INTERIOR DESIGN AND FURNITURE GUIDE

BABY FURNITURE IDEAS

Gone Fishing

June 30th, 2010

I’m actually not going fishing. While I love the idea of being out on the water in a boat with a fishing rod and a cooler of iced beverages, I have to in all honesty admit I simply don’t have the patience for the sport. But I am however, as of July, traveling around the country visiting family and friends for the remainder of the summer.

Since August of 2009, I have had a lot of fun blogging about a variety of parenting issues, baby furniture and baby gear products before finding a focus that really made me happy - sharing my boy nursery ideas and girl nursery decorating themes.  During the course of my baby blogging adventures, I had some help from personal friends and fellow bloggers: Emily, Krista, Vicky and Lisa, thanks for your all of your help, enthusiasm, input and encouragement. It is appreciated.

Hopefully I will back in the fall with more great décor tips and nursery design ideas. Until then, I hope all of you out there, along with your wonderful families, have a terrific summer.

~ Baby Furniture and Design Ideas

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French Country Chic for a Baby Girl

June 25th, 2010

The overall effect of a French country nursery is a rustic charm that has threads of tradition and sophistication running through it. French country baby furniture is typically crafted from wood, ranging from light to medium finishes, commonly grainy, painted or distressed, giving it a distinctive flavor reminiscent of the French countryside. Furniture pieces like a chest of drawers or an armoire can include whimsical details like hand-painted stenciling, hand-carved insets and soft, gracefully curved moldings or aprons. The focal furniture piece of a French country nursery will be the crib. It should be the center stage of a baby girl nursery that is tranquilly pastoral and outrageously romantic.

The rich simplicity of a French country nursery comes from colors taken from Provence, Champagne and other famous rural regions. The palette you choose for should reflect the fruits and vegetables found in a village market; the creamy goodness of butter, milk and cheese; and the yellows, greens and browns of the countryside itself. Choose soft tones of these colors for a gentle, romantic feel or bolder shades for something a little more dramatic.

A French country crib bed possesses a charming appearance that is rustic yet warm and inviting. As beautifully demonstrated by the Natart Verona Classic Crib in French White and Silver, the rattan panels are proof of how French country incorporates other materials into the design of furniture as opposed to more traditional tenet of using only wood. French country cribs typically have distressed finishes, pastoral motifs and carved, stenciled or embossed decorative accents. They can also have other kinds of decoration such as moldings, cabriole legs or scalloped aprons.

Whimsically capturing the spirit of French Country, the Maddie Boo Ava 3-piece Baby Crib Bedding Set possesses a balanced mix of solid colors and paisley patterns. The general effect is perfectly delightful, while adding color and texture to the room; it also has a pastoral motif that includes birds and farm animals.

A French country nursery is ideal for a baby girl nursery because it is an eclectic style, allowing you the freedom to be a laid-back or as formal as you want it to be. It’s easy to get that certain look that will make your girl nursery stand out. When accessorizing a French country nursery, follow these three basic French country decorating principles – mix and match second-hand store finds with antique-like furniture pieces; for window treatments, area rugs, lampshades, etc. use colors found in the French countryside; and include classic motifs like the rooster, orchard fruits or wildflowers. In no time at all, you’ll have a French country nursery your baby girl will be proud of.

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Home on the Range

June 23rd, 2010

Choosing a theme for a nursery is an easy way to plan and design a baby’s first room that is exciting and stimulating while also being soothing and restful. Because it features cowboys, horses, campfires and cattle grazing on the range, a Western theme nursery has an extra special charm. You can also choose to focus on other aspects of western living such as cowboy boots and spurs, lassos, horseshoes or wagon wheels. Flea markets, country fairs and even your favorite second hand store will be great hunting grounds for unique cowboy-related accessories for a western theme nursery.

For a western theme nursery, make it predominately earth-toned with punches of accent color. Golden yellows and warm browns are a good place to start. Add some blues for sky; grainy yellows for sand and desert; greens for cacti. After the paint has dried, you can continue the western theme throughout the room by adding cowboy patterned wallpaper borders; hang vintage campfire posters or put pics of mom or dad or both in wild stallion frames. A western theme is also great inspiration for a mural; fill one or two walls with cowboys herding cattle or simply stencil baby’s name on the wall – it doesn’t have to be complicated to look good.

