(#csideproject reveal)

Guys, I am so, so excited to finally share the final photos of the #csideproject! This project has been a long time in the making and I am so proud of the results and even more excited for my clients who will get to enjoy that lake life 🙂

These photos were taken after final inspection, pre-move-in, so no styling, just the beautiful unabashed #csideproject in all its glory. Here we gooooooo.

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house with Marvin Ultimate Sliding Patio Doors window wall
The view upon walking through the entry hall

Being on the lake, the house was designed to be all about the view (and what a view!). We used Marvin’s Ultimate Sliding Doors off both the living room and the kitchen that totally open the space to the outdoors, and in turn, let the view in.

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house with Marvin Ultimate Sliding Patio Doors window wall
Ultimate sliding patio doors at sunset

A lot of time and consideration went into the design of the outdoor space. My client loves a good screened-in porch and is known to host phenomenal porch dinners, but didn’t want to darken the family room. Thus, the right balance between the screened porch and uncovered deck was necessary. Off the family room is an asymmetrical open deck to allow maximum sunshine into the house (pictured above). The screened-in porch is directly off the kitchen (seen on the left of above photo) and runs length-wise toward the lake, perfect for large family dinners al fresco.

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house with Marvin Ultimate Sliding Patio Doors window wall fireplace wall reverse board and batten SW Greek Villa Stuga Studio Pippi
Reverse board and batten along fireplace wall

This house will play host to large family gatherings all year long, so all aspects were designed to comfortably accommodate big groups (of big people, nonetheless!). Initially the plan was to have built-in cabinets flanking the fireplace, but with plenty of cabinets just a few feet away in the kitchen, the cabinets were replaced with storage benches. This solved two different problems: the cubbies are a great storage area for large, bulky items like blankets and cushions and the benches provide additional seating when the couch is full.

The reverse board and batten millwork along the fireplace wall is one of my favorite details in the house. It adds interest and texture to the wall without taking away from the lake view. It looks so clean and cozy.

The fireplace surround is the Bedrosian Cloe Tile and echoes the kitchen backsplash. Hint: we ordered through Lowe’s and picked up from the store to save on delivery costs.

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house window wall fireplace wall reverse board and batten SW Greek Villa fireplace benches
My guys playing go fish and putting the benches to use.

The glass sconces above each window adds a warm touch without being overpowering. They were very reasonable (under $30) and look expensive – this is the Satin Nickel finish.

The benches on each sides are actually different sizes, so I made the decision to just box out the trim to balance them out and give the illusion that they were the same size. Cushions are next on the to-do list.

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house reverse board and batten SW Greek Villa staircase
Reverse board and batten carried through the staircase.

The reverse board and batten was then carried through the staircase down to the basement. The ledge along the stairs was the perfect barrier to let it die out. The same sconce was used above the window to carry out the design.

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house reverse board and batten SW Greek Villa staircase custom baby gate
Colin putting the baby gate to use

This house will see many generations grow up, so we thought it wise to have a sturdy baby gate built to block the access to the basement. The same material was used as the staircase, so it looks like part of the design instead of a clunky add-on.

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house SW Greek Villa kitchen white cabinets with wood island bedrosian cloe tile pottery barn pendants stuga studio pippi
Kitchen open to the fam rm

Just off the family room is the kitchen. This open floor plan is great for entertaining and maximizes the space (and that view!).

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house SW Greek Villa kitchen white cabinets with wood island stuga studio pippi floors
View of the kitchen from the living room

Since the island is the hub of the space, we went with a warm wood tone to ground it. The white perimeter cabinets keep the space bright and crisp. We opted to forgo the top drawers along those white perimeter cabinets to keep it from looking too busy (and to keep cost down – drawers are more expensive bc they require more hardware).

The lighting in here really sets the tone for beach vibezzz. The rattan basket pendants are just the right size and amount of playfulness. I liked that the rope detail was carried up to the ceiling. The sea glass chandelier is just stunning. The stones are a very pale aqua which adds a needed splash of color without owning the room. The sconces above the windows are the same glass sconces as the family room – eventually got that second sconce working 🙂

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house SW Greek Villa kitchen white cabinets with wood island stuga pippi floors
Close-up of the backsplash

Here is a close-up of the Bedrosian Cloe backsplash tile. It is such a gorgeous tile that looks good anywhere. The subtle tonal change adds just enough variation without being busy. We used ice white grout with it. Also love the cabinet hardware.

