All this talk about updating the bathroom and now I'm on the prowl for a new shower curtain! If you're looking for one yourself, here's a round up of some of my current favorites along with a few additional shower curtain resources.

Anthropologie currently has some of my favorite prints, especially the ruffled ones. Oooo.

India Rose is a San Francisco-based textile company that has some lovely shower curtains, too.

If you tend to go for a more modern, clean look and love geometrics, check out the selection over at Plush Living -- all for under $40.

Pottery Barn always seems to carry a fresh assortment of colors and patterns, closely following current trends. I only wish they had more of a selection!

Target is a great place to find shower curtains and most are priced under $30! Their in-store selection is quite good but online they have a ton more to choose from -- nearly 200! I love the crisp look of black and white.

How about a New York City subway map as a shower curtain? This destination and more over at Izola.

Every now and then Urban Outfitters throws in a good one made out of fabric vs. their usual plastic variety. This tree for $40 is quite nice I think.

Here are a few additional resources to add to your list:

• Bed Bath & Beyond has a strong collection to choose from, but they're mostly neutrals.
• Shower Curtains is loaded with every style imaginable to mankind.
• Pristine Planet offers organic eco-friendly choices.
• Eco Bathroom is another good one for a green selection.
• Bed Bath Store stocks many shower curtains including extra long sizes.
• Shower Curtains Galore -- The name says it all.
• Saga Living has a few Marimekko styles to choose from.
• Restoration Hardware is a good stop for classic, tailored styles.

Where do you shop for shower curtains? How often do you change yours?

(images linked above to sources)

We've covered bulbs and the different types of lighting in The Ultimate Turn On: Lighting and Bulbs on Wednesday so now for the fun part (insert big happy face here) shaaa-opping! We all love this part, right? This post will lead you to some of my favorite sources for lighting but of course please chime in if you have any to add to the list so Simply Stated readers can be in the loop, too. Ready? Okay, let's go!

The Emperor's New Lamp from the portfolio of Swedish decorator Isabelle Halling.

I've tried to group them into categories to make this a little easier to navigate...

Handmade Indie Design

• Perch Design - I am 100% smitten by their ceramic birdie pendants. Can you resist such cuteness?
• Cicada Home - Handmade lighting for as low as $38 on Etsy. Yes, Etsy!
• Draw Flowers - Handmade retro lighting from Italy on Etsy.
• NICE - Handmade lamp shades that are feminine, affordable, and fun. Another Etsy shop.
• Orike Muth - I am nuts for Orike Muth's handmade Asian-themed lighting. She's based in Germany but ships to America and she's really, really nice (I met her). Her work is far better in person, trust me on this, photos do little justice. When I get to Germany this summer I'll show you her atelier if you'd like so you can see for yourself...
• Re-Surface - A Brooklyn-based indie lighting designer with work that has a very urban edge to it, it's super unique. Also an Etsy seller.

Modern - Other

• Scandinavian Design Center - They carry some awesome Scandi lighting, I have a soft spot for the Emperor's New Lamp (shown in the photo above), the stylish new Can, the Norm03, and the Bumling in white. 
• Roost Living (UK) - Love their lighting. Not a lot of inventory, but what they do have is excellent and their selection rotates throughout the year so check back each season.
• 2Modern - A terrific source for modern lighting from task lamps to pendants, the selection is great.
• Design Public - Great lighting from lots of companies, I'm looking into ordering the Orbit chandelier myself, I've been wanting one for ages. I ordered a large pendant Mibo light from them last year and it's great. The guys who own it are super nice too, I've placed a few orders with them and I'm always impressed with shipping and exceptional customer service.
• Greener Grass Design - Unique lighting, lots of European designers represented, tons of different shapes and materials, makes decision making hard!
• Velocity Art & Design - Modern lighting, fantastic people to buy from (they have an excellent relationship with their clients), and they carry some fabulous lights from Jason Miller with a definite hip hunting lodge vibe.
• Modern Dose - Family owned and based in New York, lots of modern goodies to choose from.
• Hive Modern - A modern lighting lovers dream. What a massive selection!

