Heirloom Nursery: Sneak Peek!

Happy spring, friends! I'm sorry for these gaps between posts--I feel like I'm sending you postcards lately from where I am! Things are busybusy with designing and writing for the soon-to-be Clover & Bee (can't wait to share all the exciting bits in the works there!). Plus, I admit, I'm a little caught up in baby-ness--resting and preparing. But, between these adventures, I thought I might share a snapshot of the little man's room in progress (click the images for a larger view). We're trying to keep everything simple--a little modern, a little organic, a little heirloom and very much budget-friendly. I just finished hanging the Ida Pearle alphabet this week--one of my favorite aspects of the space. Every letter is like a poem--e is for elephant, g is for garden, q is for quilt, s is for swim...how wonderful to get to be a kid, am I right? More soon! Do keep me posted on what you're up to!

Sneak Preview: Clover & Bee Weddings!

After many months of secret keeping, I'm so excited to say we have a little sneak preview of my new site up and live: Clover & Bee Weddings!

With all the fun I had designing our wedding and writing here on Oh-So RB, we decided to take the leap and expand: a wedding guide and blog devoted to all the remarkable professionals and artists here in the Midwest. The process of creating the site has been so joyful--I can't wait to show you the rest! And, I promise, despite all the big things in the works (baby included!), I plan on keeping up here. Oh-So RB is without a doubt my original labor of love--from the first posts I wrote just for myself (can you tell? I didn't think anyone would be reading my little reflections!) to the latest connections I've been so lucky to make.

Thanks for all your support and generosity these past couple years (hard to believe we've been here this long!). I can't say enough about the happiness being a part of the blogging community has brought me and I'm so looking forward to what the future holds for all of us. Cheers all around!

Heirloom Nursery: Cloudy with a Chance of Fun

So sorry for the long delay on posting, friends! My soon-to-be not-so-secret project (!) has been taking up most of my time. Plus, being many months pregnant has finally caught up to me--whew! I really appreciate your patience and hope to return the favor with our exciting news very, very soon!

In between the sparks of busy-ness, I have been gathering a few new things in anticipation of our little boy. We're thinking his middle name might be Gray--one of my favorite colors--and I'm looking forward to celebrating with a few hints of the hue in his room...! Bunny booties from Pretty Little, 'Sweet Bunny' print from decoylab, eco plush blanket from boopalina bebe, fabric from skinny laminx (lovely and subtle!). I just love all the new modern possibilities for baby these days, don't you?

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: Pop-Up Decor

Loving the new Chanel spring show with these amazing cut-out paper florals. Wouldn't a 'pop-up' wedding be a great theme? I can imagine all sorts of whimsical details. To get you started, there's always Paper Source's series of flower kits. (via Oh Joy!)

Heirloom Nursery: Baby's First Artisan Pieces

Ceramics and stitching, lines and designs--I think the sweetest pieces for baby are those that have history and those that will. Just a few of my favorites for starters: wobbly pin dolls from Sian Keegan, Heath Ceramics kid's set, Matching Game of Marimekko fabric designs from Plastic Shop, 'Many Hands' quilts from Fun Quilts (the story as wonderful as the blanket!).

Heirloom Nursery: Style on a Budget

What a wild week--I'm so sorry to have been away for so long and can't wait to get back in touch! Hope you're getting the first tastes of spring where you are. We've got daffodils here but also a couple inches of snow in the forecast...could it really be? Whew!

In the midst of my busy business, I've been dreaming about the nursery for our baby-boy-to-be--a surprising challenge and a delight. You know me: I love big colors, sentimental art pieces to keep, staying on budget, craftiness, hands-down good design. After our wedding last year, I thought, how different could it be? You pick a palette, pick a theme, have some fun. But, wow, the project and the resources are completely different (as S says, 'look out, baby culture is after us!')--or at least it seemed at first.

