Emmy's Parisian Chic...

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When my husband and I found out we were having a little girl, my wheels immediately started spinning and construction began! I have always loved wainscot, so that was the first DIY project my husband tackled. I maximized space by setting the armoire caddy-corner with a changing station to the left and the crib directly on the opposing wall. The glider and ottoman is also caddy corner next to the changing station. I found an antique mahogany two-tier table with scallop edging from Craigslist -$50- and refinished it in a black pearl stain with gold etching and tulip flowers with the letter M for Baby Madison. The picture-in-picture was a design inspiration that my mom found in an interior decor magazine. We replicated the idea, wallpapering each of the inside panels bordered with molding, and placed vintage pictures that have been with my family for several years. On the 'changing station' wall, the other two picture-in-pictures have wired vintage figures of a manikin silhouette and Eiffel tower for that Parisian flare. My mother-in-law made all the bedding, drapery, and diaper hanging sack from fabric we picked out a local fabric warehouse in Buena Park, CA. The crib cornice and curtain tie backs were a great find at the Princess Canopy Shop on Etsy. They are stained in black pearl with brass/gold etching. My husband designed the M font and worked with an online wood-work company to produce the finished product at a greatly reduced price -under $40-. I bought the hanging chandelier on closeout with black shades and matching pink bows were tied using the leftover pink satin bedding fabric. The furniture is by Munire, purchased at USA Baby and the lamp was purchased on clearance at Tuesday Morning -$50-. I shopped around for the rug after finding that on an interior design website, I bought it for 50% less than retail from BoldRugs.com after they price matched another competitors price. The crib mobile was purchased on target.com.

Emmy's Ohh La La Roo...

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I tried to do a french inspired bedroom for my daughter and stepdaughter. I still need to tweek it a little bit. I have to finish the one balloon curtain and put some more things on the walls.maybe some more pillows. Please let me know what you thinkbut don't be too hard on me!!

Emmy's Space

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10 yr old girls room/green and turquoise/with wall graphic and dots

Monkeyin' Around in D...

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Before I even found out that I was going to have a little girl, I fell in love with the Emmy pattern from Pottery Barn Kids. I loved the theme and how it could grow with our daughter throughout her toddler years. With the help from my husband and our parents we were able to incorporate all my ideas. It did take some negotiating, however, my vision is finally completed. Now I can't wait for my Delaney to arrive (any day now!. Enjoy!

Guest Room

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New Photos just added.

This is a Candice Olson inspired room for less than $1,000. In fact, my entire house is Candice Olson inspired! This small guest bedroom is only 10' x 11'. I have just finished decorating this space in my small California home. I have been decorating one room at a time.

I am a single, full-time dad to the most amazing and smartest preschooler ever who is my biggest joy and inspiration. By day, I am a full-time college professor, but my passion has become interior design. Sadly, this passion is limited by being on a teacher's budget!!! I must admit that I do find that scrimping and saving, and doing impossible things for little to no money is actually very satisfying. I save throughout the year, and as I have summers off, I spend summers working on the house. I am not a handyman by any stretch of the imagination. But, I am determined!

Since my daughter was born four years ago, I have worked hard to create a beautiful, happy space for her to grow up in. Before becoming addicted to Divine Design, I knew nothing about decorating or interior design. And, sadly, my house reflected that lack of design knowledge! On Divine Design, I saw beautiful spaces that I connected with like nothing I had ever seen before. I knew I wanted to be able to do that, too.

To that end, I have taken to seriously studying Divine Design, almost every night. I DVR all episodes, and watch them over and over and over and over. My quiet "me" time, after my daughter goes to bed, is spent watching Divine Design. It’s that time when the house is quiet, my little angel is sleeping, and I can relax, watching something that brings me a lot of joy. These are cozy times!

Candice has inspired my love of bling, including: glass, mirror, reflections, lighting and shimmery fabrics. She has inspired my appreciation for rich and varying textures, beautiful blues, and soothing color palettes as well as my passion for chandeliers. Watching Divine Design has helped me to create a special home for my daughter. Being able to do that means so much to me!

Even though I have a career and love what I do, I want to be just like Candice Olson when I grow up or when I retire from teaching and research-- whichever comes first!!!!