The Mulligan: Skylar's Nursery Reveal

So, if you were sorta, kinda following me through the One Room Challenge link-up, you know I didn't quite make the deadline to showcase my One Room in all its glory.
In my case, it was my baby girl, Skylar's, nursery.
There was a snafu with the wallpaper hanger's schedule, and I was bummed I couldn't reveal with everyone else who participated, but I got over it quickly when...
It happened.

 Remember, her room is barely ten feet square - it's so tiny, it's really tough to photograph without distortion. 

I decided on simple styling - you could easily go overboard with such a small space, and why would I try to compete with that wallpaper?   The other side of the room holds the closet, and her changing table, which I'm still in the process of refinishing (read: barely sanded).

 The crib linens are the Katie from the uber-talented, Bailey and her Biscuit Homegoods.

 The Fiery Red is perfection, isn't it?

 Is that a Skylar in there?!

 

We painted the walls BM Mint Julep, and the rug was an Overstock find - it's nice and cushy, but has a major shedding habit.  The crib is the Babyletto Hudson.       

The brass floor lamp is vintage, and may I mention my husband hates it, can't understand why I'd buy it.  As Skylar gets bigger, standing up in her crib, etc, I'm sure it'll find another home.

If Ben has his way, it'll be by the curb. ;)

I'm so in love with this little jewel box of a room.

I'm even more in love with its inhabitant.

I think it's safe to say we have one satisfied customer!

 

What do you think?  Was it worth the extra wait time?

Mental Hygiene

Just in case you were wondering, there's no baby news yet.  I'm a week from Due Date today, so the official Kettle Watching has begun.  As I waddle around our neighborhood, I catch glimpses of passersby with that look of 'Wow, you're about to pop - don't do it here, please."  Good times.

Things have been really hectic 'round Casa Portu-Giese.  We've had to attend to some major issues in our US affaires, and all of it has had both Ben and I mentally drained.  It's times like this when I tend to pull back from things like blogs and (to a lesser degree), Pinterest because I feel like I let them unduly influence my scope of reality.  You could say I'm performing a little mental alignment hygiene.
Summer is a good time to do that.
Pre-baby is a very good time to do that.

I've also been reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield about overcoming inner creative battles.  So often, people who are called to creative endeavors are challenged by severe inner Resistance that keeps them from being their Ultimate Self.  If it sounds hokey to you, you've perhaps been lucky in not experiencing it.  I have it in droves, but instead of just calling it Resistance, I call it my Gremlin.  That nagging inner voice that lives to create self doubt anyway she can.
Anyway, so far, the book is very promising, and I'll share my take when I'm done. 

That's not to say I'm totally forgoing internet eye candy.   How perfect is this Globetrotter wallpaper?

I know.

Stay tuned for Baby G updates...

Tulip Table Chair Upgrade

Normally, the last six weeks of a pregnancy sees a woman in full-on nesting mode, so it's hard to twist those instincts in me into thoughts of packing up and moving.   But, that's just where things stand.  It's probably also why my virtual nesting of the new house in Virginia is going overboard - I just need the release!
There are a few I can research in earnest - upgrades I know we'll make to our existing furniture.  Cue the seating situation for our tulip table.

 When we bought the table, there weren't any chairs I was cuh-razy about, so we just went with simple, easy to use with the crumb-crunchers, and in all likelihood, temporary.

This is our only eating area in the apartment, so the casual vibe has worked well.  In our new house, though, this table will be in our dining room, so I'd like to lose the chrome-legged chairs in lieu of something a little nicer and more comfortable. ...For the times when we actually DO host a dinner party where people might want to linger around the table.

There's so many ways to play the tulip table - it's such a genius design that almost any style of chair can work, and I've rarely spied a combo I thought was just "off." 
That doesn't make my job of selecting new chairs any easier.  Should I go fancy-Louis/upholstered,  simple-but-comfy MCM, lucite (Ben says Hell NO!), playful wishbone,  or colorful cafe? The buttery leather PK9 is the chair of my dreams - and at over five grand a pop, my dreams is exactly where it'll stay. Oh, hurts so GOOD!

1// 2// 3// 4// 5// 6// 7// 8

*Updated* Friendship Bracelets - All Grown Up

I don't remember my friendship bracelets from the 80s being as rad as these glammed-up versions from Frieda & Nellie. I love that the ethnic vibe of the traditional woven bracelet gets a kick in the pants with the rhinestones. Given my choice, I'd layer them up with a menswear-style watch, a classic oxford and strong denim. Shazaaam!

