Wallpaper 101

Wallpaper can be like investing in art depending on the quality and placement of the paper. I love how this medium can transform a space, add dimension and texture. It can also portray a mood, add whimsy and just make you smile.

My first foray with wallpaper was with our half bath on Capitol Hill. Powder rooms are the perfect place to experiment and make a big impact without the worries of a shower, a bath or the steam damaging your selected wallpaper. 

After ordering various samples, I taped the samples up on the walls in the space and mulled over each selection. This process can take time but is entirely necessary. Sometimes it can take months to find the right paper for your space. Because - don't forget - unless you're using a temporary sticker type of paper, wallpaper can last a lifetime so you need to love it.

For our powder room on Capitol Hill, I eventually settled on a classic paper: Cole & Son's Palm Jungle. I fell in love with this particular paper because it complimented our classic 1900s row house with plantation shutters and reminded us of our annual vacation spot, Palm Springs. But because both the Hubs and I favor a more modern aesthetic, we chose an unexpected colorway for the palm print, blue and white. Switching up the color immediately punched up and altered the space while still honoring the more traditional style of our home and place. 

The next paper I fell hard for was Hygee & West's Daydream. Before our lives turned upside down with a baby, a new job, moving and building a house - I'd planned to use this paper on the ceiling of our nursery. I bought several rolls during Hygge & West's annual sale but then we were moving. So I used this paper floor to ceiling on our new powder room in our modern home we built in Montana. This time making selections on hardware, penny tile and a sink to directly compliment the wrap of orange birds and clouds. Although our powder room is small, it dependably creates joy and is a conversation starter with every guest.

We inserted the extra Palm Jungle paper that I saved from DC on the back of our built-in bar in our dining room. It's a show stopper and ultimately adds dimension and interest to an otherwise white space. It also jives with our modern furniture and fixtures while also reminding of us of our first home as a family. We also snuck some extra Palm Jungle in the coffee nook in our kitchen hidden behind floor to ceiling high gloss cabinets. 

When we built our house, we planned a large master bath with a standalone tub, double sinks and a separate water closet - a total luxury after sharing a pedestal sink in a tiny bathroom for six years. The water closet is far enough from all the water elements that I knew it needed paper so after a long search I found Juju Handprinted Papers, I fell hard for their Maxi Gold on Charcoal and again covered the space from floor to ceiling for a bold statement in our otherwise very white bathroom.

So what's next? After we cover Henry's ceiling in Schumacher's Deconstructed Stripe, I'll be hitting pause. But likely not for long as I'm committed to finding the right paper for our guest suite/the Hub's office.

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FAVORITE PAPER QUICK HITS

+ TRADITIONAL: Cole & Son's Palm Jungle // House of Hackney's Zeus Tobacco // Lake August's Matilja in Midnight // Rabarber Charcoal Floral Wallpaper

+ MODERN: Hygee & West's Daydream // Bien Fait's Animals // Juju's Maxi Gold on Charcoal

FAVORITE WALLPAPER COMPANIES

Chasing Paper // Cole & Son // Farrow & Ball // House of Hackney // Hygee & West // Juju Papers // Katie Kime // Lake August // Milton & King // Osborn & Little // Schumacher // Serena & Lily // Wallshoppe

(Photo of Henry with the birds by Loneman Photography)

Valentine's Day Edit '20

With only seven days until Valentine's Day, you know I can't pass up an opportunity to celebrate!

Mori Heart Zip Up Sleeper | I love an on-theme set of pajamas, especially for our mini.

Ferm Living Quilted Lumbar Pillow | I first set eyes on this smart cushion at a coffee shop in France and haven't stopped thinking about it since.

Red, White & Royal Blue | You've already heard about how this book pulled on my heartstrings, so what are you waiting for?!
Marimekko Bud Vase | Sometimes, I fantasize about this little number atop our master bath counter.
Gimbals Sour Pucker Up Gummy Lips | Two years ago these gummy candies ended up in my Amazon cart and I ordered 5 lbs. The probability of it happening again... is HIGH!
Naked Cashmere Puff Slippers | My hospital bag for the birth of Henry included the all black version of these foot snugglers - it's time for another pair!
Normann Copenhagen Circus Pouf | This ottoman was another overseas love at first sight moment.
Banquet Workshop Neon Heart Art Print | After admiring this print for what felt like a decade, our besties gave us this print as a house warming gift and it's getting framed just in time for the holiday. 

WEEKDAY MUSINGS

EATING // All the Alaska King Salmon. Our neighbor's buddy fishes in Alaska part of the year and hooked us up with 20 lbs at less than $10/pound. We love Ina's salmon with melting tomatoes. Any other recs out there?

HOME*WORK // Ugh. A couple of weekends ago, we decided one small wall in our family room should match our dark grey paneled accent wall for a full effect in the space. It seemed like a pretty straightforward job but a small miscommunication led our painter to give us wrong color information. Now we have a BLACK HOLE and it's killing my sunshine - please send help!

A weekday cheers (and Gray Malin's genius!)

CRUSHING ON // Jacey Duprie's "modern mariniere" collaboration with Summersalt. We're headed to Palm Springs for our annual pilgrimage and I'm 100% certain I need the polka dot triangle bikini with lace-up bottoms. I haven't worn a two-piece in at least 5 years but with this suit, I'm ready to bare it all. Now just restock ASAP, please!

