Tag: pink

Wink!

Some people buy one set of bedding and only replace it when it starts to fall apart. Strip the sheets, throw ’em in the wash, put ’em back on. I’ve never been a ‘one set of sheets’ kind of gal.

It’s not even that I have a million sets (I have three), it’s just that I like to have some options. I’m not going to repaint every season, and as much as *ahem* I like a good rug, I don’t change those out as frequently as my recent shenanigans would suggest. Bedding though? Instant mini-makeover!

I spotted a pair of the best pillows ever in an Instagram shot from Wit & Delight a few weeks ago, and I began searching for them. Five variations of “wink/winking pillow” down the search engine internet rabbit hole, and a pair of my own were on their way. About a week later, I was running errands with Eleanor when I spotted a cute set of pink and coral sheets that of course had to come home with us.

I made up the bed, fulling intending to photograph it for the blog the next day, but the wee ones were not cooperating. First, just a few hours after putting the new sheets on, Calvin uncharacteristically threw up all over them. Strip the sheets, throw ’em in the wash, put ’em back on. The next day was rainy, and the light wasn’t just right. The day after that, two little monkeys, jumping on the bed. Today, rumpled sheets that can wait because look at that smile.

I feel like I may have had this problem before. Same quilt and everything.

May 12, 2015
Another Rug! (Yes, Again!)

‘Tis what I do. I remember reading a blog post by Michelle Kohanzo (Managing Director of The Land of Nod) and loving that she describes herself as “changing rugs like most women change their sheets.” YES.

Anyway, with every tweak and addition (or take away), the double parlors are getting closer and closer to what I would consider done. After trying out the layered rug trend, I’m certain it’s not for me. I still wanted a rug down though, at least in the back parlor, and preferably something plush.

Ta da — plush, the right size, affordable (relatively), with just a bit of pink.

Obviously that’s not a styled photo (I held the camera in one hand and the baby in the other, and took a quick snap), but you get the idea. This is the rug, close up.

I’m forever arranging and rearranging the library, wishing that black and white striped sofa was 18″ smaller, but it’s working. I’m thinking of adding a matching rug in there too. I only hesitate because really? A couple of huge, almost all-white rugs in a house with three young kids, a dog, and a couple of cats? Eh, I think it will work. They’re wool, which cleans up nicely, and we have a big runner in the entryway so nobody would be stepping directly on the white rugs after coming in from outside.

Pretend there’s a rug inside those two measuring tapes, deal? I think that having a rug to define the library’s floor plan will help. (Magically shrinking the sofa would help, too.)

April 15, 2015
The Moroccan Rug

The blue rug that I styled here recently, while beautiful, has been returned. Going back to bare floors was kind of sad! I’d had the Azilal rug that I brought back from Morocco down before though, and I figured it was time to bring it back.

I’m considering buying the blue rug for the dining room if I want to hold off on wallpaper, but I haven’t decided yet. It’s out of stock in the size I would need, so I’ve got a little time to think about it. I am however keeping one of the pillows from before! It’s got all of my colors going on, and I love the texture.

The Moroccan rug is a decent size (6×11) for the back parlor, but I wanted to try out a layered look with a couple of pale pink flatwoven rugs. You’ve seen them before; I like them a lot, but I didn’t choose them and they’re a bit too small for my house. I lined them up to create a larger rug because I thought the colors and pattern would complement the Azilal, and layering it on top covered most of the seam. And our corner fireplace is always an issue with rugs in this room. These are thin enough that I can fold the corner under to fit, but anything thicker would have to be trimmed and bound to custom fit the space.

Oh, hey, different plant. I moved the other fiddle leaf fig upstairs to a window with the same exposure in hopes of letting it recover, but it’s not doing so well. This other little guy is happy though, and has sprouted new baby leaves toward the bottom! I need to properly plant him soon — the plastic pot it came in is just sitting inside there.

Anyway that’s how we came to have three rugs in the living room. None of them are perfect on their own, but together they’re better than the sum of their parts. I don’t know how long they’re going to stay like this though — the kids run around the house and as they run through the room, everything is kind of sliding around! (Rug pads aren’t doing enough to stop the problem.) It’s a good look, but maybe not the most practical for us.

March 25, 2015
Our Dresses for My Sister’s Wedding
My sister, Ashley, is getting married in September! She found her wedding dress months ago, and it’s beautiful. Ivory with lace and a little beading, gorgeous details down the back, and just a bit of a train. Completely different (much more formal) than what she thought she was going to choose, but when she put it on, her face lit up. It was the dress.

