San Francisco can be a strange city. I’m not talking about the drum circles in Golden Gate Park. I’m referring to the weather. It was a gorgeous 88 degrees here this past weekend and our SF “summer” seemed to be chugging along. So, with this balmy weather in mind it just seemed odd that holiday music was playing in all the stores. Already? Is it that time of year? Really? I guess this means only one thing. The gift buying should begin!

To get us in the spirit, I present some classic gifts that will get your creative gift buying juices flowing. All can be found at world famous FAO Schwarz. Lincoln Logs created by John Lloyd Wright are the classic building set for the budding architect.  Have you got a young dancer or musician in your house. The Design Your Own Tutu Couture studio lets you create your own tutu for the little ballerina. The Baby Grand Piano by Schoenhut is so cute it doesn’t need to be hidden in the toy closet. And, if you have wall space to fill in your playroom, the giant USA Map is a terrific way to teach the kids about America. Added bonus, FAO is running a 20% off sale on orders over $120 through today.

Tags: Gifts, Play Rooms, Playroom, Toys

Just when I thought I would buy the super fun Step 2 kitchen with all the bells and whistle that I know my toddler will love, I continue to find even more fabulous looking kitchens that will beautifully compliment my own kitchen. After all, adding a play kitchen is big time playroom decor. I am not talking about the beloved $$$ PBK kitchen….We’ll, maybe I am. But there is so much more out there now that doesn’t cost $500 for a pretend sink!

Great blog and soon to be online store, Shawn and Frank, did a super post the other week on bright, unique, contemporary, play kitchens. I just dig all their trendy baby finds, i.e. This one below retails for only $79 - What a find! For more of their play kitchen picks, click here!

If you are the more adventurous type however, check out IKEA hacker for play kitchen inspiration or the work of this clever mom recently featured on Ohdeedoh…

And finally, since we are talking kitchens…Pam and I were recently swapping stories about how our boys (both under age two) can push a heavy chair across a room and muscle their way on to our kitchen islands. While impressed by their agility we are also freaked by their ability to get into such precarious situations (We swear we are good moms!). Here’s a fantastic solution for your little kitchen helper that will keep them safe and off the kitchen table!

Now this does look good in my kitchen!

Tags: DIY, Kitchen, Play Rooms, Pretend

I haven’t found the right playful picture of the kids to have blown up on canvas but I really love the idea. Now, I have even more reason to find that perfect picture to convert into a piece of artwork. Chic Canvas has teamed up with our friend and stationary guru Erin Condren to introduce a line of canvas keepsakes.  With details such as Erin’s trademark Stripes and Candy Lace designs, the canvas can be totally customized. Those holidays are just around the corner and these beautiful canvas works of art would brighten up the nursery, toddler room or play room. Sizing runs from 8 x 10 for $79 to the oversized 36 x 48 for $319.

Want your house to be extra jolly this Christmas? Erin has just introduced the darling “Oh Christmas Tree” canvas print for $112.  With the holidays around the corner this print is a bright and cheerful way to welcome your guests at this year’s holiday party. In fact, you can coordinate your invitations and gift labels to match the canvas. Now that’s getting in the spirit!

Tags: Gifts, Wall Art

Over-The-Top big time and we mean it as a total compliment…

Gold never looked so glorious in baby’s room. Simply gorgeous and dreamy. Unfortunately, I don’t speak Spanish so I couldn’t tell you what this article from the super cool Decopeques site is telling us. But the picture is too lovely for words.

Looking for something a bit more kid-friendly? Step it up a notch and contact Kidtroplis creators of OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD! children’s rooms.

These photos are just the beginning. Now click their link and take a moment to “Ooh” and “Ahhh” at all of their design projects but don’t forget to come back to Project Nursery for more inspiring room designs!

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Designers, Play Rooms, Toddler Rooms

Stampin’ Up! is celebrating their 20th anniversary and we thought we would celebrate too by sharing how a little “Stampin’ ” can spruce up not just your scrapbook but your even room decor. Excited? So are we.

