Happy New Year 2017!

I don't know how time flies by so quickly sometimes.  How is it 2017 already?!?  Where did 2016 go?  How is it that Christmas is already here and gone?!?

And how is my baby 3 months already?!?

Little Harrison was born on September 23, 2016.



That's right, it has already been 3 months since I had this boy.  Life with a new baby has been amazing, crazy, tiring, challenging, everything I expected and more!  As you may have noticed, I have been very quiet around here, but I wanted to take some time out to really cherish every minute with him, because newborns grow way too fast!  I didn't want to miss a single thing.  It has been really nice to take a little step back from work, become re-inspired, and refresh the soul! 

Unfortunately, though, this 3 month "break" of baby snuggles all day in our jammies has ended.  January is "back to work" month and I am very excited for new clients, new projects, new opportunities for Jessica Stout Design, and looking forward to all that 2017 has to offer.  Stay tuned to see what Jessica Stout Design will be up to this year and what we are working on already this year.

Nursery Lighting

The nursery design for our little guy is quickly coming together.  There has been a lot of progress in the last month and it is so close to being complete before he arrives in September.  Notice any KEY design features missing in this picture though?

L I G H T I N G!!!!  

If you know anything about me or my design style, or have been following my blog, you know that lighting is a HUGE part of my designs.  So, I can't believe I have left the ceiling light for the last major design decision for the nursery.  

Our home was recently built a few months ago, and I purposely had them wire it for a ceiling light but not install one knowing I would be changing it out soon after we moved in.  Every time I walk into this room of our house, I flip the light switch on without even thinking and forget there is no light in the room!  Every time!!  So, needless to say, we need a light in here, quick! Here are my options I have put together. 

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Things to think about when purchasing a ceiling light.  1.  Number of lights.  Some of these have multiple light bulbs in them, up to 8 and others only have a single light bulb, so there is going to be a huge difference in the amount of lighting they will produce.  I am definitely going to have a side table lamp in here as well, so a single light bulb would work just fine in the small space.  2.  Size.  The ceiling height of our second floor bedrooms are only 8' tall, so I can't install a light too large (unless we want to be hitting our heads on it)!  For a room this size, you wouldn't want anything taller (longer) than 12" hanging down from the ceiling.  3.  Design and Aesthetics.  This is a no brainer.  Look for a light that looks pretty in the room.  I always like to search out interesting lights that makes a statement versus something boring and basic that no one will even notice.  It doesn't mean it has to be more expensive, it may just take a little more searching.  4.  Price.  My goal for this light was to find something inexpensive while still aesthetically pleasing.   All of these lights are under $200 and some even under $100.  5.  Where to purchase.  I generally always buy my lighting online because there are SO many options to choose from.  Some of my favorite sources online for lighting are Wayfair and Shades of Light.  You won't believe which one of these is from Target!

I still haven't purchased a ceiling light or made a decision on which one I want, but I will need to soon as my due date is approaching.

In a nursery, I always think you should have multiple sources of light.  You should have an overhead light for your main lighting and accent lighting for ambient lighting - night time feedings and changings.  Ambient lighting can consist of just a table lamp next to the rocker.  Or even 2 additional light sources such as a table lamp on a side table and on the changing table, depending on what you will have room for.  I have decided to just have a table lamp on the side table next to the rocker, but of course, I needed options.  This time I went straight to Target and was able to find more than enough options for a lamp.

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This was an easy choice for me.  I kind of had a clear winner as soon as I saw it in person.  I know I seem like a crazy person for purchasing this many lamps at one time, but I HAD to see them in person, in the room, to really make sure I was making the right decision.  Rememeber, lighting is important to me.  I ordered all of these online at Target.  Shipping was free and I knew I could return them to the store when I made my decision of which to keep.  Target makes it very easy to purchase multiple things for options and then return what you don't want.  

I loved #6 but it was a little too tall and big, and was the most expensive.  #3 was almost too "kiddish" with the silver stars on it for what else was happening in the room.  Initially, I always thought I would go with #4 but the base of it took up almost the entire table top.  :(  It's important to leave plenty of space for baby bottles, phone, books, etc.  #5 was much shorter and smaller in person than I thought.  #2 was just a really cool lamp in general.  I thought the concrete, geometric base looked so much like a moon's surface, but in the end, just wasn't right in the space.  

I decided to go with the Olsen Collection Two Headed Task Lamp by Threshold from Target for many reasons.  The base of the lamp was small, so it didn't take up a lot of space on the side table.  I LOVED the colors -- black to coordinate with the black wall on the other side of the room, and just enough of a touch of brass for a little added accent.  And having two lights with their own individual switch was a huge bonus!  That was really what sold me.  I can see this really coming in handy if I only want a little bit of light at night, or need more at times.  

Have you ever seen these light bulbs?!? 

