You may have seen this sweet girls’ room in our current Room of the Month Finalists group. Today we are chatting with Casi Densmore-Koon, editor and founder of CupcakeMAG, to get tips on how she mixed and matched patterns and built a big design in a small space. Don’t forget to the check out the giveaway at the end for a chance to win a virtual design revamp of your own!
1. How do you like to begin your design process?
You have to think of it as a blank canvas. We started with the small spaces trend in mind and wanted to make the most of a small space. We wanted to create big things even though the space was small. We immediately knew we wanted to include the Emily Bed in Raspberry from Newport Cottages, and we built the color palette around it. From that point on, it just came alive! We searched for the perfect treasures to fill the room.
2. How did you choose the color scheme?
After looking at Annette Tatum’s paint collection, I knew right away we wanted something bold and bright. We went with the orange and pink combo because it was cheerful, fresh and fun. Perfect for little girls!
3. Mixing patterns is a big trend right now. How do you recommend getting this look without overwhelming the space or making it look cluttered?
It’s huge, and I love it! It’s important not to have it everywhere! I suggest picking one main pattern and mixing it in small amounts throughout the space. We kept focus on the ikat print from the Annette Tatum bedding and built around it. Instead of having ikat everywhere, we found a complementing pattern like chevron to use for the curtains and a small-scale pattern for the rug. You wouldn’t want to do ikat everywhere in the room because it would be overwhelming, so it’s important to find a good contrasting pattern. You can really make most patterns work well together, as long as you mix them well and don’t overdo it.
4. Best tip or trick when designing for a small space?
You have to think outside of the box. We created the exposed closet so it would both fill up an empty wall and create a great focal point. We took a bookshelf and laid it down to use it as a bench that can also be used to store toys in. You have to figure out ways to make the space work for you, and just because it’s small, doesn’t mean you can’t create something great!
5. What was the biggest challenge you faced with the room?
The radiator covers were the biggest challenge because they really just need to come out. However, with a time crunch we decided to make them work for us and painted them in pink so they almost look like molding but aren’t. It’s a great way to make things work—just add paint!
6. Do you have a favorite piece in the room?
It has to be the Emily Bed from Newport Cottages. It was the true inspiration behind the design—creating something with big style in a small space. To create bigger impact, we made a higher bed by adding a box spring with the Serta mattress even though this bed frame doesn’t need one. Your little one is sure to feel like a princess! The bed truly does it for me. It’s a beautiful piece! I also adore the vintage trunk because of its multiple uses. It’s a great find! And I love the look of the exposed closet—I want one in my room! It’s a great way to show your pretties!
Images taken by Kim Flores of Whimsy Baby Photo;
for more pictures of the room, check out the gallery!
WIN IT! One lucky Project Nursery reader will win a CupcakeMAG Oh-So-Stylish Places, Virtual Home Re-Vamp (valued at $600). You set the budget, and they provide everything from a detailed layout plan for your furniture to the color choices for your wall to a list of accessories that will make the room pop. They will create the space of your dreams with a design layout, inspiration boards and links to shop!
PERK ALERT! CupcakeMAG is offering Project Nursery readers 50% off ANY style package if you can’t wait to win—just mention Project Nursery to get the discount (discount good through June 5, 2012).
HOW TO ENTER: Let us know which room you would like revamped in a comment below. Contest ends Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 11:59 PDT. Winner chosen by random number generator.
EXTRA ENTRIES
1. “Like” Project Nursery and CupcakeMAG on Facebook, give us a shout out on our wall and tell us you did with a comment below.
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3. Follow Project Nursery and “pin” CupcakeMAG images from this post on Pinterest and add your Pinterest link in a comment below.
4. Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter or let us know you are already a subscriber with a comment below.
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Comments
Kristy
Please consider me to win the room re-vamp to do my newest daughters nursery she will arrive in the world in August. Thank you I love both of your sites and will continue to follow.
Winsy
My Toddler Room for my 2 year old boy!! I’m sure he is getting sick and tired of his sweet little nursery!
Jessica Michael
We’re having our first little one in September and would love to revamp his room before he gets here!! We want to redo the room in a “sailing” theme.
