amy leafblad design

Master Bedroom Inspiration Boards

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 21:25:00 +0000

Working on a new master bedroom remodel on the North Shore. They already owned a pretty ornate wood carved bed frame so I'm working on pulling the rest of the room together. Going for rustic modern. Definitely wanted to add a pair of modern mirrored bedside tables and I love the idea of a lantern or pendant floating between the four post bed. The goal is to keep the rest of the room lighter since the bed is such a heavy piece in the room.

Here are some of my inspiration boards I created for presentation.

Condo Rental

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:10:00 +0000

Would you like to live in the beautiful town of Lake Forest?

We can help make that happen.

We are moving come Dec. 5th into our first "home" and are looking for great renters to reside in our 2 bedroom 2 bath condo just north of downtown Lake Forest, IL. We absolutely love this community and think you would too.

Here are some of the highlights of 1301 N. Western Ave Unit 124:
Totally renovated with a large kitchen and open family room. Kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, black absolute granite, mahogany wood island and more than enough storage space.
All hardwood flooring throughout. Marble tile in master bath with a double vanity and large dressing room. Extra storage space in unit. Laundry is across the hall with 3 washer/ dryers that makes laundry a breeze. 2 outdoor parking spaces close to exterior door. The building is very clean and we have a great building manager who watches over the property like it's his own. Great parks in walking distance, along with the metra train and the most charming town.

If you are interested please email Amy at aleafblad@mac.com for more information.

Vintage Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 21:20:00 +0000

There's a new shop in town and I finally got a chance to stop in today! Re-Imagined Vintage in Lake Bluff carries an assortment of vintage furniture, accessories, lighting and small finds. The mother- daughter owned shop is quaint and perfectly arranged. It's a must see if you are in the area.

I picked up a few small vintage metal letters for my office and would absolutely love to have this fabulous vintage chair they recovered in small dotted fabric. (featured below)

For more information check out their FB page or they are also on Etsy.

Stars and Stripes

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 02:22:00 +0000

Happy Fourth of July

I have an appreciation for stars and stripes not only because I'm American but

because I love the design & shape. I have stars in my sons room, a star ornament on my front door and I wear stripes like it's going out of style. Here are some fun products inspired by the good old USA.

1. star pillow

2. star candleholder

3. striped cushion

4. star rug

5. star towel

6. star pendant

7. striped salt-pepper shaker

A Coral Kick

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 15:06:00 +0000

This Spring season you are seeing more coral tones in fashion and in home decor. I've noticed in my own closet over the last several months this gravitation to coral. I'm on a coral kick!

What is the perfect color combination with coral? I think navy and/or teal make a perfect pair.

Here are a few color boards and product inspiration to get you on a coral kick too!

Happy Spring.

products:

image via pinterest

rug

image via domino

rug

Easy & Yummy Lactation Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:22:00 +0000

These cookies are suggested for mothers who are breastfeeding to increase their milk supply but they are also good enough for the whole family to eat. Don't worry you won't produce milk just because you eat these. :)

I was buying Milkmakers Cookies which are delicious but can be a little costly after awhile. If you are a skeptic they actually do increase your milk supply but I do eat a few a day.

My close friend shared this delicious recipe with me and they were so easy to make so give it a try.

Enjoy!

1 cup butter (replace with applesauce if you are dairy free)

1 cup sugar (cut in ½ to save on sugar intake)

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (cut in ½ for less sugar)

4 TB water (add a little more if it's too dry)

2-4 TB flax seed meal

2 eggs (I only used one)

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour (Can use a ½ whole wheat)

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 cups oats

1 cup chocolate chips(vegan chocolate chips if dairy free)

2-4 TB brewer’s yeast

*Optional to jazz it up use crasins or raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Bake for 10-13 minutes.

Baby's First Christmas Gift Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 15:20:00 +0000

Since it's my sons first Christmas, I researched many 0-3 and 6 month gift options for him.

Even though he won't remember his gifts this year, we still had to indulge to get him a few gifts that he will enjoy now and grow into.

Merry Christmas

1. Sophie

2. Infantino Pop and Swap Gym

3. Homedics Sound Spa

4. Kickee Pants

5. Chewbeads

6. Hape Pound and Tap Bench

7. Baby Book Gift Set

8. Chicco Musical Phone

9. Nogginstik

10. Aden + Anais Swaddles

11. Toy Carrot

12. Lamaze Rattle/Toy

Ombre Walls!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 21:29:00 +0000

I recently came across this DIY blog called P.S I Made This and fell in love with some of their great ideas.

I had to blog one of my favorites for you.

Who doesn't like anything ombre? Ombre walls, um yes please...

Show me how:

I love the color selection shown here but what about sunshine yellow?