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house SW Basalt Powder bathroom blue tile floor wood shutter vanity
Beach Bathroom

Normally, I would opt for neutral on finishes that cannot be easily changed – like tile. BUT, since this is a beach house where it’s going to be FUN ALL THE TIME, why not choose a fun tile? Plus, blue is pretty much a neutral when it comes to beach houses. I found this blue mosaic tile at Tile Outlet in Chicago and couldn’t be more excited with how it turned out. The white grout makes it pop and keeps the space from feeling dark. The white subway tile in the shower balances the room out. The shutter detail on the vanity also lends itself to the beachy keen vibe of the house.

Artesian Designs | #csideproject
Beach house SW Greek Villa mudroom bench storage stuga studio Pippi
Mudroom bench

This beautiful piece of carpentry sits just inside the garage and adjacent to the entry. One of my client’s pain points was shoes kicked all over the house and bags dropped right at the door. This space is the ultimate, organized catch all. The shelf above is deep and sturdy enough to hold weekender bags, towels, margarita machines, you name it. The double hooks will hold jackets, hats, and beach bags, while the bench is a great purse drop and go. Under the bench was intentionally left open so it was easy enough to just kick shoes off underneath. Who has time to put their shoes in a drawer?? The same reverse board and batten detail was carried over here to tie it all together.

This photo also showcases the beautiful Stuga Studio – Pippi floors. Such an awesome tone without being too light. The knots in the floor add a bit of a nautical touch throughout the house, too.

Overall sources:

White paint: Greek Villa by Sherwin Williams
Hardwood floors: Pippi by Stuga Studios
Windows: Marvin
Counters: Montauk by Hanstone Quartz
Backsplash: Cloe by Bedrosians via Lowes
Cabinet Hardware: Amerock Revitalize via Wayfair
Island Pendants: Flora by Pottery Barn
Chandelier: Enya Seasglass pendant by Pottery Barn
Sconces above windows: Light Society in Satin Nickel from Overstock
Bathroom tile: American Olean Deep Blue Paris mosaic tile via Tile Outlet
Bathroom paint color: Basalt Powder by Sherwin Williams
Vanity hardware: Amerock via Wayfair

Artesian Designs | Kristy
And here I am cheesin’ on the deck

Thanks for following along on the journey. No time like a quarantine to sit down and write a blog post with pretty pictures to distract oneself. Time for a marg. Cheers, friends! Be well.

(#VHouseProject Kitchen Renovation)

Have you ever had a friend that you are always on the same page with? That no matter what season of life you’re in, you can look at each other and just go “yep.” Well, I’ve been fortunate to have that very friend since grade school and we’ve been in sync (and to many *NSYNC concerts) ever since.

Not only is she one of my best friends, but she was also one of my first official clients! She and her wonderful husband decided to take a chance on me to help renovate their home – and I could not be more grateful or excited with how it turned out.

I worked with them to locate the right house for their family (I am also a licensed realtor) and then we got to work on bringing some magic to the house. The house, itself, was built in the 50s and already had some fantastic bones. The previous owners took great care of the home so is was mostly cosmetic updates and opening up a wall to improve the traffic flow of the floor plan.

The end result is a stunning chef’s kitchen that will host many family gatherings and will stand the test of time. It is so classically beautiful, yet modern, that it will easily evolve with my friend’s family through all their seasons of life.

Scroll to the bottom for some holy sh*t before and afters as well as a few sources 🙂

Artesian Designs | navy and white kitchen renovation sw naval arabescato dolomite marble before and after

By opening the wall, we were able to add an island that has become the hub of the kitchen; great for family meals and entertaining. And how gorgeous is that Arabescato dolomite slab??

