I Love Me A Painted Ceiling…
Check out this lovely set of photos from the Southern California home of Kristan Cunningham (yes, the host of HTGV’s Design on a Dime!). Most of the walls in their rental are white, but they’ve painted most of the ceilings a dark charcoal gray. And their ceilings really don’t look that high, which is a nice example of how dark ceilings really don’t make a room look and feel smaller (like most people believe) but they push the walls out and make the room look and feel larger.
I also love the lighter gray trim, and the dark lower cabinets with matching pulls.
They added the wainscoting backsplash as well.
They removed a few upper cabinets to the left of the kitchen window and added open shelves there – perfect touch!
I love the black accents and black, white, gray and brown/wood color scheme.
How great is that ceiling? And that painting? And those orange Eames Molded Plastic Armchairs!
Even the stacked books on the mantel are coordinated!
I’m grateful for my new vinyl windows, but there’s something about painted window grids. And cute little owls.
Probably my favorite shot from the whole house. I love the doilies and the ticking stripe bolster. But just wait…
LOVE that closet paint job!
And the bathroom cabinet got the same treatment as in the kitchen.
Turquoise front door. Enough said! PS – Turquoise has been named Pantone’s 2010 Color of the Year…just in case you didn’t know. 
Enough eye candy for you today? Me neither…I could always use some more! If you’d like to read about Kristan’s house, budget and DIY tips, you can read the entire article here at the LA Times. Enjoy!
What are your thoughts on Kristan’s French-with-an-edge Venice California house? How about that ceiling color? A little masculine with a little quirk? Just my style! Leave your thoughts here!
Read More{Real Rooms} Reese’s Nursery
I am so excited to share an adorable little nursery project with you today, not because I designed it (because I didn’t – I wish I could take credit for it!), or not only because it is darling, or hand-crafted with special little details, but because it is the bedroom of a sweet little girl whose mama is an old friend of mine! And as you can see a very artistic and creative friend at that! But if you knew Janet in high school, you would know what an artist she is! A good example showing that whatever profession you choose, you can still be an artist (Janet is a nurse!).
A big thank you to Janet (and Reese! And Matt!) for sharing her little nursery project with us – I absolutely love it! My favorite part has to be the hand-painted details; two tones of yellow in two different finishes and don’t forget the hand-painted ‘R’ (yes, that is painted directly on the wall!) with glitter accents, a painted border and a wooden frame tacked to the wall. I’m sure it is something that little Reese will be so proud of when she starts to learn her ABC’s! Here is what Janet had to say about it:
“As for the “R” – I modeled it after a font I found at Pottery Barn, but I decided to draw/paint it free-hand since I wanted it so much larger. The brown and blue frame is painted as well, and Matt cut and nailed up the final white frame around it all. The R is painted with the same color as the stripes, and has a few glitter accents. It was very fun!!”
And here’s the break down to make up a sweet little nursery, just like Reese’s! Thanks for sharing, Janet!
Paint
- Primary wall color – Dutch Boy ”Honey Bear” – Flat finish
- Stripes - Dutch Boy ”Just Enough Yellow” - Semi-gloss finish
- “R” – Painted the same color as the stripes with glitter accents. Framed with blue and brown paint (color, brands unkown) used left-overs that a friend had. Matt finished it off with the white trim.
Furniture/Decor
- Crib – hand-me-down from Reese’s four little cousins
- Bedding – Baby Martex CoCaLo bedding – Australian Animals (I think this has been discontinued) – From the Baby Depot
- Note from Lindsay – it’s called Down Under and you can buy it here!
- Note from Lindsay – it’s called Down Under and you can buy it here!
- Rocker- a baby-shower gift. From Target
- White Dresser – Bona Vita “Peyton” Dresser/changing table combo – from The Baby Warehouse in Petaluma
- Credenza – given to us from the Funeral Home where Matt works – Don’t worry – it was in the lobby – It fits in there perfectly and is decorated with all her favorite stuffed animals.
- Martha Stewart’s Tissue paper pom-poms – from Michaels
- LOVE these! -Lindsay
- LOVE these! -Lindsay
- Pictures (above dresser)- White frames from Aaron Brothers -a little collage of pictures we had taken at the house when Reese was two weeks old!
If you have a room you’d like to share, please e-mail me at lindsay[@]lindsaychristensendesign.com!
And P.S. – sorry for the interruptions throughout the background of the post – I’m tweaking the blog template and those boxes should be on the right – thanks for your patience!!
Question for the mommies out there!
I’m just gonna get right to it – How do you get a shower in when there is no one there to help you??? Harper, at 17 months now, is taking one nap per day, Glenn goes to work at 6 AM so I am left to get the both of us ready for the day alone! When she was little, it was easy – she hung out in her bouncer or her Exersaucer…now that they’re mobile what do you do?
