mmb: warm, inviting living room

Today's Monday Moodboard is a bit more traditional. I really enjoyed embracing the fall colors on this one. Brown, mustard, orange and coral. An oldie but a goodie as far as color combos go. It probably helped that the leaves are changing and it is gorgeous fall around here.

This family has the most beautiful home. It's an older home that they have been restoring themselves. Maybe I can someday snag some shots of it. Seriously one of my favorite homes I've ever been in. Now that they are closer to completing their renovations they are on to decorating. 

Here is their moodboard

Happy Monday!!

MMB: frugal and fabulous craft room

They're baaaaaack! Monday Mood Board! Goodness it's been a long time! And it feels good to back in the swing of things. It only took me until October to be in school mode :)

Today's mood board is for an office slash craft room slash playroom. And it is especially fun because it is using things the family already has and adding fabric and a few accessories to pull it all together. The furniture is already in the room thanks to bringing two ikea expedits from other rooms and a free metal side of the road score. Yes!

This client means business so I wouldn't be surprised if we saw the after a few days after the fabric comes :)

Happy October everybody!

If you are interested in a mood board email me at notedhome@gmail.com for rates.

shout out

My hubby just got a big promotion and to celebrate we went to Utah for a quick labor day visit. And luckily I was finally able to finishing installing a few things in that playroom. So it is almost finished up now. Just waiting on the pretty settee to come. 

One of the projects was to get those big framed boards on the walls. What do you do when one side of the room has walls 8 inches shorter than the other side and the frame is a half inch too big? You go to Home Depot!

This guy was super duper helpful and nice! Turns out the frame wouldn't feed through the machine so he took us back to the tool rentals to borrow the table saw and cut a half inch off the bottom of two frames. I could've kissed him! You gotta love good customer service!

monday moodboard: neutral nursery

I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to work on this e-design project recently. I wish I could live in this nursery! Here is the board we came up with.

The thing I love most about decorating for baby is the deadline involved! Plus that good ole nesting phase! Cannot wait for the afters :)

Happy Monday!!

the five day makeover

What do you do when your client calls on Monday asking if we can decorate her daughter's room while she is at camp that week? You divide, conquer and do it! That is one awesome Mama! And the whole family pitched in for the surprise while she was away. It was quite an adventure. And we actually pulled it off except for a few things that needed to be ordered.

There are still a few loose ends to tie up but here are a few sneak peeks of our busy week.

Luckily, the dad of the house is very handy and also an extremely good sport. We asked him to build us this chalkboard headboard. And on Thursday night we asked him to make this parsons desk {to be ready for reveal Saturday morning mind you} and he happily did. Isn't it awesome?! Looks just like this one, but without the price tag.

The big brother painted the room a gorgeous light gray lilac. And they all pitched in with the dresser redo. Aren't the dry erase panels fun?

The cork board is on the wall now and we are waiting on the shelves for the books instead of underneath the dresser. And we had intended to get fresh flowers but it didn't happen in time :)

The easiest project was probably this one

It probably only took me 20 minutes and we used a lantern that was already in the room.

All in all it was a huge success! She was super surprised and she loved it! She is currently deciding between houndstooth and chevron curtains to complete the room. We wanted to let her pick them out herself since we had to order the fabric anyway. The entire room was a pretty big gamble considering what a fashionista this one is. We were so thrilled she liked it all.

Not bad for 5 days. I say job well done!

boards

When planning the playroom at the end of May I thought it would be an awesome and easy to make some bulletin boards. It was. But it also came with a lot of stress and hard work. They had so many components that had to come together. In the end they worked out so well.

Well except that when I measured the short attic walls I had no idea one side of the room would be 3 inches taller than the other side. No biggie. 

After getting cancelled on for installation of a few things. I tried to figure out a way for me to install a few things without messing them up. Realizing how much money we would need to spend on tools or renting tools. And knowing I might do a second rate job. I had to let go. And that is a realllllllllllly short version of how it went and how I actually felt. I was devastated. But, I knew after explaining it to new contractor man that he was fully capable to finish even if I wasn't there.