Golden Promise- 3003 Summer Gold 3005 Sunny Jonquil 3010

For Full Directions On How To
click here.

Oh Happy Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 20:00:00 +0000

On August 13th 2013 our lives changed forever.

We are blessed to introduce

Manor Blake Smole

4lbs. 1 oz. 17" Long

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart"

Jeremiah 1:5

Gender Reveal Party Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 00:16:00 +0000

New Post on Spearmint Baby Today

Click here to direct you to Spearmint Baby..

Summer Mid-Length Cuts!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 21:22:00 +0000

On my way to see the hair dresser for a clean up.

Since the weather is so hot today, I am so tempted to cut some inches off and rock a mid-length cut for awhile. Should I?

Here are some of my favorite mid-length cuts for the Summer season.

all on my pinterest board...

Small Office

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:05:00 +0000

So I am going on 30 weeks... it's quickly approaching due date time!

We have cleaned out the second bedroom and put up more shelving in our closets to make more useable room. Condo living is a challenge but I'm trying to be creative as possible while preserving the style of my home as much as I can!

My office space was my biggest challenge and since my creative brain is kind of tired these days I had to ask for a designers help! My friend Liz came to the rescue. My design space is moving into the living room area now along with lots of books/resources so the challenge is keeping the space clean. I wanted a white desk to keep it fresh and clean. I ordered floating reclaimed wood shelves from West Elm to go above for books. I only ended up using one because they were a pain to install and more decorative than functional in the end. I still need a better light source and a comfortable office chair.

This is Liz's little mock up for me which helped me greatly and where we are today!
Happy Re-Arranging....

desk, shelves

Bath Remodels

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:13:00 +0000

Today I was busy piecing together some design ideas for a client's bath remodel.

Trying to blend the husband's more traditional taste with the wife's more modern style while also being very budget conscious can take a little time!

With that said I came up with two options for them. The first design concept is warm and transitional while the second design is more fresh and modern. Both are clean designs just different in wood tones and use of materials. I'd be happy with either route. Which one is your favorite?

inspiration images-houzz, tile is crossville, faucets from faucetsdirect, vanities are home depot & lowes,

sconces are shades of light

Tween Room

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:33:00 +0000

Check out my post today on Spearmint Baby.

Fabulous Tween Room Inspiration....

Now on Spearmint Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Amy Leaf Design

is now on

I've been reading a lot more baby blogs lately since I knew we were expecting. I stumbled upon spearmint baby a few months ago and saw a post from the author about contributers. As a first time mommy I knew I would be researching everything and my designs would be mostly baby centered so why not branch out and share that with a larger audience.

Check out my new post today and every other Thursday!

click on the image below to read...

Happy Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:48:00 +0000

It's been a long wait since Dec. 28th 2012!

My hubby woke me up to take him to work that day and said just take the pregnancy test already!

So I anxiously rolled out of bed with a nervous smile on my face as I grabbed the pregnancy test...

Wait so I should give you a little background before I finish the story. I share this only because I feel like women don't share much about the struggles of fertility and how hard it is on us so I always said when I get pregnant I want people to know our journey of how we got here.

We weren't one of those lucky couples who just thinks about having a

baby and it happens! We have been seriously trying for over a year and half naturally. I unfortunately had a miscarriage in Feb. of 2012 which was harder to deal with than I had ever thought but it also meant it was possible! So after our trip to Europe this past fall I finally made an appt. with the fertility specialist. We ran all the tests blah, blah nothing was majorly wrong (thankfully) so I automatically got placed into the category of "unexplained fertility".

The doctor advised us our first go at it would be with the drug clomid combined with an IUI. Now mind you my chances with this method was only an 8-10% chance because I do have a slightly lower ovarian reserve than most woman my age. So when I left the office and called my husband we felt a little depressed because those odds didn't seem great to us. At any rate we prayed long and hard about starting the process and just knew that it was all in God's hands anyway so we'll give it a go.

I started the beginning of December and had an IUI on Dec. 15th and 13 days later I was pregnant!

Now granted it is not always that easy and although we struggled I know we were overly blessed to have that process work the first time. My heart goes out to all the woman struggling with fertility and I've watched many people go through it. It is one of the toughest things a woman goes through and it's hard to talk about. So when I saw the double line on that pee stick that morning I smiled looked up at my husband and said it's positive!!!!

I was shaking and he was dancing all over our dressing room with joy.

Although we were over joyed it is still so nerve racking and the first 12-13 weeks are so scary. So as we push into 13 weeks we still pray for the health of our baby and know this journey is just really beginning. Praise God for his amazing creation of life.

Watch My Belly Grow...

Laundry Room Remodel

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:10:00 +0000

What woman doesn't like a well designed and functional laundry room?