I’ll be the matron of honor (yay!), and Eleanor will be a flower girl. We went with Ashley, my youngest sister (Francesca, also a bridesmaid), my mom, and Calvin to BHLDN and the Nordstrom on Michigan Avenue over the weekend to look for our dresses. A girls’ day out (plus bonus baby boy).

Brandon and August will also be in the wedding party (Calvin is too little), but my sister hasn’t decided what the guys are wearing yet. The ladies though — she’s got that down! Each bridesmaid will be wearing a floor-length chiffon dress, and we’re free to choose the style we like best, and even the color from within her palette. (Pink was an option, so that’s why I’m going with because of course I am.) I’d had my eye on a specific Jenny Yoo dress, and it did not disappoint! I’m on the lookout now for a dress for Eleanor. I’ve ordered this one, but if it’s too big we’ll likely go with this instead.

We still have plenty of time to choose the accessories and Ashley hasn’t made a final decision yet on some of those details, but this is the general look that me and miss E will be wearing!
1. Gem Pearl Earrings, J. Crew
2. Florascope Comb, BHLDN
3. Guilhermina Posy Cutwork Heels, Anthropologie
4. Jenny Yoo ‘Vivienne’ Pleated Chiffon Gown, Nordstrom
5. Mae Dress, BHLDN
6. Girls’ Classic Glitter Ballet Flats, J. Crew
7. Mini Heart, ban.do
February 17, 2015
Think Pink!

Think pink, if you want that quelque chose!

I tried something different and painted the images for today’s post in gouache, rather than presenting them as a digital collage like I usually would. I was more successful with some of the illustrations than others, (that shirt is the woooooorst!) but it was good practice. I feel confident in my ability to draw, so it’s the painting that I’m trying to improve.

Anyway. Think pink! Think pink, and the world is rosy-red!

Tunic | Anthropologie • Vase | CB2 • Watch | Kate Spade • Shoes | J. Crew • Glasses | Warby Parker • Moroccan Pouf | Lulu & Georgia • Mug and Dishes | Crate & Barrel • Bed | Room & Board • Bedding | West Elm • Plant Pot | Leif • Necklace | Ban.do

January 12, 2015
Pink for Boys (Pink for All!)
A reader named Karin wrote to me with a request.

“Nicole, I am wondering if you have a suggestion for pink shades in a boy child’s room. My youngest (3) loves pink. His room needs painting, and he’s been clear about pink being the color for months. I have never had a pink room, am a blue, silver lover, so I’m at a loss for how to make pink work in a boys room. I would love if you did some suggestions on your blog for how to honor little boys who love pink – what colors would go with it, shades you suggest, etc… any thoughts would be so appreciated.”

This is totally in my wheelhouse. First, up: paint colors, as requested! I put together a post years ago on picking perfect pink paint colors, and that’s a good place to start. The trick to choosing a color for a boy is to avoid baby pink, but then I also think that’s a good idea in general. You can go subtle or muted, bright and clear, or more toward the coral end of pink. Below are some excellent choices, depending on your personal preference.

Row One – Subtle Choices • Wild Aster, Benjamin Moore • Peony Blush, Behr • Rosy Outlook, Sherwin-Williams • Barely Blush, Glidden
Row Two – Bright and Clear • Carnation Bloom, Behr • Pink Moment, Sherwin-Williams • Pantone Quartz Pink, Valspar • Hopeful, Sherwin-Williams
Row 3 – Coral Pink • Strawberry Mousse, Behr • Fruit Shake, Benjamin Moore • Pale Shrimp, Behr • Red Grapefruit, Behr

There are also some fantastic pink wallpapers out there.

Harlequin (Rose) Wallpaper, Ferm Living • Spear (Rose) Wallpaper, Ferm Living • Triangles (White, Gray, & Pink), Lisa Congdon for Hygge & West

Pink is a warm color, and it mixes well with a combination of reds and oranges, which would be great for a boy’s room. Pink and yellow, pink and green, and pink and blue are also fantastic (especially if you’re already a fan of blue), and pink with black and white can look awesome. Below are a few accessories and pieces of furniture that could also be worked in to a pink room for a boy.
1. TPS Pink File Cabinet, CB2
2. Cargo Pink Bedding, The Land of Nod
3. Snöig Wall Lamp, IKEA
4. Stella Cabinet, CB2
5. Alfabet by Leise Dich Abrahamsen, Stilleben, via Door Sixteen
6. Wire Basket in Rose, Ferm Living
7. Canted Wool Rug in Salmon, West Elm
Karin, and anyone else looking to do a not-so-girly pink room, I hope that helps!
January 22, 2014