Walt’s Tropical Oasis

A Project For: Walter Everett
Age: 3 weeks
Location: Spring, Texas
Description:
Tropical Ocean Nursery Design
Design Inspiration:
We love to snorkel, so I thought a beachy room with a tropical feel would be a space where everyone could enjoy spending time. I knew I wanted to create a tropical oasis for little Walt's nursery, but it wasn't until I stumbled across Project Nursery that I went design crazy! I have been inspired daily by all the amazing readers' projects on PN!
Decorating Style:
As an artist, I can't resist lots of color, texture and contrast! I enjoy planning a project over time, so it can evolve!
Project Details:
- The crib was passed down from my sister. It was pink, and we painted it "Blue Bauble" (same on walls) by Sherwin Williams.
- The bedding was all custom made by the amazing Ronda Houle, find her on etsy store name: http://www.etsy.com/people/gmaronda
- Fish throw pillow also came from a very talented etsy shop owner: http://www.etsy.com/people/maxinefashion
- Changing table dresser is an antique I found at the Salvation Army thrift store for $99.
- The azure minky changing pad cover and matching boppy cover are by: http://www.etsy.com/people/LittleOwlsNest
- The small antique chair came from my great grandma, and I asked Ronda to sew the little cushion.
- The two-tiered vintage round side table is a craigslist find for $35, and the upholstered rocking chair is also a lovely CL piece. Here is a link to my before & after: http://nurserydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/08/slipcover-bad-reupholster-good.html
- The round throw pillow in the re-upholstered chair is from etsy: http://www.etsy.com/people/TheSewingAttic, she is in New Zealand and she sent Walt a matching bib with the throw pillow when she found out I was putting the pillow in my nursery! How sweet is that?
- The lamp is from lampsplus.com, rug is from overstock.com, Moroccan pouf is from Tazi Designs.
- My Dutailer glider was my gift from my mother back in 1999 when I had my first son, Brad. I love that chair! I dressed it up with two vintage throw pillows: the gold one is from my grandmother's house when she redecorated I got the old stuff :o) The teal one is from etsy: http://www.etsy.com/people/TipsyTimeMachine
- The little aqua and orange stool and the cute critter throw pillow are from Digaliggins on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/people/digaliggins
- Adorable handmade chenille burp cloths are by: http://www.etsy.com/people/KBExquisites
- Organic nursing /teething necklace is from: http://www.etsy.com/people/KangarooCare
- Shower "Thank You" cards from: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KnockOutPunches
- Shower Hostess' Gifts from: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dreamtimeharvest and http://www.etsy.com/shop/OneClayBead
- Minky & Cloth Diaper burp cloths: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ADDOXMOM
- I made the felt mobile, and Brad and I painted the paper mache name letters.
- I also made the curtain panels and valance with no-sew adhesive. I was asked to blog about it right here on PN! http://projectnursery.com/2011/07/diy-no-sew-curtains/
- The photos of Walter were taken by the photographer at The Woman's Hospital of Texas.
- Mural by Moi! http://www.wendyswalls.com
Favorite Items:
My 11 year old son, Bradley, and I painted Walter's name letters together and had so much fun! I love looking at Walter's name above the French doors because it reminds me of our special project time together. The rag quilt was a surprise from my custom quilter, Ronda Houle. She used my leftover fabrics to make one of my favorite things ever! I know Walt is going to love it :o)
Advice:
Take your time and plan one small project at a time. I used the internet to do most of my research. I love great deals, so I like checking CL and thrift stores when I am looking for something unique. Design something you love with your child in mind and you can't make a mistake!

jenniferalexis

so cheerful!!! would have never thought to put a zebra rug in a ocean themed room, it makes it so unique!!!
SharoniNoni

I remember stumbling upon your blog a while ago when your curtains had just been complete. Amazing to see now how it has all come together. It looks great!
http://www.wendyswalls.com wenbow

Thank you Jennifer! I really wanted that rug but wasn’t sure if it would work. Then the idea of incorporating the bannerfish aka “zebra fish” just clicked. That’s when I knew it would all come together!

~ Wendy
http://www.wendyswalls.com wenbow

Hi SharoniNoni! Thank you for the compliments and for checking out my blog :o)

~ Wendy
Megan

Hi!
Love the nursery! Doing a similar theme for my daughter…question about the wall decore. Did you paint the seaweed/fish, or are those vinyl wall decals? If vinyl where did you find them?

Thanks!
http://www.wendyswalls.com wenbow

Hi Megan!

Thank you for viewing my nursery project. I am a professional muralist, and I did paint these myself. Walter absolutely loves his fish! From 2 days old, he was mesmerized :o)

~Wendy
yeyen11

This is a fun, beautiful, unique nursery! love it! 5*!
http://www.littleowlsnest.com Angie

It turned out so beautiful Wendy – I love all the colors! Walt is an absolute cutie and a lucky boy to have such a great room to grow up in!!
http://www.wendyswalls.com wenbow

Thank you Angie!
http://www.KnoutOutPunches.etsy.com Bethany Spanos

Beautiful Room!! Just perfect!!!
maxine stiles

Love how the room turned out. It’s gorgeous, as is Walter
http://projectnursery.com Melisa

Awesome Wendy! Enjoy that sweet baby and beautiful room. So glad to get to “know” you through PN!!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/linseystiles Linsey