New - Classic, Romantic, Whimsical

• Shades of Light - Everything from Sconces to table lamps. Prices vary. Don't miss their sale items.
• Ballard Designs - Lots of classic and romantic styles, a very large selection and good customer service. Be sure to check out their chandeliers.
• Horchow - Lighting for all decorating styles, sometimes the prices can seem a little hefty but if you sign up for their email newsletter you won't be disappointed. They frequently have 20% off sales announced via their newsletter.
• Maura Daniel - "I can resist everything except temptation" - Oscar Wilde. When a website greets you with a quote like that, you know you're in for a treat. Maura Daniel gives you a chance to customize your own lighting, from shades to bases.
• Michelle Varian - Love her wood veneer shades, brass accordion lights, and her very unique cluster lamp.
• Stray Dog Designs - Colorful, quirky, whimsical.

Vintage/Hollywood Regency/Industrial

• Pieces - I frequently cruise this shop for vintage lighting in bright colors and crisp white shades. So fresh!
• LUM - A place you go when you have money to spend, but wow what a GREAT place it is. Vintage finds like you've never seen before. So haute!
• Tonic Home - The owner is fabulous, I've heard so many great things about how she deals with her customers, it makes me want to sing her praises from the rooftops! The fact that she carries exquisite lighting doesn't hurt either. A little Hollywood Regency and a whole lot of fabulous.
• Paris Hotel Boutique - Vintage lighting with a French flair, the owner is sweet, her San Francisco home has been featured in several magazines, and her eye for all things French is impressive.
• A Glow - A vintage lighting shop on Etsy based in Texas. Affordable and nice!
• Empiric Studio - A great source for new and vintage lighting, some industrial styles available, another small business with a great reputation.
• Frenchblue & Co. - Great vintage finds, bookmark this site and cruise it often so you don't miss a thing.

A simple black task light can add so much style to a room.

Please note that I intentionally left out larger stores like Pottery Barn, West Elm, Anthropologie, IKEA, Home Depot, and Restoration Hardware because I assume you are savvy enough to know that they carry lighting so why waste your time!

The above list also does not include to the trade only lighting, or else I would include my good friends Zia Priven -- you can only go through a showroom or designer to purchase from them but wow, are they high quality, glamorous, and totally drool-inducing to say the least. And I'm not just saying that because they are friends, their lighting is what created our friendship in the first place. I found them and had to know more and a friendship developed. I digress...

Have a lovely weekend everyone... I'll see you bright and early on Monday morning!

(images above from Isabelle Halling)

Wall stenciling, decals, wallpaper... It's all good. Once viewed as passé or, "So 1980's", stenciling can be quite a neat DIY trick for those with a creative eye or who have a strict budget that doesn't include $180  a roll wallpaper. When most people think of stencils, they imagine rooster motifs as borders in kitchens, or pink roses on dressers. Let's change the mental picture. I want you to envision Wary Meyers in place of all that, okay? Think hip and now, not has been.

Images from Wary Meyers.

Wary Meyers is this super cool couple living between Brooklyn and coastal Maine who paint, design, DIY, and stencil their hearts out transforming mundane objects and spaces into swank pads. Yup, these hip New Yorkers stencil in style. Need proof?  Here are some custom stencils that they did for a few of their clients.

If you'd like to try your hand at a little faux-paper effect like the one above, here are some sources for stencils that I suggest. If you know of any others, please add to this list with your comments.

• Henry Donovan Motif
• Modello Desgin
• My Stencils
• Royal Design Studio
• Stencil 1
• Stencil Library
• Stencil Planet
• Victoria Larsen

Do you stencil? If not, would you consider it?

(image from wary meyers)

There's a lot of truth to those silly eBay commercials highlighting the sheer thrill of shopping victoriously. Just recently I scored a vintage owl umbrella stand in white ceramics (view it here) that was even better in person than I had imagined -- and I definitely felt a sense of victory and pride over my win. From Blythe dolls to Hollywood Regency foo dog bookends, there's something on eBay for everyone. Problem is... There's a little too much. Need some help? Here are a few sellers that I watch on a regular basis for home decorating items so that you can shop victoriously, too.

Pair of faux cane chairs, $395 Buy It Now.

