Boy's Sports Room Fast, Furious and Frugal Makeover

As your resident Prop Maker, I have to share with you my joy when a plan comes together.  I was challenged by a friend to take over her blog's $300.00 makeover for her son's room.  With 72 hours notice and thankfully quick drying paint, I'm proud to say "Mission accomplished"!

$300.00 bucks baby, $300.00 bucks!  Whew!

I have detailed information on this whirlwind presto-chango over on my EmbellishmentsKids blog, if you'd like to see some more pictures.

Now, all that's left to do is clean up 72 hours of mess in the studio.  Which looks like a months worth....yikes.   Do I have any volunteers to help, I'll buy lunch?

Ciao for now!

Welcome to Our New Endeavor- The Princess and The Prop Maker

Today is an exciting day.  We are announcing Princess and the Prop Maker to the world!  We invite you to join in on the fun, ask questions, give feedback and of course share us with your friends.  Be sure to drop by our Facebook page, we'd love to interact with you there.  As Sherri flares her flowing gown in a curtsey and Aaron waives his paint covered hands hello, we extend to you our thanks and shared excitement in saying......

Welcome to the Princess and The Prop Maker

You are invited to visit our individual websites to get to know us!

Sherri's Jack and Jill Interiors

Aaron's Embellishments Kids

Meet Our Prop Maker

It seems that Mr. Prop Maker, aka Aaron Christensen, is creating quite the buzz these days.  Susie Fougerousse, founder of the hugely popular, one-stop shop for all things kid- Rosenberry Rooms, recently sat down to interview Aaron. I’ve often stated that I’d love to crawl inside the mind of this creative genius to see what magical things he’s got brewing in there, so this is as close as we get to that inside peek into what makes this man tick.  Check out the interview on the Very Rosenberry Blog to hear all about how he decked out his own childhood digs, his beginnings as a store window display designer, how he designed his own children’s rooms, and where he finds his inspiration for current design projects and artwork.  He even eludes to a new joint venture with another children’s designer….gee, I sure hope he’s not two-timing the Princess!

The 2012 Color of the Year

Hey Mr. Prop Maker...have you heard that Boyz-n-Berry is the 2012 color of the year? I was actually expecting Emerald Green or Sapphire Blue since these colors have hit the fashion runways hard recently. Princess Kate loves wearing these jewel tones, too! (Yes, I do keep up with what the other princesses are wearing!) So... what is your favorite Boyz-n-Berry colored product for kids? - Sherri

Hey Sherri, it's great that Boyz-n-berry is moving in on pink's territory.  I personally like the fact that it is sophisticated and would partner with oranges, reds and browns, making it a strong unisex or even masculine coordinate. I asked some of my creative friends and kid industry smarties to give us their thoughts on this "flavor" of the year.


Television host, designer and author, Mark Montano wasn't shocked at all to see the aubergine relative gain prominence.  "My theory is that Barbie likes this color, then every girl in the world will respond to it, too.  Barbie knows her pinks and purples, trust me on this," Mark elaborates.  His recent release of "The Big Ass Book of Crafts 2" hasn't slowed him down, he's busy designing something special in honor of Barbie, that has him "up to his neck in purples and pinks."  With his repertoire of hundreds of crafting projects, to guess what he is creating would almost be futile.  You never know, he may reveal the project on his Facebook page at anytime.

Deanna Campbell, the owner and nostalgic style diva from MyRetroBaby.com has her opinions tuned into the color being used in more contemporary ways.  "Boyz-n-Berry has a striking urban and modern feel.  There is a bit of mystery with this color and quiet sophistication," Deanna says.  With her experience as a  retailer specialized in catering to mod-moms it wouldn't be a surprise that she loves the color's ability to mingle with orange, it is so very retro chic.  She adds, "Deep shades of purple are emerging as a solid color choice when it comes to nursery design and baby accessories.  This color looks spectacular when paired with warm neutrals and rich oranges."

With her designs sought after and sold by amazing companies like Robert Kaufman Fabrics, K & Company and C.R. Gibson, the talented Terri Conrad must have her pulse on color trends or a fantastic crystal ball.  Her trusted sources are reliably on the mark, when she reveals that the boysenberry blend of purple can be seen in her recent dinnerware designs from Merritt USA and her Botanique collection designs for Creative Co-op.  She professes her fondness "I love the color.  It's been a prominent player in my palette, it's sophisticated with a touch of playfulness."

