As our little one’s arrival date draws tantalizingly close, with just two weeks until my due date, the final touches on the nursery are in full swing. It’s an exciting sprint to the finish line, transforming this space into a haven for our newest family member. Among the lingering updates, we’re focusing on some impactful changes that bring both functionality and vibrant personality to the room. From injecting a splash of color onto the closet door to meticulously organizing every nook and cranny, and even embarking on a last-minute curtain re-evaluation, every detail is being perfected with love and anticipation.
Our latest endeavors include crafting and hanging charming new pieces of art, a truly personal touch for the baby’s room. And in a quintessential “us” move, we’ve had a dramatic change of heart regarding the nursery curtains. You know how we adore a good final-hour switcheroo when it leads to a better design outcome!
The Vibrant Green Closet Door: A Bold Statement for Our Baby’s Room
The decision to paint the nursery closet door a bold, cheerful green was largely inspired by our daughter, Clara. Her sweet insistence that “my baby will like a colored door like mine but not pink” struck a chord with us. What’s more, a vibrant green door was actually part of our initial nursery design plan back in January. We had casually mentioned this idea to Clara, which clearly fueled her delightful obsession. Her genuine enthusiasm finally pushed us to stop procrastinating and wholeheartedly embrace the colorful vision. This commitment transformed a simple closet door into a central design feature, promising a playful and stimulating environment for the baby.
Initially, after hanging our pleated apple-green curtains and dressing the changing table with a kelly green sheet, we harbored concerns. Would a bright green door situated between these existing green elements be too overwhelming? The risk of creating a monochromatic overload loomed. However, a lightbulb moment occurred when we remembered that we still had some airy Ikea curtains from our previous home. These curtains, once gracing our deck sliders before we installed elegant French doors, were readily available. We realized there was nothing to lose by temporarily hanging them to assess the visual impact. This simple act provided the clarity we needed.
While I couldn’t recover the time spent meticulously making the original apple-green curtains, their cost was minimal – less than $10 each. It seemed illogical to remain committed to them at the expense of integrating another feature we had all eagerly anticipated for the room. Simultaneously, we removed the faux changing pad cover, which was simply a fabric remnant I’d draped to visualize a green cover. This decision solidified our commitment to the bright green closet door, recognizing its potential to inject a unique charm that was simply too hard to resist.
Even with the new curtains in place, we still feel they need a little something extra to truly complete the look. My current thoughts lean towards lining them with blackout fabric, a practical addition for a baby’s room, and perhaps adding a subtle trim. I’m considering black or brown ribbon for a sophisticated edge, or even a complementary shade of green for a more cohesive feel – the exact color remains undecided. Nevertheless, we’re confident we’re heading in the right direction. And, of course, obtaining a proper changing pad cover is a crucial item still on our nursery checklist.
Selecting the Perfect Shade of Green: Benjamin Moore’s Irish Moss
Choosing the ideal green for the closet door followed our tried-and-true method: taping up various contender swatches. This process allowed us to observe how each shade behaved under a multitude of lighting conditions – the crisp glow of early morning, the soft warmth of afternoon sun, and the cozy illumination of late-night artificial light. After careful consideration and numerous evaluations, the clear winner emerged: Irish Moss by Benjamin Moore. This particular shade struck the perfect balance; it wasn’t overly dark, nor was it too light. Crucially, it avoided being too neon, yellow, or blue, offering a rich, sophisticated green that perfectly complemented the nursery’s emerging palette.
To achieve the desired finish, I only needed a quart of the semi-gloss Irish Moss paint. While it took three coats to achieve that beautiful, glossy finish with impeccable coverage, the effort was well worth it. Bold colors often appear somewhat alarming during the first coat or two, only to miraculously transform and deepen into their intended vibrancy by the final application. Although a tinted primer likely would have saved me a coat of paint (trading it for a coat of primer), I didn’t have any on hand. So, I proceeded with three full coats of paint. I applied the initial coat with a brush, meticulously working the paint into every crevice.
