Cassie is a seasoned blogger, Etsy shop owner, graphic designer and crafter who officially added the title of Mom last week as she and her family welcomed Perry Avery into the world! Cassie’s nesting time was well spent creating a soothing, bird inspired nursery. “For the baby’s room, we decided to keep it understated, clean and modern with a folksy twist. I wanted a room I could personally seek refuge in and not just a character-themed nursery he would outgrow in a couple years…I’d say the room currently reflects my own style and not necessarily that of a baby boy.

The color inspiration came from a quilt Cassie made a few years back and the crib/crib bedding comes from Walmart. Fearing that the notNeutral wall decals wouldn’t properly adhere due to the room’s textured walls, Cassie created her own version with a quart of paint, stencils made out of card stock, and a roll of masking tape. The green paint on the wall is Valspar 6003-3B Martinique Dawn in eggshell and the green used for the mural is Valspar MS245 Spiny Sea Urchin in semi-gloss. For more DIY details, visit Cassie’s sweet blog “Twittering Bird“. Oh, and we must boast that Project Nursery inspired the darling, complimentary handmade bird mobile!

Cassie believes that anyone can easily customize anything with a couple quarts of paint and a few yards of fabric! We wanted a dresser instead of a changing table, so the little guy could use it for years to come. We were on an ikea budget and weren’t quite satisfied with anything we saw until we spied this dresser. It’s solid wood but the colors were anything but exciting, so we figured a few quarts of paint would be the perfect solution. The exact colors of the dresser are: Valspar 5004-9C Beach Sparkle (blue) and Valspar 6010-4 Amazon Silt - both in semi-gloss.“

Just one simple curtain panel provided enough fabric to make two valances. And the best part - The fabric was found on sale at Target for only three dollars! The dresser and shelf are both from Ikea. Some of Cassie’s favorite finds include the Amy Ruppel print (their first purchase once pregnant), the inflatable “Rody“, and the Bla-Bla knit toys.

Best wishes to both Cassie and baby! Thank you for taking the time to share with us. We hope you enjoy many peaceful nights in your beautiful nursery!

Tags: Boy, Gender Neutral, Inspiration, Paint, Wall Art

Here’s an idea. One-of-a-kind, personalized artwork that adds a subtle touch of modern to the nursery without going overboard and costing a fortune. Sound appealing? Let us introduce you to Mod Memento, personal heirlooms on paper. These prints are a unique and modern way to incorporate new baby’s name into the nursery or home. Wall letters and monogram decals can look nice but why not use the story of falling for your mate in the artwork too? Great keepsakes are all about the details!

Mod Memento’s digital prints can be ordered in any color combination to match your little one’s nursery and are totally custom made to reflect your style. You can even send owner and designer, Brianna, a swatch of fabric to tie in specific colors. She whips up these beautifully bold and colorful creations in her home studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. Inspired by typography, digital art and photography, Brianna’s fun designs arrive ready to frame for instant gratification (love that). You can find Mod Memento’s entire collection at her Etsy Shop or become a fan on her Mod Memento Blog. One lucky Project Nursery reader will win a custom print of their choice. The winner is going to have a very tough decision on their hands.  Birth Story, Monogram, Baby Love and Family Tree are all amazing, you can’t go wrong. Good Luck!!

WIN IT NOW!

1. Comment on this post with your favorite Mod Memento Print

2. Extra entries are counted by 1) posting on our Project Nursery Forum (up to 5x) 2) subscribing or commenting that you are a subscriber and 3) blogging about our giveaway. Don’t worry, we track it all!

3. The winner will be selected at random by using random.org

4. Contest ends Friday, November 7th, 11:59pm pst

CONTEST CLOSED - Congrats to Sharon!

Tags: Gifts, Giveaways, Personalized, Wall Art

If this nursery hasn’t inspired you just yet, keep reading. It’s hard not to be impressed by the creativity, love and attention to detail Rebecca has put into creating her son Brandt’s designer digs for less than $1000!

When it comes to designing a blank canvas, Project Nursery often recommends a single jumping off point. Rebecca’s inspiration for baby’s first room was Land of Nod’s contemporary quilted crib bedding, Full Circle. Prints from Yuko Lau found at Allposters.com nicely compliment the bedding and provides a touch of whimsy.  Rebecca explains that her biggest challenge was finding a white crib that wasn’t too feminine or traditional. The discovery of Babi Italia’s Scandi Dropside Crib in chocolate and white from Babies R Us was the ideal find. We just love how Rebecca chose to carry the same look throughout the room with the other pieces.

At 7 months pregnant, Rebecca created the focal wall behind the crib with hip squares of color. “The blocks were created by using 1.75″ painters tape for the grid and are approx 24″x24″. The color palette came directly from the bedding and art. I used Behr paint from Home Depot (3 shades of blue - Euclayptus Leaf, Adriatic Mist, and a medium
shade between the two that was a custom color; 2 shades of green- Dried Palm and Corn Husk and 1 brown- Breakfast Blend”.

