03.01
2011

The New Nursery, Cottage of the Month, and A Winner
It has been a busy week to say the least! I was in the middle of working on our new spring designs when last Monday evening I got an e-mail from Jennifer Grey over at The Old Painted Cottage. She wanted to know if I was interested in having our home featured in her “Cottage of the Month” series. I was so incredibly excited when I read her e-mail and told her that of course I would honored. I was wondering how far away the feature would be – a couple of months, a year…? We have something coming up in April that I have been trying to prepare our house for and was hoping that I could sort of tie it in with that but figured the chances of that weren’t likely. She wrote back and said that normally she was booked about a year and a half in advance but her March person had fallen through and could I possibly have everything to her by Friday. I am not going to lie – I completely panicked. Normally that wouldn’t have scared me too much. Our house is generally in order and so I figured it would take a day to get everything styled and then I could spend the next three days photographing and editing. However, the week before we had just dismantled our guest bedroom and it was a mess!!!! We had stripped the wallpaper and painted but that was it! We had a dresser in there, two mattresses that were laying on the floor and the crib which was put together but just had the mattress in it – no sheets, bedding or anything! After having a momentary meltdown (I will blame that on being pregnant!) I figured we could get the nursery done Tuesday and Wednesday and then Thursday morning get everything ready for photos and then take all of the photos during Lillie’s nap on Thursday and edit everything Thursday night and Friday night (Friday during Lillie’s nap I knew I was going to throw together some stuff for Dana’s birthday party).  
Well, we did it! We got it all done (although it was overcast on Thursday when I shot most of my photos so the depth of field on the ones downstairs is pretty awful =(….oh well). I am still incredibly excited and the feature is now up! Thank you so much, Jennifer! She was so wonderful to work with and even extended my deadline until Saturday! She also has the most beautiful home. I have had her kitchen and dining room bookmarked as inspiration for forever!
The first thing we started with was the bed. As I mentioned in a previous post I really struggled with what I was going to do with this room because we had to find a way to fit a full size bed in there along with a crib, dresser, and chair (the chair wasn’t a must but I really wanted to have one in there) and it is a tiny little square room. The layout that we ended up with wasn’t what I wanted to do but unfortunately it was the only possible way we could get everything into the room. The goal was to save money and use all furniture pieces that we already owned and then just do some accessorizing. Anyway, for the bed we put it sideways up against the window so it would look more like a daybed. Although design-wise it isn’t ideal, I am happy with the outcome because it was the best we could do with the space and I am really happy with how the bedding turned out. The best part is this room can function both as a nursery for our new little munchkin but still will work as a guest room when family comes!
First we purchased a $29 metal frame to get the mattresses of the ground (it’s a long, boring story but we had to get rid of the headboard and footboard that we had originally used for this bed when it was in Lillie’s room). Then Lillie and I drove all over Williamsburg on Tuesday morning trying to find an inespensive bedskirt and three Euro sized pillow forms, and some crib sheets. I was hoping to make the rest of the bedding. I had originally planned on making the bedskirt as well but knew I wasn’t going to have time if I wanted it all done by Wednesday night. We found the bedskirt and two matching shams at Kohl’s in the clearance section. The bedskirt was $24.99 and the shams were $6.99 each. One of the biggest splurges in the room was the three Euros that were $19 a piece. That was the cheapest I could find them but I hated spending almost $60 on something that was just going to go behind all of the other pillows. I really needed them, though, to give some height. The coverlet and white shams were what we had on the bed when it was in Lillie’s room and I used some pillows that we had put away from Valentine’s Day. The heart one had always bothered me downstairs even though it was just for Valentine’s Day because I thought it was too “cutesy” but I love it in the nursery. I made that one, the Je T’aime one and the other ruffled pillow and then stole the knit one from our sofa in our family room (I replaced it with something else, but Jon keeps informing me he misses his “comfy” pillow and that it was the ONLY comfy pillow in the house! I haven’t brought it back downstairs as of yet because I like how it adds a cozy feel to the bed because it was starting to get a bit “frou-frou”).

