A Soft, Neutral Nursery

Description

I'm a planner, so I think it surprised people that I didn't want to find out the gender of our baby before he was born.  I'd always known I wanted the nursery to be neutral (if we have more children, it will be shared because we live in a small house), so I didn't need to know the gender in planning the nursery.  I choose a neutral color palette and furniture that would grow with our child.  I also let practical elements, like toys, books, and a magnet board become part of the design of the room since the space is rather small (with low ceilings too!).

Design Inspiration

My favorite color combination is gray and yellow, so the palette I chose incorporated pale grays and a shade of yellow that I like to call "vintage yellow."  I also love the look of white furniture, so I chose mostly white furniture with bits of birch and maple.

Decorating Style

I like clean lines and simple patterns.  While I adore photos of rooms with many colors, I prefer to live in rooms that have a softer, more simple palette.  I like to incorporate both vintage and modern pieces in the same space.  I also enjoy using a lot of handmade items.  And, if I can decorate with inexpensive items, that is icing on the cake!

Project Details

Furniture:

•                dresser, crib, rocker, and bookshelf - IKEA

•                small stool - discontinued IKEA

•                maple cradle - handmade by my grandfather

Storage:

•                wall bookshelves (spice racks) - IKEA

•                bins in bookshelf - Target

•                metal bin under stool - World Market

•                bird hooks - Container Store

•                birch branch shelf - Etsy

Linens

•                bumper - handmade, fabric from Hawthorne Threads; insert from giggle

•                crib skirt - handmade, fabric from Hawthorne Threads

•                curtains - handmade, fabric from Making Ends Meet

•                floor pillows - handmade, fabric from Hawthorne Threads

•                various blankets - handmade by family and friends

Decor and Toys

•                felt birds - Etsy

•                mirror - Target (painted to match room)

•                whale tissue box - Etsy

•                various stuffed animals and toys - Etsy

•                I Am A Child of God print - Etsy

•                animal prints - The Animal Print Shop

•                wood alphabet – Etsy

Favorite Items

The cradle that my grandfather made.  I feel honored to share this heirloom with my children.

Advice

Sturdy furniture doesn't have to cost you a lot of money -- We have always been happy with the quality of our IKEA furniture.  Also, in a children's room, use toys and books as practical decor.  Finally, choose a color palette that you love and can live in.  Color plays an important role in how we feel when we are in a space.  There are many other colors I adore, but since I knew I would be spending a lot of time in this room with my child, I chose a palette that made me feel relaxed and cozy.