Closets as Rooms

As part of Project Big Girl Room, I was thinking about turning one of my daughter’s two CAVERNOUS closets into a little room.  The room would function as a reading nook/play space.  I am envisioning comfortable chairs, floor mats, and/or bean bag chairs, a little bookshelf and a small table, with lots of wall art and maybe some horizontal stripes on the walls and doors? 

So, as far as inspiration goes, I am inspired by closets turned into home offices and reading nooks.  Home offices are a stretch for my not-yet 3 year-old, but that seems to be what a lot of people turn closets into!   The creativity below will knock your Ferragamos off….

Closets as Home Offices:  

{I die for that acrylic “ghost” desk chair….}

{I love the use of wallpaper on the back wall of the closet above and below.}

{I like the use of the curtains instead of the closet door in the picture above and below, but I think I am going to keep the closet doors for symmetry with the other closet in the room.}

{I like the little peg boards above.}

Closets as Reading Nooks/Daybeds:

{The horizontal stripes here look fabulous and I like that they used a twin bed that doubles as a reading nook and an extra bed for guests.  I don’t think our closet is big enough for that, but it’s perfect for this space.}

{Another closet turned reading nook that doubles as an extra bed.}

{Love this floor seating, simple book case and clip-on light.}

{This nook would have been my dream as a kid.  I love everything about it — the hanging bookshelf, the wall art and the little table with that sweet yellow lamp!}

What do you think?  Can I pull it off?

{Images via: 1. Rita Konig via New York Times Blog, 2. Country Living, 3. Thankfully Thrifty, 4. Decor Kel, 5. Design*Sponge, 6. Casa Sugar, 7. Making This Home, 8.  Flickr via Design*Sponge, 9. HGTV Blog, 10. Coastal Living via Room Remix, 11-12. Design Dazzle}

Design Crush: Skye Kirby

I fell in love with Skye Kirby’s design aesthetic while leafing through thie month’s issue of Traditional Home.  May we have a moment of silence for one of the most perfect rooms ever?

I wish that Traditional Home had the digital image of the sweeping view featured in the magazine.  I love the soothing colors, the symmetry, the layers, the casual yet refined vibe, her choice of artwork, the sisal rug and the floor cushions…I could go on and on.  This project was designed for the pool house for the 2009 Hampton Desigher Showhouse.  Skye (I feel like we should be on a first name basis!) envisioned this space as a summer studio for an artistic couple. 

So, I searched high and low for more rooms designed by my BFF Skye.  Here is what I found (I hope you are sitting down!):

Holy gorgeousness!  In addition to being a kick-butt designer, Skye is the vice president of stores and marketing for Lillian August.  I absolutely love her work and can’t wait to see more! 

I will leave you with one of Skye’s 10 “Must Have” design elements that I really identify (and struggle) with: “Over-accessorizing can take away from the calming nature of a room and become distracting.”  Loves!

{Image Credits: 1. Design My Way, 2. Can’t Find Source, 3. Elle Decor, 4. DecorPad, 5. Elle Decor, 6. Elle Decor, 7. Can’t Find Source, 8. Elle Decor, 9. Elle Decor}

Random Things I Am Liking Lately

It’s been a while since my last random likings post, so here’s what’s on my radar these days:

The Lily Mirror from  Ballard Designs would look great above a dresser in a girl’s room (or my room, whatever!):

I am looking for any excuse to purchase one of these amazing Bogart Flat Weave Wool Rugs from Garnet Hill.  Using one of these as a runner in a hallway would be perfect.

Currently coveting this amazing Scallop Trim Coat from Boden for the transition to Spring.

I am head-over-heels in love with these Nest and Egg Prints from Wisteria.  I could design an entire nursery around these babies. 

This clean-lined Apex Bookcase from West Elm would fit perfectly against a short wall that would otherwise be wasted space.

These quatrefoil design Firenze Embroidered Panels from Ballard Designs are gorgeous.

Imagine the vignettes you could create on mantels, consoles and bookshelves with these adorable Hear No, See No, Speak No Owls from At West End.

These fresh and feminine desk accessories from PB Teen would look fabulous in both my daughter’s play room and my home office!

Have a fabulous weekend, y’all!

 

Home Office “Make-under”

Thanks to the snowstorm, I finished my home office make-under.  Let me explain.  When we moved into our current house 3 1/2 years ago, my office was in a great room with lots of natural light.  The room is off our front hall and does not have a close-able door.  So, when baby spark! came along and we decided to have a part-time nanny, I moved my office upstairs in the corner of our large rectangular master bedroom.  Needless to say, I have a much smaller home office than I used to!

So, this “make-under” has been going on since November of 2007!  First, I bought a corner desk because my traditional desk looked very misplaced in the corner of the bedroom.  Then, I got stuck.  (This is why people hire decorators — to get you unstuck and push you along so that an easy project does not take 2 years!)  I also like referring to is as a make-under because I didn’t spend much to transform the space.

Here is the before:

And taaaaaaaaaaa-daaaaaaaaah, here is the after:

Here is the run-down:

The lamps are the same, and I purchased them from a Target in Bluffton, South Carolina years ago.

I replaced my cute repainted and recovered (but way uncomfortable ) wooden chair, with the comfy white leather office chair from Overstock.

I painted the two boring baskets on the desk and under the printer using white Rustoleum from Lowes.

I got the silver bordered white frames for $4 each from Target.  The new white pen holder is also from Target.

The shelves were quite a find — the West Elm in Richmond is closing (sniffle) and I stumbled upon an amazing sale.  The shelves were 50% off, and then I got an additional 15% off of the total (paid $25 for 2 shelves!).

