Design Notebook

Sneak Peek at PB Kids The Very Hungry Caterpillar Line

by Stacy on July 18, 2011

Pottery Barn Kids and the World of Eric Carle are bringing one of my favorite children’s storybooks to life and I couldn’t be happier to share this with you before it even hits the stores!

The entire PB Kids collection of The Very Hungry Caterpillar will include nursery bedding, toddler bedding, wall art, night lights, table top pieces, backpacks, tote bags, lunch sacks, and a plethora of adorable bathroom accessories but today I want to talk about the …

Artful Playroom Collection

Just look at all this great use of space and color! Designed to be something moms would love as much as their kids, I am here to tell you they have done just that. I am in l-o-v-e!

I’m also in love with this space for all of its great ideas, just take a look at that 1 -artwork mobile! And the 2 – colored pencil wall storage, art & storage all in one, yay!. I have been trying to figure out a way to do this ever since Carol Hannah introduced me to the idea. You know I am digging the 3 – color wheel and all the 4 – great storage has me giddy. I can not wait to try and recreate the round clear plastic tubs using bulk snack food containers.

The entire line centers around the theme of playful learning with hopes of inspiring an appreciation of not just art, but also nature. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the perfect line to do this because the whole story is made with colorful collages and focuses on the life cycle of a butterfly. The learning potential with these pieces are endless and I am so pleased at how engaging they are.

All of these pieces in this new collection are great, but the sleeping bags and bed sheets are my personal favorites. You get a glimpse of the sheets in the middle pillowcase, aren’t they wonderful! I love all the bold use of color in this line and all the design possibilities that comes with.

Available at Pottery Barn Kids online July 21st, in stores and in catalog on July 26th

The whole idea leaves me hungry! Think we’ll read one of our favorite stories and then whip up some fruit salad.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Salad

1 Apple
2 Pears
3 Plums
4 Strawberries
5 Oranges
Bunch of Mint Leaves

Peel, pare, seed, hull and section each fruit. Cut into bite-sized pieces. Then put them all together in a big bowl and chill. Garnish each serving with a sprig of mint. Serve to a small group of friends, after reading a good book.

Recipe from the Official Eric Carle Website

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Birds of a Feather Knock Off

by Stacy on July 12, 2011

I scored two of these chairs from Craigslist a few months ago with the intention of reupholstering them and using them in our living room.

They sat around for a month or so, all mauve and floral and fancy looking and eventually got on my bad side. They found there way in to our master bedroom and there they sit, just mauve-ing at me whenever I walk in.

The bedroom is ripe for an overhaul as well, and I’ve been wanting to create a cozy little reading nook in a random alcove we have in there. At first I thought super cush chaise or chair and a half … but then I saw this image on Shades of Light and now I just might be persuaded to change my mind.

Can you believe this chair sells for $2,300!!!

Sure, it’s cute and everything but there’s no way I would fork over a couple mortgage payments for it! But as soon as I saw it, my mind drifted to an image I had seen at Calico Corners a few weeks ago.

Allora Fabrics
Just look at that bird print, their Allora Fabric collection is ALMOST the exact same thing!
And it’s only $20-40 a yard.

It’s not really the style I was shooting for in my master bedroom (certainly not with the au naturale carpeting!), but I think it would almost be a crime not to recreate this piece. Oh, how I wish I had another nursery to decorate!! But, I do have a little girl who will be moving in to a room of her own down the road (when we convert the nursery into her room) and if it doesn’t quite fit in our space, I’m sure I can make it work in hers.

What do you think? Should I go for it?

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Top Five Reasons Kids Should Share Rooms

by Stacy on July 9, 2011

Shared Rooms are a big topic around here, it seems folks are always on the hunt for ways to make them work. Sometimes its two boys or two girls in one room, sometimes its one older and one younger sibling, and even the occasional girl/boy combo (like we have here). Whatever the case, I am a fan!

Like I have told you before, I’m a huge advocate for kids sharing rooms and here are my top five reasons why:

The Never Ending Sleep Overs
The Sibling bonds that last a lifetime
The Space You’ll Save
Less Toys to Buy (kids who share rooms, share toys too!)
The Decorating Potential!!

If you are working on a shared room of your own, please know I am happy to help out in any way I can! If you need ideas, have questions or need help finding just the right colors or bedding for your kids — I am your girl. Just let me know and I’ll get started right away.

Here’s a few shared rooms that have got my eye as of late:

Room in the Clouds

From OhDeeDoh

Sophisticated Room for Two

A la KC Interiors

Colors, Dots & Stripes Oh My!

Simply Seleta shared this one on La Dolce Vita

All Boy

via
Houzz

So what do you think? Which one of these rooms is your favorite? What reasons do you love (or not love) kids sharing rooms?

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The secret to a great playroom

by Stacy on April 15, 2011

Psst, want me to let you in on a little secret?

Alright, it’s actually a HUGE secret.

And just might be the key to your happiness when it comes to corralling all of the things your little ones seem to accumulate and creating a play space both you and your kids can be happy with.

Are you ready for it?

It’s …. Storage!

And not just any storage, but DOUBLE DUTY storage to be exact.

Because come on, don’t tell me you don’t want to squeeze every function possible into this space. Playroom + Guest Room + Library + Study Area + Craft/Art Space + Home Office maybe …

Let me help you achieve all your dreams for this space with this very simple rule.

When you start planning to purchase any pieces for your child’s room or playroom, make sure these pieces will be real work horses in the space. Any item coming in must fulfill at least two functions.

My personal favorites fill the role of either

storage + seating

storage + play/work space

And the best part is, these pieces don’t have to cost a fortune. Here’s a few of my favorite double duty storage pieces in just about every price range. (click on the images to be taken to a place to get prices & sources for each)

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. I’ll be back after Earth Day & Easter to show you one very stylish, affordable exception to this rule.

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Playroom Inspiration

by Stacy on April 7, 2011

Source: flickr.com via Pinterest

Source: realsimple.com via Pinterest

Source: smg.photobucket.com via Pinterest

Source: decorpad.com via Pinterest

Our playroom is the first room you see when you enter our home. To represent us better as a family, it needs to be tidy (at least some of the time), welcoming and above all ORGANIZED! I’m one of those “every type of toy has a specific place” kind of Moms. The kids know this … Daddy does not. Time to make our organization strategies undoubtedly clear I guess. Our playrooms is …. sort of like this now. It just needs a little push to become something great.

Stay tuned as I show you some pieces I’m considering for storage that are just as lovely for grownups as they are for kids.

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