Our TeamLauren Hufnagl

Lauren Hufnagl

About Me

Lauren is a writer, DIYer, and Etsy addict living with her family in her tiny work-in-progress home in Pennsylvania. When not blogging, she can usually be found chasing around one very spirited little three-year-old and snuggling her new baby girl.


Latest Stories

11 Ways to Get Rid of Pet Odors
Pets — we love them like family, but let’s face it: we could do without all of the smells that come along with them. From litter boxes to bad breath to just general pet odor, these animal funks can, unfortunately, become the one thing guests remember most about your home, no matter how well decorated it may be. Here are a few of our favorite tips to get rid of pet smells, from the simple to the extreme.
Dec 11, 2023
10 Ways to (Stylishly) Childproof a Fireplace
It’s happened: my five-month-old has started rocking on her hands and knees and I’m well aware of the next logical step — crawling. It’s just about time to start baby-proofing the house. I’ve done it before so it shouldn’t be too difficult, but the one place that we were never able to stylishly address was the fireplace.
Jul 16, 2020
A Compendium of Clever, Creative Ways to Set Up a Shared Kids Room
I don’t know about you, but when I think of a shared kids’ bedroom, my mind immediately goes to two twin beds side by side, or maybe bunk beds. (Or if you’re as unlucky as my sister and I were, a shared full bed. We often daydreamed about building a wall right down the middle of the bed!) If you let yourself start to think outside of the box, there are so many creative solutions to a shared kids’ situation. Here are a few of my favorites from our archives: Short on space?
Mar 11, 2020
30 DIY Projects to Spruce Up Your Kid’s Room on a Budget
Sometimes I come across an adorable kid’s room on Pinterest and get the urge to spruce up my girls’ rooms a bit. Unfortunately money is tight these days and spending money on a new lamp or cute print is just not in the budget. That’s when I usually start getting creative and try to come up with projects that I can complete on the cheap.
Mar 11, 2020
25 Inspiring Ideas: Repurposing Old Toys
So you’ve gone through the toys, sorted them, and chosen some to part with. Now what? You could donate them, do a toy swap, hide them away for a while, or trash them. But another fun idea I’ve come across recently is to repurpose those once-treasured toys. I’ve rounded up twenty-five inspiring ideas for repurposing your little one’s unwanted play things, from the practical to the outrageous and everything in between. 1. Build an island with Lego 2.
Mar 11, 2020
30 Ways to Add Color to Your Kid’s Room Without Painting the Walls
Renters rejoice! We know that you can sometimes feel left out of the color loop because you can’t bust out that paint brush and splash color all over your walls. But fear not – here are 30 fabulous ways to add color to your kids’ rooms (or most any room of the house) without painting the walls: ROW ONE 1. Hang some colorful curtains 2. Paint the bed 3. Use removable wall decals 4. Add colorful seating 5. Add colorful storage baskets ROW TWO 6. Create a colorful book display 7.
Mar 11, 2020
15 Toys You Can Make with Cardboard
I don’t know about you, but my daughter and I start to go a little stir crazy at this time of year. We try to get out as much as possible, but sometimes with these short, cold days we can’t be out for long. I’ve been keeping my eye out for inexpensive do-it-yourself ways to have a little fun indoors. Here are some fun and budget-friendly cardboard creations that are sure to keep your little ones entertained during those final weeks of Winter: Row One: 1.
Feb 28, 2020
Ivy and Marlow’s Charming Vintage Haven
Name: Ivy and Marlow Location: London, United Kingdom Room Size: 13′ x 13′ feet The simple white color palette that forms the base of sisters Ivy and Marlow’s bedroom really highlights the stunning architectural details of this beautiful London home. Wooden accents and colorful textiles add warmth and charm to the space, while the clean-lined furniture and modern accessories keep the room feeling fresh.
Jan 7, 2020
Noah’s Graphic, Modern Abode
Name: Noah (2) Location: Sydney, Australia Room Size: 3.8m x 2.6m With three sons ages 2-12, Simone of Honey & Fizz is an expert at putting together little boys’ rooms. All three of her boys’ rooms are full of graphic patterns, color, and most importantly, fun. Her youngest son, Noah, calls this fantastic space home. Although he has some of his brother’s hand-me-down pieces, one certainly can’t say that his space isn’t special or unique to him.
