Reader's Design Dilemma {Creating an entryway mudroom}

Happy Hump Day All! It has been a weird week here in NC with freezing temps, ice and snow. So we have been huddled under blankets relaxing with no where to go. If you live in the South you know that everything just shuts down. Even though it seems silly, it is a nice break from the Norm. Hope that wherever you are that you are staying safe and warm!

I am back today with another Reader's Design Dilemma. I absolutely love helping others create a space that will work for them and their family. This sweet reader is starting with a new home and needed some advice on paint, tile, entryway, built-ins and kid's room. Today I am talking about her one need for a mudroom or landing spot of sorts.
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I'm a long time reader of your blog and big fan also. 

We recently purchased one under construction home and it's still in very much initial phase. It is not totally custom house but builder is quite flexible for changes not related to structure.
Before I put my question ahead, I want to clear few things. I am not at all DIY person neither is my husband. I always wanted to hire someone who could help me visualize and guide me around the whole house.
We would like someone who can give us few basic ideas and guidance.....sort of like just make a few different mood boards and organization ideas. 

Let's start with the first need:

1) I really need some kind of landing sport/mudroom, when we enter from garage. I'm thinking to move the laundry room door down the hallway and use that narrow space as mudroom. Please pour your idea/suggestions on that.

Thanks,

Gopi

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So we started in that little entryway off of the garage since the builder needed to know where to move the door and some other structural issues. Here is the first floor plan: 

After entering from the garage, if you make your immediate left there was a door that led to the laundry room. We decided the best option would be for the door to be moved down the hall closer to the room to make space in that hallway for a small mudroom/landing spot. 

My first initial response to her question was to create a mini mudroom of sorts under the stairway like the images below:

This would free up space in her hallway and make use of that awkward storage space under the stairs. 

Gopi decided that she would rather have the mudroom space on the left hand wall and leave the storage space as is. So back to square one with finding her some ideas that would work. 

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The only problem was that the hallway was only 3ft wide. The average bench or built in is usually wider than a foot and on average 18.5", leaving less than 2 ft to walk down that hallway. Gopi was also concerned that if they ever needed to remove the washer or dryer for any reason, that it wouldn't fit down the hallway with the built ins.

So to the design board once again. This time I came up with a removable idea that could be modified to best fit their family.

Sources: Storage Ottomans, Shoe Storage, Large Wicker Basket, Blue Heron Art Print, Wall Hooks, Mail Organizer/key hooks, Shelves, Runner & this option

This was her response to the moodboard:

"I totally love this idea...movable ottomans and high storage shelves. Can you please send the links for those things. Do you think that wainscoting is needed if we go this route?"

I was please to know that she approved. We talked a little bit about adding the wainscoting to the hallway for character and practicality. It would be easy to wipe down from sticky fingers and mud that the kids would track in. So we will see what Gopi decides to do.

Now...on to making some decisions in her kitchen. Stay tuned next week!

What do you all think? How do you corral all of your kids outside "stuff"?

Do you have a minor design dilemma? Send it over my way at eatsleepdecorate(at)gmail(dot)com.

A Plan {Our Twin Nursery}

I will be 25 weeks pregnant tomorrow! Yahoo! Getting closer to meeting my babies. While counting down the days gets me excited, I am also a bit anxious when I think about getting everything done before their arrival. Especially because twins are known to come early. Yikes!
So we have been in the works cleaning, purging, organizing...you know, full nesting mode! I think I am wearing John down already and little does he know we still have so much left to do. Buckle up Hubs!

A while back I shared with you the previous floor plan of our tiny nursery. It was used for an extra guest room. Well at only 11'x10' we have had to be very creative when trying to fit TWO cribs, a dresser, glider and storage into this precious space.

Here is the layout we are hoping for:

It will be a bit cramped, but the sweet babies aren't going to care! We have really tried to create as much storage as possible with slide out drawers under the cribs, a six drawer dresser and two hanging bars for clothes in the closet. We are also re-doing one of our downstairs utility closets to create more storage for the big stuff that babies need like bouncers, bumbos, playmats, etc.

I want this room to feel calming with just little touches of color here and there. The walls are painted Shoji White by Sherwin Williams and the ceiling is Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams. I really love the color palette that is going on so far!

