Where I've been...

{Jack of Fox 5 filming the 'before' in my DC Design House Room, photo by Sherry Moeller}

Wow. 
We just got home from a crazy weekend/ week in California.   After a great Bare Bones Tour at the showhouse in DC on Saturday (pic above), I hopped onto the plane with my husband, Dave, and 3-year-old, Christian, to LA.  We got in late that night and rented a car and drove to Disneyland. 

The actual purpose behind our trip was the Design Blogger's Conference but we were able to sneak Disney in on Sunday, which was awesome. 

{Breakfast = Room Service}

I looooove staying in hotels and it's been a while.  I think room service might be my favorite part.  {Once when Dave & I were first married, we brought our card table to our bedroom and put a tablecloth on it with yummy food and pretended we were getting room service.  hahah I know how sad that sounds but it really was great and this reminds me that I want to do it again.}

I loved our first hotel in California, which was the Hyatt by Disneyland.  The view was awesome and because of the 3-hour time difference, we got to see the sunrise: 



I haven't been to Disney since I was a kid and I don't think I've ever been to Disneyland before. (Just "World.")  It was so pretty!  I picked up a new camera at the Target there because my massive camera is tough to carry around and whip out at a moment's notice.  We've been meaning to get a tiny one for a while and I'm so glad we did. 

Soooo... I went a little picture crazy.  Definitely annoying.  I took pics of everything:


{Castle Pond}


{Two ducks in the pond...  it looked like they were kissing when I clicked the button, but I guess I was too slow for her.}


{Christian on the shuttle to Disneyland... Wondering what in the world this "Disneyland" we'd been hyping up actually was.}

loved this one:

{the teacups}

I loved being around all of the green.  Everything's dead at home and getting a dose of color just felt so good on the soul.


I am officially dying for Spring.


Want some of these bad boys lining our property:



And I had to take this pic of It's a Small World:



The Haunted Mansion has always been my favorite:



I caught a glimpse of the Evil Stepmother peeking out from the curtains:


{kind of spooky}

And I was crazy over the tour through Sleeping Beauty's Castle.  I loved it!!


After Disneyland, we headed to LA to the Sofitel for the Design Blogger's Conference.  Christian ended up getting 2 really bad ear infections and we spent an afternoon at the medi-merge (he was balling/ screaming.. have never seen him like that) so I did miss a bit, but I can't wait to share the good stuff I did get to hear/see. 
For now though, I'm off to bed and will be sure to share details as soon as I can get a bit caught up around here.   I met a lot of amazing women and it was so nice to be around people who get this whole blogging thing.

Before I run, here's a peek at my design board for the DC Design House Room: 


Shocking, I know, but I went with greens.  Since this is really the first time I've ever gotten the chance to design with no real budget contraints and no client, I really wanted to do the space almost as if it were my own.  I have imaginary clients in mind with this space, and if I had to describe them, I'd say they're an older thoughtful couple who loves to both travel and be at home.  They've collected interesting pieces & objects over the years and I gave them my personal design aesthetic.  (Hence, the green and tradtional-vintage-modern mix)  I envisioned the room as a "hideaway" room in the upstairs of the massive Tudor home.  It's the place where people can go to get away from everything: read a book, take a nap, write, blog, etc ;) ;)  I like to imagine that anyone stumbling into this room would feel like they could use it as their own.  I would have loved exploring the house as a kid and I can imagine a child laying on the window seat, reading a book and wondering about the paintings on the walls.  I wish I had this getaway room in my house. 
And finally, thanks to everyone who sent me Disney advice... we took it and it was perfect!!

xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

32 comments:

Kathysue said...

Lauren I would say you had a perfect weekend and you got to go to the blog conference to boot!!! So glad you had an amazing time and I could tell Christian was having a wonderful time. Love your design board, green is a fav. of mine and I could totally live with what I see so far. Can't wait to see the reveal, thanks for taking us along for the ride!!! Kathysue

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Lauren...spent this evening catching up on magazines stacked a mile high from last fall!
Came across your home in Better Homes and Gardens...such a sweet surprise.
Charming home and stunning family...
Your livin the dream sweetie!
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Vanessa@decor happy said...

Yes, must get to Disney! Sounds like you had an amazing time. Your design board is brilliant! Look forward to seeing it come together as well as reading your Design Blogger Conference post. I read all of the tweets so I feel like I was there.

Unknown said...

Disneyland is a must when you're out her in California. Sorry to here your wee one got two ear infections. Bummer.
looks like you have a lot of cool projects going on. congrats.

Maria said...

lovely images! I'm going with my kids next month to Disneyland Paris. Hope, the spring too :-) lovely greetings

http://design-elements-blog.com/

pve design said...

