Harmony's Nook

For some reason people have a great fear of painting their ceiling any color but white. I think that this is a dated concept. Painting the ceiling a different color can make the room more open or more cozy. I especially love when people paint the ceiling to resemble the sky. These home owners have done just that.

I am blown away by this house. It’s really colorful yet serene. The great thing about blue, green, and yellow is that these are colors all found together in nature. SO essentially they can be used as neutrals in decorating. Light shades of them will go with just about anything. I also love the pops of red from the bar stools. It’s probably hard to tell from all of my pastel posts, but I LOVE red!

I’m completely drooling over this house!

http://www.pointclickhome.com

I’ve been obsessed with Robin Egg’s Blue for some time; eventually I’m going to have to use it in my apartment. I can tell with my current posts that I’m leaning towards certain colors right now. I like really rich colors too. My inspiration usually comes from nature and I’m definitely in a Spring mood. BUT in no time I’ll want wine reds and chocolate browns!

Bird’s Egg #2051-60, Benjamin Moore.

This is the adult version of the previous wallpaper tree. Although, it would also work in a child’s room. I think it’s beautiful. AND it’s pink! What is it about me and pink lately? I think I’m just READY FOR SPRING!

http://www.decor8.blogspot.com

I am not a fan of themed rooms, even for children. Well vintage Winnie the Pooh is pretty darling, but anything “cartoony” I personally would steer clear from. I don’t believe in buying everything from the same store. Mix and match with similar colors and the room will look more original and more homey.

This is what I would put in a baby gir’ls room that you don’t want to have to redesign every couple of years. This room could grow with her. Also think about using a normal sized dresser and a changing table that will later be a desk or a book shelf. You could easily fashion safety ledges for either piece. In the long run you will save money instead of buying novelty children’s furniture that she will outgrow soon anyway.

I love that these prints are appropriate for a nursery or a young girls room, but there is also a quality to them that has an adult feel. I feel like these prints would be cherished and passed down to the next generation. All four original prints are copies of mixed media paintings by Lindsay Brackeen. http://www.lindsaybrackeen.blogspot.com

My new obsession is wall decals or unconventional wallpaper. I’ve hated wallpaper for as long as I can remember, but the new styles coming out are very chic and don’t have that tacky look to them anymore. This wallpaper tree is from http://www.romp.com. It reaches from the floor to the ceiling.

I love the thought of putting it over white, light yellow, or sky blue walls so that the tree pops as a focal point. The colors of the tree also go really well with the prints, and when she inevitably gets sick of the tree on the wall you won’t feel as much regret taking down the wallpaper as you would painting over a time-consuming mural.

This is a loveseat for mom to get some rest on or later for the girl to hang out with her friends on. I love the buttery yellow color.

http://www.potterybarnkids.com

I love this quilt! It’s definitely for a girl, but it is predominantly green, blue, and yellow with only accents of pink. I don’t have anything against pink, but I don’t think that it’s the only option for a girl’s room. I would use a solid color sheet set though. There is a little too much floral going on for my taste.

http://www.potterybarnkids.com

I LOVE this idea! I found it on Apartment Therapy Chicago. It’s so simple. Just hang some curtains and…ta da….an instant stage. I would have loved this as a girl! I would go even a step further. I would build a platform…have it be an outdoor living space by day. At night hang some curtains, add some white twinkle lights and you have a fabulous stage for your children to create new worlds on! I love this!

I love this bedroom! I’ve never been a huge fan of pink or extreme girly-ness, and honestly there is a little too much white for me. I like more color. BUT I still love it. It looks so peaceful. This room is feminine but still sophisticated. I especially love the flower panels above the bed. I’m not sure, but I think it’s just stretched fabric. It looks great and I think this little project will be my reward after my “spring cleaning” is done.

http://www.casasugar.com

I’m about to start a huge spring cleaning. I’ve promised myself. The minute it hits 40 degrees, I’m doing it! Here in Chicago 40 degrees would be like bathing suit weather after this brutal winter we’ve had. It will probably be a couple of weeks still before our temperature will rise that high. Until then I’ll be here under my heating blanket reading a good book, blogging, day dreaming, and drinking a nice cup of hot chocolate. For the first time in years I have some time off. At first I was terrified, but now I’m really excited about it. Happy Spring everyone! Let’s wish this winter weather away!

Hello! My name is Harmony. I’m an actress in Chicago. I’ve loved and been fascinated by home decor for as long as I can remember. I truly believe that you should surround yourself with things that you love. While I can appreciate and admire the work of an interior designer, what truly delights me is how people decide to design their own space. I respond to spaces that represent a life and not just the hot new trend. Every piece of furniture and every piece of art that I own has a story and means something to me. If it doesn’t or I can live without it I will faze it out of my apartment.

Inspiration for decorating can come from anywhere. A lot of mine comes from nature, but I have been inspired by fashion, newspaper articles, cartoons, music, food, magazines, books, museums, movies, etc. For my fairly young age I have had a lot of life. I’ve traveled the world and been immersed in many different cultures. That experience motivates and inspires me everyday. I have really good instincts and I’m never afraid to go with them.

My mother is a fine artist. I grew up wearing her clothing designs and walking past her paintings bursting from our walls. Ours was a very artistic household. I enjoy all forms of art. Well to be honest I hate da da, but everything else I appreciate. I definitely like contemporary art, but I am also drawn to Japanese art, Renaissance art, Vintage advertising, and even some pop art. I just go with whatever speaks to me.

Welcome to my Nook!