05 March 2010

The Nursery

It's gametime.  I still haven't done anything with Justin's nursery and he just hit the two-month mark.  eeeeeeek  (I also haven't sent out baby announcements yet-  arggg!!)     But he's starting to spend lots of time in here, is looking around more (and just started laughing this week! :)  and it's time to give him something special to stare at.  Right now the poor kid looks at this: 



...  And it's actually much worse than that.  (I replaced his shell mobile with his beautiful owl mobile since the picture was taken which doesn't work at all in the room's current state, but now the room is a huge mess because -  like I've said before- I don't take care of my "undone" rooms...  It gets so messy because I never want to spend any time in here.  bad mama)  I did put up shades to keep the un out at naptime...



I was really floundering with this room.  We didn't know if we were having a boy or a girl so I decided to go with a general theme of owls & some fun colors and kind of a pale nature/ tree feeling...  I planned to do the room once the baby came because I just couldn't get into it but had a general idea that it would be soft & pale & realxing.  Dave painted the walls in a soft pretty cream.  I bought a few great accessories:






... And waited for little one to arrive.  When it was a HE and not a SHE, I really found that the direction I was going in just didn't appeal to me anymore.  I forgot about the space for a month in the midst of new baby busyness.  After he was a month old, I started saying to Dave, "We really need to do his nursery."  It's taken another month for me to actually get around to designing it.  But better late than never I guess.  (In all honesty, I know the nursery at this point is more for my hapiness than Justin's...  kids are fine anywhere when they're this tiny...ALthough I must say he LOVES his owl mobile and that thing is a Godsend.)

BUT I'm going in a really different direction.  The owls will stay but I'm going a little nutty in here.  I want it to have sort of a vintage, unexpected, Alice-in-Wonderlandy-curiosity-vibe.  I want it to be darker and higher-contrast so baby Justin has lots to lay his little eyes on.  The furniture we had was fron our old house & just doesn't fit well in here so I'm also reworking the shelving to fit this space.  And finally, we've got some beautiful vintage lighting from our old house that I can't wait to get installed!!

So this weekend we're repainting and I'm ordering fabrics- finally!!!  Here are some hints:









Don't be scurred.
Have an awesome weekend!!

xoxo,
lauren

*images from last sequence:  Domino via Windlost, Domino, Markham Roberts via Cote de Texas, Grant K Gibson, Elle Decor Magazine cover, Apartment Therapy


45 comments:

  1. I have always wanted prussian blue or sapphire blue walls. My bridesmaids wore deep indigo blue silk taffeta and I still love that color. There is something rich, classic and boy-ish about the color that I love.
    Looking forward to seeing the room.
    That framed octopus is sweet.
    pve

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  2. Well, it's not like you haven't been busy!!! Oh, this is a very interesting direction, wow...can't wait to see what you do! Janell

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  3. Everything you do is fabulous. Cannot wait to see it. Gorgeous crib!

    Alaina

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  4. Oh, I hope you're painting the walls that pretty blue color. I love it! Can't wait to see the finished product.

    casuallydefined.blogspot.com

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  5. Well, the color is not my favorite, but I am sure I will soon be taking that back...lol I know you will do a wonderful job and I will end up loving it.

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  6. I hope the walls really are going to end up that deep sapphire! I could never pull that off, but I can't wait to see what you do with it. Also, loving the owls.

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  7. Hmmmmmm???!!!! Interesting. I know what ever you do it will be fab. Can not wait to see more hints. I just did a post on my playroom makeover that is going slow but steady. I am at the paint picking-out process. I love to do childrens rooms, so fun!!You have been so busy, Lauren, no reason to feel guilty at all!! I think you are an amazing Mom!! Just take care of your sweet family and yourself, kathysue

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  8. That blue is going to look great! I can't wait to see the pictures! My husband and I are thinking of painting our bedroom some sort of blue shade... Good luck completing the room!

    -S

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  10. Great jumping off choices. Can't wait to see what you make of them. (just promise me you're not going to put an octopus in your baby's room... did you ever see Cristina Aguilara's nursery with the big scary moon sculpture?... I hope she got rid of it when her baby started having nightmares!)
    Happy Friday, Lauren!

