Custom "Dream Nursery" for Madison!

You won't find this on the pages of "Pottery Barn Kids" or "Zulilly"! This is a custom nursery!

It’s your baby’s bedroom, but in the beginning, it will be you who’s staring at the walls through tired eyes while you rock, feed, change and play with baby. Here are some secrets to assembling the nursery of your baby’s -- and your -- dreams.

Nurseries for the tiniest members of your home present big decorating opportunities! Whether you're starting from scratch or sprucing up what you already have, decorating a baby nursery takes planning and imagination. But this soothing and sweet nursery idea is sure to give you the inspiration you need to create a dream nursery for your baby. Take a look at my safari themed nursery featuring motifs such as storybooks, safari animals, and sweet ruffles. This nursery can easily be done for a baby boy as well, just by changing the color theme....or not! Browse my beautiful nursery images to find some ideas that's sure to soothe your baby and be pleasing to your precious baby.

 

This beautiful crib was purchased from Costco!

 The crib:

Buying a convertible crib will save you money in the long run and ensure your baby’s bedroom set matches throughout his/her childhood! As the centerpiece of the room and the spot where your baby will spend hours sleeping (cross your fingers!), this is one of your most important purchases. But before you buy, imagine your baby is a (gasp!) little five-year-old boy/girl -- will you have had to buy multiple beds for all his different sizes (crib, toddler bed, then twin)? Consider a convertible crib that turns into a toddler bed and eventually a full-size bed headboard. Note: The crib (and dresser) can take 10-plus weeks to be delivered at times, so make sure to order early.

 

This glider bought at Baby's R Us!

 The Glider/Rocker
You may not think you want a glider, but you’ll most likely be spending hours upon hours with your baby here feeding, rocking, singing lullaby's and reading. You will need one.
Stick with a simple, classy design that’s comfortable. I went with Holly as did her pregnant sister and sister-in-law to glide in the gliders and find the perfect fit...it was really fun! Note: They can take up to 12 weeks to order. 

I made this functional pillow to ease Holly's back while she is nursing, singing or reading to little Madison. I embroidered the safari/nursery animals that you will see repeated throughout this sweet nursery.

 Still thinking a glider is too boring for you? Throw a sassy/sweet quilt over it or a sweet pillow to jazz it up. I promise it will be the last thing on your mind at 3 a.m. when you’re working on your baby’s breastfeeding latch.

The Dresser 

 It can go undercover and do double duty as a changing table.
Look for a medium-height dresser that you can easily lean over for diaper changes (using a plush changing mat). Use the top drawer for diaper supplies. You’ll be putting away a LOT of laundry, so test out the drawers and make sure they slide easily -- but not too quickly, to avoid pinched fingers (yours or baby’s!).


The Decor

Personalize, personalize, personalize.
Murals: Do it yourself by having your sketch or drawing put on a transparency to project and trace on the wall, or by using removable appliques with a favorite saying or nursery rhyme, like the wood letters I had painted to match the quilt I made. I could have painted myself, but, on Etsy I found a gal who painted them for me. I sent her pictures of the quilt and wha-la! She has the paint and all the supplies.....it can often be cheaper to farm out certain projects. But, if you are a budding artist who wants to do it all, you can find the letters at Michael's or JoAnn Fabric. Sometimes you can also find great appliques at T.J. Maxx, Ross or other discount stores!

Holly loved this little phase coined by Winnie the Pooh. I said, " I can do that.....on a pillow!

I found these cute bookends on Amazon.

Knob accents: Another fun, inexpensive idea -- add fun knobs to a simple white dresser to accent baby’s room. They can be easily swapped out for Star Wars ones when he turns six. Have older siblings do artwork: Older siblings would love to contribute a painting to their new baby sister or brother’s room.

Darkening curtains: These can make a huge difference in helping baby take naps or go to sleep when it’s still light outside during the summer.
Mobile: Black and white is ideal for the first six months, but, we went with a safari themed mobile.

Darkening curtains! I made the curtains, embroidering the themed animals found throughout this sweet nursery.

 

I thought the animals peeking through the trees, were perfect for the tie backs!

White noise machine:
Baby has just left a very noisy womb, and white noise can have a calming effect and help her sleep more soundly. You can purchase a white noise machine with preset types of noises, but you can also use the stove top fan, a box fan or in my case...(hahaha!) I walked outside our front door into our court yard, where there is a water feature and the exhaust from our wine cellar compressor...PERFECT! Little Madi calmed down and went right to sleep! My other favorite is singing to her and doing what Holly coined as, "The Teapot Stomp"!

Grandma Teapot doing the "Teapot Stomp"!  (Note the pink bottled beer I found for Nate to give to friends who visit Madi!)

The Night-Light

Get enough light so you can see in the middle of the night, but not so much light that it’ll stimulate baby into thinking it’s time to play. This may take some trial and error -- test a few before baby comes!

Other nursery tips-

-Don't just look in baby departments and baby stores for room decor. Some of my favorite pieces came from a trendy, urban-college-kid type of store! 

-Pick one thing you love -- a piece of art, a clothing print, a blanket -- and then pull colors from there! This way the nursery will look pulled together. 

-Treat the nursery like you would the rest of your home: If you love modern design, go with it. Don't feel the need to fit some old-fashioned criteria.  

 I am thrilled to report that Holly and Nate love little Madison Lee's nursery. Nate said, "I want to move in!" Needless to say, I was beaming!! 

I put together a full length movie for Madison. I divided it into two parts for YouTube because of their length restricitons. If you would like to see more. Here are the links-
Madison - Gender Reveal and shower-part one 

Madison- Arrival and Homecoming- part two 

This next month or so I will be traveling. A tournament on the west coast in Monterey, a college fraternity reunion in Ohio, and a big trip to Europe with friends! I will have in one case over night to repack and fly out! And, of course I squeezed in a trip to see my "Teapot Princess" on Halloween! So, what does this mean to you...well most likely fewer posts! So, if you haven't already, choose to follow me and be notified when I post! I will not be setting a specific day! I have been busy writing drafts for some fun Fall recipes, and maybe I can get Amy back for a blog or two!