nursery inspirations for a third babe.

I have only four weeks until my due date...which is pretty crazy.  Even crazier is the fact, as of writing this, our nursery for Baby Three is no where near being done.   Eek!

Eventually it will get finished, I know.  Even if baby has to sleep in a pack-n-play for a few weeks (not ideal, but we would survive.)

Here is what I am dreaming of for this babe's nursery....

source : @paigejonesphoto (instagram) 

I love the white walls, and minimal decor in this inspiration pic.  Our nursery is tiny, so bright, white and simple is ideal!  Baby's new nursery is our former 'master bath' - so it is conveniently located next to our room for night feedings.  However, the furnishings will have to be different than our former two nurseries (see Cormac's in this post and Finola's in this one) due to the size.  Um, and my style!

My style has completely changed in the past six years!  What you'll see in this nursery is more of a minimalist,  boho-style, rather than traditional.   We are selling our white sleigh crib and instead using the very simple IKEA Sniglar crib (in the picture above) which we bought four years ago after second-guessing Cormac's big boy bed after Finola was born.  I am glad it will get some additional use!

I can no longer fit my HUGE IKEA white chair + ottoman in the baby space, so we will most likely be seeking other, smaller options for my nursing chair.

source : domino

Other items we already have for the room :  the existing changing table dresser (kinda huge, but with three spacious drawers will serve as basically ALL of baby's storage - as there is no closet in this room.)   Also, I have a piece of art that I for sure want to hang over the crib, as well as a new light fixture that I am in love with!

source: project nursery

Other desires...
+ Plants!  A fiddle leaf fig in a cute basket would be ideal.  And various hanging in front of the window in some white macrame hangers.

+ A bold rug!  The walls will be white, so I'd love some big personality on the floor.

source : project nursery

Here is what we started out with...

Baby's room six years ago...a little drab and dark!  Um, and a bathroom.

Since this pic all the bathroom fixtures are gone, and we have painted the walls bright white and installed new wide-plank flooring.  Still so much to do, but so exciting to start completely over, with a fresh space.

I'll be sure to post some before + afters when all is complete!

Happy Monday! 

renovation diary : master bath // before + after

Once there was a really, really dark bedroom.  

Dark walls, dark trim, and dark tile on the dark, empty fireplace.

  

Six years ago, when we purchased our 1859 Greek Revival fixer-upper, we saw this room attached to our bedroom as a temporary spot for our firstborn (then a one-year-old) while we renovated the rest of the house.

So it became Cormac's toddler room. All we did at the time was paint the walls a medium gray, then insert kid stuff.  Done.  I didn't hang anything on the walls or buy anything fancy.

Cormac's toddler room for several years.      

Finally, last October we decided we were ready to begin transforming this room into an en suite master bathroom with closet.  So Cormac, now a five year old, moved to his new "big kid room" and we started turning our master bath dreams into a reality.

I knew the kind of bathroom I wanted:  Victorian, yet updated.  Marble.  Black + white.  Simple, yet glam.  Vintage vibes.  (I posted our inspiration photos here.)

That was early November of 2016.
Fast forward (wait, maybe not fast) eight months.
Yes.  Eight whole months.

We are finally done!

At long last, here is the transformation.  We are pretty excited to have a shower, a real closet instead of just clothing racks in our bedroom, and even a separate toilet room.  Honestly, it is missing the necessary art + plants needed to make it truly feel like home to me...but you can sense the general vibe in the before + after photos below!

Kept the original tile, fireplace mantle and heart pine floors.  Painted all the trim and picture rails white.

Yeah, the steam shower is a bit over-the-top...but we love it!

We widened the doorway into our bedroom and added pocket doors.  The other door leads to toilet room.

light fixtures from overstock.com

Black vanity was a cheap antique find that I painted black.  Furry stool from Target!

All hardware in room is from Signature Hardware.  Countertop is quartz.  Giant gold mirror was a random vintage find I purchased three years ago -- one of my favorite parts of the bathroom!

terribly lit photo...but our closet is from EasyClosets.com - installed by Hubby!

View looking out from closet.  We kept the closet open on top to let in more natural light.

One more look back at how far we've come...

If it seems completely unrecognizable...well, good! :)

We still need : shutters, plants, art...but, as with all things in our home, it will happen in time.  I find my style evolves over time anyway, so it is best for us not to do everything all at once.

We are glad to be done with this really drawn-out project.

Happy to have cash-flowed the entire thing (our most expensive home reno project so far.) 

Now, onto turning our former bathroom into a cozy little nursery for the baby!

master bathroom inspirations.

I am beyond excited about our master bathroom renovation.  

While I cannot control when contractors show up or the amount of drywall and brick dust that will eventually cover my entire house, I can dream about the design and pore endlessly over the tile and fixtures.

I've had a Pinterest board dedicated to this project for several years.  Years, people.

