http://becauseimaddicted.net/

In the last few posts I’ve spent a ton of time planning and planning (and planning) the layout, and design foundation, of your nursery.  But I can’t stress enough how important this planning is to your design.  If you missed all of my other great tips on how to design your own nursery, you can see them here, here and here, or sign-up for my newsletter at the bottom of this post.

FINALLY, in this post, we will be talking about the first three major things in the nursery that really add decor and life to the space.

The Rug, The Walls and The Artwork.

(Next post I’ll cover the upholstery and drapery details.)

www.abodelove.blogspot.com

I highly recommend choosing one of these as a focal point (two of them if you like to live on the wild side) but not all of them.  This means that if you have an amazing piece of art that you’ve stumbled upon, make that your star and let the drapes and rug fall behind and compliment the artwork.  The photo to the left is a PERFECT example of choosing one element to shine.

This photo came from www.abodelove.blogspot.com and the designer used a wallpaper to add the pattern into the room. This is the focal point! The room isn’t overwhelmed with a lot of other distinct and bright patterns.  The flooring and walls are simple as can be and only the drapes pick up a hint of the pink, but definitely don’t compete with the wallpaper.

This focal point should be your piece of inspiration that you’ve already selected, and really the starring piece. Now all you’re doing is adding the supporting cast.

First, lets discuss THE WALLS:  Whether you go for a wallpaper or a stencil you’ll create a huge impact in your room.  You can even stencil or paper just one wall in the room.  This technique saves you money but still creates the same effect.  This is a great place to step beyond the ordinary route of painting the room one color.  You can even add the wallpaper to the ceiling for a really unique effect.  Wallpaper is everywhere so be sure to do a google search and every time you see a wallpaper you love, check the source of the photo to see if they list the manufacturer.

www.spearmintbaby.com

Next, let’s discuss THE ARTWORK:  My favorite place to shop for art is Etsy.  Don’t even search by nursery art, just pick a subject, such as animals, and see what comes up.  The unlimited amount of talent in the Etsy art department is fantastic.  When it comes to framing, I love to use IKEA frames.  Buy them large and have a custom matte made.  It will look beautiful and expensive when you hang it on the wall.

Other great sources for art:  www.art.com and www.allposters.com and you can check out my post all about artwork here.  The photo to the right has a whimsical and large pice of art hanging right above the crib, which is usually the focal point of the room.

THE RUG:  Depending on your circumstances, you will hopefully be able to soften up your room with a rug.  Some nurseries already have carpet and a rug isn’t neccessary, but if you have hardwood floors you’ll want to be sure to create a soft spot for your baby to play on.  Rugs can be plain and simple, or bright and patterned. Either way, they tend to tie a room together, and make it feel more comfortable.

It’s so much fun to search for playful rugs. When you’re looking, just make sure to always be aware of the available sizes, and remember what works in your nursery in terms of size. Find a rug that is too large, and it will look ridiculous when the edges are folding up the sides of the wall. Find a rug that is too small, and it will look out of place and will not have the effect of pulling the room together.

The rug should be a piece that either makes a statement, or adds balance and soft texture to the room. If your rug is your inspirational piece, then vibrant and patterned is the way to go. If it’s not, then it might be better to choose something with a more subtle color or pattern, so as not to steal the spotlight from your focal point.

Have fun on your search, and be sure to post a comment and let me know how it’s going!

If your looking for the complete series of how to design your perfect nursery, sign-up for my newsletter below.  You’ll also get designer tips, inspiration and special offers.  As an added bonus I have also put together some of my favorite paint palettes for each room of the house, so sign-up below to get your free bonus!

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Mothers everywhere should be showered with gifts this weekend.  It’s the hardest job out there,  and the most important job out there.  But what about those mothers that are expecting?  They too have a hard job, making sure the baby is healthy and prepping for it’s arrival.  Well, I’ve got the perfect Mother’s Day Gift Ideas!

This mother’s Day, give  the perfect gift to an expecting mother.

Help designing the nursery!

