living with kids | Holly Mathis Interiors

living with kids

May1
49 Comments
My Boys’ bedroom
Posted in: bedrooms, children, living with kids
Its a long story but my boys {age 6 and 22 months} share a 9 x 10 room because I am too protective to let them sleep upstairs where there is more room..i am weird like that! And {knock on wood} its working, its actually very convenient to have all of their clothes and sleepin area and one spot and most toys upstairs. What is really funny is that before i could fully blog the room, i already changed it! I have painted one wall with vintage green chalkboard paint, changed the art over the crib a zillion times including wallpapering a map on the wall, and repainted the frame around the rhino. and have already changed out the dresser! Here are some more photos..see if you can follow!
The crib and bed are both white which i think helps with the small space. The walls are Laura Ashley STONE 2 from Lowes, they have been repainted this same color three times over the years!
BEFORE: BLACK CHALKBOARD DRESSER
This shot shows the short cowboy drapes (this fabric is discontinued sorry to say)..i love the length and you notice the rain boots are sitting on a black chalkboard dresser..it is now gone for the gray dresser that WAS in the dining room before the piano arrived!
AFTER: GRAY DRESSER!

{photography of my boys was done by Feather Nest Photography..thanks Allison..and the canvas were made by Color Inc..amazing job! we love them!}
I like the gray dresser better but wish it was larger! And after all you can’t have a black chalkboard dress and a green chalkboard wall right..too much chalkboard paint for even me! right? and i used the chalk marker and it wouldn’t erase anyway…a good reminder to season it correctly!
So the BLACK chalkboard dresser is in the attic awaiting its next mission in life and the gray dresser is being used until i find something longer and the wall is now chalk..follow that? ha!
Not styled. You can’t really see it here but there is a giant linen board leaning above the dresser to display schoolwork etc…
above the crib early in process
Cute monogram art from Small Words but my little man child kept pulling it off the wall!
SO now it is chalkboard paint..i used the cottage living recipe from their idea house (see it posted here on the Lettered Cottage blog!) BUT the Dutch boy color Dry Basil did not work for me… I used Martha’s Saguaro green paint color and just added grout! works perfect..its the perfect old school look! And i used dustless chalk don’t worry!
The baby blanket has also been altered since its beginning.remember the dahlia print, now it has been resurfaced in Thomas Paul’s OCEANIA fabric…this is a great fabric for boys..it has turtles, octopus, crab, etc…so fun! The cribskirt is from a twin sheet set i bought at target..i use the fitted sheet on Drew’s bed and used the flat to make (and by that i mean have someone else make) a cribskirt..i love it!
The mobile is from Spare Bedroom Studio and i love that the bookpage birds mirror the bookpage decoupaged rhino over Drew’s bed!
I love how this finally turned out…i tried the wallpaper map and he picked at it and it was too busy visually..i think the chalkboard wall will grow with the boys much better than the map though i still love the look.
You can see here where i used the other part of the sheet set on Drew’s bed..i hot glued burlap to the box spring to cover it!
oh yes i did!
And honestly i didn’t know how well this collage on the wall would “wear” but it hasn’t been knocked off….yet!
Its driving me nuts i don’t have a better photo to show y’all of the frame around the rhino painted a muddy FARROW AND BALL sample pot color (Charleston gray) Finally a use for the zillion sample pots of paint i have collected..use them to paint frames and other knick knacks that need “tweaking!”
So can you see the difference? its a fuzzy photo but the rhino frame looks so much better the greige color than the sick yellow don’t you agree? This may be confusing but illustrates how it really takes time and effort to get a room just right, or at least close enough you can live with it!..sometimes you have to repaint frames, and walls and change out dressers before things work! The details drive me crazy but make it work too!
Last but not least the light! I used a pendant from Barn light electric and it looks so boyish and just completes the eclectic vibe i wanted to go with…they have such a great selection and help you get exactly what you need to fit your space and install!
So there it is….imperfect, poorly photographed but lovingly executed and highly “used” by two rowdy boys…and all close in location so their mama can check on them in the night!