So these are not hung on the wall, but they should be by the end of the day today. Not that I can guarantee pictures for you {me either!} or anything. 

We have a magnetic chalkboard

Bulletin board

Peg board

 And magnet board

Sorry the color looks different in every picture. I'm ashamed of my camera skills.

I got the frames locally in Boise at a discount frame shop for $36 each. The inside measures 24 by 30 inches. And the frame is clearly big and chunky. I love the color! It is Sherwin William's Gray's Harbor in their ProClassic semi-gloss paint.

I backed the metals with wood and adhered everything with fabri-tac and glazier points. And reinforced the bulletin with some wood stirring sticks in the corners. I'm nothing if not resourceful.

And while I am already talking too much I am about to blow your mind. Fabri-tac and Magna-tac are the exact same thing. I said it. I was blown away when I called the company to ask where I could find Magna-tac in my area. And the nice lady on the phone said that it is commonly sold as Fabri-tac on the west coast and Magna-tac on the east. But the product was exactly the same. Whoa. Isn't that crazy? Maybe you already knew that and I am just crazy.

10 points if you are still reading :)

Anyway! We couldn't see out the back window on our drive down. And maybe this was the second paint color. And no, they are not on the wall yet. But here they are and I still love them.

shelving after

Well, my little Ikea VITTSJO didn't get the makeover I was expecting. The big plan was to replace the glass with wood {glass in a playroom not too safe} and paint it a fun color. But once we put it together we all really loved the dark color against the light walls. But, we still needed to replace the glass with wood and paint it. What's a girl to do? Oil rubbed bronze spray paint of course! Worked like a charm.

I love it in the space and it really is doing it's job here with storage. Some the kids can reach and some out of the way so it can all be rotated to keep the toys exciting. 

Before

After

 It seriously worked so perfect in the room. The toys were all in random bins tucked under the short walls in the room. Now we took the one tall wall and maxed it out. And for $110! Well, a little more than that after we replaced the glass with wood. Thank you Home Depot for being so patient with me and cutting all that wood for me!

In the end, we all loved it even more than we were expecting we would. And maybe I want one for my bedroom now. Oh Ikea, why are you so far away?

back in the habit

Well, that went by fast! I am home from my crazy trip. Crazy and fun. I've missed being here but it was by far the best choice to take a break. I cannot believe how busy it was. Vacation + kids + decorating is a very tricky combination. We made it work. And except getting bailed on twice for someone to come install a few things we are done. Sadly it will be finished up this week and I won't be there. Here's hoping my instructions were clear enough! The room has come a long way. And there will be plenty of pictures when all is said and done. I will give you a few projects this week though. 

Here is a sneak peek of some crazy cute window treatments that I decided to make up at 12:30 in the morning. I'm so glad the plans changed because they will be awesome.

Now I am off to unpack and catch up on my google reader {yikes!}

Glad to be back friends!

my weekend

What did you do this weekend? I hunkered down and cleaned, organized and did laundry. I practically didn't even leave the house. It was a giant load off my shoulders. And we've even kept it clean so far. Ahhh. Summer break came faster than I thought it would and I wasn't very prepared. But, I am now! 

Chore charts are printed and laminated!

 May got super busy for me with new projects. And if I want to get anything done with all three kids home this weekend had to happen. They are excited to start the charts and earn beans for their jars. I am going to try a new clean routine too. You see every afternoon used to be just me and my sweet little two year old, who takes a lovely three hour nap. That was good time for me to do projects, catch up and clean. Last week I tried to give the older two quiet time. It....did not work.

So now I can breathe again and I am really looking forward to this week with the kids. After our morning chores are done we will get busy. We will ride our bikes to the park probably daily. Go to the library. And hopefully crash someone's pool a time or two. And hopefully I can get a few things done in our spare time. I'm sure it won't be perfect but I know it will go smoother than last week now that I am more prepared. 

