POLYVORE.com

I have a new addiction… Polyvore.  It is an online site that allows you to create and design anything from fashion to interiors.  Check out www.polyvore.com and try your luck as a designer.  Polyvore allows you to create a mood board or actual room using items that can really be purchased in online stores.  Too bad these aren’t available in our country, but just playing around with different colors, furniture, and accessories will get you hooked. 

I created three mood boards or designs that I hope you all will enjoy.  You’ll never know if you’ve got that hidden talent unless you try! 

Blue as Bianca is a combination of contemporary and playful design.  This will probably work for a condo unit.

Moroccan Whimsical denotes soft, feminine details.  This will be perfect for a girl’s bedroom.

Romantic Lemon is a combination of Mediterranean and old world design.  One can use this for a house with Mediterranean, Filipino or Moroccan themes.

Here are other Polyvore  entries by other users.  I haven’t really studied the whole thing thoroughly but I think you can use your own jpeg pictures of blank rooms and fill it up.

The nice thing about decorating is that there are no rules.  I’ve learned by browsing magazines, and studying design books.  Although innate taste is an advantage, decorating can be acquired and developed.  There are so many items to choose from in Polyvore, I simply type words like “furniture” or “lamps” in the search bar and a whole galaxy of items come out.   I hope you all get inspired to create your own design and try your hand in decorating.  As for me.. I’ve got another Polyvore project to finish.

Painting a Bedroom Wall

There are so many useful do- it yourself tools in the market these days, changing your kids bedroom paint can be addicting.  Here are a few rooms to inspire you...

All photos from HGTV.com

Here are a few steps to changing the wall paint of your rooms:

1. Plan and decide on color schemes.  Know what walls you'll want to put each color on.

Color charts can be useful. 

PHOTO FROM ehow.com

2. Sand existing walls to remove any rough and uneven parts.  Your goal would be to make sure your wall is as even as possible. Imagine pointing a flashlight on your wall and looking at it from the side. Are there any shadows and waves?  Try to even these out.

PHOTO FROM corbisimages.com

3. Apply putty on surfaces that remain uneven or recessed to even it out more.  Tape all edges and joints so you don't get them on other areas like floors and cornices.  

The white stuff you see is actually putty. PHOTO FROM inmagine.com

PHOTO FROM dumies.com

4. Mix the base color of paint you want, and apply this evenly with a roller brush following one direction.  Let paint dry lightly between layers.  2-3 layers or coats is all you need.  Paint color will lighten when dry.  

carefully paint edges with a flat brush  PHOTO FROM precisionpaintingplus.net

PHOTO FROM escapeestatehomebuilders.com

5. With a light pencil draw any image or stencil in any design you want.  practice on a sheet of paper so you get scale and proportion right. Imagine the paper is your wall.

You can search the web for design ideas.  Here are some links to planets and the solar system

http://www.muralsbymorgan.com/murals/kids-murals/outer-space-astronaut-mural

6. Paint your sketches to life with different colors and brush sizes to give it depth.  Here is a link to a do it your self mural site

http://www.murals-for-kids-rooms.com/Level%202/DIY/DIY%20services.htm

Have fun, dare to be creative.  Water-based paint is best for cement walls, while oil or enamel will have to be the first coating for wood based walls.  Ask your local home depot, they'll know what to recommend.  Odorless paint is now available in the market.  Leaving a bowl of charcoal or vinegar out will absorb any smell of paint after you are done.  Of course, open your windows and air the room out. 

Wall stickers works just as well if you don't want to have to paint the detailed murals yourself.  More of that in my next blog.

Someone asked about chalk boards, I have a better idea.

Leslie asked about chalk boards in kids rooms.  Yes we've heard horror stories of kids drawing on walls.  We don't want to spend precious time scrubbing them off, so having a wall that they can actually write on is a great idea.  Chalkboard paint can be bought at specialized paint stores, fastening an actual chalk board is an easier option, but chalk can be harmful for children. 

PHOTO FROM:  KID Collective.com

Classrooms are computerized because chalk has been found harmful when inhaled, and touched.  I've tried using acrylic sheets and water-based erasable markers. Water based markers don't emit bad fumes.

 That shiny bottom half of the wall is acrylic which your child can draw on with washable whiteboard markers.

 Here is the other half of the room, and yes that's me.

Real white or colored glass can also be used, it can be heavy and you might need professional help to attach it. 

Which ever method or material you decide on, I'm sure your kids will have lots of fun drawing.  Creativity is something every kid should be able to express and discover.  Have fun moms!

Designing Kids Rooms

Decorating Your Kid’s Room

Creating your child’s bedroom can be something fun for you and your kids.  In reality, there are no rules when it comes to decorating for them.  You can have fun and let your imagination run wild, while still incorporating function and taste.  I’ve compiled some important guidelines for those of you that love to decorate but don’t know where to start.

1.Consider your child’s age and interest

There are many options you can use for decorating like wallpaper, stickers, murals, stencils and artwork but the key is in knowing what you want your theme to be.  Picking a focal wall as a main spot for your design often helps.  I usually like to use the headboard wall.  You can then repeat portions of this design in various areas of your room like cabinets and shelves.

You don’t always have to go for a theme.  Try playing with color, and experimenting with texture to splash on various areas of the room. 

  Pieces of cutout paper was used to make a wallpaper collage. PHOTO BY: Artlovejoy

2. Go easy on the furniture

The beauty of designing kid’s rooms is that there are no rules when it comes to furniture.  You will save a ton on cash if you learn to re use and revamp your old vintage pieces.  You can always paint them in interesting colors, and even cut off parts that you don’t like.

 The bedroom above has a very non traditional take on a bed.  Photo By: Colorhome

3.  Consider child’s safety and needs

Planning a kid’s room can be fun but carefully select materials for younger ones.  It is best to use wood flooring or laminated wood which is a cheaper alternative.  It is synthetic, and very easy to clean.  Hard flooring like tiles can be dangerous for young kids who like to run around.  Carpet may be soft but gathers dust and mites which may trigger allergies.  If your child has asthma, it will be a good idea to use vinyl roll up blinds or wooden shades as an alternative to fabric curtains.

 Young kids often need a lamp or night light that they can leave on.  You can be creative by cutting out patterns and shapes and attaching them to the shade so that the light goes through it. 

Reinforcing good study habits can also be done by providing a functional study desk in the room and keeping television sets in other areas. 

There are no rules with regards to color, as long as it is something your child will love.  Odorless paint is now available in most home depots making the painting process quicker.  Careful planning of materials to be used, along with an endless dose of imagination is all you need to design your kid’s bedroom.