• Grey Gardens 101: Hollywood Regency style, mostly furniture and lighting, excellent selection.
• East Treasures - Watch them for suzani throws and ikat robes.
• Foster Pink 217 - Jane Foster screen prints her own line of textiles, beautiful things and you can sometimes find them in her store, although lately she's been listing lots of vintage textiles which are equally lovely.
• Posh Princess: Decorative collectibles, lots of modern glamor here.
• Vintage Rockford: Mid century modern finds.
• Home Republic - Great modern accessories for the home.
• Interiorz: Lovely designer fabric wall hangings, lamp shades, cushions and fabric made from Florence Broadhurst, Marimekko and Missoni fabrics.
• Capitol Salvage: These guys salvage it all. One of their latest finds includes an old roadside sign from a fruit stand that reads, "Big Melons".
• Daily Painters Gallery - Such a cool concept. Brand new paintings are listed here daily that you can bid on via eBay. Nice!
• Vintage Retro Store - Based in Germany, this man ships all over the world and has a great selection of retro everything from lighting to wallpaper and the prices are great.
• Blue Rocket Modern - More mid century modern goodies.
• DestinASIAN Home - Gorgeous Asian finds, antiques, porcelain garden stools, and more.
• Marie's Cosy Cushions - Retro pillows, brand new, mod patterns. All pillows, all the time!
• E Chic Boutique - Modern furnishings for the home at great prices.
• Looking for Mod: More mid century finds with a touch of Hollywood glam. I love this headboard.
• U Turn Vintage Wallpaper - They have the BEST selection of retro patterns - wow!

Now it's your turn... I showed you mine... Now let's see your favorite sellers, please share in the comments section below.

(image from grey gardens 101 linked above)

From dressy boxwoods to casual wildflowers, there are so many plants and flowers to choose from to dress up your outdoor space. Whether you have a sprawling patio or a tiny balcony your options extend beyond greens and blooms to include furniture, outdoor fabrics, lighting, flooring, patio umbrellas, planters, garden tools, all depending on your needs and budget.

So tell us, where do find the good stuff?

All items shown above can be purchased here in the NYBG Shop.

Here's where I find some of my favorite things in addition to Target, Anthropologie, and Homegoods:

• Fat Finch
• Windowbox
• Grandin Road
• Ballard Designs
• GRDN
• Frontgate
• Smith & Hawken
• NYBG Shop
• Restoration Hardware

Lattice patio umbrella from Warp Weft Co., Swaziland Garden Pot from Anthropologie, campy planters from perch, simple spring plant and planter from Jayson Home & Garden, bead canvas sun hat and lilypad camp stool from Hable Construction.

Where do you shop? Any great stores to share that we don't know about? Do tell!

(images linked above to their source.)

Time to undress! Your bed that is. It's Spring, the perfect season to ditch that heavy duvet and lighten up with something fresh and fun. As a New Hampshire transplant raised on the sunny shores of South Carolina, I'm not too keen on winters up here. That's why I spin through my home like the Tasmanian Devil at the first sign of Spring to clean, shine, and prep things for the new season. After cleaning everything imaginable (I love to clean so I actually enjoy this part) and storing all of my winter clothes, I start swapping some of my soft furnishings with textiles that are lighter and brighter for the season -- especially in the bedroom. Would you like to know where I shop online for amazing bedding?

Of course you do. You're a decorating addict just like me.

Bedding from Pottery Barn and John Robshaw.

Tip 1: To update things from Winter to Spring, you can fold your duvet and place it about 3/4 down on your bed and replace the duvet with a coverlet or quilt. If your duvet isn't down-filled, you can purchase a new cover for it if your budget allows - look for colors that make you happy, whether that's yellow or blue, go with a color that soothes and relaxes you.

Tip 2: To add interest, you can mix and match your bedding using various prints -- striped sheets with floral cases, large florals with smaller ones, green with teal, etc. You don't have to own bedding from the same collection to make a pretty bed -- there's no rules -- do what looks right in your eyes because your opinion is the only one that matters since it's your home.

Tip 3: For a modern look, opt for clean, bold, and uncomplicated. If you're a bit of a romantic like me, look for pretty details -- I love grosgrain, eyelet, crochet or ruffled trims on pillowcases. Identifying exactly what you're looking for before you start shopping is a smarter way to shop.

