WINTER DAISY PICKS: 5 THINGS I'M LOVING RIGHT NOW

Today’s post is short and sweet…5 things I’ve loving for kids rooms (& life) right now…

1. Storage Baskets

It helps that they are currently on sale but mainly I love putting these baskets into kids’ spaces because they are so practical for hiding toys while also looking pretty darn lovely.

2. Sustainable Sneakers

I got lost in learning about the materials they use, but you could easily get lost in their promise to be the most comfortable shoes you’ve ever worn. Both my husband and I are fans.

3. Let the Good Times Roll art print

I love this print from Xavier’s room so much. I feel like it works for a little kid but would work just as well in a teen room.

4. Our round wood coffee table

Definitely a splurge, but we hope to own this one for many, many years. Loved for over a year now and fully worn in by our three kids. It is the table we put our drinks on, put our feet up on, practice spelling, play card games on and have never had an injury (because no sharp edges!).

5. Felt letter board

Etsy has long been one of my favourite sites for finding quality handmade pieces and this little felt letter board has been part of our home for a few years now. From inspirational quotes to holiday countdowns, welcoming friends (the kids love to write guests names on it) and signs at birthdays, this little board is part of our family now.

Happy Friday everyone!

HOW TO CREATE A SIMPLE GALLERY WALL ABOVE A DRESSER

It may be a bold statement but we truly believe that artwork is what brings a space to life! A real match for a room is when the artwork reflects the little one who lives there and these prints add a fun punch of personality to Xavier’s room. Hanging artwork can be tricky so today we are going to show you how!

SHOP THE LOOK…

STEP #1.

Start by choosing artwork that blends in colour and theme to the rest of the space. With artwork for a simple gallery wall, choose 3 good size prints and frame them to fill the width of the dresser.

STEP #2.

Get the spacing right. See below for our guide to spacing. Ensure that the first print is hung 4-6” above the top of the dresser. The group of 3 should be thought of as 1 entire art piece. Measure the centre of the trio to be about 57-60” from the ground.

STEP #3.

Space the frames close enough together so that they look like they belong. For this trio, the frames are 3.5” apart; 2-3” is a good guideline. You can use painters tape to rough out the frames on the wall to give you an idea of how they will look before hanging them.

Pin this image for future reference!

A LITTLE TRADITION: LUNCH BOX NOTES FOR KIDS

We made it to Friday!! I know that our kids breathe a little happier knowing a couple of days at home are ahead too. I file this one under efficient Mama because it covers off two things at once: being organized and feeling connected! As a child, I loved receiving notes from my own Mom and now I’m carrying on the tradition in our home by popping a little hand written note into our kids’ lunchbox most Fridays in hopes of starting the weekend off on the right note (see what I did there?!).

It really doesn’t take long and it definitely doesn’t have to be complicated; even a simple ‘I love you!’ goes a long way to letting the kids know that we are thinking about them when we’re not physically there.

As with anything, what gets planned for gets done and this is no different. Schedule it in your calendar, set a reminder in your phone, write yourself a prompt on the fridge…whatever it takes, I encourage you to pick a date and try it out!

I’d love to hear if you do. Did your kids like it? Were they surprised?

SHOP THE POST…

RENTAL HOUSE: XAVIER'S NEUTRAL BUNK ROOM REVEAL!

ONE ROOM IS FINALLY DONE and that means it’s time for a room reveal! No surprise that the first completed space is a kids room, because let’s be honest, designing children’s rooms are the most fun of all.

Welcome to our rental home…and my sweet boy, Xavier’s bunk room! This Oeuf bunk bed has been on my list of favourites for what feels like forever and it was the very first piece purchased for his room. There are so many arguments for and against bunk beds, but having had one as a child, I only have the best of memories. Needless to say, the bunk bed made the transition from his old room to this one a dream! He truly loves it just as much as I do.

SHOP THE ROOM…

While I wanted this space to feel playful (Xavier plays in his top bunk ALL.THE.TIME), I really feel that for my own kids’ rooms I like them to also feel calm and restful (cue for more sleep please!). With Xavier in Grade 1 this year, it made sense to give him a little desk where he could do quiet activities or a spot to sit and draw.

