Baby Boy Nursery Sneak Peek

We announced in January that we're expecting a new addition to our family! I hinted at the fact that we wanted to keep the décor in the nursery very gender neutral with gray, khaki, black, white and wood.

Since then we've found out that we're having a little boy! Be still my heart. I just can't wait to hold that little man in my arms!

We got the nursery painted and decided that the lovely vintage dresser I had thrifted for our space at Unlisted would instead become the baby's dresser and changing table. My mom graciously took it home and painted it white and the handles black.

During a fun day trip up to the Vintage Whites Market in Loveland this winter, I found the most adorable old alphabet print. We got that framed and hung right away. It set the tone for the whole room!

This is just one shot of how everything is coming together!

We've got the gorgeous crib put together and other parts of the rooms are starting to take shape as well.

I'm doing everything I can not to run out and buy the crib mattress, but my grandma has already informed me that I am to wait until my shower to buy anything more! I listen when my grandma tells me these things! :)

Happy March to all of you!
Karli

Sources:
Wall paint: Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray
Baseboards: Home Depot
Baseboard Paint: Sherwin Williams Extra White
Dresser: Thrifted
Dresser Paint: Rustoleum Heirloom White Spray Paint
Pouf: West Elm
Alphabet Print: Found at the French Corner booth
Frame: Hobby Lobby
Chair: Thrifted
Teddy: My own childhood teddy bear
Drapes: IKEA Ritva (hemmed by mom)
Drapery Rods: Bed, Bath and Beyond

Kandy's Master Bedroom Finally Complete

It has been a long time coming......the final touches to our Master Bedroom. But viola... that last item has been "created," not found. My hang-up has been trying to find the perfect throw for the end of the bed. I wanted it to tie in with the wall paint color, the fabric bedskirt I had made, and the new carpet. 

I gave up on finding one to buy. I ended up purchasing a twin size sheet set at WalMart.  From the flat sheet I created a duvet cover by sewing the edges together lengthwise. One pillowcase came in the set, so I simply sewed up a matching one from the fitted sheet.  I have enough leftover sheet to create something else later. 

Here is a look at what it all looks like now:

The fabric was just perfect, a high-count sateen sheet set that is washable. I love this print:

The pillowcases go well with the lumbar pillow that Karli had given me:

I am quite happy with how it all turned out. You can view this long, drawn-out process by checking back on these posts.....

Sleeping well now,
Kandy

The McOlson House: Design Boards

Yesterday was a fun day! Karli delivered Marie and Travis the design boards we put together for their main living areas. This included the front room/dining room, the kitchen space and the family room. Below you can see each room's design board with notes for the two fo them as they start to execute the plan.

While Karli was there, the placement of the furniture in the front room was adjusted and Marie sent me a message today saying that she's going to buy the paint right now.

Here's the front room design. The walls will be SW Accessible Beige and the ceilings will be white.

Marie's front room by mrsmillspaugh featuring a sand table

A view of the room

 

The front room and dining room are open to one another, so they all need to be the same paint color. We also wanted to repeat the mustard/yellow accent by painting their side board and then hang that "inspiration piece" above. You will see that piece right as you walk in the house, so all the accent colors have been chosen to play off that.

The dining room view

 

 

Marie's Dining Room by mrsmillspaugh featuring black mirrors

Next up is the kitchen. They shared the floors they've chosen for the entry, kitchen and family room and we must have guessed correctly, because something very similar is represented below. We talked about painting their island SW Tricorn Black as shown below. Then potentially dropping three pendants. The eat-in kitchen will get a new light too. This whole space and the adjacent family room will be SW Functional Gray.

Kitchen view

Marie's kitchen by mrsmillspaugh featuring green salad plates

And finally, the room that presented the more challenging aspects of the entire project. The room is large and expansive. It also has a large wall that is calling for some art. The location of the TV required some creative thinking.

Family room view

So we've proposed two large square canvases hung vertically above the black console to draw the eye up. We also suggested adding a small bookcase under the TV, near to the stair railing to "ground" the TV. It should be painted the same color as the walls for balance.

We left lots of options for patterened curtains and rugs. We wanted them to be able to choose their favorite within their budget and timeframe. Their existing furniture will work in the room (rearraged ever so slightly) with potential additions of a chair (in an accent color like teal) and some transitional seating like poufs or cubes.