READING // When my bestie Paulo recommends anything, I hop to it. So when he said he loved Red, White and Royal Blue, I immediately downloaded the book on Audible and took it on the road with me across the state for a long work road trip. I was happy to learn it's the perfect book for getting in the Valentine AND election spirit. It also has some very DC scenarios that pulled on my heartstrings and made me a bit nostalgic. This romcom did not disappoint,

THANKFUL FOR // Snow (and dare I say a consistent temperature drop?!) We've witnessed extreme highs and lows here in Montana the last few months. This past weekend it was sunny and 50 degrees but less than 24 hours later we had over six inches of snow. I'm not a scientist but I know that if this temperature ping-pong continues, it does not bode well for summer. No snow results in fires, smokey skies and I just can't!

THINKING ABOUT // Bailing on The Bachelor, because I can't think about SOTU or the impeachment vote today. Yes, Pilot Pete is adorable but he's one lost puppy and the girls seem too extra this season. But it's also one of those car crash scenarios and I can't look away. I mean, who bumps his head while getting into a golf cart and smashes a glass to his forehead? Apparently lovesick Peter Weber. Are you tuning in this season? How you feelin' about ol' Pete?

WATCHING // Netflix's The Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez. You guys! If you love thrillers and true crime, this documentary is for you! It's got a real Serial vibe with recorded interviews from prison and makes you sympathize with the complicated Patriot footballer despite knowing the evidence. I just could not stop watching. But if that's not your jam... The GoopLab with Gwyneth is fascinating. It's definitely more Goop indoctrination but I'm here for it. 

WEARING // I'm a goal digger and with Palm Springs two and half months away, I'm laser focussed on crossing off #91 (working out five times a week for six weeks) on my #101in1001 list. I'm generally "in shape" but I'd love to be fully toned. What's your favorite workout gear? This girl is ready to sweat!

Holiday Edit '19

It may be Montana, it may be the new house but I am VERY excited about Christmas this year. Mariah Carey has been on repeat since August. But can you blame me?! She sings like an angel... at least for the holidays. Here's a quick Mrs. edit to help get you in the spirit:

BULB WREATH // Only decorating in red and green is B-O-R-I-N-G, keep it bright with this joyful wreath.
SPARKLY FLAMINGO ORNAMENT // The word "flamingo" comes from the Latin and Spanish word "flamenco" which means fire. Very appropriate for this festive ornament that will take your tree to the next level.
THE CRAYONS' CHRISTMAS BY DREW DAYWALT // We were given the New York Times bestseller - The Day the Crayons Quit - and it's quickly become a favorite for Henry AND the Hubs and me. So a Christmas themed crayons edition? 'Tis the season y'all!
PRESERVED BOXWOOD GARLAND // We have a boxwood wreath we've put up year after year and are adding four of these garlands to our Christmas design this year. Boxwood is such a classic and the color is just right.
RESIN TREES // Now we have more surfaces to decorate I've been thinking about these decorative trees but I also love this acrylic option.
RED WOODEN BEAD GARLAND // Over the years, I've strung cranberries for our tree but we're ready to try the wooden version.
CANDELABRA // We were in need of a new candlestick holder and purchased the MUUTO candelabra for its simple modern function and the fact it can can be an MVP for any holiday.
RED VOTIVE SET // Everything by HAY Design is well worth it and these votives are full of cheer.
BEES WAX TAPER CANDLES // An easy Amazon purchase. I love the color, price and texture!
DISCO GNOME // We have this glitzy mirrored little man running on four years and he never fails to bring out a smile.

Weekday Musings

EATING // We ate without limits during our week in DC. Cookies for breakfast? No problem! Knife noodles for lunch? Sure thing! Afternoon scone? Absolutely! And you know we didn't skimp on dinner or dessert. Now we're back home, it's time to get back to the basics of three square meals a day and limit our snacking and sweets. It will be tough but challenge accepted!

HOME*WORK // Although it's only the first week in December, I feel wildly behind on decorating for Christmas. Maybe it's because of how late Thanksgiving fell on the calendar this year or that I have been listening to Christmas music since summer in anticipation? Regardless, I cannot wait to be reunited with our disco gnome and see our boy's reaction to its mirrored glitz. I also finally snagged this tree topper to be the perfect finishing touch when we decorate our tree this weekend.

CRUSHING ON // The fresh scent of Gorse No. 002. It's subtle, clean and citrusy with a slight scent of coconut without going full on tropical.

READING // Normal People by Sally Rooney. The jury is still out but 50 pages in and I'm very intrigued by this teenage love story and New York Times Bestseller. What's on your reading list? What should I read next?

THANKFUL FOR // The time we had with our friends and family in DC. It's funny how people can really make the place. We loved our time in DC and what the city offered but what we miss most is our people and we're sure thankful for them. You know who you are!

THINKING ABOUT // Settling in for the month of December. We don't have any immediate travel plans and I'm excited to work out an actual routine for every day living in Bozeman. Hey Bozemanites, any ideas on what our normal should look like?

WATCHING // The Morning Show. I'm a sucker for Reese Witherspoon and excited to see Jennifer Aniston back on the screen but you guys... Billy Crudup is the true MVP. He's a fast talking evil genius with a flare for the funny and worth watching every episode.

WEARING // This 525 America olive melange shaker turtleneck sweater on repeat. The color and weight is perfection, it's 100% cotton and it won't break the bank.

P.S. The archival print up top ("Van Nuys" by Sinziana Velicescu) is a small reminder to write your own story!