DwellStudio collection for Target

Ready to check out some great shops? I tried to round up a little something for everyone:

• Ouno Design salvages vintage and remnant materials with beautiful bohemian modern results.


• DwellStudio is a fave of mine, I own some of it myself so I can stand behind the quality. If you're on a budget, their new collection for Target is a great budget version.



• Colorful happy Missoni bedding at Auto.


• Designers Guild (USA) has an extremely fresh palette and are known for bold large-scale prints. Gorgeous.
• 
  I never tire of the ethnic flavor found over at John Robshaw, his bedding is ridiculously beautiful.


• Shabby Chic is another favorite. I've been purchasing Shabby Chic bedding since the 1990's, so I guess you can call me a fan. I even had the honor of meeting Rachel Ashwell in L.A. a few years ago. More on that here. If this brand is also out of your price range, opt for her Simply Shabby Chic line also available at Target.


• I love the bedding at Pottery Barn this season. It's fresh, modern, clean, and affordable. How can you go wrong?


• Pillows and Throws has more that the name lets on, they stock a beautiful array of modern bedding and I've ordered from them in the past and their customer service was beyond helpful and friendly.

Bedding from Kerry Cassill based in southern California.

More choices at:

• Kerry Cassill


• Pioneer Linens


• Urban Outfitters


• Anthropologie


• Sweet Felt Goods


• Garnet Hill


• The Company Store


• Plover Organic (organic)


• Twinkle Living


• Pine Cone Hill


• Sweet Home London


• 2Modern


• Horchow


• Domestications


• Akasha


• Tracy Porter


• Denise Schmidt Quilts


• Viva Terra (organic)


• Crate and Barrel


• Homegoods


• Martha Stewart for Macy's

Where do you shop for bedding?

Please add any stores to this list that you'd like by commenting below. Happy Spring!

(images linked to their sources above.)

Paint, wallpaper, window decals, do you like to mark your territory? We've covered wallpaper and window decals over the past few weeks here in Home & Organizing so why not consider wall decals now, also known as giant stickers for adults. You can use them on walls, ceilings, tiles, appliances, windows, shower doors, and even some floors. Best part, they're easy on - easy off, affordable (unless you go custom), and they're very landlord-friendly for those stuck in rentals who have to live with the current wall color - even icky avocado can be perked up with a bold graphic! Wall stickers can be removed without a trace + no harm is done to the walls = you'll get your security deposit back. Liking how that sounds.

With so many perks, let's look at a few of my favorite resources for finding wall decals. If you locate something you like, just click, buy, and stick it!

Form and Function based just outside of Stockholm, Sweden carries wall and floor vinyl decals that I find quite interesting -- not something you'd see in the homes of all of your friends so they make for an ultra stylish statement and a cool conversation piece. They have lots of stickers from French decal giant Domestic.

Stick Meon is a small atelier in Australia that I really like because I think the animals Deanna designs are really sweet.

Les Louisettes is a French company that is quite popular in France and parts of Europe. In the US, you can order them from Mortimer Snodgrass based in Montreal who ships all over and are such a pleasure to deal with. I like the idea of putting some on a mirror or on kitchen appliances, don't you?

Pop Cling is super unique, their range is incredible. They are a lot like art for the walls, very modern, urban and fresh. I ordered from them about a year ago and was so pleased with my transaction, they were a delight to work with and shipping was an absolute breeze. Excellent prices and quality, too.

Dvider is another company to look at. They stock wall stickers but there's a twist because they also carry free standing dividers for rooms that you can adhere decals to if you want to dress them up. Dividers are useful for loft spaces and offices so this is actually a clever product.

Not everything is vinyl, Beearo makes decals out of wood. Unfortunately they've closed up shop until April since they're currently relocating to Seattle and need to get settled in first, but bookmark them for future reference because once they're up and running you'll love their selection. Don't these look stunning on glass tiles?

Design 3000 in Germany stocks a lot of decals and wall woods in German. I keep staring at this bed, this flower-as-headboard thing is unexpected and fun. I see lots of DIY ideas for faux headboard using paint, stencils, and wallpaper but a decal like this would be the easiest of the bunch to apply and remove.

