Living Room

Living Room, Preparing for Baby

As promised, I’ve taken some better shots of the living room as it looks these days. Here’s a panoramic I put together from three photos:

Living Room Panoramic

The baby stuff is slowly starting to show up in the house now… We have a wicker bassinet in our bedroom (a family heirloom on Brandon’s side), a Jenny Lind cradle in the living room (that my little brother and sister slept in), the new Eames rocker, and a few other big items. I can already tell it’s going to be a challenge to keep my house from being taken over by primary colors and plastic!

Eames Rocker in the Living Room

I was a little worried that the rocker would look funny being in such close proximity to our IKEA Eames/Nelson derivative at Brandon’s desk, but it looks fine.

Living Room & Brandon's Office

And the cradle, as big as it is in our small living room, looks fine too. I actually really like having an item in the room that definitively says “baby” — Brandon and I are so excited to meet her!

Living Room with Rocker and Cradle

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  • erica
    February 2, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    amazing decor – i love it!!

  • Emily
    February 2, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    It’s so refreshing to see a cradle fit in nicely with the existing living room decor. Fight the primary colored plastic!

  • Devon
    February 2, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    I’ve been following your blog now and, as a mom, I’ve enjoyed seeing your nursery develop. I love your taste and especially love the actual use of the picture rail to hang your prints! Great work and have fun with the new baby! Little ones make life so great, wouldn’t you agree?

  • jen
    February 2, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    Any chance you can share where you got your white coffee table. I have been looking for something exactly like that!

  • bungalowbliss
    February 2, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    You do pink so well. I love how everything just…flows!

  • luuvely
    February 2, 2009 at 2:53 pm

    omg! suuper cute! and yes for a while the baby WILL take over your place…but you will “keep it lovely”

    no worries :)

  • knwill
    February 2, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    I was wondering where you got your tv stand/console, I love it!

  • Kara
    February 2, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    Hi-
    Is the crib over and air-intake vent, or is that a heating vent? wouldn’t want little girl to get too too hot while sleeping.
    the place looks great!

  • Ashley
    February 2, 2009 at 3:23 pm

    Love the pillows! Where are they from?

  • tracey
    February 2, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    it all looks great to me. it’s so fresh and warm. i’m also wondering about your tv stand/console. it’s exactly what i’ve been looking for!

  • Julia
    February 2, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    I have a vintage crib, too. I use it for a few months until my babies start being able to scoot themselves around–I’m just too freaked out by how not up-to-code it is. Anyway…I am a long-time lurker and LOVE your style.

  • Nancy Kay
    February 2, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    Oh Nicole, it looks perfect! I’m so jealous of your amazing home :)

  • Shane and Casey
    February 2, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    Where did you get the cords for your picture rail? All the ones I have seen use two cords and I really like the look of yours! :)

  • Holly
    February 2, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    I feel sooo guilty! I read your blog all the time but this is my first comment. I LOVE your house. If your ever in the Dallas area stop on by I could use some pointers. Congrats on the new baby.

  • Darian
    February 2, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    I was just curious where you got your coffee table at. I love it!

  • Purple Area
    February 2, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    What a beautiful room!

  • Jennifer
    February 2, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    So beautiful and bright!! :)

  • Lindsay
    February 2, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    Where is your sofa from – I love it!!

  • Paty Fontes
    February 2, 2009 at 5:56 pm

    I didnt buy any baby furniture yet! and I m due May 9th! …. i love your living room… really cozy!

  • Making it Lovely
    February 2, 2009 at 6:11 pm

    Sources… The coffee table was by Thomas O’Brien for Target, and the TV console was from west elm. The sofa is from Room and Board (Jasper), the picture rail cord is from Rejuvenation, and the pillows are from Hable Construction and Thomas Paul.

    The cradle is over an air intake, not a heat vent, so no worries!

  • Natalie
    February 2, 2009 at 6:14 pm

    I just love your living room and I think that the wicker cradle looks darling! Where did you find all of the neat, round “flowery things” that fill the vases in your home? There’s a vase I’ve been eyeing at Target and some of those plans/flowers/gorgeous little objects would look PERFECT next to the Entertainment Center in our living room!

  • Emily S
    February 2, 2009 at 6:49 pm

    Awww, your living room is simply lovely! I too, am expecting a baby around the end of July, and i share your desire to keep primary colors and plastic from taking over my apartment!

  • Vanessa
    February 2, 2009 at 7:19 pm

    Lovely job incorporating nice baby stuff. But, once the baby arrives, don’t worry so much about your house getting taken over by plastic and primary colors. My boy is 10 months old now, and we resolved to keep out the plastic stuff. But people will give you tons of it, and, in truth, my boy has LOVED some of his plastic gear. It will be around for a very short time, and you shouldn’t beat yourself up about things that make your kids happy. You can stash the vast majority of it in cool boxes. :)

  • Erin
    February 2, 2009 at 7:25 pm

    I love your style. I have a year and a half year old and she has completely taken over the decorating with all of her stuff! I hope you are able to keep up your style better than I did!

