And, where else would you open the fridge and find the coldest, most amazing black and gold beer? GEAUX SAINTS! I had one. It was delicious.

    ANYway…back to topic…when I was there, we walked down Magazine to see the sights in gorgeous weather. First, we saw this sign…anyone have a theory on this one? I am stumped:

    Imagine confused looks on our faces…

    Now imagine us “stumbling” (on purpose) in to Hazelnut, one of my FAVORITE shops on Magazine Street. I have talked about the gorgeousness of this store before…oh, how I covet every inch and every item!

    SCENE: 70 degrees and sunny, we walk down Magazine and are sucked into Hazelnut (shocking, I know!) to view the latest home decor candy. TRUE CANDY!

    Me: I am going to paint the back of my shelves a saturated navy. Wouldn’t an all white ceramic decor be lovely to make it really pop?

    Friend: Doi.

    Me: What do they have here to fit the bill?

    Friend: Um…everything.

    Me: True. Let me see here….(My jaw drops. Everything goes dark as all of a sudden a glowing, angelic light comes from one piece of true gloriousness in the store…) LOOK. AT. THAT. ARTICHOKE.

    Friend: Simply divine!

    Me: I. MUST. HAVE. THE. ARTI. (And, I repeat this at an alarming rate (thankfully but shockingly sans twitch) all the way home to Virginia.)

    I should have bought it!!! I should have bought it!!! Oh, how mad at myself was I!!! A few weeks later, however, who should happen to grace my threshold? YES! IT IS TRUE! A box with goodies and…be still my heart…a wrapped box from Hazelnut. My friend sent me the glorious artichoke!! I cannot tell you how this lifted my day and made me whole (wholly artichoke, that is). I cannot thank her enough!!! What a delightful treat! Here is my Princess Artichoke in all her splendor:

    I am now obsessed with finding her clone in all different sizes! I dream of an entire shelf lined with these beauties. See one somewhere? Email me immediately!

    I’ll continue to post artichoke findings when they are found!

    What’s your new obsession? Oh, and, if anyone can enlighten me (what the heck are “carpool clothes”) I would appreciate your feedback!

    Adrianne

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  • March8th

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    New Decorating Project!

    Posted in: General Decor, Lambchop News

    Ladies and Gents, I have a new room to decorate. Yes! I am so excited. After finishing the nursery for my sweet Anna, I am primed and ready to address my biggest decorating challenge: the kitchen/den combo. Here it is today (don’t judge me badly for it):

    Above is the view from the kitchen to the den area. Wow: brightly colored plastic you-know-what and laundry on the chair. Sorry!

    Ugh! Could this be more boring? I will say, however, that this is the most comfy chair in the Universe…besides my glider in Anna’s room. BUT, that is no excuse. OUT with it and IN with two pretty chairs (with, hopefully, equivalent comfy-ness)!

    Note bolsters…note need of major refresh! (And some gorgeous roman shades would do nicely!)

    I know, it’s not terrible. Oh wait, yes it is! I really like the rug, actually, but it does not go with what I want to do. It is FOR SALE. (See pictures below.) If anyone is interested, please let me know. It’s a one-year-old, 6×9 sumac, in stellar condition.  Not sure what I’m asking…make an offer! See anything else you like in there? Well, I’m open to it. Email me!

    We have a lot of light in this room (and the whole house). I feel a coastal vibe when I walk in. I’m thinking of painting the walls a “moody blue” like Benjamin Moore’s Gentleman’s Gray:

    Don’t you think that will pop nicely with our white wainscoting?

    Then, I plan on recovering the nook bolsters in Serena & Lily’s Bark Diamond fabric:

    I am 100% inspired by the make-over shown on the Serena & Lily website:

    Errr…small picture. Frustrating! Here’s the LINK.

    1. LOVE the basket pendant light. It’s a must to replace the stainless that hangs there now.

    Oh! Is that a similar “Gentleman’s Gray” color I see in the background?

    Okay, so I got a LOT of inspiration from the newest S&L release!

    2. I have always loved the idea of lots of pillows. It’s also a must for the nook and white sofa, don’t you think?

    3. Matte laminate. Yes, I said LAMINATE. I plan on laminating fabric for a more kid-friendly use. The current nook bolsters are totally and embarrassingly destroyed by Davis’ constant grinding of blueberries, spag sauce, yogurt, you-name-it-anything-that-stains into it. Yuk!

    I’ll throw in a seagrass rug and some rockin’ pillows and chairs to pull it all together. My requirements: coastal feel, kid friendly function. That = matte laminate fabric…sounds weird but trust me…it’s amazing! Stay tuned for updates!

    Adrianne

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  • October13th

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    Cool Kid’s Furniture

    Posted in: General Decor

    Ok, first things first. I am now 37 weeks along…and am carrying a baby the size of…wait for it….waaaaiiit for it…..

