If this nursery hasn’t inspired you just yet, keep reading. It’s hard not to be impressed by the creativity, love and attention to detail Rebecca has put into creating her son Brandt’s designer digs for less than $1000!

When it comes to designing a blank canvas, Project Nursery often recommends a single jumping off point. Rebecca’s inspiration for baby’s first room was Land of Nod’s contemporary quilted crib bedding, Full Circle. Prints from Yuko Lau found at Allposters.com nicely compliment the bedding and provides a touch of whimsy.  Rebecca explains that her biggest challenge was finding a white crib that wasn’t too feminine or traditional. The discovery of Babi Italia’s Scandi Dropside Crib in chocolate and white from Babies R Us was the ideal find. We just love how Rebecca chose to carry the same look throughout the room with the other pieces.

At 7 months pregnant, Rebecca created the focal wall behind the crib with hip squares of color. “The blocks were created by using 1.75″ painters tape for the grid and are approx 24″x24″. The color palette came directly from the bedding and art. I used Behr paint from Home Depot (3 shades of blue - Euclayptus Leaf, Adriatic Mist, and a medium
shade between the two that was a custom color; 2 shades of green- Dried Palm and Corn Husk and 1 brown- Breakfast Blend”.

Now here’s where Rebecca’s the inner Martha Stewart really kicks in…

“The scalloped paint design above the changing table was created by tracing half of a paper plate and then painting the outline by hand. The dresser came from an old armoire base I had. I added a fresh coat of white paint and brushed nickel hardware. To turn it into a changing table, I purchased the chocolate wood changing top from Pottery Barn Kids. The window panels are made from aqua colored twin sheets; I added the 24″ strip of white fabric and then embellished them with coordinating ribbon. I would have to say that my favorite item would have to be my window panels….only because I made them. I was working as a designer and was surrounded by fabrics that were awesome and about $100/yard or more so to be able to make my own that coordinated so well for about $12.00 per panel, I was really excited!”

Finally, the chair, shelves, picture frames, and paper lanterns are from Ikea and the Star Shaggy Raggy Rugs came from Target!

Bravo Rebecca, you should be really very proud of the cool, contemporary and creative nursery you created. Thanks for giving us the scoop!

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Bedding, Boy, Drapes, Furniture, Inspiration, Paint, Window Treatments

It’s so fun to know that Project Nursery is being enjoyed by people from around the globe. A reader from Amsterdam recently sent us a really supportive email (so nice, thanks!) and introduced us to a local baby bedding company called Kikebu. Kikebu’s style is simple, fresh and original. Their philosophy is to make life easier for parent and baby through products that are practical, elegant and attractive. They say, “Babies deserve to be loved and surrounded by happiness, that is why we design, produce and select  the best and most attractive products, trying to create a happy, cozy world around them.”

Besides the bright and cheerful crib sets I really like the hooded towels. Its tough to find a great hooded towel that’s not too cutesy or adorned with animal ears. Also check out the changing mats. The cool modern prints are a fun change from the typical ugly black nylon ones that come with most baby bags.

Tags: Bedding, Gear

Fawn&Forest recently introduced Amenity’s latest collection of serene forest life for the nursery. Think wetlands, nature preserves and modern Bambi. Amenity’s sweet organic pillows, blankets, bedding and prints provide a soothing escape from primary colored, battery operated toys and flashing lights. Charming descriptions also make them that much more lovable…

The Woodland Collection “Among the violet wildflowers, whimsical squirrels scamper after acorns and butterflies. Their playful smiles are sure to be contagious.”

The Wetlands Collection “At the watery edges of the ocean, a blue pool warmed by the sun and surrounded by reeds is the most natural habitat for a young family of ducks out for their first swim.”

Tags: Animals, Bedding, Eco-Friendly, Organic

Project Nursery started because of a home decorating dialogue between two friends and we now want YOU in on the discussion with our new SHARE FORUM! We are sooo excited about our new forum hence, the BIG and we mean $1000 BIG GIVEAWAY thanks to our incredible sponsors. Check out the serious swag below that ONE lucky Project Nursery reader will win!

Surround yourself with beautiful things! Layla Grace is a stunning boutique that has a little of everything for everyone…women, children, gifts and home. It’s not often you can find one place that offers looks ranging from modern to cottage. When combined, it creates a one of a kind eclectic look we love so much.

 So fabulous and so necessary for sleeping time! We appreciate SoMi baby’s good looks and functional features.

 Not only do we love Lillybean Designs for their sweet stationary but for their flexibility. Custom orders are a breeze! Email Shawna direct for all your printed paper needs.