Petite Peltier is a nursery interior design firm specializing in Custom Online Nursery Design Packages and Nursery Design Bundles.  Our service takes the stress out of the design process and let the mother-to-be, sit back and enjoy her pregnancy.

baby P’s nursery design board

“Hiring an online designer was unfamiliar territory, but in the end, the best decision we have ever made! The team at Petite Peltier guided us every step of the way from gathering information about our vision, to measuring and installing all of our designs. They were excellent to work with and our custom design board was above an beyond our expectations. We cant wait to tackle our next design project with them!”

— Bryan and Amy P. – Chicago, IL

• Get a beautiful nursery design without all of the stress that comes with it.
• Stop wasting hours on the computer and at baby stores weeding through the not so great baby products out there.
• Avoid costly mistakes trying to figure out what does and does not work.
• Effortlessly work your existing pieces into your custom design to create a unique and meaningful space.
• Maximize the space you have to the best of its’ ability
• Learn tips and tricks of the trade to pull your room together
• Create a unique space that steps out of the “Big Box Store” look.

“Although I had dreamed about designing my perfect nursery for years, when it actually came time to start the process I was left feeling overwhelmed and confused.  Purchasing the custom online design bundle saved us time, money, stress and of course the design was much better than anything I could have created on my own!”

— Kate G. – Troy, MI

There are only a few days left, so don’t wait!

The post Mother Day Gift Ideas for those who are Expecting appeared first on A. Peltier Interiors Inc.

www.kidsomania.com

If you’ve been following my step-by-step guideline on how to plan your nursery design and have already found your inspirational piece for the room, then you are off to a great start. Now you’re ready to really jump in and pull it all together!  You’ve drawn out your floor plan and know which furniture pieces you’ll need, but we can’t forget all of the little items that really create the space, as well as the selection of those furniture items.  So let’s go over that list now, along with places to shop, and my designer tips for creating a unique space you and your child will love and grow into.

Major pieces of furniture for your nursery design

When shopping for a nursery there are two types of items; the major pieces, like large furniture pieces that are determined by your floor plan, and the little details that fit in around the furniture.  This first list tackles the major pieces that will fit into most nurseries.

Crib

by Sissy and Marley on www.nurserynotaions.com

Rocker/Chair

Changing Table/Dresser

Bookcase

I see many parents fall into the ‘Set of Furnutre’ trap. Please don’t be one of them!  Yes, of course you need to buy a crib for safety reasons, but outside of that, you can feel free to get a little creative.

WHERE you shop is very dependent on your budget.  If your a DIY type of person, then hit the thrift stores and flea markets.  You’ll be sure to find bookcases and dressers that can be painted and disguised with new knobs, all while saving loads of money.  If you have a bigger budget (and too worn out to tackle a big project) then do a little shopping at stores locally and online.  You can hit up any big box store from Pottery Barn to Crate and Barrel to find dressers and bookcases.

By shopping at ‘adult’ furniture stores you’ll guarantee your child can grow into the dresser you purchase for them and have piece of mind that it will follow him or her into their ‘big kid’ room.  Just keep this tip in mind:  If you plan to get longevity out of a piece of furniture (more than five years), then invest a little more.  The finish and hardware will hold up much better over time.  Also, when selecting these ‘big’ items, make sure they coordinate with your inspirational item you selected for the room.

Here are a few of my favorite places to shop for items in any budget:

IKEA, Crate and Barrel, West Elm, World Market, Wisteria, Amazon…

The nursery design details 

A Jeweled Square Box by AlexisSassard on www.projectnursery.com

These are the little things that I consider to really ‘decorate’ a room.  Sure, the finish and style of a crib and other furniture plays into the feel of the room.  But the pattern and colors in the textiles, artwork and accessories really complete the space.  Again, refer back to your inspiration item when selecting these pieces. In fact, one of them should be your inspiration piece!

Window Treatments/Hardware

Rug

Lighting

Pillows

Crib Bedding

Baskets

Wall Treatment

Accessories

Artwork

Here is your homework for the next step in the nursery design process,  take stock of the filler decor pieces and we’ll tackle where to find them and how to get really creative with those touches in the following posts.  Below are a few questions that you might want to answer…

How MANY windows do you have, how high are they off the ground, and how wide are they?  Are you really adventurous and looking to do a wall stencil or wallpaper, or do you only want to tackle a paint job?  How many baskets, and what size can your bookshelf hold?  Where are you hanging your artwork (over the crib, over the dresser)?  Do you have room for any accessories such as wall hooks, stuffed animals, floor baskets, etc…  When determining the the size of your rug, refer back to my original post on creating a floor plan.  You’ll know exactly how big it needs to be from your original planning.

