Creating a Nursery that Grows
It usually only takes a few minutes after seeing the 2 pink lines on a pregnancy test before Mom starts dreaming of her next decorating venture: the nursery. Babies’ rooms are so much fun because you really can play out some of your childhood fantasies. However, this season of life often means you will be selling your house in a couple of years as your family continues to grow! Austin’s own Get Babied asked me to do a workshop for all of their expectant clients to help them create a room that will grow with time, and that won’t send a potential buyer running out the front door! Here is what I shared with them:
1. Don’t go crazy on customizing the walls: Here are some of my favorite wall decals from Land of Nod. They are not permanent and can go into the next nursery, playroom, or house! Other great sources for wall decals: Ferm Living, Marimekko, and What is Blik
I LOVE wallpaper, but it is a huge pain for future homebuyers to take down. You literally have to steam off the wallpaper and sometimes even redo drywall! Here is a non toxic wall adhesive recipe that is also semi permanent:
- 1 cup flour (wheat, corn, or rice)
- 3 teaspoons alum
- water
- 10 drops oil of cloves (natural preservative)
Combine the flour and alum in a double boiler. (If you don’t have a double boiler, set a smaller pan inside a bigger one that contains enough water that can be brought to a boil without overflowing). Add enough water to make a consistency of heavy cream; stir until blended. Heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened to a gravy texture. Let cool. Stir in the clove oil. Pour into a glass jar with a screw top. Apply with a glue brush.
Makes 1 cup. Shelf life: 2 weeks refrigerated.
Try to choose a wallpaper that isn’t SO baby, that the room couldn’t be repurposed for a study, or that your soon to be preschooler (they grow quickly!) will still LOVE. Also, choose to do an accent wall instead of the whole room. Cole and Son is my favorite wall paper manufacturer. Here are a few selections that would work great in baby’s room but also in a study or preschooler’s room:
- Cole and Son Contemporary III Collection
Cole and Son Flower Collection
Cole and Son Flower Collection
Cole and Son Contemporary III Collection
2. Don’t let accessories be last!
When decorating, I start with an accessory that inspires me! Whether I find a must-have pillow, an antique light fixture, or a fabulous home made mobile, I start with a unique object, and then decide on paint color and room direction. Accessorize the crib with pillows that will be on a big girl or big boy bed some day. Choose light fixtures that create unique spaces, and don’t forget about adorable mobiles! Spend your budget on items that you can take with you no matter where you live!
This $85 antique light fixture inspired our daughter's room
Kim of KWillis Design personalized pillows for her new arrival. www.kwillisdesign.com
Hey Now Whoa Now recreated this inspired bird mobile. Make several for a big impact and easily relocate them to a play room when nursery days end! www.heynowwhoanow.com
3. Use furniture Creatively:
Oh please don’t buy a diaper changer! It may feel like they will always be in diapers, but this too shall pass! This is your chance to customize an antique dresser, use a console table, or even borrow a chest of drawers. Finish the piece off with some cute pulls from Anthroplogie or Hobby Lobby. When the diaper days are over, you can even move the piece to a different room or into your larger home (after you buy it)!
Can you spot the diaper changer in this nursery? When Berick is poddy trained, his parents can easily use this piece in another room. Thanks, Katie!
4. Toys are Inevitable
I think most parents, before they are actually parents, visit their friends’ home who have kids only to leave saying, “We will never have that many toys for our kids.” You may not have that many, but you will have some! And you need a cute place to store them! Toys are not what you are thinking about during the nursery decorating stage but they are inevitable. Here are ways to incorporate future storage into the nursery:
- Find an upholstered storage ottoman on Craig’s list and reupholster with a fabulous fabric. If any upholstery project is DIY, it would be an ottoman. Place it at the end of the crib or, if small enough, use in front of your glider as a footrest.
- I love the idea of using clothesline pins to hold baby pics on a metal dress form that will soon hold dress up clothes and art projects. This one from Pier 1 is only $59!
Bows are organized and dress up clothes and tap shoes are easily reached!
I reupholstered this resale store find in a fun houndstooth. The best part? It stores all of those tiny toddler toys!
5. Our Favorite Paint Colors that whisper, don’t scream, Baby
- You probably wonder why I didn’t start with paint colors! Because I first like to decorate around an object that inspires me, I have many paint colors that compliment most objects de vertu. They are from Restoration Hardware’s paint collections. They have all been faithfully tested on Honegger Construction remodeled homes.
Butter Paint Collection
Shore Paint Collection
Silver Sage Paint Collection
Oh, this makes me want to DO a nursery, even sans kiddo! I especially love the wallpapers. Great ideas!
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