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I will be taking some time off from blogging. Time to reflect after all that has happened in Newtown, CT. We are not so far away from Newtown. It could have been our town.
Owner of Armonk Wines has a kindergartener at Sandy Hook Elementary school. People have been asking how to help. In partnership with the PTSA, Sandy Hook Elementary School a fund has been established to help defray the enormous cost of moving a community to a new school.
Have a safe and peaceful holiday..
Christina
I was able to see the Beatrix Potter Exhibit at the Morgan Library last weekend. A very nice respite from all the chaotic crowds of the city.
Beatrix Potter's childhood seemed isolated. Her parents were wealthy and quite stern. Her happiest moments were spent at the family's country home, where she would spend hours observing animal behavior. Lucky for her, she was allowed to have a menagerie of pets- cats, dogs, rabbits, snakes and mice, oh my...
Most of her book ideas came from stories that she wrote to the children of her governess. Her gentle and delicate drawings were full of imagination.
The exhibit is so worthwhile- there is also a spattering of toys and other items related to Beatrix Potter.
Too bad Peter wasn't around to make a muck of things...
See you...
Christina
Armonk is home to Frosty the Snowman! Writer, Steve Nelson was a long time resident. It is believed that the traffic policeman in the song is based on a local cop, John Hergenhan. Frosty is a classic that has been around for years. Love these vintage pics...
Join us Saturday December 8th as we celebrate Frosty the Snowman!!
See You...
Christina
We kick off our holiday season on December 1st with a special fundraiser for little ones. Over the years, I have noticed children coming in to Cici Crib carrying their favorite toy. Their most treasured possession is at times stained, torn, shredded, and completely loved. During the month of December, come visit Cici Crib with lovee in hand and we will give you a framed photo of it. All for a $10 donation to a very important local charity, The Pinwheel Project. The Pinwheel Project assists hospitalized children and their families during their grueling stays in local hospitals.
Please support The Pinwheel Project. Hope to see you!
Christina
It can be really hard to buy a meaningful baby gift for someone you don't really know. My customers come to my shop looking for a special gift. The first thing I always ask a customer buying a baby gift- Do you know what the nursery looks like? Most do not know what the nursery looks like. Where do we go from there? Although my customers do not want to buy from the standard online baby registries from the big box baby stores, I suggest we take a look at what the mom registered for. These baby registries give many clues in terms of simplicity, colors, and style of the nursery. Do they like shabby chic? Are they more modern or traditional? Lots can be learned from looking at their list of essentials on big box registries. Sometimes there are no baby registries, the only item the customer has is a baby's announcement. Baby announcements say a lot about the aesthetic of the new parents.
Almost 19 years ago, my sweet boy Justin was born. Wow! My baby announcement was very simple. White and gray and meaningful words from a Springsteen song.
What can you tell from this announcement? Well keep it simple for sure. But also maybe a bit funky.
I would have loved this stroller blanket from Cici Crib's online shop.
Or maybe this elephant bookend..
Or this cool clock made from bicycle parts...
Or go out on a limb and get this vintage aluminum diver helmet container, that could be used to great store little toys...
So don't be afraid or nervous about buying the perfect baby gift if you have never seen the nursery, there are lots of clues to help you pick a fantastic gift!
See you..
Christina
Lots of decorating ideas for boys and girls rooms down in Highpoint. Most of my vendors aren't necessarily focused on children. It doesn't really matter as long as the design is cool and the furniture is relatively sturdy. For a very little boy who is a little gentleman, this dresser is lacqured and lined with linen. The knobs are a play on the US coat of arms.
Simple, modern bookshelf that is actually well made and not Ikea. Great kids storage.
Always interesting art for kids rooms. Love these vintage photos for a boy's bedroom..
Hand painted animals done on book covers. Nice art for baby's nursery.
Great fashion photos for an Audrey Hepburn inspired tween bedroom. They come in really large sizes as well.
Accessories that would fit with the art. Love this reasonably priced mirror for a girl's bedroom
Industrial looking mirror..
Lots of lamps..
This lamp is just right for a little girl's room that I am working on now.
Cool vintage baseball lamp.
This lamp will go into a transitional boy's bedroom inspired by everything nautical.
We ended our day at a children's furniture vendor that carried little beds for dolls as well. They made special doll bedding as part of the display for market. Oh so cute and inviting.
A perfect spot for American Girl to lay her head...
See you...
Christina
Just got back from Highpoint with loads of ideas. What I noticed most about the vignettes created by vendors was the use of color. Whether it is a traditional room, casual room, kids room or adult- all I saw was ORANGE!
We started out our day at a seminar on trends. One interesting concept was proportion and scale. By the end of next year we will see more oddly, but interesting plays on the sizing of furniture and accessories. I just love this look. We started seeing it at market this fall.
