Top Baby Boy Nursery Designs of 2011

Google Analytics is nice enough to show me which posts you guys like the most, and the ones where I compile the top trends for boys and girls are definitely the most popular.  So here are my top picks for 2011 baby boy designs.  I am using the word design instead of theme because everyone seems to be getting away from overly-themed rooms and is focusing on a few key elements that tie the room together instead of a nursery-in-a-box kind of look.

Update:  I have been getting a lot of emails/comments regarding this post and where certain items are from.  There are links below each photo that link to the original source, and you may be able to find the name of the item there.  Othewise, I am sorry, I did not design the items so I don't really know.  Try different combos of google, google images and froogle.com (googles product search site) to see what you can come up with when trying to locate the source.  Or, email the actualy designer of the room and see if they can help you.  Thanks!

Safari - Gone are the days of pastel lions and puffy elephants, the new safari mixes modern elements such as leopard with sleek-shaped jungle animals. Think subtle animal prints such as giraffe, and elephant, zebra and lion silhouettes.

I love animal print rugs to tie this look together!

image from here
Bedding is from Q Collection Junior and is the Animali pattern
For more information on where to find the items picture, click this link

Another animal print rug, with a cool hand painted tree mural.  This is also my favorite PB crib, which they don't sell anymore

B is for Blue and Boy - Blue has been and always will be a popular choice for boys. But blue doesn't have to be boring.  Do something creative with the paint treatment, and mix multiple blue patterns for a layered look.

image from here

Or, shift your blue color towards green for a lovely teal effect.

nursery by Little Crown Interiors

Woodland Chic - Bring natural elements inside with this boy-friendly design. Rustic wood pieces, trees and owls combine manly elements with fun.  This combo is great if you want to do modern, but also incorporate animals and nature.

image from here

image from here

Nautical - No matter where you live, this theme is always popular.  Navy is such a classic choice for baby boys, and just a few nautical accents are needed to achieve this look.  This room does it perfectly with the board and batten and the nautical prints.

image from here

  This room combines a ton of nautical elements and is pretty theme-y.  I would take just a few of these ideas for inspiration.

image from here

Stripes - I am still obsessed with stripes.  Nothing makes a graphic impact like bold horizontal stripes.  You can do one wall, an entire room, or an accent stripe at chair rail or picture height.  Layer with other graphic fabric accents for the crib bedding to get a textured look.

Rockstar - Hipsters are having babies with names like Jax and Cash and they are doing up the nursery right. Black, red and grey are popular colors for this theme. Decorate with vinyl records, guitar silhouettes and bold, graphic patterns. Don't be afraid to mix brown furniture in there, it looks surprisingly good with the black.

nursery by Little Crown Interiors
similar guitar wall art available from Lex Modern

That's it for my 2011 baby boy nursery wrap up - hope that gets you going on your own space!

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On another note, has anyone else noticed that diaper cakes are back in style?  They used to seem like something you would see only at the shower your Mom's friends threw for you, but lately I have been seeing them everywhere.  There are tons of tutorials on pinterest for them, and I even made one myself for a shower last year.  It was for a baby boy, and I used a tutorial I found for a motorcycle diaper cake, similar to this one:

Source: listia.com via Gwen on Pinterest

 

I must say, it was super easy, and did not require rolling and rubberbanding of the individual diapers.  Just my kind of DIY project!  If you don't have time to make your own diaper cake, I suggest you check out eDiaperCakes.com, a mom-owned business that hand makes adorable diaper cakes in tons of color combinations.  Prices range from $50 to a little over $100, and they even offer cakes with a book theme, which I love.  Plus, shipping is only $5.

And you don't even have to tell anyone you didn't make it yourself!

Top Baby Girl Nursery Designs of 2011

This week lots of bloggers are doing a look back at their top or favorite posts from 2010. I re-caped my favorite pictures from last year, but I also wanted to look forward to 2011 and what I think are the big design trends coming up. My Pottery Barn Baby catalog just came in the mail and it was full of all kinds of new inspiring designs, it got me so excited to work on some new designs this year!

