Sleeping with Sock Monkeys

Description

Preston's walls are painted a dark "Sock Monkey" brown and a 12" red boarder is painted around the top. The trim and furniture are an antique white. All of the colors were pulled from those of vintage Sock Monkeys! Most people think nurseries should be bright and pastel, but I disagree. Preston's room is cozy and makes napping EASY! There are red and white gingham accents throughout. They can be seen on the drapes, crib skirt, personalized PBK soft chair in the reading area, on the ribbon attached to the mobile I made, and on a letter "P" hung above the rocking chair. The other fabric selection is ivory with Sock Monkeys. The crib sheet, crib blanket, rocking chair pillow, changing pad cover, light switch plate, lamp and night light are in this fabric. Some of the pieces were bought on Etsy and others purchased individually at babybedding.com. The pieces from babybedding.com were my only splurge, but are still affordable. I painted all of the picture frames an antique white and glued red buttons on (a project that cost $11 including frames-Walmart wooden frames, spray paint and some red buttons I had). Button details are also on the mobile and hamper. I also made the "No Monsters Allowed" sign that hangs above the closet. Our home is a 1941 bungalow. I wanted a nursery that may have been there when the house was built but with a modern twist-of course. I was also on a small budget, because I lost my job shortly after getting pregnant. The entire space was done for under $600, excluding the crib and dresser-gifts from our parents! My dad made the red shelf above the crib, and we painted it with leftover wall paint. Another friend made the personalized wooden blocks and made the personalized basket that holds toys. I found the alphabet art for $10, at TJMaxx and the letter "P" for $2.95 at landofnod.com. The "P" is hung by a handpainted Sock Monkey knob-$3.95 on Etsy! The red rugs, red changing table basket, and ivory rocking chair pad were Pier 1 clearance finds! The rocking chair was snagged from my parents porch. The crib, changing table/dresser, and bookshelf were ordered on sale from JCPenney. The small "bedside table" was purchased at a HUGE discount from a furniture store that was going out of business. The hamper was bought for $19.99, from babiesrus. I cut the wood buttons off, that it came with, and sewed on large red buttons I got at Walmart for $3. We painted this room with the intention that it can be used for years to come. The crib converts to a toddler bed and full bed, the changing table becomes simply a dresser, and the few sock monkey elements can be easily removed. With new sheets, comforter, rugs and art, this room can be transformed. I have visions of adding baby blue or orange to the red and brown, for a "big boy" space. For now, Preston loves "his monkeys" more than we could have hoped. He giggles and "talks" to them often, and we beam with pride!

Design Inspiration

My husband, actually! I always make decorating choices, but the excitement of FINALLY being able to decorate my own nursery was causing me to have a difficult time with commitment to a certain design. I wanted it to be perfect and "different". I'm not usually fond of "themes", but Ryan said one day, "How about sock monkeys? We're always drawn to them, when we see them in stores." He was right, so I got to work doing online searches for products and inspiration. Because the sock monkey crib sets I found were custom or boutique items, and out of my budget, I decided to piece the crib together with "cheap" and splurge pieces. The blanket and sheets were babybedding.com pieces, and the crib skirt was tadpoles brand from Amazon.com. I decided against a bumper, both to save money, and because they aren't recommended for safe S.I.D.S. sleeping!

Decorating Style

traditional with a modern twist and surprise elements

Project Details

Trim paint is Valspar by Eddie Bauer HOME Craftsman Bungalow in Craft White (EB25-4). The red and brown are Kilz brand tinted paint with primer. Crib (antiue white): http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=15cd87d&RefPage=X6&deptID=70676&catID=77448&cmOrigID=1653048&cmPosID=3&CmCatId=70676|77448|crosssell Changing Station/Dresser (antique white): http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=15cd86e&RefPage=X6&deptID=70676&catID=77448&cmOrigID=15cd87d&cmPosID=4&CmCatId=70676|77448|crosssell Book Shelf (antique white): http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=15cd864&RefPage=X6&deptID=70676&catID=77448&cmOrigID=15cd86e&cmPosID=4&CmCatId=70676|77448|crosssell Curtains (Tadpoles brand): http://www.target.com/Tadpoles-Basics-Red-Gingham-Drapes/dp/B0007ZGTUI/ref=sc_qi_detaillink Crib Bedding (Tadpoles brand-crib skirt not available individually any longer): http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2546944 Lamp Shade (I spray painted an old lamp base I already had red-night light also bought from same shop) : http://www.etsy.com/listing/45219889/sock-monkey-lamp-shade-bedroom-nursery?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=sock+monkey+lamp&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title Letter "P": http://www.landofnod.com/family.aspx?c=1137&f=489 Red Storage Bins on bookshelf: http://www.landofnod.com/family.aspx?c=86&f=854 PBK personalized soft seating: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/hybrid-my-first-anywhere-chair/?pkey=danywhere-chairs Crib blanket: http://www.babybedding.com/sock-monkey-crib-bedding-blanket-with-trim Crib Sheet: http://www.babybedding.com/sock-monkey-crib-bedding-sheet Changing pad cover: http://www.babybedding.com/sock-monkey-changing-pad-cover Sock Monkey "Posh Pin" that holds up the wall letter: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PoshDots

Favorite Items

The red and white gingham curtains really tie the room together. I love the Pottery Barn Kids soft chair too. Oh, and the lamp! The light switch plate is a nice surprise too!

Advice

Give yourself time, and search clearance sections OFTEN for bargains. Think outside the box. Pier 1 isn't a "typical kid's" store, but many items can compliment any children's space. Also, look at Lowe's and other home improvement stores. Our curtain rods were found on clearance, at Lowe's, for $4.95 each! Also, don't be afraid to ask for discounts. Our white bedside table was bought from a furniture store that was going out of business. It had a small "stain" on it, so we asked for a discount. They took $30 off the price, and it came off with a magic eraser! Good design doesn't have to cost a fortune. It just takes a little creativity and imagination! Being crafty doesn't hurt either.