Monthly Archives July 2008

Contemporary Nursery Changing Tables – The Nursery Issue 2008

Changing diapers will be a (big) part of your daily life as a new parent, so why not make change look really good? We found these gorgeous, functional hip and modern design style baby changing tables that will make baby’s next diaper change a more pleasant task.

1. LOFT Nursery Changing Table  – OneStopModern.com
2. Casa Kids OLA convertible baby changing table – designpublic.com.
3. Solare Changing Dresser  by Q Collection – Convertible from baby to teenager furniture.
4. DwellStudio™ for Target® Soho Combo Nursery Changing Table- target.com.

8 Tips for Decorating The Nursery for New Parents – The Nursery Issue 2008

ASK THE DECORATING DIVA

Q.

We are expecting our first baby, and I’ve already started dreaming about creating the perfect nursery but I’m stuck – I don’t know where or how to start. We can’t afford to hire a nursery designer so we will be doing all the work ourselves. Thanks, Alexis.

A. Alexis, Congratulations on the new addition to your family.

Your new baby’s room should be a warm, inviting and above all a safe and healthy haven.

I recommend that you consider the following :

1. Design with Safety In Mind At All Times: Insure that there will be no choking, strangling, electrocution or other hazards near baby at any time.
2. Consider Your Budget : The budget will drive all your purchasing decisions and the ultimate design of the nursery. If you can only afford to buy one new piece of furniture, let it be the crib and mattress.
3. Space Planning: Floor planning tools such as Google’s Sketch-Up (free), BHG.com’s Room Arranger (free) and Better Homes and Garden Home and Garden Designer software ($80) will help you plan baby’s room effortlessly.
4. Walls : Nursery murals are quite popular but can be very expensive, noting that budget is a concern for you, I’d recommend using a neutral wall paint and purchasing wall art like decals, lettering , pictures or ready made “murals” to help get the look of a lovely wall without the associated high price tag.
5. Flooring : Opt for wood floors, bamboo or cork floors with natural fiber area rugs. Avoid carpet which can off-gas, serve as a dust trap and can affect baby’s sensitive respiratory system. I discourage the use of hard flooring like tile.
6. Furniture: Look for multi-purpose furniture as this will help you both space-wise and budget- wise. Many cribs now come outfitted with extra storage, and in some cases there are cribs that have detachable changing tables. In the Décor Spotlight section on July 31st, we highlight several baby changing tables that double as heavy duty storage. Also keep in mind that as baby grows you will need to buy additional furniture. Thinking for the long term you may want to consider convertible furniture that will grow with baby. It will most definitely be a short-term expenditure but it will become a long term savings as new furniture will not be needed for several years.
7. Accessories: Lighting , decorative pillows, bedding and linens , and other decorative accent pieces will help bring your baby’s nursery theme together. They are small details relative to the furniture, but no room is complete without them. A “neutral” white crib is transformed when dressed in cheerful, colorful and interestingly patterned bedding. The nursery will glow brilliantly with the light of pink crystal chandelier. Personality flows from a wall decorated with lovely art work or letters spelling baby’s name.
8. Functionality Before Aesthetics : Never more true than in a nursery. Buy baby furniture, crib bedding and décor that perform . Avoid the common error of buying something just because it’s beautiful with the thought that you will make it work. A gorgeous glider that isn’t ergonomically designed will become an ugly, pain in no-time.

Have a design or decorating question? Send it in to: qa@thedecoratingdiva.com.

10 Tips for Designing a Unique and Whimsical Nursery

Guest writer Sherri Blum, Certified Interior Designer, Children’s Artist and celebrity nursery designer, shares nursery decorating and design advice in her article “10 Tips for Designing a Unique and Whimsical Nursery” .

{Image: Nursery Design by Sherri Blum.}

Baby is on her way and everyone is preparing for her arrival. But none, of course, has as much preparation ahead as the expectant parents. Creating a warm, safe environment is one of the greatest joys and responsibilities of parents-to-be.

In the past, children’s rooms were often an afterthought. Whatever hand-me-downs were available sufficed. But trends have changed. Terms like Feng Shui are household words as we realize the effects that our surroundings have on our well-being. Now, more than ever, parents are creating exceptional nurseries. So enjoy the process of preparing this nursery for your baby. Everyone is expecting to see the typical pink or blue. Instead, follow a few simple suggestions to create a chic nursery that will break the mold and have others talking!

