Personalized Kids Art by Nutmegaroo - GIVEAWAY

Etsy is one of my favorite sites for sourcing fresh, fun and personalized artwork for nurseries and kid's rooms.

Megan Long’s Nutmegaroo™ Design Studio on Etsy is a new discovery that offers stylish, personalized and custom prints for children. I have pulled just few examples of her work. Her designs are clean and simple, yet stylish. They would look great on the wall or in a frame on a bedside table.

Nutmegaroo recently released a new series of personalized initial prints {example below} and to celebrate would like to give ten {yes, 10} lucky Simplified Bee readers a free personalized print from her Etsy store.

In addition, Megan also wanted to extend 15% off on all purchases at her Etsy store now through August 11, 2011. Just enter the coupon code: SIMPLIFIEDBEE when checking out. Happy shopping!

Here’s how to enter to win:

• Leave a comment telling me your favorite print on Nutmegaroo. {provide your email if I don't have a way to contact you}.

• Extra Entry - become a new follower of Simplified Bee's Blog, Twitter or Facebook Page.

• Extra Entry - mention this giveaway in a blog post, FB link or tweet, then leave a comment letting me know.

• Please post a separate comment for each extra entry.

• Entry period closes at 9 pm PST on Monday, July 18, 2011. The winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Good luck!

Friday Finds: Stylish Cribs for Baby’s Nursery

A well designed nursery room needs to be high-functioning, but it doesn’t have to sacrifice on style. Choosing the right crib is the first step.

When selecting a crib, expecting parents have a lot of terrific styles and options today. Classic cribs are always in style, but many are now designed to grow with your child and transition from crib, to toddler bed, to full-sized headboard. I encourage clients to think ahead and purchase items that will represent a smart, solid investment — one that will last beyond baby’s first years and become a permanent part of the home.  

For an impressive round-up of stylish cribs {including the Noe Crib from PetitNest seen above}, visit my ideabook on Houzz! Here’s a sampling:

{Savannah Crib by The New Traditionalists}

{Newport Cottages Ricki Crib}

{Nurseryworks Uptown Crib}

Shopping for baby-to-be? Check out my favorite resources for chic baby nursery décor.

This Monday I will be announcing a fabulous giveaway from a talented artist on Etsy. Please drop by!

*Are you a design blogger in the San Francisco Area? Join us July 21st! Here's the invite.

Laila Ali’s Designer Nursery Room for Baby Girl

As seen on Project Nursery, Little Crown Interiors recently completed a beautiful nursery designed for celebrity Mommy, Laila Ali. The sweet “Hope” crib by Newport Cottages takes center stage in this pink and aqua nursery.

Above the crib, hangs a large stretched canvas photo of Muhammad Ali holding his infant daughter Laila. Flanking the artwork are petite mirrors by Pottery Barn Kids.

The sweet crib bedding was custom made using exquisite Love Bird Damask print in shades of soft pinks and mist blue by Carousel Designs .

A custom, stylish and down right functional nursery rocker and cube ottoman are tucked into the room’s corner. In bubblegum pink, a changing table by Newport Cottages is centered between dreamy floor length puddle drapes in white.

A studded monogram by Little Crown Interiors also hangs in the nursery and adds another personal touch to the space.

If the nursery wasn’t sweet enough, the gals at Little Crown Interiors finished off the room with a gorgeous chandelier.





For more nursery room inspiration, please visit baby boy nursery rooms, gender neutral nursery rooms, or baby girl nursery rooms.

Interview with New York Interior Designer Sara Gilbane

Earlier this year, the seasoned, Traditional Home and youngster, Lonny collaborated to create a new digital shelter magazine, TRADhome. In it’s debut issue, TRADhome names 20 New Traditional Designers to Watch. On the coveted list is New York-base interior designer, Sara Gilbane. She is known for her classic modern-traditional style and artfully combining low-key and elegant pieces. Sara’s interiors are chic, yet grounded in practicality.

 

Simplified Bee: When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer? 

Sara Gilbane: After my first day of work at Kemble Interiors. I was thrilled to be working with Celerie Kemble and Christina Murphy and once I dove into those fabrics I never looked back!

SB: How would you describe your personal style? 

SG: I come from a traditional background and love bold color and pattern mixed with neutrals. My style has a bit of an eclectic loved feel with a sense of calm.

SB: Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project? 

SG: Architects Peter Pennoyer or Gil Schafer. 

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones? 

SG: Benjamin Moore Linen White, Dove White, and Super White are always used on my moldings. Farrow and Ball Skylight is another favorite- a pale grey blue that makes you feel like you have been enveloped in a cloud.

SB: Which of today’s interior design trends are here to stay and which ones will we see fade away?

SG: Ikat, zebra, sisal, jewel tones, reclaimed wood, and bold color are all trending but they are classics and will never go away. Perhaps neon is one trend we will (gladly) see go.

SB: Where do you recommend clients splurge versus save? 

SG: Splurge on drapes, wallpaper, and a custom sofa ( you will LIVE on this for 20 years and it will be amazingly comfortable). Save on cocktail table, side tables, lamps. With this splurge/ save combo the splurge items are so unique people assume the rest of your pieces are special. Then again.... if you fall in love with something, buy it. Since you love it you will always find a way of working it into your next home.

SB: I love the timelessness of the nursery you designed that was featured in TRADhome. Tell us about your favorite design elements in the space. 

SG: We used a classic wool rug with a timeless geometric pattern in charcoal grey, celadon green, and slate blue to hide stains. The room had a tremendously high ceiling so we added silver star wallpaper on the ceiling and a custom painted pale blue and white circus tent stripe on the walls to add a sense of whimsy to the room. The deep mulberry colored rocking chair is one of my favorite pieces. It is so comfortable and the shape makes it perfect for a growing child ( not stuck in a nursery forever).

SB: You are embracing social media and write a blog {Travel for Design}, are on Facebook and can be found tweeting {http://twitter.com/sgilbane}. Do you prefer one over the other? What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets? 



SG: I love the blog though I do not have nearly enough time to update it as much as I would like to. I need to be better with tweeting! I would advise other designers not to be timid. I was not sure anyone would read our blog and we have over 6,000 hits a day! Go forth and blog, tweet, and tumble!

SB: Fill in the blank. No room is complete without… 



SG: Art.

SB: What’s next for Sara Gilbane Interiors? 



SG: I would love to design a range of fabrics and wallpapers for one of the fabric houses. I am fabric obsessed!

*images via Sara Gilbane Interiors and TRADhome