 

Clearly I didn’t take the time to iron the bedskirt! I would like to blame that on not having enough time but I hate ironing so even if I had of had more time I still probably wouldn’t have bothered. I figure in another week or two it will smooth out.

Now for this corner. The mirror is one of my all-time favorite pieces. Jon got it for me as a surprise when we bought our first home back in South Carolina. We did a bunch of chair swapping with all of the different chairs we have and I liked how this chair looked best. We already had the side table, vase and frame. For now the frame has a photo of Lillie in it but as soon as the new baby arrives her picture will go in there.
 
 
 

I think my favorite part of the room is this wall. As I mentioned in the nursery inspiration post, I got this idea from Emily at Jones Design Company. I had completely fallen in love with how she did this in her nursery. In the interest of saving money I used frames and fabric that I already had. The large frame was a goldish color and had a print in it that had gotten destroyed in our last move so it was just sitting in the garage. I took the print out and covered the cardboard with some of the fabric that I use to make the pillows we sell in our Etsy shop and popped it back in. That was actually easier said than done. In fact the large one took forever! Plus I had to spray paint the frame. I spray painted the two smaller ones as well to match and then covered the cardboard that was in each of them with the extra fabric as well. Those two were MUCH easier. Then on Wednesday, with my sister and brother-in-law here visiting we all went to some local shops and I was able to find this vintage dress on the half off rack at a place called High Cotton. (They have tons of beautiful vintage linens). I paid $19 for it and then added the buttons and lace trim to add interest. Seeing how I only had one afternoon to look I couldn’t find a vintage bonnet. I looked but didn’t have any luck so I went with a new one that looked kind of old. I cringed at the price – $24 but I figured seeing how we didn’t have to buy any furniture or anything large that it was worth it. Plus I was out of time. My mom gave me the little shoes when I was pregnant with Lillie. They were one of ours when we were little, which makes them extra special to have up there. The little french sign was a gift from Jon’s mom when I was pregnant with Lillie as well. In fact, many of the items in this room were gifts from before we had Lillie and now that they don’t really go as well in her “big girl room” they go perfectly in here.

 We had the lamp base out in the garage and the lampshade was a nice shape but had gotten all bent up in our last move so we never used it. I saw this GORGEOUS lampshade made from coffee filters by Sarah at Northwest Hospitality and had planned on making one for the nursery but knew I didn’t have time for that anymore. I think I am going to make one for Lillie’s room though as soon as I do have some time. Anyway, I had to do something to cover the beat up shade so I thought I would see if some ruffles would work. They did and it seriously took about twenty minutes. It was the easiest project ever! I made a second one in black for our master bedroom. I will try to do a tutorial for it soon, but really all you have to do is make some ruffles and glue gun them onto a shade and that’s it!

 
I didn’t have time to do anything too elaborate with the text but here is what is in the larger frame. If you click on it it will open much larger in another window so it should print pretty crisply.

For the crib I had planned on making a linen bedskirt and a linen bumper and then using white sheets. However, I found a twin sheet set in this beautiful damask pattern at Kohl’s for $6.99. I was able to make the crib sheet, pillows, bows on the bumper and the ruffles on the lampshade with it and still have more fabric left over. Once I found that I decided to just got with the bumper and skirt I had made for Lillie. I just removed the pink bows and buttons and added some damask bows and then some wooden buttons to help dress it down a bit.
 
I swapped the mirror that had been in this room into Lillie’s room and put it above her dresser (which looks so much better, this little frame was WAY too small) and moved this oval frame into the nursery. I removed the pink bird silhouette I had painted for her,  and replaced it with this design that I cut out with my Silhouette Machine.

More handmade pillows. We will hopefully have a similar version to the “doux bebe” one available in our shop next week. I was hoping to have some finished by today but no such luck.

And then over on the far wall we hung three simple silhouettes. These frames were the only other items we had to purchase for the room. They were $12.99 each and we got them at Target. Again I used my Silhouette machine (I told you I was addicted to it!) to cut out three simple silhouettes in tan and then just used double stick tape to attach them to white cardstock. 

