Opening mail can be a total chore, especially when there are no party invites, sample sale notices or magazines in the bunch. But, I have to admit that I got a genuine rush today when I received the latest Serena and Lily catalog. I’m sure most of you received it as well so let’s go over a few things together, shall we?

They have added over 200 new products to their extensive line of nursery and children’s furniture and decor. Since I’m always based in the kitchen at home, I want the kids to play and hang out in the adjacent kitchen nook (so I can keep my eyes on them because when its silent and I’m not by their sides, I know there is mischief going on).  I’ve been looking for cute and practical seating options for them in an effort to make it more comfortable. The little square chairs by S&L would be a perfect fix and so portable. I like the orange piping with the turquoise basket weave print.

With a name like the Everyday Bin, who couldn’t find a use for them? Perfect for organizing the endless amounts of art table supplies: pens, paper, stickers etc.  But I think the first thing I really need is the new splat mat. My son is now insisting on using a fork at meals, just like big sister, and my poor floor is really taking a beating.

I think I’ll leave Serena and Lily’s new bedding collections for another post but don’t miss out on their adorable white bird lamp. Gender neutral and serene. I love the white on white and lucite base too. Lastly, check out the new Serena and Lily blog. They have featured an amazing nursery that is definitely worth a look.

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Play Rooms, Storage, Table Lamps

So your ceilings lack luster. They are 8 ft (maybe?) and have no architectural interest. When the magazines push glam chandeliers and cool pendant lighting, you must be thinking “Come on people! I need a quick fix for a regular ceiling fixture my husband’s head won’t hit!” Yes, you called for it, the “Ceiling Light”! Boring, right? Well, maybe not so much these days according to Shades of Light…

Who doesn’t love Jonathan Adler? One of his more reasonable treats at $188 is the geometric overlay on top of frosted white glass. Comes in both bronze and polished nickel. Wouldn’t it look sharp over that mod Dwell baby bedding?

Paint it and make it your own! What kid wouldn’t like to gaze at the stars - lights on or off. This simple ceramic piece is low to the ceiling and adds a touch of whimsy without being wacky.

The Monravian Star but fixed to the ceiling. It’s just glorious, don’t you think?

And my new favorite because I just saw it for the first time: True Colors Ceiling Light. Use this in the playroom or kids bathroom. That extra band of today’s popular colors adds a splash of excitement.

Tags: Ceiling Light, Lighting

We were honored when asked to guest blog at A List Baby, a site obsessed with all things exquisite for baby and celebrity child style. The Task: Create a room for Hollywood’s newest A-list twins, Vivienne & Knox Jolie-Pitt. I mean seriously…Out of all the celebrity offspring to choose from, could we have chosen a family with more interests, style, diversity and homes around the globe? Probably not. So that’s why it was great fun to create not one but two inspiration boards:

For complete board details and to read our full post, check out our articles on A List Baby!

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Celebrities, Inspiration

I have always wanted to use a modern ceiling fan in my home after noticing them in cool restaurants and design magazines but I’ve never had a purposeful place to put one in my own home until now! I really like the streamlined designs and contemporary finishes by the Modern Fan Co. I may just install the retro Velo design in my son’s new nursery. After doing a little research it seems that a ceiling fan can be energy conscious and good for over health too. Three cheers for that! With gas prices and utility bills soaring, I’m all for saving and staying in tip-top form. 

Modern Fans can keep you comfortable while helping to reduce energy consumption in several ways. Like a nice breeze on a warm day, moving air offers recognizable relief from heat and humidity (scientists have a term for what’s happening on your skin-“evaporative cooling.”). This “cooling” effect allows for upward adjustment of your AC thermostat by as much as 8 degrees, resulting in up to 40% reduction in power consumption. In many cases, air conditioning can be turned off entirely, with a Modern Fan using less electricity than a standard light bulb.

Go to our new “Forum” and tell us what you think of these ceiling fans for your kid’s room.

 Here is another option from Restoration Hardware. Reminds me of an old-fashioned propeller. I also like this style because it has a light option that doesn’t change the look of the fan drastically.  

