DESIGN A NURSERY IN TWO DAYS: SEVEN EASY STEPS

What a fun project!  We did not know the sex of our sweet little girl (we recently adopted her), and, I had to work QUICK in order to get her nursery decorated.  My contractor carried out my vision, while I was in California with the baby.  I am excited to show it to you!

The full size bed belonged to my in-laws and,  it is an antique.

STEP 1: 
SELECT A COLOR SCHEME.  KEEP IT SIMPLE and, choosing only two colors will give the professional look that you want.  I selected a Robin's egg blue and white.  The paint was custom mixed to match the dust ruffle. From BENJAMIN MOORE PAINT.  The full size bed in the room was painted NAVAJO WHITE (Benjamin Moore #947).  The crib is a JENNY LIND design.

A blue and cream silk three-inch stripe

Just delivered from the dry cleaner....ready to put on crib

STEP 2:
SELECT the fabric and the paint.  Thankfully, I was able to use the same crib dust ruffle that I used for my six year old daughter.  The dust ruffle and fabric is from WORLDS AWAY.  I designed it for my older daughter and, wanted to use it again.  The fabric is 100% silk and, a very classic pattern.  The bed coverlet is by PEACOCK ALLEY.  The cream Swiss dot crib bumper pad is by CARTER'S. The color block quilt on the side of the crib is from IKEA.

My sweet friend, Courtney Murray, made this.  A sweet accent. 

STEP 3:
SELECT a THEME for the accessories.  I have always adored bunnies, and, pulled in some of my own collection for the book shelves.  The bunny lamp was custom made by the LAMP SHADE HOUSE. The milk glass collection belonged to my husband's late grandmother. 


Keep your theme SIMPLE and PEACEFUL. 

I LOVE the way the light fixture reflects off of the ceiling! 

STEP 4:
SELECT LIGHT FIXTURES.  I was excited to find the ceiling fixture while I was in California.  By IKEA.

STEP 5:
SELECT RUGS and CARPET.  I had a piece of neutral colored carpet cut and bound at KISER'S.  The color is very soft and, flows nicely with the colors of the room.  For a layered look on the floor, I found a fun little faux mohair rug at IKEA, placed beside the crib.

STEP 6:
SELECT ART for the walls.  The oil painting in this nursery is by a local artist, Kristin Scott.  The framed baby dress was also originally hanging in my older daughter's nursery.  This is an antique baby dress that I found many years ago at a shop in Texas.  *FLAIR TIP: Framing baby clothes or other objects creates interest in a room.  Think outside the box when it comes to hanging art.  The art is truly what MAKES a room POP!

Antique milk glass vase. 

The candle is from POTTERY BARN.

STEP 7:
SIT BACK AND ENJOY YOUR NEWLY DESIGNED ROOM.  Brew a cup of coffee, turn on soft music in the room and, enjoy the new space. Do not forget fresh flowers and a nice candle to burn. 

FLAIR FAVORITE COOKBOOKS -

Where to begin? Collecting cookbooks, reading them, marking them for favorites (I draw a star beside a MUST do over recipe!), and testing recipes is one of my MOST favorite hobbies.  The last time I counted, I had over 120 cookbooks and....this was AFTER a big clean out session!  My cookbooks are reminders of places John and I have travelled, special towns that I love and, ALWAYS a reminder that I want to sit down, read one and PLAN a party of any kind!  


I went through my collection and picked some of my ALL TIME favorites for you.  * Check www.amazon.com for used copies (a great way to add to your cookbooks).  Do not be afraid to 'tweak' a recipe and, be sure and make notes out to the side of what you did, for the next time.


My mother is a wonderful cookbook collector and, a FABULOUS cook....I attribute my love for them to her. 

      A totally wonderful cookbook by The Junior League of Houston- awesome! 

 I used to LOVE to eat at The Peach Tree Tea Room in Fredericksburg, TX. This cookbook is wonderful!  Every single recipe in it is amazing!  I use cheesecake recipes from it. 

     This cookbook by The Junior League of Denver is truly FANTASTIC!  Gorgeous pictures too!  

 Helen Corbitt!  An American treasured cook.  This cookbook is one of my very FAVORITES!  Helen Corbitt became famous when she ran the tea room at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, TX, starting in 1955. Many of her recipes are still on their tea room menu, including her very famous, poppy seed dressing.  I especially love her warm peanut butter sauce, served over ice cream. YUM!!

I LOVE my hometown, Memphis, TN, but, all biases aside, this Junior League of Memphis cookbook is a MUST-BUY....in fact, get it NOW!!!  EVERY single recipe in it is a crowd THRILLER.  One of the most favorite recipes around here is the HOT ONION SOUFFLE', p. 31---cream cheese, onions, Parmesan cheese....served hot....need I say more?? 

I absolutely love and am SO INSPIRED by Ina Garten, aka, The Barefoot Contessa!  I first learned about her, many years ago, from my dear friend, Nan Lawrence.  I DVR her tv show on the Food Network every Saturday and, I own practically every cookbook she has ever published.  *This Back To Basics is great!!!  She is very famous, but, in case you have not followed her show...jump to it!  Her recipes are elegant, but, QUICK....truly incredible!!  


Here's to cookbook collecting and, most of all, preparing wonderful dishes for your guests.


Feel inspired? Please post your favorite cookbook on the comments sections.  We would love to know the title!