They're sold via Charm & Chain - a website that carries unique, but relatively affordable jewelry.



*Update: A very cool reader (thanks, Anon) led me to this Etsy store - looka looka!

...and for A LOT less dolla dollas! (Most are sold, so convo the vendor to say, "I love these, please make more!")

Anyone like to start exchanging again?

Braziliant

So, a few weeks ago, I coined the word, "Braziliant."
Brilliant + Brazil = Braziliant.
Contextual example: "You're so Braziliant, you don't even know it!"

Apparently, Essie - makers of can't-touch-this shades of nail polish (doesn't everyone wear Ballet Slippers for their wedding?), are apparently riding my wave.

Behold, Braziliant.

Described as, "a hot orange with a touch of shimmer."
What a perfect encapsulation of the South American soul. I do love the orange/coral trend.

Essie: I'll expect my royalty check forthwith.

We're SO there!

Technically, Autumn began with the equinox last week - by the way, did ya'll see the Harvest Moon? However, for me, The Season truly begins today: the first of October. It's always such a great moment: the anticipatory prelude, the cusp, waiting for the great things to come: Pumpkins, Leaves, Football Rivalries, Charlie Brown, and lots of Comfort Food. Can you feel it?

design track mind

S&L is slayin' me with these...

Serena and Lily's new cross between an ottoman and a stool, the chakki. Loving the classic Indian details, and the choice of fabrics. Consider them on my wish list.

Oh, and a set of the Senegalese baskets, too!

Why chose one?

Remember the other day I mentioned my latest obsessions with settees and non-matching chairs in a dining room setting?

Why should I have to chose one or the other?

If I had an extra $300+

...I'd be snapping up one of these handpainted, silk panels and framing it. Not quite de Gournay, but still...Muito lindo!!!

Available here

Drool, much?

This morning, Daniela at Aesthetic Oiseau posted some of the Chinoiserie offerings from the new Spring 2010 Schumacher line, and I just couldn't resist continuing with the latest version of a trellis pattern: Summer Palace Fret - a slightly more delicate relative of Imperial Trellis. Picking one of the colorways would be akin to choosing a favorite child!

smoke

mineral

wisteria

sand

It's never too late...

I can't even tell you how nice it was yesterday to actually be able to walk into a bookstore, and pick up a current issue of a shelter mag - in my case, Canadian House and Home. I realize I'm the last person to attend this party, but I've got extenuating geographical circumstances, if you will.

The magazine certainly lived up to its reputation as the latest go-to for the perfect mix of interiors eye candy. ...And, speaking of candy (which we'll all likely be enjoying a bit too much of this Easter weekend), look at the lovely shade of pink on this wallpaper!I'll take my Easter Brunch right here, thank you!

Wisteria Lane

One of the nearby homes in my parents' neighborhood boasts an amazing fenceline of blooming wisteria- the arbiter of Spring.

The heady aroma drew me in, camera in tow......And got me thinking about the use of the delicate color in home design. There is perhaps no one better at incorporating the flattering hue than Chicago designer, Anne Coyle. If, like me, you aren't necessarily on a first-name basis with her, you'll certainly recognize her work as pics you've tagged before into your "lovely" file.

Anne takes lavender from a whisper, as seen in this soft-but-crisp living room...

To bold statement, in this entry.

What keeps it from looking too Easter egg-y?
Graphic stops either in form - see those white, Chinoiserie side tables?

Or grounding color - black here.

And my favorite, this unexpected red lacquer Campaign console.

Keeping accessories and art "un-fussy" is another way to enjoy lavender without committing to an overly girly look.

Check out that faux snakeskin coffee table!

But alas, the color 'tis not for everyone - like uncooperative toddlers! ;)

Totally. Obsessed.

With the Newport Coffee Table from OOMPH. The price tag, not so much. Seriously, OOMPH, $4200? Let's get real. In the meantime, if you wanna live in my la la land for a bit - check out the myriad of colors, and try, just try to pick a fave - I double-dog dare ya!

Pouf! Please?

Have you spied these Dhurrie poufs from West Elm? I'm crushing hard over them.
OK, that is all. Carry on...