INTERIOR DESIGN AND FURNITURE GUIDE

BABY FURNITURE IDEAS

Aloha – Hawaiian Themed Boy Nursery

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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Why Design a Green Nursery?

April 23rd, 2010

It seems to be what everyone is talking about these days – global warming, carbon footprints, manufacturers that are environmentally responsible, companies that produce “green” or organic products. But what does that really mean to you personally when you are in the process of making room in your home for a new child? Planning a nursery can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to begin. Adding environmental concerns on top of everything else you have to take care of right now can seem like more stress when you need less. However it’s not complicated if you are aware of what to look for – when designing a green nursery, it’s just a matter of focusing on the right elements.

The whole point of designing a green nursery is to provide a safe, healthy and non-toxic environment for both you (after all, you will be spending a lot of time in this room too) and your baby. Start with the paint – choose water-based paints with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds). If you are pregnant, plan on having someone else do the actual painting. Even when using a non-toxic paint, to ensure that it is properly “cured” and won’t emit chemicals into the air, paint the nursery at least one month before bringing baby is to occupy the room.

Bare floors with an area rug made from natural materials like cotton or wool are best. If there is already wall-to-wall carpet in the room that cannot be removed, give it a good cleaning with an eco-friendly carpet shampoo.

When shopping for baby furniture, choose a crib and changing table made from timber (real wood) as opposed to furnishings made from composite woods such as pressboard or MDF (medium density fiberboard). Make sure that paints, stains and other types of finishes are non-toxic. Avoid plastic wherever possible. Choose toys made from natural materials like cotton and wood.

Select a crib mattress that is the most organic or eco-friendly that you can afford. Look past what you can actually see. Make sure that the materials used to make a crib mattress are manufactured without the use of toxic fire retardant chemicals. If a purely organic crib mattress is out of your price range, an economical option is to buy a quality firm crib mattress and then purchase a separate organic cotton crib mattress cover.

Consider materials like untreated pure cotton and wool for window treatments and crib bedding. Another option is to use wood shutters that have a nontoxic finish or mini-blinds. Make sure that you choose a type that doesn’t have dangling cords.

Designing a green nursery is relatively simple when you know what to look for. It is simply a matter of buying items and products that are as toxic-free as possible for anything that your infant will directly come into contact with. An eco-friendly nursery will be the perfect place for your little one to sleep, grow and play.

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Rocker vs. Glider – Buying the Best Chair for your Nursery

April 5th, 2010

Having a chair as part of your nursery interior design is important for many reasons. It won’t be just a place to sit when feeding your child or rocking your baby to sleep. It will be the “bonding place” so for this reason alone, it should be the most comfortable and the best type of chair that you can afford. It is also the most likely place you will read to your child. The nursery chair you choose will be where you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime. A traditional rocker has a classic design with a charming, timeless appeal while a glider is typically upholstered. However, before making a final decision whether you will buy a rocker or a glider for your nursery, here are some things to consider.

Traditional Rocker – Pros

No matter whether they are antiques or not, rockers have the cherished appearance of a family heirloom.

They are very adaptable to a number of décor styles

They don’t include any mechanisms that can wear out.

Traditional Rocker – Cons

Since the seating area tends to be more angled and a little lower than a typical glider or even an armchair, a traditional rocker can be awkward to get in and out of easily. Especially when you’re feeding or trying to put your baby to sleep in the middle of the night, and you’re half asleep yourself, a chair with a seating area that is higher off the ground may be more useful.

Particularly when playing on the floor near the rocker, pets and children could get arms, legs or tails caught underneath the rockers if the chair is moved forward or backward.

If the floor is uncarpeted or the rocking chair is older, any squeaks can be troublesome (and sound very loud at two in the morning) when trying to settle your child back to sleep.

Most types of traditional rocking chairs do not come with seat cushions. They will have to be purchased separately. Particularly if you’re prone to backache, you will also want a back cushion.

Glider Rocker – Pros

Gliders have a smooth, soothing movement that some parents prefer to the more pronounced back and forth motion of a rocker.

Some types of gliders include a locking mechanism, rendering them stationary and preventing curious little fingers from being caught in the glider.

Gliders come in so many style, options and fabric choices that it is easier to customize it to both your nursery décor and you personal comfort level. Some models include ottomans that can either be purchased separately or are part of a set.

