I have a bad habit of never feeling like a room is really “done.” And I want desperately to wait to post about it until it’s “done.” (Because I know if I don’t wait, I’ll never update it.) But, since I never feel that it’s done, I wait forever to post about it. It’s a vicious cycle.
This was especially true with Henry’s nursery. Even though I started thinking about the nursery when I got pregnant and really planning as soon as I knew Henry was going to be a boy (in February), I was still scrambling to pull it together in May.
Then my little stinker showed up 3 1/2 weeks early. And while the bones of the nursery were there (paint, crib, changing table, rocker), there was still a lot to do. So, after a few weeks of coming out of the new baby haze, I got back to finishing touches. Thanks to my husband and mom for taking Henry duty while I set to sewing pillows and pennants, putting up wall art and primping (not to be confused with pimping) the room.
Here’s the first modest inspiration board I put together in March. (And here’s the original to-do list, and I did knock out many of the projects.)
Yes, I know. I’m not winning any awards for this inspiration board. But, I think the room actually turned out a lot better than I had imagined. And as of last weekend, I officially declared the room “done.” Sure, there are things that I had planned to do, but at some point, I had to say, I have a ten-week old child and I’m tired of the project list. And I’m quite happy with the room as it is. In fact, it may just be my favorite room in the house.
So, here’s the official tour, courtesy of Henry and I. (And let’s be honest, the nursery is more for the momma than the baby at this point. See, he isn’t even interested enough to look at the camera.)
I know that many people take the less is more approach when it comes to decorating. I, however, take the more is more approach. Haven’t heard of it? Well, it essentially means that I fill every nook and cranny. It’s not everyone’s taste, and that’s okay. Because I’m loving it. And I love that everywhere I look, there’s something interesting.
I’ll share all the (millions of) photos and sources today and come back in the next few weeks with more details about some of the projects I haven’t blogged about. Links to DIY projects and sources are at the bottom of the post.
Welcome to the classic nautical nursery
The main man
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- Vintage dresser (Antique from local antique mall)
- DaVinci Jenny Lind crib (Amazon, gift from Ryan’s parents)
- Sealy Baby Firm Rest Crib mattress (Amazon, gift from Ryan’s parents)
- Vintage school desk (Antique that originally belonged to Ryan’s grandfather)
- Tree trunk table (DIY by Ryan)
-
Twin upholstered bed (DIY with Dwell Bella Porta in Twilight, Fabric.com)Madison 4-shelf bookrack (Pottery Barn Kids)Rocking chair (the same chair my mom rocked me in as a baby)
White hutch (originally a television hutch, made by my father, painted by me and shelves added by Ryan)
Leather ottoman (hand-me-down from my in-laws)
Textiles:
- Blackout curtains (DIY with Dwell Bella Porta in Twilight, Fabric.com)
- Houndstooth quilt (DIY with front in Kona solids in white and indigo from Hancock and backing and binding in mini dots navy from Ben Franklin)
- Zig zag quilt (DIY with front in Kona solids in white and indigo from Hancock and backing and binding in mini dots navy from Ben Franklin)
- Mini dot crib sheet (Pottery Barn)
- Seacliff quilted twin quilt and pillow (Pottery Barn)
-
Crib skirt (DIY from navy twin flat sheet and white grosgrain ribbon)
-
Pillows (DIY with fabrics: Kona solids in white and indigo from Hancock; Pimatex Basics Polka Dots Navy, Remix Zig Zags Red, Premier Prints ZigZag Twill Blue, fabric.com; )
- “H” monogram pillow (Lands End, gift from Lauren at Life Uncluttered, no longer available online)
- Blue and white striped sheet set (Target, not available online)
- Granny striped navy and white crochet blanket (Maybe Matilda)
Elephants on Parade quilt (handmade and gifted to us by Jenny at Anything Pretty)
Aiden and Anais muslin star swaddle blanket (gift from Emily at Imperfect)
Sheepskin throw (IKEA)
Accessories and other gear:
- “Henry” wooden ruler growth chart (Custom made by a local woodworker and given to us as a gift from my Aunt Deena)
“Henry” name plate (Handmade card from my friend Stephanie at A Steph Made Life)
“Henry” artwork around closets (Made by my Aunt Cathie)
Red barometer work lamp and floor/reading lamp (IKEA) - Navy monogrammed large utility tote and organizing utility tote (31 Gifts)
- Wee gallery mobile frame (Amazon)
- Pinwheel mobile (DIY)
- Curtain Rod (Target, in 2011)
- Bamboo roman shades (JCPenney, in 2011)
- Vintage pull-down world map (Craigslist, in 2011)