    Yep. That’s Swiss Chard. My baby is as long as Swiss Chard. Does anyone else thing this is RANDOM?!

    Back to the topic at hand…cool kid’s furniture:

    Yesterday I was waiting in the doctor’s office…and waiting…and waiting. At least I was lucky enough to pick up the latest Elle Decor Mag. I was thrilled to see a reference to some of the chicest and simplest kids furniture. Last night I was able to review the pieces to ensure the chicness (because, naturally, Elle Decor asked my opinion!). Here are my favorites from their pics. It’s making me rethink Davis’ room completely…and covet a bench from Serena and Lily! There were even some standard Pottery Barn Kids pieces in there…see, don’t shake them off just because they are a “go to.”

    This sofa is from Jonathan Adler…one of my true favorites! I love the mod design.

    I can see curling up for a few Curious George stories on this beaut!

    This chair is so sweet and elegant…I can see it in several different rooms in our house. I think it’s begging for navy blue and white…to sit effortlessly on this rug from John Robshaw (YES, I am thinking about this combo for our den area!):

    Oh, and if that combo is going in a nursery, consider this sconce for more Jonathan Adler influence:

    Do we NEED to discuss how awesome this bedside table is for a boy’s room?

    Thank you, Elle Decor, for opening my eyes to Restoration Hardware!

    I have been thinking of orange and white ALL week long and trying to figure out how to “stage” rooms for an orange and white blog post. Unfortunately, I do not have a closet of items in orange and white to throw a room together for you. But, if you have vision, think about this crisp desk with the blue and white featured above.

    I think this imaginary room is coming together quite nicely, don’t you?

    Last but certainly NOT least…my coveted bench. It’s a toy chest, you know. Think of the hidden possibilities! (And, a soft blue throw casually yet strategically placed diagonally on top of it.)

    I heart Serena and Lily!

    (See that cool blue in the middle? Perfect.)

    All of a sudden, I am jonesing to decorate another nursery! NO, that does not mean a third kid. :) Call me if you want me on the job…craving the project!

    Until tomorrow….

    Adrianne

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  • September27th

    2 Comments

    Light Success!!

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms, Life

    Remember I was dying for this light for the nursery and didn’t know where to find it?

    Picture from Serena and Lily

    (See the white fluff on the left of the crib. Yes, that is a light!)

    Well, thanks to Jessie at The Gimlet Eye, I found it at Unica Home! And, it wasn’t totally “designer” unaffordable. Score! So, I ordered it….in July. Then, I found out it was back-ordered for five weeks. Five weeks passed and it was still back-ordered for an “indeterminable amount of time” per their customer service. That annoyed me, to be honest. So, another five weeks later…i.e. Friday…I decided to CAN the order. Bummer! But, then, on Saturday, a FedEx van showed up at my house. Low and behold it was my coveted light!! I went to work right away.

    Here is the beginning of the project…hanging the light fixture. Yes, I had to figure out how to run the wire along the ceiling and down the wall to the outlet. Ideally, it would be wired through the ceiling but I just am not motivated to have an electrician rip up the nursery ceiling a month before I’m due!

    Here is the one of the “fluff” panels. I ordered three. Consider yourself warned if you order this light: it is very small and needs at least three panels attached. I am glad I kept the ceiling fan and used this as an alternative light above the glider. I don’t think it would’ve been big enough for the main light fixture in the room.

    When you take this out of the packaging, it’s a little tricky because it’s metal and the small parts tend to grab each other. But, with a little patience and creativity, I got them wrapped around the light and hung!

    Here is the final result:

    Well, semi-final result! I have to take that painters tape off the cord! Anyway, I was THRILLED with it and, of course, deem it worth the wait. Now, I can focus on what’s left to do: wall decal, birch tree mural (in progress, stay tuned), put all the bedding together.

    More tomorrow!

    Adrianne

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  • September22nd

    2 Comments

    Rikshaw Design

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    No, I’m not talking about the design of a cart pulled by a human in India…

    I’m talking about some of THE most adorable baby bedding and clothing I have seen in a while: Rikshaw Designs! I wasn’t aware of this precious collection until the other day (Thank you Jessica). First of all, the collection is fab. Secondly, the company is woman-owned (always love that) and she has a really interesting story.  She makes me want to travel the world! The worldly influenced goodies I found are as follows:

    Bombay Crib Bedding. I LOVE the feel of these patterns together. So fresh!

    Super chic and cute!

    LOVING the seahorse design on this burb cloth and bib set.

    These lightweight kurtas are stylish and fun.

    A sassy camel pillow. I need one for Miss Babe!!

    Last but not least…are you kidding me? How cute is that tush?! I’ll take one of each pattern.

    Look at more of her cute things by visiting her site: Rikshaw Design.