  • Ami @ Elizabeth Anne Designs
    February 2, 2009 at 7:25 pm

    your home is so lovely – but then again, with your style, i wouldn’t have expected anything less!

  • Amanda
    February 2, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    I love everything, especially the pillows!

  • damselseo
    February 2, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    Wow! such amazing and elegant design. I love it.So cool and clean!

  • gina
    February 2, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    So pretty and soft. I love the pink.

  • pearllinds
    February 2, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    I love the ‘Panoramic’ function on my camera…it makes my interior shots look so much more interesting and professional!!

    I never thought of putting a cradle in the living room – I should just put her actual cradle out here because she still never sleeps in it!! ;) Little girls are pretty special, I can’t believe mine will be 6 months this Saturday! Good luck with the last couple months!!

    BTW – do you have a Moby Wrap yet? They’re a life saver!!

  • Amanda
    February 2, 2009 at 11:43 pm

    I was just wondering if you could post some of your links for wallpaper buying? I’ve looked at Velocity and Walnut Wallpaper, but they’re a bit more expensive then I want, for a DIY project of making scented drawer liners. However, I love their style! I’m looking for floral prints. I tried etsy but also didn’t have much luck there either. I appreciate any insight you can give on this topic.

  • Erin
    February 3, 2009 at 12:44 am

    Everything looks so homey! I love it, it’s such a comfortable room. You two must be so excited for the baby to come now so she can be rocked in that great chair.

  • Cecilia
    February 3, 2009 at 1:53 am

    I LOVE your home! It is soooo beautiful!
    Love from sweden

  • Catherine
    February 3, 2009 at 2:03 am

    Looks gorgeous! What sort of plant/flower is that beside your TV? I haven’t really seen anything like that around where I live (Australia).

  • veda
    February 3, 2009 at 4:24 am

    HI just absolutely gorgeous room….best of luck !!!

  • Mim
    February 3, 2009 at 5:56 am

    This is lovely! I like how you have incorporated family memories. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and the delivery.

  • señora capone
    February 3, 2009 at 6:59 am

    I will be interested to see your wonderful abode in a years time. When the baby is mobile. All my lovely things, have been banished to the closet for the next 3 years I think.

  • Mandy Ford
    February 3, 2009 at 7:49 am

    Simply gorgeous :)

    I have twins that are 8 months and I can completely relate to the primary colored plastic dilemma. In our case, we had to relent because the boys needed things to keep them occupied and some of the best toys are unfortunately plastic and primary colors. LOL :)

  • xin
    February 3, 2009 at 9:25 am

    Love your room! I am 7 weeks pregnant now, and I already want to set up everything. But it’s kind of hard to do anything without knowing the gender. You are so inspiring! Love all the pink!

  • susan
    February 3, 2009 at 10:02 am

    oh how your world will change! when our daughter was born (almost 21 years ago) it was like we went from seeing the world in black and white to seeing it in technicolor. she’s the best thing that ever happened to us.

    i’m so excited for you!

  • BigSister
    February 3, 2009 at 10:22 am

    Don’t worry, you will love that baby so much, even more than you love your beautiful house, that you will get used to the plastic, primary colors that will take over.

  • Gràcia
    February 3, 2009 at 10:35 am

    Seeing posts like this one makes me dream of babies… :)

  • Marybeth at www.babygoodbuys.com
    February 3, 2009 at 10:59 am

    Beautiful! Just remember that primary colors are not the prettiest in your living room, but they are the best for your baby’s brain :)

  • beth
    February 3, 2009 at 11:58 am

    SUCH a cute room! so warm and welcoming.

  • Anna
    February 3, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    one more source question … i absolutely love your rug – where is it from? thanks for sharing all these lovely pictures – you have great style – it must be so fun to live in such a beautiful home! :)

  • sunny
    February 3, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    It all looks so beautiful.

    So very excited for you about this little baby!!!

  • Maggie
    February 3, 2009 at 1:33 pm

    You’re house blog is my favorite because you are pro-wood trim! I haven’t painted the wood trim in my home either, I actually like it and think it makes the place feel homey! Thanks and keep not painting the trim ;)

  • Abby-Sue
    February 3, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Your home is the perfect blend of comfort and beauty, something which is hard to come by! I love your style, and the way that you can blend such a rich palette so well; grays, pinks, browns and oranges all come together so sweetly and in a manner which is obviously universally appealing, since I am one of your many, many admirers.

  • Kelly
    February 3, 2009 at 2:39 pm

    It’s so lovely to look at your pictures. And I’m happy to see you incorporating baby things into your home.

