Colin's Room~Unique Art Mixed With PB Decor

This post includes a new addition to The Yellow Cape Cod Home Decor Collection 

(Colin's Clock).

The other day, I told the story of Kendall and Colin.  Adorable twins preparing to transition from their shared nursery into their very own bedrooms (click here if you missed it).  Today, I'd like to share the online design plan I created for Colin's new room…  

Colin's parents just purchased a beautiful new bedroom set that includes a dark wood bed, dresser and nightstand.  Here is the floor plan illustration I provided to help with the new furniture arrangement:

The inspiration for Colin's room design was his love of cars.  These adorable vintage race car prints are from Potterybarn Kids...  

They will look great over Colin's new dark wood headboard.  

I suggested incorporating another piece of art that plays up the vintage car theme.  Something that compliments the Potterybarn prints.  As an example, I suggested this fun, bright, graphic clock (Colin's Clock).  This awesome large-scale clock features pictures of old license plates.

To give a brand new space unique character and personality, I love to mix off-the-shelf retail decor (Potterybarn stuff in this example) with authentic vintage pieces, personalized and/or boutique style art.  

While Colin's Clock would look neat in any space, I especially love it for a kids room.  What a cool way to learn time.  Three dimensional numbers are strikingly graphic and the large scale makes it fun, funky focal point. 

I fell in love with this clock so much that I added it to The Yellow Cape Cod Collection of home decor:  

Colin's Clock (29")  $199

To purchase Colin's Clock, please click here.  

Available for a limited time.  Free shipping offer expires 5/24/13.

Aside from art, another way I suggested we personalize his space is to fill these bright colored canvas totes with Colin's favorite toys.  

DIY molding, like this board and batten image found at The Shabby Nest, is a budget friendly way to customize the room.  White molding and contrasting navy wall color will look amazing against the rich, warm, dark wood tones found in Colin's new furniture. 

Colin's parents have two rooms to install, therefore this plan will be implemented over time.  The main elements are underway but some details (like the board and batten wall treatment) will be incorporated at a later date.  I can't wait to see this room come together and you can count on me sharing the reveal. 

Enjoy your new big boy bedroom, Colin! 

***For information on my affordable online design services, please click here. 

To Purchase Colin's Clock ($199 + Free Shipping), please click here. 

Product sources:

Dresser, Bedding, Race Car Prints, Storage Bins: Potterybarn Kids

Colin's Clock: TheYellowCapeCod

Paint: Sherwin Williams 

© Copyright 2013 The Yellow Cape Cod

Spring Decor~Chippy Terracotta Birds

This time, last year, the kids were running through the sprinkler.  This year, they are sledding.  We are so ready for warm weather and sunshine.  

At least I can create the feeling of spring inside with a little spring decor.

Last week I shared our spring tablescape along with a super easy, tulip and pussy willow centerpiece tutorial, click here if you missed it.  Other than fresh tulips and pussy willow, when I think spring, I think of birds.  

Until our real birds return from the south, I can enjoy these little guys.  When I came across these sweet chippy terracotta birds,  I started imagining all the places I could put them.  

I moved their cuteness all around the house, but so far this is my favorite spot.  Lined up along the mantle they sort of remind me of "birds on a wire".  In any location, they remind me of the promise of spring.  

If you would like a set, they are made of terracotta with a distressed, crackled ivory finish.  Sold in sets of four (5"w x 3"h x 4"d).  

Chippy Birds {set of four} $57

 Please click here to purchase. 

This week, I'll be busy working on a few brand new DIY project tutorials.  While I am hammering away, I'll be sharing recent online design projects including the details on the twins project from last Friday, click here if you missed the story. 

Happy spring!

© Copyright 2013 The Yellow Cape Cod

Twins "Anti-Separation Anxiety" Room Designs

Recently, I had the pleasure of creating two Online Design Plans for the most adorable clients ever.  Three year old twins, Kendall and Colin are preparing to graduate from their shared nursery into their very own rooms.  

At first, they were not excited about the idea of splitting up.  

I was asked to design a brand new space for each of them to help them through their slight separation anxiety.  

