Next week is "birthday week", the week leading up to my baby girl's second birthday! All of the posts will be about something I have have been working on in preparation for her party. The theme will be a Japanese tea party, which was largely inspired by the way her room came to be decorated...
I know you are probably thinking, "WOW, that is really pink!" This is one of those colors that came out a bit darker than it appeared on the swatch, but I have come to really love it! The birds on the wall I sentciled in red and her name is from www.wallwords.com. The name was really easy to apply and I think the combination of her name, the swallows and the art on her walls works well with the color.
Fifi's furniture and vibe of her room began with more of a 'shabby chic' feel. I fell in love with the vinatge print of the mermaid with the parasol umbrella and gradually came to find other similar items (like the 2 postcards on the shelf above that also have mermaids with parasol umbellas on them) that I thought were really neat.
I randomly came across some bedding that was not only adorable but also ridiculously soft! I loved the color combinations of red, pink and a bit of green embroidery on the blanket and dust ruffle and the way the colors popped against the white background. I also loved the sheeting. I think that the intention was for this set to be modern, but the way they teeny clusters of flowers were organized, it appeared almost vintage!
I ran into an issue with this table, (which was only supposed to be temporary), in that it only had the white table cloth on it...wasn't loving that. My solution to this problem was to cut the back of the dust ruffle off and sew the pieces together to create this little table covering. Since the crib was against the wall, no one would see the back anyway!
This room, like the others in my home, were not planned, but have evolved into the way they are and how they are decorated. I am a big bargain shopper and thrifter, so I can never tell when I will happen across something that catches my eye. But that is kind of my point, one might never have dreamed that combining Asian influences with vintage mermaids would work, but I think it has!
We spend so much time in our home; it is where we raise our family and spend time with our friends. It is important to me that it is filled with things that we enjoy, that reflect what is important to us and 'what we are about'. My thoughts are this, if you fill your home with what you love, then it will always be great! I can only hope that my interpretation of this space turns into a successful party next weekend!
alison
Wow! I didn't know Fifi's party had a Japanese theme!! Remember, she has a Gigi that is a a lifelong student of Japanese, Japanese calligraphy and sumi-e so I would be honored to do something special like make placecards or name tags in katakana and/or kanji ..I look for ward to such a special party for such a special girl!! Love, Gigi
Posted by: gigi | May 29, 2009 at 01:32 PM
What a pretty pretty room!!
I love mermaids and birds!
Lovely!
e.
Posted by: apples for poppy anne | May 29, 2009 at 09:29 PM
Aw, thanks!
I swear, there are things (as a mama) I said I would never do...pink, match-y match stuff...when my baby girl was born, all bets were off!
We really like playing with cosutme jewelry too...sometimes we wear it out.
: ) a.
Posted by: http://mysweetbabu.typepad.com | May 29, 2009 at 09:38 PM
I appreciate your sense of the pieces as part of a whole when you bargain shop. I have a hard time putting different patterns together in a way that makes me happy in the end. Color, I'm fine with. I think I am too impatient when I shop... well that, and I am afraid to take the risk sometimes for fear that I won't like the outcome.
Posted by: Tammy | May 29, 2009 at 10:11 PM
One of my blogs is called Library Mermaid so I love the mermaid aspect - and seriously, one can never get enough pink. Beautifully done, her room. Lucky girl. Happy early birthday to her.
Posted by: Susan | May 30, 2009 at 12:41 AM
I hear you! *You* are great with color...and yes, being patient is key. After we the construction on the house, it took years, almost, for everything to really come together...just picking up little things here and there...
I think that is a good rule of thumb when you are just starting out and are unsure of things, start with some small stuff that is inexpensive, that way it won't seem like a huge commitment, and if it doesn't work, you can save it for something else!
Posted by: http://mysweetbabu.typepad.com | May 30, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Thank you! And thanks so much for stopping by and posting! I love the name of your blogg, enchanting!
There are so many beautiful mermaid themed items out there!
Thanks for the birthday wishes!
alison
Posted by: http://mysweetbabu.typepad.com | May 30, 2009 at 08:07 AM