    I’m a mom of two young ones, and here’s a little advice: don’t buy it until you need it. No slings, wraps, boppys, activity mats, etc. etc. etc. I wish I had all that money back! Just wait and see what you & your baby need. You live in Chicago, there’s NOTHING that you can’t get the same day you need it. I moved from Lincoln Park last year and MISS my city so bad.

    You know what you need first day home? FOOD for the adults; someone to hold the baby when you shower; thank you notes; and someone to start doing laundry. Every thing else can wait. Good luck and please keep posting your DIY series, I’m loving it.

  • Making it Lovely
    February 3, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    The green things in the vase are supposed to be chestnut branches (I just like the round spikiness of them!).

    Amanda, unfortunately wallpaper is often expensive. Walnut wallpaper is my favorite place to look, and you already know about them and Velocity. You might have some luck at Target – they’ve been carrying some wallpapers lately for around $40 a roll.

    Anna, the rug is by Madeline Weinrib, and I bought it at ABC Carpet and Home in NYC.

  • kittycatalina
    February 3, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    Is that an Imperial Walker I spy?
    Good luck keeping the tacky plastics at bay…it can be done!

  • Seleta
    February 3, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    How you always make everything look so organized is beyond me. I love it. And want that. [sigh]

  • mary
    February 4, 2009 at 6:55 am

    I am so impressed with the thought you’ve put into every detail of your home, and to watch it all come together has been a total inspiration to me!

  • Heloisa
    February 4, 2009 at 8:53 am

    Hi Nicole,

    My name is Heloisa, I´m a brasilian journalist.

    Well, first of all I want to congrats you about your blog! It is really really nice and well written!

    Second, I want to ask you for a favour, if you can, of course. I really love the design of your blog, and wanted to do a similar thing on mine, too.

    Can you pass me the information so my webdesigner will be able to do something similar? I´ll give you all the credits, that´s for sure!

    Thanks in advance
    Best regards
    Heloisa

  • coral
    February 4, 2009 at 11:22 am

    Do you like your Jasper couch? Is it comfortable and holding up well? Do the cushions have removable covers if you have to clean them? I have been looking at the Jasper for a while now. I am really nervous about making such a big important purchase over the internet without seeing it/ sitting on it first, but the sofas available where I live just aren’t cutting it.

  • katiedid
    February 4, 2009 at 11:31 am

    WOw! Looking FAB. But of course it would.

  • kally
    February 4, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    You have fabulous taste!

  • michelle
    February 4, 2009 at 2:39 pm

    another source question. I love the artwork above the sofa. Where is it from? Thank you for posting. I love it!!

  • Laura
    February 4, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    What a beautiful job you have done! Such an inspiration. I love too many things to mention, but I will try! First of all, that Eames rocker just knocks my socks off! I also Love the armchair, the way you have used color to make the whole space warm & vibrant but still soothing, that zigzag rug, the dress form in the corner… Fantastic. I just popped over here from ohdeedoh, but I think I’ll stay awhile :)

  • amy purple
    February 4, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    I love the zigzag carpet. It was a fuzzy white one before, wasn’t it?

  • Dionne C
    February 4, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    What a well-put-together space! I love your taste! It has the perfect balance of looking stylish yet comfortable. I am not a fan of unapproachable design, but yours looks so welcoming!

  • Susan
    February 4, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    I love that rug! I am decorating a nursery in vintagey reds and that looks perfect! Care to share where it’s from?

  • Heather
    February 4, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    Hi Nicole,
    What a great blog you have! I put some ideas together about your “primary colr/plastic concerns” for you on my new blog: http://www.doodlebuds.blogspot.com

    Good luck to you! I’m looking forward to reading more about your journey!
    Heather

  • Priya
    February 4, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    What color/kind of paint did you use in that back room? The light-medium brown/gray color? It’s exactly the color I’m looking for!

  • Valerie
    February 4, 2009 at 10:16 pm

    Gah! I absolutely LOVE your blog, so happy to have discovered it!

    But I have a question for you – does your paint colour have a hint of pink in it, or is it just white (and maybe the curtains are giving off that glow?)?

    So beautiful, warm and welcoming – yet still modern. Great design!

  • Viv
    February 4, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    My goodness what a beautiful room. Well done Nicole!

  • Jennifer
    February 4, 2009 at 10:33 pm

    I just found your blog and absolutely love it! I have two children under the age of five and I can tell that instead of fighting child decor, you will embrace it. I have loved putting together a comfy, pretty home that the whole family enjoys. Would I have put a giant, fleece covered bean bag on the living room floor before kids? No, but they love it and use it and if it’s covered in the fabric I want, it actually looks pretty good. Things will change, but it will still be lovely.
    I’ll definitely be visiting this website frequently (especially now that Domino is done:( Thanks so much!