Here's a short video:

{Click the lower right corner of the frame below to watch the video larger}

Product source list and details on each design plan coming next week.  As soon as the rooms are finished, I'll be sure to share "after" photos.   The kids are so excited now that they have warmed up to the idea of having their very own room.  

I'll find out how their first night apart went down…

Good luck, Kendall and Colin! 

© Copyright 2013 The Yellow Cape Cod

For information on my affordable online design service, please click here. 

***Photography of the twins by Andrea Peardon Photography.

Warm Gray and Sunny Yellow Living Room

Even though it's still the dead of winter here in Detroit ,

I can almost feel the sun on my face and a warm summer breeze just by thinking about this project.

This custom design is a recent online design plan created for Jennifer's living room.

{please click here for more information on my online design service}

Warm gray, soft yellow, and natural tan create a sunny, but subdued color scheme for this stylish, casual living space.  

Although this palette is currently on-trend, it's always been a beautiful combination and certainly isn't going anywhere soon. 

  

It will look especially lovely against Jennifer's new wood floors.

A traditional style wool rug with an updated floral motif is a perfect companion to these amazing patterned chairs from Ballard Designs.

This oversized round ottoman (also from Ballard) provides a beautiful natural element and amazing texture.  I am in love with the hues in this weathered wicker which include golden yellow, natural tan and warm gray.   

Simple burlap window dressings add softness and understated natural beauty to the windows.  

In this design, an on-trend color palette and fun contemporary patterns and are grounded by natural texture and simple (but not boring) accessories. 

To reserve your affordable custom online design plan, please click here. 

© Copyright 2013 The Yellow Cape Cod
There is much more to this plan, however out of courtesy to my client I am unable to share more specific details..  Thanks for understanding. 

2013 Road Trips…including Haven!

2013 is going to be an exciting year of traveling for The Yellow Cape Cod.  I'm so excited to pack up the mini van and hit the road, blogging along the way.  I may even break down and start an instragram.  So far, the 2013 itinerary includes Denver, New Jersey and Atlanta.  

One of these stops is to attend the 2013 Haven Conference.  Two whole days of Home Design/DIY heaven!  As if that isn't exciting enough, I've been invited to speak on a panel along side my favorite design bloggers.  

{Click here to read all about the Haven Conference 2013}.

Are you going? 

 If so, I can't wait to meet you!  If you're not attending the conference in person,  be sure to visit the blog.  I'll take you along with me (watch for that instagram account).

I'll share the details on our Denver and New Jersey trips soon…it's going to be a fun year!

© Copyright 2013 The Yellow Cape Cod
For information on my affordable online design services, please click here.

Tulip and Pussy Willow Centerpiece Tutorial

Earlier this week, I shared our St. Patricks Day table scape with a large spring tulip and pussywillow centerpiece.  Today, I'm going to show how I made it.

This is one of the easiest centerpieces ever and probably my favorite.  Aside from being a sign of spring, the combination of sweet tulips and soft pussy willow are guaranteed to make you happy.  

Someone once told me that it's impossible to say pussy willow and not smile.  

Did you try it?  They're right :).

Here is what I used to create this centerpiece:

One bundle of pussy willow ($5) from Sams Club,  two bouquets of white tulips ($10ea.) from the grocery store and one small storage basket from Target. 

Two water glasses slightly shorter than the basket made inconspicuous vases to keep the tulips hydrated. 

I placed the tulips inside the glasses, filled them with water and tucked them inside the basket.  

   

**Within a few hours the tulips should start to fall naturally. 

If you are putting this together at the last minute and can't wait for them to release on their own, you can speed up the process by using luke warm water inside your vases.  Manipulating the bouquet with your hands will also help them loosen up, just keep in mind your arrangement may not last as long. 

Once they have released, they will fill the empty space around the perimeter of the basket beautifully.

Using utility scissors, I separated the pussy willow branches and stuck them into the tulips.  I like to keep the branches long to create a large scale centerpiece.  

Starting from the center, top of the arrangement and working my way to the outside corners helped me space the branches evenly. 

  

Tulips are thirsty, I check the water level each day.  

If you missed the rest of this tablescape, click here to see the original post.  

