Friday, January 25, 2013

SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK NURSERY AFTER

Back in October, I shared my initial plan for Baby M's School House Rock NurseryWell, Baby M decided to make an early appearance! Luckily, we had everything ready to go except for the artwork for over the crib.  (Funny, artwork was also the hold up in Sweet Baby Emily's Nursery).   
Before:  As a guest room
 
After:  An inviting yellow and gray nursery!

Here is the initial inspiration board I presented to my clients:

We stayed fairly true to the initial story board.  The rug is the scroll tile rug in gray from Pottery Barn that will easily transition to another room.  The Pottery Barn Kids polka dot drapes were a great price and by adding the yellow chevron twill tape to the leading edge, we gave them a custom look at a retail price.
 
 
After reading the current research on bumper pads and SIDS, my client opted not to go with a bumper pad.  The organic polka dot sheet from PB Kids along with a custom chevron crib skirt add a great punch of color and pattern.  As the debate continues on the safety of bumper pads, more alternatives are popping up:  an increased selection of printed sheets, sheets with a contrast band on the side and the faux bumper pad.
 
 
 
From the doorway, you see the inviting nursing/reading corner.  We again used the Ribba picture ledges as bookshelves because space is at a premium.  The Little Castle glider (as well as the crib and dresser) are from Georgia Baby and Kids.  We received a swatch of the chair fabric after ordering the chair, it was much bluer than anticipated.  Back to the store where we compared it to the original - not the same at all!  We still aren't sure if the sample they sent us or the store swatch was the color we had ordered, so we went with a different color all together to be safe.  Although the sales staff thought the chair would be the color we initially ordered, they were very helpful in changing the order.
 
This room is another great example of high/low decorating.  The parents splurged on the chair but the fun gray pouf ottoman and the pillow are Target purchases.   The Pouf was about half the price of the original from CB2!
 


I had originally specified a bright yellow file cabinet for the side table to add storage and a touch of whimsy.  However, the Mom was afraid the corners might be a hazard during late night feedings.  Also, her Aunt sent this beautiful stained glass lamp that she made for the nursery.  The bright yellow side table, under $100 at Target, works beautifully with the lamp.  I love how the lines on the lamp mimic the chevron from the bed skirt.  Her Aunt used several pins from Baby M's Nursery board on Pinterest as her starting point.  I know this special gift will be cherished for years to come.
 
 
Remember the beautiful paneling on this wall?   What a change!


The custom Abacus over the changing table adds a great focal point to this side of the room.  The contrast is ideal for Baby M's developing eyes to focus on.  (My child development background comes in handy for designing nurseries).  The parents decided to hang it a little high to avoid kicking feet and waving arms. Watch for a future post on it's construction by HHM.  The colorful wood beads pick up on the polka dot theme and will provide lots of fine motor skill practice in the future.  The polka dot changing pad cover, as well as the striped blanket on the glider, are both from Land of Nod.
 
 
Figuring out the best way to spray paint all these beads, as well as searching out spray paint in all the right colors was quite a challenge.  HHM used the directions at Anything Pretty Blog as a starting point but made some modifications.
 
The alphabet artwork over the crib was also custom made using alphabet flashcards based on a vintage ABC book and were purchased from Etsy.   I used this knock off of a Restoration Hardware Piece at that's my letter blog as my inspiration.
 
 
 
 


Freddie the Lamaze Firefly Mobile adds a whimsical touch to the crib.  Not only does he play music, his wings flap and the wings reverse to a more complex pattern as the baby's vision develops.
 

 
The Banana Yellow ceiling and Chantilly Lace Walls really lighten up the room.  (Both colors by Benjamin Moore).
 

 
Please contact me at Wendy@chapingroupinteriors.com if you need help designing your nursery.
 
Wendy

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Emily's Organized Nursery Closet


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The closet in Emily's nursery was customized to add more organized storage to the room.  I suggested painting the inside of the closet the same bright begonia as the side table.  The parents vetoed this idea as too much work to repaint, if perhaps future nursery residents are not girls.  Very practical, but think of the drama of opening your closet to beautiful Begonia!








So, instead we added some bright pink fabric storage bins to add a pop of color!

The fun ceramic floral knobs from Anthropologie add a touch of whimsy. The drawers provide storage for smaller items.

The basic tower is from Ikea.  There are a variety of
 baskets, bins and drawers available for customization.

Shelves and rods from Lowe's allow Emily's clothes to be sorted
by size and add more space for Neena to accessorize!

 A mini champagne bucket from Ashley's Bridal Luncheon provides
a beautiful way to display some of the fun headbands made by guests at an amazing baby shower thrown by good friends.

A few toys provide another dash of color.

At the family shower hosted by her Sister-in-laws, Ashley received
 these adorable closet organizers from her cousin, Lauren, 
who is also an organizational freak! 

Friday, January 11, 2013

Scott's Antique Market this Weekend!

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With the warm weather we are enjoying, this weekend would be a great time to visit Scott's Antique Market!  Held the second weekend of every month, there are always some great treasurs to be found.   The January show is always one of the best because the gift show is going on at Americas Mart.  Retailers and designers in town to check out the new lines at the mart, also frequent Scott's.   Therefore, the vendors stock their booths to the hilt.

I will not be in attendance as I am watching my sweet little granddaughter so her Mom can be at the Mart representing Lilywrap, the Eco friendly gift wrap line she and her husband designed.  So, please leave me a comment letting me know what great treasures you find!