I love the fishy theme!
stephaniefox

so beautiful!! what a lucky boy!!!
Jackypant’s Mommy

Love it and love you, since I have known you forever, I can honestly say this room is definitely a Wendy room. Jack would never let me paint over the fish in his room that you did years ago for Tanner. Can’t wait to see Walt and the room!!!! I voted hope you win.
Dallas
Amy

I absolutely love love the room! It loos amazing and so relaxing I knew the room would be adorable you are just so talented ! Love u and u work!
jude

I think this room has so much potential and I love the idea but it is just TOO busy for my taste…between the fish mural, zebra rug and the coral pattern curtains my eyes just don’t know where to look. I guess I’m more of a minimalist…On a side note I love the vintage feel crib
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ADDOXMOM?ref=si_shop jess

love the vintage feel!! handsome little man, as well!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ADDOXMOM?ref=si_shop
Starlight Juliet

As much as I love the idea of using a Moroccan pouf for color and contrast I’m a little hesitant about getting one on the basis of funtionality. Do you use it when you rock or nurse? Do you think it is more comfortable than a regular ottoman?
Mom

So cute!
http://www.wendyswalls.com wenbow

Starlight Juliet,

I wasn’t sure either, but I finally added it to the room as a last purchase, and I just love it! It is highly used as a footstool and as extra seating when I have company. I do recommend it. Overstock has them cheaper, and prestuffed.
http://www.wendyswalls.com wenbow

yeyen11,

Thanks so much!
Starlight Juliet

Thanks so much! I’ll definantly look into it.
wallwishes

I swear I picked this room because I liked it best and THEN i realized it was an ocean room and the baby’s name is Walter! this is too funny. Walter is my boy name (and I love Wally for when he is little) and my husband loves the ocean so I planned on having an underwater theme foe baby Walter’s room. Is he named after anyone? I am a mural artist as well. This room was my fave before I even realized there was artwork on the wall. and i LOVE the zebra rug…immeditely thought of the fish, not the mammal! I hope you win!
Wendy Bowman

Are we on the same wavelength or what? I got the chills just reading that! Thank you for all the nice insightful compliments from a fellow artist, and you better show off your nursery one day so we can see it!
kelly

did you win Wendy? you definitely should!
http://www.arcopedico.org/contact/ arcopedico

I just like the helpful information you provide to your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check once more here frequently. I am quite certain I will be informed plenty of new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the following!
http://www.code-csharp.net Learning technology

Ok, i’ll begin by stating decent content. Im not certain if it is spoke of, yet when you use Firefox Allow me to certainly not take advantage of the existing webpage to be able to download devoid of invigorating frequently. Might just be a laptop or computer. Thank you.
Tania

Wendy,
I LOVE your nursery. We have been inspired by it and are doing a similar theme for our little one. Can you tell me where you got the white shelves that flank the crib/window? thanks!
Brittany

Beautiful art work and nursery… the pictures are amazing! I was wondering where did you find the material to make the curtains? I have been looking for coral material for my bedroom design… any help would be appreciated! Thanks
Katie

Awesome room! We want to paint our Jenny Lind crib too, but I’m having trouble figuring out if I can just spray paint it and let it “air out” for a while or what will be safe for our baby…did you put anything on top of the paint you used to paint your crib (like a clearcoat or varnish)? Thanks!
http://www.littlebluezebra.com Little Blue Zebra

Gorgeous room. So bright and fun – you are very talented!
http://www.wendyswalls.com Wendy

Tania,

I had them built-in by a carpenter who works for my painter. My first time hiring a carpenter, and it was less expensive than free floating furniture pieces while adding value to my home. They are safer too now that Walt is climbing everything!
http://www.wendyswalls.com Wendy

Brittany,

Hi! I found the fabric on fabric.com, and it is by a company called premier fabrics for $7.57 per yard!
http://www.wendyswalls.com Wendy

Katie,

I used Ceramacoat craft acrylics after giving the crib a light sanding first. I did not apply a clear coat. The paint is just fine and never had fumes.
http://www.wendyswalls.com Wendy

Thank you to everyone who likes my nursery and voted way back in the Fall. Walter is getting so big and about to walk now! I love my nursery everyday, and it was worth all the time and planning to make this room what it is. Walter LOVES it!!!!

Posted on September 26, 2011

Project By: wenbow

Hello! My name is Wendy Bowman, and I am a wife, mother and freelance artist. As a professional children's muralist from Houston, Texas I have seen a lot of awesome nurseries over the past 15 years. I have to say that the rooms I see here on Project Nursery are truly amazing! My story: After 6 years of trying to conceive every which way imaginable, we are finally expecting boy #2 thanks to IVF (expected due date 8/31/11). His nursery has been in the making in my mind all this time! We have actually built a room addition from the ground up! It is an extension of our master bedroom which needed more space anyway. I am so glad I discovered Project Nursery, and I have been telling all my clients and friends about it since I found it. The array of unique room designs from project nursery users is very rich and eclectic, so I LOVE love LOVE this site. I have gotten so many ideas from everyone who graciously posts their reveals here. I will be blogging to track the progress of my nursery until it is ready to reveal here on PN. Check out my blog: nurserydesigns.blogspot.com Website: wendyswalls.com Etsy: sweetdreamswallart

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