I’m excited to be sharing a labor of love with you today: my daughter, Milly’s nursery. I began working on this space over a year and a half ago, and while most of the furniture and layout are the same from when her big brother slept in here, the fabrics and accessories are all girl.
I’ve learned that fabric is often the best jumping off point. The room is rather small, but has high ceilings and I thought it would be nice to draw attention to this with some really great draperies. I knew what my dream fabric was all along, but 10 yards of that was not even in the cards. (I’ll show you where I have used some of that fabric in the next few weeks). I looked EVERYWHERE. Every local or online fabric store you can think of, eBay, craigslist, Etsy…nothing was even close. Heck, I even tried making my own fabric.
I had settled on going with the Spoonflower design I had made when one day I came across a store I had never seen or heard of before. It looked like a total miss from the outside, but I decided to give it a shot, and boy am I glad I did!
Entering Home Fabrics and Rugs was like walking into discount fabric heaven. Hundreds and hundreds of reams of home dec. fabric and nothing priced over $6.99 a yard. I ended up finding all of my fabrics for the room that day, and spent less than I would have spent on one yard of my dream fabric, the Orangerie. I raced home and got to sewing!
When I was pregnant with Milly I had some complications and that Shakespeare quote was often in my head. She was fierce in the womb and she continues to be so today.
I liked the idea of her being surrounded by the strong women who have come before her. These are all pictures I collected of Milly’s grandmothers all the way to great-great-grandmothers. It’s really lovely to see these every day! The little beaded purse was handed down from my great grandmother. I found the frame at a flea market and just added foam board, batting and some fabric to make it a bulletin board.
My sister-in-law made the mobile over the crib for me, tearing fabric strips and tying them to an embroidery hoop. I like that it adds a bit of whimsy to the space.
While most of the other art in the room is something I made or received from family, I really loved this silhouette and purchased it here.
I picked up the moroccan pouf at Cargo Largo. This discount store can be hit or miss, but I often find really great things (I usually share them on Instagram).
I actually saw one of these several months prior for $99 and
passed on it. I then thought about it often until I ran into it’s twin
on a recent trip for $69. I took it as a second chance and
snatched it up!
I actually saw one of these several months prior for $99 and
passed on it. I then thought about it often until I ran into it’s twin
on a recent trip for $69. I took it as a second chance and
snatched it up!
I was hesitant to purchase a glider without trying it, but there are not very many stores in my area that sell great looking baby furniture. I ended up going to a La-Z-Boy store for the chair. For less than you would pay for top end rockers, you can customize something at La-Z-Boy. I was able to choose the fabric and the base which rocks and glides. In the beginning I had my heart set on white, but I’m glad I went for this more textured neutral. There have definitely been some spills and accidents on it, but you would never be able to tell. We can remove the base down the line if we decide to use it elsewhere in our home.
The crib is the Oeuf Sparrow in Grey. We’ve been very pleased with how it has held up with two kids and I love how easy it is to get little ones in and out of.
If you would like to hear more about how I approach putting together a space and see a few snapshots of elsewhere in my home, I am guest blogging today over at The Avarice. Go check it out and while you’re there take a look at Whitney’s beautiful work! She is one creative lady: a designer and an artist whose ability to mix patterns and colors is insane! Some of my personal favorites can be seen here, here, here and here.
I’ll be back tomorrow to announce the winner of the baby swing giveaway! Now that I’ve searched the world for fabric (I wish I was kidding), I’d love to know, what are your go-to sources for textiles?
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Andrea @ Decorating Cents says
So cute. I love all the little details. You really made the room personal.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you very much, Andrea!
Stephanie E. says
This is great, Gwen!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
You did such an amazing job! I love the colors, textures, everything!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Lisa Dahlberg says
Beautiful. I would love to know more about how you learned to decorate a space. We bought a house almost two years ago, and I haven't even been able to buy curtains for the windows (much less hang anything on the walls) because I feel paralyzed by all the options and unsure how to combine different elements to make a space that actually feels like us. Also, that "fierce" quote is one of my favorite lines from Shakespeare. Did you create that print? If so, I'd love to know how – I want one!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Lisa! I guess I would say, practice. And lots of looking at other's spaces to know what I like and what I don't like. I would recommend taking something you really love: a pillow, piece of art, something you really feel drawn to and build off of that. Try and choose colors from that thing to incorporate elsewhere. I don't know if you saw my guest post over at http://www.theavarice.com, but my biggest thing is don't buy something unless you love it. It's a good thing you've lived there a while and still have some work to do. Often we buy a bunch of stuff just to be done and then we don't really like any of it. You have great style. Just start being sensitive to what you like and doing some research..pinterest is great for that.
I know through Facebook that you used to be a big fan of Madmen, don't know if you still are, but even your favorite t.v. shows. Look at the sets and figure out what you like about them. I know you probably have some really great furniture and thrift/antique stores up in Minnesota. Also, paint is great. It's cheap to change if you don't like it. The commitment is much less.
So, that was a lot of blabbing, wasn't it? 🙂 I could go on a lot longer…ha! Give me your email and I'll send you the print. Let me know if you'd like it in another color and I can change it.
Thanks again, Lisa!
Lisa Dahlberg says
Not a lot of blabbing at all! Thank you for the thoughtful response! And I will definitely send you my email for that print – so cool. 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Sounds good!
