17 Monday Feb 2014
Posted in Shop Gray Star Design
Tags
baby, baby announcement, children, gingham, gray star design, its a boy, its a girl, new baby, newborn, plaid
My Gingham Baby Announcement is a cute way to showcase the arrival of your new bundle of joy. It can be customized to many colors and features fun and classic elements. Filled with artsy flair and whimsy details, introducing your little one will surely be a hit.
{Thanks to my friends Dena & John for letting me share their first born in my listing}
29 Wednesday Jan 2014
Posted in Everyday Design, The Home
Tags
animals, art, baby, carnival, children, childrens room, classic, color, crafts, decor, design, Industrial, interior design, kids, kids room, sports, themes, toys, vintage
I have always loved the idea of designing a children’s room. There is something special about creating a space for a little one to grow, develop, and draw inspiration from. Besides these few must have ingredients, I feel the child should feel warm, cozy, comfortable, and free as well. This is the space they will call their own and most likely be the place they will spend most of their time as they get older.
My husband and I are planning to start trying for our first child and you can bet I have already thought of how to design the baby’s room. I have to admit, I have been thinking about it for years now so it’s no surprise I am super excited to actually make it happen. I think being prepared and always being ahead of the game is the best policy. Plus, with something so important as this task, you should take all the time you need. Hence, starting early!
Personally, I love an androgynous space for a child. One that is not too girly or boyish, a nice mix of feminine and masculine. And anything that looks “baby” is pretty much out. I prefer a space a child can grow up in, not one that has to be redesigned every few years because they grow out of the decor. So a sense of maturity is essential. And adding small touches of childlike features here and there are easy to do. I plan to showcase vintage elements, art & handmade items, and books – three things that will truly feature the style of the space and bring a cohesive look to the room.
I also do not like themed rooms. When I mean theme, I am talking about sports, animals, carnival, zoo, stuff like this that can really go overboard, which I see all the time. Instead of making the whole room look like a football field, placing a few quality inspired pieces throughout the space. The same thing with an animal theme. A child shouldn’t feel like they are in a zoo. It can get a little hectic with wall decals, lamps that matchy-matchy with bedding, and accessories that take over the space. And most of the time all these designs/items are created for baby, so the overall look is a bit dated and overdone. Here are few examples of how to successfully incorporate a theme:
Photo Credit: The Boo and the Boy
Photo Credit: Noosh Kids
Photo Credit: Kids Decorating Ideas
Photo Credit: Cozy Cottage Cute
Photo Credit: HGTV
Color is an important element to think about. How do you want your child to feel in the space. I am a big believer in neutrals, they are used throughout our whole house. These hues allow for relaxation, inspiration, calm, and stability in the space and are the perfect fit for a baby and young child. Sorry, but a bright red and blue room just isn’t a great choice. You want your kids to feel grounded, especially babies. Too much stimulation can really affect their overall being.
So, here are more spaces designed for children that work. They may clearly show a theme, but that theme isn’t kitschy, its a style. And that is what you want to go for. Creating a specialized look and feel should be the priority, while considering your little one’s needs and wants. It is their space after all. Enjoy!
Photo Credit: The Boo and the Boy
Photo Credit: The Boo and the Boy
Photo Credit: Smile and Wave
Photo Credit: The Boo and the Boy
Photo Credit: The Boo and the Boy
Photo Credit: Zyrafy Z Szafy
Photo Credit: Orsa Maggiore Vintage
Photo Credit: Barn and Bo
Photo Credit: nietylkodzieciaki
Photo Credit: Blessed Wild Apple Girl
Photo Credit: Your Home Only Better
16 Friday Aug 2013
Posted in Inspiration Photo Friday
Tags
american dream, baby, chapter, children, journey, kids, life, mommy to be, stress
We all know the routine of growing up. You get married, buy a home, and then have kids. The American dream, right? These past few years have been a whirlwind of weddings and new mommy’s. It’s all good and happy, but at the same time a little overwhelming.
