Houston Design Blog | Material Girls | Houston Interior Design

So my husband and I have been very hard at work on the nursery.  The first project I decided to tackle was this chest of drawers that I believe Bryce had in his room growing up.  It was in desperate need of some TLC, but I loved the lines of it and new it would be perfect to double function as a changing table.  

The color scheme for the nursery is lavender, dove grey, white, and gold.  The walls have since been painted “Ponder,” a fabulous grey/lavender by Sherwin Williams.  We nearly had a melt-down over some very FOUL smelling Eco paint but it seems to have since been resolved (my poor husband has already put on a total of three coats of primer/paint at this point with one to go to remove the smell).   

Now let me preface this before and after by saying I am by no means a DIY guru,  but every now and then I get the bug and can be very impulsive about starting a project.  Please, please, please excuse the terrible photos – my real camera currently has a broken lens. 

The prep work…yes, it was a game day, and yes, Hartley is proudly sporting her OU jersey. 

The first thing I do is sand the piece down with an extra fine grit sandpaper.  I selected “Nimbus Cloud” by Martha Stewart Living Paint in a flat sheen from Home Depot for the base color and start painting right away – no, I did not prime.  I used about a 2-1/2″ wide paint brush to apply the paint in even strokes.   

Coat one of paint goes on and I as usual start to panic (as I always do when painting furniture and only seeing the first coat).   I’m scared it’s too chalky-white.   

I decide to run to the paint store and I get a quart of “Dorian Gray” by Sherwin Williams for the top to give it some contrast.  I then apply a second coat of “Nimbus Cloud” to the entire piece and start to like what I see.

The next step is applying Rotten Stone to give the piece a more age.  I was nervous as heck to do this…I dabbed a mineral-oil soaked rag in the rotten stone and then wiped on, and then quickly off.  This took a while because I kept wiping too much of it off.  It is VERY subtle (impossible to see in an iPhone photo) but it really helped the piece not look so “flat”. 

I also found this gold wax stuff from Bering’s that I applied with my finger to “highlight.”  Can resist a touch o’ gold!

 So there you have it! 

I may even go back and add some more Rotten Stone.  I’m also still undecided about the hardware, but it works for now. 

So the following weekend (because I wasn’t tired enough) I decided to tackle our t.v. console with the same color but using a heavier hand on the Rotten Stone.  I love it!  You can see a before picture of my t.v. console here.   I had been dying to “neutralize” this piece for a long time but couldn’t decide how I wanted to refinish it.  Having left over paint in colors I know I liked sure made it easier.  I can’t wait to show you all the art work and vintage frames I’ve been buying like crazy for what will apparently be a gallery wall in the nursery since there is no real plan right now  

The unexpected well-placed fine photograph can take a room from catalog to ooo-la-la.  This home designed by Martyn Lawerence-Bullard in the latest Veranda is chock-full of beautiful photography.  

I love everything about this image…the rug, the petitie floor lamps, but most of all, that photograph is KILLER.

{Jeneration Interiors via Elements of Style}

Black and White Photography is still classic, but lately I’ve been drawn to photos with a little bit of color in a very simple frame.

The Animal Print Shop by Sharon Montrose is a favorite.  As terrified as I am of snakes, that albino python photograph is crazy awesome.  The best part is her 8.5″ x 11″ ”open edition” prints are very affordable! 

I ordered this giraffe for the nursery. 

{Help – any one have a source for this photo?!}

{Miles Redd via La Dolce Vita}

Do you still gravitate towards black and white photography or are you ready to mix it up?  Do you have any favorite photographers? 

So I may be a little preoccupied as of late.  Sure clients, moving, and my husband changing jobs is a lot to keep someone busy, but the most important distraction has been the anticipation of my sweet baby girl.  My husband and I are gearing up for a new change in life and I couldn’t be more excited, scared, nervous, overwhelmed, or overjoyed!

I could not wait, I HAD to know the sex of the baby. I just couldn’t do a unisex nursery.  Since I was just certain I was having a boy, I had my color scheme and vision all figured out.  I just wouldn’t allow myself to fancy the thought of being blessed with a little girl.  When the radiologist said, “girl,” you could have knocked me over with a feather!  The rest of the afternoon was spent in and out of baby boutiques and me trying to come up with how I would outfit the nursery.

To my surprise, I loved the all white linen bedding with crazy-full bedskirts but knew I didn’t want the room to go too shabby chic.  I realized this would be the perfect place to use the color scheme I’ve been dying to try out in my own home…Lilac, silver, charcoal, gold & white. 

The room is pretty small considering I’m going to squeeze a crib, dresser/changing table, full sized bed, and glider all in the space. 

The bedding will be custom, but this is an idea of the look I was immediately drawn to.  I’m going to add big lilac satin bows to the bumper and a matching monogram. 