Friendly advice for first timers: 
  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Layers are best as there are both inside and outside booths.
  • Stow a water bottle and snacks in your bag- granola bars, nuts, etc.
  • Bring cash, some vendors take checks and credit cards, but not all
  • Go early, it will take you the whole day to see everything
  • If you love it, buy it.  It will not be there if you wait.
  • $1 off coupon available at Scott's Antique Market website

Monday, December 31, 2012

Sweet Baby Emily's Nursery




Emily Britt Edmonds, our newest granddaughter, was born on November 20! 
 
 
As soon as we found out Ashley and Ryan were having a girl, we started working on her nursery.  Ashley wanted a white, old fashioned crib, an eyelet bed skirt and was leaning toward a yellow and white color palette.  She also wanted the nursery to have personal touches. Unable to sleep one night, I came up with the following inspiration board for the nursery.   Not wanting the room to feel old fashioned, I chose a mix of vintage and modern furnishings.
 
 
To my surprise, Ashley loved everything exactly as I proposed and we went to work ordering swatches and the crib.   Although she liked several white iron cribs we found, we decided this was a save item as it would only be used for a few years.  This model was also recommended for shorter Moms, as it had a low profile. 
 
 
Painting the ceiling and installing the light fixture were the first steps in the project!  Soon, all the pieces began to fall in place and the nursery started to come together!
 

 
The beautiful Chevron quilt was made for Emily during our family's annual Britt Girls' Weekend.  Great Aunt Lynne orchestrated the quilting bee.  She not only designed the quilt, she purchased and cut all the fabric pieces so we could assemble the quilt top.  She then took the quilt top home, added a border and backing, and turned it into this beautiful quilt. Gigi (Great Grandma), Neena (Grandma), Great Aunt Mary, Second Cousin Lauren and Ashley all helped to make this heirloom.
 
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Due to safety concerns, Ashley and Ryan decided to forgo a bumper pad.  We still wanted to use the yellow fabric, so I designed a custom faux bumper to fit between the mattress and the crib rails!  It gives the look of a bumper without the risk of SIDS.
 

I found this cute little side table at an antique store in Monroe, Georgia for $35!  Its shape added an interesting profile and just the right amount of storage for next to the rocker.  Ray Ray (Grandpa)  painted it in Sherwin Williams Begonia.
 



 
Here is the view as you enter the nursery.  The rug, from Land of Nod, became our inspiration for the color palette.  This and the Dutailier glider were the splurge items in the room.  The Ikea light fixture (now on sale for $39.99) against the blue ceiling adds drama to the room.
 
 
Although she deliberated for months on the expense of the glider, it has turned out to be a great addition to the nursery.  It is a perfect fit and comfortable for long hours of nursing and nurturing.
 
 
                                            

I love the pattern play the light fixture creates on the ceiling and walls.  Great contrast for baby Emily to focus on!
 
 

 

I love this lamp shade from Land of Nod.  However, I wasn't thrilled with the lamp base they showed with it.  Many other options were considered, but nothing seemed right.  One day, I walked into my nursery and saw this wicker lamp base I had found at Goodwill.  PERFECT!  Once we ordered the shade, we had a slight problem with the way the lampshade attached-- below the light bulb.  It would not work with the socket on this lamp.  A trip to the lighting store, a new socket, and a screwdriver, and tada! 


 
 
 
The porthole frames that have baby pictures of the parents, were purchased several years ago on clearance from Pottery Barn.  (If Baby Edmonds was a boy, we were going with a nautical theme.)  These frames will eventually hold pictures of sweet baby Emily.  The frame with the monogram was purchased at Hobby Lobby and spray painted off-white.  Ashley added the burlap backing and wooden monogram to add texture and personalization.   The last frame was found at an antique store in Monroe, Georgia, and  I created the artwork using rubber stamps and embroidery based on a similar piece Ashley had seen on Pinterest.
 
 
On the opposite side of the nursery is the changing table.  This was originally a display unit that Chapin Group Interiors used in their antique booth.  A fresh coat of paint and some baskets from Pottery Barn Kids, and it is a perfect changing table and "dresser."  I custom-made the basket liners to match the ceiling paint color.
 
 
The baskets provide lots of storage for diapers, clothes, burp clothes and swaddling blankets.  The upper cubbies were used for display.
 
 
Ashley's Grandpa Britt worked for Gerber Products for many years so we displayed this vintage tray along with some of Emily's boots.

 
Ashley's baby picture and baby mug share space with an "Emily" book given to Ashley by dear friends at her baby shower and a wooden toy from PB Kids.

 
Ryan's baby mug balance's Emily's spoon.  The PB Kids jewelry box holds her pearls (also given to Emily by sweet friends)! The pink ceramic booties were a vase that I received flowers in at the hospital when Ashley was born.

 
This print was purchased on Etsy and framed in a Pottery Barn frame.

 
The Princess and the Pea doll was stolen from the shelves in Neena's (my) nursery, along with the Gerber tray and vintage duck pull toy.
 
 
 
The artwork above the changing table is a doll quilt made of my Aunt's baby clothes.  (The linen mat board was back ordered for several months.  Hence, the delay in posting about Emily's Nursery!)
 




The bookshelves are 4-foot Ribba picture ledges from IKEA.  A great way to display books without
taking up a lot of space. 
 

 
All fabrics were ordered through Fabric.com.  The pinch pleated drapes were custom made along with the lumbar pillow by Chapin Group Interiors.
 

Contact Chapin Group Interiors if you would like help with your nursery or other project. 
 
 
Welcome to the family, Emily.