I just turned 34 and I know I’m not getting any younger. But having kids right now just isn’t on my to do list. Since the year of our wedding and buying our first home, my husband and I have had it a little rough. Life has thrown us a handful of obstacles and it seems we are always fighting to get by. I started Gray Star Design in hopes to finally be successful on my end, while he works for less money than he deserves. The hardships of being an artist. So I would say, this is not a time to bring a child into the world. I mean, we don’t even have health insurance.
Growing up with a single mom who worked numerous jobs and having a Grandmother who raised four kids on nothing, I understand what it means to struggle. I, too, have struggled all my life financially. Being stressed for all these years about the one thing I don’t care about has surely taken its toll. Sadly, you need it to survive and all I know is the feeling of getting by. I certainly don’t want to raise a child in that kind of atmosphere, they deserve more than what I had. I am crossing my fingers that one day my husband and I can live a comfortable life without always dealing with financial stress. Then maybe, we can start a family.
So, with all these new babies and little kids running around, it does put a little pressure on me to have a child of our own. However, I am smart enough to know what is good for me, and my marriage and career is my focus at the moment. Just not ready to make my life all about someone else yet. And I know it doesn’t end when you have a baby, but in reality, it sort of does. It’s closing a chapter and starting a new one. I just have too much I still need to do.
Right now, I will embrace the little munchkins in my life and give them tons of love. I am lucky to have friends and family who have healthy children and I am very happy for the new chapter they have started. I wish them all the best on their journey as parents and will be there every step of the way to support them. Besides, I already have two furry kids of my own to take care of. They may not be the real thing, but they are mine and I love them with all my heart. It may be babies galore on the other side of rainbow but here on my side, the possibilities are endless.
26 Wednesday Jun 2013
Posted in Color in Films, Color Inspiration
Tags
children, color palette, colors, earth, forest, green, hues, lesson, life, love, M. Night Shyamalan, monsters, moss green, nature, new england, Pennsylvania, red, tale, the village, trees, village, wicked, woods, yellow
I am a big fan of M. Night Shyamalan, always was and always will be. I think he is such a great storyteller. He brings a true sentimental touch to the screen that leaves you thinking much more than when you started. The Village is one of those films. One of my favorites from his collection, its a tale of protection, fear, and love. With beautiful cinematography, flawless set and art direction, and an amazing group of actors, The Village explores the boundaries of good and evil and true love.
The film takes place in a small Pennsylvania village cut off from the rest of the world. The elders have built it to protect their children from the “wicked”. There are known monsters that live beyond the village and because of this watch towers and barriers of oil lanterns have been constructed for their protection. The time is 1987 but the villagers live an Amish lifestyle, no electricity and a simple way of living.
The main couple, Lucias and Ivy, express their love for each other and plan to soon marry. When a young boy dies and Lucias asks to go into “the towns” for medicine, he is denied. However, he ventures out anyway. The color red is used throughout the film as the bad color, and is seen on doors & shown through flowers when the monsters are near. Red cloaks also cloth their bodies. While he is away, the village has a visit from these beings and it startles everyone into a frenzy. A few days after Lucias gets back, he sadly gets stabbed by another man, Noah, in the village, who loves the girl as well. Unfortunately, he has developmental issues and doesn’t truly realize what he has done.
In order to help Lucias, Ivy gets ready for her trip to the towns for medicine. Although she is blind, she is strong willed and eventually makes it back with the items she needs. The journey through the woods is one of terror and truimph, as she comes across one of the monsters and defeats it. But there is a major secret in the village that unfolds through the film and in the end another life is lost because of it.
Told through the colors of nature and New England beauty, The Village is a remarkable tale filled with lessons on life and love. From the mossy greens and earthy browns to the pops of yellow and red, the backdrop of the woods truly allows for a peaceful, yet haunting feel. There are scenes that will surely win you over and ones that will startle your inner being. Another great story with a message that will continue to be relevant as the years go by.
The Design Inspirationalist 