Baby needs a new room!

If you are like me all of your friends are having babies!  It is such an exciting and joyous time!  I'm often asked how to create a chic and stylish nursery for baby.  It's really easy and there are some many great stores and items out there.  Here are a few of my tips and picks:

1.  Stay away from having all children sized furniture in the room.  Opt for some 'adult' size pieces - the quality is better and you can use them for many years to come. Dressers, Armoires, reading chair are great 'adult' size pieces to have.

2.  If you know or are quite certain you will have another baby stick with a neutral tone crib.  A friend of mine has a stunning crib but it was finished in a blush paint - thank goodness for her pocketbook's sake she had a second girl.

3.  When it comes to paint don't get too bold - if you want to add some visual interest try wall decals, framed fabric, a photo wall they are stylish and easy to remove when baby grows up!

4.  Furniture, flooring and area rugs are best when kept neutral.  The toys, blankets etc...for baby have a lot of colour already

Some fabulous picks:

1.  ABC plates and mugs from rosannainc.com.  This could be a great wall display or just to use in the kitchen

2.  Try a grown up looking chair in a little girls' room - with a fun fabric.  Like this Oly Petite Hanna chair

3.  A fun fabric could be used in upholstery or drapes but you could also frame it!  Look for florals for girls or animals for a more neutral look .  http://www.fschumacher.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=66253

4.  high chairs have come a long way.  I love the Boon Flair high chair .  It looks like the modern scoop style stool

5.  some of my favourite paint colours for nurseries.  For a pink room without going overboard try a soft and light version like Ballerina Pink, a great neutral colour for boys or girls just add some splashy pink or purple or darker blue or orange try leisure green and a sporty and fun colour for boys try newburyport blue - add some pops of red, yellow or orange and pair up with white furniture for a clean look.

Whatever you choose try and have as many items as you can that will stand the test of time and grow with your child.

From Toddler to Teen and everything in between...

Children grow and change right before your eyes. One minute they fit into their favourite t-shirt and overalls and the next day they can't even squeeze into those same piece of clothing. Their tastes and interests are no exception! So if you have children or are expecting her are some great ideas to create a children's bedroom that can actually grow with them and their ever changing lives.

- stay away from an entire room of child sized furniture. Items such as dressers and bookcases will be able to store their items beyond the toddler years. Children's furniture also tends to be more expensive and with a lower quality construction and finishing. Invest in 'adult' size pieces that can be used in the future. If you want these items of furniture to grow with your child stick with neutrals that will be classic and can also be used with either gender. As this child may not be your only one...plan ahead

- Check out open-air photo albums, basically a cork board that has been covered in fabric with ribbons attached in a diamond patter. This is the perfect display area for your child to reflect their tastes and things that mean the most to them - letters, cards, photographs and posters of their favourite (at the moment) celebrity. Justin Beibermaybe your daughter's crush right now but that could change very quickly, instead of damaging your walls with push pins and tape from all of the 'Beiber' fever posters all over the wall use the open air photo album as an alternative. They can be made at home or purchased from more home decor stores. I have one in my daughter's room, I have put up her ultrasound photo, her baby cards etc...she is turning one in June and I know as she grows she will be able to use this board as a display area to reflect and express her personal style.

- paint! Keep the paint colour on the walls neutral. Your child's favourite colour will constantly change, so keep neutral and add colour splashes in the artwork, pillows, bedding etc...plus toddler toys are often very colourful themselves. Too much colour in a room can be over stimulating and changing the paint colour with every phase can be expensive and disruptive.

- artwork. Use frames! Frame your child's artwork it will add some fun and whimsy to their room and will make them feel proud. Frames are inexpensive and reusable, so their art gallery can grow with them. Framing their art also creates a special gallery for you too, this demonstrates their growing skills and abilities. Try framing some fun and punchy fabric this adds interest and energy to the space (or a feeling of calm depending on the fabric choice). Or try using images from a calendar (for example Winnie the Pooh) of your child's current interest and framing it as art - very easy, inexpensive and interchangeable.

- The floor. Kids spend a lot of time on the floor - falling, playing, reading, doing homework or just hanging out with friends. Whether you have wall to wall carpet or hardwood flooring, try adding a textured (like a big fluffy shag) or bold bright patterned area rug to create a more sophisticated look but also a practical one too. In my son's room I added a neutral toned shag rug and he just loves to read, play and roll around on his bedroom floor plus it looks great too!

- Storage, storage, and more storage. as your child grows so will their belongings, interests and activities. Easy fixes like bookcases, desks, dressers, ottomans, hooks, benches anything that can be used to tuck away or hang up their items is a good tool. Try and keep those floors and surfaces clutter free. This teaches your child even at a young age to be organized.

- pillows. Pillows are great to add colour but also seating in a child's room. They can b on the bed but also on the floor. does your child's room have a cute corner or nook? That's another great spot for a pile of pillows. Add some different textures, colours and patterns - this adds visual interest, fun and function to the room. It's a bit more 'grown up' than giant teddy bears all over the room. Look at bold and graphic prints - a child's room doesn't have to be plastered with bunnies, bears and trains.

- light. A bold chandelier is a perfect for a little princess room but adds glam to a teen space. Many home improvement stores have some great chandeliers too.

Your child's interests will be age appropriate so it is OK to have a basic space that can grow with your child. Constantly reinventing the room gets expensive and disruptive. By keeping it classic you are keeping budget friendly and as your child grows and he/she will bring in their style which will really make them feel proud. Have an everlasting room....

Living and Learning in Style!

Well it is almost that time of year again and the countdown is one for parents across the globe. BACK TO SCHOOL!! Now is the perfect time to set up a space dedicated to homework and projects for your children. The kitchen table (or even the living room sofa) often end up being the go-to spots for homework completion but high activity areas are distracting and too busy to focus. Experts say that a dedicated space for homework is best for learning.

A child's workspace should be as simple and organized as possible but it also has to be appealing to that the child will want to spend time in there working. A great tip is to get your child involved in the design. Have them look at pictures in magazines and have them show you what they like and why. Look at functionality over style but add some unique touches to the space. some great ways to add style - frame your child's art, frame educational or inspiring posters, paint a chalkboard space on the wall, or have your child paint their own mural on a wall. Keep the organization simple with boxes or baskets - easy to access and put away. Make sure the furniture is of an appropriate size for your child and that the room is well lit.

You do not need a large space just one that is well planned out. If space is limited, get creative - place the desk under the top bunk. think vertical by placing shelves or even a hutch above the desk. Be sure to anchor everything to the wall so it is a safe space too.

Coming soon to Bouclair Home

Anyone that knows me at all would know that Bouclair Home is one of my 'staple' stores when it comes to staging, decorating or just some simple room updating. This store offers great prices for the latest trends in colours and styles in home decor.

I was very excited to hear that this fall (Autumn 2010) Bouclair Home will have a line of children's and junior bedding! From what I have seen the colour waves are age appropriate, fresh and fun but still super stylish. Gender specific and neutral! Stripes, solids, polka dots and more! See in store for more details!