Bump Day: Baby K's gender neutral nursery design (+an e-design discount!)

We aren't finding out our baby's gender and dang that makes decorating complicated especially when a clear vision for each gender comes to mind.  However, I think I've finally settled on a plan (that will probably be updated once we find out if it's "he" or "she" in July).  So while my sweet husband has been assembly baby furniture, I've been pulling together the design plan!

My overall goal was to create a space that was gender neutral, but could be updated to reflect the baby's gender while sourcing items that we can continue to use as the baby gets older or I could use somewhere else in the house. 

My parents were SO nice to give us this crib as a baby shower gift. I love the modern design and two-tone wood. The only thing that I didn't look at before picking it out was how tall it stood. That being said, if you like this crib just know that it is fairly low to the ground. I still love it! :)

The dresser took me awhile to decide on - I knew I wanted a dresser from the Ikea HEMNES collection because I liked the style but had a hard time deciding on the size.  After consulting with my husband we decided that the smaller 3-drawer dresser was our best option because it allowed for the most options to arrange the room and would fit better than a larger dresser once the baby grows up and moves out of a crib and into a real bed. (Did I mention to you that we live in an old farmhouse? Rooms were made small back in the day.)

Since we opted for the smaller dresser I got this storage cart from Ikea to hold diapers, lotion, and various other baby things that I have yet to learn about. 

The rocker may or may not make it's way into the room. It's a little spendy but if I could have everything I want, I'd like a rocker like this one. 

There are a lot of cute mobiles out there but I plan to DIY mine since I found a style that I like.  If it turns out, I'll do my best to offer up the instructions to you all.

A few things I've loved forever and have always pictured in a baby's room are the giraffe and elephant prints, the Be Brave print, and the Grow sign. Why not be surrounded by things you love?!

I also found a few things along the way that I couldn't resist: the swaddle blanket, the changing pad cover, crib sheet and the rug.

If you want to follow Baby K's Nursery Pinterest board, do so here. 

And, because I had fun pulling my nursery together and have all sorts of ideas stored inside my mind how about a discount on nursery and children's bedroom e-designs?!  

Click here for more e-design details.

MEET MY SPONSOR: RISE ABOVE LIFE, April Bernd

Take time to stop over and meet April - she has such an awesome mission behind her blog in offering a place for anyone to come join together in overcoming life's difficulties.  Thanks April, for being a Design Your Dwelling Sponsor!

I am a photographer and graphic designer and so I was able to make my own art to hang around my home to remind me to be positive and be strong. Family and friends would always comment on my images and wanted one for their own homes.  I never realized how many other people were facing different challenges ranging from a miscarriage, a chronically ill son and a divorce to addiction, depression and severe food allergies. Although we were all struggling with different issues, the need for hope was still the same. 

Rise Above Life art is about putting your heart into art. We help to make personalized designs that are meaningful to you, not cookie cutter and generic. Our mission is to provide a way to put your love into a frame and help families grow closer.  We offer  our designs as both physical prints and digital downloads that you print at home. Readers can try out a free digital download printable when you sign up for our email list at www.riseabovelife.com

Weekend shopping list for baby K's nursery

Yesterday my sweet husband got the crib put together which now has me motivated to get the entire room decorated.  It's about time considering we are only about 10 weeks away from having a baby.  Yes, 10 weeks sounds like a long time but I have a feeling it will go quick.

We aren't finding out if we are having a boy or girl so deciding how to decorate the room has become a little bit of a challenge but there are a few items I have on my shopping list that will work perfectly in a gender-neutral nursery!

1 / 2 / 3

Unfortunately we don't have an Ikea in Iowa but I am headed to Minnesota, where there is an Ikea, to visit one of my best friends who just had her baby!

While furniture from Ikea has the tendency to a little on the "cheap" side, it will work perfect for a baby and future toddler room.  If something gets damaged due to wear and tear (or a very "busy" child) we wont feel so bad having to throw it away and upgrade in the future. 

Plus, I know my husband can't wait to assemble more furniture... Honey, this is only the beginning... 