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  11. OMG, I've been dying to use a deep indigo blue (F&B's Hague Blue is my fav) for EVErrrrrrrrrrr. I can't wait to see what you do!!

    Um, yeah and I relate. I didn't finish my little guys nursery until he was like 4 months old. I justified by thinking that he couldn't see it when he was a newborn anyways...isn't their eyesight still developing? Who knows. ; )

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  12. Oh, I cannot wait to see what you do in here. I am sure it will be incredible, like everything else you touch.

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  13. I SO know what you mean about not being able to "get into" a second nursery. Can you imagine feeling that way the first go-round?
    Love where (I think) you're heading, and hopefully, it'll inspire me to get with the program on mine!

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  14. Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve, as usual! "Alice in Wonderland" & high contrast sound intriguing. Love the blue, love the way the octopus shape pops in the last picture.

    My DD just turned 5 mos this week and we still have no nursery design for her yet! We have just an IKEA Gulliver crib handed down from her 28 mos old brother, who still doesn't have a big boy room, yet! For fabric, we like Alexander Henry's Mocca in chocolate as an accent. Maybe a pelmet box over the window in the Mocca, with yellow, red, and turquoise elements throughout.

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  15. Oooh dark walls. I'm thinking about painting some of our dining room (below the chair rail) navy blue, so I can't wait to see how the nursery turns out. I get caught up in issues like how one color relates and flows to the colors in the rest of the house...can you do a post on that? :) Not that you're a busy new mama or anything!
    -Lisa

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  16. Oh for crying out loud...not only am I too lame it seems to get more than one post off this week while submerged in closet re-do's, but you can get the nursery done!

    Please tell me what you have for breakfast...maybe my oatmeal needs something "special" added! :)

    I can't wait to see it cause I have no doubt it will be fab!!!
    Have a good weekend...

    XO,
    ~Rebecca

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  17. you go, you endless source of creative energy (and inspiration:)!

    The tiniest room in our house (my husband's office/dressing room) is painted BenMoore's Van Deusen Blue and it's just perfect. It was especially fun to paint b/c we felt like we were breaking all the rules (painting the smallest room such a dark color), but it has it's own type of calm too it. And it feels way classier and fun thatn if we had stuck to a light shade.

    So yay! for Justin. Can't wait to see the results!

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  18. I love the owls. I can't wait to se what you will do!

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  19. OOHH deep blue and brown maybe??? what a glorious combination for a little boys room! Looking forward to seeing what the outcome is! KG

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  20. You should come by and enter our giveaway for a $200 Custom Rug! We specialize in baby rugs!

    Darlene

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  21. Hi Lauren,

    I want you to know you inspired me to start my own blog. I, too, am a 20 something mom and am attending interior design school now. As a student, I was not sure how or where to start, but after seeing your blog, I realized I could record my learning process and develop a portfolio on my own blog. After seeing the success you've had with your blog, I felt comforted thinking I could achieve the same. I must thank you for that. I would love to chat with you about the start of your company and your growing process as a designer. I've started two blogs, but have only concentrated on developing one thus far.

    For now, my blog of Mommy Musings is at www.lovemedaily.com

    By the way, I like that you are choosing high contrast for your nursery color palette. Soft pastels do nothing for baby's vision development. He will enjoy looking at and being in his environment more.

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  22. Lauren, your inspiration pics look so exciting and gorgeous! I am so glad you seem to be having so much fun planning your sweet Justin's room!! ENJOY and I can't wait to see what you do:) Lovely weekend to you Lauren ~ Tina xx

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  23. Can't wait to see it! I just redid my oldest sons room too! so fun.

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  24. Oooo. This is going to be fun to see. The walls are beautiful. Can't wait!

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  25. Okay, I'm getting the feeling that your son's room is going to look sort of like my son's with the contrast of rich blue and crisp white...can't wait to see!

