May 3rd, 2010
You’re in the first planning stages of your nursery. You have some idea of what you want, but you don’t want to just slap some paint on the wall. Even choosing to paint the walls with two colors, one for main color, one as an accent shade, doesn’t quite feet right. You want something else for your little one’s first room. How about a mural? A mural ties the theme you have chosen for your nursery together with all of the other nursery décor elements in the room, including the baby furniture and the crib bedding. Because it’s typically on a large expanse of the wall or even two or three walls, portions of it will be at eye level when baby is in the crib or being held, which helps stimulate brain activity and the senses. The best thing about a nursery mural is that it is totally unique to you and your new baby.
Painting a Mural
Pick a picture from a catalog, magazine or poster.
Trace the image onto an overhead transparency.
Project the transparency on the wall. If you don’t have a projector or can’t borrow one, try holding the picture in front of a bright light such as a halogen lamp.
Using chalk, which can be easily wiped away as opposed to pencil markings that can be harder to wash off, trace the outlines of the projected onto the wall.
Now you’re ready to paint. Go slow and take your time: you (really) don’t want to paint outside of the lines. Before adding the finer details like spots on a tiger or the leaves on a tree, make sure that the main wall color doesn’t show through.
Because you’ll be using more than one color, plan on painting your mural in stages to allow for the paint to dry.
Once the painting has been finished and has thoroughly dried, wipe the area with a lightly damp cloth to remove any chalk traces.
Other Mural Painting Tips
Another alternative to using a projected image is stencils. They can be traced onto the wall using chalk as well.
Plan on having a number of different sized brushes on hand – a flat paintbrush for broader areas, round paintbrushes for painting in details and outlines.
Yet another wall mural option skips painting altogether. Peel and stick vinyl pieces let you design your own nursery mural without having to paint. They are often available in themed packs; all you have to do is to decide how and where they are going to be arranged on the wall.
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Tags: arts and crafts, arts projects, baby nursery, decorating nursery, DIY murals, how to paint murals, mural painting, nursery decor
Posted in Baby Accessories, Baby Furniture and Design Ideas | No Comments »
January 26th, 2010
He’s ready to come home from the hospital and start his brand new adventure called life. But before that day arrives, now is the time to design a nursery for your expected baby boy that will give him a sense of adventure and exploring the unknown, even if he doesn’t know it yet. Choosing Noah’s ark as a nursery theme allows you the freedom to draw on a number of other popular nursery themes such as the ocean, boats and animals.
Of course, we must indulge in blue, not just because it’s a nursery for a boy, but also because it is the color of the sea. These four Benjamin Moore shades will make great color choices for the walls, whether you use them by themselves or add an animals two-by-two border, ark or animal stencils or ark-themed wall art. You can also use one or more of these colors and their complementary shades to “wash” one wall with ocean waves.
In addition to a theme, choosing a particular furniture style will also give the nursery you are planning a finished look. Contemporary style, inspired by current fashion trends is ideal for a boy’s nursery because lines are simple, uncluttered and soothing. Decoration, which can be considered “girlie”, is minimal. The Tulip Piccolo Zen Crib has a distinctively contemporary look. With its Asian influences and two-tone finish, this crib also displays a unique design that is tranquil and calming.
Definitely in keeping with our contemporary interior design, the Tulip Piccolo Combo Dresser With Changing Pad in Java and French White reverses the color scheme of the crib. Especially if you are converting a smaller sized bedroom into a nursery, combining the change table and dresser is a space-saver.
The Caden Lane Classic Blue Noah Baby Crib Bedding Set is ideal for an ark themed nursery. It includes the blues of the ocean and the brown of wood of the boat. The mix of stripes, polka dots and solid colors will add texture to the room’s overall design.
Have fun adding those special finishing touches. How about the Fun Rugs California Kids High Pile Noah’s Friends Rug or the Fun Rugs Fun Time Noah’s Ark Rug for a touch of silly? Add a contemporary style bookcase; he may not need it right away, but it will be a handy place for you to put the books you will read to him.
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Tags: baby furniture, baby nursery decor, boy's nursery design, decorating nursery, water theme nursery
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