Layla's DIY Nursery

Whitney of Miss Bella's Room is an amazing artist. We used to do craft fairs together when we had the time and lived closer, and her displays and art quality were always amazing. Her specialty is nursery art. She takes a piece of fabric, and can custom paint any kind of mural, wall letters or wall art to totally make an amazing space that matches. So, when she had her little sweet baby Layla, we knew the nursery would be beautiful!

 

I love how she made the accent mural walls flow through the room with the painted scallop trim border. I'm pretty sure the adorable turquoise chair shown above is now in this corner by the ruffled pink curtain.

She picked out the bedding fabrics and designed the set, then had the bedding custom made. The fabric looks amazing with her hand painted wall letters.

The adorable mermaid is the ultimate finishing touch.

And, while Whitney can't travel to take on mural requests, you can still contact her for custom pieces made for you, or you can get little pieces of her art through her etsy shop, Miss Bella's Room. Lots of adorable little pocket mirrors and bulk mirror packages, perfect for shop owners too!

 

Chaotic Color

While I love a beautiful white, restful room/outfit/style, either in modern, urban farmhouse or shabby glory... the chaotic color vibe pulls me in, at least for a little while. Just long enough to get my toes wet in something eclectic, before I retreat back into sterile, predictable comfort. I think I get whip lash changing back and forth, so while my slipcovers went back on today, I felt drawn to these photos. Just like this lovely home above of jeanhclee. For some reason, I'm sensing a familiar color pattern of pinks, oranges and greens. Bright colors have a jolt of energy to them, you know? Perhaps my body is clinging to these sprightly images as a subconscious way to burst me out of this crazy,stressful fog I've been subjected to lately.

Awake is the New Sleep cover art, Ben Lee

Before the Voyage photograph by elle moss

hobby holly tutu inspired prairie girl portrait by Oh So Posh Photography

award ribbon canopy bed, Chrissie Rucker

Colorful ribbon woodland chandalier mobile tutorial by A Fanciful Twist

Connecting the Dots via decor8

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Trash the Dress Wedding Photography by Lynn Michelle

 via

Sew in Love thread on wood spools photo by Iris Inspired

Fashion: Blooming Lattice Cardigan

I love how last year's green anthro blooming lattice cardigan (modcloth has a similar version here) has been styled so many ways. I am in total want of a version like this, or most especially a mustard color. But, seeing how Texas weather turns hot so quickly, I'm sure I will have little time to acquire and even wear anymore cardigans this year. The girls at anthroholic paired this cardi wonderfully as well.

(4 fashion girls is an ebay store)

Cardigan belting, for or against? I might need to delve into this more...
Some grrreat belting advice from A Day in the Life for those who don't think it can work for you.

Inspired Color ~ The Beauty of Green

Green and pink striped house ~ credit?

Yes, green and gray are my two all time favorite colors. And though I have done posts on chartreuse with green accents, I can't believe I've never done a post about gray and green. They are both such soothing colors, and green can be warm or cool, depending on how it is used and looks amazing with both cool grays and warm creams. Though it is often seen as springy or Christmas-y, I believe it makes an amazing seasonal transition color into the fall. Saying good-bye to greenery and hello to golden landscapes. It really marries the two together, adding a richness in a way no other color can. Blues seem to be the color of the moment, but has anyone though to entertain, a lovely shade of green?

 Eclectic Interior Design Group~ Keep it (art arrangements) Tight

I love how each photo here has some element of pattern as well, from simple stripes on a throw or the bottom of drapes to damask bedspread, or a trellis wallpaper, it's so refreshing to see these patterns.

 

Coastal Living ~ Green, gray, white and aqua striped damask bedroom

 

Coastal Living~ Green dining room

Horse Art ~ Taylor Howes

Coastal Living ~ Gray and white striped dining with green accents

Inspired Room: Designing with Mustard and Chartreuse

I love the combination of everything here. It seems like too much mustard, but the soft floral pillows in the pinks, the roses, the pale blue throw and those industrial light fixtures make it all work. Not to mention the lovely rug, wow. The picture frames matching the legs on the sofa and the dark wood floors add balance through color. Artful Arranging

I may not have revealed this before, but mustard and chartreuse are two of my favorite decorating colors. Decor8 had blogger and Color Consultant Rachel Perls write a little about decorating with these colors here.