Here are my design plans for the Twin's Neutral Nursery:

1. Round Mirror- I love this one, but have found a much cheaper version at Ikea that I think I am going to go with. There is so much white in the room that I wanted to add touches of gold to make the room feel a bit more sophisticated and put together.
2. Yellow Lamp- I needed a little pop of color and found a similar lamp at HomeGoods a while back. Its quite adorable.
3. Etsy Artwork- I love the balloons over the city as well as the merry-go round in Paris for a bit of whimsy.
4. Mid Century Dresser- I found an almost identical dresser to the West Elm one at a local antique/consignment shop. It is perfect and I can't wait to get it into the space!
5.Naps Fix Everything- Again I love supporting small business and Etsy is a great place to find artwork.
6. Floor Lamp- I am thinking that since I don't have a lot of room for a side table next to the glider, that I am in need of a floor lamp to give me the space I need.
7. Side Table- this Nate Berkus table just took to our local Target stores and I am thinking this is just what I need next to the glider.
8. Glider/Rocker- this glider is almost identical to one I found for around $200 at HomeGoods a couple of months ago. Such a steal and so so comfortable.
9. Pouf- I am in need of a pouf or ottoman to place my feet while rocking and feeding. I liked the pattern and colors in the one above. Target to save the day again!
10. Striped Fabric- this striped fabric will be used on the roman shade as well as the crib skirts. You can't go wrong with stripes in any room!

1. Pendant Light Fixture- This light has already been hung and is currently at an amazing price! You can see the lighting details in the nursery here.
2. Floating Shelves- I am so excited about my Lucite shelves that are going to be hung on the wall near the glider to organize books.
3. Color Scheme- These pillows that use to be on the guest bed have become my color inspiration. Yellow, Gray, Navy, Turquoise & a Flamingo Pink!
4. Bright Lab Lights- I love the looks of these string of lights. I think they would add a bit of fun to the room and come in such a variety of colors. This strand has white, gold, pink, coral, indigo and turquoise. I think the colors would be perfect!
5 & 6. Unexpected Artwork- I have been in love with Ricardo Solis art for quite sometime. I am so so excited that these prints should be here sometime later this week. I ordered 11x14 prints for above each crib. Can't wait to share a bit more about this artist in a couple of weeks.
7. Throw Rug- Even though the room has wall to wall carpeting, I am thinking a small rug would add another element to the room. Maybe even a possible sheep hide for near the dresser/changing table.
8. Baby Mod Crib {x2}- I absolutely love these cribs! We have just started setting them up and I dig the low profile and space that they save in our small room. They also have a drawer that pulls out underneath for storage. Perfection! And...can you believe they are from Walmart!?



So what do you think? Even though the room has to be fairly gender neutral since a boy and girl will be sharing the space, I have added some feminine and some masculine touches that I think will be perfect!

If you want to follow along with bits and pieces of the nursery as I add furniture and accessories to the space, head on over to Instagram! I am hoping to be able to share a tour of the room in just a few weeks. Wish me luck!

Dining room {Before} & A New Plan

Do you ever sit in one room of your home and then gaze over to the other side of the house and realize it needs a little something? The Hubs always knows when my mind is whirling with ideas because he says my eyeballs move from place to place! I am sure he is thinking "uh oh, there goes more money"! HA!

Well a few weeks ago I was sipping some coffee in the living room and looking into our dining room. I absolutely love our coffered ceiling, the gallery wall and vintage settee, but I knew it needed a little punch and a definite update.

View from entryway

My mother-in law helped me make the red silk drapes when we first moved in 6 years ago. I have really loved the punch of color, but I feel that my design for this space is going a little more on the relaxed side. Besides, the intense NC sun has also created little tears in the fabric. It is time for a change!

View from living room

The walls in this room have never been painted. They are still the original builder beige/yellow that I detest. It has worked for now, but it is time for something without yellow undertones. 

The dining room table was built by my grandfather. I love the history behind it. It has three more leaves that create quite a large table for entertaining. It will stay for now, but I want to add two wing-backed chairs to the ends. The side chairs are from target long ago and still serve their purpose. So they will stay as well. 

Oh how I wish I could recover the settee with an updated fabric, but for now I am just going to add a fun pillow that will give it a pop. The color of the settee fabric blends into the wall color, so want to lighten the walls and really show off her curves.

Here is a little plan that will incorporate items I already have and add just a few touches that won't break the bank!