Put up the baby gate? Pop in a DVD? Let them wander the house alone? Lock them in the bathroom with you? Have the dogs babysit? Bring them in the shower with you? I did that one yesterday. If I don’t, Harper will stand at the shower and cry…and get soaking wet! One time she even managed to crawl in…clothes and all. She loves her Old MacDonald Baby Einstein DVD (she loves the puppets and songs), but I think she’s getting bored with it…and I’m just wondering what other options I have!
I would shower at night, but mornings (before she’s awake) are the only time I have to get a workout in. I just wanted to throw it out there and get some suggestions, as the thought of jumping in the shower in a few minutes is stressing me out!
Thanks!
Read MoreGuilty…
Via sfgirlbybay, via danny jones design. Love it! And very appropriate these days. Feel free to follow my tweets here!
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{Tricks of the Trade} How to Make a Bed
Although we didn’t specifically learn about ‘how to make a bed’ and similar decor tips in design school, I’ve found that there is an art to ‘finishing’ a project or room, which can be helpful when you just can’t pinpoint why your space might not look quite right. And when you are constantly scouring your glossy shelter magazines and favorite design blogs and websites for inspiration (like a professional interior designer is doing), you start to notice a couple of similarities and ‘tricks-of-the-trade’ that can help give your space that designer look. So today we’ll start where we all start our day: in bed. All we have to do is break down the various ways that our favorite catalogs do it to give ourselves a few rules – because a well made bed should always be the focal point of your bedroom!
Rule #1: Only use fabrics and prints that you love. Sorry Grandma…your pink flowery quilt is nice, but let’s save it for the linen closet when guests stay overnight, and let the master suite coordinate for an updated and calming space. Unless you’re going for ‘Granny Chic,’ but that’s your preference…just don’t add it in because it’s warm! Find a suitable replacement…
Now I’m not saying go buy a ‘Bed-In-A-Bag’ set…just carefully look at the various prints and colors that you are using. Ruthlessly edit your rooms and only use fabrics and prints that you REALLY love and don’t settle for a mismatched bedding set that doesn’t fit your style.
Rule #2: Start with a neutral base. White or off-white sheets will always feel fresh and updated. I also never understood why anyone would iron their sheets – until now! – , but a well made bed always looks better with crisp sheets. Subtle stripes can add some interesting pattern, but I’ve found that most beautiful beds have a solid sheet and the patterns are in the shams and blankets.
There are exceptions to this rule that can look nice, but the easiest way to make up a pretty bed is to start with simple, solid sheets in a light color. White and off-white are no fail, though. Thread count is up to you…I’m sure higher is wonderful, but I have never had the please of sleeping in expensive sheets!
Rule #3: Tuck it in tight. Ironed sheets, folded down over the matelasse (aka quilted blanket), tucked in tight under the mattress. And then a big, fluffy duvet (down comforter) is folded back even more – even at the foot of the bed to show off the sheet and matelasse. In the summer you can switch out the down comforter for a lighter throw blanket. Cable knit throws are nice.
An ironed duvet cover also helps finish the bed. Imagine if that cover was wrinkly – it would not have the same effect!
Rule #4: You CAN have too many pillows. Keep the pillows to 5; 2 sleeping pillows, 2 pillows with shams and 1 bolster or accent pillow. This depends on the size of your bed, but scale is key here. King size beds need king sized pillows, and twin size beds need standard sized pillows (stick to 3 on a twin – 1 sleeping, 1 with a sham, and 1 accent).
Rule #5: When matchy-matchy works. If you check out the photos, they’re pretty consistent with this pattern; sleeping pillows match the sheets, and the pillow shams match the duvet cover. The accent pillow can be a new pattern or a new color, or to stay on the safe side, it can match the shams and duvet.
Exception to Rule #5: You can also match the shams to the matelasse (not to the duvet).
Or to the duvet AND the the blanket (below). But this works because the sheets match the duvet (which also match the matelasse.
Rule #6: Straight skirts only. No dust ruffles here! Box pleated or straight is the way to go these days. More pleats (every couple inches) for a more formal bedroom, less pleats for a more masculine or contemporary room.
Color and pattern are up to you, but they normally match the shams/duvet matchiness! But it might be a good way to add some extra interest (match the accent pillow?)
What about you? Do you have any tips on making a pretty bed? Any good (and inexpensive) sources? Please share!
{images via Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and PB Teen}
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About Me
I'm an interior designer and a draftsperson, but I live in the country. I like it that way. I'm also a firefighter's wife, mom to 2 cute kids, and a homeowner and I like that even better. But right after that is a pretty and affordable space...and I mean a REALLY affordable space. Because I believe good design can be for EVERYONE!
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