Project Reveal: Big Girl on Broadway

Finally! I'm ready to reveal the Big Girl on Broadway project. This project was installed months ago, but my first photoshoot was a fail (#entrepreneurproblems), and then the summer basically got away from me before I could sit down and work on this beaut!

This past spring, I was so excited when Awesome Family enlisted me to turn their third bedroom/office/guest room/storage room into a Big Girl room for their adorable two-going-on-three little girl, who will hereon in be referred to as Client M. It was time for Client M to move out of the nursery and into a Big Girl Room with a Big Girl Bed. Come late summer, she would be getting a brand new baby brother (any day now!) It was so smart of her parents to start The Great Transition a few months before and gift her with this room for her 3rd birthday.  Very strategic for everyone involved - I like it and am taking notes... although I am not pregnant with Baby #2  and we do not have a third bedroom.

After the initial phone consultation with Awesome Family (no pink walls + calming vibe + budget of 5K all in), Client M and I had a meeting at her beautiful pre-war apartment building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. I came armed with the following inspiration images:

This is what I call the "Yay or Nay Session" so I can get a better idea of what the client has in mind. In this case, Awesome Family and Client M liked a little bit from each photo, and especially loved this last photo (which I would just like to mention I worship! You can see the room in its entirety here). 

After I gave Client M a high five and a hug goodbye, I set to work putting together style boards and floor plans. If you are a dedicated le petit a.p.t. reader (which I know you ALL are), you may remember this blog from back in the day in which I shared the two style board runner ups. But since you're probably too lazy to click back to it (it's okay, I get it) I present them to you here: 

Mid-Century Magic

Cool palette of grey and blues. Black bed to “anchor” room and tie in the client's existing black and white zebra rocking chair. Wooden mirrors bring in a natural accent for warmth. Ruffly bedding and light pink accent lamp bring a feminine touch without being overpoweringly girly.

Vintage Eclectic

Colorful “boho” patterned vintage kilim rug as the focal point of the room, drawing on the blues/greens for the wall color. The mirror and pulls on the bed bring in a natural material, balanced by the mix of the metal lamp and acrylic side table. Fun mix of large and small scale patterns on bedding to pull together the colors without feeling too “matchy”

And here are the floor plan runner ups:

1. Area Rug / 2. Daybed / 3. Dresser / 4. Client's Existing Zebra Chair / 5. Client's Existing Play Kitchen / 6. Client's Existing Play Table and Chair / 7. Floating Bookshelves / 8. Table Lamp

1. Area Rug / 2. Full Size Bed / 3. Client's Existing Play Kitchen / 4. Client's Existing Zebra Chair / 5. Round End Table / 6. Table Lamp

And the winner was ...

Big Girl Glam

Gorgeous pink, blue and mint rug, coupled with sophisticated mirrored dresser. Blue/green walls to pick up on rug. Mixture of textures and patterns to avoid fussiness. Upholstered faux leather white trundle/storage bed (bonus- wipeable!). Black natural material accent table + fun animal art gallery wall to tie in black/white zebra chair. 

1. Area Rug / 2. Daybed with Storage / 3. Large Dresser / 4. Client's Existing Play Kitchen / 5. Client's Existing Zebra Chair / 6. End Table with Book Storage / 7. Table Lamp

About midway through the project, I came by to check on everything that had been delivered thus far and pick out a paint color. 

Progress Photo via Instagram @lindsaysaccullointeriors

Once the walls were painted and everything had been delivered/assembled, I came in to do my installation while Awesome Family was away on vacation. It took a few days and some small tweaks for me to get everything they way I wanted it to look, but I couldn't be happier with the final result.  Awesome Family loves it, and that makes me so happy. And in Client M's words? "Wow, this is incredible!"

The daybed has a trundle drawer that allows for a mattress, but we opted to use it as toy storage instead by adding bins to compartmentalize. 

I did my best to categorize/organize, but as a mom of a toddler, I know that you could spend your life categorizing, sorting and putting away toys, only for your meticulous work to be adorably torn apart within minutes, so I didn't go too crazy! I bet my partner in organized design @shelfienyc could have a field day with this! (Don't forget to enter our instagram giveaway, details here.) 

