Jeu de Paume Decorating

There is something very appealing to me about the jeu de paume style of decorating.

I've never been fortunate enough to own one of the beautiful Jeu de Paume books but I've seen them all over the Internet. I could spend hours looking through them.
They are published in Japan and the colorful style is beautifully photographed.

I am planning to redecorate the spare room on the third floor. It was my son's room and now I want to fix it up for the children so they can have their own space when they stay over. I can really do anything I want up there because it is completely separate from the rest of the house.

I am really looking forward to creating a space that can be fanciful and colorful and magic and that they will love.

So, here is some jeu de paume inspiration for your enjoyment, randomly picked out of the blogosphere. Click on each photo to go to the source.

There's also a Flickr group devoted to this style of decorating called Jeu de Paume Inspired.

Creative Organizing: Day of the Week Tags

What a simple yet creative idea for organizing your children's (or your own) clothing!

Just think how much easier your mornings will be when you have a whole week's worth of outfits ready to go!
Great for moms.
Here's an idea: If you have a little one who likes to pick our her own outfits, you could do this one night at a time for the next day. This way there's no taking all morning to put an outfit together.

Bonus: These tags are available as a free download here:

Living Locurto's creative organizing free printable day of the week tags.

Great blog, too!

Wire Art

I came across this most interesting site, De Beaux Souvenirs. This woman makes the most amazing things with wire! Gorgeous lamps with wire and linen, wire baskets and crowns. They are some of the most unique decorative items I have ever seen and each is a piece of art.
Isn't this wire Bingo basket cool?
The little lamp with the airplane is one she made for her baby son. Be still my heart.
The Sphere Lamp is for sale here. $375
Wire Bingo Basket for sale here. $116

Play Stove

Play kitchens are always a winner with kids. My daughter had one she loved and when she outgrew it my son played with it. I got several years' worth of play from that kitchen.
I did a previous post about one that was handmade and a vintage one from an old Sears catalog.
This particular play stove was made from a small cabinet with drawers, MDF and paint, spotted at Dabbled. They have included complete instructions for how they made the play stove.
I love seeing people take what they already have and make something completely different from it. I also love play kitchens and I'm storing these ideas because I want to make one at some point for the munchkins (on my list).
Have you made any play kitchens or stoves? I would love to see them. Send me a link and I'll post it!
via CROQ Zine

T-Shirt Art

Okay, could art be any simpler (is that a word?). Even I could do this... I think.
This falls under the category of this-little-t-shirt-is-too-cute-to-throw-away-but-what-do-I-do-with-it.
Problem solved! Stretch that cutie over a canvas, staple on the back and hang.
Personally, I think I might add some Stiffy to the fabric for more support.
Instructions, if you need them, from Country Home.
Found via Craft Blog.

Fairy Tale Dream Nursery DIY

I just had to post some pictures of this adorable nursery. I know it's impractical for most people but you can still get some good ideas here. I just love the dreamy effect of the colors and the lighting. Want to build it yourself? At du cote de chez vous you can download a .pdf file with instructions on how to build it. You gotta love the internet!

Play Kitchens

I saw this adorable kitchen on Our Sweet Life's blog.

She made this for under $60 mostly out of recycled materials. Really cute and the ideas for expanding on this are endless!

Then I saw this kitchen from a Sears1959 Wishbook. The whole kitchen was priced at $27.95. Can you imagine! I know I'm showing my age, but I could have been that little girl and boy would I have loved this kitchen! It's pink for cryin' out loud.
As a side note, I was about this age, maybe a little younger, when my grandmother took me shopping one day. I can't remember the store but I remember a photographer taking my picture playing with some of the toys in the store. I had no idea why he wanted my picture but I didn't need an excuse to play with those toys that's for sure! Then my picture showed up in the newspaper! I think it was some sort of article on Christmas shopping and the season and all that but I can't remember. It's been a long time since I've seen the picture but I'll never forget that day. I think my mom may still have it somewhere.

Sewing Skills Envy

How beautiful is this quilt!?
Some lucky little girl has the good fortune to be the daughter of Kellie from Don't Look Now. Her sewing skills are amazing. I wish I had a 10th of her talent. Of course having the right machine helps but you need to be naturally creative to come up with a design like this.

She also made this pillow with the help of her daughter's class. Truly amazing work. She appliqued around each petal and leaf!

Bramble Mushroom Nightlight

How much do you love this little night light?
It's from White Rabbit England. The original Bramble nightlight is available with either a red or blue top. You know I love red polka dots. There's Bramble the Elf with his friends, lizard hedgehog and mole. Look out for the little white rabbit hiding somewhere amongst the foliage! (You can just barely see it in this photo.)

Bramble Toadstool Nightlight: $45 Euros

Whimsical Nursery Style

For some inspiring ideas for decorating a nursery, check out Camille Soulayrol's web site.

She is an interior designer, writer and stylist. You can see from this photo that she's loaded with talent. I especially love the cabinet with fabric curtains made to look like a building. But I think it's the whole package here that is so appealing - the blues, greens and vivid colors all mixed in. Gorgeous!

Pretty Bedroom

Sweet and simple.
Blue and yellow.

Delicious eye candy on this store's site, Ariadne at Home.

It's a Dutch store and I can't read Dutch but I like looking at the pictures.
And speaking of sweet, look at this little baby swing thingy. Not to mention the adorable elephants marching across the wall!

Darling Little Girl's Room

This girl's room makes me want to be a little girl again. Or maybe that my little girl (who's 22) would be little again so we could have a room like this.

Check out the chalkboard table. And also love that green cabinet and the poster (and the bed and the quilt).

from Inside Out