    Happy shopping!

    Adrianne

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  • September8th

    1 Comment

    Beautiful, Gorgeous Sleep!

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms, Life

    I have been asked by more than a few of you how the new sleeping situation is going with Davis. It has gotten A LOT better. Remember my stress? (Read it HERE.) Remember my sticker chart post? Well, I do know my own child well, however, I forget the simplest motivations for him sometimes. Two words that always work for Davis: sticker chart. Yes! I made a sticker chart to reward him on staying in bed for nap time and bedtime. I’ve also lightened up by not expecting absolutes. In other words, I have ZERO expectations regarding sleep. I DO expect him to stay in his bed and play quietly. When he does that, he ends up falling asleep (JOY!).  At bedtime, he has to stay in bed and fall asleep, obviously. Insert sticker rewards = new child! HAPPY MOMMY.

    I also have to give credit to Good Night, Sleep Tight. I have mentioned this book before, I believe. I happened to pick it up a few days ago (for the millionth time since having a child) and read that she recommends three-year-olds get no more than 10 1/2 hours of sleep at night with a 1  1/2 hour nap during the day. Enter waking him up 30 minutes earlier in the morning and putting him down for nap time an hour later. So far, it’s working. I don’t want to jinx myself but we are on day five of no insane getting out of bed and running around. H.U.G.E.

    Thanks to everyone that gave me advice and input! It really did make a difference.

    On that sleep note…I have also had requests to see my newly painted headboard for the baby’s room. Remember these beauties my friend found on Craigslist?

    I was going to paint them green, remember? Couldn’t visualize? Well, see below!

    Granted, I have not put the bedding together yet (sham on the duvet). YET. We are keeping her name top secret and the duvet has her monogram. I won’t be showing that to you any time soon!! I know…the suspense…

    Here’s another shot pre-glider delivery this afternoon. Yes! The glider is here. It resides to the left of the bedside table.

    I could sleep in that thing…and will.

    (Ugh! Dark pic…hard to get the right light except for at night!)

    Anyway, I was super excited about the result. It matches the drapes perfectly and has the pop effect I wanted. It was an easy project, too!

    OK! Back to the birthday project tomorrow!

    Adrianne

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  • August5th

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    Nonpareil…Not Just a Candy Anymore

    Posted in: General Decor

    Good morning! I am really excited about a new discovery (to me, anyway). Have any of you ever read Nonpareil Magazine? I had heard of it but not delved into its true deliciousness until yesterday. I was in Richmond getting my bi-monthly coif when my hairdresser showed me FABULOUS pictures of a photo shoot he did for them recently. Nonpareil Magazine was in Richmond at Agecroft Hall (gorgeous and an ACTUAL Tudor Estate from Elizabethan (1500’s) England brought to Windsor Farms in Richmond in 1925) shooting an “Alice in Wonderland” type tea party for their next issue.

    Perfect setting for an “Alice in Wonderland” scene, non?

    My guy, Jarod, did all the crazy hair for this “tea party” shoot! I wish I could show you pictures of the hairstyles…truly amazing. We’ll just have to wait for the next issue to run, I suppose.  Anyway, to find out more about Nonpareil, I searched the website and found their wonderful website with a wonderful DIY idea for Baby Girl’s room. This will, undoubtedly, serve as another “Road Test” topic in the coming weeks.

    I have been playing with ideas for wall decor over the changing table. I have HUGE wall space to cover (high ceilings and wide walls). I have a great mirror to hang:

    (I had to take this picture at an angle as to not totally blind you from the flash!)

    And a few shelves:

    But wanted to do a combo of frames or something similar. Enter Nonpareil’s DIY “Fit for a Queen” silhouette project:

    It even gives you a tutorial on how to make that “mirror” and frames. I’m going to give it a shot. Can’t be too, too hard: a trip to the thrift store, some spray paint and profile pictures…glue and pretty paper backing. DONE!  What do you think -  a silhouette of each person (and dog) in the family? For the “mirror” script, I’m thinking a little non-cheesy poem or her birth stats. Cute or what! I’ll hopefully get started this weekend and let you know the true deets on how it goes.

    Adrianne

    P.S. I think the Target lamp is the wrong green – too olivey/sage for my “grass green” accents…

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  • August4th

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    Lamp Delight!

    Posted in: General Decor

    Another piece of our nursery decorating puzzle is finding a floor lamp behind the new glider. I have found plenty of amazing and adorable lamps….I just have been chicken to buy one because of pricing. Maybe I’m cheap…or maybe I am spending my decorating budget on other things for her room. Yes! The latter is it. But, I do like a good bargain. By the way, one of my “must haves” was found on Friday. Remember this baby?

    The fluffy, white thing hanging over the crib is a LIGHT. I was dying to find out where I could buy it when The Gimlet Eye herself came to the rescue.

