Description
I love this room! I knew I’d be spending a lot of time in the nursery with the birth of our first son, Collier Edward Dorff. I wanted it to be a space that I enjoyed and that created a feeling of calmness and happiness.
Design Inspiration
I found a lot of inspiration from Restoration Hardware and Doodles in Houston. As soon as I saw the Ella Glider in that fabric I knew I had to have it and designed everything else around the fun print. I had also been coveting the chandelier from Horchow for years and decided that it would be a fabulous focal piece in the nursery or in an entry way one day.
Decorating Style
I wanted to keep things traditional, but interesting and new. I’m also all about multi-functional pieces that can be used again (with the exception of the crib, of course). It was also important for me to create a room using items that could be used for both a girl and boy (in case we have both one day!), which inspired the use of gray. (I can definitely see mixing splashes of hot pink to the existing gray for a more feminine look!)
Project Details
Crib: Restoration Hardware Antique Spindle Crib in Aged White http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=rhbc_prod225126
Dresser: Z Gallerie Borghese Mirrored 7-Drawer Chest http://www.zgallerie.com/p-1378-borghese-mirrored-7-drawer-chest.aspx
Bookcase: Ballard Designs Bourdonnais Bookcase in Belgian Oak http://www.ballarddesigns.com/bourdonnais-bookcase/furniture/bookcases/12347
Side table: I already owned it
Lamp: Pier 1 Imports (no longer available)
Anthropologie Animal Heads http://search.anthropologie.com/controller?N=0&Ntk=primary&Nu=p_group_id&Np=2&Ntt=animal%20head
Urban Outfitters Elephant Head Tie Backs http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18293787
Chandelier: Capiz Flower Burst Pendant by Horchow http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=cprod65470064
Drapes: Fabric is Calico Corners Seymour Celadon, made by Graham Kracker in Midland, Texas (along with “Collier” pillow) http://www.calicocorners.com/product/designer+fabrics+for+the+home/shop+fabrics+by+color/aqua+and+teal+fabric/seymour+celadon.do
Drape liners in white linen on large window: Bed Bath and Beyond
Moses Basket from MADISON in Dallas, Texas
Book Rack: Pottery Barn Kids Large Book Rack in White http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/catalina-magazine-rack/
Custom bedding from Doodles in Houston
Rug from Doodles in Houston
Glider and Ottoman: Four Seasons Furniture Ella Glider in Essence Fabric (ordered from Doodles in Houston) http://shopfourseasonsfurniture.com/ellaac.htm
Custom embroidered nursery rhyme quilt: gift from my Aunt Joanna McMillan (who stitched each quilt square)
Favorite Items
Some of my favorite items are the cashmere blanket that my Aunt brought to Collier from London a few months before he was born. The quilt is also very special since another of my Aunts made it especially for him. It features various nursery rhymes and she embroidered each square by hand. I also love the little cow rocker that was a gift from my mom.
Each book in the bookrack and bookcase has its own special story, given as gifts from dear friends and family. We love to read in my family so I’m excited to make use of these as Collier grows up! I particularly love Shel Silverstein, vintage Golden Books, and Roald Dahl. (I think we read the BFG a hundred times growing up and can’t wait to share it with Collier!)
The personal letter and engraved silver cup from former President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush are also very treasured items. My husband and I both worked at the White House during the Bush Administration, so the former First Family occupies a special place in our hearts. We were fortunate enough to receive the letter the day we returned home from the hospital and love that this was Collier’s first official piece of mail! The silver cup is engraved with Collier’s birthdate, December 18, 2011, and his initials, CED.
The football is also very special since it belonged to my Dad who played professional football in the 1970s. The baseball gloves were gifts to my husband for Christmas right after Collier was born. The personalized glove for Collier is from Pottery Barn Kids and then I ordered my husband one as well from Rawlings and had it engraved with “Dad”. He loved it and can’t wait to start playing catch.
Advice
Gray is the best neutral you can find for a baby's room while still showing off your style and personality. It goes with all furniture and decor, boy or girl!
Florence Amber
Saturday 21st of July 2012
Very unique nursery in that the color scheme and the zoo theme are so different!