Country style baby furniture is a must for a western theme nursery. You can also choose more casual traditional sub styles such as Shaker, Mission or Arts and Crafts. Popular nursery furniture pieces are of course the crib, a changing table and a dresser. A dresser not only makes the nursery more functional, it has the added advantage of being useful to your child when he’s ready for a toddler bed or a twin bed. Especially if you have the room, other baby furniture pieces like a glider that gives you a comfy place to bond with your child while you’re feeding him will also make your baby nursery that much more practical.

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Picking western or cowboy themed bedding is an easy way to “tell a story,” coordinating the other décor elements in the room. Since the crib is the focal point of the nursery, the nursery bedding should blend with the wall color and the curtains. The Bebe Chic Jackson Baby Crib Bedding Set is perfect for our western theme nursery because, while it doesn’t have an obvious cowboy design, it has simple plaids and checks in soothing earth tone shades.

Complete the western nursery theme transformation with accessories. Since there are so many western theme and cowboy theme collectibles, stuffed toys and furniture storage pieces, accessorizing a western nursery should be a relatively simple task. Lamps with horses or cowboys are a practical way to shed some light on a side table by the glider. Distressed pine frames are great for family pictures or framed posters depicting life on the range. There are plenty of ways to make a western nursery smart and stylish, while being cozy and welcoming.

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Take me Out to the Ball Game

June 21st, 2010

Especially now that summer is around the corner, a sports themed nursery would be a fun way to get ready to welcome your new baby boy. Because the theme is so wide-ranging, it allows you to stay general and pick your accessories from a variety of sports or to be creative with just one specific sport like baseball. In addition to picking one sport, you could also select one favorite team to focus on or feature an all-time famous ball player like Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Jackie Robinson. Sepia prints of some of the old timers of baseball would be an ideal way to decorate the walls of a vintage baseball themed nursery. Traditional or contemporary, here are some baby nursery decorating ideas for baby’s first room that will really impress your little slugger.

Start with neutral colors such as cream, beige and gray. Even soft taupes, pale browns or earth tones would work well, too. This is to create a backdrop for more colorful accessories like sports theme bedding, window treatments, baseball bears, pennants and other fun collectibles. You will want to avoid having too much color in one space as this can make the nursery feel crowded, cramped or cluttered. Or you could reverse it – put colors like bold red, blue or yellow on the walls and pair them with neutral toned window treatments and an area rug that have subtle splashes of color.

The Sorelle Sophia 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib, while it does include decorative elements, is perfect for a baby boy sports themed nursery. This richly finished crib will make the ideal foil for baseball memorabilia. Some parents prefer to purchase a crib set since it saves time having to match the other pieces of nursery furniture that they might need such as a changing table and a dresser. Buying a nursery crib set also saves money, since you are not purchasing each nursery furniture piece separately.

Have a ball accessorizing. Select crib sports theme bedding that will add a fun and colorful vibe to the room. When deciding on what kind of window treatment, whatever you choose, make sure that it matches at least two other main décor elements in the room like the wall color and the crib bedding that you purchased for the crib. An armoire, toy chest or toy storage bench makes the room more functional and will grow with your child when the baby nursery furniture is no longer needed. Look for picture frames and collectibles like the Lite Source No Base Triple Bat Lamp that celebrate the spirit of our national sport.

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In the Jungle: a Jungle Themed Nursery for a Girl

June 18th, 2010

While a jungle themed nursery might appear to be boy dominated, it doesn’t have to be. Jungle theme nursery ideas are just as well-suited to a baby girl. It will offer you a variety of ways to design and create a beautiful nursery that is welcoming, charming and totally unique to your little (girl) adventurer. While a nursery is of course a place for your baby to rest and sleep, it should still provide an element of stimulation – the color of the walls, the shapes and designs of wall art or a wall mural and the patterned and textured surfaces of nursery crib bedding and the other accessories in the room will help stimulate baby’s brain activity. Jungle animals prowling around her crib will set her on a safari adventure she is sure to remember!

