UPDATE: guest bedroom to NURSERY

Hello all! It seems wild that I just did an update post on Melrose's guest bedroom, and I all ready have another update to the room to share with you guys!  I knew all along that this room would eventually be a nursery so it shouldn't be that crazy to me.

I knew I would keep the same color palette of olive green, black & white, cream, white, and gold accents regardless of the sex, and then just add in touches of pink or orange if it was a girl or boy. As you all know, we are having a precious baby boy, so orange is the winner! Don't mind my crazy photoshop skills, but here is what I have mocked up so far for the nursery ...

We will leave one of the twin beds in the room and replace the other with a sitting nook and crib ...

I want to keep this side of the room simple and fuss free with all the focus on the crib and the hand knitted mobile. I know I am branching out and doing a pretty, accent chair rather than a rocker or glider, but this corner doesn't have much room and about 20 feet away in the den is a comfy recliner that rocks ... so I'm going for style points in the nursery!

This wall is opposite from the window and is sandwiched between two doors - a closest and entry. I want to hang a few of these acrylic book shelves on the back of each door since I don't have room for a bookshelf. We will use this dresser as a changing table and storage for all the baby goodies.

Here is an overall style board for the nursery. I want to hang this series of black of white vintage horse prints above the twin bed (opposite wall of the crib) and I'm still looking for a light cow hide rug to use. I'm really loving the direction of the room and I can't wait to see it all come together. 

check out all the sources on my nursery board

So, what do you think? I know it doesn't seem too "baby" but that also isn't my style. I want the room to be functional before and after the baby and not limited strictly to a nursery. I have updated the room a tad since the last pictures I posted -- I added the night stand and have made an attempt at bedside lighting ... but I'm not 100% sold on the lamps. I need your opinion! Here is a quick phone iphoto to give you an idea -

 [ignore the knick knacks on the table] 

I like how they are directional and don't occupy too much space on the table, but I can't decide on the darker brass finish or if they are too tall and slender. They are much daintier than I imagined which is good, but now I can't tell if the center post looks awkward next to the bed frames!? What's your opinion? I don't really have another idea except for maybe these gold task lamps, but I think they will definitely be shorter and chunkier. I'm leaving them for now and they are starting to grow on me.

That's what I have so far for Baby Owens' nursery! For so long I've had so many ideas running through my head, so now I'm super excited to have settled on a direction that I love. And now is the fun part, seeing it all come together! I'll be sure and keep ya'll posted ... 

UPDATE: melrose guest bedroom2

I took some quick pictures to update you on the status of Melrose's second guest bedroom. It is no where near done, but I thought it would be fun to share the progress. If you remember, I posted some inspiration images revolving around twin beds and these mock ups here -

Since then, I have purchased the bedding and bed frames, installed the gold curtain rod, hung the olive curtains, purchased the jute rug, and found a few other odds and ends.  I've been heavily debating on what type of dresser to get to fit between the beds (this one picture is no longer offered) - full of drawers, an open shelf, black, wood stain, cream or white?!?! So many choices! I think I have finally settled on a black stained piece with two small drawers on top and an open shelf for easy storage (baskets would be perfect) below. The wide dresser on the opposite wall (the awkward blank space is the above layout) is still up for discussion and seems like the never ending search. Here is an updated front layout -

Don't you love the clouds in the windows!?

I have also decided to go a different direction on the lamps. The original cream ceramic ones just seemed too big for the room, so I found these gold adjustable desk lamps that are much more size appropriate. Here is a sneak peek at the guest bedroom is real life so far ... 

So obviously the tan wicker tall dresser will be removed and I'm still waiting to purchase a natural cow hide rug to layer on top of this chevron jute rug. The only section not featured in these photos is the opposing wall that will have a wide dresser with a mirror above. So, what do you think so far!? 

It sorta reminds me of this boys' room I spotted on pinterest recently - 

I love the antlers and natural elements used in this room. And those are definitely RH iron beds I spot too! 

If you caught my instagram news from over the weekend then eventually the room is going to look something like this with the addition of a you know what! Stay tuned ;)

If you want to see all my options for the guest bedroom, check out my pinterest board! Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and weekend!

GINGHAM LOVE

One trend I know you all have been seeing a lot of lately is the classic pattern of gingham. I think it is a fresh new take on the oh-so-loved striped walls. Whether it is a fabric, wallpaper, or paint - I think it is a great way to spice up a room. In this neutral combination below, Southern Living did a DIY tutorial on how to achieve this look. What do you think?

