News!

Hello?  Hello?  Is this thing on?

I had every intention of returning to this blog once we got our own house and I could throw myself into decorating it and some fun projects.

BUT. . .

I think I'm just going to merge this with my personal blog.

I just started an etsy shop, and I'm doing some sewing for my SIL's company so I don't really have time or motivation to start offering design services anytime soon, which was sort of the end goal with this blog.

I do want to start doing the occasional design post, but I'll just keep them on my personal blog "Olive the Things".  So feel free to start following me there!  Today I'm talking about paint colors for our new house!  I'm so excited, but I really want to pick something we can live with for 3-5 years.  Come on over and give me your opinion!

My new blog!

This is temporary

"This is temporary."  It's my mantra right now.  I ran out of time to paint Olivia's crib (the one that came with her changing table, the one that we will now be using in our new apartment) and I'm having a new baby in less than two weeks (eeek!!) so its just not going to happen.  I have a duvet cover pattern brewing in my mind and I even sketched it out, but new baby means that also goes on the back burner as well.  My apartment is small, but it's my own space (NEED with a new baby) and even though it may not fulfill all of my design criteria it works for us right now.  No new baby nursery in orange and aqua, the baby will sleep in my (large) closet.

So my point is, with a tiny apartment and a new baby coming this blog will probably take a little break.  And I've finally come to terms with that.  Because I'd rather share good posts with my own ideas than a bunch of interesting pins from pinterest (those posts have their place too!  But pinterest pins do not a blog make)

Hopefully by the end of this year we'll be moving into our own place, I'll have figured out taking care of two kids, and I'll have so many fun projects, tutorials and ideas to share!

I'll be gone for a bit, but this is temporary!  Loves!

Oops, scratch that. . .

It was just a week ago when I got super excited about adding gray into Olivia's big girl room but it wasn't too long after that when I realized. . . its not going to work.  :(  Not right now anyway.

One reason.  This cute little dresser.  

Its not that I love it so much I would hate to paint it, its that I don't love it enough to put the money and effort into painting it, especially in the winter.  And I don't know what color I would paint it even if I did, because I don't want everything turning super matchy matchy by painting it all the same shade, ya know?

Sooooo, here is the updated color scheme. 

I love it!!  The aqua comes from the bedding, lighting, and various accesories.  The brown comes from the dresser.  The linen was inspired by Pantone spring colors 2013.  The linen and berry help to give it that girly touch.  The cream comes from the mobile (we'll call it a chandelier in a big girls room) and from some art work I have yet to reveal.  The tan I just picked because I felt like it still needed something.

What do you think?

All colors are Valspar unless other wise noted. (starting with blue, then going left to right and up)
Aqua bedding (Oilo Bedding)
Sweet Sand
Linen (Pantone 12-1008)
Sand in my Heels
Bonaventure
Berry Much

Pantone Spring 2013 Colors

So you've probably heard by now (if you read as many design blogs as I do!) that Emerald is Pantone's 2013 color of the year.  I think its gorgeous, but I'm not sure if I can incorporate it into the rooms I'll soon be working on.  But I do love some of the other colors they're choosing to be popular.

The linen would look gorgeous in Olivia's big girl room.

The nectarine goes great with the aqua and orange colors I want for the new baby (they're going to have to share a room for a while, but I haven't quite figured out that one yet!!) 

And lemon zest would be so fun to throw into my master bedroom, which will soon go back to being white and gray (when we move into our new apartment in three weeks!!!) 

Which one is your favorite? 

Toddler Room Color Scheme

So awhile ago I posted this about Olivia's new big girl room, and the direction I wanted it to go. I decided to go with the third option of keeping the blue, but adding some pink and other colors.

This color scheme was cropped from this mood board.

Okay, but long story short I started thinking about a toddler bed and what color to paint it and I was inspired by this picture.

VIA

So I'm wondering if I take out the creams and add some gray instead if I'll still like it as much.  And I think I do. . .

Perhaps I should do a more muted version of the pink, more similar to the bedding, to soften it up?  I almost looks too bold/cold with those intense colors and gray.  So here is what I came up with:

Okay, last one, maybe with both pinks?

My eyes have seen too much pink and gray now.  I need some help.  Which is your favorite?  I'll come back and look again tomorrow and maybe I'll do better with fresh eyes!

All paint colors are Valspar
(In order from left to right)
Summer Sky
Wet Pavement
Tea Rose
Berry Much

Felt Christmas Ornaments + My Christmas Tree

For my new Christmas tree theme I found some sweet ornaments at IKEA that are very traditional Scandinavian and very simple.  So I bought some, but thought it would be fun (and economical) to make some of my own!  I was inspired by this post as well.