For a jungle themed nursery for a baby girl that will be perfectly adorable, select “girlie” pastel jungle colors like sunset pinks, twilight lavenders, lion pelt yellows and rainforest greens. Using soft neutrals like beige, white, cream and taupe are good color choices for doors, baseboards, windows and even the ceiling. As accent shades on one or two of the nursery walls, you can use deeper shades like burgundy, purple, rose, forest green or parrot blue.

As in a grownup’s bedroom, because the crib is the natural focal point of the nursery, it’s important to select a distinctive style that you are comfortable with. Since the nursery is like no other room in your home, the baby furniture you choose doesn’t necessarily have to match the overall décor style of the other rooms. Or you could select a crib like the Dream on Me Bristol 2 in 1 Convertible Crib that can be interpreted as a several décor styles including, country, contemporary and traditional.

Once you’ve decided on the baby furniture you would like for your jungle themed nursery, including any additional pieces to the nursery basics (crib, changing table, dresser), you’re ready to dress the crib and then accessorize the room. Everything from lamps to wall art to area rugs and window treatments are available in patterns and colors that will be ideal for a jungle theme girl nursery.

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I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane

June 16th, 2010

A travel themed nursery provides a wealth of inspiration that will turn mere space into a fun, whimsical and imaginative first bedroom for a baby boy. Especially with the focus on airplanes of all kinds, from prop to jet, you don’t have to stick to matched baby furniture – by mix-and-matching styles you can create of vintage look featuring older kinds of aircraft or go for a totally contemporary vibe by concentrating on jet planes. While other themes might last just until the toddler stage, a travel themed nursery might have a little more lasting power.

For a travel themed nursery blue is a great place to start because it symbolizes the sky or the ocean. While selecting blue as a color for a boy nursery is a traditional choice, it also is a soothing shade that will help create a calm and tranquil space for your little world traveler. Once the main wall color has been picked, decide what color you would like for the trim (windows, doors, baseboards). The final consideration regarding the walls after they have been painted is what to do with them. A wallpaper border with a trains/planes/automobiles motif is a simple way to add visual interest to a travel themed nursery without too much effort. A mural, while more labor intensive, is the ultimate fun way to add some “real” adventure to the space.

Airplane baby furniture such as a changing table, bookcase, toy chest or toy/blanket bench are popular ways to furnish a travel themed nursery. But for the budget-conscious another easy and convenient way to get the same look is to select a crib like the Orbelle Convertible Mini Portable Combo Crib N Bed  and apply small, airplane decals. You can also give the same treatment to other baby furniture pieces like the changing table and the dresser.

The Bebe Chic Around the World Baby Crib Bedding Set has a classic style that is fun, casual and very adaptable to any other décor style including country and traditional. The pattern is charming, allowing you to add other airplane or other travel themed elements that will work with crib bedding set’s color scheme, while the mix of solid colors with soft shaded plaids create visual interest.

Accessorizing is easy and only limited by your imagination! Hang model airplanes from the ceiling; add a novelty ceiling light fixture or table lamp to the room’s décor design; or use framed pictures of vintage or modern airplanes as wall art. A travel themed nursery that features planes, trains or automobiles (or all of the above) is a delightful nursery theme for a new baby boy. He won’t even need a passport!Choose instead a theme like world travel, which will allow you to add old world touches like framed maps, a globe or trunk-shaped toy chest.

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A Princess Sleeps Here

June 14th, 2010

Once upon a time there were parents who wanted a princess theme for the nursery they were planning for their new princess. Since they both loved the stories of Hans Christian Andersen, they decided that they would use the tale of “The Princess and the Pea” as inspiration. The expecting mother wanted a pink nursery but the expecting father thought purple or lilac would be better suited to a Victorian style nursery. There were so many princess baby nursery ideas that the only thing they could really both agree on was that it had to be a real princess nursery for their very own real princess.

The king and queen (a.k.a. the expecting parents) of this little fiefdom mulled over some real princess colors (from Benjamin Moore). Once the queen had chosen the precise pink for the main color for the nursery, the king then set to work with his trusty paint brush and an army of helpful minions (well, actually it was only the future princess’ uncle who helped out). The queen, of course was banished from the nursery while it was being painted.