And in the corner is the little mini dress form we use to shoot our children’s items with when Lillie isn’t in the mood to cooperate for pictures. The Calla tutu is on it now. 

And that’s it for the nursery tour. I mentioned in a previous post that we did this for under $150. Whoops – I lied! It actually came to just over $200. I completely forgot about the Euro pillows and the bonnet when I did my first calculations – I will just blame it on pregnancy brain. 
 Our Etsy shop is now reopen. I am hoping to have a few Je T’aime pillows for sale later today or if not then hopefully tomorrow. Then hopefully next week we will have some Doux Bebe ones and some Reve ones as well.

We also have a couple of Je T’aime totes back in stock.

And a few new Audrey Hepburn ones:
 
And I have one Audrey pillow ready to go but hope to have several more either later today or tomorrow, as well. And then I am hoping next week along with more pillows we will start having our spring apparel ready to sell. Pretty much everything is in they are just now all in the process of being screenrpinted.
And now for the winner of our latest giveaway:
Congratulations to Christina!
Please e-mail us within the next 48 hours to collect your prize!
Thanks to everyone who entered! We will be hosting another giveaway soon.
Also, I want to say thank you to the following wonderful blogs for featuring/mentioning us these past couple of weeks:
I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday! 
A Couple of Master Bedroom Projects and a NEW Pillow Cover GIVEAWAY!
Dana's Birthday Party and a Visit from Jamie and "Dutch"
View Related Posts

Share

Project Source List

91 thoughts on “The New Nursery, Cottage of the Month, and A Winner”

  1. Jennifer, it is so beautiful as I knew it would be. I knew your home was the cottage of the month one when I read Jennifer's blog post yesterday that the woman was 7 months pregnant and already has a daughter. Congrats on the feature. Your home certainly deserves it.

  2. Lovely way to start my day! GORGEOUS!!!! It is so serene! I actually picked the other room, but I was so mistaken. You did a great job! Headed over to Etsy!

  6. The nursery turned out gorgeous! Love how warm and cozy it feels! Love all the pillows, the gorgeous crib sheet, and that Dog Rocker!! Perfection!!
    Lisa

  7. What a beautiful cozy room Jennifer. I love everything about it. I'll have to check out the cottage of the month feature to see more of your pretty pictures.

    I've been wondering about why my pictures aren't showing up in blog rolls too. I just put up a post and I see there is no photo over there in your side bar. I wonder if the picture has to be before any text for it to show up?

  8. Great nursery! What is the wall color again? We are about to paint our bedroom and love the color!

  10. OMG! Seriously crushing on your nursery! I wouldn't mind waking up countless times in the middle of the night to sit and nurse in there. WOW! Thanks for the "shout out" on my coffee filter shade. I'm slightly obsessed with sitting next to it. 🙂 xox Sarah

  11. I have been a follower and admirer of your decorating and photography talents for a while, and I just saw your house featured at "The Old Painted Cottage" Cottage of the Month. You should be so proud, your house looks absolutely stunning! One of the prettiest cottages she has ever featured. Your decor and style will be a source of inspiration for me for a while to come!

    Cindy

  12. Oh, Jennifer!!! Wow, I remember thinking how could anything be cuter than the old wallpaper you had in there (by the way do you remember the pattern & maker of it) but this nursery is absolutely gorgeous! Honestly, I don't know how you do all this…and, so quickly! It's beautiful! Great job! You are such an inspiration! xoxo Beth

  13. Hi, I just found you on A Design Story. All I can say is WOW! I don't know how you manage to create everything, have children, be pregnant and blog it all! ((high five)) I just started a blog focusing on kids & baby rooms and would love to include several of your creations and photos in my gallery. Email or comment me if you'd like to be included. Have a great day!