The walls will pick up on the color of the bedding accents.  This is, “Hydrangea” by Serena & Lily. 

The vintage bow-front dresser we already have will be re-painted in a chalky soft dove gray with a little rottenstone in the crevices.   

Ivory silk taffeta curtains will flank the one window in the room.  I may end up adding a valance or cornice…

Obviously, I have to throw in a gold accent.  Dreaming of this chandelier from Pieces. 

White Linen Slipcovered Glider from Lee for ME.  Very excited about this.

 

The guest bed will be dressed in simple white linens with a long leopard print pillow. 

I’m still working on my walls…I love the paper maiche zebra from Anthropologie. 

Other misc. things I’m liking…

So there you have it, the start of the nursery!

I get pretty excited when I see a new product email from Wisteria in my in box.  Wisteria is probably my favorite catalog, and lately they have really been delivering!  This black & white dhurrie  is calling my name. 

I’d pair it with a funky-yet-streamlined slipcovered sofa.

This pair of marble tables would be used in lieu of a cocktail table.

 

I’m on a BIG orange kick right now, so I’d add a pair of these, “Baxter,” club chairs from Pieces.

Always a touch of animal print…Needlepoint Throw Pillow

 

 

A cluster of Pagoda Chandeliers would look great overhead.

As for the accessories…

Vintage 1960’s decanter

 

Assorted Accessories from Ms. Wearstler

White Faux Silk Tafetta Drapes would line the walls and windows

This stunner from artist Amanda Talley would be the finishing touch!

 

Have you ever seen a more fabulous tent?  This creation was made by Boutique Tents, a company that specializes in the fabrication of these one-of-a-kind masterpieces.  Events, backyards, cabanas – the uses for their tents are endless.   

Why not tent your patio?? Gorgeous!

Of course!  A mini tent for your puppy! 

Visit Boutique Tent’s gorgeous website and view more of their designs!

{Southern Living}

Hello, color!  This cheerful Southern Home belongs to Interior Designer Megan Young and her husband, Erik.  Though grounded in Traditional roots, the punchy colors freshen up their one-level home in North Carolina. 

Between the turquoise chair and chartreuse lamp shade, the most formal room of the home still manages to “pop.”

The brown “Chivari” chairs upholstered in a turquoise and lime green toile around the modern Ikea table is like a shot of adrenaline to the white kitchen.

You don’t see a lot of white formal dining room tables, but this one is a great contrast against the orange walls.  Time to have Grandma’s table lacquered! 

Master Bedroom vignette.

When is doubt – create your own artwork!  That’s what Megan did here.  The canvas reiterates the turquoise and teal hues throughout the home.   

For the complete article, visit here.

The home of Toronto designer Jennifer Ferreira is chock full of inspiration.  I would love to have the restraint to do my entire home in a black and white palette…maybe I’ll save that for my dream Paris pied-a-terre (someday, someday).  So for now I’ve pulled together lots of black and white pieces that would pull together fabulous spaces.  

Wisteria’s Sleek and Simple Sofa

French Mid Century Coffee Table

Chevron pillow by Madeline Weinrib

Vintage Arm Chair

Blackened Brass Pedestal Table

Relic Gold Bowl

Kulla Floor Lamp

Parchment Books from Pieces

Pottery Barn Bedding

Craig’s List Houston find - I’d paint it black

Faceted Crystal Lamp

King George Bench from PlexiCraft

Averill, of the fabulous blog, Odi et Amo asked me to participate in her fascinating series, “Shop like a Designer.”  Head on over to her blog to see my favorite sources!

I’m loving the subdued colors in this Rosemary Beach home designed by Atlanta designer, Melanie Turner.  It’s a nice change from the “sea” colors you typically see in a home by the water.  All the white slipcovered furniture keeps it light, but the grey tones give it an unexpected moodiness.  I’m liking moodiness right now…and I’d like a beach vacation!

I adore this compact kitchen.  Stainless steel hoods with a strong horizontal element like this one are in crazy demand these days.  The driftwood lamp reminds you that you’re still at the beach!

That’s a lot of seating!  I love the detail over the hallway openings on either side of the hood. 

 

Comfy couches for a raining day at the beach.

I love this landscape!

I still love white bedding…the black shades on the lamp provides a crisp contrast.

For more of Melanie’s work make sure to visit her website.  The living room of the “Chatham” House is one of my all time favorites!

I immediately fell for this chic ensemble when I spotted it on Franki’s blog. I could really relate to it because as much as I love black, I do need that pop of color!  My favorite part are the Chuck Taylors…so chic with tights and a mini, yet so practical for walking all over a city!

This Living, Etc. bedroom via Mimi and Meg really exemplifies the casual elegance of the woman’s outfit.  I love the fur throw tossed on the bed and the pop of striped fuchsia pillows, acting as the “scarf” of the room.