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!
Michelle Cook 09.06.2013
I used to devour books when I was little too. The Giant Jam Sandwich was my favourite, and it is still a story that I love. It’s the one I tell when I’m asked for a story. Good luck with it all!
Kristin 09.06.2013
Love your nursery – it’s fabulous! We love our diaper champ and I love your wooden “L” block. We have wooden personalized blocks for each of our kids and they are a great keepsake.
Currently Bright Baby board books, especially the Trucks one, are a favorite in our house!
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Jeanie 09.06.2013
Adorable baby, adorable nursery, adorable family!
As for books, I give every pregnant woman I know The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (all his books are great!) and Love You Forever. I also love The Corduroy Bunny, the Bearenstain Bears series, and, well, the truth is, I just love books! Hope your sweet Lincoln learns to love them too.
Tina B 09.05.2013
You have to get the book “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch! I am over 40 now and my kids are 6 and 13 and I can’t dare think about purging this little book from our library-once you read it you will know why! It was one of those books that kind of sums up that “burst the heart” amount of love that you feel for your kids. At least that is how it made me feel, it will bring tears to your eyes!! It wonderful that you want to share your love of reading and travel with your little man :)
Dana Dagman 09.05.2013
I’m due on Thanksgiving Day with baby #3. We got our existing crib as a hand-me-down, so while it is still holding up, this would be a great addition to our nursery!
Leanne Battelle 09.05.2013
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart is one of the best books I’ve ever read, aloud to the kids when they were little and still now that they are approaching their teens. The message is touching and the illustrations beautiful. See if you can get through the part about cake equalling a thousand smiles (so true) without a pause. Congratulation and enjoy the reading.
Carrie 09.05.2013
That is a beautiful crib and changing table. How exciting that someone gets one of their own. I love that quilt too. Very precious.
Kayla 09.05.2013
My little nephew has always loved the Barnyard Dance book… I’m pretty sure it’s by the same person who did Goodnight Moon and it comes in the board book version as well!
When my little sister was young, she loved Snugglepuppy (again, by the same author). We read/sung it to her so much I can now “read” it without even having the book.
Emily 09.05.2013
We love: On the Night You Were Born, Llama Llama series, Pete the Cat series, and Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site! Love reading to my boys…it is a treasured moment every night!
Miranda 09.05.2013
Two books that both my boys loved were 10 Little Ladybugs and Tumble Bumble. We put a cork board above the changing table (out of reach of course) so we could look at pictures of loved ones. I love that you have a mirror in e room. We put one close to the floor so they could check themselves out.
Petra Hennek 09.05.2013
To begin: Moo Baa LaLaLa then move onto Goodnight Moon – Run Away Bunny. Read read and read some more. These books are so incredibly comforting to children. The message, the words, the rhythm, cadence … something about those old old classics calms and comforts away going to sleep fears.
Liz O 09.05.2013
Lincoln is just precious!! Would you be able to find out where I could get the pattern for the quilt? It’s the cutest thing ever and I would love to make it.
Stephanie O 09.05.2013
Where is the plus 1?
Stephanie O 09.05.2013
Your nursery is adorable. I habe mu ultrasound on Monday, I can start working on the nursery as soon as I know. I want to do a farm theme. I love your quilt!
HEATHER 09.05.2013
We are 11 weeks pregnant & this crib would be wonderful!! We have had so much fun following your ‘babyhood’! Even got my husband in love with Lincoln :)
Lisa 09.05.2013
I just want to tell you how happy I was to see the crib set up properly – with no lovies or blankets IN the crib, just a fitted sheet. As a pediatric nurse practitioner it drives me batty to see nurseries on Pinterest with all the lovies and fluffy blankets and pillows you could dream of in the crib with the baby – not safe! It looks like you guys are doing a great job, and I’m so glad that you could show that a nursery can be beautiful as well as functional and with the baby’s best interests in mind. Keep up the good work!
Peggy 09.05.2013
Time for Bed by Mem Fox and “You Are My ‘I Love You'” are two great books!
cindy 09.05.2013
I love the nursery pictures and all the incredible pictures of Lincoln. You are an amazing photographer – so creative! My babies are 20, 18 and 16 – I love hearing about yours so keep the baby posts/pictures coming!
Bethany 09.05.2013
Your nursery is beautiful – you did a wonderful job!