Create your own diy silhouette portraits tutorial here

I believe this room is simply perfection.  Mustard looks great with so many colors, but if you want it to pop, keeping it in clean lines and paired with black and white geometric prints seems to be a crisp, and popular choice. One thing I love about decorating in neutrals, is adding and removing colors on a whim is so easy. Living etc.

 "Designers Jean Norman and Meredith Ladik love peeks of art or photography on bookshelves, atop mantels, inside display armoires, or in unexpected spots, such as leaning against a chair back."Artful Arranging 

Even adding these colors to an outdoor space can really brighten up a dreary patio that doesn't boast much color or have a lot of flower garden elements.

A mustard chair, white plank floors and gray polka dot walls with a wallpaper flanking a white mantle, industrial pendant lamps, and aqua vintage duck caddy and a lovely table filled with books. A bear statue with a horse and cowboy photo on the mantle... every element is gorgeous. House to Home via decor8

The chartreuse pillows mixed with aqua and a touch of pink is an interesting mix, but it works. I love the polka dots mixed in here with the geometric pattern on the rug. House Beautiful via Home Designing.

Same with chartreuse and the geometric prints. I love how they went with linen and chocolate instead of black and white to keep the crispness, without being too harsh. ~ Taylor Howes

I never would have thought I would have like the red comforter just laying on top of the blue blanket before... but I love it! And that bedside table, beautiful. The mustard comes in the form of design in the headboard, the upholstered chair and golden tones on the frames. Living etc.

"Very small pieces of art can sometimes drown in big expanses of bare walls. Instead, seek out cozy spots to tuck these tiny treasures. Try the back of a bookshelf, an oddly shaped corner, or minuscule stretch of wall in a small bathroom or kitchen" ~ Artful Arranging

For those who love color, adding small doses in a variety keeps a comfortable feeling without being married to a specific color and  design concept. This is a good way to add in new colors, that one would typically find too bold or shy away from.

I love the simplicity here. Usually the small photo over the bed would annoy me, but because the room is s basic, but with a clear design and minimal color concept, I am quite fond of that little sock monkey.  the 10 cent designer via sfgirlbybay.

I can imagine, that this wall color changes throughout the course of the day when the sun shines through the home, then again when it withdraws. I love the natural wood and white with the mustard walls. Aren't those pendant lights amazing? Joe Nahem via Elle Decor.

Gray, now I'm in heaven. A blast of mustard yellow in the art and the flowers are gorgeous. But the pairing with the gray sofa is my favorite. Elle Decor design by Nate Berkus

This is the same sofa design as the first photo, but without the industrial lights and new pictures, and the chartreuse and mustard remain on the lower half of the room only. Creating a little gallery wall like this is easy... directions here and the peonie download here. Artful Arranging

If you are still not sold on these colors, and you don't want to go out a buy a new knick-knack, pillow or can of paint to introduce it to your room... then settle with a bouquet of flowers to see how it brightens your area.

Natural Pastel Beauty

wish

In keeping with this weeks accidental pastel theme, I wanted to focus a touch on soft, ethereal beauty. As a stylist and make-up artist, I haven't excercised my creativity lately in this way, so my gift certificate to Ulta will be put to good use this week. (Thanks, Mom!)

To get the look, I wanted to start with this lovely pastel makeup. It's so colorful and soft, the nude lips and simple, swept back hair keep it simple and pure. Tutorials : the pastel look, shimmery smokey eye, dramatic lips and lashes,  white frosted eyes, and dramatic basic black eyeliner.

Why does this pastel smudge work? Because the colors are shimmery, blended, in the same color family with soft lines under the brows, and the colors compliment the eye color. I've seen people attempt to acheive this that end up looking more like mermaid costume club makeup, such as here.

A low, easy, soft double twisted bun would work nicely with such bold eye colors, don't you think? Directions on how to get the look on Cookie Mag here.

13 bees 1970's ivory sweater

Throw on a soft blouse or light sweater, a colorful and chunky bangle in blues and greens,

wrapped cotton yarn bangle by Mindy Giehll

1980's teal pencil skirt from max and chloe vintage

Add your choice of bottoms, could be anything dressy from a colorful skirt, or laid back such as some lightly distressed cropped jeans with some green vintage espadrills and you are ready to go with your neutrally colorful look.

vintage green canvas wedge sandals shopREiNViNTAGE

*This dressing guide post is included in Kimba's diy day.*