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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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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June 4th, 2010
A Hawaiian themed nursery for a baby boy is sure to celebrate surfing, surfboards, sailing and sea creatures. Hawaii, island living and the ocean are great sources of inspiration for a mural or other types of wall art. From mountain views to ocean scenes to tropical forests, you will be able to recreate all of the different flavors of this beautiful state for the new baby in your life.
You are sure to find a main wall color that is pleasing to you that will perfectly capture the spirit of Hawaii. For a Hawaiian themed nursery for a baby boy, start with the ocean; plant a palm tree or two; sprinkle around a little sand or finish off with a lot of sun. The whole point of the exercise is to use colors from Benjamin Moore) that will create a fun and vibrant atmosphere for your little surfer baby.
Because a Hawaiian themed nursery is supposed to be fun, bright and colorful and above all relaxed, choose a style of nursery furniture that will be casual yet looks good too. For a contemporary edge that will allow you some freedom to mix and match, (if nursery sets don’t appeal to you), choose the Natart Theo Crib-to-Twin Convertible Crib. The woven effect of the veneer bands gives this crib an organic look and feel that is perfect for an island themed nursery.
While the Maddie Boo Jaime 4-piece Baby Crib Bedding Set isn’t specifically themed bedding, the colors fit right in with an island themed nursery. There’s no mistaking the rich and vibrant shades of green and blue that reflect many different colors of the sea.
A Hawaiian themed nursery will be a classic blend tropical motifs and island living activities like luaus, sailing and hunting for sea treasures along the beach. But most of all, a Hawaiian themed nursery has a relaxed, fun vibe that would be a great way to welcome baby to her new home.
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June 2nd, 2010
As far as nursery ideas go, a Hawaiian themed nursery for a baby girl is a great idea, because it will give you a wealth of colorful decorating choices. Especially if you honeymooned in Hawaii or have traveled there in the past, your pictures will come in handy either for decorating inspiration or as a terrific source for wall art. With a little imagination and creativity, you can capture the soft ocean breezes, the lush tropical flora and the sights and sounds of the Hawaiian Islands for your new baby girl.
The best way to design a Hawaiian themed nursery is to start with color. Color is important when creating a specific mood. For an island themed nursery for a girl, choose shades (from Benjamin Moore) that are saturated while being soft and gentle. To give the room a professional, unified look, you will want to match your main wall color to at least two other main elements in the room such as your themed bedding or curtains.
From the many nursery sets that are available, you will want to choose one that perfectly captures the spirit of your little surfer girl as well as the spirit of Hawaiian island living. Profiles should be relaxed; finishes should be smooth with a soft glow; and colors can range from refreshingly light to the richly exotic. The Dream on Me Richmond 2 in 1 Convertible Crib in White blends contemporary design with classic lines for a result that is casual and cozy.
Of course no Hawaiian themed nursery would be complete without this beautiful state’s flower. The Bebe Chic Aloha Baby Crib Bedding Set predominately features the hibiscus. The colors of this nursery bedding set are bright, bold and beautiful while the mix of patterns creates a sense of lush texture.
A Hawaiian themed nursery will be a classic blend of tropical motifs and island living activities like luaus, sailing and hunting for sea treasures along the beach. But most of all, a Hawaiian themed nursery has a relaxed, fun vibe that would be a great way to welcome baby to her new home.
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May 26th, 2010
Today we’re going to design a baby girl nursery that celebrates that folk art hero, the sock monkey! Emerging from Victorian times, this well-beloved toy was typically fashioned from socks. Sock monkeys made from a particular a red-heeled wool sock, which became the monkey’s mouth surfaced in the early 1950s. A new twist on a jungle-themed nursery, a monkey nursery is an impishly fun way to create a girl nursery that is light-hearted, while having a lasting, whimsical appeal.
The palette should be soft, soothing and totally girl nursery. Shades of pink (from Benjamin Moore) are the order of the day. Use one of these gentle pinks as a main wall color. Any one of them should blend well with whites or creams when used to paint the windows, baseboards or the ceiling.
Vintage style nursery furniture is a beautiful way to decorate the space in a mix-and-match kind of way. Vintage combines old with new; traditional with contemporary; and classic collectibles with kitsch. The crib will be the natural focal point in the room. A vintage style crib might have hand-painted stencils or motifs; a changing table could have decorative brass or silver accents; a dresser may have a white-washed or distressed finish.
In addition to the crib, you will also need a dresser and a changing table. While the number one priority of designing a monkey nursery theme is to be cute, fun and pretty, it must be practical as well. Give careful thought to how to incorporate storage solutions into the room that will grow with your child. Of the two, a dresser is the most likely furniture piece to grow with your child. But many manufacturers today offer type of changing tables that are designed to be used in other ways once it is no longer needed in the nursery. And the same applies to cribs as well; convertible cribs can be used as a toddler bed, twin bed or in some cases even a full size bed.
Aside from painting a mural, hanging pictures or adding a wallpaper border to the walls, your monkey themed nursery will come to life with the themed crib bedding and accessories you choose. The Maddie Boo Sock Monkey Vanilla 4-piece Baby Crib Bedding Set is charming and delightful and the colors are soothing; a good foil for the predominately pink nursery.
The sock monkey as the star of a monkey nursery theme is a creative and versatile way to decorate your new baby girl’s first bedroom. Tying it all together with whimsical and fun accessories like the L.A. Rugs Bobby Jack Don’t Burst My Bubble area rug, a vintage sock monkey lamp shade and sock monkey curtains will lend your girl nursery a charming, old-fashioned appeal that will make it a warm and inviting place to sleep and grow.