Happy Monday!

getting close

A lot of fun is happening at a client's house. We have been slowly working on things but are so close to finishing up. Once we put this huge wall of white and gold frames up in the stairwell things really started to feel real. It is such a pretty wall! Here is a peek of that.

In the meantime, they get the lovely task of filling every frame and finishing up a few silhouettes. It's a big job. Luckily they are troopers, who have been so wonderful about all the projects they've been doing. 

Here is a peek of another corner. Just waiting on another pillow and a few more accessories for this room.

So much fun and so close to a big reveal! I cannot wait!

And in other news

Happy NINE year anniversary to my wonderful husband!! It's been amazing so far.

office peek

I'm ashamed to say that for over a year our desk was a sad, old rectangle card table. It....worked. We couldn't commit to anything that I didn't love :) And we needed something long. I finally settled on this baby.

And you may remember my mood board.

But how was I going to get the table to home to Boise?

I patiently waited two months until I found a way to get it home. It was a bit of an ordeal! But we did it!

The room is not done in the slightest but, I am feeling so much better about my little office already.

It's the perfect spot for me to sit at the computer and it's great for one of the kid's and I to sit and work on homework or color Octonauts. And if you squint your eyes really hard you will see an iMac...unless you are my husband or my wallet.

I have yet to pin anything on my pretty boards but that is on my to do list. Color will be the order of the day.

 And also a different angle. All in good time the printer will be across the room and off my desk. But, we have plenty of workspace here in the meantime. Oh, and look at my lucite stapler and tape dispenser I scored on clearance at Target for $2.22. I think I did a happy dance.

So even if I have this in the other corner, I am content with my office progress.

Who wants to play I Spy!? There's some good stuff in this pile. But not for my house!

monday mood board: multitasking tween dream

I have been super busy with new projects lately that have been so much fun. I cannot sit down without doodling with my graph paper and colored pencils! Today's room started out easy in my mind but grew to be quite a challenge...until I concurred that beast! I am soooo excited to get to the house and make sure everything will work. It should as far as initial measurements go. Woot! I have to wait until Friday and I am almost bouncing in my seat in anticipation.

These two boys need a big long room turned into their bedroom, living room, play space and storagepalooza. Well, my friends, I think I figured it out!

Phew!

The biggest requirements were storage and seating. Look at this amazing piece!!!

16 lockers and a hanging rod {the room is closet free}yes please! Plus it comes in 24 colors. I'm thinking shamrock. I think it's awesome. Toss a little storage ottoman in the middle and we've even got some extra seating too. Love it!

Friday cannot come soon enough!

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And in other news...what if Monday Mood Board became a link party? I've been thinking about it for a while but I don't know how many people would want to or would have mood boards to link up. Discuss :)

seven!?

I cannot believe it has been seven years since this little angel came into our lives. I could not have asked for a more thoughtful and loving little girl. The best big sister. A smarty pants little reader. A tender tiny thing who cries at movies all the time and is so small she fell off the growth chart. I am all teary just thinking about how wonderful she is and how lucky I am that she calls me Mama. Still. The best word ever as far as I'm concerned.

  I thought it would be fun to share her little nursery with you today. It was five moves ago so she probably has no recollection of it but it is a space I will always love. And I have to say it is the first room that I completely drew out on paper and turned into a reality. I was a bit obsessed! I was a lover of interior design but hadn't practiced much of it. We should have known then that I would be all crazy into one day. 

So here goes! Amber decorates circa 2005.

Her teeny 10 by 10 was not considered a bedroom but an office. So no closets. Naturally I went on the hunt to find or make shelves that would serve as hanging space behind her double doors.

While visiting my grandparents in San Diego my grandma took this photo and I ran to kinkos to blow up a big shot of it on foam core. Never will I do that again! I was ripped off. But I still loved it!

