Room of the day

all images via here

How cute is this girly bedroom?! I adore the canopy bed and all of the different patterns and textures that are mixed througout the space. I'm a sucker for pink these days and have been trying to incorporate more of it into my house lately (secretly, when my husband isn't looking! Ha :) Do you decorate with pink?!

Project Sneak Peek: Teenage Boy Bedroom

After living in our house for over 3 1/2 years, I've finally decided it's time to tackle my step-son's bedroom. I don't know whether or not he's going to be very excited about the transformation. (He loves his hodge-podge bedroom with stickers on the walls, torn posters, and dirty teenage boy stuff everywhere.) But I'm tired of looking at all that and it's time for a change. I assured him it will still look "cool", it will just be a lot more organized, functional and stylish. I saw this room online while searching for inspiration and fell in love with the color combo;

Although he would love to have his bed hanging from the wall like the pictures above, we'll be sticking with a futon style bed instead. I love this color palette with gray walls, navy blue accents and pops of yellow. Here's the design board I came up with for my step-son's bedroom;

There is a large built in desk and cabinets in his room and I plan on painting them white, with the desk top painted dark gray. The dark gray paint color will also extend onto a focal point wall which will have a large built in bulletin board as well. I'm going to hang some navy blue curtain panels with black out lining (his one and only request for the bedroom) and also purchase a new rug for the space. His bedding will stay the same (a navy blue plaid comforter with gray sheets) but I plan on incorporating a yellow accent pillow or two.  All of the rock band/skateboard/surfing/etc. posters will go onto one large wall (I'm not going to be that mean and make him get rid of them!) Lastly, I think I'll incorporate some framed art above his bed (like in the inspiration pictures.)

So what do you think? Do you like this color combo and design plan as much as I do?! I'm excited to get started on a new project!

Room of the day

I absolutely adore this bedroom designed by Katie Rosenfeld! Of course I always love a space that has large doses of white (walls, bedding, drapes, etc.) balanced with pops of bright colors and patterns. This playful-but-sophisticated bedroom and bathroom has it all, don't you think?! Although it's not a large space, it definitely is has HUGE style. Great job Katie! If you would like to see more of her work, you can view her portfolio here or visit her blog here.

Room of the day

How gorgeous is this bedroom designed by Meredith Heron?! I'm in love with the dark navy walls and the turquoise night stand. The combination of those two colors is brilliant! I think the zebra print bench adds a bold graphic punch to the otherwise neutral and tailored space. The overall feel in this room is very traditional, but for some reason I am really drawn to it (does that mean my design style might be growing up a little bit?!) I do still love me some modern, bold and funky rooms, but maybe, just maybe I might be learning to love traditional style a little bit more. . . What do you think of this gorgeous master bedroom? To see more of this Victorian rowhouse in Toronto, go here.

Project Reveal: Jordyn's Bedroom

I've been slowly putting the finishing touches on my stepdaughter Jordyn's bedroom for quite some time now and have been sharing bits and pieces of it with you along the way. You might remember the bookcase I painted, the nailhead inspiration board I made, the desk makeover, the DIY headboard, etc. Anyhow, I finally got around to tackling her dresser (another brown wooden beast that got a coat of glossy white paint) which completed my list of things to do in her bedroom. Jordyn will be turning 11 in about a month and I'm ecstatic to finally be done with her bedroom. I think it turned out to be a fun and girly space without being too juvenile or too sophisticated.

Just for kicks, here are some pictures of what the room used to look like;

 

Two years later, a whole lotta white paint, some fun fabric and a couple DIY projects later, this is what the room looks like now;

So what do you think? I love the way everything turned out and am happy with the cheery, colorful space! I think it's perfect for the outgoing 11 year old and she seems to be pretty pleased with her new room. Another happy client! ;)

DIY Headboard

Happy Friday! I want to share a 'lil project I recently finished around my house. You might remember the improvements I have been slowly making to my 10 year old step daughters bedroom. (If not you can check out this post, this post, this post or this post.) Well, I just completed an easy, do-it-yourself headboard for her bedroom and I love the way it turned out! Take a peak;

I found this fun material on clearance at my favorite discount fabric store for only $3.00/yard! I couldn't pass it up because incorporated all of the colors already in her room (red, pink, lime green, yellow and turquoise.) I also purchased a white, fitted bedskirt to help tie the bedding all together. I really cheated when it came to constructing the headboard - I used foam boards instead of plywood and adhered it to the wall with 3M tape. Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone my secret!) I lalala-love the way it ties the whole room together now! Here's a closeup;

Now the only thing I have left to do  is a dresser makeover and some art to complete the room. . . Have you finished any super easy and super cheap projects lately? I would love to hear about it! Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back next week with double posts since this week has been a little sporadic.

