Category Archives: baby makes four

henry’s new room – inspiration

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As I mentioned a couple of days ago, we are still a little ways off from starting Henry’s new room but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about it. First off, I refuse to call this space, Henry’s Big Boy Room. There’s something about that phrase that really bothers me – it seems better suited to a circus or amusement park. Plus, my goal with this room is to give him something that will last beyond his toddler and elementary years. I’m hoping the design of this room will take him right into college! (Okay, that might be pushing it but you get where I’m going.)

{Also, there is a small possibility that Henry will stay in his current room with a few tweaks and we will create a new nursery. It all depends on how the furniture fits and I haven’t quite got to the space planning stage of this project yet}

Below are some images and ideas I’ve been thinking about.

I’ve been looking for some ways to add some interest to the walls of Henry’s room. I’m particularly drawn to the idea of covering one or two walls in either horizontal or vertical wood cladding. This example with the built-in bench and bed is particularly charming and well suited to the architecture of the home.

And here is an example with what looks like rift cut white oak vertical panelling. You can see how easily this kid’s room could grow with the child right into their college years.

One of the hardest things to find to date is a twin bedframe that I really like. I’m drawn to this solid wood timber bed frame by Mark Tuckey but wonder if it would be too much wood with the panelled wall.

A better solution (and more affordable) might just be an easy linen bedskirt. I would probably add an upholstered headboard, perhaps slipcovered, in the same fabric to the head of the bed and maybe even add a footboard.

One of the things we definitely need to address is the fact that there is no closet in the room. I think we could rig something up from Ikea to look like the photo on the left but I also like how multifunctional the chalkboard wall, storage bins, shelves, and hooks are on the right. Of course, there is the concern that Henry might end up at school everyday with chalk all over his clothes!

If my husband has his way we will also be adding a climbing wall to his room. I’m not so sure…

Finally, if by chance this new room actually becomes the nursery for our little girl I might go in the direction above. It’s not typically my style but there is something about that green wallpaper, the simple red striped fabric and of course that fabulous retro yellow chandelier that I love. Again, I think it’s a room a baby could grow into and would look good for years to come.

What do you think? Would you go with the wood panelled boys room or the more whimsical and homespun girls room?

Image credits:
1 – Leslie Williamson
2 – Francois Halard
3-4 – Rachel Castle’s Home via The Design Files, Mark Tuckey’s home – photos by Mikkel Vang
5 – Remodelista
6-7 – Inrichting-Huis , Bolig via Emmas Designblogg (photos Mikkel Adsbol)
8 – blog.holamama.es
9-10 – Skona Hem, Lynda Gardner’s home on Design*Sponge

 

 

 

Filed under baby makes four, house projects

the results are in

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So the exciting news around our house this week was the result of our ultrasound test. The first time around we opted for a surprise (or I should say my husband opted a surprise, I was all about finding about). This go around we both agreed that finding out would be best. If only, so we could sort through all the baby clothes we have been holding on to since Henry was born.

I’m excited to say it’s a girl!

Vanessa Redgrave with daughters Joely Richardson and Natasha Richardson

I know you’re not suppose to say this but secretly I really wanted a girl. As I lay on the table during the ultrasound appointment the only words running through my head were, “please, let it be a girl”, “please, let it be a girl”, “please let it be a girl” and every now and then I would throw in a “please, let it be healthy.” I grew up in a family of all girls and I really thought I would have no idea what to do with a boy which is actually pretty silly but I always dreamed of having my own daughter.

Vintage photo from the Sartorialist

For one, you cannot deny the adorability of little girl’s clothes. I’m happy to finally be able to shop in the other 75% of the store. (Have you ever noticed how much room is given up to boy’s clothes – very little and it is usually tucked way in the back – a sea of brown, red, khaki green and blue.) There is also something really nice about experiencing one of each. Having had a boy, I can say, that when it comes down to it, it really doesn’t matter. Your heart opens wide for the child but yes, I am happy, very happy, that a little girl is on the way!

Jane Birkin

And then, there are the names.  Choosing a girl’s name seems so  much more difficult. For years (and by years I mean decades) I have kept a list of my favorite names in the back of my address book. The girl’s side doubles if not triples the boy’s side. The list is a constantly changing entity with names falling in and out of favor. The list looks something like this:

Honor (x)
Isa
Chloe (x)
Lucie
Prudence
Olive
Cecily
Clementine
Scarlett (x)
Tate (x)
Estella
Imogen
Elenora
Poppy
Adelaide
Saskia
Amelia
Inez
Jemima
and on and on.
 

Martha Stewart and daughter Alexis

The “x’s” mean the name has fallen out of favour. Of course, liking a name and actually bestowing it on someone are two complete different things. There’s a certain responsibility when giving a name. I always like to imagine my child being two complete different things when it grows up like a rock star and a supreme court judge. Then, I try the name out and if it works for both (or at least if the middle name works) than it has potential.

Anyways, I’m all ears to other great baby names. I know everyone has a few favorites. Why not share a few!

Image credits:
Vanessa Redgrave – Lovely Moms Tumblr
Vintage photo – The Sartorialist
Jane Birkin -Fieldguided
Martha Stewart – Lovely Moms Tumblr

 

 

Filed under baby makes four