Poppytalk via House and Home

Gingham doesn't always have to convey "old", "southern", or "preppy" - I think it can be easily used balance contemporary decor and furniture. I love the above example of a bright, modern color paired with the sleek table and antique chairs. Can't hate the oversized gold pendant lighting either!

 via

I love this bedding by Restoration Hardware. I actually convinced my Mom to use the orchid color for updating her guest bedroom (formerly my childhood bedroom). And it's on major sale! Here is the inspiration board I designed for the room using this bedding. I think it his a classic, traditional design with hints of modern. We are doing a little at a time so I'll try to share the end result!

please forgive my "blocky" fireplace mock up

INSPIRATION BOARDS of inspiration

I'm putting together a post of before and after pictures of Melrose's guest bedroom, I posted a sneak peek here at the end of my master bedroom reveal, and in the meantime I wanted to share some inspirational pictures of amazing inspiration boards. If you remember -- long, long ago I posted about the office space I created in this guest bedroom. It has come quite far since that post and I think you will be pleasantly surprised! Until the full reveal, here are some pretty inspirational office images.

 lilly pulitzer inspiration board via lonny mag

 via decor8

super cute office of bash, please

 via

 amber interiors' office

Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr's offices of who what wear

all other sources via my pinterest board

INSPIRATION BOARD: melrose's guest bedroom

I know, I know ... you are thinking "Wow, KB just finished her master bedroom and she is all ready moving onto the guest bedroom!?" Well, I am. But I have been thinking about these rooms simultaneously and they are such a process to "complete" that it is fun to bounce back and forth between rooms. So, I have been gathering inspiration and items since I started the master and I am ready to move forward. 


For this guest bedroom, I wanted to do something different since the other guest bedroom is your typical set up with my great grandmother's bedroom suit (pictures to come!). Of course I resorted to pinterest to get my creative juices following and eventually found myself gravitating towards twin beds. This guest room is the smaller of the two so I thought twin beds would be nice for guests, we'd have the option to use one in a nursery, and for kids as they get older. Are you a fan of twin beds? Here are my favorite inspiration images of twin beds.

all image sources via my pinterest board

Way back when, these two pictures below were my inspiration for this room. I love the cream walls and the black iron bed in the first photo - this room influenced me to paint the walls elephant tusk by Benjamin Moore. And I really love the plaid and natural color tones in the second photo (a classic favorite by many I do believe). My final concept has not shifted too far from the photos, except for adding in the twin beds.

 via urban grace

via elle decor

This following photo is what really sold me on my color palette. I love the boldness of the black and white stripes against the natural mossy green and rustic brown tones. I think of it as a mix between the two original inspiration photos. So, my color palette is black, white, cream, olive green, caramel, and gold. I love using whites and creams in a room because of the contrast and variety they add.

Here is my "mock up" of the guest bedroom - top view and front view. Do you like my fake windows!? Ha. Unfortunately, that Wisteria dresser is no longer available so I am on the search for something similar and affordable! Any ideas?

I want to layer the cow hide on top of the jute rug for texture and the metallic gold speckles help add a little "glam" to the room! On the wall directly across from the small dresser with the two lamps will be a long dresser, but that is to be determined at the moment.

 Here are the items I hope to include in the room ... but I still need some accent pieces to decorate! Any suggestions!? 

ONE: twin quatrefoil iron beds

TWO: black and white striped duvet and pillow cases

THREE: plaid accent pillows

FOUR: ivory matelasse coverlet & sham

FIVE: gold curtain rod and rings

SIX: green velvet curtains

SEVEN: herringbone jute rug

EIGHT: beige and gold cow hide rug

NINE: cream ceramic lamp with black drum shade

So, that is my goal. What do you think? I do owe ya'll pictures of the other guest bedroom since I revealed that sneak ... so be on the lookout! 

INSPIRATION BOARD: melrose's master bedroom

I just posted my inspiration photos and now I wanted to share my official design. So far we have successfully updated the paint color (wall and ceiling), hung curtains and rods, purchased a dresser for myself, replaced the fan, and arranged few knick knacks, but the main issue is the furniture. It is in desperate need of a new home (yard sale!). It was Brandon's furniture as a child and has made it's way to Auburn, to his frat house, to Montgomery, and now to Homewood so you can imagine the war wounds it has incurred since then! 