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May 25th, 2010
Designing and planning an island themed nursery for your baby boy can be a lot of fun. Ideal for a bright nursery, tropical birds and flowers are great inspirations for color schemes for walls, fabrics, accessories and nursery crib bedding. Or you can create the excitement of surfing the waves with ocean scenes, surfer prints and posters or a surf board or two. The whole idea behind an island themed nursery is to make the atmosphere feel like a tropical vacation.
This color palette from Benjamin Moore is chosen to reflect the many moods of the sea. Shades are deliberately muted to allow color to be brought into the room through accessories, window treatments and area rugs. Any one of these colors can be used as the main color palette for the walls. Add a palm tree mural or a wallpaper border of dragonflies to give your boy nursery that unique touch to make his first room an extra special place.
The Cotton Tale Paradise 4-Piece Baby Crib Bedding Set combines jungle animals with palm trees and dragonflies for an island themed nursery that will have a playful atmosphere.
Opting for country style baby nursery furniture will give the room a warm and inviting charm to match the tropical island themed nursery. Because island living is famously relaxed and casual go for natural or light to medium wood finishes. The warm wood finish of the DaVinci Parker 4 in 1 Convertible Wood Baby Crib will complement the colors of the walls and the crib bedding. Its relaxed and flowing lines are perfect for island living.
The right accessories chosen with living in paradise in mind, will give your island themed nursery a stylish, finished look. Accessorizing is also the ideal opportunity to add layers of plush tropical texture to the décor. Put a collection of shells on a bookshelf; hang pictures of sea creatures on the walls; place a colorful parrot shaded table lamp on a dresser or a side table beside the glider. And because of its tropical nature, don’t forget to include organic elements like woven baskets, a wicker hamper or bamboo picture frames.
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May 24th, 2010
You can conjure up soft ocean breezes, the smell of tropical flowers and lazy days in the sun for your baby girl with an island themed nursery. It’s a fun and whimsical way to introduce your infant to the sea, island living and palm trees. The ideas are endless and the color palette you choose for your baby girl nursery can be as bright and rich as your imagination.
Use color to create an island mood. These bright shades from Benjamin Moore are a good place to starts. Select either tropical paradise or tropical pool as the main wall color of your island themed nursery. Then choose one of the two others as an accent color. Once you’ve painted the nursery, you don’t just have to stick to “plain” walls – since island themed decorations are popular items for nursery décor, you’ll be able to find appropriately themed wallpaper borders, stencils and peel and stick mural kits.
Select nursery furniture that has a cottage country feel. You will need a crib, a changing table and a dresser. Many mothers-to-be opt to have a glider or rocking in the nursery as a comfortable place to feed baby or to inspire her to drop off to sleep again. If there is room, consider adding a side table or a nightstand that can be used in your child’s room as she grows. This will provide a handy place to put things when sitting in the chair.
Country cottage gives a nursery a relaxed charm that is bright and refreshing, recreating the atmosphere of a seaside vacation or a day spent lazily at the beach. Because it has roots in traditional styles that were adapted life in places outside of the big city, lines and profiles are simplified; decorative detail often includes molding, beadboard or distressed finishes. The Status Furniture Montrose Baby Room Furniture Set is ideal for an island themed nursery because it possesses a simple sophistication especially suited to a baby girl.
While the Maddie Boo Jaime 4-piece Baby Crib Bedding Set isn’t specifically themed bedding, the colors fit right in with an island themed nursery. There’s no mistaking the rich and vibrant shades of green and blue that reflect many different colors of the sea.
Since the crib is not dressed in island themed bedding, you’ll be able accessorize with abandon. Curtains, wall art and an area rug like the Fun Rugs Somethin Fishy Rug that will bring both the theme and additional color into the space give your island themed nursery an enchanting and magical appearance.
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May 17th, 2010
An expecting mother finding out that she is having twins can be a bit of a surprise. But once the “shock” has worn off, you will now be planning a nursery for two babies, not just one. The good news is the only item of baby furniture that you will actually need two of is the crib. Because you will be changing or feeding just one child at a time, you will require only one changing table and one glider or rocker. Some parents opt to decorate two nurseries, one for each baby; the thinking behind this is that eventually they will have their own rooms, why not right from the start? Some parents find that twins sleep better if they share the nursery. Whatever route you choose, the elements for creating a warm and inviting place for your twins will remain the same.
Start with a can of paint. Choose one that is non-toxic. When planning a nursery for twins that are one of each, designing a gender-neutral nursery will create a welcoming atmosphere for both. Select colors that are not shades of pink or blue. If you know whether you are expecting boys or girls you can opt for the more traditional colors like blue or pink.
While soothing and comforting, a nursery should also be a place that will stimulate brain activity and the senses of your twins. Pick a theme with this in mind. Some of the more popular nursery themes are:
- Jungle animals / safari
- Farm animals / domestic pets
- Lady bugs / butterflies / bees
- Sun / moon / stars / planets
- Little Mermaid / Winnie the Pooh
- Flowers / trees
- Sea / pirates / nautical
The basic pieces of baby furniture you will need are two cribs, a changing table and a dresser. Especially if the space is smaller-sized, you will need to make everything fit, and in such a manner that you can move easily around the room. A changing table like the Badger Basket Diaper Corner Baby Changing Table that fits conveniently in a corner could be the ideal solution when trying to make the maximum use of available floor space. Selecting multipurpose items like a dresser/change table is another way to make your twins nursery a little roomier.
Whether the space is ample or smaller sized, storage will be an important aspect of designing a nursery for your twins. Choose a dresser with multiple-size drawers; units with a number of storage options like a combination of cubbies, shelves and drawers; or armoires with compartments that can be easily adapted for baby one and baby two.
When accessorizing, add a little individuality. Yes, they are twins, but by giving them complementing rather than matching nursery crib bedding, area rugs and/or mobiles, you will be “visually” making a distinction between the two with the use of color and pattern.
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