Saplings in Caldwell, New Jersey

I admire and am always amazed by the terrific merchandising in Cindy Blanco's store called Saplings, in Caldwell, New Jersey.  She has a terrific eye.   Her ability to sell a vast array of products by communicating visually, through wonderful lifestyle vignettes, helps her customers stay on top of the latest styles.  They often inspire her customers to hire Cindy to decorate their homes.  Cindy always has areas in the shop specifically merchandised for kids and teens.  Her choice of color combinations are always a reflection of what's trending for boys and girls.  "If a boy wanted a purple room and didn't want his friends to make fun of him, boyz-n-berry would be the choice.  With a burst of red or even orange, it would feel hip and so comfortable to work with," she adds.

Frisco, Texas is the home of Dimples and Dandelions, one of the top shopping destinations for mommies with style.  Wendy Stroud and her husband, Michael, owner of the D&D storefront and popular DimplesAndDandelions.com started their journey in the juvenile business back in 2005.  Wendy, a mother of three and discerning buyer, is always on the look out for new trends, she finds the purple palette to be a refreshing alternative to her favorite pink palette.   She's a self professed girly-girl.  She finds that "the color Boyz-n-berry is a really cool color because you can do so many different looks with it, for example, you can go edgy, glamourous or regal and sophisticated.  It can be a total glam color in a tween room with a black chandelier, zebra print, crystal knobs and maybe, just maybe a bit of teal for some extra pop!"  

Wendy was so excited to play with this eggplant palette, she sent over a few inspirational pictures to share.

My daughter would claim that Justin Bieber is the king of pop-purple, I'm going to go out on a limb and say she's probably right.  He seems to be the "fear no color" ambassador, with his not-so-typical male hue picks.  Maybe some of his influence in fashion has spread, so teens and tweens can feel less bound by color stereotypes and are more willing to experiment with color.  I too, can imagine a boys room featuring this color and am inspired to suggest it to some clients.  Likewise, it will be a refreshing alternative to the pink values often requested by my young female clients.  Boyz-n-berry- it's name might be more telling than we think.

Enjoy!

Aaron- I'm not at all surprised that these fabulous trend-setters are already using this mysterious yet versatile hue! The consensus seems to be that we'll see this color paired with a warm neutral...dare I say the reign of the cool gray neutral might be nearing its end? 

http://www.myretrobaby.com/

The Chevron Shuffle

Aaron, you sneaky devil! Yes, I was snoozing away when you posted your story board, but I'd bet you're in la-la land while I'm posting mine! Would w be considered one of those "bicoastal couples" you hear about? ;) Here you go! - Sherri

Sherri, consider us bicoastal guardians of all that's kid, ready from coast to coast to right the wrongs, help the helpless and varnish the ugly with a coat of quality, low VOC paint! QUICK PRINCESS, TO THE PROPMOBILE!!! Nice collection on your board! I'm geeking out over the owl bedding, it speaks to my retro love. How amazing would that be with some natural woods, a great big barrel shade chandelier and a funky vintage bird cage converted into a mobile! I know, I know funky...this...funky that, I gotta be me! One thing that catches my eye is little miss ruffle butt. I can see three pillows inspired by her cuteness. Picture this....white serger edges on black ruffles, black and white chevron and solid white with a criss-cross applique. Chevron chic Princess! Well done!  Here are my finds...http://bit.ly/v4ezLQ

Chevrons- When Zig Zags Give Up Their Wild Ways!

Hey Sherri, it's 12:30 a.m. my time and 3:30 yours, I beat you in posting our story boards about Chevrons! I can't wait to see yours. 

Chevrons

Good grief....how old is that boy Charlie Brown? All those years of being the plain one and now look at 
him he's a trend setter with that Yellow and Black Chevron shirt! You a good style setter Charlie Brown!





Who'd have thunk it?! Charlie Brown, the trendsetter? Very nice board, Aaron. My favorites: the floor tiles and the stag-head art. Would be some great, cheeky wall art for my log home.  Here are my chevron picks- http://bit.ly/vRWvKW

A Castle fit for a Princess

Sherri, I saw this and thought of you. It's not a log cabin, it's a willow castle. Befitting a princess wouldn't you say!

Needham Willow Design's Castle

You do know my taste, Aaron! I actually wrote a blog post about this product line last year. I only wish I'd had this as a kid. I would have proudly worn my tiara and princess garb while playing inside! Hmmm.... wonder if Judith would consider making one for big girls?