  15. I am totally in love with this room… Beyond gorgeous and so inspiring. You have motivated me to learn how to sew – thank you! Thank you also for sharing the .jpg of the beautiful verse you framed. And as for your new silhouette machine – wow! Love all of the fantastic silhouettes you have printed. Would love to hang some of those in my house but don't have the money for the machine right now. 🙁 Congrats on your feature as cottage of the month – you deserve it!

  17. Dear Jenni, by now you already know that you are my HERO. I had no idea you were in panic mode! Over email you seemed cool as a cucumber. Your photos and your style continue to awe me, you are so talented. Thank you again for coming to my rescue!

    oxox
    Jennifer

  18. The nursery is absolute perfection!! Such a beautiful room! My favorite thing is the beautiful lamp. The base is so classic and the shade is updated and whimsical, love it!
    I am so excited that you are the March cottage of the month. Congratulations! I will be heading right over to take a look.
    p.s. I hate to iron too. A trick that usually works for me is to spray the fabric with water and when the fabric drys the wrinkles are gone.

  19. Beautiful doesn't even do this nursery justice! As a mom of two boys, I dream of hopefully having a sweet little girl nursery like this someday {fingers crossed}. Absolutely a dream nursery!

  20. Jenni, I know I've said it many times…but, again…you are amazing & so very talented! I positively love the nursery, it's beautiful and very serene. {I hope you took some time to put your feet up now & then….busy, busy bee!} Congratulations on the Cottage of the Month, every inch of your home is gorgeous!!!

  24. Just read your Cottage of the Month (an award that I am utterly shocked my maroon rug, random 90's sports posters, and I have yet to win) post on the painted cottage site, and I have got to ask… Was the decorative bread on the kitchen counter really necessary?

  26. The nursery turned out beautiful, as everything you decorate. Love all the little touches you added. I have a question, how did you stick the shoes on the frame? I think I want to copy that in my daughters room. Thanks so much.

  27. I am SO.GLAD. that I am your friend on Facebook, so I know exactly when there is a new post!

    What a BLESSING you are.

    The nursery is so unbelievably precious…I'd sit in there too!

    What a wonderfully, well deserved honor to be the featured Cottage of the Month! Congratulations!

  28. ok seriously?!! This is gorgeous! you make me look bad. ha ha! Everything came together so sweetly! Loving the lampshade idea! I'm guessing it was a few fabric strips ruffled and then hot glued on a shade? Loving the whole room!

  29. It's so gorgeous Jenni!!! I love the neutrals and I love that crib! so beautiful! Everyone thought I was crazy for putting an adult bed in Ginger's nursery but for me there's no other way. My babies never actually sleep in their cribs until they are much older anyway. GREAT JOB! I lvoe it. It's beautiful!!!

  30. I stumbled on your blog a few months and I am in awe of you. You have such an amazing talent. Your home is beautiful and this nursery is stunning! Thanks for sharing!

  33. JENNIFER!!! if there is a word stronger than "love", that is how i feel about this nursery. i have had the first inspiration picture you used for this nursery saved to my laptop for.ever. just in case the day ever comes that i need a nursery again, and now all of your photos are saved too. it is BEYOND amazing. i too, would want to make a linen bedskirt and bumper… too bad i don't know how to sew. maybe i should bribe you to help me out with that if the time comes. 😉 i LOVE what you did with the bedding for the crib AND the full size bed. in fact, if we ever have another little one, we too will need to keep the queen (yikes!) size bed in our guest room/nursery but how perfect of an idea in front of the window! it's seriously stunning. i can't say enough good things about it… and now kinda want to make a baby so i can go all copycat on the nursery. 😉

    please please please do share a tutorial on the ruffled shade! i'm in love. AND, the crib bedding too???

    my sister in law and her husband can't find crib bedding they love and i keep telling them if i could just learn to work my sewing machine, i'd make it!

    ok, have i rambled enough? i mean i can't say enough amazing things about this room. you inspire me. and that, my friend, is a HUGE compliment.

    xo-
    Amanda

  34. Jennifer~ Congratulations on the cottage of the month; how exciting! I love how the nursery turned out, I didn't expect anything but beautiful!