Debbie V
Like the pages on FB!
teresa brownlee
My first is due in September. We were trying to adopt before this for two years, so our nursery is gender-neutral. It would be great to have a revamp to put a feminine look to it, since we are having a girl.
Debbie V
I would love to have my daughter’s room turn into a big girl room! She is turning 2 in July and would love to make it special! :)
Katja Gagnon
I would love to have my stepdaughters room re-vamped. We are expecting a new child and it would be awesome for her to get a new room seeing that most of the new things are for the baby right now.
Katja Gagnon
I am a subscriber to the newsletter!
Harmony
I would love to have my toddler room/ playroom for my 3yr old and my 15m old re vamped!! Its my sons room but its a large room which we made also into the main playroom, I would love to find a way to be more organized with their toys and make it still appear as “his” bedroom!
Suzanne
I would love to revamp my DD’s room.
Tiffany A.
We are changing our guest room into a nursery and I definitley need some help!
Msilba
My bedroom, I just have no idea where to start!!
Msilba
I Subscribe to your newsletter
Serena Adkins
My toddler’s room. The room hasn’t been decorated since birth.
Serena Adkins
Like” Project Nursery and CupcakeMAG on Facebook
Serena Adkins
Follow Project Nursery and CupcakeMAG on Twitter, tweet about it
Serena Adkins
Here is my link for pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/34832597088433039/ and following project nursery on pinterst
Serena Adkins
Already Subscribed to your Weekly Newsletter
Melanie Adie
I liked both on Facebook..following both on twitter and subscribed to newsletter.
KR
Nursery!! We are waiting until my in-laws visit from Europe to tear down the guest bed. Then we design a space for our little girl (due in June).
KR
Already like PN on FB.
KR
Already subscribe to newsletter.
Kellie O
I would revamp my girls playroom! It is a mess and so unorganized. They need a fun and cute playroom!
Kellie O
I Like” Project Nursery and CupcakeMAG on Facebook and gave shout outs!!!
Kellie O
I Follow Project Nursery and CupcakeMAG on Twitter and tweeted at https://twitter.com/Ireland77L/status/207814885634093056
Kellie O
I Follow Project Nursery on Pinterest and pinned at http://pinterest.com/pin/165788830003046133/
Kellie O
I Subscribe to your Weekly Newsletter
larisa
love the ideas, and i would love to win the giveaway! We recently moved into a new house, and my son is turning 1 soon, and his room is still white walls and a crib…i need help!
Nicole Biddle
My daughter’s and toddler’s shared room needs revamped!
Nicole Biddle
liked and commented on facebook
Nicole Biddle
Following and tweeted about the giveaway
Nicole Biddle
My pin http://pinterest.com/pin/288089707383753071/
Nicole Biddle
I subscribe to your newsletter
Kandie Walker
I would like to revamp my spare bedroom/nursery. I would like to go ahead and start on the nursery part even though we are still ttc.
Kandie Walker
I subscribe to the newsletter!
Jessica Connell
I liked them on fb
Jessica Connell
I followed them on twitter and tweeted about it..
Jessica Connell
I Would love to revamp my daughters nursery
Jessica Connell
I pinned it on pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/116952921543726783/
Jessica Connell
I subscribed to the newsletter
Jessica Connell
I think I pinned the wrong thing so here is my new pin http://pinterest.com/pin/116952921543727220/
jennifer mantilla
Im subscribed to the newsletter. I would revamp my daughter’s nursery that will soon be her and her baby brother or sisters room in a few months :)
Jill Stauff
I already signed up for the newsletter and liked the FB page. I would love to win this- we are moving to a new house and it would be perfect timing for my little girls’s room.
Miranda
I would love to Revamp my middle son’s bedroom.
Miranda
Liked both FB pages and wrote on both FB walls.
Miranda
Follow both pages on Twitter and tweeted. https://twitter.com/#!/MamaHatch
Miranda
I get the Weekly Newsletter
Becky
My two girls’ room needs revamp so bad! I don’t even know where to start so this will be awesome to win!
Lara
My whole house needs revamping! Actually, our master bedroom is probably the worst. We could definitely use some freshening up and some COLOR!