So start shopping and I’ll see you next time!

Don’t hesitate to leave me a comment or question, I love to hear how your planning is coming!

Want more design tips and inspiration delivered right to your inbox?  Then sign up for my monthly newsletter.

Need a little help with planning your nursery?  Contact us!

The post Designing a nursery -Your must have checklist appeared first on A. Peltier Interiors Inc.

Nursery Decorating Ideas

Hopefully at this stage in the game you have pulled together an awesome plan for your nursery design.  I know, I know, you just want to get to the good stuff, but trust me, that plan you created is ESSENTIAL.  If you haven’t created one yet, you can check out my earlier post on planning your nursery design here.

So get ready, the really fun stuff is about to begin!

So you have your shopping list all neatly typed (just kidding, remember your pregnant, everything is difficult now), and you’re ready to start picking out the most amazing pieces.  But where do you begin?  With the crib, a dresser, how about the paint color? Wrong, wrong, and wrong!  (Ok maybe that was a little harsh, sorry.)

First, find your nursery design inspiration!

1. kyoozi on Etsy 2. ABC Embroidery Sampler – www.onesheepishgirl.blogspot.com 3. www.danielleburkleo.com 4. pickfair on Etsy 5. Pixelated Flat-Weave Rug – www.garnethill.com 6. Wallpaper/Fabric – www.thibaut.com

Let’s talk about what some typical pieces of inspiration can be.

1.  the most amazing pillow

2.  a piece of artwork

3.  a photograph or inspirational room you have been hanging onto (since you got married)

4.  bedding for the crib

5.  a rug with a fantastic pattern

6.   beautiful patterned fabric or wallpaper

You need to pull together your ideas, organize your thoughts and narrow in on what’s inspiring this room.  Once you have selected something, you will take it with you everywhere.  It will be the item that allows you to nay or yea every choice that comes your way.

Lets imagine you have found the most amazing bedding for the crib.  Now you need to pick a rug, when you find something you like, all you have to do is hold it up to your bedding and say “does this go?”.  If not, move on.  (Unless of course you want to change the inspiration for your room.)

So spend this week picking out your piece du resistance, your star of the nursery, the one item that the world will revolve around (or at least until the room is finished).

Next week we’ll cover ‘the nursery design details’, where we begin filling in the rest of the blanks, from rugs on the floor to what should happen with the ceiling and everything in between.

In the meantime, shoot me a comment with your inspirational piece for the nursery!

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www.bhg.com

Congratulations, you’re pregnant!!  This is so exciting, and now that the news is official, you can begin to create the nursery design, or at least day dream about one until you find out your baby’s gender.  But wait, like most expecting parents you’re a little overwhelmed.  EVERYTHING is so cute!  Not only that, but there are cribs that start at $300 and some cost more than $1000 dollars.  Where do you start and how will you ever pull it together?  (I know, I had pregnancy brain too!)

I am a mom, but even better an interior designer in LA who specializes in nursery design and children’s rooms.  So take a deep breath, help is here.  I’ll sum up my ten plus years of experience with a step-by-step process to designing the nursery.  You’ll get tips and advice on everything, including planning the room and finding inspiration, organizing, finding the latest trends, and adding in the details that make a nursery design so special.

www.misspiggielovestoeat.wordpress.com

In this post, we’ll start at the VERY beginning:

‘The Nursery Design Plan of Action’

How can you buy a dresser without knowing what size you’ll need? What if you buy a nursery furniture set and it doesn’t fit?  Sound familiar?  Every good design begins with a plan, and specifically a floor plan.  I offer online nursery design services and far too often I get clients who hire me MIDWAY through the process.  That’s right, not at the begining, but after they started designing WITHOUT a plan and realized too late that they were stuck.  Don’t make this common mistake in your nursery design!

1. 1.  Grab a pen, paper, measuring tape (and hopefully a hubby, friend or a family member).  Start in the doorway of your room and draw it’s shape.
2. Starting in one corner, work your way around
   

   sacramentostreet.com

   the room, don’t worry about how cute your drawing looks or if it’s to scale, just get the shape right.  Also, don’t forget to mark any doorways, closet doors, windows and even outlets and registers.  I draw outlets with a small ‘x’ and registers with a small rectangle.