The wallpaper is by Livette’s Wallpaper and is a removable paper of better quality than any other removable wallpaper I’ve used or seen. It has the best texture, almost like a nice piece of fabric. It is also created using non-toxic materials and inks while also being waterproof and washable! What’s not to love about all of that?! This is the linen colour and pattern is ‘Brushstroke Watercolour’ and I highly, HIGHLY recommend it. Just order a sample and you’ll see what I mean with the quality!

The house shaped chalk board is super cute and Xavier drew this amazing robot himself! The desk is from IKEA and stools are these wooden stools from the play table we used with our children’s playhouse a few years ago. They are now painted white. We love how versatile the magnetic wall sorter (on the left wall above) is and Xavier loves to change up what he keeps in here regularly.

“I love using practical items like this calendar block to teach little ones every day concepts such as the days and months of the year.”

I knew we wanted a good size dresser and one that could last from now until his teen years (if not first apartment!) and this solid dresser is well built and holds a lot. I was trying to decide between a mirror or art and since there wasn’t a lot of space on the other walls for art, it made sense to put a little gallery wall above the dresser for fun here. The sweet sun print is by Emzi Art Shop, the robot print can be found here and the ‘Let the Good Times Roll’ print is from Minted. We decided to put a nightlight bulb in the concrete lamp on the dresser to use for night time but when Xavier gets a little older, we will likely put a wall sconce on the wall next to his bed. So far this solution has worked well so that when it’s time for lights out, he doesn’t just flick the light back on again.

SHOP THE LOOK…

One thing that has added so much softness (and blocks out nearly all the outdoor light!) is the roman shade from Tonic Living. This shade was custom made for the space and is a snug fit on a very basic window. I decided on an inside mount but could have just as easily gone for an outside mount on this wall too. It adds so much softness to the room and the colour (Tuscany Linen, Oatmeal Slub) is the perfect neutral.

You know how much I love a good book wall and this area with the acrylic shelves creates a pretty cool vignette where you can rotate books just like art. The rug adds a cozy place on the floor to play and is soft underfoot for a wool rug. The knitted snake was handmade by Nana and is a firm fave that we treasure.

From the hallway, you have this view of the room and I think it’s one of my favourite views! I love catching glimpses of Xavier sitting at his desk or reading a book on his giant floor pillow from Natti Natti which is handmade in Brooklyn, New York.

The gorgeous bed linens are 100% linen and from new Canadian brand Dreams Jumper. You can also spot our favourite Cuddle and Kind dolls and Keva building planks.

SHOP THE LOOK…

Although this home is an interim rental for our family, I hope the memories that we make in here will last forever.

*Thank you to many of the brands listed in this post for their collaboration in this project.

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THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO DRESSERS FOR KIDS

Today we’re talking dressers; the one piece of storage that you buy once and keep from baby room to first apartment and beyond. Important, right?! While other pieces of furniture come and go, the right dresser will literally last a lifetime!

From Ella's Room

Consider the following tips to help assess which dresser best fits the need for your child’s room.

TIP #1: SIZE AND SCALE

How much space do you have to work with?  Too small of a dresser can leave a room looking empty and sparse, and too large can make the room feel cluttered and small.

A pro tip is to use painter’s tape and measure the dresser base size on the floor, and height against the wall to visualize how the piece will fit into the room. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 40 cms on either side of the dresser to allow for a diaper pail or storage basket. The height of the dresser you choose can make a big difference if you’re starting off by using it as a change table. Choose one that is comfortable to stand up beside so you won’t need to bend down too far for diaper changes.

TIP #2: FUNCTIONALITY

Think about what purpose the dresser will serve and how much storage you will need.  In the early years, a dresser can begin as a change table by adding a simple change table topper.  The top drawer can hold lotions, wipes, diapers and washcloths. The middle drawer(s) can hold clothing, and the bottom is the perfect place for extra crib linens, swaddle blankets and even soft baby carriers.