- Locally grown nursery sign (Onion Grove Mercantile, gift from Jen at Onion Grove Mercantile)
- Changing area baskets (IKEA, covered in IKEA striped fabric) – hung from curtain clips and a small curtain rod from Bed Bath and Beyond
- Changing pad and cover (Babies R Us, gifts from my parents)
- Canvas art (Canvases reused from hallway artwork in our old home, fabrics: Pimatex Basics Polka Dots Navy, Remix Zig Zags Red, Premier Prints ZigZag Twill Blue, fabric.com; blue check, IKEA)
- Large red “H” on canvas (vintage find at Sisters’ Garden and Bloom)
- Blue and white artwork near closet (homemade gifts from my Aunt Cathie)
- World globe (vintage find at Sisters’ Garden and Bloom)
- Small light-up world globe night light (Land of Nod, a gift from my in-laws)
- Pennants
- Painted wicker baskets (reused from bathroom storage in old home, DIY info to come)
- Black pug and fawn pug artwork (purchased on etsy in 2008 from Brian Rubenacher, these used to live in the office of our old home)
- Red shelf (painted red from an unfinished shelf at Michaels, originally a jewelry holder in our old home)
- Embossed alphabet blocks (Amazon, gift from my friend Ashley)
- Pug bookends (I believe they are from ZGallerie, they were a Christmas gift a few years ago from my in-laws)
- “Imagine” storage crate (I believe it was an unfinished crate from Michaels, this was a gift from my friend Emily)
- Various toys, clothes and stuffed animals were gifts
- Baskets (DIY to make them blue)
Paint
- MS Sharkey Grey (color matched to Behr Premium Plus)
I hope you like this as much as we do.
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Brooke Roe says
What font did you use on his name canvas?
Sarah B says
Adorable! I don’t read blogs normally……but you’ve got me intrigued 🙂 Love love love this room….how I love to decorate, with all the little details! 🙂
Jen says
Found your blog over at design dazzle.
I love little Henry’s nursery! Especially the growth chart and locally grown sign. Everything is beautiful! Congrats on your new addition!
Jen
sewfabulous-now.blogspot.com
Paula says
This is the cutest nursery I’ve ever seen! I love your color scheme and all of the special details you incorporated. My favorites are the pull-down map (I’ve been looking for one of those!) and the locally grown sign above the crib.
Little Henry is a lucky little man to have such a nice room.
Jennifer @ In the Shadow of Grace says
Such a cute nursery. I’m putting together the nursery for our third little boy and I am using the same colours as you did. Looks great! Thanks for stopping by my blog- In the Shadow of Grace! I’m sure to be back.
Vel Baricuatro-Criste, MD says
I love this room! I love the fact that it’s a room they could grow up in! Great job!
aimee {sixteen fourteen} says
Wow! This nursery is absolutely gorgeous. You did an amazing job {oh, and the baby isn’t half bad either!} 😉
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
I love everything about Henry’s nursery. I love how it has a theme but it’s not kitschy like some nurseries (see baby Mickey Mouse border). I’m sure Henry thanks you.
Kim says
Love love this room. Well everything you’ve created and decorated. Seriously, you should consider a 2nd career in decorating. Or, maybe self publish a book on your decorating,projects and renovations. You have a real gift for color, texture and shape. And let me not forget to mention, I love your style of writing :)! Thanks for sharing.
Kim
vanessa says
Henry’s nursery is one of my favs, so classic. There are so many great things but the door decor and the Locally Grown painting are my favs. I also love the curtain rod above the changing table idea. Genius!
McKae King says
It’s adorable! I love how many little details there are, but it doesn’t feel busy or overdone! Great job!!
Emily says
I love it so so much, Kim. And you (and Henry, but let’s talk about you) look fabulous!!! The Illinois Locally Grown sign is awesome…and I feel like I need one of those totes!
jordan@the2seasons says
Oh my this is adorable every part is so cute just love it. You did a great job. I am sure you are loving the room.
Allie @ Groovy Wine Lips says
You are one glowing Mama! Henry’s room is decorated with love and so many fun and handsome things! A job well done. Bravo, Kim!
Cate says
It is perfect! what a lucky little guy! You can tell all the love and time that went into making his room so special!
Kelly @ Corner of Main says
Everything is just perfect! I love the more is more approach =)
I am in the process of making a big ruler too (well, it’s just a big piece of stained wood in the garage that I am dreading painting because I don’t want to mess the lines up)! I love how you added Henry’s name; very sweet.