 I came across the Sleepy Baby Nursery Light on Pinterest and was very intrigued.  At $30 a pop for ONE light bulb I might buy just one for the table lamp and see if it works.  Supposedly, if you turn this light on during the night for a feeding or diaper change or whatever, the baby's eyes won't register it and the baby still sees darkness, so they aren't woken.  It seems like a good thing but maybe they won't eat if they aren't awake!  I am still doing my research on this one before I spend the same amount on a single light bulb as I did on this lamp!  Let me know if you have used this light bulb in your baby's room!

7 more weeks to go!!!  

To the Moon and Back: Nursery Design Board

It's a race to the finish line now that we have decided to decorate our baby boy's nursery with moons and stars.  I may not get every last detail finished and hung on the wall before he arrives, but he will at least have a painted room and a crib to sleep in (or not to sleep in).  I started with this design board below, but as I started buying these items, I've been finding some items unavailable or changing my mind on some things.

Original Design Board for Baby Marhoefer

Original Inspiration Nursery

Now that I have started buying items for the nursery, the design board has changed a bit.  It still looks very similar and has the same style and feel, but the actual items I purchased are not these exact items pictured in the Origianl Design Board.  

New Design Board

Overall, the colors for the room are pretty simple and neutral -- white, black, gray, some brassy gold accents, and a lighter amber wood color and texture.  I wanted to keep the colors simple and masculine.  This space has room to grow in the future as well.  With everything so neutral now, I am hoping these are items we can keep and use for years to come!

Nursery Furniture and Decor Necessities:

ROCKER:  I would highly suggest splurging on this furniture item the most out of everything you buy for a nursery because you are going to use it every single day.  And hopefully can keep it for baby #2.  I decided to get an upholstered Rocker/Recliner from Buy Buy Baby for extra coziness and comfort for 3:00am snuggles.

CHANGING TABLE:  If you have the space in your baby's nursery, opt for a dresser instead of a changing table.  It can grow with your child throughout the years and add a lot of extra storage.  It is generally the perfect height and size for a changing pad as well. 

CRIB:  I was blown away by the fact that cribs can range in price from as low as $80 from IKEA to $2000 and beyond for designer specialty cribs.  Even the ones at Buy Buy Baby seemed over priced at $600 to $1000.  Me, out of all people was very concerned at the design and "look" of the crib but new I could find something much less expensive and more practical for our budget.  Shop around the internet.  I found a brand called Babyletto cribs that I loved but were very expensive.  I found a cheaper brand that was just as nice and also made by the same Babyletto people sold exclusively at Wal-Mart, so I scored a designer "looking" crib for less than $200.

LIGHTING:  Multiple light sources are ideal for day and night and middle of the night feedings.  I am still deciding on the exact light fixtures, but I will be doing a ceiling light for the main light source and a table lamp for extra night time lighting that will be softer, accent lighting. 

STORAGE:  LOTS of storage!  In the closet, we added some extra hanging storage and a 6 cube bin for miscellaneous items.  I love having some fabric bins hanging around the room for toys, books, or to use as a hamper.  IKEA floating shelves are some of the most practical storage solutions I have seen for children's books.  I love that they display them like art.

One of the biggest changes between the two design boards is the removal of the bookcases.  As much as I loved these open etagere style bookcases, the room just started to feel very cramped with too many pieces of large furniture.  It can always be a furniture piece that we add later down the road if we want.  I found the perfect dresser to use as the changing table!  It was perfect, to die for!  Only problem is, it was over $1000 from West Elm!!!!  So I had to fall in love with something else.  Luckily, I found an almost identical match from Wayfair.com.

This vintage inspired constellation art from Urban Outfitters was the first thing I bought for baby's room.  I was hoping it would be the perfect focal art behind the crib.  But once it arrived, it was much smaller than I thought.  (Should have double checked those dimensions a little closer!)  So, I decided to hang that on another wall and ordered this gorgeous "moon phases" artwork for behind the crib from Joss & Main.  

I'm hoping all of the fabrics in the room will come together nicely once I get the fitted crib sheets and changing pad cover as a starting point.  These will be store bought from Land of Nod, while I am still debating some custom options for things like a crib skirt and boppy cover.  I haven't settled on any of the fabrics quite yet, though.

That's how I have been pulling this nursery together -- one decor/furniture piece at a time.  I am starting to feel a little under the gun to get it completed with only 9 more weeks to go.  But honestly, a baby doesn't need anything of this in the first few weeks of life, so I think we will be okay! :) 

Jack & Jill Bathroom Stripes

Painted stripes on a wall are one of my all time favorite ways to add BIG impact in a room.  

You can do horizontal stripes on the wall in just about any room of the house, including a foyer, bathroom, kids' rooms, playroom, dining room, or living room.  Depending on the room, you can change the paint colors to create the look you are going for.  And it goes with every design style from sophistated, to modern, fun kids' space.  Just make sure the two colors you choose are contrasting enough to really see a visible stripe. 

I saw this great idea on painting a Jack & Jill bathroom in coordinating horizontal stripes this year at the Indianapolis Home-A-Rama.  I was so excited when I came across this recent project that had the perfect space to recreate a similar look.