Instead of going out to buy a whole new dresser when your baby no longer needs diapers, simply remove the change table topper and reorganize the top drawer with socks, under layers and pjs, and the bottom drawer as toy storage. It’s a nice spot to keep favourite play items that can be easily accessed by independent little hands.

TIP #3: MATERIAL

When you are choosing your dresser it’s a good idea to first research what type of material will work best for your space and budget. Learn about what material options are available to you. Here are the main ones, each with their own pros and cons:

Solid Wood:  It has the highest durability and will last many years. This comes usually at a higher price point. A dresser made of solid wood will be heaviest one to transport. Solid wood requires the least amount of chemical components for construction.

MDF (medium density fibreboard): Is less durable than solid wood, and usually in the mid-range price point. It’s lighter and easier to transport. MDF is created by compressing wood fibers with resin at high temperatures, which include more chemical components than solid wood.

Particle Board: Is similar durability to MDF, and is the lower price point option. It is lighter and easier to transport. Particle board is created by compressing sawdust and resin at high temperatures and includes more chemical components compared to solid wood.  

TIP #4: STYLE

Next, ask yourself - does the aesthetic of the dresser match the rest of your room? Will it visually fit in with other furniture pieces you already have? Often new parents purchase crib and change table sets together, so another important economical consideration is if the dresser can stand alone as a piece within a room. As your child matures and you remove a crib or purchase the next size bed, will the dresser still look appropriate for their age and room aesthetic?

There are three basic types of dressers and once you’ve taken in to consideration your room space and storage needs, choose your aesthetic and size. Whether it’s mid century, traditional, modern, or playful – you can select the combination that works best for your space and desired look:

The tall dresser will offer one row of 4+ drawers high. It’s good to look for a tall dresser if your room space is limited or if you don’t have a closet and need to maximize storage. Depending on the height of the dresser you may be limited in wall space for art, or hanging a mirror above this style.

The double wide dresser has a wider base with two rows of 3-4 drawers. This is a great way to maximize storage if you have a lot of square footage in the room and want a larger furniture piece to help fill space. As the double wide isn’t typically very tall it works well to hang art or a mirror above it when decorating.

The classic 3 drawer is a great option for a room with a closet or minimal storage requirements. It’s best suited for small to mid sized rooms as it can look smaller in large rooms with less furniture. It can also serve as a bedside table depending on the dimensions of the one you choose and works as a great piece to position under artwork or a beautiful mirror.

If you think about it, it’s pretty incredible that one piece can hold everything from diapers and wipes, to clothing, linens, toys, and secret journals. One of the most important things to be sure of when choosing your dresser, or any large piece of furniture for that matter, is that it is well made. Choose a dresser that is able hold piles of clothing and can withstand the wear and tear of childhood years, and many repeated pressures of clean laundry refills. Pull the drawers out and look at the sturdiness of the drawer base, and check if the hardware is well attached. If you’re shopping online make sure to read reviews from other parents to see if the piece is really as great as the description may suggest.

A dresser is a “home base”. It’s a place you will come to, time and time again as a parent to change a diaper, tuck away a toy, and fill up with fresh clean laundry. It will display a family photo, a favourite stuffed animal, or a treasure box of keepsakes your child has collected. A dresser is the one piece, which if chosen with thought and intention, will offer years of helpful storage and organization and bring aesthetic joy to your home.

01. // Mid-century white; 02. // Eclectic white; 03. // Modern white; 04. // Streamlined white; 05. // Campaign white; 06. // Basic white; 07. // Trad white; 08. // Dwell white; 09. // Timeless white; 10. // Radiant Dresser; 11. // White trim; 12. // Classic natural; 13. // Lovely natural; 14. // Modern natural; 15. // Oak dresser; 16. // Trad natural; 17. // Sleek natural; 18. // Kalon dresser; 19. //Sleek black; 20. // Eclectic black; 21. // Basic black; 22. // Modern black; 23. // Mid-century black; 24. // Tall black; 25. // Happy black; 26. // Block black; 27. // Darkest black.