today's project: nursery shelving

because these cutie pie stuffed animals aren't just going to display themselves... 

here's our inspiration; can't wait to give my husband such a fun after-work job. muahaha. daddy nesting, it's a real phenomenon. i'm too huge to really *do* anything, so i just make the unsolicited running commentary. and the nachos.

Source: ontobaby.com via Sophie on Pinterest

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Caroline on Pinterest

painted dressers for bebe

so little baby tupelo is scheduled to arrive in the next month or so, and we are busy bees putting finishing touches on the nursery. and by "finishing touches" i mean, the majority of touches. B got the drapery up last night, and then i spent a good amount of time trying to get up from the floor. 

side-bar: why would i think i could sit on the floor at this stage of pregnancy? just indian-style like it ain't no thang, playing songs and folding tiny baby clothes. all cute until the getting up process begins. i looked like i was doing an imitation of a buffalo, dying.

i haven't found a changing table/dresser situation at our price point that i'm super in love with, and i really hate to be all matchy-matchy with pieces of furniture. so i think we are going to go the painted-dresser-converted-into-a-changing-table route. here is some inspiration that i'm considering as we embark on this next little project...

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9

p.s. the bottom one is new from pottery barn. i love that color. but wtfreak is up with the styling? it's distracting and doesn't enhance the piece. pottery barn managing director of styling ... call me.

singing the blues

so in love with these spaces... vintagey, industrial, americana-feeling. but the soft blues keep things sweet and not too cold. i'm going to go ahead and confirm: this vibe is happening in my babe's nursery. 

top image from milk & honey; bottom from greige; middle from ralph lauren.

nursery sneakity peekity

well my friends, sometimes you just have to move out of the second-guessing/hating everything phase and just  s t a r t  s o m e w h e r e. so here's where we are. and i'm actually loving it. i settled on some blues and whites and creams. i think blue is a neutral. especially when it's in a globally-inspired swirly bird fabric. and this artwork sealed it for me. from this etsy shop: oh my deer {prepare for your head to explode from the cuteness in that shop by the way.}

so much more to come, but thought you'd enjoy a little peek. now pardon me while i go eat the 782nd burrito of this pregnancy. 

... and she's stable.

okay. my last post was pretty cranky, and i'm sorry for the grumps.  i'm determined to continue to fight the good fight against all disney-themed nurseries. i am now focused on buying PIECES that i love, and figuring out how they all fit together at the end. rather than getting overwhelmed with too many choices and trying to build Rome in a day.

i took my search, and borderline obsessive personality disorder, over to etsy to sort through all the rubble and find the good baby bedding. and ya-alllllll: i hit the jackpot. this. this is what we needed to get back on track. 

this and the box of gourmet chocolate covered pretzels that somehow fell into my grocery cart. 

an aside: some folks are selling baby bedding that is dry-clean only. that must only be for the babies that don't spit up and poop. otherwise known as dolls.

i went through 86 pages of this madness for the cause; here are some favorites (links to shops below). 

gold pussy willow//linen with bows//gray linen//monogram bumper//robins egg crib//neutrals with black toddler bed//oatmeal and cream luxe//mustard and gray//anchors//topsy turvy and stripes//washed linen bumpers//tasteful chevron

nursery drama

hi friends. i'm checking in tonight for some therapy. as you know, baby tupelo is coming soon-ish and while he/she is continuing to grow and get cuter by the second (no seriously - you should see the feet/legs of this boo; so long and precious i could kill myself) ... i am finding myself in utter panic about the nursery. usually when i say things like "utter panic" i'm being sarcastic. right now, however, i'm being serious. i have zero concerns about labor and delivery and a thousand concerns about the surroundings for my beloved baby. 

here are the challenges:

1. i'm seriously lacking for inspiration. i thought maternity clothes were bad. then i saw supposed "chic" nurseries. and my eyes bled. matchy-match, themed-out, vom in my face.
  
2. "help me. i'm poor." aka, we're on a budget. and while i will make a few splurges in the name of imparting good taste on future generations, unfortunately the jameson crib will remain on the RH showfloor. where i will occasionally visit it. and weep openly for what might have been.

3. we are not finding out the gender of the babe until it arrives. which i love on every level -- except it makes decor choices more difficult. i think i would rather err on the side of boy-ish than girl-ish, because that's always sort of my preference anyway. and i know if i have a girl, she'll pull off the tomboy-style thing, no sweat. 

so. to recap. we need to create a gender-neutral nursery on a budget that doesn't make my eyes bleed. oh, and throw in that we are renting and can't paint. so existing cream walls it is. le sigh.

these are some ideas i could work with:

fiddle leaf // pinch pleat grown-up drapery // soothing palette // organic woods

Source: nurserynotations.com via kristen on Pinterest

natural simplicity // ticking stripes // linen // vintage-y dresser

Source: nameisgrace.blogspot.com via kristen on Pinterest

brilliant texture mixage // light fixture whaaa // gold, grey and cream always wins

Source: caitlinwilsondesign.blogspot.com.au via Mel H on Pinterest

most likely to be handsome

found this nursery on pinterest the other day, and clicked through for more images from the designer. isn't it just so dang stately? i feel like the boy who grows up in this room basically becomes a modern-day Jake Ryan (from 16 Candles. hellllo). i especially love the scripty writing in gold on the navy. i loved it so much, in fact, i tried to buy it but alas it was one of a kind. you're a lucky dog, julian.

Source: lesueurinteriorsblog.com via kristen on Pinterest

check out the rest at leSueur interiors blog

charming nursery

i feel the same about nursery decor as I do about baby clothes, and that is that it should look like adult things, only smaller and with a little extra sprinkle of sweetness. i just can't get on board with themey nurseries and cheesy baby clothes. 
I love this one, found here. it has a little dash of whimsy, but is also restful and laid back and has plenty of room to grow. this one is also brilliant (LOVE the chair) and lauren liess never fails to amaze me.