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  26. I have a feeling it's going to be one stylin little nursery!!! :)

    I've been relating to the old saying about the cobbler's children not having shoes... the nursery for my little boy due in April has been constantly pushed to the back burner. From the looks of the so called "nursery" right now, nobody would know the poor little guy has a designer for a mother!

    Hope you have a great and productive weekend!!

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  27. I went with deep blue rooms in my little boy's nursery too! Can't wait to see what you do!

    http://www.mattersofstyleblog.com/2009/11/mos-nursery-time.html

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  28. we really must hook up ... mind if I pull up a chair?

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  29. Can anyone post the link the Apartment Therapy article? I love that room, but can't find it on the site.

    I think owls are cute. :)

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  30. Is that owl fabric a needlepoint, in a blanket or what and where can I find it? Love it!! Lucky little boy

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  31. Ohh, the hint pictures look interesting, I'm thinking dark walls from what I see. I'm sure whatever direction you go in, it will be amazing!

    Cant wait to see more soon!! xoxox

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  32. YOu have yet ANOTHER room you have not decorated? How big is this house of yours? I thought it was done :) Can't wait to see the reveal!

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  33. I love the new direction you are going in. I think the mood will be fabulous and children's rooms are so fun to
    work with, no reason to hold back. I think the rich blue is beautiful! My office is a similar shade as the fourth photo. Check it out here:

    http://seenandsaid.blogspot.com/2010/02/where-we-blog-from-head-over-heels.html

    Can't wait to see the big reveal!
    Hugs-nelya

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  34. The Octopus painting is so fantastic! Thanks for sharing! Best, Connie

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  35. I don't think I've every commented on your blog but I've been a follower! I wanted to make you feel better and let you know that JUST today I had my husband finally hang everything in my daughter's nursery...she is 14 months old! I figured I should "finish" her nursery before she's in a big girl room! AND....her big girl room is all fun birds and owls! Such cute stuff at Target and Pottery Barn that I fell in love with the idea! Oh and I can help you with the birth announcements! Check out my website at http://noteworthystyle.myspstore.com/ - all birth announcements are 20% off! Enter "pure style" coupon code and I'll give you another 20% off! It sounds like we have alot in common! Let me know if I can help you with your announcements!

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  36. Oh goody goody, this is going to be so amazing...cannot WAIT to see!!!

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  37. Lauren,
    I can't wait to see what you do! Did you see the new AIW movie? I saw a book with some movie stills/photos and it has some of those dream-like blue tones. What lucky little boy to have such a wonderful space!
    xx-Gina

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  38. Oh I a girl after my own heart! I'm an interior designer also, and went with an owl theme for my son's room (we started his when he was 8 weeks old to)! Didn't go dark in there but have a gorgeous dark dark grey in our entry & master bedroom (www.nestdesignstudioblog.blogspot.com)

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  39. Ooooh can't wait to see how it turns out!!

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  40. ha ha ha you sound just like me...i spend so much time working on other peoples houses, or touching up my "most done" rooms that the undone ones remain...well...undone. my sons nursery wasnt complete until he was 4 months old.
    i know

    at least now i have time to work on his "big boy room" and move him in when its done {hopefully before his tenth birthday - HA!}. cant wait to see what youve done!

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  41. Lauren, whatever you do will be awesome, so I am not too scurred. I love that last pictur with the octopus.

    So I am right to assume dark walls? I am thinking this will be one wicked hot baby room, considering I lurve your inspiration pics.

    xo Terri

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  42. This post brought so much peace to my overworking mind!! We are excitedly awaiting the arrival of our first baby, and my husband and I are not making the progress I dreamed we would be. Thank you for reminding me what is really important...it has nothing to do with the "perfect room". Thank you!

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  43. Hi Lauren,

    I cannot wait to see what you do with this room...the dark walls and white furniture would look amazing...and the wall art? Im guessing I know...but they are great inspirational images to get you ..well...inspired :) Good luck ! x

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I love hearing from you- thank you for taking the time to write!! :)

*If you have a specific question, I'll try to answer it in the comments section so be sure to check back! If you're looking at an older post, email me directly. Thanks!
~Lauren