Client Design - A Spring Kitchen

Kitchens are some of my favorite spaces to decorate because they are a space that you spend a lot of time - in fact, I've been sitting in my kitchen all day working!

Valerie sent me a note a few weeks back looking for help styling her kitchen, dining, seating area space.  This is a great space, I love how much room there is to gather your family and friends. 

Valerie wanted to leave the paint color and stenciling as is but fill the space with additional color and decor elements.  I worked closely with Valerie on this design since she already had her eye on some dining room chairs and bar stools.   Here is the design we came up with!  I can't wait to see after pictures!

If you are interested in booking a custom e-design for your space, I would love to help!  Click here for more information. I am currently taking clients, turn around time is approximately two weeks.

Kitchen sneak peek

Our home renovation is finally coming to a close - just waiting on the painter to come back for touch ups and to finish painting our trim.  I am so ready to have my entire house put back together and to be done working with contractors coming and going.  While I appreciate their hard work, I'm ready to be back on my own schedule, especially Saturday mornings. (Coffee and a little HGTV and Food Network tv-watching - in my pj's of course!)

Once I get to bringing our house together with our decorating plans more posts will come but for now, here is a sneak peek of our kitchen.

Before / Tear Down

During

After

I am more than pleased with the result! :)  Can't wait to show you more!!

High five for Friday

Happy Good Friday! Or, like my friend's son put it 'Sad Friday.'  I love the true perspective that children bring to ever day life and events.

I am once again playing catch up on my high five for Friday posts...

One. A week or two ago our office had a silent auction for breast cancer awareness where I purchased this awesome fudge that my co-worker makes!  I have since sent it as birthday gifts to a couple of friends!

Two. One room complete in our home renovation project! This is a good feeling - I love how this space turned out!  More to come soon.

Three. We've had a few nice days here and there in Iowa so I've been taking 'Axe' for a walk when I get the chance.  I'm not sure what she thinks about the slower pace I'm walking these days, she often turns around and gives me the look like "Are you coming?!"

Four. I posted this picture on Instagram this morning!  I love waking up and having a cup of coffee in our new kitchen.  It turned out so beautiful.  Just a few tweaks that need to be made before it is 100% complete.  Then get ready for a kitchen tour!

Five. Since I finally have a full kitchen, that's not in the garage, I've gotten do some baking!  My husband loves being able to put chocolate chip cookies in his pocket as he walks out the door. (A little strange? yes!)

I hope you all have a very happy Easter!

Bump Day: Why pregnant ladies do what they do

This week we hit the 28-week mark, also known as the start of the third trimester! Eeek!  Seriously - how did we get here so fast?!  Adam and I have a lot that needs to get done including finishing up our house, assembling a crib, and figuring out how in the world car seats work... Oh yeah and we need to fit spring field work into the mix!

After being pregnant for 28 weeks I've learned a few things including why pregnant ladies do the things they do like walk funny and touch their stomach.  Yes, prior to being pregnant I just didn't understand these things and found them to be just a little strange.

Here are your answers explained!

Why pregnant ladies walk funny:

This is because our lower back hurts like crazy!  I didn't realize that your spine shifts to help your body find it's new "center of gravity."  This has caused me some serious lower back pain.  After a day on my feet, at the gym or trying to do too much I start to walk funny to avoid back pain.

Why pregnant ladies touch their stomachs:  

I found this super obnoxious until I found myself doing this.  It's because by the time you are 26 weeks along the baby moves constantly and sometimes it's uncomfortable, especially when they get a foot or hand up underneath your rib cage.  By putting your hand on your stomach you can sometimes get the baby to stop moving or get their foot out from under your ribs.

Now you know...  If you have other quirks to explain, let us know what they are by leaving a comment below!

Tax Day Discount!

Happy Tax Day!

If plans for your tax refund include re-decorating your home, I have the perfect offer for you!  

How does a $25 discount sound on your next e-design?  This offer lasts one day only (April 15, 2014) so claim your e-design now!

For more details on my design services, click here.  To see more e-designs, check out my pinterest board!