A few of my favorite things

Hey ya'll!  I don't know about you, but I am trying SO HARD not to go on a spending frenzy with all of the new spring decor lines that have been released.    Here are a few of my favorite things from World Market:

Essex Chair | Distressed Gold Moroccan Table Lamp Base | Bliss Embroidered Table Runner| Round Glass and Cement Terrarium | Square Sea Glass Bottle Vase

Disney Cruise Pirate Night

It is FREEZING here in Raleigh.  One of my friends claimed it is colder here than Alaska.  Last time I checked, we live in the south. What is up with this weather?!?  It's too cold to paint or build anything so my mind has wandered to our  Disney cruise  we are going on in a month with the boys and my parents.  We are super excited.

 I have been looking for inexpensive or free pirate wear for the boys for Pirate Night. My Facebook  Wake Forest Buy Sell Trade group has been awesome for this. I am also working on my own outfit.  I have a black lace up vest from my renaissance fair costume, black leather pants, and last night I bought a white flowy blouse from H&M that I can wear post cruise to work.

For the Handsome Hubby

More to come on M&L's costumes...

Easy Photo Backdrop

We hosted a very family friendly New Year's Eve party this year and one feature is still being talked about 3 weeks later-our photo backdrop.  Lots of parties have the fun mustaches on a stick and funky glasses that make for fun props. I have quite a few of those pix on my Facebook page and we had a blast taking them, but if you want another idea try wrapping paper.

The day after Christmas I got up and headed to Target with a specific item in mind. I needed black, gold and silver wrapping paper for a photo backdrop and I didn't want to pay $5 bucks a roll for the glitter paper. So I scooped up three rolls on 12/26 for 1/2 price.  We then just applied Frog Painters tape (LOVE THIS STUFF) to the back and stuck it on the wall.  

I thought about making my own numbers, but my birthday is December 30th and I had to work that day.  So, I picked up some 2014 card stock decorations from Party City, applied more Frog Tape to the back, and stuck them to the top of our back drop.  Voila! Fun and cheap place for your guests to take selfies and post on Facebook and Instagram.

The day after Christmas I got up and headed to Target with a specific item in mind. I needed black, gold and silver wrapping paper for a photo backdrop and I didn't want to pay $5 bucks a roll for the glitter paper. So I scooped up three rolls on 12/26 for 1/2 price.  We then just applied Frog Painters tape (LOVE THIS STUFF) to the back and stuck it on the wall.  

I thought about making my own numbers, but my birthday is December 30th and I had to work that day.  So, I picked up some 2014 card stock decorations from Party City, applied more Frog Tape to the back, and stuck them to the top of our back drop.  Voila! Fun and cheap place for your guests to take selfies and post on all the social media sites. 

My super talented friend

Hey ya'll!  We only got a quarter of an inch of snow on Tuesday night.  Bummer!  I really wanted to play in the snow with my boys :(

Most of you have seen my living room by now, but that's about it.  My friend Shannon of Shannon Bradley Photography is going to help me with my house tour.  I better get some more rooms in my house in show worthy condition!  

Check out Shannon's site to see her amazing photos of  babies, kids, families and weddings. I think she is the best photographer in Raleigh & Wake Forest.  She took my profile pic too!

You may recall this beautiful image as it hanging over my fireplace. 

And how sweet is this?  I will cherish this photo ALWAYS!  I may have to put it on my dashboard for when he gets older and won't kiss me hello when I pick him up from school.

 Boys being boys.  Enough said. 

You can check out my Facebook page for more photographs from our Fall session with Shannon Bradley.

Living Room design board

Hello everyone!  It is snowing here in Raleigh and I hope some snow sticks on the ground so that I can take the boys outside tomorrow and build a snowman.

I offered a complimentary design board to my friend and neighbor Christina.  She has a gorgeous Front Room in her house that was previously being used as a play room. The Front Room housed a train table and a roller coaster.  Yes, roller coaster!  The train table found a new home in their loft upstairs and the roller coaster is being relocated as well.  I sent Christina a bunch of questions and this was her response: 

Hmmmm. Let me think ...i know we want it to be more of a relaxing/adult-friendly room (kids have the rest of the house). We'd like to relax, chat, have a drink, and do small entertaining in the space. I like bright colors, teals, greys, a touch of orange, yellow or green is fine. I do not like purple, and I'd like it to fit all seasons ( chairs are velvety for winter but I want to be able to bring fabrics that last all year). Not too vintagey. Stores I love ( but not limited to) include world market, pier 1, home goods, ( I'm good w/Ross, tj maxx.. Anything near) Not sure about the budget?!?!?? As reasonable as can be, but if I see something that's awesome- I'll want it. I have the 2 teal world market chairs to stay in there. I'll get dimensions and pics tomorrow. There's a corner shelf that could stay or go- prob don't want 2 paint it. We have a couple other end table things that could go in the room in they fit. I def. want a new ceiling light fixture in the room maybe like a sand dollar type chandelier or sunburst type. Floor or table lamps are fine too- I love natural and overhead lighting. I only use lamps for decoration. I also want a rug, which will help get rid of the echo. I can paint walls-anything. Maybe paper, glue, embellishments- I'd have to see it. Please ask any questions if you need more info or Clarification. thanks

Later I will share some of the other options that I came up with for this room and provide some trade out options from Craigslist.

House Tour

From this:

To this:

From this:

To this:

Bite the Bullet

I have been passionate about design for many years, for the past year I have pondered about starting a design blog.  Then I ready that most bloggers, at least good ones, spend 5-6 hours per day writing blogs.  Not to mention the time it takes to complete projects, photograph them, etc.  That is not what I want to do. Although, I would not mind if Krylon or Rustoleum decided to send me samples of their new colors to try out on my projects.  If you know me then you know I am also working on refinishing some piece of furniture.  I digress, the point is that I want to spend more time designing.  Not writing.  As a result, I created Robin's Nest Design as a very cost effective way to help folks that are not so passionate about design but want to "Beautify your nest, beautify your life."  If you fall into this category, please reach out to me as I have plans starting at just $50.  I can help you find that perfect piece or figure out what to do in an awkward or unloved spot in your home.  Or I can create a virtual design of your room with new paint, furniture, window treatments and accessories.  My goal is not to do full blown interior design, I will not come to your house and paint.  I will send you a board that will show you how awesome your room will look once YOU (or a contracted painter) paint it.

 Custom Mood Board $150 

•A mood board which includes all the furnishings, accessories, and paint colors for the room that you need help with 

•I will do all the research online and send you a detailed list of all the items so you can purchase them on your own. 

Custom Virtual Design Board $250 

•Everything included in the Custom Mood Board, but delivered to you virtually as if your room was already done with views from 2 different angles. This is great for people who need to really SEE the entire room done. 

•I will do all the research online and send you a detailed list of all the items so you can purchase them on your own. 

Design Feature $50 

•Do you only need a quick design boost for a smaller project? Like a feature wall or one piece of furniture. Local Raleigh and Wake Forest Folks: Are you looking for help or need a piece of furniture painted? 

•I charge around $200 per dresser (pricing is different for smaller pieces or custom paint details) plus costs for materials. 

•I charge around $50/hour for different design services like color consultations, personal shopping and decor consultations. 

•I specialize in finding that special piece via my non-retail sources such as Goodwill, Craigslist, etc. 

What do I need from you? 

•Inspirational photos, room measurements, a budget and any specific design opinions or tastes. 

•Good email communication is critical! 

•2 revisions included. 50% non-refundable PayPal payment required to start.