Notice the huge urn on the small sidetable.
The floor lamp with the jolly green giant's shade and skinny base sits next to a standard size sofa.
The paisley print is enormous on this 6'x9' rug.
The tassle on steriods hanging from light fixture.
Check out the pulls!
This market wicker and natural fibers are making a comeback in furniture.
What great fun! If you are interested in purchasing any of these great new items, shoot me an email!
See you...
Christina
It's always exciting to bring in new products into the shop. I love vintage. I love modern. So bringing in some new items that will make a baby's nursery special gives us a nice little boost of joy. We recently brought in Dwell Studio for their clean modern sense of design and quality construction. I love this little orange bus bookshelf. Click on item- to purchase in Cici Crib's online shop.
Picture frames can make great baby gifts!
Another great selling toy from Dwell Studio is their soft blocks.
From flowers to city skylines, I love their baby blankets and bibs.
I will be heading out this weekend to check out all that's new in the design world down in Highpoint, NC. So look forward to seeing more decor in the shop as well..
See you..
Christina
This weekend a walking tour of artist's studios and galleries is being organized by Casa Frela Gallery. A very inspiring artist, Fumiko Toda is one of the eighty artists participating in this weekend's walk.
A client and I visited her tiny studio in a typical Harlem brownstone this year. Though very small, Fumiko keeps her space very well organized and welcoming.
Her work is intricate with subtle layers of color and delicate details. Her fascination with insects, evident throughout her work, began as a child in Japan. Fumiko is as whimsical as her work, lovely and waif-like, she is happiest in her studio.
Although the piece was not yet complete, we loved it. It was inspired by a road trip to Spain she took with her boyfriend. When finished it found a home in my clients sunny foyer...
If you have a chance check out the art walk!
See you...
Christina
We are moving things out to make way for all the new items coming into Cici Crib. We have been furiously rearranging the shop. Lots of work and lots of fun! So if you are around stop in for our sale that is going on now!
Lot's of new items are trickling in. Great blankets made in the USA from a local company called In2green! All are recycled cotton, great modern look and perfect size for babies and children. A sampling..
See you...
Christina
Baby J was just born last week. Her bedding was ready at the shop for her. Her crib was this great design which will be available at Cici Crib in November.
The walls and glider fabric in Baby J's nursery is a calming gray. The only pop was in the baby's bedding which was a snappy raspberry pink.
Custom bumper and blanket by Bebe Chic and the gray square crib sheet is by Stamattina.
Pink and gray is such truly a pleasing combination. I was checking out Pinterest this morning and found many inspirational pics. You can get lost in Pinterest...
See you...
It's that time of the year. Why not use geography class as inspiration for decorating! Love this magical light fixture by Benoit Vieubled
Nursery by Benedict August.
Photo from House Beautiful.
Bedroom with paper from Majesty Maps & Prints
Images from book by inspiring decorating book by Susanna Salk called Room for Children.
Large map makes an easy statement in a play room.
And then there are globe collections... Images from Apartment Therapy.
Back to late nights studying hard..
See you..
Christina
We are finishing a baby's nursery inspired by beach cabanas! Oh Summer is leaving us!
The room is very light and airy. We chose window treatments that were very similar to these.
We used this fresh Newport Cottages crib. The fabric panels on either side of the crib can be covered in any fabric of our choice and are completely removable for reupholstery.
We chose this striped fabric for the panels in the crib.
We chose this bookshelf from Newport. It was painted white on the outside. The inside back wall was painted aqua.
A nice accessory for the bookshelf would be this cute frame from Cici Crib .
For the bedding we did a cute crib skirt, fitted sheet and toddler blanket. The skirt is a seersucker orange with a fine wale cordoroy border.The fitted sheet is an aqua dot. Instead of a bumper we accessorized with a toddler blanket has the same outer fabric as the skirt, but lined with super soft minky. All custom made by Bebe Chic.
This area rug would look nice.
I would love to finish off the nursery with this piece of art. Framed in weathered driftwood, it is just perfect.
Happy Summer!
Oh just a note that Wee Westchester did a great little post about us on their very cool blog. Thanks Wee Westchester!
See you...
Christina
My go to place to shop for baby gifts and decor is the New York International Gift Fair. The summer fair is far more laid back. New products are less common, as vendors are gearing up for 2013 launches. As I become more of a veteran to this show, vendors will ask my opinion on new products they want to launch for the upcoming year. It's always a lively discussion. From fashion trends to industry practices, nursery decor changes constantly. I was a definite go on this new 2013 artwork..
Color is always big at the show..
Great chevron chair for a girl's bedroom!
Some more art that will be coming into the shop in the coming weeks.
I purchased this piece because it reminds me of a client whose nursery we are working on in NYC.
I loved this little piece as well..