Feed baby with ease…anywhere! We would never leave the house if it wasn’t for Bebe au Lait. You’ll look good and feel good too.

   Who couldn’t use a professional interior designer? We know you’ll like Lesley so much - Watch out! You may end up redecorating your entire home!

Sally’s Clippies makes Melisa want to have a girl sooo bad so she can do her hair with their fun, fabulous clips and headbands.

 Why didn’t I think of this??? An ingenious idea and Project Nursery must have for all the little drippy drooly babies out there.

Two Madison Paker Toddler Tees ($60 value)

 We like us and think you could always use a second (and third) opinion or a little design inspiration for your kid’s room by yours truly, Little Apple Design, the Project Nursery Editors.

There are three (3) ways to enter & win. We encourage you to enter by each and every method!

1. COMMENT ON OUR NEW SHARE FORUM! Sign up and either ask a question or provide an answer within the month of September. Basically, start chatting with other PN readers! You will automatically be entered in our giveaway. Each posting (up to five) will count toward one entry.

2. SIGN UP FOR OUR DAILY EMAIL OR RSS FEED and tell us that you did OR tell us that you are already a subscriber on this post (Thank you for your support subscribers!).

3. VISIT OUR SPONSORS and share with us your favorite product(s) from our wonderful sponsors on this post.

Each entry (in the order above) will be assigned a number. The number will be choosen by random.org. The winner will be notified via email and have three days to respond. One reminder email will be sent on the third day and if another 48 hours go by with no response, the next number on the list will be notified. US and Canada residents only.

CONTEST ENDS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1,  2008, 11:59PM PST. CLICK “SHARE” BELOW TO GET STARTED!

Good Luck and We look forward to chatting with you!

Melisa & Pam

Tags: Bedding, Blankets, Clothes, Design Boards, Feeding, Gear, Hair Clips, Paint, Sleepsack

Manhattan based mom-to-be Tamra recently reached out to us via our Share Forum and asked for our help in dreaming up the ideal nursery for her son who is due this fall. We were happy to help out and give Tamra extra kudos for being part of the Project Nursery community.

Although Tamra knew she was having a boy, she wanted to keep the nursery colors soft and neutral just like the paint color she loved, “Breath of Fresh Air” by Benjamin Moore. While life in the Big Apple is full of fast city energy, the nursery needs to be soothing and peaceful. Amen! Tamra had already picked out a few key items and just needed help fine tuning the room. Her picks included crib bedding by Junior Q Collection, featuring sky blue elephants and a geometric pale yellow tile print, and the Amy Coe Westport crib and dresser from Babies R’ Us. With these items in place it was a cinch for us to pull together a stunning inspiration board for you Tamra (if we don’t say so ourselves). We hope you like our additions and just request that you send us photos when the room is complete!

Junior’s Nursery Recs:

1.Deco Pendant Lighting - Design Public
2.Benjamin Moore “Breath of Fresh Air” - Paint*
3. Wallter Circles Wall Application - Design Public
4. Resin Side Table - West Elm
5. Q Collection Junior Celestial Palace - Crib Set*
6. My Pal, The Elephant - Wall Art
7. FLOR Walking on Clouds Collection - Floor Covering/Rug
8. P’kolino Clothes Tree at Sparkability - Storage
9. Amy Coe Westport - Crib & Dresser at Toys R Us*

Tags: Bedding, Blue, Coat Rack, Contemporary, Cribs, Inspiration, Lighting, Wall Art

Pre-baby, my husband and I enjoyed exotic vacations and adventures. Since becoming parents, we have decided to put a few things on hold for the time being such 15 hours flights! While travelling the far east back in the day however, I fell in love with rich, handwoven, painted fabrics and gorgeous block prints. I have always wanted to incorporate more of these worldly designs into my home but never imagined doing it in the nursery. I now have proof that this look transcends beautifully into baby. Introducing Rikshaw Design…

Rikshaw Design is a baby bedding company based out of San Francisco specializing in hand block printed Indian cotton textiles, designed especially for the “bohemian baby” (and parents!). The designer/owner, Catherine Fitzsimmons, is a former textile designer for Pottery Barn and Ralph Lauren who noticed that the baby bedding could use something new and different.

Rickshaw currently offers four bedding collections along with pillows, diaper pouches, burp cloth and bib sets.  

In our opinion, it’s incredibly refreshing to see crib bedding options beyond cute characters, polka dots and stripes. Catherine has done a brilliant job incorporating a casual, global look and feel into a baby’s world with an ancient art form.

