When Ben and I started planning Lincoln’s nursery we found ourselves with, well, no plans at all! Not huge fans of traditional nursery designs and color schemes, we both could agree that we wanted a neutral-toned, calming room with light-colored accents that would send Lincoln straight to dreamland while we rocked him to sleep each night…plus neither of us wanted to re-paint the already taupe-colored walls. I know.
(PS is there anything more fresh than a baby in a white onesie?!)
At any rate, full of things we picked out from here and there, I think we’ve ended up with a very soothing and relaxing room that Lincoln can put his own touch on when he’s a bit older. Welcome to the nursery!
In one corner we’ve got the glider. If you remember, Ben and I went back and forth on this baby for MONTHS. I wanted something that glided, he wanted something that rocked, neither of us could decide if we wanted a chair that reclined… In the end we chose a glider/ottoman combo from Buy Buy Baby (so sorry I forget the name of it!) It glides like a dream and after a week or so the cushy padded seat started to settle and get more comfortable. I kind of wish it reclined a little, but it’s not a deal breaker. I’m happy with our purchase, and we were able to use their 20% off store coupon on it.
You may recognize the curtains from the kitchen in our old house. Drilled ’em in myself! Our new kitchen didn’t need curtains and the light blue, navy, and brown waves in the fabric design went perfectly with the rest of the room. I got them at IKEA a few years ago and I think they still stock them.
Above the rocker we hung a sweet print our friends Kristy and Jeff got us (locals it’s from Suite Dreams.) Again – the taupey-brown shade fit right in and I can imagine Lincoln and I reading it together each morning when he wakes up. : )
Across the way is a bookshelf I picked up from Target. The espresso finish matches the rest of the furniture and right now it holds Lincoln’s books, stuffed animals, and other odds and ends.
Oh hi!
Although he won’t be wearing shoes for many, many months, the little man already has quite the collection, from the shoes we used to surprise my family at the gender reveal (which I remember thinking there was no possible way a baby’s foot could fit inside because they were so little, and now that I realize how tiny his feet are they seem like oversized clown shoes!) his first pair of Air Jordans from our friend John, and even woven flip flops from our friend Lindsey. Squeal – too cute!
I loved, loved, loved reading as a child (seriously, loved) and I hope Lincoln does too. We’re slowly but surely building up his book collection. What are your favorite books to read to your babies? An assortment of loveys are all ready to go, too!
I know, I know – time for bed. I’m almost done!
Caddy corner to the bookshelf is the dresser/changing table. This is a dresser from Babi Italia’s Ashville line that I was gifted along with the crib I’m getting to next. This is a sturdy and beautifully-built piece that Lincoln will keep in his bedroom forever. Still trying to decide what to put above it. I’m thinking a giant map/mural of the world to pass my love of travel and exploring onto the little guy would look good.
We also have a Diaper Champ Deluxe which I like because it uses regular 13 gallon kitchen bags vs bags that you have to buy specifically to fit the diaper pail. Sometimes I wish it was a bit bigger, but then again, that’s probably by design!
On top of the dresser you’ve got the usual suspects – wipes, diapers, Vaseline, etc.
I went to Bed Bath & Beyond and raided the bin section for these guys, which have turned out to be so handy for holding everything from diapers and socks, to toys and bath time stuff. Use the 20% off coupons for each one and you’re golden.
Finally, zee main event – the crib! This is the Babi Italia Ashville Crib in espresso and Ben and I both just love it. It’s extremely sturdy and transitions into a toddler bed, day bed, and finally a full bed whenever he’s ready for it. So handy!
We usually keep this on the back of the crib, out of Lincoln’s reach, but I had to show you the farm animal quilt my friends at the Iowa Food and Family Project gave us when Lincoln was born. It is ADORABLE. I know L will love picking out each animal and making their individual sounds when he plays on it in the future.
Up above the crib is a set of prints I got from Etsy. Aren’t they great?? I love how the blue chevron in the third print matches the chevron in my favorite crib sheet. I heart chevron. : )
Lincoln does too!
Thanks for coming along on our tour!
Gina Helton 09.05.2013
Your nursery is adorable! Definitely “pin” worthy ;-)
Jamie 09.05.2013
My library has a books for babies program and we got two DK Publishing books that Forrest LOVES – Baby: Tractor! and Baby: Bathtime! They have an extra flap that lifts to reveal another image. I’ve been reading those to him since he was tiny and now they’re the first ones he goes to when he wants to flip through his books and “read.” Also, you can find a really large, excellent quality/design world map at Office Depot of all places. I used one to refinish the top of my changing table. Lovely nursery Kristin, Lincoln will love his room someday. = )
Barbara 09.05.2013
Love all the pictures!! I hope to win the crib for my new granddaughter due in December!!
Sara B. 09.05.2013
That quilt is ADORABLE! If you happen to know where they got it from, I would love to know. Perfect for our future farmer that is on the way! Love the soothing colors of the room! :)
Melissa 09.05.2013
Lincoln and his nursery are so precious!