I love how you juggle it all so graciously.
Hope you all are home safe and all healthy.
pve

SisterBatik said...

Incroyable! I always love reading your posts.

Disneyland looked alot of fun for you all.

Really loved your design room mood board and how you took us through your thought process - thanks.

debra @ 5th and state said...

hi lauren!
looks like a great time, less infections, and that christian is so so cute. he photographs so well. you could enter him in the ralph lauren children contest.

can't wait to hear about the conference and see your finished room....LOVE the design board
xx
debra

A Perfect Gray said...

lovely post with a great mix of personal plus design. you're so good at that, lauren. your shot of the 'room service' table actually made me cry a little, remembering how special all that was when my (now 16 year old) son was little and we did all that. wonderful memories...

I really enjoy your blog and your personal touches...

love, donna

bryn alexandra said...

Awesome Lauren!! Looks like things are going really great and I'm so excited for you!

JenV said...

I think it's your line of fabrics I spy on the board and they're gorgeous!!

Lauren@BaylorSays... said...

So much fun! Glad you had a great time! We live 2 hours from "World" and can never seem to get up there.

I'm so glad you're doing green. It's you, it's what you seem to do best, and selfishly, I'm doing green in our Master Bed redo and can't wait to get inspiration from your ideas.

Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} said...

Awww...poor little guy! Here's to a super speedy recovery! Other than that, the weekend sounds like a great one...can't wait to hear more about the conference!

Unknown said...

Lauren,
So fun to see this trip through your eyes. And, so happy Christian was able to enjoy it before he got the ear infections. We've been through that a lot with our boys.

Was following all the tweets from the DBC...and can't wait to get your take on things. It looked like an incredible gathering!

Welcome home.
xo elizabeth

Windlost said...

Lauren, so glad you had a fun trip and sorry to hear Christian was sick. Your board for the room is GORGEOUS. xo Terri

Cassandra said...

Such a fan of your design! Can't get going without some inspiration from your blog each day :) Looking forward to seeing the showhouse reveal. The glimpses I've gotten look AMAZING!
Great Disney pics too. I've also been looking for a good small camera. If you get a chance, could you let me know which one you bought? cassandragallen@gmail.com

kayce hughes said...

Can't wait to hear about the conference. Your board looks beautiful!

daninotes said...

So fun to have a project and no budget :) Can't wait to see the room.

Weekend sounded wonderful, minus the dr.

Tracy F. said...

Your little boy is precious! He looks like a cherub!

Anonymous said...

So, so happy you had a nice trip - sans the double ear infection. Am anxiously awaiting the showhouse room transformation. Your design board is brilliant! R

Valerie Wills Interiors said...

Love your design board - it looks fabulous. Cannot wait to see the finished room.

Jess said...

love the pics of your vacation, hope you had a lovely family trip. and can't wait to see the room, your inspiration board is filling up!

laxsupermom said...

So sorry to hear about your little one. Ear infections are no fun. The last time we were at Disneyland, I was pregnant with my little one. Love your pics! We need to get back there someday soon.

Love the moodboard! It looks like a very comfortable room. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I'm really excited to see how the room turns out. I love Fig Leaf, and your work never fails to disappoint.

LiveLikeYou said...

All parents have to do Disneyland! I barely survived it in the heat. LOVE your design board - greens and black and natural materials. Can't wait to see!!

Erin {House of Turquoise} said...

It was so great finally meeting you "in real life" at the conference! Definitely a highlight!

Ok that room service thing with the card table in the bedroom is an awesome idea. I'm so going to do that!

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

Love your design board,
I truly think that the card table in your room to "pretend room service" is far from sad and so super romantic. You are blessed to have a guy that will participate in that sort of childlike, wonderful, grown-up play.

Jessica Wrasman said...

Your design board is amazing. How fun!

I'm from the Disneyland area :), so this is all familiar to me and you captured the photos of Disneyland in a gorgeous way!

Best wishes to you as you finish up the design house!

Jessica from The Heart of Home
www.jessicawrasman.blogspot.com

Benny said...

Thanks for inspiration!

pool designs photos

Unknown said...

Lauren- I grew up in Southern California and went to Disneyland every year of my childhood. As an adult living in Portland, Oregon, I try to go every chance I get. I'm 44 years old and I still get super excited every time we go! It is the happiest place on earth, I know it, I've lived it and I believe! Heading there in a few weeks over our spring break between sunning ourselves in Palm Springs. So glad to see your little guy having such a great time!

tarheel said...

Lauren, I loved seeing your design board and your Disney pictures, but honestly, my absolute favorite part of this post is your pretend room service on the card table in your room. You are a lovely, down to earth person.

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