By special request, here is a link to the recipe I use for our St. Patricks Day Dinner:

  BHG Corned Beef and Cabbage.  

Happy St. Patricks Day!

© Copyright 2013 The Yellow Cape Cod
For information on my affordable online design services, please click here. 

St. Patricks Day Tablescape~Step by Step

The weekend before St. Patricks Day is a dual celebration in the Macklem house.  Not only do we have traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner in honor of St. Patrick,  but it's also my husband's birthday.

A meal that is visually unappealing (like boiled meat) needs a little help to look as good as it tastes.  

 Good thing for pretty tablescapes, right?

This year, thanks to an after Christmas sale at Target, I was able to put together a sophisticated green tablescape inexpensively.  Green and brown crackled votive candle holders and a green tablecloth (folded in thirds to look like a runner) are Christmas decorations bought deeply discounted after the season. 

 I used fresh tulips and a bundle of pussy willow to create a large scale centerpiece in a basket (click here for a step by step tutorial).  I used multi-purpose tags from Ballard Designs as our place cards tied with a green bow to make each setting special. Our everyday white dishes and stemware keep it casual. 

{Hannah's glass is filled with sparkling grape juice}

Click Here for a step by step tutorial on my tulip and pussy willow centerpiece. 

 I'll show you how simple it was to make this large scale centerpiece.

Here is how the rest came together…

I found these cute multipurpose labels at Ballard Design a while ago.  I used green ribbon to tie them to  napkins as place card holders. 

I folded the green tablecloth from Target in thirds (the long way) to make it look like a runner.  

To give the cloth a crisp clean edge, I ironed it right on the table.  

I placed three green and brown crackled glass candle holders on either side of the centerpiece.

Even though this tablescape was created for St. Patricks Day,  I'll use it through the Spring and maybe alter it a bit for Easter.  Nothing says Spring like a bright green/brown/white color palette and an arrangement of tulips and pussy willow.

© Copyright 2013 The Yellow Cape Cod
For information on my affordable online design services, please click here. 

Understated Elegance~A Semi-Formal Foyer

Today's featured online design plan was created for Stephanie's semi-formal entry.  Stephanie's home is a beautiful traditional style with an amazing two story foyer.  A stately front door, rich wood floors,  soaring ceilings and a gorgeous curved staircase were the base of this dramatic space.  Our goal was to choose elements that were understated (as not to compete with the already present drama) yet elegant (after all, it is a formal entry). 

We began by choosing an area rug in a soft neutral-colored pattern.  

We gave Stephanie two rug options, a rectangular rug in front of the door or a large round under the furniture vignette.  

Aesthetically speaking, the round rug {option 2} is a great choice.  I love to use a round rug in a formal entry.  Especially in this case, a circular rug will mimic the curved staircase.  From a practicality standpoint, the small 3x5 in front of the door {option 1} is the best option.  A third alternative is to go for the round rug and place a small, solid colored door mat during the spring/winter in front of the door to catch mud/salt.  

These sepia toned botanicals from Potterybarn are perfect for the neutral color palette of this space.  They are simple and elegant.  

Stephanie already purchased a beautiful round accent table.  We placed this custom upholstered armchair next to the round table to create a welcoming vignette.  The trellis patterned fabric and slim profile update the look of this traditional style chair.

This amazing fleur de lis mirror will fill a large alcove along the staircase wall.  Not only is it a gorgeous piece in itself, but it will provide a reflection of her beautiful entry chandelier.  

For natural texture and foliage, we placed an oversized pair of preserved potted boxwood on her round table.  Stephanie requested a floral arrangement that looked as real as possible.  Boxwood is my favorite.  Especially potted in these gorgeous cream colored pots on top of her dark wood table.  

Pattern (trellis fabric, patterned rug), contrast (dark wood, light accents),  texture (natural foliage, sculptured rug), and understated art come together to create an unpretentious, but elegant semi-formal entry. 

For information on my affordable online design service, please click here. 

© Copyright 2013 The Yellow Cape Cod

*Please feel free to use this design as inspiration.  Out of courtesy to my client, I'm unable to share more specific details about this custom design plan.  Thanks for understanding.