Layla Grayce

Clockwise from top left: Know Your Ropes Wall Clock, Marseille Knot Door Stopper, Jamie Young Jute Rope Mirror, DIY Rope Vase Project by Polka Dot Made, Lazy Susan Fisherman Rope Basket Set, Aidan Gray Lighting Consuelo Chandelier, Waxing Poetic Flutterby Rope Ring

A huge trend at High Point Market? Rope! The nautical accent took center stage at the world’s largest furnishings industry tradeshow, making a casual appearance on everything from  lighting to accents–and just in time for summer. When you begin daydreaming of warm, ocean breezes, turn to furnishings with a distressed, coastal flair, and simply add rope accents here and there. The attention to detail will create a rustic, laid-back ambience reminiscent of life by the sea, no matter where you live.

Magnifying Glass Valentines via Dandee Designs

Paint Strip Valentines via Country Living

Robot Valentines via Lisa Storms, Super Hero Valentines via Zakka Life

Color Theory Valentines via Mer Mag

Isn’t everything a little sweeter when it’s handmade? We think so! Spend a Saturday having fun with your kids creating DIY Valentine cards they’ll be proud to pass out at school. Unleash your child’s inner artist with Color Theory Valentines, or just visit the paint aisle to get your supplies for the super simple Paint Strip Valentines. Save the day (and dress up sweet treats) with a Super Hero Valentine or bring back the Robot. Still searching for the perfect idea? Don’t overlook the Magnifying Glass Valentine!

Get the look: Large Rabat Moroccan Stencil, Sherwin Williams Paint: Hopeful, Interesting Aqua, Amour Pink
Featured on: Project Nursery Designed by: Emily K Paperie

A Moroccan Stencil and a few cans of paint can create a stunning nursery accent wall that transitions perfectly as your little one grows up. Two different shades of pink keep this fun design sophisticated and chic.

Get the Look: How-to tutorial, Sherwin Williams Paint: Uncertain Grey, Extra White Designed by: Nadia of House 36

Chevron designs are everywhere these days – from rugs to pillows to walls, and for good reason. This classic pattern looks great in just about any color, but we adore how the grey used here works as a neutral. To create your own chevron nursery wall, get your painter’s tape ready and head over to House 36 for Nadia’s Chevron how-to tutorial.

Get the look: Benjamin Moore Paint: Blue Heather, Silver Mist, Silver Cloud Featured on: A List Baby

Although putting baby’s name on the nursery wall isn’t a new idea, we LOVE the modern twist these Oversized Letters add! Vary the size of your lettering and mix paint finishes (gloss, flat and semi-gloss) to add visual interest, sticking to a monochromatic color palette to keep the finished result simple and soothing. Create the oversize letters out of rigid paper, taping them to the wall to achieve the desired layout. Lightly trace around the edges to create outlines, remove the guide letters and paint inside the lines.

Get the look: Benjamin Moore Paint: Yolk, White Wisp Featured on: Brides, originally seen in Domino

Make a bold statement with bright Ceiling Stripes, taking inspiration from the nursery of J. Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons’ son, Beckett. Color doesn’t have to be limited to walls, and stripes overhead give baby something captivating to look at from the crib. If high contrast brights are not your thing, go tonal or pair two neutral colors together to create a unique room for all ages.

Get crafty for the weekend with the kids, turning the idea of cut out snowflakes into something far more colorful (and of course perfect for Valentine’s Day). We love that it doesn’t take a lot of fancy materials or supplies – just some colored paper, scissors and some busy little hands. And fun as they are to work on with the children, we adore the idea of surprising the kids with a mom-made-love-mobile when they get home from school. Visit Pamela Smerker’s Party Starters blog for instructions.

With holiday entertaining around the corner, we’re looking for stylish ways to dress up a table to impress our guests. Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff, designers and co-founders of Anders Ruff Custom Designs, have created a classic Fall Harvest printable collection in earthy hues to add a special touch whether you’re sharing cupcakes at a school event or hosting a formal Thanksgiving feast. Here’s an exclusive first peek for Layla Grayce readers along with tips from Anders Ruff for transforming your table wear for the special occasion. And read on for details of a generous giveaway!

• Involve the whole family or even your guests in the design. Spend the month completing “I am Thankful” cards and use as part of the display – we strung them along the dessert table with natural twine and old-fashioned clothespins. We also displayed apples from a recent apple-picking trip on candleholders for a pop of color.
• Wrapping paper and patterned papers are an excellent and economical embellishment to use on table tops, buffets and box risers (see the dessert table). We wanted to use antique irish linens to keep with tradition, but created a rustic feel by making a table runner with a textured craft wrapping paper. The theme was carried to the favor, drink and dessert tables as well.
• Canning jars make perfect favor containers. We involved the children in making homemade cranberry applesauce. To make our favor unique, we layered in cranberry sauce into the jars to create a beautiful layering effect. We personalized and coordinated the lid with a logo from our collection.
• Dressing up your everyday dishes with a custom fabric charger gives a dramatic effect without breaking the bank. We secured burlap to cardboard cake rounds to make these chargers.
• Backdrops are a great way to transform your room for a thanksgiving feast. Find fabric and cover a large canvas or duct board (found at any hardware store) to create a dessert or food buffet backdrop. Tie in colors from your backdrop onto your tabletop.
• Consider a cider and wine bar for your beverage stand. We served spiced cider from an oversize Ball glass container. We dressed up Ball glass mugs with a stick of cinnamon and coordinated printed paper, and also detailed the wine bottles with raffia and logos from our collection.

It’s giveaway time! Anders Ruff is generously offering one lucky winner the entire Fall Harvest collection and this Customized Invitation Design (includes Anders Ruff personalization services). To enter, tell us your favorite thing about fall here or on our Facebook page. Contest ends at 6pm EST on Friday, October 15.

Congrats to Marissa, winner of our Anders Ruff giveaway!

Photography by Becca Bond Photography

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