I am not a huge fan of matchy-matchy furniture sets - nothing against them, just not my style. I like to find separate pieces that work well together so you have variety in the room. And this way you can add pieces that contrast one another so it doesn't end up seeming "too dark" or "too masculine/feminine".


Brandon got it stuck in his head that we needed all wood furniture for some reason so that is where the search began. I love the upholstered, tufted headboards that are so trendy right now, but apparently that would not cut it with B. After much research and deliberation, I settled on this beautiful, modern sleigh bed with carved rosettes. Our bedroom is not very deep, so I am still anxious to see how the exaggerated sleigh headboard fits in the room. We had to order the one without the footboard to leave walking room for the dresser. 


Here is a simple layout of one side of the room to illustrate the new bed and decor. Due to my industrial design background, I have to make sure everything fits and coordinates perfectly so this is to scale!

sorry for the image of the quilt, Serena & Lily no longer makes that so I had to use the only miniscule pic I could find

Yes, that is Brandon's skull mount above the bed. I thought the space looked too symmetrical and since the headboard is straight across, I thought it needed something above it to balance it. The large white frames above each nightstand will be 30" square and display a wedding picture in each. They will be similar to the ones I made for above my bar except with a large matt and small picture. And above each frame is a small, gold gilded convex mirror. 


For the rest of the room, I created an inspiration board with the other items I have in mind for the room. I can't wait for it all to come in so I can begin arranging it all!

ONE: restoration hardware empire rosette sleigh bed
TWO: trio of antlers
THREE: brass lion door knocker
FOUR: west elm striped sheets
FIVE: coral ikat fabric for euro shams
SIX: round wooden mirror
SEVEN: serena & lily gold quilt
EIGHT: haven's harbor nightstand
NINE: cape comber bachelor's chest
TEN: restoration hardware empire rosette dresser 


Don't worry, this isn't all ... I am leaving some stuff to the imagination! I will be sure to post B&A pictures once I have it all in place. Also making it's way into the bedroom and on my nightstand are a few of these gorgeous books I posted about earlier. 

follow my pinterest board for quick updates too!

FALL FAVORITES

Now that it is finally cooler around Birmingham, I wanted to share some of my new favorite fall items that get me in the festive mood. Let me say, I do like cool, fall breeze weather - not freezing, takes you 15 minutes to get bundled up for outside weather! But, I am excited about sitting around a fire at Melrose! [as soon as we get a chimney sweeper over there!]

sources also available through my pinterest

ONE : chunky cowl scarf
TWO : great lakes trapper hat - I think I need this for our Christmas trip to DC!
THREE : jcrew quilted vest (but in navy blue)
FOUR : report 'belzer' boot - I am currently sporting these and I love them, the height is fantastic!
FIVE : steven 'pembrook' bootie - doesn't everyone need one tall boot and one short???
SIX: nestle sugar cookie creamer - loving this in my morning cup of joe right now!
SEVEN : madewell silk blouse
EIGHT : h&m fur vest


Do you have any new fall favorites? Please share!

Pinterest

I was quite confused on what the whole Pinterest trend was, but I did some exploring yesterday and now I have jumped on the band wagon. I am still unsure on how to pronounce it (for awhile I said pin-interest, which is obviously wrong, and then I said pin-terest, and I have tried p-interest, what do you think?) but I love it all the same. 


I have read all the interest about Pinterest ;), but I never found a clear explanation so I am saving you the trouble by explaining it! Once you get going I am sure you will love it too. 


Overall, Pinterest is a way to catalog all your favorite things on one site. You create as many "boards" you would like, titled by your choice, and then you starting pinning your favorites! You simply download the icon onto your toolbar and anytime you want to save an image or site, you click the icon and it walks you though the steps. After you "pin it", it is saved to your board! Wa-lah! Genuis! So now, all those random pictures and websites you have saved on your desktop ... you can organize on this site. It is great for remembering where items came from. 


What do you think? Are you going to try it out? Do! They trick you by putting you on a wait list, but that only lasts a day. Or, if you want a personal invite, just let me know and I will send one your way!

BAR ART

After my post yesterday, I got design happy and could not stop thinking about the art and sconces that I want to mount above the bar. I finally settled on this arrangement and I can't wait to get going on collecting the pieces ...

It is a collection of framed photographs, plates, and candle scones. I will share all the sources once I post actual photos (just in case anything changes in the meantime). What do you think?