Apr6
17 Comments
Henry is GROWING
Posted in: baby boy, family, living with kids
My baby is growing so fast..he is hardly a baby..so rough and tumble. I can’t believe he will be 21 months next week!
Here are just a few pictures to show you, ha!..we did a little photo shoot in the backyard yesterday..this is not his usual attire..i was going through big brother’s easter/sunday clothes to see what fits..uhhh not much as you can tell if you notice the legs on his jon-jon. I have a picture of Drew in this linen sailor suit at the same age.. sigh, my cup runneth over!
I will be honest, motherhood is a challenge for me. I love my boys and my family but two boys is a lot of chaos for me..We have a lot going on as you do! And I fight selfishness and exhaustion and lack of patience, often.
But they are so special. It’s pretty amazing to watch them grow and develop. And we are changing too. God is refining our family and making us more dependent on Him.
Download these wonderful little cards here as a reminder. Thanks Emily for sharing these!
And remember its not all linen suits and smocking everyday, anywhere…but there is joy in the little moments..so thankful i have been catching those more lately.
Mar18
8 Comments
Spring break date
Posted in: baby boy, family, living with kids
We didn’t have a very exciting spring break at our house. But Mr Andrew was quite a sport about it. I guess when you are six you don’t have huge expectations. I had a sinus infection and we just stayed home a lot. But we did go to the Lego store and you know what? He was totally satisified. Best spring break ever in his book. I was sort of dreading the trip the mall with my 6 year old. Sad to say but true. But it wasn’t that crowded the day we went and he was such a gentleman, he “let” me go in some “beauty shops” (that is what he calls all “mama stores”) and was very enthusiastic about it all. We rode the escalators a few times and he was satisified! Who needs Disneyworld..just a few hours at the Galleria!
Mar3
13 Comments
coffee + pillows and cranky email
Posted in: favorite things, good shopping, living with kids
Three of my favorite things..coffee, pillows and email!
Well my email is a bit cranky SO IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY FROM ME ON SOMETHING I APOLOGIZE, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT HERE OR FACEBOOK OR TWITTER. In the meantime, I am so excited about MAKE‘s new pillows using coffee bags via local Texas coffee co,
Independence Coffee Company!
Michelle will have pricing and info up soon here…they will be $55 with the option of down or poly inserts or none and 22″ inches standard with possibly a custom option of LARGER..the best thing is they are trimmed out in lovely white linen.. and Michelle is a pro at how she does the welting..she gets it spot on each time! If you want to get on the list email her at
makeslipcoverstx {at} gmail {dot} com
I so wish I had posted this YESTERDAY…March 2nd which is Texas Independence Day! Drew has to give a little talk on the Alamo tomorrow… so in honor of that, a photo from our Alamo visit last year…
Pillows, email, coffee and little boys..that is my life! Gotta love it!
Happy Weekend!
Feb3
22 Comments
Random post + i’m a girl
Posted in: good shopping, Inspiration, living with kids
This is just a random post. I don’t plan out posts like real bloggers..i just sit down and post whatever..today it is COLD, even in Texas so we are focusing on keeping warm and i Just wanted to check in…
and well. the little one has been sick again and is having tonsils out soon. Even the big boy has been sick. Pray for us..nothing major just having little kids, you know the cycle..and i do love having them in jammies all day and snuggling.
Our washer is frozen up I’m afraid..yes our washroom is on our backporch in a closet i thought was brilliant to build, now not so sure, fine in summer, not fine right now. Not whiney just sayin.
Henry says “ok” over and over now. so funny. except when he is sick and then it is pitiful.
Drew wants me to stop blogging and print a batman poster for him..and he is reading this and wonders why I am blogging about him..Now he wants me to get my camera and take some photos of his soldiers for yall because if i am doing a post about him he wants it done correctly.