    Sometime, you need to relax! LOL 🙂

    Take care….Jodi

  36. The nursery is heavenly, Jenni! I can't wait to see the room with my own eyes! And even more so, the baby that this room belongs to…:)Congrats, also, on being Cottage of the Month! Beautiful as always and well-deserved. Now please go to bed tonight at a decent hour!!! xoxo Your loving Mother Moose

  38. Congratulations on the Cottage of the Month! You deserve it! You're nursery is sheer perfection. It is adorable, gorgeous and classy. Every detail is done beautifully. I think I've looked at all of the photos about 5 times today. Just beautiful.

  40. Wow, your house is simply amazing. I come to your blog all the time for design inspiration. So adorable. One question: where did you get the bumper for the crib? Is it four separate pieces? Where are the main ties? Looks like there are really long and thick fabric ties at the corners and then short little ribbon ties all along the sides? Thanks.

  41. The nursery is beautiful Jennifer…I just love it! Congrats on being Cottage of the Month too! ~Deb~

  42. Contests on the feature, your home is beautiful and deserves ever second of fame! The room looks stunning, you have serious talent sista!! One would not know that you were expecting w/ the super woman energy you seem to have, I envy you! Love everything!!!

  43. My darling! You are sooooo talented it amazes me. This room is just beautiful! And congratulations on your Cottage of the Month feature…it is well deserved.

    I have a question…the silhouettes that you did…the one in the center with the little girl in a tutu….is that one of your images or one of Silhouettes? I ADORE it. And while we're on the subject…I noticed the Audrey vase in your last post…How do you do custom silhouettes in your machine. You may have explained it, but if you did I missed it and I'd love to know. (I'm not nearly as techy as I wish I were.)

    Thanks lady! You seriously are AMAZING!!!!!!!!

  44. The is the most gorgeous nursery I have ever seen. Every detail is impeccable and lovely. I can't stop looking at the pictures. You did a beautiful job. ♥

  48. The nursery is just beautiful, love the natural and vintage look! And I scrolled back and saw your daughter's big girl room, love the color scheme and all of the touches! Oh, and the French teacher in me just to add-it's bebe (with accents, can't figure those out on my new mac) doux, not doux bebe (most adjectives in French come after the noun-except for those of beauty, age, goodness, number, and size).

  52. Thanks so much everyone! I finally got to attack e-mails and convos tonight and made a good dent but still have a ways to go. Will get back to it tomorrow but thought I would answer some of these questions here too:

    Jos – it is Alexandria Beige by Benjamin Moore.

    Beth – I got the wallpaper from American Blinds online. It was $8 a roll when I got it and is $10 now so it is still super cheap! I can't remember which blue it was (there are a few and I would highly recommend ordering a sample first because the colors are way different than they look on the screen). It was in a book called Norwall (or maybe Norwalk) stripes and damasks or something like that. I can't remember exactly. I actually first looked at the book at Lowe's and found the color I liked and then ordered it from American Blinds and Wallpaper because it was cheaper!

    Beth and Tricia – I noticed tons of people's weren't showing so I googled it and I just reuploaded the first photo when I was in the HTML part of editing my post instead of in the regular part (not sure if that makes ANY sense – haha, I am not super tech-savvy so am probably using the wrong terminology). I gave it a try though figuring it couldn't hurt and then about ten minutes later it started showing up! It is a weird kink right now in blogger and read that they are supposed to be fixing it so hopefully by the time I do my next post it will be working again!

    Jas – she actually asked if your room could be featured next. I think the picture I showed her of that oversized stuffed dog with the hat collection was what won her over! And you and J.T. don't have decorative bread out at all times? I thought I saw a nice fresh pitcher of lemonade in your dorm room when I was out there visiting last time.

    Lorena – I just used a teeny tiny dab of hot glue. I wanted to be able to remove them easily once she outgrew her nursery decor and be able to either give them to one of my sister's to use!

