[reader request]: The Perfect Gray

Laura is one of my friends that I met while living in Milwaukee. While my hubs was doing medical school, her hubs was doing residency. Long story short, she's having fun decorating a new nursery for a brand new baby, probably buying things I would be jealous of. Her husband has a real job. My husband is still a resident. I'm not bitter.

I digress. Laura is decorating a nursery and needs the perfect shade of gray for the walls. Gray can be a tricky color, because different shades can look brown, blue, and even purple--none of which Laura wants. My favorite grays for a nursery are subtle and not too dark, like the colors listed below. 

I'm sure you all know this, but I like to hear myself talk so much(or I guess type in this case) that I'm going to tell you anyway. One: It's SO worth it to buy paint samples and try it in your space. You never know what the paint will look like in YOUR room with YOUR natural and artificial lighting. And, two, use the brand of paint that is your favorite. I always use Behr paint, but I use swatches from all over the place. I've never had issues with matching a swatch from a different brand. Just my opinion...

Have fun for me, Laura. I'll just be here in St. Louis for two more years while my husband finishes residency living vicariously through those of you that are DONE

image from 6th Street Design School :: Hazy Skies by Benjamin Moore

image from Emily A. Clark :: Silver Chain by Benjamin Moore

image from 320 Sycamore :: Fossil Gray by Glidden

image from Sharps Farm :: Dolphin by Martha Stewart

[reader request]: Shared Kids' Bathroom

Dolores has an exciting decorating adventure ahead of her. (At least I think it's exciting!) Her daughters' girly girl bathroom now must make room for one more, and that one more is a boy! No more pink shower curtain! Here's Dolores' wish list:

1)Nothing too girly or too boyish

2)A room that can grow with her kids

My suggestions? Glad you asked: It's all about the color palette and the incorporation of prints. The tone needs to be fun, but not too young. A pale, subtle blue is one of my favorite hues for a bathroom, because I like the bathroom to feel light and bright. I painted my mom's grandkids' bathroom Silver Sage from Restoration Hardware. I have used this color a lot. It's one of my favorites. You can pair SO many colors with a pale blue: greens, yellow, orange, pink, and even red (my scary color). The wall color should act as a neutral in the room, then have fun with it! Add color and prints. Keep your space fresh and fun. Here are some inspiration photos that I am absolutely dying over. Let me know what you think.

If you would like to be featured in my [reader request] series, just leave me your request in the comment section, or email me at jamiejjoyal@gmail.com. Not all requests will be featured.

image from Better Homes & Gardens

image from Garnett Hill

image from Hiya Papaya

image from Simplified Bee

[reader request]: All White Bedding

Laura from Milwaukee, WI requested a post on all white bedding. White bedding and lots of pillows? Yes, please! I've had all white bedding since college. (You know me well enough to know it's not the same white bedding since college, right?) I love the clean, crisp, calming, welcominess of it all. (I know it's not a word, but just go with me here.) I love it, and I'm able to keep it clean and poofy, because of my "no sitting on the bed rule."

image from Hopscotch and Grace

The good news is that white bedding can be super cheap. I used to buy down comforters at places like TJ Maxx or Home Goods. They were super cheap, so I would just replace them every year or two. You can accessorize with blankets and throw pillows, which are easy to change out if you're wanting a different look. Here's one more tip: buy a king size comforter for a queen size bed. It will give you the needed length on the sides.

image from The Things I'd Tell You

image from In the Fun Lane

image from Seattle Homes & Lifestyles

If you would like to be featured in my [reader request] series, just leave me your request and where you are from in the comment section, or email me at jamiejojoyal@hotmail.com. Not all requests will be featured.

[reader request]: Displaying Kids' Art

We all love a new masterpiece or two from our budding artist children, but sometimes our refrigerators and other display areas get a little out of control! That only drives us to be sneaky and "file" the artwork at the very bottom of the trash can where it will, hopefully, never be found! You know you've done it before! You can't keep everything, but don't worry. I found some great solutions for your favorite artwork!
Kellie, one of my gal pals from St. Louis requested a post on displaying kids' artwork. She wanted to find a solution that wasn't too casual. While framing kids' work looks great, it's sometimes not realistic to keep it up to date when you are getting new masterpieces on a daily basis! I found these solutions that I love. They are easy to change, and they look clean and organized, keeping with the tone of one's home. I love the idea from Urban Cottage Living--using curtain rods and clips. You could do three rows of these (or maybe one rod for each child) and have an entire art wall! Kellie, thanks for your request, hope this gives you inspiration!

image from Urban Cottage Living

image from Mondo Cherry

image from The Stir

*If you would like to be featured in the [reader request] series, please email me at jamiejjoyal@gmail.com or leave a comment in the comment section with your request and where you live. I will do my best to accommodate your requests, but not all requests will be featured.

[reader request]: Architectural Elements

I am oft times asked if I will post on a certain concept or look. Most of the time, I think, "What a great idea!" So, here it is, [kreyv]'s new series, [reader request]*.

My first request is by Joan from Milwaukee. Joan is one of my besties from Milwaukee. I love Joan to pieces. She is one of those people who just really cares about people, especially me (but who can blame her)! She is always very supportive, loving, and encouraging. She is just a happy person and was kind of like my Milwaukee mom. Joan also has great fashion sense and is rich. Just sayin.' (Don't worry, not every request will have a full bio of the reader, I just couldn't resist with Joan!)

Joan requested a post on decorating with architectural elements, so over the past few months I've been saving some of my favorites. Hope you find inspiration in them!

image from Country Living

image from Pottery Barn

image from Architectural Digest

image from Sarah Richardson

*If you would like to be featured in the [reader request] series, please email me at jamiejojoyal@hotmail.com or leave a comment in the comment section with your request and where you live. I will do my best to accommodate your requests, but not all requests will be featured.