    Yes! That’s it!! And, sold at Unica Home. Who knew? THANKS Gimlet!

    So, anyhoo, here are the gorgeous floor lamps I was considering until today:

    I love this crisp white lamp from Stray Dog Designs! It is 100% my favorite. I 100% do not love it’s price tag of almost $500.

    The price tag on this bamboo lamp from Shades of Light is better but I still didn’t want to spend $300.

    Cute and priced much more my speed but I already got the table lamp version. I don’t like to be too matchy-matchy. And, PBTeen doesn’t have the right color green for the shade.

    I found this at TARGET today for $25. I am not 100% sure it’s the right green.

    Here is my nursery shot from a week ago (so you can see the green):

    I think it will be close! If not, I’ll check this cutie out from Land of Nod ($29 steal!).

    Enjoy this hump day!

    Adrianne

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  • July30th

    4 Comments

    Crib Bedding That Rocks!

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    I have had several requests for opinions on crib bedding lately. One friend is having another boy and insists on getting new bedding. I 100% agree. After all, no two boys are alike! Another friend sauntered into the scary, scary land of “not knowing” what she’s having. I only say it’s scary because I am too much of a planner. I can’t take it. But, there are plenty of amazing gender neutral options out there. And, then, there’s me. I’m having a girl. I showed you what I’m buying for her but we’ll look at it again as well as some other awesome options. Sound good? Ok. Here we go.

    (Aside: goody gumdrops it’s starting to storm as I’m writing this post. What is more cozy than a storm in the summer? LOVE IT.)

    We all love Pottery Barn and it’s trifecta of baby, teen, and adult home decor. But, what if you want something a little different? Have you tried Pixie Dust Decor, Serena & Lily, Rosenberry Rooms, Oliver B, Kate Quinn Organics, or Carousel Designs? Keep reading…

    For my friend having another boy, here are a few of my favorites:

    I love the fluffiness of this light blue and white combo from Pixie Dust Decor. Here is a close-up:

    See the little pagoda? Too cute…and very original. If you wanted to add more color to this theme, I would add a dash of lime. Look at the crib sheet you could have made:

    This swatch is of Pixie Dust’s Aqua Lattice fabric. Oh, did I mention that you can also buy fabric by the yard from them? Fabulous!

    Pixie also carries an adorable red/blue theme for a boy:

    I love the boldness of this look! Here is the close-up:

    Oui, oui! Non?

    How about this cutie gumball design by Carousel Designs? I like blue and brown and I do love the fun gumball design! I think, however,  it would look really fresh and crisp with white nursery furniture. I love a good, CRISP room.

    Moving into a little gender neutral territory…

    I really like the idea of this pique white bedding with a white crib! It’s so simple and so chic. And, think of all the possibilities for room decor…endless.

    I am really into neutrals right now, though. So if you wanted to add a little interest, you could  add:

    Marlo Crib Bedding Blanket from Serena and Lily

    Or go with the entire Marlo room:

    Crisp! Fresh! Soothing! And, may we please discuss the awesome origami birds above the crib?

    Let’s be honest,  even though I heart neutrals, you know I love a good color pop! This bedding from kate quinn organics comes in other great shades like “pomegranate” and “blackberry.” YUM!

    For the girls:

    Here is what I bought for Miss Thing (Lulu Bedding from Serena and Lily):

    As you know, we are focusing on crisp whites, grass/lime greens and shades of purple. By the way, I am dying for the mobile shown in this picture. Has anyone found it out there somewhere? I am on a mission. If you have any info, let me know!

    Other girly bedding I like includes:

    Singing Birds! I love this daring black, white and lime combo. Very chic, indeed. Rosenberry Rooms

    And would ya just look at those bows! Oliver B is a company that makes bedding that helps reduce the risk of SIDS. Check out the site. So smart!! The bumper is fully ventilated. Cute boy bedding, too.

    I have many more suggestions. If you need help, email me and let me know what you have so far. FUN!

    Adrianne

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  • July20th

    1 Comment

    Baby Bonanza Update

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms, Life

    So you know that I have been on a crazy shopping spree since we found out we’re having a little girl?? Well, I am very excited that I have made serious strides in the “decorate the nursery” project. It’s not finished, by any means, but we’re getting there. I thought I’d share my recent Pottery Barn Teen binge with you. I know, PBTeen is not a “boutique” or anything new but I found some really great stuff for Miss Babe there!