1. Decorate to please yourself. Baby has no opinion on the room’s design and won’t even begin to care about the theme until he is much older. By then, your little independent thinker will have his own ideas for his bedroom and will deserve to have the space reflect his personality and interests. I’m letting you “off the hook” from feeling committed to a traditional, babyish nursery.
2. Rather than a predictable character theme, design a nursery in styles you might have throughout the rest of your home. Create a French nursery with vivid colors, toile fabric and a Louis XVI chair instead of a traditional rocking chair. Try an old world Italian look with golden color-washed walls, a black iron crib, and terra cotta accents. An Asian-inspired room with silk fabrics in deep colors and sleek dark wood-toned furnishings would provide the bold contrast of colors that appeal to infants and parents alike. Add bamboo shades and a few well chosen accessories and you have a serene, very sophisticated room. Citrus colors are hot this year. Pair aqua with orange and add brown accents for a modern twist.
3. Have fun with furniture. Painted furniture is popular and available in a rainbow of unique color choices. An armoire is a dramatic, yet versatile option for a changing station. When no longer necessary, the changing pad can be removed and the armoire can hold a television, computer, or clothes. Consider built-in shelves and window seats for great storage as well as a custom look that will always serve you well.
4. Mix luxurious textures. A baby might not see colors well at first, but his sense of touch is up to adult levels from birth. Babies enjoy a variety of textures such as silk and chenille. Use these throughout the nursery for their tactile and visual appeal.
5. Give the ceiling some attention. A baby spends most of her time on her back looking at the ceiling. A decorative paint finish will last many years and will be interesting for a child. At the very least paint the ceiling something other than white.
6. Add a chandelier for ambiance. Lighting companies are catering to children’s design and are creating chandeliers with whimsical colors and characters to coordinate with bedding. When placed on a dimmer switch this fun light can be very useful for checking on a sleeping baby.
7. Use your closet in a unique way. Most of baby’s tiny clothes can be kept in a dresser. So consider removing closet doors and hanging fabric panels instead. Paint the interior of your closet in an accent color to make it stand out. Transform it to a reading nook or puppet theatre and later to a computer or homework station simply by altering the space within.
8. Window treatments should be functional and beautiful. Accomplish both by using a roman or balloon shade in a fabric that coordinates with your bedding. The shade blocks sunlight when extended, and is a decorative treatment when lifted. Or customize a crown shaped, painted wooden valance to top off a pair of luxurious curtain panels for an opulent look.
9. Accessories are the least expensive element and yet are necessary to complete the room! Choose artwork that touches you. It doesn’t need to be childish, just interesting and well placed. Consider a large wall hanging such as those in my own line, Sherri Blum Designs. Measuring 3’x2’, they make a great substitute for a mural, are large enough to make a grand statement, yet versatile in that they can be moved to another room or stored for future generations to enjoy. Monograms are hot. Paint one on the wall or headboard of a crib. And don’t forget an area rug. A well placed rug makes an inviting spot for story time or playtime and helps to bring some color to the otherwise plain floor space.
10. Most importantly, have fun. Think outside of the box. Parents spend nearly as much time in the nursery as their babies and therefore should be proud of this special place they’ve prepared for their little one.

About The Decorating Diva.com’s Guest Writer:
Sherri Blum, CID is the owner of Jack and Jill Interiors, a nursery design company that focuses on creating unique and functional children’s spaces. Her clients range from those looking to create a nice nursery on a strict budget, to celebrity clients who want something extravagant.
Decorating for children led Sherri to the creation of her own brand of children’s decor, Sherri Blum Designs which offers products such as wall art, rugs, bedding, clocks and more. These products can be found in specialty boutiques both in the US and abroad.

Color Trends: Calming, Ocean Blues – Navy Redefined

Soothing, clear, deep blues inspired by the oceans are being spotted everywhere from bedding to lighting to decorative accessories.

Pop-Infused Outdoor Dinnerware

Zak Designs’ Pazio dinnerware collection is a colorful burst of seventies inspired floral patterns. The dinnerware collection includes serving platters, dinner plates, bowls, and two size drinking glasses. Available at Target.com. Prices range from $33 to $47.