Wanting to hold on to those same principles, I decided to simplify, simplify, simplify. Instead of buying an expensive coordinating crib set, I went with a nice basic white bumper and skirt for the vintage-looking Jenny Lind crib we chose (I'm sad to say I don't see them in the Land of Nod collection anymore--it's a beautiful, inexpensive piece--if you can get your hands on one, snap it up!). The beauty of this is the set cost $60 (total!), it looks so clean and fresh, and now I can mix-and-match sheets, curtains, other furniture, accessories and what-not to my heart's content.

That one choice has made the designing process really come alive and now that we're back to basics, I'm ready to build up the vision: I found this sweet wild kingdom mobile (from Copenhagen Styles), three colors of gingham sheets to match (Pottery Barn Kids), and a 'Keep Calm' poster that I could potentially add (for some humor, of course!--this one from the Keep Calm Gallery). So, what's next? I'm on the look out for some patterned fabric (maybe from Purl) to complement and contrast the gingham...some fun toys and accessories...some fine touches of heirloom pieces...hmmm! Any suggestions for me? I need all the help I can get!

Heirloom Nursery: Baby's First Quilt

It's no secret I love quilts--really love them.

Recently, I've been editing the memoir of one of our quilter friends and got to thinking about the possibilities for our baby's first quilt. Looking around for nursery bedding, I've been pretty disappointed in the range of colors and style for little boys (did I mention? we're having a boy!). Everything is blue, red and brown and--I'm going to say it!--so boring (!). Have you noticed this too?

This feeling led me to start researching the baby blankets of the past at our local museum, Lincoln's International Quilt Studies Center. What I found was that the traditional of the crib quilt is really a fascinating one--especially here in the Midwest where these small blankets were an Amish tradition. The rich blacks and deep blues, the modern-feeling stripes, blocks and cubes. Hope we can find a way to do something similar--so many creative possibilities for our tiny new guy!

Location, Location

Readymade's WPA poster series is so spot on--especially these two. I've lived on both coasts but somehow not until I moved to Nebraska did these ways of living really come into focus for me--farmer's markets, gardening, bicycling, local schools. I'm a city girl at heart but somehow living here is the perfect fit.

Sweet Find: Basic French

Thanks to everyone for the sweet, kind and ever-so generous messages about our little baby news! Your support means so much. I can't help but feel inspired and a little sentimental these days about the lovely design popping up all over for kids. Aren't these simple Basic French baby announcements darling? I'm such a fan of this boutique--for little people and big.

Pretty Pink Party

Artfool recently created this simply fanciful kid's party for Modern Bride--pink, pink, pink and that cotton candy blue, seems like something out of a dream!

Travel Diary: The Hambledon Gallery

Each time I'm in England, I love to spend a lazy day in Winchester walking the streets, enjoying the cathedral (Jane Austen's no less) and perusing the shops--all especially fine in the summer. I was reminded today, going through some old memorabilia, that, without a doubt, my favorite boutique is The Hambledon--such a wonderful collection of well-designed goods. Each time I'm there I buy myself a new Cath Kidston change purse--as a tradition and because I use mine so often (every day, I admit) that the beloved thing gets tatty after awhile (I still have the first one I ever bought from 10 years ago!). Now, I'm so glad to see, they have an online shop. Elderdowns, Kilner jars, hawthorn and almond scented perfumes...so British, so lovely.

Sweet Find: Sugarboo Designs

Minimal, reconstructed art and pillows-- I love the feel of these pieces from Sugarboo Designs.

Great Blog: Wide Open Spaces

So delightful--I'm completely enamored by Emily's blog, Wide Open Spaces. Poetry, design, gardening, lovely lists--everything is fresh and sweet. Definitely pop by and check her posts out for yourself--I'm so glad I did.

Sweet Find: Dosa

Oh, Dosa--such fine organic designs. I absolutely love the use of subtle textures. Don't you just want to slip one of these on and just relax?