    As a reminder, the walls of the nusery are Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter:

    We were going to move all of Davis’ furniture into the nursery but his is all espresso/dark wood. Revere Pewter really pops with white…so, we opted for this white, Jenny Lind crib:

    The bedding we’ve chosen is the sweet but sassy “Lulu” bedding from Serena and Lily:

    And, don’t forget the sassy twin bed that is going in the nursery, too.  My Gimlet Eyed friend, Jessie, is painting the headboards Benjamin Moore Pear Green:

    I have been thinking long and hard about what duvet cover/perfect colors for the twin bed may be. And, as you know, I love color pops. I simply cannot have an all pastel nursery!! Needless to say, I was thrilled when I found EXACTLY what I had conjured in my head. THAT, my friends, almost NEVER happens. Not kidding! Ok. You need to have some vision…pear green headboards with this bedding:

    (Scratch the polka-dot sheets…just focus on the duvet and pillow shams from Pottery Barn Teen. And, yes, of course the duvet will be monogrammed and it will all be mixed up with other accent colors and pops!)

    I was then inspired to buy these (PB Teen) for the windows (and this room has windows ALL across one wall). They will hang on the wall behind the glider, twin bed and side table.

    The perfect hiding place for toddlers, don’t you say??

    Here is the adorable side table (in white) and lamp to go with the ensemble (are you getting that I got all of this at PB Teen?):

    Love it!!

    Now, ladies and gentlemen, I can visit antique shops and quirky boutiques to fill in the decor. And, I still need to choose the glider.  Should be fun! I’ll keep you posted!!

    Happy Tuesday,

    Adrianne

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  • June30th

    2 Comments

    Outdoor Comfort

    Posted in: General Decor

    Sorry for the late posting today…I have come down with some sort of summer illness! I never get sick in the summer…this is quite surprising! Anyway, I did get a news update from one of my favorite fabric resources, Hable Construction, this morning. I had to share in spite of my clouded head. Check out these cutie outdoor pillows:

    As always, I love orange…It would be a good contrast to our bluish-green trim on the house windows!

    Bright blue…so happy!

    And, who doesn’t love this print in sunshiny yellow?

    Outdoor pillows are on my brain because we just hung a gorgeous white porch swing last week. It needs color! See bare porch swing:

    Hoping to feel better tomorrow!

    Adrianne

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  • June29th

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    Stray Dog Found!

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    Good news: I have narrowed my lighting fixture search to only a few pendants! I think one of these light fixtures and the apple green beds will be what the rest of the room revolves around! Over the weekend I found this sassy piece:

    Isn’t it adorable?? When I did a little more research on this pendant, I found that it is from Stray Dog Designs. Uh oh…what a DISCOVERY! I mean, look at the other options:

    The Niki Pendant…loving the orange bird accent!

    How about those stripes! So bold!!!

    Speaking of stripes…and, by the way, you may choose the stripe color and the papier mache cord color. P.S. The Mini Roses sleeve and finial are papier mache from recycled materials, handmade by artisans in Haiti, and hand painted with low VOC paint. LOVING IT!

    I can also see having this floor lamp by the glider/crib:

    So….which pendant gets your vote??

    Adrianne

    P.S. Stray Dog Designs has a truly impressive story! Check out their site immediately! And, they live in Tennessee…my birth state. What’s not to like?

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  • June28th

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    Road Test: Paper Flower Wreath

    Posted in: DIY Projects, General Decor, Gifts, Kid's Rooms

    Hi Everyone! I hope you had a great weekend!

    Today, I am proud to introduce a new series called “Road Test!” Periodically, I’ll discuss certain projects (big and small) that I take on to let you know how it goes  and rate it on difficulty and “worth-it-ness.” I hope this will not only be fun but really helpful! I mean, why get into something that doesn’t turn out to be just what you wanted? Right! Therefore, here is my first “road test”… just for you.

    Friday, I received my paper flower wreath kit from Paper Source. Did I ever let you in on this cutie?

    Yes, of course, it’s going on Little Miss’ door!

    Well, it came in a neat little package in three parts: the wreath ring and ribbon, the paper flowers, and the brads and flower “circles.” The instructions were decently easy to decipher. Although, I have some tips for you that aren’t explained on the package instructions.

    This shows several ways to “stack” the different size flower parts on top of one another in order to create the gorgeous paper blooms.

    Before going that far and creating the blooms straight out of the gates, however, I decided to take an inventory of the petals and figure out how many blooms I needed to make to fit around this wreath ring (about 16-18). By the way, they give you too many…I guess it’s in case you mess up…(I was totally offended. Like I would mess up. Ha!)

    So, in super Type-A fashion, I laid out all the paper pieces in categories by size:

    Then, I stacked all the petals (about three per flower) in the order I wanted to create my blooms:

    After I felt organized (and this really did make me feel organized!), I creased the flowers as instructed and fastened them with the given colorful brad. Voila!