Artesian Designs | Navy and White kitchen renovation sw naval arabescato dolomite marble before and after
Artesian Designs | Navy and White kitchen renovation sw naval sw software arabescato dolomite marble before and after
Artesian Designs | Navy and White kitchen renovation sw naval arabescato dolomite marble before and after
Artesian Designs | Navy and White kitchen renovation sw aloof gray arabescato dolomite marble before and after
Artesian Designs | Navy and White kitchen renovation sw software arabescato dolomite marble before and after
Artesian Designs | Navy and White kitchen renovation sw creamy cabinets arabescato dolomite marble before and after
Artesian Designs | Navy and White kitchen renovation sw naval arabescato dolomite marble before and after

What is it about Before & Afters that are just so satisfying?? Which before and after view do you like the best?

SOURCE LIST
Grey paint on kitchen walls: Sherwin Williams Aloof Gray
Dark grey paint on family room walls: Sherwin Williams Software
Island paint color: Sherwin Williams Naval
Countertops: Brazilian Arabescato Dolomite via Stone City
Lights: Pendants over island
Gorg Faucet: Elements of Design via Wayfair (on sale!!)
Cabinet pulls: Amerock Davenport via Wayfair
Stellar Contractor: Dolan Builders, Inc.

xo – Kristy

(#csideproject update)

Artesian Designs - Lake Michigan Beach House at Sunset

Wow, it’s been a minute since I’ve checked in here.  Turns out, having two small children is pretty exhausting and I find myself passing out on the couch mid Mrs. Maisel episode instead of pontificating my thoughts here on this blog.

I have been working on the #CSideProject for about, well, three years now.  I am fortunate to have been involved in the entire process – from land acquisition, to architectural drawings, permitting, selections, and now to the final, finishing touches.  It has been a labor of love and I absolutely cannot wait to share the final project.  It is in the verrrry homestretch now after hitting pretty much every road block imaginable (not even kidding) and I wanted to share a glimpse inside.

These photos are from a gorgeous December day that had just an insane sunset.  Check out the view from the Master Bedroom.  The Marvin sliding french doors frame the beach and sunset just perfectly.  Can you imagine enjoying a glass of rosé on this balcony?  Gimme.  Paint color is Sherwin Williams Topsail.

Artesian Designs- Beach House Master Bedroom - SW Topsail - Marvin sliding doors

I have had a lot of fun designing the bathrooms.  I would normally recommend going with neutral finishes in a bathroom so they can stand the test of time, but in a beach house?  Go for it!  It is a vacation home and should feel like it.  The multicolor Penny Round tile was sourced at Floor & Decor (for a steal!) and the Blue Mosaic tile was sourced from the Tile Outlet in Chicago. I just love how they turned out.

Artesian Designs- Beach House Bathroom - Multicolor Penny Round Tile
Artesian Designs- Beach House Bathroom - Blue Mosaic Tile _ shutter vanity

The kitchen is coming along swimmingly. We chose white cabinets to keep the space feeling as light and bright as possible. A wood-toned island will anchor the space, and two large rattan pendants and a sea glass chandelier will add texture.

Artesian Designs- Beach House Kitchen - White - SW Greek Villa

A beautiful hardwood floor from Stuga is currently hiding under the cardboard to protect it during these last few weeks. I was looking for a warm, light wood to keep with the airiness of the beach and couldn’t be happier with the Pippi style. It is exactly what we were looking for – and the occasional knotted plank lends itself to the nautical vibe. Can’t wait to see the whole space uncovered!

Artesian Designs- Beach House Kitchen - Stuga Floor - Hardwood - Pippi

I am heading out there on Monday for what should be the final site visit! Can’t wait.

May your 2020 be as calm and colorful as this beautiful Lake Michigan sunset. Cheers!

Artesian Designs- Beach House Lake Michigan sunset

(coastal bathroom)

Now that we are on day three of being stuck inside our house due to the Polar Vortex (out of snacks, please send help), I thought I would share the room in our house that makes every day seem like a beach day…the kids’ bathroom.

I am such a sucker for a nautical vibe, so I was excited to put it to work in this bathroom.

Coastal Bath Style | casual cool beach bathroom look; light blue vanity, marble hex, subway tile

I wanted the bathroom for our future children (they were just a gleam in our eye when we built our house — as my dad would say) to be fun, but neutral enough that it could grow with them, so we chose some classics that had a lot of character.  The marble hex tile is timeless and pairs really well with the light blue vanity (color tagged at the end) and carrara marble counter top.