Meanwhile,
i am just going to share some eye candy…and chatter. about girl stuff.
because I am a girl.
even though i live with all boys.
and i do love this photo from the English Muffin blog!..it reminds me of my friend Lynsey who just had her FOURTH girl…congratulations Kramer family!
speaking of girly,
i keep seeing the greatest pillows..these below are from Marks and Spencer..i saw them on someone’s blog…not sure who?? aren’t they amazing?!

Drew recognzies the “England pillow” but thinks this is all way too girly.
Reminding him that mama is a girl.
I want this Sara Groves cd…i loved her Conversations cd back in the day!
And that is all I know, random I warned you.
..hope everyone is staying safe and warm!
Jan21
20 Comments
Client before & after
Posted in: clients, living rooms, living with kids
I am going to be intentional about sharing more before and afters this year. Just remember my clients take these photos (y’all do a great job no dig intended) and do the styling. Again no offense to my clients, most have great taste and skills but sometimes it KILLS me to not be able to reach into a photo and tweak the placement of a chair and lamp. (In fact, I am seeing by studying these photos we might rearrange lamps one more time for more balance) Oh well, the frustration AND beauty of online design..it works!
So, Angela has a young family and active life and wanted to spiff (that is my new word) up her living room but keep it practical at the same time.
Here is before

and AFTER
We left the wall color and kept the neutral sofa the same but added lots of various pops of color. The colorful sofa pillows are from Pier One!
I love the parsons desk she already had…she simply made her own linen pinboard and added a few organizational accessories.
She found the sidetable at the Salvation Army and I suggested the fun blue color and fresh lamps. The typesetter art is from Pottery Barn you probably recognize. On the other side of the room, the toy storage is from Land of Nod and baskets from Nell Hills online shop! She already had the leather chair and photography! The vine slipper chair is from Target.com We simply added fresh white drapes and new rods to freshen the windows.
Angela’s living room really illustrates how a little color and organization can really make a room both function for a young family and be pretty! I love how she can work at her desk while the kids play with toys in the same room. Another look at her pinboard and desk area (before it was styled and finished but I want you to see it closeup) Angela said she used her finger to space out the nailheads. Very clever (though i admit this project still scares ME personally..but she pulled it off!)
Thanks for looking and thanks Angela for being a great client…
I enjoyed helping with your home so much!
CHECK BACK MONDAY TO SEE THE DESIGN IDEAS I HAVE PUT TOGETHER FOR THE WINNER OF THE CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY…can’t wait to show you and introduce you to KATIE!
Jan19
27 Comments
On the map
Posted in: art, favorite things, living with kids
We all love a map. In fact, i bought a nice yellow one off of ebay a few years back…its of London, the Thames is nice and blue..very graphic. Very large, it was cheap. Perfect thing for the boys room. BUT. I. CANT. FIND. IT. IN MY HOUSE!…it’s neatly folded SOMEWHERE! But where? It would be perfect decoupaged (hope my husband isn’t reading this) to the wall behind Henry’s crib. Until I find it, I am swooning over these images.
{from Ballard Designs}
so retro but not cheap..it is gallery wrapped…
{from Design Mom}
I love how this one extends behind the bookcase..i would love for mine to go behind the crib a bit like this…
{Design*sponge via Little Green Notebook}
love that stripey rug too!
Well, in the meantime I think I will try these from Kate’s Paperie..yep they are the $4 Cavallini papers! Perfect for this project because its possible one might get a little wear. In fact, y’all have any suggestions for what to adhere these to the wall with ..i am not above wallpaper paste of some kind! Although the prudent thing to do might be to decoupage them to a huge canvas but again the toddler issue.
Henry will be ready to travel NYC, London and Paris before he even starts pre-school..assuming he doesn’t tear them off of the wall!
Who am I kidding..he may be out of the crib before this project is finished!
Dec30
28 Comments
Sneak peek: my boys are sharing a room!
Posted in: children, living with kids
For over a month, my little boys (ages 18 months & 6 years) have been sharing a room.. a small room and it has been working…knock on wood.
