Houndstooth

I love hounds tooth! I think it is so classic. It is my inspiration for my living room design. This pattern is a little too small for upholstery so I would use it for pillows and accents. When purchasing living room furniture I think the best solution is to save up money and buy something that will last a long time. Look for a sofa that has a classic style and purchase it in a neutral color. The next time you update your home all you need is a little paint, new pillows, a new space plan, and a few updated accessories. This can be done very inexpensively over and over again. Furniture can be reupholstered for the fraction of the cost of new and can make it look brand new.

Another suggestion I have for buying furniture is, NEVER buy the set! You will get a designer feel if you purchase pieces instead of the set. I promise if you do it right you will love it a lot more!
Here is my choice for a sofa and a couple of "accent" chairs. You can buy new chairs or you can purchase old ones at a thrift store that just need a little TLC. Putting a large print fabric on these inexpensive pieces and painting or re-staining the legs can make all the difference. You may not be able to find a chair that looks this modern, but there are some great pieces with classic lines. I saw one at DI the other day. I would upholster the chairs in this green fabric. The common creme color between the sofa, houndstooth and accent chair fabric tie it together.
Here a few more accents that I think would look great in this room. The lumbar pillow would have some color. I could only find a picture in white. I would choose a grey or a flax color. The Tile would surround the fireplace. I would love to have a formal living room. No TV, just a great place to talk! Yes, those are the temple doors.

The Little Boy Room

Unfortunately I have expensive taste in fabric. I need to find a great fabric store that is affordable yet doesn't sacrifice quality and style. Anyone know of a place? Anyway, this time my inspiration was this "Doggie Duds" fabric. I think it is so fun! It would make a great duvet cover with some buttons along the open edge. The fabric for the sheets is a polka dot that matches the "duds" of one doggie. I would make pillow case out of the dot, and the dog fabric would be the sham. The subtle stripe fabric would be drapery with an edging of the dot fabric. The flooring is hardwood, that is ALWAYS my choice when I design for myself. I think hardwood looks and functions the best. So I choose dark hardwood floors once again. I think this bed would be great for a little boy moving into a big boy bed. It is low to the ground and I love the clean lines. The dresser goes well with this bed and the nightstand is just fun. I would use the red one (below). Except for the nightstand the pieces are not too juvenile and he can grow up with this furniture. I think adding a cork board over the dresser to display artwork and class projects would personalize the room. A chair and some bookshelves would create a great reading area. I would leave the chair in the neutral color and add decorative pillows. I would paint the walls the light blue color, and the ceiling cream or a hint of blue in white paint. Fun accessories can really help pull a room together. Toy bins can be fun and decorative like the treasure chest. I found some adorable dog art online with the same color scheme. Enjoy!

If I had a girl...

I have always wanted to do a little girl's nursery. I am constantly thinking of design ideas. So I got to thinking, why not blog about it? I have decided to post pictures of what I love and hope you can envision it like I can until I get Photoshop and learn how to work it. Anyway, this room is one I would do if I had a little girl. Simple, clean damask bedding to start. For the fitted sheet I would choose a pinstriped pattern in a purple just like this or a green that matches the cabinet or even a cream pinstripe . I think starting with a piece you really love helps you pull the room together. Find something you love and build on it! For this room my inspiration is the bedding....and the cabinet.
I would then pick the paint colors next. Cream on the ceiling and a hint of purple in the white paint on the walls. Keeping the crown moulding white.

Next would be the cabinet and rocker. I love this green cabinet. This piece can be bought finished but I think I would like to search some thrift shops and find something similar and finish it in the green myself. It is easier to make it more or less rustic this way and add detail. I like the jewel drawer pulls but I think I would go with something a little more noticeable. I would pick a chair rocker and upholster it in the damask fabric (like the bumper) and add some other pops with some fun pillows.
I picked this crib because I love the retro look to it. (Robbie hates it, but it will grow on him.) It will look beautiful with a white sheer canopy draped around it. It will blend well with all of the exciting fabric around it. A solid cream rug will define the crib area. The floors would be a dark brown wood. I would then add a chandelier for the light fixture and a lamp for the side table. I want to post images of all of these things but I am having a hard time arraigning things in Blogger. Hopefully next time I can work it better. Here are a few more accessory pictures to help.

I would simplify the canopy a little more, it could easily be made. The frames would make a great collage with new baby pictures in them. You could find frames like these at a thrift store and finish them yourself to save on money. Don't forget the chandelier! I hope you have been able to see my ideas and get a feel for this room!