Coastal Bath Style | casual cool beach bathroom look; light blue vanity, marble hex, subway tile

Pro tip: you can use a floor mirror horizontally on most double vanities.  We found this one at Homegoods for just $60!  We also found the cute wooden sharks from Homegoods (my fav).

We went with chrome finishes to lend itself to a fun retro beach vibe (think Beach Blanket Bingo).  We chose the Brantford line from Moen for the faucets and shower fixtures; I really liked the look with the smooth, rounded features and thought a single handle would be easier for kids than than two (so far so good!).

Coastal Bath Style | casual cool beach bathroom look; light blue vanity, marble hex, subway tile

We went with the classic ice white subway tile with white grout and then amped up the color with this fun shower curtain that just screams “RELEASE THE KRAKEN!” (right??).  I bought this curtain at Urban Outfitters (sold out), but also found it at ModCloth and Amazon.  The wicker basket from Target adds some nice texture (and storage!).Coastal Bath Style | casual cool beach bathroom look; light blue vanity, marble hex, subway tile

I love these light fixtures because they also give me the retro beach feels – and they were very inexpensive!  They were only $40 each from Home Depot (similar here).Coastal Bath Style | casual cool beach bathroom look; light blue vanity, marble hex, subway tile

Coastal Bath Style | casual cool beach bathroom look; light blue vanity, marble hex, subway tile

We picked up this awesome print at the Bucktown Art Festival, the day before our youngest son was born this summer.  I was a hot, sweaty mess, but it was a great family day.  Our older son picked out this piece by Jillian Nickell and I absolutely love it.  Love this one, this one, and this one, too.Coastal Bath Style | casual cool beach bathroom look; light blue vanity, marble hex, subway tile

These vases are currently available at Target (white and striped).  Loving all the textured pieces from the OpalHouse collection that are making this Polar Vortex particularly difficult because they are just so darn cute and springy.Coastal Bath Style | casual cool beach bathroom look; light blue vanity, marble hex, subway tile

Lastly, the color of this vanity is Sherwin William’s Krypton.  It really is an awesome color.  It is a grey that reads more light blue and picks up all the beautiful blue undertones in the marble countertop and floor.  If you are looking for a fresh, yet subtle light blue – this is your guy!

Alright, time to zone in from this mental vacation and back into subzero temps.  How soon is too soon for a mai tai?

Happy weekend, friends!  xoxo

(easy holiday decor + tour)

Just sharing a few pics and tips from our Christmasfied home for anyone that may be hosting this year and looking for some quick and easy inspo.  If you are a procrastinator like myself or just too busy watching all those horrible yet addicting Netflix Christmas movies (hey, they’re not going to watch themselves), these tricks are all easy enough that you can get them done in a few minutes – and still have time to finish The Princess Switch.Artesian Designs | Holiday ...Buffalo plaid, ivory curtains

Without realizing it, I went mad for plaid this season.  I picked up the red plaid ribbon on the tree from Costco last year and haven’t stopped using it since.  It easily adds the perfect amount of classic holiday flare where ever you may need it.

Artesian Designs | Holiday ...Buffalo plaid, ivory curtains, Birch Lane Montgomery Sofa, Fiddleleaf

We rearranged our living room to make the tree the focal point – although our little engine that could fiddle leaf in the corner refuses to be ignored.  Our living room typically looks like this…Artesian Designs | Holiday ...Buffalo plaid, ivory curtains, Birch Lane Montgomery Sofa, Wayfair

Absolutely love this sofa from Birch Lane via Wayfair; the white fabric (has miraculously stayed clean) and makes the perfect backdrop for holiday pillows and throws, which really cozies up the room.  For me, the more layers the better when it comes to holiday decor 🙂Artesian Designs | Holiday ...How to hang garland with velcro

TIP #1:

Use velcro to hang garland along your staircase railing.  See that green strip under the ribbon?  That’s the velcro.  Wrap the garland and railing together just before a baluster post to keep it from slipping.  Then take that fabulous ribbon you picked up and tie a pretty bow around it.  It easily covers the velcro and adds that extra flare you’ve been looking for.Artesian Designs | Holiday ...Powder Room Swag