Glider rockers come with a number of different features, such as pouches, removable armrest pads or storage compartments.

Glider Rocker – Cons

Hinges, slides and other mechanisms associated with the glider rocker are prone to rusting and general wear and tear.

A glider that includes an ottoman should be “test driven” just to ensure that it will be useful to you. For example, you might find that due to a combination of factors including how tall you are, a stationary ottoman would be more practical for you.

Many types of gliders are shipped ready-to-assemble. Since safety is a high priority and can be dependent on how the chair has been put together, if you’re not confident in your DIY abilities, plan on asking for help from a friend or family member.

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Organizing Your Changing Table

April 1st, 2010

Once you have furnished and decorated your nursery, you will be ready to start organizing specific areas of your baby’s room to make it more functional, practical and easier on you. A changing table is designed to make parents’ lives easier by eliminating stooping, bending awkwardly and avoiding potential back strain. The changing table can be arranged in such a way as to optimize its usefulness and make changing a diaper and keeping your baby safe and comfortable a simple, trouble-free process.

Organizational Add-Ons

When you buy a changing table, the changing pad is sometimes included. Sometimes it isn’t. If you do need to buy one separately, choose one that is plush and will be soft on baby’s skin. Even if it is included, consider buying one or two extra changing pads so that you can have a comfortable place to change your baby elsewhere in your home without having to run back and forth to the nursery every time.

Drawers are very handy for storing extra clothing items like onesies, socks, etc. You won’t need to store a lot of clothing items in your changing table, but it will be more convenient for you if clean clothes are readily available. If the drawer space is too deep or not exactly to your liking, customize one or two of the drawers to better suit your needs with removable organizer trays. Bargain or dollar stores are a great source for all kinds of economical organizers.

Since the whole point of a changing station is to change your baby’s diaper, having a bunch of them on hand is imperative. A diaper stacker is a creative and decorative way to ensure that you won’t run out of diapers when you need them. Diaper stackers are typically designed to be conveniently attached to the changing table itself, hung on a hook nearby or fastened to the crib.

Safety First

Especially when the changing table is all drawers, a shelf above or to one side of the changing table will give you additional storage space for keeping items close to hand. This might be a convenient place for supplies like wipes, cotton balls, ointments, talcum powder, etc. But make sure any shelves near the change table are well out of a child’s reach since they might be able to grab them as they grow. Put only soft, safe, light items on these shelves and avoid placing heavier item such as medicine bottles that can harm baby if it falls on them.

That’s Entertainment!

Have a couple of softie companions within easy reach. Giving baby a toy while changing the diaper can provide a welcome distraction and make the process quicker for you, especially if your child is prone to fussing or squirming. Another option is to place a mobile directly above or to the change table.

Tidy and Fresh

If your changing table has open or enclosed shelves, add baskets to each shelf to make them more practical and to keep things looking neat and tidy.

Whether you intend to use cloth diapers or disposables, having a diaper pail situated next to your changing station makes dealing with a dirty diaper easier and more convenient. It will also aid in keeping the area fresher and cleaner.

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Country Cottage Style for a Baby Boy

February 12th, 2010

Country cottage style is warm, charming and comfortable. It is a day spent by the lake; an evening curled up in a comfy oversized chair by the fire; a farmhouse kitchen during harvest time. This same ambience makes for a welcoming and versatile environment in a baby boy nursery. You can opt to go with without a theme, choosing instead to focus on style-related flourishes like woven rugs in country colors, pictures of farm animals or pastoral scenes in simple wood frames and wicker baskets for smart storage solutions.

Boy Country

Country style colors (from Benjamin Moore) should reflect nature, the blue sky, the brown earth, the green grass, the yellow sun. Popular shades for baseboards, windows and moldings include pure whites, off-whites with a “washed” appearance and soft creams. The color you choose will set the nursery’s mood – the warmer the tones, the more inviting the room will be.

Country cottage baby furniture has the cherished, well-worn look of furnishings that have been hand-crafted and passed down through the generations. The emphasis is on comfort, in both design and style. Lines are gently curved, profiles are relaxed and decorative accents are “fun” rather than “fussy” like their more traditional counterparts. The Stork Craft Rochester Stages Oak Fixed Side Baby Crib displays Windsor chair-like slats, a camelback and gently curved sides and feet – all hallmarks of country cottage style.