Client M is quite the little bookworm, so book storage was a priority. Wall-mounted shelves, bins and baskets for overflow did the trick.

A nightstand houses a canvas bin full of books, and Moroccan style storage baskets with lids corral Client M's extensive stuffed animal collection.

Sock Money chillin' in his zebra rocking chair, waiting for story time.

Initialed wall plaques with hooks hung at Tiny Human height are perfect for Client M to hang up her backpack after a tough day at the park. She can cook herself up something tasty in her fabulous pink play kitchen, while keeping an eye on the time.

The gallery wall is a collection of Awesome Family's previously owned frames, a ceramic wall plaque from Client M's grandma. Awesome Family loves to travel around the world, so I snagged this whimsical map print at Homegoods.

I had fun with this DIY while installing: Awesome Family's previous owned shadowbox + acrylic letter M from Marshall's + black and white photo + leftover wall decals = Custom Personalized Wall Art. 

I almost fainted when I found this perfect vintage pink lamp at Yanatiba, a vintage shop in my neighborhood.

Open shelving with Erasable Chalkboard Bins conceals toys within the closet and allow fun flexibility with bin labeling.  

The closet is pretty deep and has a tucked away side shelf that allows for plenty of toy and game storage.

I'm obsessed with these erasable chalkboard storage bins - and these slippers.

Flying Arrow Decals adorn the inside of the closet door - because, why not?

Client M is still a Tiny Human, and her Big Girl Bed is quite tall due to the storage/trundle drawer. So we needed a stylish step stool, which proved hard to find. An Ikea Hack saved the day.  Awesome Family painted this raw wood Ikea stool with the leftover paint from the walls, and I stepped in to personalize it with removable wall decals. 

And of course, here are some before and after's!

I really had a blast doing this amazing room for such a cool Tiny Human client. I'm so glad she loves it and has been sleeping in her Big Girl Bed for a few months now. And truly, she is so adorable and animated, she should not only live on Broadway, but be on Broadway! Does anyone know an agent? This girl has got some serious style. I have a feeling she'll be teaching her new baby bro the ways of the world in no time.

~L.S.

Photocreds: Yours Truly

Take me to the Lake!

By the time this email gets to floating across your screen, I will be floating down The Lazy River at the Rumbling Bald Resort in Lake Lure, NC. I'm excited to have some down time to soak in these last moments of summer. Seriously - it's already August?

Do you remember when you were a kid, summers seemed to be endless?  Now I hate to admit that often it doesn't even seem to matter what season it is (although I am much happier when it's NOT snowing and when it's NOT 100+ degrees with 100% humidity). As adults, our summers get shorter and shorter. So many things get in the way. 

As I'm packing for our week long retreat at the lake with grandparents, aunties, cousins and doggies galore, I'm conjuring up memories of summer sleepaway camp, when I used to throw fits about jumping into the murky, ice cold lake for swim lessons first thing in the am. (Yep, I was that girl). And although I never fully got used to the bugle blasting into our bunk as our alarm clock, I'd give anything to go back to that rush of the first time you get up on waterskis, followed by zooming around the lake in the Boston Whaler with the camp golden retriever.

For real, there was a golden retriever that rode around in the boat with the campers. I crave the thrill of that time you almost captured the flag, got your first kiss behind the rec hall during the camp social or found candy hidden inside that big hardcover book your mom sent in your care package.

Although this lake is in North Carolina v. Maine, and circumstances are just a little different now, I'm hoping being at the lake will bring back just a touch of that spirited, youthful excitement, coupled with some easygoing relaxation. Of course, the upgrade in accommodations won't hurt! 

I can't wait to watch Avery dip her little toes into the water and feel the difference of lake sand v. beach sand. I can't wait to see her watch the boats go by, and to be completely engrossed in play with her gaggle of older cousins who can't wait to see her.

I definitely packed her overall shorts, but I'm seriously coveting this baby bandana and those moccasins!

Maybe while the cousins are entertaining Avery, Eric and I can sneak off and work on our dance moves. 

Yep! Lake Lure is where this classic Dirty Dancing scene was filmed!