TIP #2:

Easily add some festiveness to your powder room by cutting off  a small branch from your tree and hanging it from your sconce with that same pretty ribbon.  I wrapped a rubber band around the stem and then pulled the ribbon through the loop to keep the branch hanging properly.  Side note: photographing a powder room ain’t easy – these pics don’t do it justice.Artesian Designs | Holiday ...Powder Room Swag

TIP #3:

For instant holiday glam, fill a bowl with shiny ornaments and put on display – DONE!  I recently bought these ornaments (and bowl!) at Target for $5, but you can use whatever you like – even add some lights for extra pizzaz.  Is it socially acceptable to say pizzaz?Artesian Designs | Holiday ... Easy DecorArtesian Designs | Holiday ... Easy Decor Dining Room

TIP #4:

Lastly, the instaworld has been set atwitter with wreaths hanging from the back of stools.  If you don’t feel like making that investment/hassle, take that same pretty ribbon from before and tie a bright bow on the top.  Super easy, gives the kitchen a fun touch, and ties all your decor together (pun absolutely intended).Artesian Designs | Holiday ... Easy Decor Bow on Stool

Now go get that ribbon and get on your horse reindeer!

Wishing you a merry, merry Christmas, happy Holidays, and happy New Year!  xoxo

(breakfast nook)

I am very excited to share the newest corner of our home – the breakfast nook.  Now that we are a family of four, eating dinner at the counter Cheers style every night just wasn’t going to cut it.  Well, that, and our two year old would threaten to kick his stool back every night causing heart palpitations every time he would do so.

This corner of our kitchen was formerly where my desk lived…and where all my clutter collected.  Mail you don’t know what to do with?  Throw it on the desk!  Old candy from your Christmas stocking three years ago?  Throw it on the desk!  Your kid’s artwork from school that isn’t his best, but you don’t have the heart to recycle?  You get the drift.  It was an eyesore that I didn’t know how to tackle…until now!

Artesian Designs | Black + White Breakfast Nook...Custom banquette, wayfair round table, one kings lane bistro chairs, chicago neighborhoods art

In just the few weeks that we’ve had this area, we’ve used it for so many purposes.  Besides dinner, it is the best spot in the house for a cup of coffee, a great table for play-doh and art projects, an easy spot to display the cheese board on Thanksgiving, and a comfy spot to get some work done (yes, I am sitting in the corner of the nook while typing RIGHT NOW).Artesian Designs | Black + White Breakfast Nook...Custom banquette, wayfair round table, one kings lane bistro chairs, chicago neighborhoods art

I had always drooled over the banquette sets from Ballard Design and thought I might go that route (they were having a huge sale), but our dimensions didn’t quite work.  Then I got a quote from a local carpenter, but it seemed unreasonably high – so, I decided to browse on Etsy.Artesian Designs | Black + White Breakfast Nook...Custom banquette, wayfair round table, one kings lane bistro chairs, chicago neighborhoods art

After digging through pages of shops, I came across Great Lakes Designs LLC out of Michigan and knew they were the perfect fit.  The customer service was outstanding, the turn around was very quick, and they even used the same paint color and hardware that matched our kitchen cabinets.  WIN!Artesian Designs | Black + White Breakfast Nook...Custom banquette, wayfair round table, one kings lane bistro chairs, chicago neighborhoods art

Since I was trading my desk in for this nook, I still needed a place for my laptop to live (a place for everything, and everything in its place!), so I decided to go with the drawers on the ends in order to dock my laptop.  This has been a game changer.  If you are thinking about doing something similar, I would recommend going with the end drawers if you need to access the contents frequently.  I knew that if I went with the storage bench or drawers at the foot that it would become a hassle because of the table and cushions (and bc I’m lazy).Artesian Designs | Black + White Breakfast Nook...Custom banquette, wayfair round table, one kings lane bistro chairs, chicago neighborhoods art