Think wall graphics are created equal -- whimsical, colorful, and modern? Harmonie Intérieure owned by graphic designer Fabien Barral and his wife Frédérique transform their designs and photographs into some amazing results, some with a slightly vintage look to them.

I love tile tattoos from Mibo, they're a great way to dress up a blah bath or kitchen. Just over 4 square inches, they are available in a set of six for $16/pack in several colors at 2Jane.

These are a break from the norm, a smart collection of transferable drawings by contemporary artists David Shrigley, Kate MacLeod, and Edwina White from Australian company Third Drawer Down. At $15 a sheet you can't go wrong. Available at 2Jane to pre-order for a May '08 delivery.

Blik is pretty huge, they have just about everything so spend some time on their website and see what you can find. They recently collaborated with graphic designer Mel Lim, whom I'm a fan of, to pull together some decals that I think would be beautiful in a kids' room or craft studio. I also love Anise by Ilan Dei for Blik, especially in white against a solid colored wall. Would look super pretty against silver-gray. Click here to see Anise.

I can't get enough of Ferm Living lately. Gosh I love what they're doing with vinyl!

Mother and daughter team Elaine & Nell Oliver design wall stickers and sell them on Etsy in their store Elly Nelly. 

Additional wall decal companies to visit:

Saint Honore - Funky, urban, edgy. I love their Munchhausen collection.

Target - Yup, Target. They carry a ton of options from kiddie stickers to grown up florals.

Paris-based Les Invasions Ephémères.

Aren't wall decals a-peeling? ;)

(images above linked to source)

It's Friday, who wants to read with a holiday weekend here? So I'll make this post image heavy and text light, how's that sound? Eye candy here we come! But of course, I have to give you a little intro so here goes...

Littlest Flower: King of Castle $10

I could go on and on about affordable art (mostly prints) maybe even devote an entire blog to it (or book) because I'd never run out of content. It's a sickness, my design crack. If I showed you the plastic bin in my work studio filled with prints I've purchased over the years from artists I follow, you'd call me a total junkie. I need prints because I have to live around things that visually stimulate me. And when I have children, I will follow my own advice here and decorate their rooms with lovely art prints at least until they are old enough to tell me that the giraffes have to go because the Transformers or babes in bikinis are going up. While I can control what's on the walls, I'll no doubt be shopping at some of these fine stores below. Then again, I've already shopped at many of these stores so I'm living proof that some of these aren't just for the tots. If you click around the links below, you will no doubt find more grown up friendly designs by the many artists featured here.

So enough talking, let's look at some art!

Binth: Numbers Poster, $55.

Full views of work not shown above, you'll need to click on these links to see entire images. GUIDE: 1. Tootsweet Shop: Barometz print $50,  2.Sarah Jane Studios: Summer Tea Party $24, 3. Shirae: Hoola $18, 4. MikieP: Girl Power $20, 5. Lab Partners: Birds and Squirrel Field trip $20,  6. Blanca Helga: Animal Tower $3, 7 & 8.Kiki and Polly: Hippity Hop to Bed $20 and Pink Fabric Eared Bunny $20.

Paul Chung: 123 Bird Series $15 (each print shown grouped in 3 framed above), and A Sitting Boy $18, also by Paul Chung. He's pretty amazing, by the way.

San Fran 67: Freddy $70. This artist makes the most intricate paper cutouts and frames them, what gorgeous displays for any kids' room.

Molly Jey is another great artist doing work that is very beautiful by cutting paper to form beautiful storybook-like three dimensional scenes. Shown here is Mystical Forest, $120.

GUIDE: 1.Sasha Loots: Meg and Pelly $40, 2. Axel Honey: The Trip $20, 3. Sammy Dog Productions: Fish $15, 4.  Bumble Belly Designs: Trains and Planes $56, 5. Joseph Blake: I'll Be $26, 6. Paula Birdy: Alpha-birdy $35, 7. Aja Vu: Monsieur Poo Arctic Explorer $20, 8. JMC Designs: The Dance $50, 9. Tamba Toys: Can You See Me $14, and 10. Nuria73: My Secret Garden Rouge $40. 

e.soule: The Little Zoo series, $70 each.

