"Happy Places" Recap

Hi all!  Hope you had a great weekend and are looking forward to the swiftly approaching Forth of July holiday.  Is it just me or is this Summer flying by? 

Today I'm wrapping up my Babies R Us Happy Places event.  I'm pleased to say it was success.  I had so much fun putting it all together.  Of course now I totally want to decorate a nursery.  Any takers?

I was ask to share tips on how to create a dream nursery and to do so I pulled together three looks. 

1. Jungle scheme
2. Beachy Nautical scheme
3. Soothing Yellow and Gray scheme (a personal fav).

 

 

Hands down, my favorite look was this sweet jungle themed nursery that centered around three wooden animal wall hangings that I thrifted for $1.99 each.  What made this room a total showstopper was this beautiful cotton linen that I "borrowed" from my fabric supplier.   

  

 

 

The soothing tones and junglesque floral make it a total no-brainer for a nursery.  I love that the colors allow you to pull in coordinating fabrics to create a pulled together designer look.  Honestly, I don't want to take it back.

 

 

I shared five tips for creating your dream nursery.  They are as follows:

 

1. Get Inspired- Inspiration can come from anywhere (ex. furniture, art, family heirloom, etc.), but an entire scheme can be developed around a single inspiration piece.
2. Develop a Game Plan- Know what you need and what you don't. Developing a game plan will help you to feel less overwhelmed in the sea of choices.
3. Get Started- Dive in head first and "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good" - Voltaire.  It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.
4. Make it Your Own- Just because they sell it as a set, doesn't mean you need to buy it.  It's the personalization that makes a space take on a designer look.  A "bed in a bag" or a "room to go" will never get you a dream space.  Look for coordinates and use opportunities to mix things up.
5. Don't Forget the Finishing Touches- Design is in the details, so don't over look them.  Fill the bookshelves with books and meaningful trinkets, spring for drapery, add in art and beautiful fresh flowers.  These are the details that many lay individuals miss that designers don't.

 

I come from a family of educators, so teaching is in my blood.  Needless to say, I jump at the opportunity to share my passion and limited knowledge with whoever will listen.  As my Daddy would say, "I was happier than a cowboy with a new pair of boots."  Can you tell I'm from Mississippi?  

I even had a couple of friends show up to show their support. 

Thanks Marisa and Deborah!

I had a blast and I am so very thankful for opportunities like this. 

Make it a great one!!

Babies R Us + Dwell by Cheryl!

 

My inbox never ceases to amaze.  Last week, I received an email from a marketing representative at Babies R Us/Toys R Us.  She explained that Babies R Us would be sponsoring an event in my area called Happy Places.  She went on to say that the event would be held in order to help expectant parents envision and create their dream nursery.  After finding me online she wanted to know if I'd be willing to serve as the local design expert for the event.  Uhhh.....YEAH!

 

After the initial excitement wore off, I began to develop concern over whether my design philosophy would line up with what Babies R Us expected. 

Babies R Us

Let's face it, my approach to decorating a nursery isn't exactly go and buy everything at Babies R Us (like the photo above).

 

So, we scheduled a meeting and after speaking agreed that I could indeed share tips and strategies on how to create a dream nursery incorporating Babies R Us as a source. 

 

 

Needless to say, I'm so VERY excited about this opportunity to partner with a national retailer.  I think it's going to be loads of fun.  The invent will include advice on where to start, identifying your style, selecting colors, choosing furniture that grows with your family and how to buy the right decor. 

 

So, if you're local to the Charlotte area I need you to spread the word.  Join me at the Concord, NC Babies R Us on Sunday, June 29th at 12:00 noon.  I'll be sharing my tips for creating a dream nursery and toddler/playrooms. 

Can't wait to share how it all goes.  Have a great weekend!