Next up was finding custom cushions, so I went back to Etsy and found Jessiya’s shop.  Another win!  I sent Jessi the same drawing I sent for the bench and picked out the fabric.  Originally I wanted to go with a more white-based pattern, but then had a “you’re an idiot” moment when I saw my 2 year old eating spaghetti/smearing it all over himself and his surroundings.  I chose outdoor fabrics for both the seat and back cushions so they can be easily wiped clean (a godsend) and put a few coats of scotch guard on them just in case (ok, very much necessary).black and white breakfast nook banquette bistro chairs wayfair one kings lane chicago neighborhoods

Then came the table.  I am a Wayfairaholic, so I was pumped to find a round extendable table in black in juuuust the dimensions I needed – (Wayfair really does have juuust what I need!).Artesian Designs | Black + White Breakfast Nook...Custom banquette, wayfair round table, one kings lane bistro chairs, chicago neighborhoods art

Lastly came these gorgeous bistro chairs from One King’s Lane (mine are black, link is for similar navy).  I had been wanting to use bistro chairs since, well forever, so I was excited that they worked so well here.  The black and white weave against the cabana stripes is just enough pattern mixing to keep it classy, yet fun.

We then rehung our artwork from the Chicago Neighborhoods Shop to round out the space.  I love these posters as they are both beautiful and personal – and there is one for just about every Chicago neighborhood.  Hint to fellow Chicagoans: these make great gifts!

Now the very last thing to do is add a wine glass, pour, and repeat.  Happy weekend!

PS Please check out my new instagram page @ArtesianDesigns

(boys baseball bedroom)

Now that the World Series is over, I thought I would extend the season just a bit by sharing my son’s baseball bedroom.  Our son, Luke, bleeds Cubbie blue (takes after his Dad), so it only made sense to create a fun, bright space where he can pay homage to his favorite team.  No joke, he replaces the names in that annoying “Mommy finger” song to “Kris Bryant finger, where are you?” and cried the day we took down our W flag.

Now in Luke’s room, the season goes all year long!  It has quickly become one of our favorite rooms in the house; it hosts daily train play and nightly batting practice.  The huge windows overlook the beautiful fall foliage and allow the sunlight to pour in, making it a cheery space even in these windy Chicago days.

Little Boys Chicago Cubs Baseball Bedroom | The Artesian Project

It wouldn’t be a proper Cubs room without the Wrigley Field marquis that we ordered from FatHead.  The red helped to counter all the blue in the room and added the perfect focal point above the bed.

Little Boys Chicago Cubs Baseball Bedroom | The Artesian Project

This little book nook is where Luke picks out his bedtime stories and keeps his “buddies” when they aren’t hanging out in his bed.  The cubbies (pun intended) and striped baskets were an easy and affordable storage solution (love that free shipping from Target!) to keep that area organized.  The navy blue chair is vintage from my grandmother that I recently had refinished and the grey star chair is a Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere chair.

Little Boys Bedroom | The Artesian Project

The iron headboard is from Wayfair and helps to tie the vintage nightstands together with the more current pieces in the room.  The comforter and sheets are both from Target’s PillowFort line.

The blue lamps are from HomeGoods and add the perfect amount of height to the wall – and the perfect amount of light for bedtime stories.

The area rug is what really makes this room.  It is super soft and a fun play on a baseball diamond.  Luke loves to hit home run after home run on it or use the trellis as train tracks.  I have ordered multiple area rugs from RugsUSA and have yet to be disappointed!  They are always running great promotions and offering free shipping.

Little Boys Bedroom | The Artesian Project

My husband had fun getting in on the Cubs decor and ordered this special signed scorecard from Kerry Wood’s 20K game that benefits the Wood Family Foundation.  I was very happy to find this cool hanging frame that perfectly fit the odd-sized scorecard from Heath and Hand by Magnolia at Target.

Boys Bedroom The Artesian Project

Luke loves all forms of transportation, so when I found the vintage-looking fighter plane at HomeGoods, I knew we had to include it.  We used fishing wire to keep it in constant flight.  The ceramic hot air balloon actually hung on the wall in my childhood bedroom as well as my mom’s!  Fun little heirloom.