Each expecting parent did concede that a princess nursery shouts Victorian style nursery furniture. A canopy crib would definitely be the ideal choice for a princess theme, draped in beautiful shiny or soft pink, white and blue fabrics. They finally decided that they just had to have the Young America Isabella Mix & Match Stationary Crib, with its fanciful Victorian style, floral motif and decorative moldings. However, because she knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that her baby was a real princess, the crib mattress would be devoid of the obligatory pea.

Once the expecting king and queen got a little taste of Victorian style baby furniture, they couldn’t get enough. They selected the Young America by Stanley Isabella White Single Dresser with Optional Changing Station so that they could use it as a changing table when the little princess was a baby and as a dresser as she grew older. Because the expecting parents had the feeling that in no time at all, their little princess would need more places to store her many treasure, they also opted for the Victorian style Young America by Stanley Ma Marie 7 Drawer Double Dresser.

The queen was adamant – no Victorian style nursery would be complete without an armoire. For now it would be the best place to hide away baby clothes, blankies, bibs, shoes and other accessories; even toys. But the queen could see far into the future and knew that the armoire’s multiple compartments would become more and more practical, especially if it could accommodate a television or computer; much welcomed contraptions she was told by their royal advisors when the princess became a tween.

Because anything floral related such as rosettes, trailing vines and acanthus leaves are recurring motifs in Victorian style furniture and accessories, the king and queen chose the Crystorama Royal Handpainted Wrought Iron Wall Sconce as one of the several special finishing touches for their pink nursery. And the little (real) princess when she finally arrived was so happy with her Victorian style nursery that she smiled and slept all through the night. Now this is a true story.

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In the Jungle: a Jungle Themed Nursery for a Boy

June 11th, 2010

Jungle animals like lions, zebras, hippos and tiger are exotic and exciting, bringing with them a sense of delicious danger and adventure. It is also the place where monkeys swing from tangled vines and giraffes nibble on rainforest leaves. A jungle themed nursery for a baby boy is an ideal way for you to introduce your little one to bright colors and interesting shapes. While a jungle nursery creates excitement and an adventurous atmosphere, it also has a whimsical appeal that comes from life in a warm, tropical place that exists half a world away. A jungle nursery will provide an energizing and refreshing place for your new baby boy.

 When capturing the sights, sounds and flavors of a jungle environment, select colors (shown here from Benjamin Moore) that reflect the hues of jungle foliage, an African sunset or the pelts of the strange and wonderful creatures that live there. Once the nursery has been painted, you will have time to figure out if, what else you would like to do to the walls. With a jungle theme, the possibilities are endless; anything from a mural of a pride of lions to a wallpaper border of blue hippos.

When choosing a style of baby furniture for a jungle nursery, select one that has simple lines and relaxed profiles like contemporary, transitional or even country. The crib you choose will definitely be the focal point of the room. To make your nursery functional as well as esthetically appealing, the changing table and dresser should either match or complement the crib. The Sorelle City Lights 4 in 1 Commuter has such simple lines and an adaptable contemporary style that it is an excellent candidate for mixing and matching with other décor styles for a décor design that is unique.

The Maddie Boo Parker 3-piece Baby Crib Bedding Set is a perfect way to dress the crib for a jungle nursery. The crib bedding set has a predominately blue pattern with plenty of jungle animals. It also includes subtle stripes in a soothing complementary green. This delightful crib bedding set will create the perfect mood for a cozy nap or (hopefully) an uninterrupted night’s sleep.

In addition to the basic nursery furniture needed to put your child to sleep and to change him, you will need a place to store those cute onesies and other articles of baby clothing, as well as the onslaught of toys and books the grandparents and family friends will bring when they come to visit. Storage such as a bookcase, a toy chest or an armoire will play an important role in a jungle themed nursery. Don’t forget to accessorize. By adding a jungle themed rug, table lamp, curtains or wall art, it will make your jungle nursery a special place for your little Tarzan to grow and dream.

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Victorian Enchantment for a Baby Girl

June 9th, 2010

A Victorian style nursery is the perfect opportunity to create a first room for your little girl that is unashamedly romantic, with its ornately decorated furniture, lace curtains classic teddy bears and one or two porcelain dolls. Since the Victorian era spanned over six decades, it offers a wealth of rich fabrics, heirloom accent pieces like cameos and exotic wood finishes as inspiration for nursery décor ideas. A Victorian style nursery has the added advantage of lasting appeal; while your baby girl will eventually outgrow the crib and the changing table, this theme can be adapted without too much effort or cost to a shabby chic or vintage look as she grows older.