Room of the day

I absolutely adore this bedroom by Los Angeles designer Vanessa DeVargas! In my book, you can never go wrong with a white upholstered headboard (with nailhead trim) and crisp white bedding! I love the custom two-tone drapes with gray trellis fabric and pink trim that coordinates with the gray chevron pillows with pink piping on the bed. It's just proof that it's all in the details! I also really love the look of the layered flokati rug ontop of the jute rug. The bookshelves with wallpapered back shelves is also a nice detail. The whole room is just super cute, don't you think?!

I have a quick little announcement to make. . . I'm leaving tomorrow to go on vacation to Southern California with my husband, step kids and in-laws. We'll be going to Disneyland and Universal Studios, soaking in the warm sun and getting all sorts of great family time in. I can't wait!! I'll be back next Monday to my regularly scheduled posting, so stay tuned! See you in a week :)

Room of the day

Source Unknown

I adore this femanine, bohemian inspired bedroom! If I was a single gal, I could totally see my own bedroom looking a little something like this. (However, I'm not, and I can't imagine my honey letting me paint the walls lavender. . . darn it. . . sigh!) There is so much great texture and pattern going on here that plays nicely with the bold pops of yellow. Oh, and how glam is that mirrored bedside table?! Somehow, this all just WORKS!

Room of the day

I'm loving the fun wallpaper pattern, unique coral nightstand and all the yellow accents in this cozy but chic bedroom from House Beautiful!

Announcement: Make sure you check back tomorrow for a giveaway you seriously don't want to miss!!!

Room of the day

Hang a row boat from a ceiling? Why not. . .If Jeffery Alan Marks can do it, why can't I?!

I adore the master bedroom of his Santa Monica home. It's so classic-California-cool, don't you think?!

Room of the day

 

I am loving the simplicity and airy-ness of this Cape Code master bedroom featured in Traditional Home. While the iron bed is lovely, the painted floor is definitely the the show stopper of this space!  Have you ever stenciled a floor? I am dying to try it!

Craving Simplicity

Sometimes it is hard to know where to draw the line when designing or decorating. There's always your basic formulas for putting together any space, whether it be a living room, dining room, bedroom, whatever. More and more lately I find myself loving spaces for their 'undecorated' qualities. Take for example this lovely bedroom;

There is no fancy headboard, nightstands or lamps. There is no bench at the end of the bed, nor is their a rug to ground the space or curtains to add softness. No bedskirt, artwork or other unnecessary objects. Just a gorgeous wall color, basic bedding, a few simple decorative items and a inexpensive Ikea light fixture. Yet somehow it seems so perfect!

And speaking of 'undecorating'. . . this book is on my wishlist for anybody looking for something to buy me for my upcoming birthday :)

 available here

Project Update: Master Bedroom

Here's a design concept board I came up with recently for a client I'm working with. (I shared a little bit more about her home here if you are interested.)

Two main requirements for the space were 1) a bed with a foot board and 2) lots of storage for clothing (since closet space is pretty minimal.) Keeping in mind the historic bones of the house (built in 1895) and the young, hip couple that I am working with, I came up with a design that incorporates traditional elements with some modern accents. The result, a serene beach-inspired master bedroom!

(click to enlarge)

Here's what the space plan looks like:

The room measures approximately 12' x 12' but I was able to maximize the space by using short dressers as night tables flanking each side of the bed and by placing a large clothing storage armoire opposite the bed. A lucite Ghost Chair in the corner creates a small sitting area, but without taking up too much space visually. The couple lives just minutes from the bay and has a love for all things coastal-inspired so I incorporated some 'beachy' accents like the capiz shell pillow, driftwood mirror and ocean scene artwork. The large slate blue graphic rug grounds the space and the pale green wall color gives the room a serene, retreat like feel. I love the way this design board turned out and I can't wait to see the room come together!

If you would like to find out more information about my e-design services, go here.  

I offer stylish design solutions at very affordable rates!!!  

Email me at mary_jpmdesign@yahoo.com for additional info.

Room of the day

via Elizabeth Sullivan Design 

Suzani, white laquer, purple, chevron,  navy. . . these are a few of my favorite things! How gorgeous is this bedroom?! Happy Hump Day!

Room of the day

Since it's a Friday, let's make it a double! Here's two beachy boudoirs featured in Coastal Living Magazine for you to feast your eyes on.

Happy Friday! 

New project: 10 year old girl's bedroom

I have another project in the works around my house; my soon-to-be step daughter's bedroom. She's going to be 10 in May and I am thinking about surprising her with a little room makeover. She has a lot of hand-me-down furniture pieces that are all great quality (a desk, dresser, large bookshelf) but they all need a little t.l.c. in the form of a good sanding and paint job. I have several ideas and she has even put in her two sense on what she would like her bedroom to look like. Here are some spaces I am using as inspiration to help give me a little kick in the pants to get started!

via Amanda Nisbet

via Atlanta Home & Garden

via Tobi Farley 

via Studio Ten

via Elle Decor

via unknown

via Brooke Giannetti 

via House & Home

via Amanda Nisbet

via Young House Love