You see, we knew nothing about scrapbooking until recently. We may be late to the game (20 years) but oh, how we admire the craft and those dedicated. So join us as we explore Stampin’ for fun, crafty, creative ideas and inspiration for your child’s room. Here’s a sample of a Stampin’ Up! playroom and a hint of what’s in store for this week!

Some of you may be asking, What is Stampin’ Up!? While their core product offering is rubber stamps for scrapbooking and paper crafting, Stampin’ Up! has recently expanded their home décor line to include larger rubber stamps for stamping on walls and larger surfaces as well as Décor Elements, a vinyl wall décor product offering. The “Crew Classic” kids room shown here playfully highlights how to incorporate paper crafting and stamping tastefully and functionally into a kid’s play area.

Stay with us this week for a little Stampin’ Up! DIY, cool new products and interviews as we dedicate this week to all about Stampin’. And if you happen to be a talented Stamper, send us photos and details of your kid inspired Stampin’ ideas!

Tags: DIY, Play Rooms, Stampin', Wall Decals

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

Meet Claire. She’s awesome, has excellent taste, strong opinions and researches everything to the nth degree. Pam and I are thrilled to introduce Claire’s voice on Project Nursery and we are looking to welcome additional contributors as we continue to grow and expand…

Little boys love trains. There seems to be an invisible magnetic force that sucks my son Max in when there’s a train set in his site. He could spend most of an afternoon with a train set pushing the trains along the wooden tracks. When he turned 18 months, I decided it was time to put away the baby toys and bring home a  train table for the toddler running around my home.

There are several great activity / train tables available. A website that listed a few good options is Trains 4 Tots. My favorite on the site is the “Thomas the Train” branded train table with storage carts - so cute. If your little boy loves Thomas, he would probably go nuts over this table.

Another great selection of tables exists at Sensational Beginnings. Due to our space constants, living in old Victorian home in San Francisco with small sized rooms, I picked a reduced size train table. This cool one from Kid Kraft comes with a  tabletop that can be flipped over with a LEGO compatible surface serves its purpose well and more - not to mention that it takes up less space than other tables.

With that, Max says “Choo choo!”

- Claire

Tags: Tables, Toys, Trains

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

Congrats to blogging friends Tiny Decor for launching their entirely eco-friendly boutique this month! Tiny Decor promotes “naturally modern” nurseries and they do so with great style and fresh designs. What better way to kick off your eco-friendly nursery or playroom with inspiration boards from their Nursery Design Guide created by owner and designer, Jackie Hernandez.  The beauty of the boards goes beyond it’s modern design…All of the items featured maybe purchased directly from Tiny Decor for one stop shop convenience!

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Eco-Friendly, Furniture, Playroom, Toddler Rooms

Did anyone catch The Martha Stewart Show featuring some very accomplished bloggers the other day? Thank you Martha for dedicating an entire episode to the blogging phenomenon! If any of our readers have their own blog, make certain you link to The Martha Blog and comment for the chance to be recognized by the Domestic Diva herself! We here at Project Nursery are crossing our fingers!

Speaking of Martha, I often log on to explore her recipes and Dinner Tonight with Everyday Food. This time I found myself wishing I were a bride again. Oh how I long for the days where I had the time to spend hours analyzing her wedding photos and their glorious details.  Yet with only minutes remaining of my son’s nap, I had to quickly re-focus and remember my purpose: kids. I enjoyed my time there too as I re-visited old school Martha Stewart Kids (such a shame the publication ceased back in ‘06). 

In celebration of Fall, I uncovered delightful Pumpkin Pillows for the playroom. Check out Martha’s simple DIY tutorial. I am planning to attempt these myself. Although, I am also hoping that my pumpkin turns into a carriage and whisks me away for the day in a wedding dress!

Tags: Blogs, DIY, Fall, Pillows, Play Rooms