One of the questions I get asked about frequently is where to buy hardware. From cabinets to door knobs to towel hooks and beyond, hardware is something you may already know I’m obsessed with. It really is the jewelry of a space and I don’t believe they should be an afterthought.

I had a realization that designing your home is significantly easier if you have the right sources on hand. Trades and suppliers, of course (necessary!) but also just knowing where to shop can help tremendously.

There’s a lot of gatekeeping in the interior design world, but I’ve always been of the belief that there’s more than enough to go around. That no harm can come from sharing sources. So far, this approach has worked for me really wonderfully. So here we are!

SHOP HARDWARE:

If you’ve been reading for any length of time you may have noticed that my love for Emtek runs deep (you can see where I used em here and here!), but there are many others that I use often that deserve a little air time, too. In light of sharing insider “secrets”, this is where to buy cabinet hardware (and beyond). The stuff that’s been designer approved (in my humble opinion, of course).

Photo & Design: The Grit & Polish

Where to Buy Cabinet Hardware

HARDWARE LINKS:

EMTEK | MYOH | ARMAC MARTIN
POTTERY BARN | REJUVENATION | STOFFER HOME
RH | UNION LIGHTING | UPPER CANADA HARDWARE

I’m always on the hunt for new sources and details so if you know where to buy beautiful cabinet hardware (or hardware of any kind, really) I’m all ears!

SHOP hardware

The post Where to Buy Cabinet Hardware appeared first on Lark & Linen Interior Design and Lifestyle Blog.

In case you missed it, I am officially designing my daughter’s “big girl room” (see the design scheme here, if you’d like!) It’s wild. In my mind she is still THIS. But apparently time has other plans (*rude*). And though I intentionally designed her nursery in a way that could grow with her, it never really occurred to me that I would actually be presented with this phase of life. At the time it felt like I was planning for way (way) in the distant-never-going-to-happen future.

RELATED: THE ORIGINAL NURSERY

But alas, here we are three and a half seconds later – seemingly… I won’t lie, I went through a bit of a mourning phase at first, but now I’m pretty darn excited for my girl. She’s been asking to get out of her crib/toddler bed for a while now and it feels so wonderful to make this happen for her. We have made lots of progress on her space since I last updated you.

All of this, however, has had me thinking about something I always do when I’m designing a kids room, but have never really shared. And that is to really make sure I’m designing the space for the long haul.

Trust me, I know firsthand that it’s so tempting to plaster a nursery with baby bunnies and sweet as can be details… But the reality is that these little nuggets grow out of these spaces so quickly. As they say, you blink and you’ll miss it.

So my preferred method of designing a kids room is to make sure those base layers feel timeless and classic. I do so by sourcing items that can really serve them at each phase of life (not just the first). The dresser, the rug, the wall coverings/colour… Once that’s complete I then like to layer in those sickeningly sweet details. Cute art, adorable toss cushions in sweet fabrics, teeny tiny booties, blankets, and meaningful shelf tchotchkes are all fair game here. They’re all things that can effortlessly be switched out later on.

With that in mind, now that my daughter has grown out of her crib we made sure to purchase her a really beautiful “big girl” bed (this one here!) It’s one she will have for the rest of her life, as far as I’m concerned. It was the only furniture item we needed to switch out in order to completely reinvent her space for her. Everything else has remained as is. The update has been so seamless so far.

Layla Grayce, purveyors of some of the most beautiful timeless, classical, furniture pieces, generously gifted our daughter’s bed to us and I’m so wildly grateful. I love that it feels delicate and feminine, but not over the top saccharine. Though I am of course open (and encouraging!) of my daughter discovering her own style, I secretly admit that I love the notion of her taking her childhood bed off to her first home with her. Gah, the romance! And if, down the line, she decides it just isn’t for her I’m no worse for the wear. I mean, this is a piece I already know I’ll love for decades to come – I’m happy to give it a forever home.

We are getting so much closer – I’m excited to get my office back (haha), and for our girl to start enjoying her big girl room in due time.

Thank you to Layla Grayce for partnering with me on my daughter’s bedroom. And thank YOU for supporting my partners <3

The post The One Thing I’m Glad I Did When Designing My Daughter’s Room appeared first on Lark & Linen Interior Design and Lifestyle Blog.

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A question I get asked frequently around here is what the heck do I do with all of my kid’s toys? How to manage kid toys has the potential to be a full time job in and of itself, so I get it. My best advice is to keep it as simple as physically possible. I know that kids come with a lot of stuff (like, a lot of stuff), but I tend to be of the belief that we’re all much happier with fewer better things. I really don’t think that any of us require nearly as much as we’ve been brainwashed into believing. I purge our home regularly, and my daughter’s toys are of no exception. If it doesn’t get used and loved, it finds a new home, period!

Studies have shown that kids actually get overwhelmed with more than 16 toys at their disposal. They are statistically less likely to play for any significant length of time if they have too many things vying for their attention. And I mean, I get it, because – same! So whittling things down regularly is my very best tip for managing kids toys.

RELATED: MY DAUGHTER’S NURSERY REVEAL

We also rotate things often – I store a lot of things in her closet when not in use, and keep out only a few things at a time. Of those items, most of them are tucked into baskets in a way that everything is viewable and accessible for her without having to dig around (I love something like this for that reason – it’s wide and shallow!) Baskets are a very good friend of mine around here, let me tell you.