    A note on creasing and flower depth: The directions tell you to either crease the petals in the middle for depth or roll them with a pencil. I recommend creasing them…the pencil started to wear my patience thin! I do agree with their idea of cutting the larger blooms down the side to create even more depth, however. Here I am creasing the flower petals:

    The rest was super easy. I simply placed the blooms I made around the wreath in the order I wanted them and fastened them to the wreath. One thing about the ribbon they don’t suggest: place the ribbon around the wreath before fixing the blooms to the ring. It will prevent awkward, near bloom damage that would inevitably occur if you placed the ribbon post-bloom fixing. Make sense?

    Overall, this project was super fun and very rewarding. Take a look at my finished product:

    Here are the “Project Stats”:

    Time Out of My Day: A little over an hour.

    Difficulty: Moderate

    Finger/Hand Cramps or Injuries? None

    Worth-It-Ness: 100%

    Would I Make This Again?: Absolutely!

    Let me know if you have made this and have any additional comments!

    Later, Gators,

    Adrianne

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  • June23rd

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    Focus, Adrianne. Focus!

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms, Life

    Today I am going to reach back into the archives and re-post my decorating quiz. Why? Because I really need to take it again and re-focus my efforts in Baby Girl’s room. I have been on such a true extravaganza with all the new girly items within reach that I have lost my way!! My list of “to do’s” has become one large “I like” list….and it is LLLOOOONNNGGGGG.

    We all need to take a step back sometimes, right? So, let’s do just that and reconnect with what style we “are” in the first place. Then, you can focus on the one piece you are totally and utterly and unconditionally in love with and decorate around it. Here we go:

    What’s Your Decorating Style?

    My husband will attest to the fact that I am a regular magazine junkie. It’s a bad habit, I know. But, there are so many great ideas out there! This kind of exposure is good and bad. I always say you can’t come across too many people with great notions. However, it can be a bit confusing because I like a lot of styles (read: a lot of “notions”). A LOT. For example, I LOVE a good traditional damask (feast over beautiful said damask wall below…and pretty much the entire room).

    Better Homes and Gardens

    I also LOVE a sassy modern chevron stripe and lacquered table.

    Harts Fabric

    Can’t you see that GLOSS?? From Room Service.

    And, I LOVE antique door knobs and quirky ideas.

    Antique Doorknobs.org

    I guess that is why I told a lady that helped us decorate a room in our house long ago that my style is “traditional with a twist…and it can be quite a twist.”

    It’s fun to like a lot of different themes but I tend to get lost in them all. I have to make a serious effort to do what they call…um…”focus.” What’s the point of all this chatter? Well, I have found that there are several if not many unfocused among us. Sound familiar? No need to fret. Check out this fun quiz I found in Real Simple Magazine:

    Decorating Personality Quiz

    Take it. Now. It’s only a few questions, people! I took it and I am, as predicted, a mix of all categories. I had three “A” answers and two of “B,” “C,” and “D.” Ha! This means I like “Sophisticated Classics” like timeless pieces and luxe fabrics.

    Real Simple Sophisticated Classic Room

    Blend that with “Modern Graphic” (a la chevron stripe), “Cozy Casual” (a nice, comfy couch, please!) and “Vintage Eclectic” (older pieces with a time-worn look a la “New Orleans: Elegance and Decadence” by Richard Sexton. A MUST have for your coffee table.).

    After you take the quiz, read this: “Your Decorating Style Defined.” I find this quiz and article super helpful (and pretty dead-on).

    I am sharing this with you because it is a good starting point in our journey together. I am looking forward to navigating styles together and hopefully inspiring both of us to continue to find our own unique style. Clearly, mine is all over the map…I can’t help but give you all sorts of ideas!

    As I write every day, I’ll be incorporating ideas from all of these styles into the upstairs of my house…a mecca for unfinished home projects. It’s also where my two-year-old dominates and my on-the-way baby will, no doubt, dominate. I want to make it fun but fit into the style of our house in general…a tough proposition, no?  I hope that you’ll find Lambchop Designs to be an integral part of your “kid” style as well.

    Ok! Take that quiz and let me know what your results are!

    __________________________________________________________________

    More tomorrow!!
    Adrianne

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  • June18th

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    Toys Gone WILD!

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    OH MY. I mentioned yesterday about how much work we have to do in the guest room to make it special for our new little girl, right? Well, I am totally overwhelmed after, this morning, I took a good, hard, honest look at our family room. OH MY.

    Yes, that is a house in our house in our family room which is one big room with our kitchen. Brightly colored plastic stuff…ahhhhh!!!!! Ok. So, as much as I hate this house (but thank you for the hand-me-down, Finley!) Davis loves it. Ergo, it is smack in the middle of this room. Look closely, though, the house is not the only thing there…there is a “toy creep” happening. What would you suppose is behind that chair (which, I know, needs to be re-upholstered YESTERDAY)….

    OUCH! MINE EYES! It’s like looking at the sun too long…it just hurts!!

