Emily's Artsy Traditional Nursery

A Project For: Emily Elizabeth
Age: 3 weeks
Location: Austin, Texas
Description:
When we found out our second was a girl, we needed to reuse pieces from our son's nursery and transform an office into a feminine nursery. The space really came together after a series of DIY projects and a splurge purchase on the wingback rocking chair.
Design Inspiration:
The inspiration for the room was really a color palette: coral, grey and aqua. We wanted it to feel comfortable, layered with textures and unexpected, bold touches. I created a pinboard to collect ideas: http://pinterest.com/erin_modglin/n-is-for-nursery/
We started with the 2 statement pieces, a DIY hand-painted rug and abstract artwork, and went from there.
Decorating Style:
Artsy Transitional (on a budget).
We have a lot of traditional pieces, but we like to layer in modern elements and a little artsy flair for a fresh look.
Project Details:
Ikea Lack Shelving
Ikea Rens Sheepskin Rug
West Elm Wire Pendant Light
West Elm Favorite Throw
Urban Outfitters Metal Accordion Side Table
Pottery Barn Kids Wingback Rocker
Pottery Barn Kids Harper Bedding
Lantern Moon Rice Baskets
Target Table Lamp
Artwork mine - inspired by Michelle Armas
White lacquer boxes from Container Store
DIY rug - hand-painted using the IKEA Erslev and the Casablanca Stencil
DIY La Vie artwork inspired by a Heima Store Print
DIY Melissa and Doug Abacus - painted with acrylic paint to color coordinate, for decorative use only!
DIY "Emily" blocks borrowed from brother's block set and painted gold
Dresser knobs from anthro, discontinued
Wall color unknown
All images by me
Favorite Items:
The wardrobe wall is such a lovely way to display some of my favorite outfits. Babies don't wear their clothes for too long so it's nice to enjoy them a bit longer by using them as room decor.

The rug makes the room feel vibrant and decidedly girly.
I love the whimsical feel of the wire pendant lighting. At night it casts a soft glow and tent-like pattern on the ceiling and walls that makes the room feel so cozy.
Advice:
Buy furniture in neutral colors so it will work for either gender.
Pick a palette you love and incorporate those colors through the accent pieces, like art, lamps and rugs.
Find a good handyman who can assemble ikea products, hang shelving, install lighting and build frames for your artwork (I commissioned my dear husband)
Don't be afraid to pick up a paintbrush.

Destiny

So tell me more about painting the rug. I need a great rug but dont want to spend the money. Im sure its a real “labor” of love it looks great. What kind of paint did u use?
http://projectnursery.com/ Pam

I love the painting you did for Emily’s nursery! so cool that she will have something to cherish for years and years.
erinmodglin

Destiny,

Destiny, I used approximately 4 bottles of regular craft paint (Americana brand, cheap at $.79 a bottle) and mixed it with a bottle of liquitex fabric medium (about $18). The medium reduces the stiffness of the paint when it dries, it’s definitely worth it if you’re going to have a baby crawling on the rug! I actually wish I had used a little more. I just laid out the rug, found the center and placed the stencil in the middle and worked outwards. (the erslev is not even, so its wider in the middle and narrower on the edges, don’t start on the corners!). I used more of a dry brush technique so it looked more “worn” and also so I didn’t have to paint in all the little crevices of a flat woven rug. Hope that helps!
Carine

Hi,

I love this room!

Which Americana craft paint color did you use for the rug?

Thanks!

Carine
erinmodglin

Carine,

Carine – I used a mix of Coral Blush and Melon, about half and half
Kristin

Love this nursery! Where did you get your crib?
Mrs.Echon

Awesome job on the rug,most especially! Love the pops of mint green! Great DIY room!
http://withatouchofpretty.blogspot.com/ catej

this is awesome I love everything about the space!
msacra

This is such a precious room. Any little girl would love to have this as her nursery.
Lacey

I absolutely LOVE the artwork. Is there a way to purchase a copy?
erinmodglin

Lacey,

Thanks, Lacey! I wish I could say yes, but unfortunately I don’t have prints available now. Maybe in the future…
Florence Amber

Love the artistry behind everything! That artwork above the crib and the colorful abacus are lovely. I am curious how the alphabet blocks look like now.
http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com Jennifer

Great rug!
Julie

Awesome rug!! Where did you buy the stencil? Did you use a foam bush?
erinmodglin

Julie,

Julie, I got the stencil from Cuttingedgestencils.com, they have some really great geometric all over stencils. I used a regular cheap bristle brush, the kind that are sold next to foam brushes at the craft store. Just put some paint on the end, dab the excess off, and dab onto the rug. If you have excess paint it will just look more opaque. I wanted it to look more worn. Hope that helps!
beks

AMAZING!!!! All of it.
corrine

hi! just wondering if you used the allover stencil, or the craft stencil? thanks!!
Erin

corrine,

Corrine, I used an allover stencil so the pattern was bigger. The craft stencils are smaller I think.
Adriana

Great nursery! Where did you get the crib?
Laura Krustchinsky

Super nursery!! I love the rug and painting!!!
erinmodglin

Adriana,

Adriana – That crib was gifted to me years ago for my first child. It was purchased at a boutique, Blue Moon, in Houston that has unfortunately closed since then.
Adriana

Thanks for responding Erin! Does it have a brand name or anything on it? I have been searching cribs like crazy for the last couple of months and love the look of that one.

You did such a good job on your daughter’s nursery…great inspiration!
erinmodglin

Adriana,

Thanks Adriana! It was made by the store owner, same with that dresser. They’re both pretty big bulky pieces! I wish I could tell you a place to find one like that. the only place I’ve seen that shape is Restoration Hardware but they’re really pricey.
ryan

hi there, my wife and i love the painting you did. we’re wondering if you would be open to doing one similar, at least in the same color palette, for our daughters nursery? if you are open to it, let us know and we’ll contact you directly about details. thanks! ryan
Katie

I LOVE this room! I am desperate to know the wall color though. I’m awful at picking interior paints and you’re clearly an amazing artist. Do you have a guess or suggestion as to the paint color. I’d really appreciate it :) Thanks!
Alexandra

Where did you get the Crib skirt? I love it!
http://twitter.com/NatY11c11 NatCR

Lovely room – my fave piece is the rug.
Savannah

Can you tell anymore on the painting? I’m so in love with it!!! You would want to sell it would you or make another? haha
Savannah

Wouldn’t**
Savannah

Very last question, if not can you tell where you found the frame you put it in? Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful room with us!

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Emily’s Artsy Traditional Nursery

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