Oct 31, 2019
Parker’s Cozy & Colorful Nursery
Name: Parker James Location: Olivebridge, New York Room Size: 14′ x 14′ Parker’s nursery combines all of the things that I love — the warmth of wood, clean, bright white walls, and colorful artwork, accents, and accessories. I love that his mom, Dana, was able to fill the space with toys and artwork that are fun and interesting for a small, developing mind, yet the space still feels comfortable for the adults who inhabit it as well.
Aug 29, 2019
Maxwell’s Mix of Old & New
Name: Maxwell Location: Austin, Texas Room Size: 200 square feet My favorite nurseries include a mix of old and new, handmade pieces and family heirlooms. Baby Maxwell’s nursery is a perfect example. With a trendy triangle accent wall, a classic Jenny Lind crib, vintage dresser/changing table, and loads of DIY projects throughout the space, the space feels like it was put together over time rather than lifted from a showroom floor. How would you describe the look and feel of this room?
May 18, 2019
Ruby’s Gem of a Room
Name: Ruby (2)Location: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaRoom Size: 10′ x 12′, 120 sq ft How to make a minimalist nursery still feel fun and inviting? Add color, texture, and a dash of whimsy. That’s exactly what Ruby’s mom, Danielle, did when she designed this space. The clean and simple design lends itself to easy changes as Ruby grows, while the hand woven hemp rug, crocheted pouf, colorful accessories, and wood floors add warmth and character to the space.
May 5, 2019
Olivia Ellen’s Copenhagen Charmer
Name: Olivia Ellen (3)Location: Copenhagen, DenmarkRoom Size: 107 sq ft When your mother is a professional stylist you know you’re going to end up with an amazing room. Rikke Graff Juel designed this space for her daughter, Olivia Ellen, in much the same Scandinavian style as the rest of her home – white walls, plenty of vintage wood pieces combined with fresh modern colors and accessories.
May 5, 2019
Hayden’s Neon & Neutral Nursery
Name (Age): Hayden (12 weeks)Location: Seal Beach, CaliforniaRoom Size: 15′ x 11′ One wouldn’t generally think a room with white walls, furniture, and bedding could ever be called colorful, but add a few pops of neon here and there and what was once a monochromatic space suddenly leaves a very colorful impression. That’s exactly what Andrea decided to do in her littlest one’s nursery.
May 5, 2019
Dylan’s Rustic Meets Modern Space
Name: DylanLocation: Greenbrae, CARoom Size: 10′ x 12′ What to do when the baby you expect to be a girl turns out to be a bouncing baby boy? Call an expert to help you rethink your nursery plans. That’s exactly what happened to this family when they were expecting baby Dylan. The couple had already started decorating the nursery with a backdrop of delicate dragonflies when they found out that the baby they were eagerly anticipating was actually a little boy.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Baby E’s Nursery
When Brooke and Luke found out they were expecting a baby boy, they decided to turn their office into a nursery. The problem was, it felt like more of a “man room” than a little guy’s nursery with its dark, knotty pine walls. So Brooke and Luke decided to roll up their sleeves and work a little magic with primer and paint. It was a lot of work, but the end result is stunning:For more photos and details, check out Brooke’s blog, Life in Bridgetown.Thanks, Brooke!
May 5, 2019
Baby G’s Elegant Gender Neutral Nursery
Name: Baby GLocation: United States When I began planning our baby’s nursery, I knew I wanted a clean, elegant look. My husband and I decided not to find out the gender of our baby before he was born, so we tried to keep everything gender-neutral. The theme of this nursery was inspired by the handmade linen cloud mobile I discovered from an Etsy shop. I wanted a cloud themed nursery, but not to the extent of painting them on the walls.