I want to add these West Elm curtains for more of a relaxed playful feel to the space. The settee will get a fun pillow in this fabric. My fiddle leaf fig will get a new decorative basket. And if you read about my Home Decor Wish List last week, you know that I am crushing on these affordable winged-back chairs from World Market. I want to also give them a playful twist by adding a fabric to the back. I am thinking this fabric would be fun.
I am still debating on the rug. I may just leave the hardwoods without a rug for now. The floor is much easier to clean without a rug underneath the table. But I do love this one.
I am also thinking about changing out some of the Paris pictures with photographs I have taken when traveling to Italy & Greece. It would give a bit more color to the walls.

So..that is the plan people! The curtains came in the mail this past week and I just need to raise the curtain rod so I can hang them. I have painted two walls in Shoji White by Sherwin Williams. The paint isn't really white white. It has a bit of a gray undertone to it. It really has a cozy feel when paired with the dark coffered ceiling.

I hope to be able to share a little progress with you all very soon!

What projects are you all working on at home? Do share!

Get this Look for Less- {Entryway Inspiration}

Hi All! Yes I am still alive. I can't believe it has been almost two weeks since I have posted. Sometimes a break is just the ticket when needing some new inspiration.

I am back this week with some great inspiration starting with this phenomenal entryway:

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This entryway has the right mix of modern and vintage with a global flair. I love all the color and texture that keeps your eyes moving around this space. It is definitely an inviting way to welcome guests!

This gorgeous home in Chicago belongs to the lovely Yana Puaca. You must take a look at the whole house tour HERE!

I was so inspired by the entryway above that I put together an inspiration board for all of you. You can find the source to each item below. Wouldn't it be fun to recreate this space in your own home?



Prada Palazzo print, Gold Trunk, Black Satchel Purse, Crystal lighting, Oriental Rug, Snakeskin tray, White Console Table, Venetian Mirror, Round baskets, Striped Throw, Umbrella Stand, Black & White lamp

So what do you all think? Do you think you could pull off a modern vintage-global feel in your own home? There are so many pieces in the above mood board that can be found for even less if you look at your local HomeGoods, shop deals on Overstock and even browse your nearby Target store!
Make sure you check out the full tour...I promise you won't be disappointed!

It Started With Fabric {Master Bedroom Redesign}

Welcome back to a new week. I am a little slow going this morning...how about you? We just might have to make this a 2 cup of coffee morning!

A few weeks ago I was browsing the web for some new fabric for different designs that I am currently working on. I also wanted to find Schumacher's Zimba fabric in charcoal for the valance in the master bathroom. BUT...with the price tag of $70 a yard and a minimum shipment of 2 yards I was not going to slap down that kind of money when I really only need less than a yard. So I started thinking of possibly DIYing the fabric like Sarah did here. It looked way to confusing for me at this present moment with the busy spring season. So I decided to look on some discount sites including Ebay.

Did you all know they even sell fabric on Ebay? Well of course they do! They sell everything! I had never thought to look there.

So I got sidetracked. {At this point you are probably thinking..where is she going with all of this!?} I was on Ebay's site for a looonnng time. So long that I might have forgotten to eat dinner! I didn't find the Zimba fabric I was looking for, but I came across this beautiful fabric...

This pictures does NOT do the colors justice. It so beautiful in person and almost has a sturdy linen feel to the fabric. This fabric is called Chiang Mai Dragon in alabaster and is normally $149 per yard! YIKES! I knew this was a designer's fabric but didn't know it was so expensive. Well I was in luck because the bidding started at $10 on Ebay. Of course when the auction ended it closed at $40, but compared to $149 I think I got quite a deal.

I ended up with probably half of a yard and I am now rethinking my whole master bedroom design because of this colorful piece of fabric....calming whites and grays with a pop of color.

Bedroom Refresh by eatsleepdecorate featuring recycled furniture

What do you all think? Have you ever found a deal on Ebay that was too good to pass up?...did you know they even sell fabric on Ebay?

Reader's Redesign {The Living room}

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. It was beautiful weather here and I actually got outside to clean out my garden beds. I am so ready for Spring, but I guess mother nature is not! We are having some cold weather here today with a chance of a wintry mix. So everyone stay warm!

A couple of months ago a dear reader emailed me asking for help with her living room. Natalie had just painted the living room a light green/blue/gray and that was it. She needed some inspiration and ideas to help finish her space. Natalie told me that they needed to keep the tan couches, the wood molding was staying as is and that she had bought a cute little white lamp for her side table, but other than that it was a clean slate!