My beloved doggie book ends are Jonathan Adler for Barnes & Noble.  The silver Jefferson cups were given in college and law school as honors and gifts (I think it is a Virginia thing?), and I use them to hold my paper clips, rubber bands and push pins.

I covered my reference books in brown paper bags!  Remember back in high school and middle school when you were required to cover your books?  I like the cleaner look, and it’s kind of mysterious, no?  🙂

And finally, I have always wanted my very own inspiration board.  My mom brought me this white bulletin board from her house and I found some fun colorful push pins at, where else?, Target!

I would love to replace my blotter and mousepad, so I will keep looking.  Also, I would love to have a white monitor, keyboard, and printer, but work sends them to me (fo’ free!), so I can’t really complain, right?

Here is another look:

(Quick) Buy This, Not That — Bookcases and Bookends

The quest goes on for items to complete my home office update.  Bookcases and bookends are done!  Check out these finds:

LOVE THIS?

[Bourdonnais Bookcase, Ballard Designs, $599]

BUY THIS!

 [Delano Bookcase, Target, $199.99]

LOVE THIS?

[Dog Bookends, Restoration Hardware, $69]

BUY THIS!

[Jonathan Adler Dachshund Bookends, Barnes & Noble, $39.95]

I hope to give you THE BIG REVEAL on my home office update soon, but I am still searching for the perfectly sized ledge shelf for above my desk.

Happy Bargain Hunting!

 

White Hot

In honor of Labor Day weekend, I will wear my summery white all weekend and then pack it away until Memorial Day 2010.  Bye bye Fergie wedges, see you in 8 months! 

In honor of this underrated hue, and one of my favorite colors to decorate with, enjoy these fabulous white rooms today.  As always, thanks for reading, and wishes for a very Happy Labor Day weekend!

[Images Courtesy of: 1. Here, 2. Here, 3. Delano Hotel, Miami, 4. Flickr, 5. Victoria Hagen kitchen via Flickr, 6. Right Bank]

Bullseye!

A recent trip to Target introduced me to all of the new Dwell Studio for Target items they are offering this season.  What gorgeous stuff at great prices!

I bought two of these Lattice Decorative Pillows ($24.99 each) for our family room.  The reverse side has a powder blue background with brown lattice and white stiching. 

I also bought two of these Blue Bird Decorative Pillows ($24.99) to complement the look.  They look great on our brown couches.  

If my Target had these mod brown pillows ($19.99) in stock, I probably would have thrown a couple in the cart too.

I also love this Peony Decorative Pillow ($24.99):

And I am digging this woodsy Foliage Pillow (great for fall!) ($19.99).

The Dwell kitchen sets are so lovely and affordable ($19.99).  They would make great hostess gifts.  The sets include two potholders and three tea towels, and come in black and rust.

Check out this gorgeous green Garden Pattern Rug ($139.99 for 5×8).  This would look fabulous in an entry hall.

In a similar vein, this Foliage Comforter Set is fun – it reminds me of Marimekko, but only $89.99 for shams and a queen sized comforter! 

I love this unique black bedskirt with the grosgrain ribbon detailing ($38.48).  Instant modern drama to any room!

Drooling over this adorable Bird in a Tree Duvet Set ($49.99 for twin with a sham, $59.99 for F/Q with two shams) for little girls.

This Upholstered Storage Bench ($199.99) would look great with a tray on top as an impromptu end table, at the foot of a bed or in a play room. 

And this Bath Rug ($24.99) is fab too.

Check out this great Silver Lake Desk – perfect for small spaces – like tucked away in a hallway or a nook in the kitchen ($129.99).

I hope you are grabbing your car keys and on the way out the door to Target!  Oh, and while you are there, pick up a pair (or two) of the most adorable and comfy PJ pants you can find ($16.99 by Nick & Nora).  I promise you won’t regret it! 

Merry-Go-Books

I L-O-V-E this space-saving and good-looking Revolving Boocase from PB Teen.  Although marketed to “tweens,” this would look great just about anywhere — bedroom, study, home office, family room, play room,  hallway…. 

And, more than books, it’s an organized and attractive way to display those beloved tschotkes that clutter up tabletops, counters, nightstands and window sills, and distract the eye from your amazingly designed space.

Wouldn’t it be fun to play “spin the bookcase” to choose your next book (a la the “spin the globe” game to choose your next travel destination)?!

Vertical Volumes

I have seen these terrific stacked bookcases popping up everywhere lately.  They are terrific for small, vertical spaces – like the usually wasted space between two closely spaced windows or doors or the corner of a cramped home office.  And with all of my backed up summer reading, I could certainly use some more storage!

Based on my new crush, you know I love this steel, orange powdercoated Array bookcase from CB2.  These mod shelves are all removable and the base only takes up a 14 inch square of floor space.

Design Within Reach carries their Sapien Bookcase in two sizes, both on sale right now, shown below is the taller size, which can hold more than 70 books!

West Elm also carries a rich, wood version in green, white and dark brown – the Spine Bookcase:

I also like West Elm‘s Spine Wall Shelf, which takes up NO floor space:

Target carries a bargain version of the stacked bookshelves made of wood composite – the Talma Vertical Bookcase ($119):

The vertical bookcase stores and displays books (and any other prized possession worthy of display) in a modern and an unexpected way, all while solving the ever-present small-space dilemmas.  When the bookshelves are full, the contents look like they are floating in mid-air.  Love it!

Now to tackle my summer reading – any good recommendations to help me fill my new bookshelf?

[First image from WebUrbanist]