FROM THE RIGHT BANK says
What a sweet room for a girl! There is such great attention to detail – I especially love all the pom pom fringe!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your thoughtful comment, Ally!
amykristinteriors.com says
So beautiful and soft. Great job! (I am also new to the blog world). Amy (#60 on Emily A Clark's blog).
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you, Amy! Glad to hear I'm not in this alone. 🙂
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
What a gorgeous nursery! The fabric for your window treatments is fabulous!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you, Kris!
imfashionstoned says
fabulous & stunnin!!!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Just visited your blog, what beautiful photography! Thanks for stopping by!
Brandi says
This is such a sweet room. I love all the details. You have amazing taste.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you so much, Brandi!
heidi says
lovely, sweet room! i can definitely see a girl growing up in this.
and i like fabric.com. i hate not being able to see and touch an actual sample, but i'm a beggar at this point when it comes to fabric store locations and their proximity to me and beggars can be choosers.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Heidi, I totally agree! I've ordered samples from several online stores and am usually pretty disappointed. For me, if I see a fabric in another blogger's home, then I tend to be more trusting of the quality and color. I wish these sites would post better pictures of the fabrics they were trying to sell, that would make a big difference!
Emily A. Clark says
Milly is a lucky little girl! What a beautiful (and meaningful!) space. Thanks for linking up!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you, Emily! I really appreciate your comment. You're inspiring and I love reading about your design thoughts and family!
Jesi Cygan says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Milly's nursery! Ahhhh!!! The curtains are beautiful! I love the detail you put into this room — from the decor above the window, to the matching puffy pink balls on the lamp and pillow sham! I am totally stealing the idea of the pictures from ancestors! So creative! Thanks for sharing!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Jesi!
Jessica M says
This is just lovely!!! I absolutely LOVE that mobile! My babe is almost 10 months and I've yet to put a mobile up because I hate all the one's I've seen…until now! Definitely making this. Great blog!!
http://www.babysaiz.blogspot.com
themakerista@gmail.com says
Great, Jessica! And it's really simple and cheap too. 🙂 Thanks for following!
Megan @ Megity's Handmade says
This room is sooo lovely! I love all the layers in it. You really scored at Home Fabrics and Rugs. I never find anything in there and then I get jealous when people post their amazing finds. I looked over the post again and didn't notice the paint color. Is it the same as the rest of your home? I noticed the color in Xander's room was different too. I would love to know!
New to your blog today via Emily Clark. Been reading all of your posts and just drinking up inspiration! Your home has the look and feel of what I've been trying to figure out for my house. Really, my home is having a design identity crisis. It just can't get it right! 🙂 Off to read more and more!
Thanks!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you for your kind words, Megan! I don't always get amazing things at Home Fabrics, but I usually find something I can use or stash. 🙂 The paint in my son's room is Snowdrop by Behr. The color in Milly's room is Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore.
My living room was actually really neutral less than a year ago. I first started incorporating the black and white and then I added the floral which allowed me to add splashes of color throughout. Just don't be afraid to try new things! I'm sure you'll get to a point you're happy, but it just takes time. Be patient as you look for things you really love…you can never go wrong with the things you love! Have a happy weekend, Megan and thanks for stopping by!
Anonymous says
I am so glad that I found your blog. Your house is gorgeous. I live in Lawrence, KS and also love Nell Hills. Your daughter's birthday party was wonderful. We are getting ready to have a great grandson, so I can't use those ideas but maybe I can figure out a girly reason!
Maggie Fieger
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, thank you so much, Maggie! I'm glad someone else can understand my love of Nell Hills! A great grandson, what a blessing! I appreciate you reading, and little boys can certainly be just as fun. I'm starting to plan my son's 4th birthday. It's on Friday the 13th, so we are hoping to have some fun with that. Have a wonderful weekend!
Ashley says
Where did you get the shelves from?
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ashley, the shelves are from Bed Bath & Beyond several years ago. They are just floating shelves that I sprayed white, and then my dad added the brackets underneath because they didn't hold much otherwise. Those should be something you can pick up at any hardware store. Thanks for reading!
Anonymous says
love milly's space. sophisticated and playful. turned out perfect!
where, may I ask, did you get the shakespeare quote/print? obsessed. have not found one I like that much (mainly looking at etsy).
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you! If you shoot me an email, I can send you a jpeg of the print. I just created it because, like you, I looked around and didn't find one I liked. themakerista@gmail.com Thanks for reading!
Jesse May Danson says
Hello! I found your blog through Emily A. Clark's "Saturday Six." I've been here for probably a half-hour now, and I LOVE everything! Thanks for all the inspiration!
themakerista@gmail.com says
That's sweet! I'm so glad you found me and thanks for sticking around for a while, Jesse! I hope you'll be back.
Shawn Broussard says
This is such a beautiful, inspiring nursery! I have two baby girls, 17 months and 3 months and I have been struggling to determine what direction to go this is certainly the style I will explore. I, too, love that Shakespeare print. I love classics. Just adorable!!!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Shawn! Oh boy, what blessings! And how much fun it will be to watch them grow up together. Thanks for your kind words and have a great rest of the week!
JENN says
Hi. I found your blog thru the nominations for the BHG Blogger awards and I am loving scrolling back through your archives. My daughter is currently expecting our first grandchild, a girl! Would it be possible to get a copy of your "Little/Fierce" print? I would love to purchase one, it would be a beautiful quote for the nursery.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for taking a look around, Jenn! I can certainly get you a copy. Why don't you shoot me an email themakerista@gmail.com and I can get the file to you. Thanks again for reading and congrats on the granddaughter!