BLACK IS BACK

Remember my post about Lonny mag and the awesome black bathroom? Well, the other day Design Sponge featured Lauren Bradshaw's house and she had a black nursery. It is fantastic and so inspiring! Black can really be used as a neutral - like cream or white - because so many colors can be used as accents. Check out these amazing images:

Love the clean lines of the subway tile and the contrasting white - that touch of mustard yellow is a nice addition! [Design Sponge]

I am probably not bold enough to do black for a bedroom, but I would love it in a smaller space like a bathroom. Maybe oneday?

STAMPS ARE IN!

I know this is very minute, but it is exciting for me so I wanted to share. "the good stuff" stamps came in today and they are super cute. I can't wait to stamp some invitations! I ordered them from rubberstamps.net and they did such a good job - this is the second time I have used them and I would definitely recommend them. 

I ordered 3 different sizes and tested them out with a gray ink pad. I think for a more translucent look I will use a metallic silver pad on invitations. I don't want to over power the information!

P.S. check out my new "the good stuff" button on the tool bar - feel free to contact me for custom design work!

B&A, 1/2 WAY: KB's guest room

I finally have my desk area setup in one of the guest bedrooms and I wanted to share the progress. Remember my desk inspiration post? Well, it finally all came together and "the good stuff" is up and going! In the future, this room will house my grandmother's beautiful bedroom suit (that I currently use and have since college) and I will update you on those additions. But until then, this is the guest bedroom before:

As you can probably guess, this room previously belonged to a little girl - check out the hot pink fan too! And, if I am not mistaken this is just about the same exact color my room was when I was little - pepto bismol pink! Yikes! That color was quickly gone and replaced with Benjamin Moore's portland gray. It is a soft mauve with just enough gray for it not to look purple. I love it! I have to admit, after the first coat of tinted primer I was a little nervous, but I am completely happy now!

I wanted to choose a color from this landscape painting that I did that was not too powerful or strong. It will hang above the bed so I think the subtle mauve will accent it nicely. I hope to also bring in lots of white and golden yellows. 

And here is the room after:

A simple white fan can do a ton to a room! Now, here is where all "the good stuff" takes place:

[click on all images to enlarge]

I waited to share the final setup because it took me forever to find a simple white upholstered chair! I finally found one at Pier 1 and it is their Parson's slipcover chair bare. Such a good price too! A sweet friend, Sarah Robins, picked up the Ikea filing cabinet for me - gotta stay organized - and I purchased other desk accessories at Wal-Mart and Anthropologie. 

I am still deciding if I should do a shelf of framed pictures and prints like in my inspiration post. I believe I would shorten my inspiration board and mount the shelf about the height of the boards now. What do you think? I will probably do a mock up first and share for you to examine...

QUARTER OF A CENTURY

My 25th birthday is coming up in 2 wks, July 2nd, and I know most of you are wondering, "what can I get Katie Beth for her birthday?" ;)

Just for fun, I have put together a wish list with some of my favorite current items in the retail world. Feel free to purchase any (or all) and ship to Melrose....or just lust after with me...

[click on image to enlarge]

1. Anthropologie (&) 2. Ballard Designs 3. Daytrip Society 4. Anthropologie 5. Amazon 6. J Crew 7. Gap 8. West Elm 9. Rubie Green

Some of these items are not available online, but I saw them here in Birmingham. Maybe once you see them they will make it to your wish list as well!

HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR BED?

Lately I have been noticing all the different "bed making" styles. I have been trying to decide on the perfect "make" for the master in Melrose. One of the first things I bought for Melrose was this lovely quilt + shams from Serena and Lily - I actually ordered it way on sale through One Kings Lane:

[the gold quilt only]

And I also purchased 2 of these small, cream pillows from Urban Outfitters - 1 side is velvet and the other is linen. The room has creamy-beige velvet curtains that puddle on the floor so the accent pillows help tie them them in to the room.

I also just ordered these gray stripe sheets and pillowcases from West Elm (I have been eyeing them for awhile and finally bit the bullet):

I am looking around for a natural linen bedskirt to go along with the accent pillows. The one I have found may or may not be on my bday wish list inspiration board on Monday. ;) Now, I am debating on what else the bed needs - euro shams, a throw, a fluffy duvet - so many options!

Here are some images of my favorite, delicious beds:

All tucked in? Love the simplicity in this room - I like the flat blanket folded under the mattress and light throw...so streamlined. [the city stage]

Pretty and neat? I like the euro shams against the wall as a makeshift headboard and the duvet folded at the foot. Laying the other pillows in front is an idea. [unknown]

Messy and comfy? [nest egg]

Adding a pop of color? Neutral color palette with the euro shams making a statement. [style at home magazine via made by girl]

Matchy matchy? LOVE this color scheme, by the way. [dwell]

Lots of pillows? [pink wallpaper]

Right now, I fold the sheet back and tuck all excess under the mattress, then I fold back the gold quilt mid way to expose the sheets but I leave it hanging over the mattress - can't wait to have the striped sheets for this reason! I stack all my pillows - smallest to tallest...so, I guess I am in between all tucked in and comfy???