Another tip, for when you have the choice, try to grab the cute toys. I mean, it’s definitely not make it or break it, and we are no stranger to big ugly plastic things. But when I have the choice I absolutely take it! Tripping over a wooden rainbow somehow hurts a hair less (just me?) The best part of all is that cleaning up at the end of the day is a breeze when there’s fewer things laying around.

Lastly, I remind myself that this is just a season. There will come a day where I miss seeing her little things scattered all over our home, I’m very aware of that. And I do my best to embrace it as much as I can.

With that in mind, I thought it’d also be helpful to share the toys my daughter actually plays with, in case you’re looking for inspiration for yourself. (For reference, my daughter is 3 years old right now).

The Toys My Kid Actually Uses

1. Callico Critters

They’re all so cute and we play with many, but this particular set has kept her occupied the longest (she loves anything that has to do with taking care of babies). She slept with the tiny bunny for a good while when he first came home with us.

2. Wooden Doll House

Classic.

3. Crayola Scribble Scrub Pets

I’m equally entertained by this one. You draw all over the animals with markers and then give them a bath – the colour washes off instantly – it’s great – she loves it!

4. Stuffed Bunny

She sleeps with this one every night

5. Ice Cream Counter Set

I’m a big fan of toys that can grow with her and I know she’ll continue to use this for years to come

6. Miniland Baby Doll

Owning anatomically correct dolls has always been important to me for various reasons – these ones are really cute

7. Dog Figurines

She plays with these constantly – in sensory bins, in her dollhouse, in the bath, with play d’oh… We carry a little pouch with a few of them tucked inside when we travel, go out to dinner… They’re great for imaginary play

8. Doll Bedding {& 15. Doll Bed}

Anything that helps her take care of her babies. This set is particularly cute (I love that it supports a local artist, too).

9. Toy Tea Set

One of her birthday gifts this year. We love having tea parties, but the light up waffle maker in particular is the winner here.

10. Wood Block Set

Another open ended toy that we play with regularly in so many forms. Aside from building towers and bridges, it also allows you to string beads, make a pull-car, a domino trail, it comes with little wooden people… It was designed by child development experts and it’s fantastic.

11. Wooden Rainbow

A great companion to the wood block set above. We build with them a lot. She also likes to turn these into beds for her various small babies/figurines among other things. I’m always amazed at how creative she can get with them. (Bonus: they look really cute on the shelf too).

12. Nursing Kittens Stuffy

I was surprised at how frequently she plays with this one. She’s always taking care of her various babies.

13. Raincloud bath toy

A well-seasoned mom friend of mine gave this to us when my daughter was born. We have quite a few bath toys she can chose from but she ALWAYS picks this one first. I’ve since gifted it to a number of people and for whatever reason they all say the same!

14. Wooden Kitchen Play Set.

Another great open-ended toy that keeps her entertained a ton now and (hopefully) long into the future.

15. Doll Bed

Anything that helps her take care of her babies. This set is particularly cute (I love that it supports a local artist, too).

16. This Toy Subscription

My mom gifted this to us the first year, and we’ were’re lucky to have worked with Loveevery for a couple of years since. They’re designed by child developmental experts, based on Montessori principals, and always open ended. They’re very engaging, keep her busy forever, and take the guess work out of figuring out what she needs to thrive at each stage. Plus they’re so beautifully made and of the highest quality materials. I love them so so much. Worth every penny.

Design: Lark & Linen | Photo: Heidi Lau

TOYS for 3 YEAR OLDS

The post How to Manage Kid Toys (+ A List of The Toys My Daughter Actually Uses) appeared first on Lark & Linen Interior Design and Lifestyle Blog.

When it came to renovating our kitchen, I was originally pretty set on using real marble for our countertops and slab backsplash. I just absolutely love the soul that comes with a natural material that ages and patinas over time. But after some serious contemplation I quickly realized that with a toddler underfoot, and the fact that this isn’t our forever home, we just weren’t in a marble stage of life. (Case in point: the other day my two year old excitedly called me into the kitchen to show me how she had used her ripe, juicy, blueberries to draw “snake trails” all over the counter – ha). When it comes down to it, marble is a porous material that etches and stains quite easily, even if it’s properly honed.

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{“look mama, blueberry snakes!”}

In this case, longevity and resale played a major factor in our decision making. To get that well-patina’d marble look, you simply need years of regular use. Those first few etches hurt and stand out like a sore thumb, but overtime they begin to tell a story. And we simply aren’t planning on sticking around long enough to give our counters the chance to sell said experience.

related: our full kitchen reveal

Thus began the hunt for the best marble counter alternative on the market. I am super picky about this sort of thing but I’m really excited to announce that I’ve found it. As you know I’m not one to gatekeep, so if you’re looking for the best marble counter alternative around it’s none other than Hanstone’s quartz in their Montauk finish.

It has incredible depth, plus just the right amount of veining, in a completely random pattern that’s innate to real marble. It has already tricked just about everyone that has come through our home into thinking it’s the real deal. And because it’s a non porous surface, it has stood up to all toddler related blueberry atrocities (and then some). I just love that it gives the exact marble look that I’m after, without any of the grey hairs.

Going forward, it will be my go-to for all client projects that are faced with the same dilemma – wanting the marble look but not the upkeep or patina. It’s a solution I’m excited to have in my back pocket from here on out.

For all of our kitchen sources (including paint colours), scroll to the bottom of this post.

I want to thank Hanstone for partnering with me on this project. It means the world and it’s an honour to house their products in our home.

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The post The Best Marble Counter Alternative appeared first on Lark & Linen Interior Design and Lifestyle Blog.