Now here’s where Rebecca’s the inner Martha Stewart really kicks in…

“The scalloped paint design above the changing table was created by tracing half of a paper plate and then painting the outline by hand. The dresser came from an old armoire base I had. I added a fresh coat of white paint and brushed nickel hardware. To turn it into a changing table, I purchased the chocolate wood changing top from Pottery Barn Kids. The window panels are made from aqua colored twin sheets; I added the 24″ strip of white fabric and then embellished them with coordinating ribbon. I would have to say that my favorite item would have to be my window panels….only because I made them. I was working as a designer and was surrounded by fabrics that were awesome and about $100/yard or more so to be able to make my own that coordinated so well for about $12.00 per panel, I was really excited!”

Finally, the chair, shelves, picture frames, and paper lanterns are from Ikea and the Star Shaggy Raggy Rugs came from Target!

Bravo Rebecca, you should be really very proud of the cool, contemporary and creative nursery you created. Thanks for giving us the scoop!

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Bedding, Boy, Drapes, Furniture, Inspiration, Paint, Window Treatments

My mailbox is full of junky catalogs and value pack coupons daily. But every now and then I get a decent catalog. Today’s mail brought Garnet Hill. Sure, I know Garnet Hill, where respectable woman’s clothing and jewelry pieces are showcased but this time, the catalog was dedicated to kids. Not anticipating finding anything I would actually buy, I quickly thumbed through the catalog pages while headed to the recycling bin. I took a moment to read a sub-heading…”over 20 kids’ rooms by Garnet Hill Design Team” . Long behold, garnetHill.com/shopbyroom is chock-full of boys, girls and playroom ideas.

Wow! Inspiration for my growing child’s room beyond PBK. While the catalog still made it to the recycling bin, I’ve added them to my repertoire of online shopping stops. I am impressed by Garnet Hill’s offering of toys, accessories and wall decor. Maybe you will be too?

Tags: Catalog, Inspiration, Play Rooms, Toddler Rooms, Twin Bedding

It’s so fun to know that Project Nursery is being enjoyed by people from around the globe. A reader from Amsterdam recently sent us a really supportive email (so nice, thanks!) and introduced us to a local baby bedding company called Kikebu. Kikebu’s style is simple, fresh and original. Their philosophy is to make life easier for parent and baby through products that are practical, elegant and attractive. They say, “Babies deserve to be loved and surrounded by happiness, that is why we design, produce and select  the best and most attractive products, trying to create a happy, cozy world around them.”

Besides the bright and cheerful crib sets I really like the hooded towels. Its tough to find a great hooded towel that’s not too cutesy or adorned with animal ears. Also check out the changing mats. The cool modern prints are a fun change from the typical ugly black nylon ones that come with most baby bags.

Tags: Bedding, Gear

We were so pleased that Elizabeth Brantely, former TV and film production designer and all around dynamo mom, shared her daughter Trixie’s nursery with us. The nursery has a vintage elegance which makes sense considering its inspiration came from a place rich in history: family heirlooms. Many of the elements in the nursery are items from Elizabeth’s great-grandparents. Elizabeth and her husband Steve had a tall order when they set out to remodel the room designated to be the nursery in their 1916 bungalow. After the initial floor work and painting (a color called “Pinkish”) was complete, Elizabeth’s vision was a room centered around three important pieces: a painted chest of drawers, a set of vintage cabbage rose curtains and a rescued iron chandelier. These pieces had sentimental meaning to Brantley and it was important for her to be able to reuse things she loved rather than purchase everything new.

The nursery was a labor of love for the couple and they quickly became dedicated to creating a sweet and cozy (but not too frilly) place for their daughter to also love. Great-grandma’s rose curtains were hung in place of a sliding closet door and Simply Shabby Chic curtains were added to the windows. Instead of a glider, Elizabeth chose to use a mission rocking chair with a handmade needlepoint pillow. The crib linens are a variety of prints by Amy Coe.

The art is where this nursery really gets personal. Did we mention that Elizabeth has her own online shop, Kistner Supply, which features a new product line, Mother Stork’s Baby Art? Two of these prints hang over Trixie’s crib along with her mother’s baby quilt. In addition, Elizabeth hung framed silhouettes of she and her husband as children and shadow boxes which display bonnets from three generations of Brantely women. So smart! Also, don’t miss Kistner Supply’s Cashmere Chime Balls. They are just adorable! A big thank you goes out to Elizabeth for sharing Trixie’s beautiful and sweet nursery filled with wonderful family history. And if you want to read more about Elizabeth, Steve and Trixie’s lovely home, check out the entire home tour on our friend Cookie’s blog.

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Lighting, Vintage, Wall Art

Fawn&Forest recently introduced Amenity’s latest collection of serene forest life for the nursery. Think wetlands, nature preserves and modern Bambi. Amenity’s sweet organic pillows, blankets, bedding and prints provide a soothing escape from primary colored, battery operated toys and flashing lights. Charming descriptions also make them that much more lovable…

The Woodland Collection “Among the violet wildflowers, whimsical squirrels scamper after acorns and butterflies. Their playful smiles are sure to be contagious.”

The Wetlands Collection “At the watery edges of the ocean, a blue pool warmed by the sun and surrounded by reeds is the most natural habitat for a young family of ducks out for their first swim.”