Organically Chic Interior Decor and Furniture

Palecek Open Cane Leather Club Chair ($2200) is a visually light chair with a subtle feminine feel. The Bungalow 5 mod design with leave cutouts buffet ($2100), is another visually light eco-friendly furniture that proves that eco-decor can be chic and stylish. A personal favorite, Tracy Glover Studio Globe Floor Lamp ($708), illustrates the beauty inherent in well-crafted artisan decor – which happens to be a growing trend in home decor. Artisan crafted objets d’art for the home is a growing interior style trend – and is expected to continue its explosive growth as more homeowners embrace organic, green design as well as inherently supporting local artists and craftsmen. The Palecek Circle Bead Pillow made of eco coco and Cowrie shells, and Abaca fibers ($150), and the Bamboo fabric custom drapery from Drape Style (Pricing by quote) are beautiful representations of the direction in which luxe eco-friendly fabrics are heading.

Eco-Decor Retail Store locator:
bungalow5.com | drapestyle.com |palecek.com|tracygloverstudio.com

High-end Outdoor Living Design Trend

The backyard is no longer just a place to grill some hamburgers and hotdogs on holidays and weekends. Now it’s all about living outdoors as you would indoors. With the introduction of high-end outdoor living furniture like all-weather beds, outdoor plasma flat screen televisions, luxury grilling kitchens and outdoor showers – the outdoors has become an extension of the home. Homeowners want to create a resort-like atmosphere outside their back door.

The “indoors has moved outdoors” design trend has created a big demand for outdoor living elements from all-weather sectionals to durable stylish outdoor rugs to fire-pits. Today’s style-savvy home-owner is passing by the $15 plastic furniture and cookie-cutter patio ensembles at their local home improvement store and finding their way to specialty patio and outdoor furniture stores, looking for furniture that is inspired by exotic locations and high-end hotels’ poolside seating, dining table, umbrellas and rugs.

• Gulf Stream outdoor sofa with ottoman by Century Leisure. This all-weather sofa can easily be mistaken for indoor furniture. The Gulf Stream outdoor living collection is a modular based system that makes it very easy for homeowners to mix and match and create an outdoor seating area that meets their needs and style.
• The elegant, contemporary inspired, beautiful GemStone fire pit is available in various colors, stone finishes (granite shown) and gas types. Available online at gracestonecollection.com and retails for $2,392.
• The Manta umbrella with razor-sharp edges and contemporary flare is inspired by the graceful ocean flight of the giant Manta Ray. Can be ordered in a number of colors and sizes. Retail locations available at tucci.com.
• Give your outdoor living area a fresh and light feeling with this classically designed Aqua Solid Hand Made Outdoor Rug in aqua blue, turquoise and oatmeal. Available at outdoorrugsonly.com, $100 to $399.
• Coast Arc Chaise with storage bin under seat from Henry Hall Designs – the ultimate in luxury all-weather furniture. Retail locations at henryhalldesigns.com, $3300.

Upscale Kitchen Trends

Two of everything is the emerging trend in upscale kitchens. Two dishwashers, two refrigerators, two stove / ranges and two sinks. Not to be outdone, specialty appliances like fully equipped espresso bars are all the rage for those with the space and funds to deck their personal kitchens out like a professional chef’s kitchen. According to online Kitchen and Bath Design ezine the experts are saying:

that having double ovens, two dishwashers and/or dish-drawers, multiple refrigerator/freezer drawers, and even a cook-top with a separate range is fairly commonplace in upscale kitchens. The number of multiples of appliances installed in an upscale kitchen is only limited by the size of the space, with every inch maximized for optimum function.

Specialty appliances are also in demand, noted the panelists, with built-in coffee makers, warming drawers, undercounter beverage centers and wine storage units leading the pack. (image courtesy: jennair.com)

Margarita Glasses for Outdoor Dining Parties

Williams-Sonoma helps you set your table for the perfect Summer outdoor entertaining event with this set of six pretty multi-colored monogrammed DuraClear® Margarita glasses.

Staycations (resorting at home) are replacing vacations this summer season due to the high price of gasoline – so if you have to stay-in you can do it in style , check out our Outdoor Living section for tips.