I love the booth of Kevin Obrien. His throws and pillows are so luxurious and special. From the remnants, he hand makes these special stuffed animals.
A visit with very busy mice..
Italian storage!
My day ended sitting on these tree stumps. Made in Italy, each are crocheted. Very comfortable. Could be a great footstool or ottoman in a baby's nursery. Yes they will be coming into Cici Crib!
See you..
Christina
I look back on some pics that really are just nice little moments of our time in London and Dublin. A gardener at Windsor Castle.
A royal kitty at Kensington Palace.
A tennis party in Chelsea..
An ice cream truck...
A tunnel where graffiti is allowed! The images change by the day.
One of our favorite pubs
Love the turnip and apple soup..
Outside Jonathan Adler
Simplicity at Kensington Palace
A theater entrance in Chelsea.
Our Sunday bike tour through the secret places of London
The shop where Harry Potter bought first wand..
Matisse at the Tate.
Outside of Dublin
Best coffee on our entire trip was at Butlers Chocolate Cafe in Dublin.
Our last family vacation before our oldest is off to college...
See you..
Christina
Going to Europe with two teenage boys, leaves little time to check out baby decor shops. I focused on one area in Chelsea and found 3 shops that really had similar sensibilities. They reminded me a little of the Cici Crib that I first opened. Focused on baby, sweet, soft and very child like in a good way. Much of my shop changes with people's tastes and needs. Longevity, budget and contemporary tastes have changed our vision of a nursery. I like the change, but when I visit these shops there is a very comfortable feeling that reminds me of my childhood. The first shop I visited was Blue Almonds.
I loved the entrance floor mat. Maybe I should do something like this at Cici Crib.
Notice how the bumpers go half way around the crib.
They had many products from a Spanish Co. called Pasito a Pasito. Unfortunately, they don't import to the US.
A shop almost next door was called Nursery Window. It has been opened for 15 years. They carry signature prints for both clothing and decorating. In recent years, the baby clothing segment has shown the most growth.
Notice the slip covered counter.
The last shop I visited was right down the street, called Dragons of Walton Street. Their specialty is hand painted furniture and accessories for both baby's nursery as well as children's rooms.
I couldn't resist taking a picture of a fantastic dollhouse in the shop...
See you...
Christina
I really like the English interpretation of mixing modern with traditional. Like their architecture, there is always something to ground us in the traditional elements. The Shard is London's newest building. Really quite cool. At first glance it seemed like it wasn't completed. I told my son it looked like a shard of glass. Later to find out- it's given name.
I visited the William Yeoward shop. Unfortunately, like most London shops, they politely requested me not to take photos. Such a shame. So much inspiration. I still got a few in before the the camera case was closed.
Not modern, but certainly not 100% traditional. Notice the trims and patterns. The details are so thoughtfully executed. Just pure cool British style.
We went for High Tea at the Athenaeum Hotel. Named best afternoon tea in 2012 by the UK Tea Council, it was definitely one of our favorite memories. So completely elegant. Again notice the finishing touches. The trims, the welting, the buttons.. Oh and the handsome boys..
The Conran's shop is so different than the shop at ABC Carpet in NYC. So quiet and understated...
Yes, I can see why the weather would get you down. Enter the Designer's Guild for perking up your mood..
They were having a fantastic summer sale!
Designer's Guild Children's decor..
Next up the baby shops..
See you..
Christina
Ducduc and their sister company, The New Traditionalist, has revamped their finishes for their children's line of furniture. Once a custom request, now a standard option, colorful finishes are offered on their cribs, changers and children's bedroom furniture. The range of choices makes decorating a baby's nursery or a child's bedroom a colorful experience! I visited the showroom in NYC to check out their new offerings..
A sneak peak at the new catalog..
A great twist on a traditional changer/dresser...
Modern cribs get more color..
A simple kids desk..
Love this transitional crib...
More color for a baby's changer...
See you...
Christina
London is the center of attention right now! Queens Jubilee, the Olympics and the Doherty trip celebrating our son's graduation. We made our plans to go to London during one of those really dark days in February. I never really thought about London in the context of the Summer events. Wow, now I realize how sparkling it will be at the beginning of July. British style is all the rage! London is the" it" city. This week I started working on a little girl's bedroom, that will celebrate one of England's finest home decor exports, wallpaper. We will use this English wallpaper below with the pretty pink flowers. Interestingly, we would like to mix in some contemporary pieces which I think would look great with this paper.
I love how the British mix their patterns and use wallpaper as a staple in rooms.
Designers Guild is always over the top with layering of patterns from ceiling to floor.
Betsy Johnson from Elle Decor UK.
Other British bedrooms...
Celebrate British Style!
See you,
Christina
Spend some time in the garden. Have a picnic. Tell your mom how much she means to you. Enjoy the family!
Happy Mother's Day!
See you...
Christina
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