May 5, 2019
Pippi’s Whimsical Wonderland
Name: Pippi Location: NSW Australia Room Size: 172 sq. feet When I came across the space that Emily had created for her daughter, Pippi, I was instantly smitten by the playful patterns and vibrant colors. Her goal was to create a fun and flamboyant space for her toddler, and I’d say she hit the nail on the head. The room exudes the playfulness and joy of childhood. Read on to learn more about this whimsical wonderland: How would you describe the look and feel of this room?
May 5, 2019
Elke’s Sweet As Honey Space
Name: Elke Location: NSW AustraliaRoom Size: 10×10 square feet After sharing her older daughter Pippi’s space a few months ago, I waited with baited breath to see what amazing space Emily of The Beetleshack was going to come up with for her new baby, and she didn’t disappoint. Inspired by Rebekka Seale’s stamped bumblebee walls, Emily set about getting a similar look with removable wall stickers, and it made the space.
May 5, 2019
Martina and Lola’s Sweet Shared Space
Name: Martina & Lola Location: Madrid, Spain Room Size: 49 square feet When Bea first saw her home, she fell in love with this room – the biggest in the house – and decided to give it to her daughters Martina and Lola. She had always dreamt of a big and bright room for them, and set about filling it with the things they loved – festive garlands on the ceiling, a little seating area for reading bedtime stories, and a lovely light-filled art corner.
May 5, 2019
Sienna’s Graphic Girly Nursery
Name: Sienna Location: Los Angeles, CA Room Size: 13’x12′ The first time I laid eyes on Sienna’s nursery, I was blown away. Jen Campbell, editor of Green Wedding Shoes, wanted a girly nursery that was still modern and fresh. To achieve the look she paired bold, graphic designs with a soft color palette and added a dash of sparkle. The result is a stunning space for her new baby girl. How would you describe the look and feel of this room?
May 4, 2019
5 Strategies to Keep the House Clean (and Your Sanity Intact!) with Young Kids
I don’t know about you, but my kids are not the type to sit and play quietly on their own while I tidy up the house. My oldest daughter (soon to be four) is my constant shadow – if I’m not sitting on the floor playing princess or barn with her she likes to get involved in whatever it is that I am doing. Whether it’s cooking, putting the baby down for a nap, or cleaning – she’s there too.
May 4, 2019
Reed’s Soft, Starry Space
Name: Reed Location: Boston, MA Room Size: 10′ x 12′ When I found out that my friend Dina was pregnant with her second baby, I knew it was going to be a showstopper of a nursery. You see, Dina is a DIY maven with an amazing eye. Although the nursery looks like a million bucks, she managed to put her DIY touch on nearly everything – from the curtains to the artwork to the showstopper ceiling.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Baby Room Grows Up
Erin of DIY on the Cheap needed a new sleeping solution for her two boys – her youngest was sleeping in the nursery, while her older son was in the guest bedroom. She decided to create a shared “big boy room” for both and hit it out of the ballpark! Erin made the headboards (you can find the tutorial here), toddler bed and pillows herself as well as updated/upcycled a ton of other pieces in the space. See more about the transformation on Erin’s blog, DIY on the Cheap.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Lucy’s White to Wow! Bedroom
Dana of MADE wanted to spice up her daughter Lucy’s boring bedroom. Living in the suburbs in a “cookie cutter” home, the space was seriously lacking in character and personality. With paint, accessories, and a lot of creativity, this room went from white to wow! I love that Dana didn’t make any big purchases (furniture, an area rug, or curtains) to totally transform the space. The biggest changes were a very creative coat of paint and a few fun DIY projects.
May 4, 2019
Ruby’s Happily Eclectic Nursery
Name: Ruby Marlowe Location: Highland Park/Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California Room Size: 12’ x 11’ So often you see a space and can instantly give it a label – modern, Mid-Century, Scandinavian, vintage, glam – you get the picture. But the minute I saw little Ruby’s room, I thought, now that’s something different.
May 4, 2019
Vivi and Brigette’s Home Away from Home
Name: Vivi & Brigette Location: South Georgia Room Size: 12′ x 13′ Lay Baby Lay is a wonderful place to find nursery and kids’ inspiration, so I was beyond excited to hear that the website’s editor Joni was designing a shared space for her girls at her family’s farmhouse. Joni is a master at mixing styles to create a cohesive look. This space is a mix of vintage, modern, and classic pieces, while the accessories and wall panels give it a whimsical, campy feel.