    Lidia – the big dog rocker was actually a Christmas gift from my aunt to Lillie a year ago. We have had it downstairs but I thought it would look cute up in the nursery. I am not sure where my aunt got it.

    Heidi – I made all of the bedding. The bumper is four separate pieces and yes, they are tied with big fabric sashes on each corner and then tiny little ones to help secure it.

    Wendy – The customs silhouettes were a lot harder than I had expected. I saw on their website that you could send custom silhouettes straight to your machine from Illustrator (which is mostly what I work in…sometimes Photoshop, but mostly Illustrator). Well after two nights of pulling my hair out and it not working I discovered that it isn't compatible with CS5 – it is only compatible up to CS3 – grrrrr! Anyway, what I did was save my silhouettes as JPGs and then brought them into Silhouettes software and used the "trace" option. It is up in the top right corner – maybe four or five over? That part was really hard to figure out too. Basically I adjusted it so that it was colored in as much yellow as possible and then ran the trace outline option. For some it worked great (like the little girl's silhouette I used in Lillie's room) and for some it was a pain and required tons of playing around with – like the Audrey one. I would imagine there has to be an easier way to do it because to be honest it was a pain and it seems like there should be an easier way. If I figure it out I will definitely let you know! Oh and the little girl in the tutu – I did draw it about five years or so ago but it was based off a silhouette I had seen on a card or maybe even somewhere online so I can't take creative credit for it.

    Amanda – thanks for sharing it!

    Dina – I can't figure out how to add the accents on my mac either – haha! And thank you sooooo much for telling me that. I had just printed two of them when I saw your comment so I stopped and won't print anymore until I fix it. Thank you!!!!!

  57. My oh my, I am in love with everything about this room. The most fresh and inspiring designs I have come across in a long time!!!! Thank you so much for sharing! Little girls rooms are a JOY!

  58. What a gorgeous gorgeous nursery, love the colours, the decor, love it all…. and love the framed dress, hat and shoes, will be using this idea for my daughter's christening gown…
    All the best!!
    Chriss
    Australia

  60. I have just discovered your site, it may be the first visit but it wont be my last!!!! Beautiful!!!

  64. Your home is beautiful! Every single room is just gorgeous…congratulations on Cottage of the Month!!

  66. OMG this is totally the most gorgeous nursery I have ever seen its simply stunning. Its totally taken my breath away Ive honestly never seen anything so beautiful while working in interiors. Im completely aww struck. I will have to blog about this its just so very very pretty, you have made me totally broody its unreal. I am so glad you were featured on savvy southern belle today & that I found your blog 🙂

  68. Absolutely gorgeous!! This is the most beautiful nursery I have ever seen. It's so monochromatic and yet it's anything but boring. Just beautiful!

    Congrats on the Cottage of the Month!!

  69. I just found your blog and am SO impressed by this nursery! Not only is it stunningly beautiful, you put it together using mostly what you had and in such short time! Amazing. I'm your newest follower.

  71. I cant wait to find out what we are having so I can copy your nursery! PLEASE tell me where to find your beautiful crib??

  74. I'm looking for inspirational pictures to decorate my own nursery for our baby #3 and this is definitely inspirational! I love it all, so beautiful….do you mind if I link you up to my (future) nursery post? AMAZING….

    Bless, Lisa

  75. I love your beautiful nursery. Please share where you purchased the beautiful photo album with the baby sleeping on the cover (featured in your first pic on the white dresser next to the lamp and white tulips). We will be baptizing my new little niece in a couple of weeks and I'd like to buy that photo album as a gift. Thanks in advance! My email is: evafalletta@yahoo.com

  76. Perfect collection, and awesome photographs you shared here. I found a very beautiful lamp in your blog, That is, the lamp in collection is exactly what I am in search of these days.

  77. Jennifer I just wanted to tell you how beautiful I think your entire home is!! I have had The New Nursery in my inspiration file for some time now and am finally being able to transform our guest room. I hope that my room turns out as lovely as yours!! Do you mind if I share some of the pics with my readers??

Comments are closed.