    I swore, when I became a mom, that toys would not take over. Ha! Well, they are not only taking over, they are becoming a significant part of the floor! HOWWWWW will I resolve this mess? I have a few ideas but there is limited space. And, Davis is NOT cool with the idea of just throwing all of the toys out. Huh?

    Several options…

    The “Beat Our Chest” toy chest from Land of Nod. It may fit between the wall and our chair…

    The canvas option…too casual? Land of Nod

    The Souper Spoon. I know. Totally unrelated…I just CRACKED up when I saw it!! Again, clever little Land of Nod.

    SERIOUSLY adorable. I’ll take one of each…but for the kids’ rooms, not the family room.

    The Company Store

    Now we may be getting somewhere… I like the idea of a “hidden” storage area like this ottoman.

    Also from The Company Store.

    Or, does this wicker basket suit my future “Coastal” family room?

    Pottery Barn Kids

    STOP THE PRESSES. This is too cute. I maaaaay be able to pull this off beside the chair.

    Pottery Barn Kids

    Lots to do to find just the right thing, no? Well, you know what’s on my “to do” list for this weekend. Have a good one and we’ll chat again Monday!

    Adrianne

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  • June15th

    2 Comments

    Ceiling Fan or Chandy?

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    If you didn’t read my post update from yesterday, we found out that we are having a little GIRL!! Yippee!! I am already dreaming of ribbons  and bows and monogrammed diaper covers. This opens up a whole new world to me. Seriously – I am so used to shopping boy-style that I don’t even give the girl stuff a once over! Now, I can rip off my blinders and go k-razy!

    My stylish decor genius friend, Jessie (yes, Gimlet Eyed Jessie), and I were discussing this new world of girly-ness when, naturally, her future room became the topic. Jess made a lovely suggestion involving an unapologetic, hot pink, shiny tole chandelier. I LOVE THIS IDEA! But, I am having trouble with it because of the ceiling fan currently (and totally un-stylishly) gracing the room right now. My big concern: will she get TOO HOT in there without it?

    Before I make my decision, let’s look at the bevy of eye candy chandeliers I found online while entertaining the idea…

    From a lovely blog, Matters of Style. Ladies – this is a showstopper! And, look at the green and white ceiling. DYING!!!

    Very girly…from Pottery Barn Teen

    A more modern and definitely chic bebe option from Decorati.

    A FANCY SCHMANCY option from Shades of Light.

    Very cool and crisp from Rosenberry Rooms.

    Cutie Green from KooKoo Bear.

    Uh oh…I spy a mod pink one…oooohhhhhhh!!!!

    Land of Nod

    And, last but not least, this would match the crib bedding I am considering…another topic for another day!

    Rosenberry Rooms

    Or, I can go with…a…ceiling…fan…

    …from…Lowe’s

    Cast your vote! HOW necessary is my ceiling fan???

    Adrianne

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  • June10th

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    Chalkboard Paint

    Posted in: DIY Projects, General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    Among our list of 1000 projects is a precious nook in our upstairs hallway. It now graces a lovely Melissa and Doug train set that is always a mess. I have great expectations for this nook, however. It is SCREAMING “art nook” at me every day. I envision a bulletin board on one wall to display finished works, an easel where our children can paint or draw and store all their supplies, a table for coloring and sketching, and, the most fun part…a wall with 12×12 chalkboard squares accented in a super fun chalkboard decal.

    P.S. Have I told you that I LOVE chalkboard paint? It’s so easy! And, it has a lot of clever uses… I also think picking something simple to start with in a room is a genius move. Then, choose another “easy” project and keep chipping away until it’s finished. (VERY important to pace yourself…not like a lot of us can magically put together a room in a day!)

    Ok! So, I am going to begin with the 12×12 chalkboard squares, of course! If you are not inclined to pull out the old paint brush, try these on your walls instead:

    Simple and functional chalkboard decals (they adhere to the wall without damage)…Land of Nod

    A quirky decal option from Target…

    OMG! Dying over the whale decal!! I may have to do this instead…Land of Nod, of course.

    Davis would FREAK over this surfboard chalkboard. This would be great in his “big boy” room!

    Pottery Barn Kids

    This is the chalkboard on one side/white board on the other side easel I want for the “art nook”!

    Land of Nod

    What’s this I spy? A chalkboard PLACEMAT! Genius idea for the art table!

    Paper Source

    And for a post-masterpiece-creation refreshment…

    Southern Living featured these GENIUS glasses in their April 2010 issue – just sweep a stroke of chalkboard paint onto the glass…so cute! And, yes, I’ll have some of that raspberry-beer cocktail, please!

    When I start, I’ll take many, many pictures for you to see what I’ve done. I am super excited!!

    Adrianne

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  • May12th

    1 Comment

    PB&J…on my suit…anyone?

