Thankful for Playrooms

Another snow day in Oklahoma . . . . . another day of snacking and refilling sippy cups, all while still in our pajamas and socks.  I raised the blinds in our playroom, watched the snow fall, the sun try to come out and my poor husband shoveling the driveway . . . . AGAIN!  My Nate and Ella pulled their little lounge chairs right up to the window and begged to go outside.  On days when we are trapped inside the house, I am reminded how thankful I am for our playroom.  We have a great space for reading, chalkboarding and DVD watching.

Another wonderful advantage to having a playroom is that my living room looks like a living room! (and not like a daycare!)

One of my favorite playrooms is at the home of  The Gorley's.  When they were moving into their new home, the first room to be set up and unpacked was the playroom.  (what a great idea to keep the kids occupied while unpacking the rest of the house).  They have a gorgeous red, distressed built-in entertainment center, a wonderful window seat and lots of space for playing.  I contributed to this darling little table and chair set by sewing the seat cushions.

(I really like the glazing on the legs and back of the chairs)

I always keep this playroom in the back of my mind when trying to decide how I want to design my own.  It is very kid-focused, but, still beautiful and classic.  Here are a few other inspirational playrooms:

I just noticed that all these inspirations have lime green in them  . . . hmmmmm.

I absolutely love the alphabet in this room!  What kind of playroom ideas do you have?  Happy Snow Day!!!

It's a . . . . Boy!!

Today, my sweet friend Lauren and her husband, Jonathan, found out that they are going to be welcoming a baby boy in just a few months.  They had a "revealing" party with their family and very close friends.  Have you ever been to one of these parties?  They are so exciting and at the moment of the announcement, you actually find yourself overcome with emotion, too.  (and it isn't even your baby!)

In honor of the exciting day, I wanted to share with you a few of the nurseries I helped create.  I love to help design baby bedding . . . . I think it is because the possibilites of color combinations and fabric textures are endless.  This also a great opportunity to be completely impractical when deciding what type of fabric to use.  The truth is, there will be "baby accidents" regardless of how nice (or expensive) the fabric is!

COOPER'S ROOM

(aren't the lime green walls fun!!)

  

Cooper's mom, Julie, decided to use lime, black and white for her baby bedding becuase it seemed fairly gender neutral.  I am such a plan ahead kind of girl, how did she wait to find out the gender?!?  This bedding set included a coverlett, bumper, crib skirt and a lumbar pillow for the rocking chair.

ADDISON'S ROOM

(rocker and ottoman are from Room to Dream in Oklahoma City, OK)

Addison's mom, Susannah, decided to use mint green chenille on the inside of the bumpers.  Doesn't that sound amazing . . . . I think I need to make some pillowcases for my bed out of chenille.  This bedding set included a bumper, a toy bag, a lumbar pillow for the rocker and a window valance.

ELLA'S ROOM

(here is the impractical fabric I was referring to earlier)

(ahhhhh, again with the chenille)

This is my daughters baby bedding.  I chose the impractical fabric and yes, she spit up on it even though I asked her not to.  Ella's bedding set included a coverlett, bumper, crib skirt, curtain panel and a sheer cafe curtian.  I also used the same sheer fabric to make a canopy over her crib.

I did not get to make all the bedding for these nurseries, but, here are some pictures of the items I did make.

 

Grayson's Curtains

 



 Heather's window seat cushion and shower curtain.

             (isn't that little robe adorable)

If you are now misty eyed becasue your baby isn't a baby any longer and you are missing your baby's bedding, I am sorry (and feeling your pain, Ella isn't either).  Oh, but, wasn't it fun to decide what your nursery was going to look like?  On the other hand, if you are like Lauren and at the point in your pregnancy where you are now deciding on the theme or color of your nursery, what a fun time you have ahead of you.  Enjoy every moment of it!!  Congratulations, Lauren and Jonathan!!!