Fiddle Leaf Fig The Artesian Project

It probably doesn’t look like it, but this Fiddle Leaf Fig tree has made a huuuuge comeback and is very happy in this room.  Before we moved it, there was only one leaf remaining – and now it is growing a second plant at the base of the trunk!!  Highly recommend Lechuza’s Self-watering planters for house plants.  The drainage system keeps the roots from rotting out – and have saved two Fiddle Leafs in our house!

Boy Chicago Cubs Bedroom The Artesian Project

This is how we are currently positioning the room while our little guy gets acclimated to his big boy bed.

IMG_8385

Wicker storage basket is from Target (similar here).

IMG_8438

Our happy guy jumping on the bed while singing “GO CUBS GO!”

And now we begin the countdown until opening day…

(living room)

After living in our house for over three years, I finally finished off our living room.  I had tried a few temporary set-ups using some chairs we had, but I knew the room wouldn’t feel balanced until we introduced a couch.

Thankfully, the Wayfair Way Day sale at the end of April gave me just the push (and price!) I needed to finally pull the trigger.  After much research, I went with this white sofa – and I couldn’t be happier.  I am so happy with it, in fact, that I decided to resume blogging after a year hiatus – huzzah!

The reviews on this particular sofa were outstanding – and it looks just like the Pottery Barn Carlisle sofa that I have been eyeing for a few years, at a fraction of the price.  I was nervous that a sofa may feel too big in this space, but the white fabric and interesting shape actually make the room even brighter – and therefore, larger.  It is also insanely comfortable.  It gives the front room the light and airy, yet polished vibe I was looking for.

Scroll for photos and sources below.

neutral living room white sofa couch window drapes birch lane montgomery sofaneutral living room windows white sofa couch front room birch lane montgomery sofaliving room neutral white couch sofa front window drapes birch lane montgomery sofaThe Artesian Project Neutral Living Room white couch windows sofaneutral living room white couch windows sofaneutral living room front room white couch sofa windowneutral living room front room white couch birch lane montgomery sofaneutral living room front room white couch sofa birch lane montgomery sofa window

Sofa: Birch Lane Montgomery Sofa via Wayfair
Side chair: Restoration Hardware Outlet
Coffee table: Pottery Barn (old); similar here
Side table: Target (old); similar here
Buffet: Vintage
Area rug: scrap from our stair runner install
Drapes: Pottery Barn

(gender neutral nursery)

Luke’s Nursery Tour

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted here… I became a mom to the world’s cutest little boy (IMO) last March and things have been pretty hectic around here for the last 19 months.  We have had so much fun and happy memories in Luke’s nursery that I wanted to share some photos and details just in case there are any parents-to-be out there looking for inspiration.

When I designed the nursery two years ago (?!), we didn’t know the sex of our baby and I was rather put off by stereotypical very girly pink or the trucks and sports themes intended for a boy’s room.  I also knew that I wanted to create a calm environment that would foster sleep, but could also kick back and play.  The white furniture and grey walls are the perfect serene backdrop to the fun pastel pops of color and patterns throughout the room.  We love this room and hope you do, too.  Source list below.

gender neutral nursery grey sherwin williams passive sw pastel hot air balloons trellis pb kids fillmore cribgender neutral nursery grey sherwin williams passive sw pastel hot air balloons trellis pb kids fillmore cribgender neutral nursery grey sherwin williams passive sw pastel hot air balloons trellis pb kids fillmore cribgender neutral nursery grey sherwin williams passive sw pastel hot air balloons trellis pb kids fillmore cribgender neutral nursery grey sherwin williams passive sw pastel hot air balloons trellis pb kids fillmore cribgender neutral nursery grey sherwin williams passive sw pastel hot air balloons trellis pb kids fillmore cribgender neutral nursery grey sherwin williams passive sw pastel hot air balloons trellis pb kids fillmore cribgender neutral nursery grey sherwin williams passive sw pastel hot air balloons trellis pb kids fillmore crib

Tip: We didn’t want to put nails in the dresser top, so we attached one strap of the changing pad to the back of the dresser with hardware and then put a small square of a rug pad under the changing pad to keep it from sliding.  Works well!

Please take precaution when hanging anything above the changing pad or crib.  When Luke was just a few months old, he figured out he could swing the mirror from the corner (!!).  That was pulled down for a few months and recently rehung.  We also had a ceramic hot air balloon where the shark is now; to my astonishment, he could also reach and pull that down.  Finding the soft shark bust was the perfect solution – and a great focal point for diaper changes!

