Pepper Design Blog

A Pink Girl’s Room for Two: the Inspiration Board

We didn’t find out if Liv was a boy or girl until we welcomed her on the day of her birth. That was thrilling and exciting and so worth the wait for baby #1. But this time around, I was much more ancy to know whether she might have a little sister or brother and I was so happy that Kevin agreed to a big gender reveal. Now I have three and a half months to plan, design and scheme a new nursery for 2! And two beautiful girls at that!

This means lots of pink. We’re pulling out all of the stops. There will probably be very little about this space that could qualify as gender neutral (basically the opposite of the design plan for Liv’s nursery back when).

Pink!! Still undecided on specific fabrics and patterns and art and rugs and lamps and paint and all of the details, but here are a few images that have resonated with me and have made it to the Pinterest board that continues to inspire.

1. We’ll keep the big drum pendant that currently hangs at the center of the room, but this lamp is very cool and a potential DIY project. I have wanted to DIY a glass bead hanging chandelier for some time too! This might be the right opportunity to make a version of this one.

2. Still quite unsure on the rug. Might be an excellent opportunity to introduce a contrasting color like this navy guy, or more pink. TBD.

3. Liv won’t move into a toddler bed for a while (she’s not ready, plus the new baby will stay in our room for at least the first 4-5 months), but when she is I would love to make a mini upholstered headboard out of a fun fabric and maybe attach it to an Ikea low toddler-sized platform bed. This photo is by the lovely Caitlin Wilson.

4. Art! I’m not sure at all where we’ll go with art, but I hope to add plenty of it . Here Here are a few ideas.

5. Liv’s room currently has a dark brown dresser that we scooped up on Craigslist (it’s Pottery Barn so it’s sturdy as a rock). Rather than replace it, I’m considering painting the drawers ombre like this guy.

Other than decor updates, there’s one big elephant in the room that we’ll have to deal with when reconsidering this room. When we opted to build a bathroom ensuite off of it, we completely demolished all closet storage space. All of it.

It hasn’t been terrible so far. Between the dresser, changing table and bookshelf we’ve managed to find homes for all clothing, baby storage (like diapers, wipes, wash clothes) and toys. It only becomes a bummer when we lack storage for bigger items like an umbrella stroller or Liv’s travel gear. BUT with two, I know that zero closet is going to be tough. So after much deliberating I’ve decided to build a series of built-in bookcases along the window side of the room. The unfortunate part of this decision is that we’ll have to paint over the beautifully awesome wall animals that Kevin’s mom and aunt gifted us with (they are both phenomenal artists). I measured and measured again but most of the animals will be awkwardly half covered up by the new bookshelves and drawers, and it just wouldn’t look right. Too bad we couldn’t pull the plaster board right off of the walls and relocate!

Those little baby animals are popular! They have been saved in over 37,ooo Ideabooks on Houzz and the tree bookshelves alone have been repinned more times than I can count.

It will be hard to say goodbye.

My ideas right now include a built-in unit like 7 below, but perhaps painting out the backings like Kate did in 8, and I’d like to use fabric for the new shade and window box similar to this little trio show in 6.

Last but not least are the walls. Everything will get a coat of clean white with the exception of the far right wall, which I hope to turn into a really cool accent wall by finding the right wallpaper.

Sort of like this room (so pretty, right?):

Here are a few patterns from Spoonflower (you can print your own wallpaper now! So cool!) that I love:

The sources for each (and even a dozen or so more that I love) can be found in my Houzz Ideabook.

There’s the start! What do you think? I’m so ready for a full room reno, even though it will be very, very hard to part with Liv’s current nursery. This is when you wish you had an extra room in the house for every idea . Except for cleaning, then that’s a terrible idea.

PS See more of our nursery projects for the current room right here.

February Finds… An Inspiration Board

What do oversized spring blooms, classic gold cuffs and fingerless mint mittens have in common? A round up of favorite February finds!

Spring feels as if it has almost arrived in San Diego. But just this week we were surprised with a few days of rain so maybe it’s just a tease . I’m including some favorite spring finds in this month’s inspiration board though – talk about a major tease in the I-can’t-wait-for-spring-weather-to-wear-those-shoes!

I’d like to add a few spring flats to my collection this summer and these cute grey and coral Seychelles would be quite versatile. The colors in this new peony print duvet by Urban Outfitters are so fun! And the bold, big print would be neat for a girl’s room. Henley tops play well with both the pregnant belly and the, well, non-pregnant form – I have my eye on this coral one (which I found via Making it Lovely).

Oh my goodness, printed skinny jeans for babies? I knew I was having another girl for a great reason. This customized walnut iPhone cover was Kevin’s Valentine’s Day present this year, love supporting small company’s like Toast that hand produces them and love the finished result on his phone. I have 2 pairs of fingerless gloves that I wear whenever it’s chilly outside – I highly recommend! These mint guys are cute and handmade.

I’m brainstorming a big girl room + new nursery that is everything pink and girly. This Once Upon a Time pillow might make an appearance. I’ve always been a sucker for classic jewelry and I have a hammered gold cuff just like this one that I sport all of the time to fancier events. How great are these grey leather + wooden Nalo heels? Perhaps a new pair of spring shoes for wedding + baby shower season?

Happy February!

 PS all inspiration boards can be found right here.

Beating the January Blues… An Inspiration Board

After having just come down from the high of Christmas, New Year’s and Liv’s birthday within a matter of weeks, it’s hard to fall prey to the conspicuous January Blues around here this year. But just in case you’re in a post-party slumber, a few favorite January finds to cheer you up.

Favorite finds this month include these adorable organic slouch baby pants, this Sailor’s knot bracelet (so pretty) and the prettiest layered maxi dress at the very best price (might not be spring just yet, but I do love the color!).

Have I mentioned my love of little mocassins? Still addicted. And who doesn’t love storewide discounts on favorite scarves? Infinity scarves are my favorite at the moment and I’m working on turning a few of my traditional scarves into versions of these by sewing the ends together.

I have always preferred my bags to be super simple. No chains or excessive use of exterior pockets or flaps or tassels. Love this one. This mint green and gold chevron necklace gives me a nudge to to try more tribal (I picked up these guys recently too and have dug the pattern).

I featured an amazing rock lamp in my last inspiration board, but Land of Nod returns with another inexpensive and awesome lighting solution. I’m sure you’ve seen it bouncing around the web? Last but not least, I love this new floral paper jewelry box from UO. How sweet on a dresser or displayed in the dining room (perhaps to hold napkin rings, votives and matches and such) for all to see.

PS you can find all inspiration boards posted on the blog here.