Tags: Fan, Modern

Yes, you heard correct. I spent $36 dollars on my nursery chandelier…no joke. And, it’s amazing so I had to share…

Here’s the situation: The remodeling of our bedrooms are nearly complete. It’s crunch time and the electrician was wiring the house.  After scouring amazing sites such as Y Lighting, Circa Lighting, Lighting Universe and Horchow, I was under the gun to choose a lighting fixture for my son’s nursery that would arrive in 2-3 business days.  It was to be a fixture that was contemporary, gender neutral and unique. While I longed for a stunning sparkly chandelier, this was my boy’s room after all (for the time being anyway), and I simply couldn’t go there. I then figured $36 dollars would be a temporary spend until I found the pendant light of my dreams. Here’s when Urban Outfitters‘ 3-D modern non-chandelier, chandelier came into play.

Okay, so a cord kit and “Edison” bulb are additional. But all in all, worth it.  And while I mention this fun find, I will also mention the completion (base board & solid mohagany floors) of my nursery “Modern Baby Blue” that inspired our blog gig! 

Tags: Blue, Chandeliers, Inspire, Lighting, Modern

Morgan’s Mom came to Project Nursery in search of baby nursery design inspiration. The family is moving into a fabulous new home with a whole new realm of possibilities. Morgan is a one year old, darling little girl who loves pink, pink and more pink! Ok, maybe it’s Mom who loves pink but Morgan needs a girly room that can easily transition with her from baby to toddler. Our goal is to incorporate all of Morgan’s current furniture and bedding into a new design, different from her previous nursery. Project Nursery and Mom Carla are having a blast coming up with ideas and we want your input! Take a look at Morgan’s before photos:

Morgan’s new room, a blank canvas:
According to Mom:

“Right now I feel it is so plain. Here is what I would love to accomplish: I want to keep the crib, armorer and dresser for sure. Not married to the bookshelves, but I feel I need a place for her “stuff”. I also want to keep the valance, beautifully made from Grandma and all of the wall art we have now, which is slim to none! I would say my style is more of a clean lines look and not too whimsical. I really love stripes and polka dots - mixing of patterns - monograms & initials. I hate clutter! I love things that look organized and in their place. I really need help with the walls. The paint colors are very important. I think they can make a room. I am also open to painting something on the wall like an “M” or something. Also a possible photo gallery on the wall. I need the extra special touches that complete the space: Shelves, frames, stuffed animals. I would say that my style is a mix between Pottery Barn Kids and Dwell. Thanks for your help! I am so excited to get started on the nursery!”

Presenting the Project Nursery design board created especially for Miss Morgan:
Morgan’s bedding from Little House by Annette Tatum in “Pashmina Pink” incorporates playful patterns such as strips, dots, paisleys as well soft cotton, chenille and velvety textures. So we say, let’s play up those polka dots found on the crib sheet! For a focal point, use these beautiful wall decals from Etsy shop Lewa’s Vinyl Designs or simply paint above Morgan’s crib and add a monogram.

Morgan’s current table lamp is made of pink crystals. Continue the look with a dazzling lighting fixture from our favorite couture lighting designer, Maura Daniel. If a photo gallery is what you are looking for, try blowing up your precious moments onto stretched canvas with Shutterfly. Lean these oversized photos on top of the armoire away, from baby’s reach. A great way to add height and a contemporary feel to the room.

Stretch and starch the current window valance for a more tailored look. Use textured drapes underneath from floor to ceiling - yet another way to create height.

Careful what you choose to display above the changing table. These flirty butterfly mirrors from Potterybarn Kids are lightweight. Secure with extra glue dots so little hands can’t tear them away from the wall. Sleek shelves with a circle detail provides additional storage above.

So will Morgan make the leap and paint her room green instead of pink? Do you like our ideas? Can you help? Share your suggestions and comments with Project Nursery and Morgan below this posting by clicking “Comments”. We look forward to hearing from you!

***Newsflash! Looks like Morgan is going with pink walls afterall. Maybe she’ll refer to our Pinkititis posting for ideas? Stay tuned for Morgan’s complete makeover update in the coming weeks….