For the subsequent two coats, I transitioned to a combination of a brush and a small foam roller. This hybrid approach significantly expedited the process, allowing me to cover the surface more efficiently while still ensuring a smooth, even application. It’s the same reliable method we employed when painting Clara’s door, which also received three coats with a roller/brush combo. Knowing that Clara’s door has endured five months of heavy use and still looks fantastic provides great reassurance about the durability and quality of this painting technique.
Optimizing Nursery Storage: Preparing the Closet for Our Baby
Beyond the fresh coat of paint, getting the nursery closet truly ready involved a comprehensive organizing spree. This meant strategically arranging items for maximum efficiency and a clutter-free aesthetic. Shoes were neatly lined, a few empty baskets were placed on the top shelf, anticipating future storage needs, and excess toys found a designated home in a bin on the floor. Any remaining clutter that wasn’t immediately essential for the nursery was transferred to the more spacious hall closet. The hall closet, with its double doors and ample room, is perfect for stashing larger items we won’t need right away, like a Bumbo seat or the play table. We fully expect the nursery closet’s storage solutions to evolve as the baby grows; we might introduce cubbies, a more integrated basket system, or even create a cozy reading nook on the floor, adapting to our changing needs. For now, however, it’s incredibly satisfying to have a clean, organized slate.
Crafting Personalized Art: Sweet Touches for the Nursery Walls
We had two lovely wood frames that I envisioned hanging on the curtain wall, adding warmth and character. For the first piece, I drew inspiration from a no-longer-available pear poster. On a piece of white foam core, I simply sketched the shape of a pear in pencil, then filled it in using green and brown finger paint from Clara’s art stash. It’s a wonderfully simple yet sweet piece for now. As our little “bun” grows, we fully anticipate swapping it out for a cherished family photo or a depiction of a subject or animal that captures his imagination. But for the time being, it adds a perfectly charming and personal touch to the space.
Beneath the pear art, I wanted to create a heartfelt message. The inspiration for the “Love You Forever” lettering came from a charming print I’d seen from a now-closed Etsy shop. Using black construction paper and a pencil, I freehand-sketched the letters, cut them out, and arranged them on another piece of white foam core. My aim was to maintain a similar height for all the letters, but I deliberately avoided getting caught up in achieving absolute perfection. The beauty of the inspiration print, after all, lay in its delightful, charming irregularities, a quality I wanted to replicate in our DIY version.
Once the initial lettering was complete, I proudly showed John. He immediately had a brilliant idea: adding a pop of color to the “V”s. So, I delved into my craft closet, found some decorative paper, and used a glue stick to attach these colorful accents to the foam core. We are both absolutely thrilled with how it turned out. Not only does it add a wonderfully personal touch to the nursery, but you truly can’t beat the price (it was free!) or the minimal time investment (approximately fifteen minutes). It’s a testament to how simple, heartfelt projects can make a big impact.
Having a similar sentiment in our son’s room feels especially meaningful, as Clara has a print in her room that beautifully declares, “You Are So Loved.” It’s a sweet, comforting echo that ties their spaces together. Sniffle.
Don’t those warm wood frames look absolutely perfect, harmonizing with the stained top of the built-ins and the dark, elegant hardware on the drawers? There’s a wonderful synergy created by these carefully chosen elements.
The frames also subtly tie into the wooden frames of the bike art and the changing table area on the opposite side of the room, specifically the changing table itself. This intentional repetition of natural wood tones helps create a sense of balance and cohesion throughout the entire nursery design, ensuring that every piece feels thoughtfully integrated.
Charming Thrift Store Finds: A Delightful Nursery Rocker
Speaking of delightful wooden accents, we stumbled upon this incredibly cute rocker at a local thrift store called Consignment Connection for an unbelievable $15. It was a true gem! Clara is completely captivated by it, constantly rocking in it herself. Despite its delicate appearance, it easily supports her weight, making it a robust and cherished piece. She’s convinced her brother is going to absolutely adore it, and we can’t wait to see if her prediction comes true. It’s these small, character-filled finds that truly make a space feel unique and loved, adding a layer of history and charm that new items simply can’t replicate.