  • CHIC Sensibility
    February 5, 2009 at 12:33 am

    Wow! How cute. It was worth the wait.

  • freeteyme
    February 5, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    i heart your blog! you are very creative!

  • Making it Lovely
    February 5, 2009 at 5:18 pm

    Is an Imperial Walker the same as an AT-AT? Because if so, then yes that’s an Imperial Walker you see. ;)

    Coral, yes the couch has held up well. I’d recommend it to anyone!

    Michelle, the art above the sofa is a quilt that I put over stretcher bars. It was from Dream of Stars.

    The rug is by Madeline Weinrib, and I bought it at ABC Carpet & Home.

    The living room paint is indeed a very pale pink – “Wild Aster” by Benjamin Moore. Brandon’s office is “Driftwood” by Benjamin Moore.

  • emily
    February 5, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    really, really, REALLY lovely. i want to move in. is that creepy?

  • LindsB
    February 5, 2009 at 7:45 pm

    I love your rocker, its so hot! Much better option then the typical slide rocker everyone gets, yuck!

  • Jess
    February 6, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    “Driftwood” is one of my Benjamin Moore favorites.

    Everything is lovely! I’m sure you’ll rise to the challenge of keeping your own style while making things kid-friendly. Honestly, I don’t think Plan Toys or Haba wood items, or playsilks, or other such toys would clash terribly with your style! You don’t have to go the Fisher Price route. :o)

    Will have to stock up on picture cord. Did you just connect a single length on the frame hardware and wrap it around the picture rail hook? It’s a much cleaner look than the usual big loop.

  • jennifer ramos
    February 7, 2009 at 1:58 am

    YOUR PLACE is looking quite nice…you have great design aesthetic.
    The carpet is the best!!!

  • Anne @ The City Sage
    February 7, 2009 at 10:14 am

    I’m not saying anything that plenty of folks haven’t already said here, but your home is AMAZING! The little touches of ‘baby’ that are popping up are just perfect with your existing designs. The cradle and the rocker are the perfect blend of warm and homey + clean and sophisticated. simply heavenly!

  • Maggi
    February 7, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    What kind of picture railing hangers are those? I need some immediately. Thanks.

  • Amy @ Living Locurto
    February 8, 2009 at 4:57 pm

    I’ve been reading your blog for a while. Just love your style and designs. I’m a designer also and I was hoping to meet you at Blissdom this weekend, but never found you! Bummer. Hope you had a great time and good luck with the new baby:-) This room is gorgeous!!! Ikea rocks.

  • mer
    February 9, 2009 at 2:27 am

    I’m so in love with the rug! great job!

  • Nancy
    February 9, 2009 at 2:41 am

    You’re one of the reason that I’m still crazy about Madeline Weinrib’s rugs! I didn’t realize that you could order them in various colors other than what is on their site.

    I did get lucky enough to pick up a pretty pink MW rug from another home blogger and I’m in love with it. But, it’s just made me want more!

    I’d love to see them all in person. I may just have to fly to NY!

    Best of luck with the new baby! If you get tired of the rug, I’ll be happy to buy it from you ;) Nanc

  • Katie
    February 9, 2009 at 10:56 am

    I am very excited for you. I have a 7 month old and this time last year I was doing exactly what you are doing. It was my way of mentally preparing for baby–the physical stuff. I can’t stress enough how great it feels to sit in her room–my favorite room in the house. Congrats and good luck

  • Pink Wallpaper
    February 9, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    what a great room…love the rug, pillows, and adorable rocker :)

  • Rachel B.
    February 10, 2009 at 7:36 am

    Good luck with the primary colors and plastic dilema– I have 4 children (age 1,3,6,9) and I think I lost control of the “desorating a long time ago. Your home is absolutely beautiful. Perhaps you will be better at keeping it that way than I was.

  • Melissa de la Fuente
    February 10, 2009 at 9:35 am

    I think it all looks absolutely gorgeous and congratulations hun!
    xo
    Melissa

  • Amanda @O Oliveaux
    February 10, 2009 at 5:27 pm

    I love your room – very beautiful! Amanda x

  • tanya
    February 13, 2009 at 11:32 am

    what great taste you have–i love how you’ve decorated the room and kept it chic and calming. just lovely!

  • Erika
    February 15, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    You have the best style!
    PS- have you seen that Target is now selling a knock off of the Eames rocker- its weird!

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  • Ali
    March 3, 2009 at 2:53 pm

    Oh lord, good luck with keeping the plastic crap out! I am mom to an 18-month old and it just keeps piling up …

    Everything looks so lovely!

  • Brandi
    March 5, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    Where did you get the great vase and green flowers by your tv? I love your decorating style.

    Brandi

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    March 18, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    I like this room very much, the chair, sofa, cushions, the rug, and colors…

  • Jeff
    March 22, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    Is that the natural rocker or the white?

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