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Green, Inspiration, Pink, Shelving

Melisa and I have a passion for lighting (and shoes and handbags too, of course). I don’t know why but I get a real thrill out of choosing pendant and chandelier fixtures. They always transform a space from drab to fab with a few good screws and a bill from an electrician. No fixture has more dazzle then a crystal chandelier. Did you see J-Lo’s new nursery in People Mag? Although her chandelier pick was a little over the top (duh, its Jenny from the Block!), there is no doubt it looks elegant and spendy. If you like this look try Rosenberry Rooms. Offering brilliant ceiling fixtures and beyond, you’ll be blinded by their selection of chandelier bling.

What is pink and brown and red all over? Hailey’s Room! Good for NYC mom Angela for keeping 14-month old, Hailey’s room red! This goes to show that there is no need to change everything for baby and it’s entirely possible to work with what you already have. Angela reached out to us looking for wall art ideas and shared how Project Nursery has inspired her to take a second look her daughter’s room. Of course we are thrilled to provide a few ideas…

Do pink and red really clash? When we were thirteen years old and trying to learn the rules of fashion, yes it did - like blue and black. But Angela joked that she actually likes her so called clash of pink and red. Our suggestion is to just go with it Angela! Legendary pop icon Andy Warhol, didn’t seem to mind when he created this “Daisy Pink On Red” painting in 1982 and neither do we. Copies are found at Overstock.com for $55 - an excellent buy to help finish a room.
A stretched, frameless canvas provides a clean, contemporary look. We took this lead from reader Barby who introduced us to the mod silk screened line at Jeeto. Here are our picks for Hailey…
Mom also mentioned that she wanted to incorporate additional lighting with the hopes of finding a kid-proof option. Create fun and adventure in the dark with these portable, rechargeable and durable lights by “Candela Tooli Nightlight/Lamp Set” found at Giggle.

Add function and color by using Land of Nod’s “Strapping Storage Collection” of baskets for reorganizing your shelving unit.

Finish off that comfy couch by incorporating cool pillows to tie in the room’s overall look and feel. Design Public has an excellent collection of kid pillows. Pay special attention to hot designs by Dwell Studio and notNeutral to complete the look!

Have fun Angela. We look forward to seeing what you choose to add to Hailey’s red hot room! And readers, she’s open to comments!

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Inspiration, Night Light, Red, Storage

Sleep training isn’t going as well as you planned. It’s 3am and you gently hush your baby while settling into the glider for her late night snack. This of course violates virtually every rule in the baby book and you think “Ahh, screw it!” You then notice the pretty little table lamp next to you that provides just the right amount of light as you rock your little one back to sleep.

Once the room colors are decided upon, the crib and rocker are ordered, its easy to over look the need for the perfect nursery lamp. Apparently, this small yet highly functional accessory can make or break the look of a room. Thousands of people post photos of their bedrooms on HGTV’s “Rate My Space” for others to rate or provide constructive feedback. Members spend days, weeks, months choosing the right bedding or window treatments and all anyone every comments on are the two small table lamps sitting on their night stand? How incredibly depressing!!! (By the way, they are often told that they are too small). I then took it upon myself to find a solution if your looking to spring for something fabulous. Check out Maura Daniel Couture Lighting shown above. I have seen prices range from $169 to $384. Not only are these lamps contemporary, whimsical and elegant but come in various sizes. Even better, you are given the option to “build your own” by choosing your base and shade. Forget the nursery, I’m keeping one of these for myself!

Tags: Table Lamps

Not looking to spend so much? Fearing your toddler may shatter your new prized table lamp? I found these gems at Walmart and Target of all places. I even ordered one myself and man, does it look good! They have a Jonathan Alder-esque feel to them at a fraction of the price. So it’s not the highly coveted $375 Jonathan Adler Giraffe lamp, ideal for a comteporary nursery or any room for that matter. Starting from $29.88, my son can throw his mini football at them all day long and I could care less.

Tags: Table Lamps