You may recall from my numerous posts on inspiration (or lack thereof) that my jumping off point has been the Logo patterned carpet by Stark.  Originally on back-order until mid-July, it ended up coming in super early and is sitting at my receiver.  I had it custom cut to the room….leaving a 6 inch perimeter of wood on the edges of the room.

Last week I had a contractor out to work on installing wainscoting on the lower 1/3 of the room and adding crown molding.  I am loving the progress so far!

We will also be adding a piece of molding with a groove to the top of the wainscoting so that we can prop up photos and other accessories.

I have also selected a fan for the room.  I had really struggled with this.  I hate fans but it gets hot here and I figured I had to give on this one…and do what is practical.  Because our ceilings are so low my options were limited.  Ultimately, I decided on the one below….which sortof reminds me of an airplane propeller.  And, while we are not doing a theme in Harry’s room….we do have some special aeronautical artwork for the room.  (My husband went to the Air Force Academy in Australia and is very into history.  He was able to track down a piece depicting the plane my grandfather was in while shot down at the end of WWII.)

All of the woodwork and trim will be painted Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White and the walls (and probably the back of the built in shelving) will be Benjamin Moore’s Crystalline.

And below are the fabric selections.  I am going to do the windows with “Pollen” from Christopher Farr Cloth.  I’ve also selected coordinating striped and solid linens from Duralee to recover the chair and ottoman (stripe with solid contrasting welting).  I also want to have a square “poof” made for under the built in desk.  Eventually, I’d like to have a tinted ghost chair at the desk….but right now I think it may be a hazard as Harry starts to crawl and eventually climb.  No need helping him with his efforts by adding a chair over there!

I still have plenty to do.  I need to find new hardware for the built-ins and the adjoining bathroom (he and Maddie share a Jack-and-Jill bathroom and each have their own sink areas and walk-in closets).  Today, I’ve got an electrician coming out to replace all of the outlet plates and innards (the house was built in the 1920s and I want everthing to look re-freshed.  Plus, we have to move some of the outlets and switches to accomodate the placement of the wainscoting). 

I am now thinking of removing the soffets over the sink in the bathroom, installing an overhead light, adding sconces and framing out a large mirror.  This will require losing a medicine cabinet but I think that is ok.  We are also going to add crown molding in this area and I am going to put a large basket of towels under the cabinet.  I don’t really see Harry sitting here primping too often!

So, today I am starting the search for lighting.  This is the first room in the home to get any attention and it feels good to finally make a tad of progress!

Anyways, the trip only served to accomplish two things. 

First, we realized there is no way we are going to convince Maddie that she should forgo her “cot” (husband is an Australian and this is what they call cribs) for her new little brother.  In fact, she was running around the store with glee…..letting us know exactly which “cots” she wanted for “Baby H”.  They were all decked in pink, of course!  With the transitions of a big move and a new baby on the horizon….there is no way I am going to displace her….even though I know that she’ll be ready for her “big girl” bed probably the day the little one is ready to move from a bassinet to a crib.  Oh well, such is life.

Second, we learned there are so many options for cribs….and are now only more confused.  I am in the cheap and “disposable” camp (with good safety ratings, of course) as this will likely be our last.  As such, I am leaning towards more modern styles as I do not particularly care if they are dated in a few years.  Of course, my husband gravitated to the big solid wood “investment” pieces.  We’ll figure it out soon I hope.  In the grand scheme of things…I am not overly stressed about this.

In the meantime, I took only a cursory glance at crib bedding as I’ve got a few ideas floating around in my head–and I plan to have ours made by my workroom.

Anyways, here was one of the sets that caught my eye.  Specifically, it was the greek key motif in grey that caught my attention.  After all, you know I am currently on a grey and yellow kick.

Glenna Jean “Sydney” Collection 

At first, I was sure that this was  Thibaut’s Malay Ikat fabric that I had blogged about here.  I loved it then, and still love it.   But, upon closer inspection….I realized this fabric was not the same.

After a bit more searching I think I’ve found the source.  It appears to be Duralee’s “Abstract” in Graphite.  This fabric is also available in Indigo and Cocoa.  I can source it for under $25/yard.  Not too bad….

What do you think?  Do you like it?

In other news, don’t forget about my giveaway of six yards of the new Thom Filicia fabric!  The winner will be announced next Monday.

But, in advance of Memorial Day weekend, the harbinger of Summer days, I thought I would do a quick post about a new line of Hawaiian print fabrics due out in July.

Suburban Home (a division of Duralee Fabrics) has licensed a number of prints from Alfred Shaheen, the pioneer in the chic Hawaiian print movement of the 1950′s and 60′s.  Here is a sneak peak.

I am excited to see the full line when it is available in a month or so….  To me, nothing says summer better than a good Hawaiian print!

House Beautiful, May 2010

I especially love the zebra print linen chair.  The fabric is from Duralee and comes in 4 different colorways, and is available with a water repellent finish.

And, while not a bargain, the price is reasonable at under $45 a yard.  I have not used zebra in my own home, although I still like the look.  (I swear every house I’ve looked at in my Dallas real estate search has a zebra rug or two!)  I think this subtle fabric has staying power.  What do you think?

Contact me if you would like more information on this fabric.