So here is the plan...hopefully this makes sense!  :)

The fun part of this plan is that I created a color scheme for 5 different spaces, that all coordinate together into one cohesive space overall.

Each bedroom has their own unique style and paint color -- one painted a minty green almost turquoise color and the other painted a light gray.

Here's the fun part...

We then swapped the same exact paint colors and painted each girls' bathroom the opposite color.

In the middle room, which houses the tub and toilet, horizontal stripes were painted around the entire room in both the paint colors of AT SEA (mint green) and PASSIVE (light gray).

How adorable and fun is that?!?  I love how it turned out.  It just brings the entire space all together!

Here is the Design Plan for each space with the paint colors.

Bedroom #1:

 Bed is from Land of Nod in Raspberry.  

Lighting is from Shades of Light from the Young House Love Collection.  

Curtains are from Target.  

Bedroom #2:

Lighting is from Shades of Light from the Young House Love collection. 

Curtains are from Target. 

Each girl has their own space where their bathroom vanity is.  Then they share a room for the shower and toilet.  I think it would be even more adorable if they add in a third color into the design plan -- maybe a coral as an accent color.  Coral looks so pretty with both gray and mint green.

Bath towels all from Target.  Shower Curtain from World Market. 

Now, I didn't just pull these paint colors together overnight.  It took some planning, as any color selection should prior to painting.  

I LOVE choosing paint colors for clients!  It has kind of become my thing recently! But mint green can definitely be a challenging paint color to select.  A mint green paint color can lean too blue, too green, or even too bright!  There is nothing worse for me, than when you choose a paint color and it is WAY brighter and more bold than you thought!  It is always a real bummer!  (One day I will do a post on all of my favorite paint colors, and all of those pait colors to stay away from!  One day!) 

So, I headed to Pinterest and searched for the perfect mint green paint color.  I loved this shade of mint green I found from The Handmade Home website.   It was exactly what I was looking for, but you can never be sure of a color just by looking at a picture online because it can look so different in person.  The color she used is Benjamin Moore.  I typically use Sherwin Williams paint colors.  So I bought a paint swatch of this color, along with 3 more colors from SW and went to painting some test swatches on the wall.

This is a prime example of how pictures don't always do paint colors justice.  Because in person, these colors looked SO different.  

I painted the 4 colors in the room that will be painted this color, on the wall with the most direct sunlight.  I painted.  Let them all dry.  Painted a second coat.  Let them dry.  Then stared at them in different positions of the room until I could make a decision.  Originally, I planned on going with the far right color, until I saw it on the wall.  It was way too bright for my liking.  So, I decided to go with the color I found on Pinterest from Benjamin Moore called At Sea.  

Here is Bedroom #1 Before...

And the paint colors After...

So in love with this fun light for a kids bedroom!  It doesn't give off a ton of light because it is only one bulb, but it sure does look good!  The Large Wire Globe Lantern comes in lots of different colors, I chose Dark Teal, and it is under $99! 

Bedroom #2 Before...

And Bedroom #2 After painting...

(homeowners just moved in, hence the lack of furniture and boxes)

The Love Metal Strap Drum Pendant, also from Young House Love on Shades of Light website. also comes in lots of color choices and is under $99.  I chose the cheery yellow color called Hello Sunshine. 

Here is the bathroom area painted with the horizontal stripes in Sherwin Williams Passive 7064 and Benjamin Moore At Sea 666.

The key to this really working, is that the homeowner was on board with one daughters room being a fun, bright color, and the other daughters bedroom being a neutral gray.  This helps keep the stripes looking tasteful and sophisticated versus using two bold colors.  If you try this in your home, choose gray as one color, and any bright, fun color to go with it.

Jack & Jill bathrooms and floor plans similar to this are really popular right now.  So maybe you can use this same technique for your space.  It definitely helps that the kids sharing the space are both girls because I could use fun girlypaint colors.  But you could definitely pull this off with a girl and boy.  Even if you just painted each of their 'vanity' areas coordinating colors and then mix the two colors in the middle -- try navy and gray or kelly green and gray.  

Sweet Baby Girl Nursery

Our sweet niece arrived a month ago now!  All perfect 5.9 oz. of her and a head full of hair .  I posted about our excitement of her arrival here.

I guess it is time to officially do a reveal of her sweet little, adorable nursery.

You can read more about the design process and details of the nursery here.  

This first time mommy has a great sense of style, so she was a natural at pulling this room together and coming up with some great decorating ideas.  I couldn't help myself but help her, so I was thrilled to know she actually wanted my help! ;)  Their new home has a beautiful, neutral palette throughout the house.  So, she wanted to keep the space sophisticated and neutral to match the existing home decor, with just a touch of pink!

sweet little Finley Erin loves her new bedroom too! ;) 

I LOVE designing nurseries and kids rooms, especially when it is for family.  This is another favorite of mine -- my other niece's nursery I designed a few years ago. 

{photos by Jenny Meyer Photography & Jessica Stout Design}