May 4, 2019
Lula’s Baby Bunnyland
Name: Lula Location: Mission District in San Francisco, California Room Size: 9′ x 11′ When your mother is a French illustrator and paper artist, you know you’re going to have a truly special room! Mom Chloé Fleury has created a modern space for her daughter Lula that is equally warm and whimsical.
May 4, 2019
Finn’s DIY Domain
Name: Finn Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado When we moved cross-country for the third time, we knew that Finn HAD to have some serious attention paid to his own space. The poor guy has watched us remodel bathrooms, a kitchen and his sister’s room; but he was never the star of the show. My husband wanted to theme the dickens out of Finn’s room, but I was pretty stringent on sticking with something that could easily grow and evolve with the little guy.
May 4, 2019
A No-Rules Nursery in the Netherlands
Name: Baby R Location: Leiden, The Netherlands Room Size: About 11 square meters I’ve always been drawn to Dutch and Scandinavian-style spaces. There’s just something about the bright whites, vivid pops of color, and amazing vintage pieces mixed in with the modern decor. Baby R’s nursery is no exception. Fuchsia drapes, bold patterned wallpaper, fabulous frocks, and washi taped walls – this space has it all. How would you describe the look and feel of this room? Fun!
May 4, 2019
Olive’s Creatively Colorful Abode
Name: Olive Sydney Location: Florence, Alabama Room Size: 12′ x15′ I’m often conflicted when it comes to children’s spaces in that I love the clean, bright aesthetic of a white space, but I’m also partial to bold color. So when I came across this room from parents Tera and Wes of Armosa Studios, I was thrilled to find the best of both worlds. How would you describe the look and feel of this room? The look of the room is bright and happy.
May 4, 2019
Cruz’s Modern Geometric Masterpiece
Name: Cruz Stanton Barros Location: Murrieta, California Room Size: 13′ x 10′ When I learned that Priscila Barros, editor-in-chief of Babiekins Magazine was pregnant, I knew that an amazing nursery was in the works. By combining modern geometric patterns with warm colors and textures, she and decorator Amy Fjeldsted created a cozy vibe for her son Cruz that is perfectly on trend.
May 4, 2019
Aidan’s Dreamy Room in Germany
Name: Aidan Location: Northern Germany in Hannover Room Size: 4.7 x 3.2 meters (15 x 10 feet) I’m a long-time fan of the work of Holly Becker of Decor8, so I was thrilled to find out she was pregnant and working on a nursery. By choosing the main focal points first, like the stunning Kite wallpaper by Ferm Living and the gorgeous crib by Oeuf, Holly was able to work from there to create a dreamy and cohesive gender-neutral space for baby Aidan.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Finn’s Bright and Airy Nursery Transformation
With baby Finn on the way, mom Kelli of Purple Tree Photography wanted to transform the family’s unused third bedroom into a nursery for their new addition. After many coats of paint and a lot of hard work, the space has been transformed into a bright and airy oasis for their beautiful baby boy. I think my favorite part is the pop of color in the small nook above the crib – it went from being the biggest eyesore of the space to its greatest asset.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Carter’s Nursery Grows Up
Kim wanted to update her son Carter’s nursery into a big boy room. They never used the room except for sleeping, and it was stuffed with forgotten gifts and baby gear. Kim knew she wanted the new space to be light and airy and to reflect Carter’s personality and interests, so she painted the walls a bright white, added a splash of Carter’s favorite color on the ceiling, and added fresh accessories: What a stunning transformation! Thank you Kim!
May 4, 2019
Cottage Chic Meets Glam in Wren’s Room
Name: Wren Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Room Size: 130 square feet I’ve followed Holly Baker of In the Fun Lane for years now, and have always admired her style. She masterfully combines the cottage/shabby chic aesthetic with a more glam/modern look throughout her home, and her daughter Wren’s room is no exception. How would you describe the look and feel of this room?
May 4, 2019