I can tell you put a lot of work into this room; it and really turned out well!
Tara @ Tara Being Tara says
I too, am in the more is more club, and I think his nursery turned out way better than your mood board. It’s absolutely perfect!!
Justine says
Turned out fabulous! You have great taste 😉 I think my favorite parts are the artwork above the bed, the blankets and the pennants on the door!
Michelle says
LOVE IT! Kim, you did a fantastic job! Now, will you please come to AZ and help me with Kenton’s “big boy” room?!
Leigh Powell Hines (Hines-Sight Blog) says
Wow! I’m so impressed. It’s outstanding. I love it, and love the colors. I wish I had your decorating talent.
Allison aka Half of VAMH says
Absolute perfection, one of my favorite nurseries ever. I’m also a fan of ‘more is more’ and you do it so well!
Emily @ ACanDoAttitude says
I love how you mixed white and navy prints. It would work for all ages and would be a great way to ease into mixing prints. You did an amazing job and I cannot say enough about the quilts.
Sarah says
Henry’s room is adorable. It shows that you had fun putting this all together. Lucky little guy!
Sugarr2518 says
Wow! It looks like you put a lot of time and thought into putting everything together! I especially love the artwork above his crib,The Locally Grown! That’s super cute. Loving all the books, I think that’s the teacher in me and the mobile is really neat. I haven’t seen one like that before! He has a pretty big closet, pretty lucky little guy. He may even have a bigger closet than me! Great theme and super cute:)
the cape on the corner says
love it! the bunting and the curtain, the globes. fabulous!
Erin @ His and Hers says
It’s adorable! I love the ruler and the monograms. And I just bought that curtain fabric in green for our dining room chairs!
Good for you for being done. This time is definitely better spent with your baby than with his nursery. 🙂
Lauren says
Yay! It looks awesome Kim! It all came together so nicely and all the little details really make the room. It’s definitely a room that will grow with him!
Also, this may be a stupid question but how do you put the changing table on the top of the dresser without it sliding around?
Amy@BuffaloRoam says
Honestly, this is one of the best nurseries I’ve seen. My little guy is 16 months now, and his room is still a work in progress! I tend to fill all the nooks and crannies too. I just think it makes it feel so cozy and homey. 🙂
Sara @ Russet Street Reno says
1. I love your more is more approach!!
2. The baskets above the changing table for diapers and wipes is genius. Genius!
3. I recognize the alphabet blocks spelling little one’s name. I’m going to pretend I inspired you to do that, ignoring that about one million other people have done it before me. Hee!
Ashlee says
He has, without a doubt, the COOLEST looking bedroom in the world! Oh My Goodness!
Rachel says
Well, you already know how much I love this room. I also am not a big fan of ‘baby-ish’ rooms . . . they’re cute for a few months, but they don’t have much longevity, and who wants to completely redecorate when he’s outgrown his newborn room? I love the masculine look (while still looking young and fun), and I love the navy and white colors. You really did a great job–I think I made a good choice of room to copy in decorating Forrest’s room 😉
Estephania says
Adore! The room turned out wonderful!
carrie @ brick city love says
LOVING it!! Navy & white have never looked so good. He’s a lucky little boy.
Meredith says
I really love the whole nursery Kim! It’s just darling 🙂
Here’s what I really want to know–do you think having a bed in there is worth the space? I’m trying to decide whether or not do do that in our next nursery, and I’m just not sure whether or not it’ll feel too crowded.
Liz @ It's Great To Be Home says
You did SUCH a great job!! It’s so full of personality, just as a nursery should be – I think my favorite new additions are the fabric squares above the changing table – so cute!
Emily says
I love this room- the colors are so great!! Is it too late to change the color theme in our nursery?!?! 🙂 Did you write a post about the giant ruler? I especially love that- I feel like you did post about it but I didn’t see it in the source list 🙂
Katie says
this room is truly a piece of art! i adore all of the details and textures you added and how you designed and made a room with so much love. it really shows 🙂
there is much to say so to sum it all up: FANTASTIC and WELL DONE!!
🙂
Heather B says
Love it
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Wonderful!!!! His closet is huge…you have no idea how handy that will be in a year or two when your house is exploding with toys everywhere. I love his room—it IS the perfect mix of masculine and vintage!
DecorandtheDog says
I was hoping you sourced the baby. 😉
The room looks mighty fantastic!! He’s a lucky little dude!
Heather says
I love everything about this room! It looks so cozy and warm