Yes, we moved in our home in 2012, and the plan was always to turn the large bedroom adjacent (as in literally joined by a door) into our master bathroom.  The bathroom we have been using since moving in, right next to our bedroom, is an okay size but would be a struggle to do two sinks and we definitely would be would have to keep the shower/tub combo.  

Plus, we do not have ANY closet at all.  We have been simply using cheap freestanding clothing racks since moving in. I'm not a diva, and it has been certainly not that big of deal.

But...our dream for the "dream home" has been to have a "dream bath" and "dream closet" (or just a closet) someday. 

Friends - that day is finally upon us!

When looking through my Pinterest inspirations, I decided that these six images give the best insight into my design scheme.  I want mostly black and white, with some warm woods, and a mix of metallic finishes : oil-rubbed bronze and antique gold.   Subway tile, hex tiles, 

I want industrial, vintage, historic, simple, and fabulous.

Also...lots of plants.  But those will come later!

I am not 100% what the finished product will turn out like, as in some ways we are designing as we go, but I am hoping to somehow capture the vibe of these inspirations...

apartmenttherapy

What I love : mix of subway tile and penny floor tile, black and white, touch of brass (Hubby hates brass) and, of course, the plants bathed in natural light!

apartmenttherapy

What I love : that floor tile, the clawfoot, and I am strongly considering painting our trim a bold black!  What?!?!  Gotta get hubby on board...

dustjacketattic

What I love : the black and white of it all!  The plants, the window, and fabulous chandelier are also amazing.

house beautiful

What I love : the shower panes, the niches, the tile work, and the size of this gorgeous shower!

thedesignfiles

What I love : the ceiling medallion, the tub in front of Victorian fireplace, and that wide plank pine flooring looks exactly like what we have in there now.  I am hoping it is salvageable after this project!

So those are my favorites, but you can check out the rest of my board here - so much eye candy!

What would your dream bathroom look like?  

stitch fix : 'white dress' fix!

***Note: if you are inspired by this post to try this fun fashion styling service yourself, please use me as your referral by clicking HERE or any of the included links.  If you do so, I will receive a small commission to support future posts for sharing my honest, personal experience with Stitch Fix.  Thank you!!!!***

This month's Stitch Fix box had a specific request: an all-white dress for an upcoming "diner en blanc" event.  

I told my stylist Hillary that I would love a couple options to put up against the only white dress I already have (besides my wedding dress!) and I was not sure what to expect.  However, she sent me two surprising but cute frocks!  I also requested some denim gauchos, and some cute tops for summer.

So, without further ado, here are the five items I received in my Fix this month...

#1 Maegan Lasercut Knit Dress (London Times) 

This dress is totally not my typical style...but I kinda love it.  It is very girly and had a sort of retro, 1950's housewife vibe.  The laser cutout material and skirt design make it really unique and the fit is pretty flattering, despite not being what I would normally wear.  This, ladies, is why I love Stitch Fix -- it really can help you learn to branch out and figure out what works on your frame!  I am strongly considering keeping this dress...but still not sure,  I don't know what else I would wear it to.  (Update: ended up KEEPING!  Wore it to Diner En Blanc and had a fabulous time!) 

#2 Arley Dress (Skies are Blue)

White dress option number two was more of a simple sheath. When I unboxed my Fix I thought I would prefer this one.  But despite the fun print and cutout in the back, this shift style of dress is not quite as flattering on me.  Super comfortable, but a bit baggy and ill-fitting.  I doubt I would keep this, as I don't feel completely fabulous in it...which I think is a necessity for a special event.

#3 Carrie Released Hem Denim Gaucho (Mavi)

I really, really want to keep these gaucho jeans...but I'm not sure I can pull the trigger.  I like the raw hem, and the wash is great...but they really accentuate my hips!  They actually look better with a tank top that is more fitted, rather than this billowy blouse.  The wideness of the leg needs to be balanced by something a slimmer silhouette on top.  At least on me.  They are comfy and breezy in the summer, though, so I am highly considering keeping!  I not-so-secretly adore this trend.  I wore gauchos on my honeymoon nine years ago! So comfy.  (Update : ended up returning to hold out for something more flattering....)

#4 Diller Crochet Sleeve Knit Top (Market & Spruce)

I love, love, love this yellow top, though.  It is super soft, and the lace detail at the shoulders is delicate and feminine.   Plus,  I love this bright hue for summer!  I am definitely keeping it - tags already removed and I even wore it to book club this week.  I can see wearing this to a variety of different casual events, or dressing it up for church on Sunday.  Probably won't wear with the gauchos as I feel the look is a little too much.  Or maybe it is the floppy hat that is making me look like a fabulous gardener...which I don't mind, really.  :D

Gardener G - and sweet little C!