A client of mine has a laundry room that isn't ugly by any means but could use some functionality and organization! Since it is on the first floor of her home and lets face it we are always doing laundry, it was important for her to make it functional yet pretty at the same time.

Oh and let's not forget we are on a budget of course so here were my ideas, inspiration and budget to get us started!

Stay tuned for the finished product...

images via pinterest!

New Baby Inspiration Board

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 02:50:00 +0000

My BFF (yes, I just said that) frantically wrote me an email the other day titled "HELP"!

Her second baby is due to arrive early March but she just informed me it might make an early arrival in late February. Which would mean we would both celebrate our birthdays in my favorite month so I am secretly hoping for that..Anyway back to the point, she has about 7-8 weeks before that baby is due to arrive and the baby room is not even close to being started or done for that matter! So her hubby has some serious work to do & she has some serious online ordering to do as well.

She sent me the multi-colored dots which she loved and I worked off of that for the rest.

We discussed gray walls either dark or a medium gray with all sorts of colors as the accents.

I love the multi-colored approach because anything goes and I love how lively and fun loving it is.

It also reflects the mother-to-be because she is lively and fun loving too!

When it comes to childrens rooms I just can't help myself.

Kids rooms are the most fun room to create, decorate and go wild in.

It is a story board for their personality, future and special times that will be shared there.

Good luck Kad. Now get to work...

other images via my pinterest

Bringing in the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 21:48:00 +0000

As I reflect on 2012 I am so grateful for all the accomplishments, struggles and

adventures we have experienced.

Every year my design skills develop with new projects & new challenges which is always exciting.

This year especially I have taken on a new level of design and not by my own doing but a big thanks to our God above who provides faithfully. I love where I work and what I do and I know that is a gift.

I have met and worked with amazing people in 2012 and can't wait to see what 2013 has in store.

As my hubby and I are diligently praying for a baby this year we are excited to open up that next chapter of our lives & although we have no clue what to expect,

we always have fun living life together.

Here's a quick re-cap of our year and wishing you all the best in 2013!

Wish List 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Every Christmas season I love searching through holiday magazines, blogs and shops to create not only my ultimate wish list of girly goodies but also to share with other modern, chic and stylish ladies

in my life and/or who maybe reading. This past month I have been collecting some great products and online shops to share with you.

Tree of Gifts:

Emerald Bracelet-Bauble Bar

Makeup Case-Falcon Wright

Faux Fur Blanket-Zara Home

Curved Side Table-Noir

Dwell Urchins in Silver

Butter Nailpolish

Vintage 1980's Pink Sunglasses

Gold Ring-Fay Andrada

Remember the Real Reason We Celebrate the Season

"For Unto Us a Child Was Born"

Have a Merry & Joyful Christmas...

Thankful Tablescapes

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:43:00 +0000

As the holiday is approaching, I am frantically looking for table inspiration for my first ever Thanksgiving dinner! This was my husbands brilliant idea but of course I secretly like to host parties because it means I get to decorate. To me it really isn't about the food but the presentation of it all. I mean I love the food don't get me wrong and I will be doing my first turkey with the help of my dearest mother so I am excited about that too! The last several days I have been gathering inspiration from pinterest to crate and barrel to anthropologie all for the big day. Take a look at my colorful inspiration this Thanksgiving season... Happy Thanksgiving

images and products via

Favorite Fall Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:09:00 +0000

Sharing today some of my favorite fall finds and inspiration this season!

Happy Fall.

Amour Vintage Letters

Bright Side

Woven Bench

Vintage Office Chair

Sage Ombre Rug

Marigold Stools

Nate's New Book

Before and After

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:32:00 +0000

My sweet cousin just moved into a new home and is on a budget, like most of us! She wanted to

re-purpose her existing side tables and sofa back table but they were boring and added no color to the room. Thank goodness for paint! So she sent me the before and afters yesterday and the tables are so much more fun now. Nice job Joanna.

Style Board Europe

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:01:00 +0000

As our Europe trip is quickly approaching for our big 2 year anniversary, I am anxiously planning our wardrobe. Sounds kind of neurotic but I love the style in Europe and want to fit right in so we don't look too touristy!

Here is a style board I created to help us pack next week.

items via our favorite places:

J.Crew

Anthropologie

Lulu

Gap

Ralph Lauren

Toms shoes

Colorful Inspirations

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:24:00 +0000

Color Combinations of Gold, Black and White Set the Mood Right.

I personally have always loved gold and to introduce it within the home as an accent color is even better.

Mixing gold with the classic black and white just gives it a new edge.

So for those of you who already love black and white, try adding a little gold to your surroundings?

images via Vintage Luxe Decorica Vintage Luxe Doun&Out Chic