Also featured: Luke’s favorite book “Don’t Push the Button!” by Bill Cotter.

Paint color:  Sherwin Williams Passive
Crib: Pottery Barn Kids
Dresser:  IKEA
Chair: Crate and Barrel Outlet
Ottoman poof: Homegoods
Rug: RugsUSA
Reading lamp: Homegoods
Mirror: Homegoods
Curtains: Homegoods (are we seeing a theme?)
Hot Air Balloons:  AliceandPeter via Etsy
Shark head wall decor:  Target
Artwork:
–  Paris painting above reading nook: LauraAmiss via Etsy
–  Ice cream & popsicles over dresser: Watercolor Paperie via Etsy
–  Elephant: Boundless Joy Studios via Etsy
–  Flamingo: Ollie and Bird via Etsy

6 Tips for an Easy Gallery Wall

For months, every time I would walk past the giant blank wall in our living/dining room, I would grumble to myself “I should do a gallery wall.”  I kept putting it off because a. I didn’t have enough pieces and 2. I thought it had to be a very complicated process.  I scrolled through Pinterest for inspiration and was intimidated by the pin after pin of paper cutouts of different sized frames on the wall – I knew I would never do that, I just don’t have the patience.  BUT, as it turns out, it doesn’t have to be that complicated.  Here are my six tips for an easy gallery wall.

img_5803Collect your art

  1.  Use pieces that make you happy
    • Obvious, yes, but initially, I was tied to the idea that all the frames had to be the same color (I, of course, wanted all gaudy gold frames), but then I found some sketches in black frames that I really loved.  So after much deliberation I finally said “eff it, who cares if it doesn’t match as long as you like it and it makes you happy.  You’re the one who lives here…”  So don’t restrict your wall to a certain color scheme or theme.  Instead, take the “more the merrier” approach and pick pieces that will make you smile whenever you see it.  Be original.
    • Hot tip: if you have an odd-sized piece you need framed, try ArtToFrame.com – I used it for the Musee d’Orsay piece on the far right.  I went rather basic, but you can input your size, frame color/material, and matting colors for an extremely reasonable price- this was $60!  Can’t beat that for a custom framing job.
  2. Pairs create balance
    • The above being said, it doesn’t hurt to have a few pairs of the same frame to help create a visual balance.  I filled the two 8×10 gold frames with wedding photos and then used the two black-framed sketches to create some uniformity amongst the rest of the wall.
  3. Include 3d objectsimg_5798
    • Incorporating interesting, 3d items will add an extra dimension and texture to your wall and bring that flat wall to life.  My husband had a bust of a Springbok collecting dust in a box for years.  It was from a hunting trip he went on with his grandpa as a kid.  Not only does it hold a lot of sentimental value to him, but it is also quite a beautiful animal that even a non-hunter can appreciate.  We paired the Springbok with a cool, metal-caged mirror from Homegoods to offset the flat art.  I realize not everyone has a Springbok in their basement, so try a mirror, wall-planter, or sculpture to add some depth. Go shopping in a realtive’s basement or try Homegoods – my go-to source for these types of pieces (and frames).

Hanging the art

  1. Lay it all out on the floor before you hang anythingthe artesian project gallery wall layout plan
    • This is my version of the paper cutouts and it is even better (imo) because you can actually see how the colors play against each other.  Balance is the goal here, so just keep rearranging until you get there.
  2. Use anchor piecesimg_5778
    • I used this vintage buffet passed down from my grandparents as the main anchor on this wall.  It offers some structure for the gallery wall and acts as a good first focal point and allows your eyes to move up and wander from there.
  3. Don’t be an exactoimg_5808
    • There is no need to measure each piece out when you actually start hanging – that defeats the idea behind a gallery wall.  Just be consistent with the spacing between all the pieces to create a sense of harmony.

Et voila, just like that, you have yourself an exquisite gallery wall, custom-tailored to you.  Now go have some fun finding your art!img_5794

6 Tips for an Easy Gallery Wall | The Artesian Project | www.theartesianproject.com