Her dresser is the first piece of furniture I ever painted. It worked great for so long. We sold it about this time last year. And it worked every place she lived even in that 6 by 6 foot walk in closet. Yep! I will try to hunt that picture down :)

Man I loved those lamps! Thanks Aunt Tracey!

My husband and father in law painted her room the softest pink and I stenciled words I thought would fit her all over the room.

Didn't my little makeshift closet rock!

And here is as much as I could fit in the french doors. The crib skirt and rocking chair hadn't arrived yet but pregnancy brain never reminded me to take new pictures. I even made the most random but perfectly functional slip covers for the rocker cushions. If only I had been blogging then :) Oh and that rug I seamed together out of two! I shouldn't have put it on a diagonal...but whatever!

Well there is a blast from my past! I wonder what a baby girl nursery would look like if I had another girl???
Too bad we will never know!

Love my little bug!

monday mood board: timeless, neutral playroom

Happy Monday all! Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Today's mood board is the first version of a playroom I am working on. It's in the early stages so it is sure to change a bit. And as you can see it is not your average play room. This room is designed to fit in with the rest of their gorgeous home, be timeless and last for many years to come. Oh and also be very pretty but gender neutral. Phew! Here goes.

There will be more color added in the artwork and accessories. I think it is going to be one awesome room. This play table happens to look very similar to the home's kitchen table. And the client wanted to build the room around it. Don't mind if I do.

This project has been so fun already and I am so thrilled to be on board!

balancing plans

Holy buckets it has been a crazy week so far. But crazy awesome! I am really trying hard to keep up with things at home and all things design as well. And I feel like I am kicking butt this week! Here's hoping my balance will continue. I somehow have gotten four new jobs this week. So much fun! And my mind is spinning with ideas. 

I was wondering if any of you out there have any tips on doing floor plans on your computer? I think Autocad has that but I'm not sure if I am smart enough for it :) Maybe my Dad can come teach me. Just wondering  if any of you had a brilliant suggestion for me. I will take it if you do!

A few of these projects are up in the air on the amount of rooms. I am secretly hoping for a little girl's room just so I can design around this awesome headboard.

What a steal! I really do love that O.co! Look it's even double sided. Brilliant!

I guess we will wait and see if the girl's room happens. The good news for you is a few of these other projects are needing to be bust out pretty quickly. You should expect some after shots in June! So soon!? That is why my head is in full spin up in here.

I'm pretty happy about it!

miss l's room

I really liked my girl's room before.

But I like it even more now.

One weekend, I was feeling a bit blue. I want to get something done when I feel blue usually. And having zero dollars I knew the only thing I could really mix up was my daughter's room. You see for a year I was saving this pair of bergere chairs, pillows and a stool for a project. But that project had been put on hold and since changed...a lot. Getting installed in the next few months though.{!} So they came to rescue my mood and I turned them into a sweet little sitting area.

 

Then I moved the bench by the window to create a little window seat of sorts. It's been really fun there because we get amazing sunsets from the back of our house. I also moved the mirror over the headboard. But do not be alarmed, it's a plastic mirror and well secured at that. Nobody will be injured by the cute mirror :)

 I popped her little desk into the corner and moved the bulletins to that wall. All the kids love to sit there and color.

The art stayed the same mostly, except for adding this owl mask that she made that I love.

Not too shabby for a free makeover! And it's another one of those 30 by 30 projects I haven't shown you yet. Check it off the list.

nursery reveal

I'm so excited to have my first e-design sent back to me! I love how it all turned out. Here is the board one more time.

They did an amazing job getting it all ready for the arrival of their first baby girl.

I wish I could take credit for the stripes but the homeowners executed them perfectly before I came into the picture. They totally make the room.

Katie Daisy

I'm so in love with the fruit!

They worked so hard and it turned out so well. I am so happy to have been a part of it!
Happy Baby!!!