First decide what to do with the walls. In Victorian times, wallpaper with large-sized, ornate patterns was very popular. Colors used to paint Victorian rooms were rich and vibrant. When painting a Victorian style nursery, choose shades of berry and jewel. While not strictly a classic Victorian room color, a pink nursery with Victorian style baby furniture can possess a sentimental charm that will be whimsical and enchanting.

To keep to the spirit of Victorian style interior design, the pieces you choose for your Victorian style nursery should have curved and flowing lines;  very detailed ornamentation; and finishes that are typically rich and dark and while often distressed, can also be smooth with a soft sheen. While dark furniture was the order of the Victorian day, white washed and pastel washed colors were commonly used for nursery furniture (which included children up to 12 and sometimes a little older). The crib will be the focal point of the nursery. Select one that sets the mood for the rest of the room. The Young America Caroline Mix & Match Stationary Crib has all of the classic elements of a Victorian style heirloom – crown molding, a scalloped apron, bun feet and carved decorative accents. Add a matching or complementary changing table and a dresser and you will have the basic baby furniture pieces you will need for your pink nursery, Victorian style!

To complete the Victorian look, accessorize to your heart’s content – in a Victorian style nursery, the “fussier” the better! While you want plain old-fashioned charm, it also has to be fresh, comfortable and practical. Anywhere you can layer the room with different kinds of fabrics especially lace will give your baby girl nursery a definitive Victorian appeal. Don’t forget ruffles. Ruffles aren’t just for the crib; a ruffled valance gives any window treatment a soft, romantic touch. When giving bouquets, using the language of flowers to send a particular message to someone was a popular Victorian pastime. So floral wallpaper, a floral lampshade and a floral patterned crib bedding set like the Maddie Boo Lindsey 3-piece Baby Crib Bedding Set definitely would be welcome additions to a Victorian style nursery.

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Yar! – Pirate themed Nursery for a Baby Boy

June 7th, 2010

For kids of all ages, there is something about pirates that sets the imagination on fire and makes us want to set sail for adventure. So it shouldn’t be any surprise that a pirate themed nursery is perfect for a baby boy’s first bedroom. Pirate mural nursery ideas are bountiful as are pirate themed fabrics and accessories. When designing a nursery with a pirate theme, think tall ships, treasure maps, eye-patched mischief makers and walking the plank!

Paint the walls a color (from Benjamin Moore) you would find from sailing the Seven Seas. Once you have chosen the main color for your pirate themed nursery, paint a tall ship mural or treasure map on one or two walls. Because it will be the natural focal point of the nursery, when opting for a mural, plan on putting the crib or the changing table against that wall. If a mural seems too labor-intensive, select instead a pirate themed wallpaper border. Borders, with a nautical motif like anchors or flags, around the entire room will give the painted walls a finished appearance while adding a festive mood to the nursery.

Let’s start with the Stork Craft Aspen Stages Oak Fixed Side Baby Crib; it has an adaptable design that fits a number of décor styles including country, transitional and even contemporary. The lines of the crib are relaxed and fluid. Since we will be bringing the pirate theme into room through other elements such as the area rug, the nursery curtains and select furniture pieces, dress the crib with the Caden Lane Classic Blue Noah Baby Crib Bedding Set.

The changing table and a dresser are the two other pieces of furniture you will need to make your nursery functional and complete. Since there’s something so attractive about swash buckling pirates, a pirate themed nursery has a lasting appealing. The Powell Furniture Shiver Me Timbers Youth Triple Dresser will provide plenty of storage in the nursery and for several years to come. Choosing furniture pieces like the dresser and matching nightstand that will grow with your child will be economical in the long run. Until he needs it by his twin bed, the Powell Furniture Shiver Me Timbers Youth Nightstand next to a glider or rocking chair will give you a convenient place to set down a bottle, book or toy.

From Long John Silver to Captain Hook, there are pirates a-plenty to provide inspiration for a pirate themed nursery for an infant boy.

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