Tag: Decorating

You’ve probably seen the new basement room designed for Stephanie Nielsen of the Nie Nie Dialogues by Alice Lane Home.


I can’t help but look at some of the things I love about this room, especially after falling in love with this room .

First up, there’s a black and white floor here, as well.  I still prefer the chevron rug, but I love the way black and white on the floor gives this room so much personality.  Hmmm.  Perhaps I’m developing a taste for black and white floors?

Secondly, I love the products from Oly Studio.  Love the chandelier, love the table.  They are amazing.  I love the way they take center stage.

Thirdly, I am completely smitten with the wallpaper.

I mean I really like this pattern.


As in, I keep mentally running through a list of rooms in my house in case I can think of one that I could wallpaper in this pattern.  I’ve always avoided wallpaper, but oh man, is this tempting!  (Not that I need another project.  I’ve only got 3,872 laying around the house.)

Fourth, the antique columns (see first picture) are incredible.  I’ve seen that column in the shop, and wished I knew what to do with one.  Now I know.  Split one in half and attach it to the wall like that.  Gorgeous.

Fifth, the fabric on the window shade is beautiful.

Last, that paper covered elephant head makes me smile.

In all, I like it because it’s such a blend of old and new, design and personal taste.  There are a lot of great patterns and colors at work in this room, yet it doesn’t bother my eye.  You’d never know it was in a basement.  I certainly wouldn’t mind if it was in mine!

If you want to read more about the room, visit this post on the Nie Nie blog.  You can also see a breakdown of some prices and sources on products used in the room here .

Do you have a space that has inspired you lately?

Hopeful Homemaker

Three girls sleep in this room.  We store clothing for four girls in this room as well.

I’m sorry to say it, but we don’t often see the carpet in here, especially since all three of them are still in the stage of changing outfits five or six times a day.

While they were at school yesterday I decided to excavate.  We cleaned, scrubbed the walls, washed the bedding, etc.  Then I took everything off the walls and started fresh.  All I kept was the furniture, bedding and the vintage grandmother’s flower garden quilts at the foot of the beds.

I bought the pink and white lattice fabric for the curtains a year or more ago.  It’s finally up, and I love the strong geometric feel it adds.  I also love that it’s a different pink and doesn’t “match” the walls.


The vintage pink miniature roll-top desk I bought for my daughter when she turned three, I think.  I’m still so glad I scored it.

The mirror is actually one of two.  They’re vintage and I’ve had them in four different places in my bedroom over the past few years.  They’re taller than they look, but I hung them down behind the beds so they look just right.  I think they’ve found their permanent home.

The rose prints are also vintage, purchased a year ago at the thrift store for $2.  Surprisingly, the gold frames don’t bug me, and I love the way the robin’s egg blue mats work.  I raided my fabric stash to whip up two bed skirts (there’s another identical twin bed on the other side of the room) and the yellow and white chevron pillow also came from fabric in my stash.

Two walls are still bare and in need of help, but I have a few ideas and will see how things gel in the next few weeks.

Half of the room is now updated.  Not too shabby for a couple of hours and not a penny spent.    And I, for one, am relieved to have action follow inspiration .

What do you think?

Jennifer