Here are a few before pictures so you can get an idea of Natalie's living room space:

When entering from the front door there is a small wooden console and a blank wall to the right. To the left are a large set of windows and then you see the love seat between two smaller windows:

And the couch sits against a larger blank wall:

I am excited to add some personality to this space. It already has amazing features like hardwood floors, trim around the windows and arched doorways! If you scroll back up to the second picture you will notice a little accent chair sitting in front of the large windows. Natalie actually has two of these and would like to upholster them in some sort of yellow fabric. She also has an 18 month old son who is busy busy, so we had to design this space with him in mind. 

After talking with Natalie about her likes, dislikes and ultimate design I think we have a bit of a plan for her space!

I am thinking that she is in need of a great art piece above the love seat and between those two smaller windows shown in picture two. She is also going to change out those wooden blinds in the small windows. I am pushing for roman shades like these:

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They would really soften the space and contrast well with the darker wood trim.

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I also recommended a great big gallery wall to fill up the space above the couch in picture three. I think a mix of art and photographs would be perfect. 

As for that entryway right next to the door in picture one. I would recommend either a higher console with drawers, a mirror above and artwork down the sides to fill that space...

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OR..if they are going to keep their existing lower console I would place a large mirror vertically above and sconces on either side or tall lamps of some sort.

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This space also needs to be filled with baskets to hide toys and I recommended a large ottoman with storage for the middle of the room. It would be kid friendly and a great piece to add storage for her son's toys. 

She recently sent me a "progress" picture from her phone. (sorry for the dark pic) She has added the white curtains across her large front windows and picked up the large Moroccan trellis rug from Target. The room already looks better and is forming a personality! 

I hope to be able to share some final pictures with you all very soon! Do you all have any ideas or recommendations for Natalie as she finishes her living room design?

A Look Back at 2013 {Top Posts}

We are now in the final day of 2013. Doesn't seem possible...does it? I sat down with my coffee this morning and thought back on this year. It was full of excitement, trials, adventure, hard work and just plain life. I am ready for 2014 in someways, a fresh start of sorts. But, as I look back on 2013 I wouldn't change any of the memories, trials, adventures because they have yet again helped me grow as a person and have changed me for the better.

Today is one of my favorite days as a blogger. I love looking back at what has been all of your top posts over the past year. Some surprise me, some make me laugh and some give me courage to tackle harder more challenging projects for the next year. Hope you enjoy a look back at 2013 and all the craziness that went on around this little ole blog.....
{Click on the link below the picture to take you to the actual post}

Organized our "Drop Spot" in the kitchen with Nate Berkus

Shared some ideas on how to organize kid's toys and books

Created a "No Sew" Roman Shade for the kitchen

Completed our Flip Home #3 {Before & After pics}

Shared a "Reader's Redesign" for a little girl's nursery

Created some gold and pink polka dot mugs

Shared how Molding can create a lot of Character to your home

Organized a place to hang my bags in our closet

Organized the master bathroom drawers and countertop

Shared a "Reader's Redesign" plan for their entryway

Created these DIY Dipped baskets for the living room.

My Chandelier when from traditional to a little "Mod"

Shared a "Reader's Redesign" plan for a Playroom/Sewing room combo

Shared some great examples of Twin Bedrooms

Created a DIY Wipe-able Paint Chip calendar for my office

Shared some before pictures of my master bathroom and a design plan on what I want it to look like

Tackled Tufting and recovering this little beauty

Shared the before & after pics of our Flip House #4

I made this DIY Shoe Organization thanks to Home Depot!

Shared some Design Mistakes on Matchy Matchy Furniture and how you can fix the problem

Made this Geometric pillow out of stripped fabric

Shared some fall decorating ideas

Tackled the major task of painting stripes in the hallway

Shared our "Big Announcement"

Shared my bargain fur find and what was trending

Set our thanksgiving table filled with gold and dark purples

Shared another fabulous "Reader's Redesign" for a Sophisticated living room/playroom

So Enjoyed the Guest Post Series on Neutral Nurseries from some of my Favorite Bloggers!

Shared my Christmas House Tour

I can honestly say that I am so blessed to be able to create and share with all of you! Thank you for following along with me over the past two years. I am looking forward to seeing what is in store for this blog in 2014.

I wish you and your family a safe and Happy New Year!! 

XOXO