This Week...

This week has been busy, trying, rewarding, challenging, and full of sweet snuggles from Tilley-Gray.

 I'll be back next week with updates on new design projects and a surprise!

Thanks Margaret for this photo! It made my day! xx

Bathroom Remodel

We finished a Master Bedroom a few weeks ago and when we were done, they asked us to do a major remodel of their Master Bathroom and their powder room. That is about as good of a thank-you note as you can get!

Researching bathroom flooring and lighting options is great, but the clients requested spa worthy shower heads and event toilets. I'll just let you all imagine what kind of research we are doing.
 I will be sure to post a progress report when we break ground. I can't wait for the before/after photos. 

A few inspiration photos...

Just a note:
Pinterest is a fabulous resource, but it's easy to get caught up in the photos that circulate round and round. A lot of the photos pinned are million dollar homes, show homes, or homes that are not necessarily lived in by people with kids, dogs, or budgets. Those gorgeous bathrooms with no cabinet storage wouldn't be so pretty with make-up and shaving cream cans everywhere.
Just keep that in mind when pinning away!

Pure Barre Wilmington Giveaway

Pure Barre opened in Wilmington just last week and I'm already addicted. The first time I went, I could hardly walk the next day, and I consider that a great workout. 

Shannon and I have been asked to host an invitation only Pure Barre class on Saturday, November 10th at 9:30am. We’d each like to extend an invitation to five of our blog followers in the Wilmington area. The winners will get to take the complimentary class on the 10th and enjoy 10% off any package they purchase. It's going to be so much fun, I promise!

So, how do you get in on the Poplin & Queen complimentary class and the 10% discount? Enter on my blog or Shannon's blog. 

1. Leave me one comment telling me how fired up you are about the opening!

FOR  ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

2. Like Pure Barre Wilmington on Facebook 

Happy Halloween

My Halloween day was filled with a Christmas photo shoot, but as soon as I got home, I was launched straight into Halloween mode with our sweet little watermelon.

We took her for a wagon ride around the neighborhood, and she was so excited, this was the only photo that came (half-way) out. 

Halloween is a serious situation in our neighborhood. This is our sweet neighbor Ken, who leaves random gifts and plants on our door step just because he is that sweet. Tilley-Gray wasn't sure what to think about his mask and didn't cry until he pulled it off.

 How was your Halloween?

Hope it was full of sweet treats!

Let's Talk

This past week flew by and before I knew it, it was Tuesday and the post I started last week is now being finished! I'm sorry for such a long pause in blogging, but here are a few updates.

 Poplin & Queen finished one big project, started two new projects,  and created a few e-designs, including this precious nursery for one happy baby.  

You can see all of the details over at 6th Street Design School.

I also worked out for the first time in about 6 months, but Pure Barre finally opened in Wilmington and I'm officially addicted. I was so excited that I attended a class at 7am on their opening day. It was the best way to start out the day and I have signed up for a month to see what those girls can do to this out of shape momma.

Hurricane Sandy came this past weekend, so clearly my husband went surfing instead of staying at home like any rational person would do. You remember last year when I was 8 months pregnant and he did this?

We drove up to Elkin Creek Vineyard on Saturday for a reception for my cousin and his new wife. They were married in Italy, so we had an intimate family dinner celebrating with them.
My grandparents live in Elkin down this gorgeous road.

My Papa and Tilley-Gray. This is one of my favorite pictures of all time.

Elkin Creek Vineyard

Shannon and I have a few exciting things coming up, and of course I'll share a photo of Tilley-Gray in her watermelon costume on Halloween! 

Hope you all are having a great week so far!

xoxo

Adding Legs to a Malm Dresser

When I started thinking about Tilley-Gray's nursery, I knew that I really wanted to invest money into a crib and a rocker/glider. I'm so happy with the ones that I ended up purchasing, but they were both pricey and I couldn't spend a lot of money on other items in the room.

 I liked the lines of Ikea's Malm dresser, but it was too short to function as a changing table as well and looked a little squatty for my taste, so we added legs, along with overlays, to dress it up a bit. 

One of the most frequent questions I am asked is how we did it. Gray is really handy and extremely meticulous when it comes to projects, so I've asked him to share!

Supplies

1 Malm Dresser

5 legs from Lowe's

1 small tube of "liquid nails"

Several wood screws

1 piece of lumber (pine, white wood, oak) depending on whether you are painting or staining the wood. 

Directions

First, cut the piece of lumber to size to fit on the front of dresser to fill the gap between the two sides below the bottom drawers.  This will also increase the structural integrity of the dresser.  Once it is cut to size, attach it with a good bit of liquid nails and a few screws (screw from the back and get a screw that is not too long so it will not come through the front board). 

Next, attach the leg supports, one on each corner and one in the middle.  

Then all you have to do is screw in the legs.  The 5th leg should go in the middle of the dresser - middle front to back and side to side.  This keeps the dresser from "slumping" in the middle under the weight.

Then paint or stain, etc.  

One tip that I think is CRUCIAL: 

 The dresser is front heavy when the drawers are pulled out - It can tip over with the new height.  I attached the dresser to the wall by using L-brackets and screwing them into the dresser and then into a stud in the wall.  I think I used 3 because I was way too paranoid that it would fall on Tilley-Gray.

If you have any other questions about this or interior design, feel free to contact me at 

hello@poplinandqueen.com

   

Charleston Recap

Charleston was an amazing time. I am still exhausted, but wanted to share some of the highlights with you!

The trip started out with a sweet gift, a spotted haircalf clutch. I'm kind of obsessed with it!

When we arrived at the Darrough's house to pick them up, Gray brought out mimosas to kick off the trip!

Once we got to Charleston, we checked into the Market Pavilion Hotel, and had lunch on the rooftop bar. Afterwards, we went on a carriage ride to see the sights and hear the history.

We went shopping and, of course, found the Kate Spade store on King Street. The decor was just as good looking as the clothes and shoes. Their gallery walls are always so good!

Saturday night, we had dinner reservations at Husk, but not until 10:30pm. Typically I'm in bed by then, but that night we were going to paint the town red, starting with a race in a pedi cab. 

Before dinner, we met up with our new friend, Hanna, from Gadabout, and her husband for drinks. We had the best time talking shop and it was so great finally meeting her!

The night was finished off with a little dancing on the rooftop of our hotel, but not before Grayson insisted on carrying me on his shoulders (something he loved to do in college).

If my 30s are anything like the first night of my 30th birthday, I think they are going to be amazing. 

Thanks again to the Darroughs and my sweet husband for such a great weekend!