Of course in a country cottage, plaids and ginghams aren’t restricted just to window treatments. As evidenced by the Cotton Tale Derby Plaid 4-Piece Baby Crib Bedding Set, chenille, plaid and check materials make for a happy “down home” mix.

A changing table makes any nursery more practical since it makes it easier on you to change your baby and it increases your storage solution options.

The Badger Basket Round Rattan Hamper in Natural with Sage Gingham Liner is the ideal accessory to have in a country cottage style nursery.

To add even more country charm the Cotton Tale Derby Plaid Baby Nursery Lamp and Shade will not only shed a little light, it will also complement the crib bedding set.

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Boy Story – A Blue Nursery for a Baby Boy

February 9th, 2010

blue nursery  blue nursery2 

You recently found out that you are expecting a baby boy and have decided that you do want to go the blue route. Blue is a cool, soothing color for the walls of nursery. While many people do decide to go with a particular theme, the color blue itself would be an excellent nursery motif. To make blue the shining star of the nursery design plan, choose tranquil and soothing earth tones (colors from Benjamin Moore) for the walls, window treatments and the area rug. This will provide a beautifully neutral canvas for blue crib bedding and other blue accessories. Should you want more color in the room, select a deep rich blue as an accent color, either for one or two walls. The whole idea is to design a nursery, from the décor to the baby furniture to comfy crib bedding that will be the ideal comfortable place for both baby and you.

Baby furniture pieces should have medium to dark wood finishes with a soft sheen. The Status Furniture Brookfield Stages Convertible Baby Crib is a transitional style crib that is extremely versatile. It can be converted from a crib to a toddler bed to a daybed. Ideal for a boy nursery, this crib has lovely decorative detail in the form of gently arched molding and the judicious use of ornamental molding.

Buying a baby furniture nursery set not only can save you money, it can also save you time in having to shop for each piece separately. The Status Furniture Brookfield Baby Room Furniture Set of course includes the crib, but also includes a dresser and a door dresser that can easily double for a change table just by adding a changing tray.

The Kathy Ireland by Thank You Baby Mr. Pete Nursery Bedding Set is not just blue; it’s blue that has been delightfully textured through the combination of patterns and other colors.

The Fun Rugs California Kids High Pile Spiro Gyro Rug will add even more textured blue to this nursery design.

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Spring Flowers Theme for a Girl Nursery

February 8th, 2010

Spring, for obvious reasons, is a great theme to choose when designing a nursery for your new baby girl. It is the symbol of rebirth, the season after winter when nature takes a little rest. This theme will be rich in shapes and ideas, from flowers to birds and butterflies to lambs and other baby animals. Taking inspiration from Mother Nature, the colors are fresh and soft or bright and bold – the choice is yours. But once the walls have been painted and the furniture has been arranged, it will be a beautiful and visually stimulating place for your newborn.

springFor the walls, colors (from Benjamin Moore selections) that reflect grass, spring flowers and blue-washed morning skies are a good place to start. If wallpaper appeals to you, select spring themed patterns that include shades like tea rose pink, leaf green and sunshine yellow. When selecting wallpaper, particularly big patterned wallpaper, make sure that it matches your crib bedding and is not too “busy”.

Traditional or transitional style baby furniture goes well with a spring flowers nursery theme since a flower/botanical/rose medallion or motif is a common decorative detail. A crib like the Young America Isabella Mix & Match Stationary Crib will give the room a classic feminine flair, with scrolling lines, gentle curves and graceful profiles.

Dress the crib in the playful spring flower designs and colors of the Cotton Tale Spring Fling 4-Piece Baby Crib Bedding Set. The patterns are a magical mix of flowers, butterflies, stripes and polka dots.

Butterfly wall art

Make it seem like the butterflies flew from the crib to the picture on the wall with BeBe Chic Botanica Butterfly Flight Wall Art.

Baby will need changing! Make your child comfortable and easier on you by including a change table in your nursery interior design. The Young America by Stanley Isabella White Single Dresser with Optional Changing Station displays even more floral themed decoration with a dainty vine motif.

Because you can never have too much storage in a baby’s room, the Natart Verona Armoire offers plenty of space for blankies, clothes and toys. The added advantage of choosing an heirloom piece like this armoire is that it will grow with her – she will always need someplace to hang her clothes and keep other treasures safe.

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