GUIDE: Charlie Motel: Somebody Loves You $20,  Creative Thursday: Peep Peep $35, Seaspray Blue: The CountUp $17, Margin: Laurence $20, JRitter Designs: ABC Illustration Girls $20, Wren and Chickadee: Paper Doll $18, Fox in the Woods: Forest and Fields $20, Corid: Miss Britta and Her Goose Goes to Market $18, Geninne's Art Store: Craft Bird $30, Calobee Doodles: Alphabet Soup $32.

Sandy Mac and her PEZ dispensers are fun, especially if you love a little retro!

GUIDE: 1.Witty Workshop: Alice's Flower $25, 2. Monster Gallery: Godzilla $4.50, 3. Goobeetsa: Ice Cream Monster $15, 4. Paint and Ink: Kingdom of Imagination $7, 5.Ubiki: Forest $25, 6. Cathy Nichols: Santuary $28, 7. Ink and Wit: Sour Grapes $35,8. Plants and Animals: Owl Tree $12, 9. Yumi Yumi: These Are For You $20, and 10. Belle and Boo: Freedom $30

Stephanie DosReis: 178 Ochre Street, $28.

GUIDE: Jenn Ski Art: Bird $25, Anne's Illustration: Mustang $20, Bee's Knees Industries: Robot Love $20, Marmee Craft: Monsieur Hedgehog $16, Shelby Healey: Bathtime $18, Carla Sonheim: Tire Swing Play $18, Claudine Hellmuth: Out Shopping $255 (cute for pregnant mom),  Pequenio Craft: Paper Doll $16, Terese Bast: Swing $25, The Black Apple: Wolfbaby Vs Foxbaby $18, Michelle Caplan: Coney Island $25, Matte Art: Weather Vivienne $60.

And of course, you can always frame cards that you like. Sweet Beets has some of the best I've seen for framing for only $5.50.

What about displaying a few of these pretty masks on the wall from Abigail Brown? $9 each.

Happy clicking and have a wonderful weekend everyone! Erin the Queen of Organization and I, Holly the Decorating Diva, will see you bright and early on Monday morning! :)

(images are all linked to sources above.)

Lots of parents write in via my design blog decor8 for help in decorating the modern nursery, playroom, or toddler bedroom. One hot topic that keeps coming up is their need to display art that goes beyond the mainstream selection that's out there -- works that are special, affordable, and will spark their child's imagination. They are also concerned that the room, art included, will work with the design scheme of the entire home. That's where I step in and suggest framing prints of original works from independent artists. It's easy, affordable, and thousands of beautiful prints are only a click away. Here are some notes from email consultations recently held with readers on this topic, I hope these tips can be of benefit to you, too!

Top row: Whimsy Press, Bottom row: Margot Curran via Babygeared.

Dwell Studio Wall Art available a Design Public.

A collection of prints shown here framed from ISAK.

Art Tips For Kids' Rooms

1. Avoid installing expensive originals or prized family pieces unless they're framed or higher than little fingers can reach. I do not suggest valuable art in a kid's space ever for obvious reasons -- that expensive painting may end up altered by magic markers, crayons, or darts. I suggest reproduction pieces either on canvas or as prints, digital prints, letterpress prints, photography, etc. I'm more concerned with originals on canvas since imaginations can run wild leading to your little one painting red horns or a mustache on a very prized portrait.

2. Most parents want the kid's room/nursery to blend with the rest of the house. That's a smart choice. When I was growing up all the kids in my neighborhood had Transformers or My Little Pony themed rooms before they even knew who these popular characters were. Nurseries were usually pink (girl) or blue (boy) and themed around some Disney film, polka dots, stripes, or Noah's Ark. Parents today are taking design up a few notches and seeing beyond popular characters or 'theme-y' designs and creating a space that is in harmony with the rest of the home. Parents: Seize the only years you have to control design in your kids' space while you can because once they get older, they'll alter that room in crazy ways you'd never imagined. Decorate using colors, patterns, materials, and art that you enjoy. More on why below in tip #4.