I remember loving Pat the Bunny–it had all the furry animals to touch in it. Definitely get it if you don’t have it!
Sara 09.05.2013
Awww, I love your nursery! My hubby and I didn’t want to repaint our beige walls either, so we just decorated with colors.
My favorite book to read to my little guy is “On the Night you were Born.” I seriously still can’t get through the whole thing without getting a little teary eyed. :)
Jessica 09.05.2013
“Pat the bunny” is my all-time favorite for board books. It’s a touch-friendly book and I loved it growing up.
I also love Sandra Boyton’s books. Whenever I read them, I like making them into a song-and-dance for my nephews. (Or when I’m standing in Target…totally normal.)
Erica 09.05.2013
A thought about loveys…if/ when he shows a preference for one, go buy a second of the same kind. Keep BOTH in rotation so they have the same wear/ washing. That way, if you lose one, you are still covered and the world does not spin off its axis. Just having a back-up is no good if it still feels/ smells brand new to him.
Dream Mom 09.05.2013
Your room colors are so pretty! Love the prints, the quilt and the crib. I think the blue/white chevron looks fresh!
In terms of what to put over the changing table, here’s what I’d do (next time take a full pic of the whole room so we can get a better idea of where things are at in the whole room):
*Move your four prints and put them over the changing table. I’d do two on the top and two on the bottom-it should be in a square.
*Take 2 pictures of Lincoln and get them blown up. Frame two pics of Lincoln and place them over the crib. I’d do white painted wood frames with a mat.
*I’d also add a blue/white chevron rug to the room.
*For the bookshelf, I’d get four woven/bamboo type baskets that fill up the space and place those in the bookshelf for a neater look. I’d add a shelf or two on the top of the changing table to display some of the stuffed animals.
*I’d paint the table next to the glider white. I’d add something to the top of the table-maybe a vinyl letter in the shape of a block with the letter “L” on it for Lincoln. I’d do the block in a powder blue to match the chevron.
Molly 09.05.2013
The nursery looks great! Very nice & clean looking!
We love reading in our house too. Some of our favorites are the Sandra Boynton books. We have lots & love them all but a few favorites are Snuggle Puppy and The Going to Bed Book. They are the best! Also love the Target dollar spot Sesame Street books. Cheap but great little reads! Gotta love the dollar spot!
Jen W 09.05.2013
Naptime Diaries makes really great prints that you might want to consider for your map idea. Here is the link:
Otherwise, you could just head over to a book store and pick up a map and frame it. Maybe circle the places that you’ve been to? Or you could do a series like a map of Iowa, the US, and the world?
Trisha 09.05.2013
This looks like a pretty fantastic room for a pretty fantastic little guy, nice work mom & dad! I couldn’t agree more about not loving traditional nurseries. I have no desire to find out the sex of our child when that day comes so I plan to go super neutral as well. The espresso furniture is stunning in that room and I’m definitely taking notes! :)
Renea B. 09.05.2013
Sandra Boyton books are awesome! Even at newly turned 4 years old my daughter enjoys them. Tickle Time, Snuggle Puppy, Happy Hippo Angry Duck, Perfect Piggies, Barnyard Dance are just a few. You can often find them at Target.
http://www.sandraboynton.com/sboynton/boyntonbooks.html
Another series we love is Little Quack. Counts, Colors and Opposites are some of our favorite.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0689876459/
Another great book is Goodnight Goodnight Construction Sight.
Congrats on the baby!
Sarah Perry 09.05.2013
My absolute favorite book to read to my girls is I love you Through and Through. I can recite it in my head. I still read it to my girls (5 and 8)
Amanda 09.05.2013
The Llama Llama books are a huge hit at my house! As he gets older, Pete The Cat is fun!
Lori Finch 09.05.2013
Gorgeous nursery! I especially love the quilt. Thanks for sharing!
Laura Mcfarlin 09.05.2013
Adorable nursery! I love the sign :)
Back when my daughter was little, 2-3 yrs. old (she’s 22 now!) We read Old Bear and Little Bear’s Trousers several times a day, she loved those stories :)
Becky 09.05.2013
Lincoln’s nursery is awesome! And that farm animal quilt is SO adorable!
We loved a lot of the books that other commenters mentioned, but one that our girls loved while they were babies and toddlers was Peek A Who? It has bold, contrasting pictures so it’s good for baby’s eyes and is short and rhyming. Plus there’s a mirror on the last page which my girls loved! Here’s the link on amazon:
Lindsay 09.05.2013
Adorable nursery! Our favorite books were any by Sandra Boynton: But Not the Hippopotamus, Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs, Moo Baa LaLaLa, The Going to Bed Book. Also like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and The Grown Up Day by Jack Kent (a fav from my childhood). Happy reading!
Stephanie 09.05.2013
Beautiful nursery! I just finished mine for my little girl who is due in 3 weeks. We have the same prints, but in pink. I love them!