We also suggested that they paint the inset where the clock hangs over the fireplace a green. It will balance the two green canvases hung on the adjacent wall.  

Marie's family room by mrsmillspaugh featuring modern patio furniture
 

We really enjoyed putting these boards together and can't wait to see how it all comes together.

Kandy and Karli

DIY Canvas Art Project Using a Stencil

I decided to try a little DIY art project for my Master Bedroom Makeover.  Karli and I have worked on projects like this before (one of the most popular posts on our blog!) so I decided to tackle one by myself, with the help of a stencil. I had purchased a package of two art canvas at WalMart.

 A package of two.

I used a base coat of flat white ceiling paint.

I had purchased this stencil at Hobby Lobby.

  

I rolled the design on with the same gray paint I had used for the walls.

Quick and easy art project.

    

This is a classic design, yet modern.

This was a fun project for the bedroom, inexpensive and quick. Probably not what my artist friend would have created, but it works for me!

Kandy                                  

Master Bedroom Progress (Part 3)

Since my Master Bedroom Makeover is taking so long, I decided to keep you abreast of my progress.  I posted about loving the paint color, see here.  Well the paint is all complete now and I still love it.  I used Valspar in a Flat Finish.  The color is Skyscraper Taupe. 

I'm showing you this glimpse of the bed area.                                     



The mirror over the bed is antique and had belonged to my parents.

I realize some decorators would nix putting a mirror over the bed area but rules are made to be broken!  I am really liking the white bedding, white lampshades, and the touches of brass with the gray paint.  Even the gold pillows give a great contrast.  I think some people think you should use nickel or chrome with gray, but I beg to differ.
Karli has found me what she described as the perfect pillow to put in front of the gold ones.  I haven't gotten it yet but can hardly wait to see what she bought me.  I'm waiting to see it before picking out fabric to make a bedskirt and recover the chair seat.  I also want to purchase new white drapes, but I hate ordering online.  I want panels just like Karli found at Ikea, so I'll wait till we take a trip to Denver.

Maybe all of the above reasons tell why my Makeover is not finished yet.  But, I'm taking my time and enjoying every minute of it.

Still decorating,
Kandy

Master Bedroom Paint (Part 2)

Well, it seems to be taking forever. In fact some of you may think I was only kidding when I said I was going to makeover my master bedroom, in the earlier post. I did finally make my color selection and I am proud to say I am started. I'm sharing my progress so you can see for yourself.

I always start with the ceiling. My logic is to work my way down. As in all the upstairs bedrooms, I'm using my go-to paint on the ceiling, Sherwin Williams, Extra White, in the flat finish.


Ceiling and trim gets a coat of new white.


Then I'm also painting the window trim and doors. They were that 1980's stained oak. This is another reason this project is taking so long. For this I had to lightly sand all the wood, wash, give one coat of primer, then two coats of Sherwin Williams, Extra White, in satin finish. The doors are actually taking three coats.


The stain goes away and on goes the white.


As for the main wall color I have certainly given this a lot of thought. When you love doing room makeovers as much as I do, you need to spread the deliberations out as much as possible! I really do love the planning stages.

My paint selection is Valspar Skyscraper Taupe. I made this choice for several reasons: 

1. I really like the color, a taupey gray, a tinge of green, no blue.
2. The price (very reasonable, $25 gallon)
3. It has built-in primer...(good and bad) tell you about that later!



Going gray

 

Loving this color!

I did like this paint. The coverage was great in just one coat. The only problem I had was painting near the ceiling trim. I really hate to tape off. I just use an angle brush to paint that area. However, this paint was really thick (built-in primer) so it didn't really glide along for a crisp line. I ended up having to thin a little with water in a small cup. Then I could paint next to the trim. (Remember, if you do this, your paint brush may drip and it will require extra coats.)

I'm still working on this project. I've had several other things going on this summer so the bedroom has taken a back seat. My husband says he doesn't really mind having our bed in the middle of the floor, no drapes, no doorknobs, and a general mess in our bedroom. He's such a good guy and a good sport. I should know because we are about to celebrate our 41st year of wedded bliss this weekend.

I'll keep you posted on master bedroom progress. Hopefully it will be completed before we celebrate our 42nd!

Kandy