Lara
I am following Project Nursery and just pinned an image!
http://pinterest.com/pin/137993176052877771/
Lara
Lara,
Lara,
Actually, the playroom could use some revamping too! I can’t quite figure out how I want to layout the space, and I want lots of color and inspiration for the kiddos!
Kelly Dunbar
I would like to revamp a nursery for the lil sprout in my belly (sex unknown).
Kelly Dunbar
I “liked” both Project Nursery and CupcakeMAG on facebook
Jessica
My girls share a bedroom and I’ve been dying to change it up – I’d love to re-do their room for them! :)
Jessica
I “like” cupcakeMAG on FB and just “liked” yours on FB as well!
Jessica
Just pinned an image and started following you on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/pin/250512797992888779/
margo B.
My two children share a room for now- we would love a makeover- kids room def. needs it
margo B.
I follow you on Pinterest. Here is the link http://pinterest.com/pin/178947785164270561/
margo B.
Weekly newsletter subscriber
Mary D.
I am currently looking to redo our kids room since we will be adding a crib for our baby girl due next month. Making a room look appropriate for one five year old girl, one five year old boy and a newborn is quite challenging. Good luck to all!
Kasey@AllThingsMamma
I would make-over my nursery! Baby will be here in 5 weeks!
Kasey@AllThingsMamma
I follow both on Twitter @AllThingsMamma
https://twitter.com/AllThingsMamma/status/209710699864264705
Kasey@AllThingsMamma
I “like” both pages on FB
https://www.facebook.com/KaseyRSchwartz
Kasey@AllThingsMamma
Follow and Pin on Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/pin/137993176052893182/
http://pinterest.com/allthingsmamma/
Kasey@AllThingsMamma
Subscribed to Newsletter kasey at allthingsmamma dot com
kymberly ramirez
i like cupcake mag on fb and your as well and followed on pinterest
VeganBump.com
Baby nursery! Please help!!
– Just liked cupcake mag on FB
– Followed CM on twitter
– Already liked PN on FB
-Already followed PN on Twitter. Thanks!! :)
Ceilidh Gray
Our small office needs to be turned into a sweet nursery in time for our baby’s arrivals in October.
Bree
our little bedroom into a nursery pleeeeeease! :)
Bree
i subscribe you your weekly newsletter – gracias! :)
Karina Lee
i LIKE both pages on facebook
Karina Lee
i want my daughter’s room revamped
Karina Lee
Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/pin/11962755230682562/
Nedaa Almier
I “Liked” Project Nursery and CupcakeMAG on Facebook & gave you a shout out on your facebook wall. my facebook name: ニタ アルミルー
Nedaa Almier
I already subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.
Nedaa Almier
I would love to revamp the play room, it’s full of toys & needs organization.
Abbey
We have a sun-room that’s in need of some love
Abbey
I subscribe to your newsletter.
sarah buki
Our playroom is in dire need!
sarah buki
im an email subscriber!
Mia L
need some bright colors in our nursery!
Jourdan
i subscribe to the weekly newsletter!
Jourdan
i would love to use this to finish up our nursery!!!
Christina P
I would choose either our master bedroom our our babies room.
Christina P
I follow you both on FB!
Christina P
I’m a current email subscriber
Grace D
I would revamp the office into a nursery for our soon to be baby : )
Grace D
I subscribe to the weekly newsletter!
Grace D
I like Project Nursery and Cupcake MAG on Facebook!
Christina
Im a newsletter subscriber! My little girl is gunna be here soon we really need help with her room!
nicole
playroom!
nicole
already liked project nursery and cupcake mag
nicole
http://pinterest.com/pin/162411130282409759/
nicole
already following project nursery on pintrest
nicole
already subscriber to newsletter
Karen Shannon
The playroom. Formerly known as the formal living room/dining room!!
Karen Shannon
Already like project nursery
Karen Shannon
Already subscribe to newsletter
Julie
I would revamp my bedroom!
Kristin
Congrats to Christina (comment #86) for being the winner of this fabulous prize!
Pamela Williams
The design of the room is fit for my daughter :) Love it!