Besides having the time of our lives, what I am really most excited about is Shutting. Down. Yes, that's right. I'm signing off completely from all social media and email for the entire week. Word is there isn't great service down there anyway, so I'm just cutting the cord and powering off. It's going to be so refreshing to experience and feel everything like a human pre-internet and smart phone. I will see everything through my own filter (although if I had to choose one, it would be Valencia- makes me look tan). 

As a momtrepreneur working on my growing business, I spend my LIFE on the computer/smartphone. Seriously - when I'm not with Avery (and honestly, sometimes when I am) - I'm either tapping, typing or clicking away. It's my source of connection to the world on the average weekday when most folk are at the office. It's where I can come to vent to you about #mommyproblems or tell you about my latest adventures in decorating. It's my source of communication and livelihood. It's where I go to grow - there's a pressure to keep up with everything and stay relevant on the scene. I'm not complaining - I actually really like it! But I know it's not healthy, mentally or physically, to be so screen obsessed. It's time to hit the refresh button and be lured by the lake. 

But, before I go... since I find design everywhere, I couldn't leave you without the below round up of lakeside inspo. 

So, how do you power down?

~L.S.

DigiDesign Reveal: A Boston Kitchen

So excited to share with you today an LS DigiDesign kitchen project in Boston!

For those of you who know me, although I have been in NYC long enough to officially call myself a "New Yorker" (10+ years!), Boston is, and always will be, my home. (Love that dirty waterrrr!) There's nothing better than grabbing a small hot coffee with cream in a medium cup at a 'Dunk's drive through and speeding off to find some treasures at the Natick Homegoods. The cashier will most likely add R's to words unnecessarily, and omit them where needed, and I love it.

Although I don't get to the city of the Green Monster often enough, when we go back, Avery absolutely loooves seeing her Mimi, Papa, Auntie JJ, and poodle-pup Sophie Chanel. She has what to her must feel like endless space to crawl around in their beautiful New England Town Home. Poor thing is so used to being cooped up in our Brooklyn petit a.p.t., A Prospect Heights Prewar, which I must say is big on style, but small on square footage! She can't (attempt to) walk very far without bumping into some furniture or a massive toy that probably shouldn't be taking up as much valuable real estate as it is. 

Anyways, I digress! Today I'm here to tell you about Client Awesome, a colleague of Papa's and fellow mama of a Tiny Human, who enlisted me to be "The Closer" for her kitchen remodel.

The project was off to a good start immediately, because Client Awesome has fabulous taste. When I went on Pinterest and took a look at her kitchen inspiration board, I basically started drooling...

I know, right?! I love nothing more than a clean white kitchen accented with a little warmth. I couldn't wait to get designing.

My mission for Client Awesome:  

(1) Find Perfect Pale Grey Paint Color    

(2) Find Perfect Runner  

(3) Find Perfect Small Closed Cabinet

After I recovered from my Pinterest-induced heart palpitations and cleaned the drool off my computer, I set to work, armed with the following information:

Architectural Rendering

Birdseye Rendering

Slate Style Flooring

Shaker Style White Wood Cabinetry

Classic Polished Nickel Cabinet Hardware

Rococo Countertops

Subway Tile Backspash

Pendant Lighting

Counter Stools

Like I said, fabulous taste! I was lucky Client Awesome had already given me a great start. Here is the DigiDesign I came up with to bring it all together.

We decided to go with Sherwin Williams "Light French Gray" for the walls, at 75%. It will have a nice, pale, airy feel with just a touch of color to accent the beautiful backsplash and countertops. 

I loved how this vintage kilim runner had what I see as classic "Bostonian" colors, and didn't feel too traditional or tribal. When it comes to these types of rugs, I firmly believe the vintage ones are the best! Some slight wear and tear makes it feel worldly, so it won't look like it's trying to hard. Plus, being in the kitchen, it's not the end of the world if it receives some more wear and tear (which it will - with a dog and toddler rolling around on it on a daily basis). Like a fine wine, it will get better with age.

Lastly, I'm so glad Client Awesome chose this cabinet, because although I gave her a few options, this was definitely my favorite! I just loved how it was the perfect marriage of rustic and modern. The chevron provides some warmth and personality, and it is perfect for additional closed storage along the small open wall in the kitchen. 

So, there you have it. The painters start this week. I can't wait to see this DigiDesign come to fruition. It will just require another trip up to Boston this summer. No complaints there!

~L.S.