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    Yes. It’s true. I have blackberry jam and peanut butter on my suit sleeve today. Did I change suits? Of course, NON! I am wearing it like a Mom badge of honor. (I did dab it a bit, however.)

    A few of the hardest lessons for me as a mom have been:

    1) You are never going to be 100% clean even on your best days. (Lesson: Be flexible.)

    2) If you dare wear silk, gabardine, jersey cotton or any other fabric (read: clothes in general), stuff (any kind of stuff) will be smeared on it before you leave the house unless your child is spending the night somewhere…which never happens on days you dress up and have to be somewhere other than the playground or the gym. (Lesson: Be flexible.)

    3) Your hair will never be “did” perfectly ever again. (See conditions in #2) (Lesson: Be flexible.)

    4) You rarely have time to do anything about said PB&J situation before leaving. The smearing inevitably happens while exiting the house. (Lesson: Be flexible.)

    5) At some point (I say when you are a year or so into this kid deal) you start to not care and hope no one notices. (Lesson: Be flexible.)

    SO, we arrive at my current mental state…I think I’ll get another cup of coffee! Ha!

    Through this hilarity of a morning, I started thinking about rugs for the nursery (I know. Random thought.) as well as how I need to buy Shout Wipes for my purse.

    Let’s take a look at these beautiful rugs, shall we?

    I am thinking of going with pops of turquoise and orange in the nursery. OR, pops of yellow. Remember my post from yesterday? The guest room-to-be-nursery walls are already painted a sassy grayish taupe.

    Okay so check out this cutie from Anthropologie:

    And from Jelly Bean:

    And,  Posh Tots:

    More Posh Tots:

    Rosenberry Rooms (I am in love with this one. Sassy owls!)

    Pottery Barn Kids. This one I may use in Davis’ big boy room (a MECCA for design projects).

    What do you think? I suppose it will depend a bit on the bedding I end up choosing. I don’t want there to be too many focal points. You have to start with one piece for inspiration, right?!

    Good luck staying peanut butter free today!

    Adrianne

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  • May10th

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    Paper Your World

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    My mom and I celebrated a bit last week with a trip to DC. (Our birthdays are a day apart at the end of this month!) We usually see a show at the Kennedy Center, however, on this trip we decided to take it easy.  We spa-ed, we ate, we slept, we ate some more. Delightful!

    One of the highlights of the trip (for me) was discovering a wonderful shop and site, Paper Source. I know, I am way behind the curve here. How have I not paid attention to this mecca of beautiful papers and quirky gifts?? I was so inspired with ideas for the baby’s room, I have to share. First of all, though, here is my lovely mom in the garden at the National Cathedral (yes, we even had time to squeeze in a historical venture and a little God):

    Doesn’t it look serene? Are you relaxed now? Okay. Let’s continue on the paper topic…

    I recently saw an article on DIY bookshelves. Have you ever picked up a copy of Better Homes & Gardens’ 100 Decorating Ideas Under $100?  (I would give you the link but I cannot, for the life  of me, find a link to this issue!) If not, you should. It’s genius! Well, on page 39 of the Spring 2010 issue, they present the idea of revamping a basic bookshelf. I intend to find old, wooden bookshelves and repaint them. THEN, find paper you simply adore and paste it to the back of the shelves like so:

    Found on Centsational Girl and Belle Maison

    Isn’t that gorgeous? What a clever trick. If the color of the shelves already suits your paper choice, all you need to do is unscrew the back of the bookcase, cut the paper to fit, and hot-glue or spray adhesive the paper to the back. Done and DONE! If you are papering built-ins (we have some in our den area that I am going to HAVE to paper), simply measure the back of each shelf space and cut the paper to match. Then, adhere to the wall/back of shelves.

    Ok, so, that is the easy part. The hard part is picking from all the beautiful papers there are out there. Feast your eyes on some of the options with kid potential from Paper Source:

    I am LOVING the idea of this backed on a moody grayish blue bookcase! (Or, if you are bolder, bright orange or red!)

    DYING for this in a little girl’s room behind a glossy white bookcase or end table! Who has a girl? Call me. Now.

    (Did I mention these are around $3.50 a sheet (20×30 size sheet). A steal!)

    For a more subtle look on shiny taupe shelving…

    Also beautiful on a moody blue or dark brown bookcase.

    You won’t beat this lovely yellow on white bookshelves. Classic!

    As you are reading this, I am searching Craigslist for old shelving with character. I’ll let you know what I find! In the meantime, check out these other quirky items from Paper Source. I surely got a chuckle out of these:

    I mean, let’s be honest, right!

    AMAZING.

    Your life DOES rock, sweetie!

    No matter your views…this is objectively hilarious.

    Alrighty. Go pick out your paper and tell me what you find!

    Adrianne

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