INTERIOR DESIGN AND FURNITURE GUIDE

BABY FURNITURE IDEAS

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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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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Victorian Nursery for a Baby Girl

February 19th, 2010

Victorian style, while traditional Victorian furnishings tend to be oversized, ornate and heavy, is essentially elegant and romantic, ideal characteristics for a girl baby’s nursery. Because of their penchant for excessive ornamentation and accessorizing, it should come as no surprise that the Victorians loved to decorate with as many different textures as possible. A typical Victorian parlor would comfortably mix velvet with nubbed wools, plaids with stripes. This will give you free rein to create a nursery that reflects the opulence and romance of the Victorian era.

Victorian Palette

The colors used to paint Victorian rooms were rich and vibrant. Choose berry and jewel tones for your baby’s nursery. If these colors are too bold, tone them down by selecting paler versions of the same color family. This particular color palette (from Behr) was chosen to match a particular “rosy” crib bedding set.

The delightful Young America Caroline Mix & Match Stationary Crib in Victorian White has a floral theme, a common motif for Victorian bedroom furniture. Combined with a scalloped apron, decorative molding and bun feet, this crib possesses a fanciful and romantic feel that is perfect for a Victorian styled nursery.

Because the language of flowers, using flowers in a bouquet to send messages, was a popular Victorian pastime, anything floral related such as rosettes, trailing vines and pansies are popular themes for fabrics as well as for furniture. The Bebe Chic Bella Baby Crib Bedding Set will provide a soft meadow-like environment for your baby to sleep.

You might prefer a more traditional rocker for your nursery, but if this accent chair appeals to you it will add a truly delightful Victorian charm to your nursery design. The Natart Verona Chair in French White and Silver echoes this era’s love of flowers and floral motifs with its delicate decorative accents.

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