Some of you may remember, I had much angst over how to rearrange our rooms to fit out needs and i had reservations about putting our six year old upstairs alone at the top of our steep stairs, secluded from the rest of the house and our master. So i began to think and pray about them sharing a room for sleeping. I even blogged about it here. And then I started the longgg process. We put all of his toys upstairs and eventually put both boys in the nursery. Of course we had to “de-baby” the room so big brother would be happy..this was sad because i had decorated thenursery for henry less than two years ago but drapes and other things went to fave clients and the changes began..
First the awnings came down….
then the chandelier had to go . . .
replaced with this from Barn Light Electric.
and of course the organic (my code word for flora) thomas paul and trellis fabrics had to go . . . replaced with COWBOYS, thomas paul ANIMAL fabric, and geometric sheets on both beds (out of one twin set from target i made a new cribskirt for henry and have a flat sheet for drew’s twin and cases for both, standard and mini)….and lots of soldiers, big brother’s artwork and various animals BOTH boys can enjoy!
and we love it ..just a crib and twin bed..tiny dresser for everyday clothes..other clothes are stored upstairs and jammies in the bathroom..wall color and rug stayed the same..tweaked crib bedding and added new drapes and light and voila!
Its working..for now. . . a year maybe two or until big brother is ready to be upstairs alone ALL NIGHT and mama has total peace about the move..overprotective yes but we are all sleeping well and that counts for something!
Still putting final touches on and hope to have more photos soon if interested (i will share more sources then)…thanks for looking and for sharing with me about your experiences with bunking children in the same room!
Dec21
25 Comments
Christmas Around Our Home Part II
Posted in: Christmas, home, living with kids
Part II…I still haven’t taken good photos of the dining room and kitchen changes but the drapes are finally up..here is a peek… I love the colorful fabric (Waggamann by Braemore) so much more than I initially expected.
I did shorter drapes on one end of the room and full length on the french doors.
In the meantime there is lots of wrapping going on as I am sure you are doing too! scraps of burlap work great for big toys.
Y’all know i love plain kraft paper but i also found this kraft below with a colorful vine design (at target!) and it reminds me of the famous orla keily print..love it..wish i could have scored more than one roll…and of course one more book page creation. This one is for Henry..he will have a blast tearing into it.
Something else I dont want to forget from this year, placecards Drew made for a family dinner. Simple but sweet.
and finally our tree, i never finished adding the wood in the firebox or the fourth stocking (it might come tomorrow) but Henry has already started undecorating the tree so there is not much point;;..on to grocery lists now right?!
Last but not least, these toile drapes probably need to be replaced but I sure do enjoy them at Christmas, along with that huge botantical in the back, i have had it for years but never really used it..enjoying it this year…
But nothing is more exhausting or more fun than this little elf…wheww! Into. Everything. But so cute we can hardly stand it.
Merry Merry!
Nov19
20 Comments
Boat decorating
Posted in: living with kids
No, this is not where I show you photos of someone’s yacht i just decorated, i know you are surprised…ha! Nope this is where i beg you to help me figure out how to attach straws and sails to these little boats for a thanksgiving party! Yep that is right, i am coordinating the party for Drew’s class, it’s on TUESDAY! Uhhh, i thought i had another week?! nope, time to get busy.
I have all of the supplies, I think. My friend Tessa told me about these cute little boats at Garnish and I thought “oh how cute i can do a zillion things with those” well now it is time to produce. I thought originally I would cover them with book pages to look like the little cute graphics on Noggin, I mean cant you see Zee and Moose taking a sail in a boat like this covered in book print. Well i could but no way this is happening now, i will do good to get the sails precut so the kids can decorate their sails and attach. I did buy thankful cards they can attach if they dont want to color the sails. I am hoping the sail (paper with slits) can just slide down over the straw. BUT HOW TO ATTACH THE STRAW TO THE BOAT? A small hole and dab of hot glue perhaps??
The boats are a thin bamboo and all kidding aside they really are darling. I thought it would be cute to put their snacks in the boat but there may not be enough room so maybe just some candy corn (or any other milk and peanut free candy you can think of);; The little tags are from Paper Source.

Thanks for any help! Isn’t being a mom both fun AND terrifying?