The Big Picture: Our Nursery Transformation Nears Completion
Slowly but surely, this room is coming alive, taking on the warm and welcoming essence of a baby’s sanctuary. We’re particularly thrilled because we believe we’ve finally settled on a plan for the wall behind the crib, a decision that emerged after a thorough brainstorming post (a huge thank you to everyone who shared their insightful thoughts and creative ideas!). While we might hold off on tackling that specific project until after the baby arrives, the current progress fills us with immense excitement. From the carefully curated toys adorning the built-ins to the playful elephants marching across the crib sheets and, of course, our brand-new, cheerfully green closet door – every completed detail brings us closer to the joyous moment of bringing our little man home. The nursery is truly becoming a reflection of the love and anticipation we feel.
Even though there are still a few items on our to-do list, we were concerned we might miss the opportunity to capture our traditional family picture before the baby’s arrival – a cherished tradition we began with Clara. So, here’s a look back at the photo we took when we first embarked on this nursery journey back in January…
…and here’s a fresh snapshot we captured just yesterday. Could I possibly be any more pregnant? I playfully asked John if he had digitally inflated my bump or cleverly hidden my legs in Photoshop. It turns out, this is simply how I look now, with my belly wonderfully far out in front of me! #watermelonsmuggler. It’s incredible to see the transformation and feel the proximity of this exciting new chapter.
And just because I can never resist a compelling “waaaay back” shot, here’s a glimpse of how this very room appeared before we even moved in last summer. It’s a stark and satisfying reminder of how far we’ve come in transforming this space into a vibrant and loving home.
While we acknowledge that our nursery to-do list still contains a handful of items, the room undeniably feels much more like a truly baby-ready space. The major transformations are complete, and the smaller details are now just exciting enhancements rather than daunting tasks.
Our Evolving Nursery To-Do List
Our official nursery to-do list, reflecting the final steps and future aspirations for this special room, now looks like this:
- Secure a permanent changing pad cover to complete the changing station.
- Line the existing curtains with blackout material for better sleep and add a decorative trim detail in black, brown, or green.
- Finalize and implement the wall treatment behind the crib, considering wallpaper, a stencil, slatted wood, or an accent color (we’ve brainstormed a plan and think we’re close!).
- Craft a charming, woodsy little cuckoo clock (since I created one for Clara’s room, I’d love to make a rustic, endearing one for our new arrival as well).
- Install an overhead light on a dimmer switch, as the room currently lacks a main light source (we wish this could be checked off, but we’re still seeking a light fixture we both love).
- Consider adding a softly colored ceiling someday, perhaps a gentle sky blue, to introduce another hue into the predominantly green, yellow, neutral, and white palette.
- Plan for the addition of sconces on the wall between the built-ins in a few years (we’ve decided these will be more functional as reading lights once the crib is replaced with a twin bed).
Is anyone else currently immersed in creating personalized art for their home? Have you experienced a last-minute change of heart with your curtain choices? Or perhaps you’ve recently painted something a bold, saturated color, only to find yourself craving more? We honestly never anticipated having a vibrant foyer door alongside two equally colorful doors in our children’s rooms, but this trend is proving to be wonderfully addictive!
Psst- To catch up on all the nursery updates from the very beginning of our journey, you can revisit how we painted over all the pink trim, installed beautiful new hardwood floors, found the perfect rug, painted the walls and ceiling, added custom built-ins to each corner of the crib wall, tackled some cozy baby bedding, hung some extra thick crown molding, filled up the built-ins with treasures, made our original set of curtains, added a functional cabinet for open storage and diaper changes, and even crafted a delightful mobile for over the crib.
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