3. Look for art that reflects the joy and whimsy of being a kid without it becoming overly theme-y because diversity is nice. Exposing children to a variety of images at an early age can build in them a desire to learn about culture and the arts, too. Lots of artists who concentrate of work for kids usually show identifiable things in their art like giraffes, birds, bicycles, balloons, trees, things that children can point to and identify by name. Ultimately it's up to the parents, I've seen some babies with more abstract watercolor prints in their nursery and it was beautiful as the colors were very calm and warm. As your children grow, you'll start to see what images they are responding to the most which gives you a better sense of what they enjoy. It's also nice if art doubles as a tool for teaching. Try framing alphabet cards or purchasing a print like the Binth Alphabet poster shown below.

4. You should love the colors and the art you've selected for the room. If mother is happy, everyone is happy, right? Of course, dad needs to like it too. Babies and children pick up on their parents emotions, that is a scientific fact. If you love the nursery and everything about it impacts you in a positive way then your baby will sense that and all will be feeling good about your design choices. Select images that you like bearing in mind the importance they likely will have on your little one, and don't overlook the role that color plays. More on color here: Color Schemes for Your Babies Room and the Nursery Art.

5. For the sake of safety, make sure whatever you hang on the wall is secure. Children like to pound on things, walls included. You wouldn't want little miss or junior to pound a toy against the wall and something comes crashing down. I always suggest framing prints behind plexiglass but you can make your own decision regarding this. I do not suggest installing work over a bed or crib. Try vinyl wall decals or wallpaper near beds and cribs, ideally things that cannot fall onto them while they're napping.

6. Change the artwork often to reflect (and develop) the child's interest. Once they are toddlers you will start to notice what prints they seem to enjoy and the others that aren't really 'clicking'. Rotate them out from time to time to keep things fresh. You can always add them back in later. And as they begin to create their own artwork, you can easily do this without a large investment and little damage to the walls by purchasing a variety of frames and a few picture ledges and simply rotate the displays. Mingle in some of their finger paintings or potato prints with some of the art you see in this post, for instance. Also don't forget to include something in the room that was handmade by you or someone in the family that can be enjoyed in this collection.

Binth Alphabet Poster.

Alphabet of Endangered Species in the British Isles by Present and Correct.

Now that I've given you some art tips for kids' rooms, would you like to see some of the places I click for prints? You'll have to wait until Friday... I'll post a round-up of some of my favorite prints for kids that even non-parents will fall in love with, so stay tuned!

(images linked above to source)

Lonely walls no more! I promised last week that I'd pull together a few of my favorite wallpaper resources so please click on the links below to view their entire collections. Along with a few great wallpaper resources, I've decided to weave in a little story as a reminder that the modern woman is a lucky girl when it comes to wallpaper selection. Remember the patterns mom had to choose from?

Nama Rococo is haute! Every sheet is painted by hand. This is couture paper at it's finest produced not in Paris, but in Massachusetts by an amazingly talented team.

When I was 4 years old, my parents custom built a home and I can still recall the process in great detail because it was a really big deal to them because everything had to be perfect. It was a big deal to me as well because It took precious time away from my little art projects and the one house I really cared about -- the Barbie dream house -- to tag along with mom to home stores. Together we viewed tile, carpet, paint, appliances, garden supplies, I was constantly by her side as she managed the interior and gardening part of the project while my father was off dealing with the contractors. The home was 4 levels and had about 11 rooms, several acres of land, a huge finished lab space for my father, and a large brick patio. Perhaps this is where the whole design bug really sunk its teeth into my tender young skin; looking back I see that exposure to decorating came long before even I appreciated it or knew that someday my life would be dedicated to obsessing over interiors.

Ferm Living is ultra desirable, so many ladies I know want to own something from Ferm, it's brilliantly bold.

At one point in the decorating process, I recall my mother complaining about having such a limited wallpaper selection. Today's American consumer has a new problem -- a plethora of papers! We are exposed to a superabundance of patterns, textures, and colors when it comes to nearly everything. For a new homeowner like my twenty-something mom back in the '70s, things were different. This was long before the bevy of magazines, the internet, and all of the amazing design blogs we can access 24/7. See what I mean about being lucky? When I think of American design in the '70s (cough, cough) and what people had access to  here I tend to think that good design options were slim. Sears was all the rage and when you needed paint, you headed to Sherwin-Williams or checked out those massive wallpaper binders from the local hardware store with some pretty dreadful patterns inside.