I used some inexpensive felt sheets from Hobby Lobby and some embroidery thread to add details.  I did a blanket stitch around the edges and very lightly filled them with stuffing.  I've done a blanket stitch before, but needed some refreshing so I used this youtube video, if you're interested. :)

I sort of forgot how small my tree was, so I didn't need to make too many to fill up my empty spaces.  I thought I would make a bunch that were similar, but it was too fun coming up with new shapes and patterns!  My favorite one is the star I made for the top of the tree.  I think its perfect.

And then when I put on my tree skirt it just looked so flat and limp, so my mother-in-law helped me fluff it up with some blankets and pillows.  (sorry about the cords in the back, no excuses today)

And the whole tree shot: (minus the star on top. . . this was taken on Sunday before the star was made, but I like that its taken in natural light, which is a luxury I don't have during the week!)

Have you set up your Christmas tree yet?

DIY Christmas (Stockings and ruffle tree skirt)

My husband has a very strict policy about Christmas music and decor.  Not until after Thanksgiving.  Me?  I say when ever the mood strikes after Halloween.  Like last week, it was so warm I wasn't really feelings the Christmas music until Friday's snow storm.  And then it was Tran Siberian Orchestra on Pandora all day long.

But regardless of your personal feelings as to when the Christmas season begins, the truth is if you're going to DIY Christmas presents or decor you're going to have to start before Thanksgiving.  So the other day I did something I've been threatening to do for three years: Made our Christmas stockings!!  Seriously I bought the fabric soon after we were married (Nov 21) and I always think of it post Thanksgiving.  Not this year.  And do you know how long those three stockings took me?  Maybe an hour each.  Nap time + an hour after bedtime and I was DONE! 

You'll have to excuse the picture quality.  By the time I get home from work, natural light is hard to come by!

My second DIY for Christmas this year was a ruffle tree skirt (tutorial here).  I made one last year for my student's donation to Festival of Trees, but it got donated before I got a post written about it.  My husband did take a picture of it when we went to the festival, but I'm excited to finally be posting details about this project!

Last year's tree skirt went with the "Christmas Orange" themed tree. 

I found a drop cloth that was 6' x 9'.  I cut it in half to so I had two 4 1/2' pieces and then folded them into a triangle to square it up.  And then I folded it in half a few more times and rounded the edge to make a circle.

 After adding just one layer of ruffles it starts looking so pretty!

After all the ruffles are done!  Do I cut that extra fabric at the top?  Add another ruffle?  Not worry about since presents will probably cover it?  (Probably the last one)

I'll probably put up my whole tree this weekend, so pictures coming Tuesday!!

Somethings I did differently than the tutorial:

• I used unbleached muslin for more of a homespun look.  (linen would be so much more expensive!)
• I thought about getting extra muslin for the base, but I'm glad I went with the drop cloth as its a little heavier weight and I feel like it will last longer.  
• I needed 2 1/4 yards of 90" muslin and I cut my strips into 3 1/2" instead of 2" because I didn't want it to take forever and honestly the pictures in the tutorial look like the strips are wider than 2". 
• I wish I hadn't cut the circle in the middle until the end because I didn't end with the perfect amount of space at the end. 
• Its so much easier than it sounds! 

Up next, some DIY Christmas ornaments!

What Christmas projects do you have going on this year?  Share!!

Linking up with: 

Crib sheet fabric

I'm trying to find a cute crib sheet fabric for my new baby boy.  You might remember that I'm adding in some orange to my aqua bedding to make it a little more "boy".  The sheets that came with the set were striped, so I'm trying to find something similar or equally simple.  The raindrops print on the crib bumper is so cute and I don't want anything to compete with it.  My crib set pattern, for reference:

Here are some ideas for crib sheets:

I'm keeping the aqua chevron rug with Olivia's room plan, so the chevron wouldn't be too overused in the space if I chose this one.

VIA

I love this print, but I worry it might be a little too busy. 

VIA

Or should I go with the most simple, the classic stripe?

VIA

Which is your favorite?

My three favorite colors

Don't forget to vote today!!

Painting Wood

Trends in fashion and interior design come and go.  I think we all know that.  When I was in high school you wouldn't even think of wanting a gold engagement ring (it was a topic of conversation on a regular basis, complete with sketches.  Don't act like you didn't do that too) but now I see more and more gold being used in jewelery.

One trend in interiors is painted wood.  I love it!  Natty by Design refinishes old wood furniture and I think her work is gorgeous. 

Of course furniture isn't permanent in your home and you could always change it out if the style changed.

My friend Elizabeth painted a built in shelf and phone desk.  Her son's nursery is so perfect, I can't imagine it with the original knotty pine. 

Centsational Girl painted her family room built ins.  In such a high traffic area, that is a huge commitment!   I absolutely love how it freshens up the room, but what do you do when painted wood is out and natural wood is back in style?

And last, Jessica at Decor Adventures has vowed to never paint her original wood trim in her home (over 100 years old!!)  Its stunning and fits the vibe of the house.  Plus, painting all the wood trim in a house would be a HUGE commitment. 

What do you think of painted wood?  Could you commit to it, knowing it might not always be in style?