Tags: Bedding, Bibs, Blankets

Sadie’s coming in just a matter of weeks (July 21st!) and Mom Sarah is busy in the Netherlands preparing her nursery. Thankfully for Mom, she has a great friend Alexandra who channels her inner artist on weekends to create a fun, friendly animal mural with a white picket fence and all.

Now that the amazing wall mural is up, Sarah reached out to Project Nursery for bedding and window treatment inspiration…

“I was thinking light blue, solid, (close to the wall color) with maybe two or three satin ribbons of color along the bottom. This would work but then I also want to hang wall letters above the bed spelling out Sadie’s name but I’m wanting those to be in pink and red (which do not clash if you ask me, especially since they were my wedding colors!) or at least something girly. Then you have the problem with the pink and red wall letters right above the bedding which is going to be light blue. Of course the bedding can also be pink and red but then it doesn’t match the curtain, which is on the other side of the (small) room. What’s a girl to do?”

So with Mom’s genuine love of pink and red in mind (just like Hailey’s room) here are Project Nursery’s suggestions…

Bedding: Go Farm Girl Fresh! Incorporate patterns and textures with a gingham bumper, floral sheets and denim pillows. Red, pink and blue will go great together. Think Ralph Lauren meets Shabby Chic!

Photos: Potterybarn Kids (Super on sale and maybe worth the shipping), Baby Gap (Go organic, go Gap or even better, copy this look with red piping instead of hot pink), DucDuc at Nursery Instyle (Majorly modern plaid)

Drapes: Simple and solid is the right idea. But because you are having a girl and the room is small, go white! Girly doesn’t have to be frilly. Keep it casual - think cotton twill or eyelet. Love your ribbon idea. Trim the window treatments in red or pale pink ribbon. Also make sure your run the drapes from the top of the ceiling to the floor to add height and drama to the room.

Photos: PB Teen’s ribbon drape has the right idea for a clean, simple look and the Warm Biscuit Bedding Company fabrics inspire sweet dreams.

And simply for the love of decorating, here are a few fun, unsolicited recommendations for the nursery:

Photos: Innermost Delight Drum Shade at Design Public (Contemporary yet whimsical ), PB Teen (Sweet and personalized), Rosenberry Rooms Wall Letters (Hand painted inspiration and so many to choose from), Kiwi Sheepskin Rug (From New Zealand, ships internationally).

Best of luck Sarah, Alexandra and Dad Marco! Please share with us the end result - including Sadie of course!

PS: For more pictures of the mural by Alexandra, check out share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8QcsWTNm2bMTA

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Bedding, Murals, Whimsical

Choosing crib bedding is probably one of the most fun, while at the same time, most difficult elements of planning the nursery. I mean, we are talking about the first sheets your little precious baby will sleep on here! Do you go floral and polka dots or stripes and plaid? Vintage looking western or modern geometric pattern?…the options go on and on. A bit dramatic of me? Yes, but it does always seem that bedding sets the stage for the the entire room and thankfully there are a ton of great options for crib bedding now. The hard part is making that final decision.

Well to make things more difficult there is a new kid on the block, Baby Star! They believe a “baby star” is born everyday. How cute is that? They are devoted to high-quality products for design-savvy parents. Modern, clean, 100% cotton and formaldehyde-free, just how we like them! Find both the crib bedding and bassinet at 2Modern. And $380 for the set, which includes bumper, two fitted sheets and skirt is a complete steal! 

Tags: Bedding

…but Twice as Nice!

The crib bedding, wall art and changing pad cover were all purchased from the lovely online women and children’s boutique, Layla Grayce. Target’s “Simply Shabby Chic” bed linens beautifully compliment her designer crib duds.

Soft green walls are wonderful and neutral but finding the right green isn’t always easy. I recently learned this lesson while helping my friend choose a green for her little girl’s room. Next time I’ll take a cue from the twins room and suggest Behr’s Disney Paint Collection sold at Home Depot: Christopher Robin’s Swing, dc4a-30-2.

The rockers for mommy and babies are not only practical but give off that shabby chic vibe. The playful pink seating area for the twins gets plenty of use during story time. Besides, every room needs a personalized soft seat for their little one from Pottery Barn Kids (which makes a great baby gift).

And finally, a reminder that accessories do matter. Hanging sweet tutu’s, displaying customized plates, cuddly friends and pink piggy banks complete the room, making it perfect in every way!

Tags: Baby Nurseries, Bedding, DIY, Green, Inspiration, Pink, Shabby Chic, Twins