Walls Like Pictures in Germany has a huge collection of modern graphical prints in excellent color-ways.

The beautiful Familjen wallpaper by Swedish designer Lisa Bengtsson available at Le Souk. It's a hard pattern to find in the states, but Le Souk ships all over the world.

Canadian designer Judit Gueth creates digital wallpaper that enchants. The Koi paper in silver is my favorite.

And for a terrific on-stop-shop on the web (also there's a LA showroom) that carries lots of different lines, try Walnut Wallpaper. Don't miss their line up of Cole & Son, Osborne & Little, Flavor Paper, and Twenty2. Delish!

Frustrated over her limited wallpaper selection, I vividly recall the day mom stood in Sherwin-Williams looking through samples in large dog-eared books, eyes glazed over and thoroughly unmotivated. Eventually, she hired a designer to help her because she fell into such a design rut and couldn't see her way out of the tunnels of ugly orange and brown paper. The designer had a fresh perspective and a few books my mother hadn't seen before, so within a few months wallpaper was installed and the home was complete. Just in time for the relatives to fly out and inspect things.

In the end, our home was beautiful and thoughtfully pulled together, but I'll never forget the frustration mom felt due to lack of a good selection. I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief that vast improvements have been made in the world of design and thanks to the web we have products and services available today that our parents could only dream of. So the next time you fret over selecting wallpaper, think about  how lucky we modern ladies are that such an abundance even exists.

Looking for additional wallpaper patterns and a few tips too? Click on over to my design blog decor8, I have lots of great papers and ideas for them in my archives right here and here.

(images linked beneath photos to source)

What's the perfect way to spruce up cabinetry and furniture? Knobs and pulls, baby! Terrific hardware is where it's at, especially if you're in the mood for a fast, inexpensive way to breathe new life into a tired piece. Would you like to know where I shop for hardware? I'm so glad you've asked! Come on, let's go shopping.

Okay, I hope I'm not insulting you by saying this, but you know to check stock over at your local hardware mega stores, like Lowes, Home Depot, and the Expo Design Center, right? If styles seem a bit generic for your taste then give Anthropologie, Target, or Restoration Hardware a try both online and in-store. Make sure to visit their retail stores if you happen to have one nearby as they tend to carry a more extensive selection, especially when it comes to Anthropologie. Their inventory greatly varies by store. Our Burlington, MA Anthro carries way more hardware than the one in downtown Boston. And yes I admit, someone who knows things like this is a bit of a design geek -- I stalk stores pretty regularly to ensure that I don't miss a trick.

Additional Resources for New Hardware:

• Carol Beach Knobs -- See their matte silver kitchen knobs, very cute.

• eBay - Search: hardware, then narrow results from there.

• Cool Knobs + Pulls

• Knob Gallery

• Knobs and Pulls

• Bauerware either online or if visiting San Francisco, hit up their storefront located at 3886 17th Street in San Francisco (415-864-3886) . In addition to contemporary knobs, they stock lots for children as well as some great vintage ones from the 1930's.

• The Paris Apartment - Love their selection of lucite!

In addition to new hardware, hit up your local architectural salvage stores, too. I call these places the real gems, they're where you get the good stuff. Architectural Salvage in San Diego, Pinch of the Past in Savannah, Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Rejuvenation Hardware both online and in Seattle and Portland and for my New England-based friends, Architectural Salvage in Burlington, Vermont -- it's a personal favorite of mine. You can also find vintage hardware online, most also carry a good selection of reproduction pieces too. Here's a few good finds for...

Vintage and Reproduction Hardware:

• Again, Bauerware

• Crown City Hardware

• House of Antique Hardware

• Olde Good Things

• Van Dyke's Restorers

One dresser, two ways!

Do you have a few places to suggest for locating a few good knobs? Please comment below, this is not just a blog, but a chance to communicate one-to-one with us, your friendly Real Simple editors. I don't bite!

(images from anthropologie)