4.   Start measuring, begin in one corner and measure until you reach the next important point.  A window, a register, a door opening, or whatever you run into next.  Go all the way around the room until you get back to your starting point, writing down your measurements in the corresponding spots on your piece of paper.  Don’t forget your ceiling height and how high the windows sit off the floor.
6. 3.  Draw your floor plan on graph paper:  Take those measurements and put them on a piece of graph paper. Draw your sketched plan again, this time with a straightedge, and have each square of the graph paper equal one inch in the actual room.  When you are finished, you’ll have a nice and neat outline of your room with a way to calculate measurement by way of the squares on the sheet.
8. 4.  Now you can add in your furniture items:  Make a list of everything you NEED to have.  I hope things like changing table and crib are on there:).  Then add things you’d want to have, like an extra dresser, a bookshelf or an ottoman.  Once you have your wants and needs, you can begin to put them into the room, starting with the must haves, and working your way through your list until your space is full.
10. 5.  Create your shopping list:  Now that you know exactly which items and what size everything needs to be for your room, you can start to find those things.  Put together your shopping list of everything you need.

Wondering where you even begin when finding items to check off your shopping list?  That’s what I’ll cover next time.  For now, happy planning:)

Trying to design your dream nursery, but need a little advice from a pro?

Sign up for my newsletter (in the sidebar) and you’ll receive the latest and greatest in nursery and interior design, as well as the rest of my 7 part series.

The post How to begin planning your nursery design appeared first on A. Peltier Interiors Inc.

This is SO true.

When I work with clients I take all of these factors into consideration.

I’ve only created a fantastic space when I’ve considered the context my clients live in including their taste, lifestyle and budget.

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photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Now, more than ever, we are in the era of customization. You can literally customize anything in your home, from furniture to crown molding to bedding. When designing for nurseries and children’s rooms, fun and uniqueness are key. You want to use playful details that both you and your child will appreciate. And if you have a newborn, your nursery design should incorporate details that your little boy or girl will love down the line. Through custom detailing, you can create a welcoming atmosphere that matches your child’s personality. An often overlooked approach to adding detail and a distinctive style is by adding trim to drapery, fabric and furniture.  These can be added to a custom special order design and also to store bought items as well.  Whichever route you choose, adding these details to your nursery design or children’s room will create depth and character to your space.  In this post I’ll discuss how to add custom touches to your drapery treatments that are easy to do yet still make a big impact.

Trim options for drapery treatments in your nursery or children’s room

Mary McDonald for F. Schumacher

Tape Trim: Tape trim really makes a statement on drapery. With drapery comes the opportunity to feature trim with bold designs and contrasting colors. Here are a few ideas to get you started! When deciding on your trim, choose colors that are gender neutral or specific to your baby’s or child’s gender. Invite your little boy or girl to choose a trim and they’ll see how fun it is to be part of the design process!

Tassels: Kids and adults alike, love tassels! Add tassels by attaching a tape trim with small repeating tassels, or use tiebacks for your curtains that have a large

Fun detailing- Lilac beaded tassel trim- Duralee

tassel. These can be as ostentatious or as simple as you want. For interiors for babies, or any other type of room, you can choose from tassels with monochrome or multi-colored fringe. Tassel heads often have distinct details, like pearls, seashells, glass beads, and more.

Pom Pom Trim: This type of trim is perfect, especially for a little kid’s room. The pom poms have a very light and bouncy feel to them. Use them to add contrast to drapery. Your kids will love it!

houzz.com

Dressmaker details:  Think of embellishing any type of drapery treatment or upholstery item as adding the jewelry to your outfit.

Nursery decor usually has a whimsical and delicate feel to it, so

http://franciehargrove.com

adding a dressmaker detail such as this checked ruffle is perfect ‘sweet’ detail.

Trying to create your perfect nursery design?  Call us today to start the process at 626.831.8796.

We offer nursery design services in the Los Angeles, California area or online interior design services for those that live outside of Southern California.

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How so very true, no matter what the project or who the client is…

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