I was thrilled to get to help my friends, Caroline and Ethan, design their nursery for their first baby, Lincoln. Caroline grew up going to her grandparents’ beach house in historic Galveston, Texas, and Caroline and Ethan were married there, so it was a natural jumping off point when we were contemplating the feel of the room.

We agreed to embrace the calming neutrals that come to mind when thinking of gulf beaches — muted blues, creams, and sands with some pops of happy yellow and orange to round out the space. With that in mind, the fun began: shopping! Caroline and Ethan had an adorable crib, glider, and dresser/changing table in mind, and once those staples were in place, I pulled together some options for rugs, curtains, art, and accessories.

I am over the moon with how the room came together! It’s a relaxing room for Mom, Dad, and Lincoln, filled to the brim with memories and thoughtful touches. The fantastic (and super affordable!) rug grounds the space with its deep navy color and a texture that reads beachy without being overtly nautical. The dresser used as a changing table is a simple Ikea staple, updated lovingly with a fresh coat of paint from Dad. The curtains we kept light and breezy, and the fringe border is a special touch. The art over the changing table is a photograph of the Pleasure Pier, one of the couples’ favorite places to visit in Galveston. Happily, it’s become Lincoln’s favorite thing to stare at during his diaper changes.

My favorite touch is probably the DIY copper & rope art that Caroline completed for above Lincoln’s crib. The cotton piping definitely has a nautical feel, and the copper ties in nicely with the copper side table next to the glider. As an added bonus, it’s light and won’t harm baby in the unlikely event that Austin, Texas has an earthquake and it comes unfastened from the wall.

If you’d like to read more on the design process for the nursery, you can check that out here, or for more details on the final reveal, click here. Best of luck with your own nursery projects!