Home in the Kenyan Rift Valley + one of the coolest nurseries ever

the nursery: check out the lovely foldable baby crib!

I don't post dwellings like this much. Truth is, I don't often find them in the magazines I read. This is the kind of place that wouldn't work as a living situation for most people. But the few who could learn to navigate living in the wild would reap scenery like few people ever experience, along with other rewards that may come from putting your life at nature's mercy (you can tell I don't even know what those might be). This couple is Carolyn Roumeguere and Simon Douglas-Dufresne, who both grew up with rather nomadic lifestyles, so it suits them. She designs jewelry and he sells electrical fences to game reserves.  On the edge of an escarpment overlooking the Kenyan Rift Valley they live with their baby daughter. Their home is composed of a series of detached rooms, as opposed to one large building. They enjoy the contrast of open-air rooms, but they also have modern-day conveniences like the decent plumbing, hot water and the internet! Dreamy, isn't it? (photos by Simon Upton, from Vogue, year unknown)

Vintage children's room

I almost resisted titling this post "vintage children's rooms" because the interpretation of that word vintage is so wide these days! I find that rooms described as vintage style range anywhere from the "rose explosion" look to faux shabby to loaded with ikea and ultra-modern-looking toys.
When I describe vintage, I mean a room decorated with things that are old, likely used and hopefully have some kind of meaning to you or your children. This is the kind of nursery that I love for a child. I think these are some pretty examples. As with decor for any room, making it personal is what makes it really "yours" and you can't do that by buying up a bunch of stuff in a day- it takes time! (photos in order from the top: Jeu de Paume Children's Rooms London; next two photos from Children's Rooms by Judith Wilson; Swedish site Alvhelm via Desire to Inspire; emmas designblogg ; Flea Market Style by Emily Chalmers; Country Living online; astropunks.com; apartment therapy; Country Living online



Isn't this room cute? I found it on this flickr set. This creative mom, Annalea, made the mobile over the cot from an old calendar. I love the mix of colorful pillows on the blue daybed.

p.s. I'm looking for a web/blog designer to help me give my blog a "facelift". If you know of anyone who has a keen design asthetic, could you let me know? Thanks!

duck-egg blue walls

I'm dreaming up ideas for my new sweet little baby girl's room (explains the absence from posting!) and have decided on pale pale aqua walls. I think it makes a nice calming background for a room, plus provides a pretty contrast to all the pink accessories my little girl is acquiring! I've been inspired by these photos for the paint color.