#5 Gena Cutout Detail Top (Skies are Blue)

This top was just okay for me.  It is the perfect color, as I love this jewel-toned turquoise, but it is really wrinkly and the front is a little too blah.  This one is a definite return.

So that is it for this Fix!  Besides the yellow tope, I have no idea what I'll end up keeping!

Want to try a new trend but don't know where to start?  Get overwhelmed in malls or big-box stores and end up buying items impulsively - or not buying anything out of frustration? Don't have time to hit up a bunch of boutiques looking for something unique?  Sign up to try Stitch Fix for a totally different experience and possibly an item or two that you LOVE.  Almost all my favorites in my little wardrobe come from Fixes.   

Click this image to get started on your own Fix!

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In other news...our backyard is coming together!  As you can see from these photos, we have a new fence, the gravel is on the ground almost ready for pavers to be laid, and the raised brick planters are all filled with dirt and some things have been planted.   So excited for all the progress!

Here you can see the reality of trying to do a Stitch Fix post during a chaotic backyard renovation with two kiddos that do not take any naps...

They are pretty darn sweet, though. 

renovation diary : the family room (b + a)

It has been nearly two years since I've shared progress on our family room.

This room started out as a kitchen to the back unit of the house (a two-unit rental when we bought it.) Back in 2014 (check out this post) we had completed the floors, installed French doors leading out to the backyard, and purchased our gray sectional.  Then it was pretty much radio silence.

We literally have not even used this room until a few months ago when we hosted Thanksgiving dinner and needed the space.  It's funny how entertaining lights a fire under your decorating rear end!  We finally moved our TV back there, as the antique built-in we purchased was stained, at long last, and ready to use.  Because it was Thanksgiving,  clearly there needed to be a room (or two!) to watch football.

So, with the TV moved, it was official.  Family room!

Since then we have lived in this room.  Movie nights, snuggle time,  play time, game time, and, of course, the kids LOVE the couch - wrestling, creating pillow forts and tunnels, having pillow fights...so all the throw pillows you see are totally necessary.  I no longer feel bad about money spent on fun toss pillows!  It's for the kids, babe!

The room hasn't really felt "decorated" (as in warm and personal) until recently, though.  We still need a coffee table (which Hubby is going to make), an updated light fixture,  and we are thinking of installing some wall sconces, since there isn't a lot of room for lamps due to the giant sectional.

But now that there are curtains (the key to a "finished" look!) I feel ready enough to declare progress!

'stamped dot' curtains from west elm

Here are some before and after shots, because it is always fun to see the 'then'...

...and the 'now' :

Then...

Now...

Then...

Now...

I still need to add a bit more decor to it, but I am okay doing this slowly, and having it look a little sparse.  I resolved recently to keep only things that 'spark joy' in our home, so I hesitate to just try to "fill space."

You should definitely hold out (or just move stuff around) until it feels like 'your personal style' -- thus evoking comfort and joy. 

St. Paul print found on Etsy (thank you, sweet in-laws!)

All the framed art/photos have been in other rooms in the house...except that one on the right, of course...lol. 

We found this cabinet at an antique mall to replace the old, icky one that was there before.  It looks like one we had in our first home...that I have missed ever since we lived there!

I have been adding plants to the house over time...and, of course, needed one in this room.

Plan is for Hubby to make a coffee table to replace that well-used black Lack IKEA side table. All in good time!

since I was in 'decorating mode' I placed my few 'design books' in the built-in - hoping for inspiration!

As you can see, keeping the couch 'in order' was a short and futile effort.  This room is made for forts and jumping!

view from the couch - the glass cabinet doors open up to reveal the tv.  the dark stain is nice, as it kinda makes the tv disappear in there if it is off.

I tried to find art around the house for the photo ledge (we used two from IKEA...ten bucks each!) that fit the "metropolitan vibe" I wanted.

I'm glad we went with these photo ledges from IKEA -- I can change up the art without putting additional holes in the wall.  Perfect for the non-committal decorator!

these were in the former guest room...so they've made a home here (for now.)

I didn't work too hard to make the couch look perfect...you can see the chaise is a favorite place to lay!

Hubby made these gas pipe curtain rods for me for Christmas...I loooooooove them!

I've wanted curtain rods like these for ages, and Hubby made it happen for $25 a piece (West Elm's price was at least three times that.) 

This room is now a room we love to be in together.

I like how much light comes in!

I love that we found a sectional to fit perfectly in the space.  There is enough space that we can all pile together and cuddle, and yet we can also have personal space if we want it.  We love moving the ottoman around to create an extra chaise lounge or "bed" depending on our needs!

I like that everything is simple, yet a bit playful.

The room has definitely come a long way in three years!

The kids, I'm sure, won't miss the construction zone you see below...

Our kids have literally grown from a toddler and newborn to two pre-schoolers during the renovation of this room!

So - family room complete!

On to the master bathroom!