Tags: Animals, Bedding, Eco-Friendly, Organic

Pre-baby, my husband and I enjoyed exotic vacations and adventures. Since becoming parents, we have decided to put a few things on hold for the time being such 15 hours flights! While travelling the far east back in the day however, I fell in love with rich, handwoven, painted fabrics and gorgeous block prints. I have always wanted to incorporate more of these worldly designs into my home but never imagined doing it in the nursery. I now have proof that this look transcends beautifully into baby. Introducing Rikshaw Design…

Rikshaw Design is a baby bedding company based out of San Francisco specializing in hand block printed Indian cotton textiles, designed especially for the “bohemian baby” (and parents!). The designer/owner, Catherine Fitzsimmons, is a former textile designer for Pottery Barn and Ralph Lauren who noticed that the baby bedding could use something new and different.

Rickshaw currently offers four bedding collections along with pillows, diaper pouches, burp cloth and bib sets.  

In our opinion, it’s incredibly refreshing to see crib bedding options beyond cute characters, polka dots and stripes. Catherine has done a brilliant job incorporating a casual, global look and feel into a baby’s world with an ancient art form.

Tags: Bedding, Bibs, Blankets

Loyal Project Nursery reader Tammy requested some design inspiration geared toward a safari-jungle theme for her future cub. Tammy describes her style as “Transitional”: Contemporary meets traditional. She wants an eclectic feel with warm earthy tones. Mom has already selected baby’s bedding with a jungle theme and fun, plush fabrics. The walls are tan and baby’s furniture is a natural finish. And Oh yeah! She’s not finding out the sex of the baby!!!

Themes…hmmm…we admit, we have mixed emotions about themed rooms. It’s waaay too easy to go overboard. So then, how to create a fun, vibrant theme for your child’s room without going O.T.T.? We are roaring to share what we at Little Apple Design came up with…

Our picks:

1. Mom’s inspiration: Beautiful Wild Safari crib bedding and rich textures (including ”Minky“) from Carousel Designs.

2. Something bright and jungle like: These Abaca Pendant Lights add a contemporary, earthy feel. Already have a ceiling fixture? Hang these in a cluster just above your rocker. While West Elm doesn’t necessary sell kid furniture, they are a great resource for cool kid design that your little one can grow into.

3. Such a popular pic from the Flickr Pool. What a great idea as an alternative to the common wooden wall letters above the crib. Collect nature from your backyard and bring it inside with homemade art.

4. Yes, another West Elm find but check out the amazing, subtle design of these Canterbury window panels close up. Natural Cream is a clean look and won’t clash with the crib bedding.

5. A 5-foot tall Giraffe by Melissa & Doug is what every child needs to complete their wild safari themed room. This would make an excellent baby gift (Hint, hint).

6. Monkey Tree Mobile found at Modern Tots adds some whimsy and imagination above the crib OR above the changing table.

7. Okay, so mom and dad want a comfy chair that reclines AND glides without spending a fortune. Go Dutailier at CNS baby. I know it’s sooo nursery but you’ll like it and if you have more kids you’ll get great use out of it. Take the lead from Becoming-Mom and throw a fluffy sheep skin over it to cozy it up and prevent fabric damage.

8. A shag rug is a must. How much fun will tummy time be in shag!

9. And our personal favorite! Wall decals by Elly Nelly found at Fawn & Forest. They don’t have to be clustered or take up the whole wall. Instead they can be used as a border across one wall or even better, spruce up a piece of furniture. Remember, they can be easily removed when your theme changes.

Tags: Gender Neutral, Inspiration, Safari

Sometimes I get really fascinated by a couples journey to parenthood. It’s so interesting to learn about how they got together, found a place to call home and eventually began their path to having a baby. I look back on my own time before my first baby was born with such fondness. You know you are on the verge of a huge life change and that this tiny person inside is absolutely going to be the best thing that has ever happen. We at Project Nursery are honored to introduce you to New York couple Ariana and Jeff.

They have done an amazing job designing and creating a serene and beautiful nursery for son Jasper. Ariana and Jeff are eagerly awaiting Jasper’s arrival any hour now! Ariana is a jewelry and web designer while Jeff is a toy designer and illustrator. So, it makes perfect sense that these two would create such a special place for their first child.

The couple decided early on they liked the soothing greens and blues of the Orchard Park crib bedding from Walmart. The clean and modern lines of the Baby Mod Park Lane crib works nicely with the lovely pale blue paint they used for the walls. They designed a custom wall mural featuring a wilow tree and darling hanging monkey which is featured on the wall next to the crib. The 8-dresser is from Ikea and the adorable Dwell Studio Zebra rug is from Target. Ariana and Jeff went into nesting overdrive and even picked up Wendy Bellisimo baskets for diaper storage and Ikea Kompliment drawer organizers to neatly store clothes, burpies and blankets. Everything is picture perfect and ready for little Jasper’s arrival. We are sure that they will enjoy many many amazing moments with their new baby in this very special nursery! For more details about this nursery go to Ariana’s blog,  Becoming Mom.

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Inspiration, Modern, Monkey, Tree, Zebra