Baby’s Room Inspiration Board

Since I’m expecting Baby No. 3 in April, I figured it was high time to give some serious thought to the nursery. Our current guest room is slated for the makeover into a room fit for a new baby girl. It is right across the hall from the bedroom my two daughter’s share, which is decked out with a bit of pink overload, so I was pretty sure I wanted to steer clear of pink. It has been a bit of a challenge to come up with ideas for a room that has the mellow, peaceful feel I want for baby, but still belongs with the rowdier room across the hall.

I kept being drawn to color schemes with a lot of blues and greens (and I swear it’s not just because I had been hoping for a boy). I also kept feeling like I wanted the room to have a more grown-up, pretty feel. After struggling for a few months to pick a wall color, I finally found a warm gray tone that immediately seemed right. I think it is fitting that since I’m meeting Martha while pregnant with this little one (YIPPEE!), that the paint color I picked for the nursery is a Martha Stewart Living paint from Home Depot called “Sharkey Gray.” This gray coordinates well with the girl’s room across the hall, but will give the nursery a much quieter, calm feeling. We’re planning to keep the baseboards and other trim white, and are even considering adding some rectangles of decorative molding to the wall that could be painted white to give some sophistication and contrast.

Baby Room Inspiration Board

As you can see I’m working with a color palette of warm gray and white, brightened by hits of robin’s egg blue and chartreuse. Not really traditional girly colors, but the decor still has a definite feminine feel. Here is a run down of what I see going in the room:

(1) Penguin’s Clothbound Classics. I don’t know if it’s just what I’m craving right now or if somehow I’m channeling the personality of my new little one, but as I’ve been looking for nursery inspiration, a theme of literature and books seems to be coming together. Superdad gave me a copy of Penguin’s special edition clothbound Emma novel for Christmas. I’m a Jane Austen fan, and he knew I’d love this pretty blue binding. He was right, but I don’t think he quite expected it to be for our baby’s room. Yet until then I didn’t have any concrete decor ideas, and when I unwrapped the book I felt like it was a revelation. I’m hoping to collect a few more of the titles in this series to display together on a bookshelf in the nursery.

(2) Kallax Bookcase. I think this very cost-effective IKEA bookcase will look good placed on it’s side under the window in the nursery. I can picture the clothbound classics on top and then the first row of cubbies will be filled with children’s books and toys. I’d like to find some boxes, bins or baskets to put in the second row of cubbies for hidden storage.

(3) We have a classic wood rocking chair in a dark cherry finish that I got while we were living in Virginia, and I was pregnant with my first baby. It’s where I plan to rock all my babies.

(4) Round Pintuck Pillow. To soften the wood rocker I love these velvet tufted pillows from Urban Outfitters. I had been debating between the turquoise or chartreuse color and now it looks like that blue color might be out of stock (boo!). Funny how now that it is no longer available, it has become clear that is the exact color I wanted. I guess that’s what I get for being indecisive.

(5) We already have a white Jenny-Lind style crib, and I really wanted to replace it with a crib that was more modern and had nice, clean lines. This style of crib is incredibly hard to find at a reasonable price, but after seeing this great crib that’s a steal on Walmart.com and comes highly recommended, I had my mind made up to buy it for this baby. However, as I have been putting all the pieces together for the nursery, I think that the classic styling of the Jenny Lind might actually be a better fit with the decor. Superdad of course loved the idea of saving $300 by using our existing crib, and I couldn’t argue with having more room in my overall budget. So our white Jenny Lind crib is getting dusted off and put back together.

I couldn’t find a crib bumper and skirt that worked with my other ideas, so I figured I would have to go custom made. I’m still deciding if I will attempt to sew the bedding myself or get some help from the kind folks at Etsy Alchemy, but I have bought the fabric:

(6) Michael Miller Delovely Damask in Chamomile. This classic damask fabric in a cheerful citron color will be used to make the crib skirt. I’m picturing a skirt with more straight lines and neat, inverted pleats. I originally was hoping to use this fabric for both the bumper and skirt with a contrast, solid-colored piping. Then I realized that there is a glitter treatment on this fabric that while being absolutely beautiful, is not really great for use on a bumper pad that baby will be snuggling up next too. So the damask will be relegated to the skirt.

(7) Michael Miller Ta Dot in Stone. I am loving the contrast of this geometric print — which will be used for the crib bumper — next to the damask on the skirt. The light gray color echoes the wall color.

(8) I just love mobiles, so it is surprising that neither of my previous babies have had one over their cribs. That ends now. For this little one I am considering making a mobile by cutting out stars and a big moon from the pages of old books then stringing them all together. This option would definitely be the more cost effective way to go, but I’ve also found some really adorable options to purchase. Like this Birds of a Feather mobile from ige design. Not only is it breathtaking, but also it would be a great way to tie in the dark stain of the rocking chair. The same designer also makes a Silhouette Chandelier Mobile that had me in drooling.

(9) Block Alphabet Wall Decal. I’ve been loving this vinyl decal from TastySuite on Etsy for a year or two but wasn’t quite sure where to use it in my house. It looks like I’ve finally found a place for it.

(10) Malm 4-Drawer Chest. This white dresser from IKEA is already in the guestroom, and I’m really liking the look of the straight-lined dresser and bookcase contrasted against the more intricate crib; yet since all three of the major furniture pieces are white it still feels cohesive.

(11) Estelle Velvet Ottoman. Since the crib bedding doesn’t have any of the blue in it, I wanted to add a somewhat substantial piece to the room in that color. This plush ottoman from Urban Outfitters would do the job quite nicely. Plus can’t you just picture the baby when she’s learning to pull herself up, standing and holding onto the ottoman? I can, and I think I’m in love.

UPDATE: Go see how Modette’s nursery turned out!

Bettijo Bridges

Administrator at Paging Supermom
Bettijo is the founder and designer of Paging Supermom where she shares creative ideas for family fun. Known for practical and kid-friendly activities, free printables and holiday entertainment. Bettijo was a guest on the Martha Stewart Show and has frequently appeared on local TV. Her work has also been featured in national magazines including Real Simple, O, Redbook, Parents, Family Circle, and Health. She enjoys art, retro-modern design, photography and making new things. Mom of 4 kids.

5 thoughts on “Baby’s Room Inspiration Board”

  1. What a well planned nursery! I am happy to see you using other colors than the traditional pink or blue for babies. I love how you have kept the rocking chair where you have rocked each of your babies – such a sweet sentiment. What a delightful way to welcome your newest daughter.

    Reply
  2. I began making pieces that could be loved by adults and children because I could never find unique gifts for babies, children or those expecting. This inspired me to begin making a series especially for them. I think of them as something packed with a lot of meaning but does not get stale once you pass the baby stages.

    I love the choices for this room. It looks like baby perfection.

    Reply
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