Here is a look at what I think will be hot in the year to come:

Hollywood Regency - I did an entire post on this look last year, and I think it will continue to be hot! Characterized by bold graphic colors, white, chrome, mirrors and clean lines this style is a fun and funky alternative to the rest of your home's decor and is perfect for future girly girls!

room by Little Crown Interiors

Birds & Owls - I think PB started this one and they keep coming up with new designs so it must be popular! There is something sweet about little birds and owls that make them fun and charming. Mix in a few different patterns in coordinating colors and you can create a totally personal look. Look for decals on etsy.com to go with this design theme.

image from here

image from here

Vintage Chic - The evolution of shabby chic seems to be vintage chic. Designed with a flea-market flair, this style incorporates found objects that are re-purposed or painted, with eclectic accessories and colors. Think Jenny Lind cribs, vintage dressers and painted frames.


Banners, flags or bunting (whatever you want to call them) are also part of this popular trend. They are easy to make with fabric or paper and can be a fun no-sew project!

Solids & Stripes - You know I love a stripe treatment and I think they will be popular again this year. On the ceiling or on an accent wall, they add a fun graphic treatment that is easy to do your self.

image from here

Pretty in Pink - Pink has - and always will be - a popular choice for baby girls. But it doesn't all have to be pastel. Mix different shades with an unexpected twist, like gray, aqua or lime green. And be sure to test pink paint on the walls before you do the entire room - it's an easy color to get totally wrong!

Darling Damask - This one took awhile to grow on me, but when done right it doesn't have to look like your Grandma's sitting room. Modern interpretations like the one below look great on an accent wall and can be achieved with paint.

This room uses wall paper on the accent wall, with lots of ruffles and pink. I like how they combined tan and black and made it work.

image found here on Project Nursery

For those of you with babies due in 2011, hope these ideas give you inspiration to try something new and create the perfect space for you baby girl!

Top Nursery Trends of 2009

Since everything I do is custom I see a huge variety of nursery themes - from baby pastels to bold black and white graphic patterns. Since I started the business in early 2009 there have definitely been some trends. Name canvases are by far my biggest seller. For awhile it seems wooden name letters were the "it" decoration but I think name pictures are quickly replacing those. For bedding, I seem to do more art to match Pottery Barn sets than anything else, with Cocalo and Banana Fish a close second.

I know I am a few weeks late, but I searched my past posts and photos of my work to come up with the top trends of 2009. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Birds - I personally love the bird theme, its sweet and vintage feeling but has a modern twist with the graphic shape. This theme comes in a ton of different color but it always seems like pink is involved somehow.

2. Nautical - Navy was a big theme for boy's rooms and that almost always seems to relate back to the ocean or beach. With such a classic vibe I think this one will continue to be popular.

3. Pink & Green - I have to admit, this combo took some time to grow on me. Probably because they were my sorority colors and tended to remind me of our pink and green floral parlor that needed a makeover! I think they key is to mix bright and pastel shades together to come up with a blend.

4. Mix & Match Prints - Although I still see a lot of complete bedding sets, more and more parents are mixing individual pieces or having custom bedding made. Gone are the matchy matchy sets - people want something more personal. Sites like PB or RH are a great place to mix and match, since they tend to have central color themes.

5. White Furniture - In my own home I have almost all dark wood furniture but for some reason I love white in a nursery. The more I see it the more it grows on my. Nurseries with white furniture seem to have a light airy quality that make them a bright, sunny place to spend time. I think white and painted furniture is making a comeback after all that espresso was so hot!

photo from Design Dazzle

A few other random trends - I do twice as many paintings for girl's rooms as boys. I don't know what all you peeps with boys are putting on the walls but art doesn't have to be girly! Shabby chic themes are still hot but have translated into a vintage style as opposed to grandma-chic.

In the next few days I will reveal my pics for top 2010 trends so stay tuned!

Trend Watch: Top 5 Hot Nursery Decor Trends

Lately I have been seeing tons of fresh, fun things happening in nursery decor. Parents are getting super creative with their designs in incorporating unique ideas to really personalize their space. Here are the top 5 trends to watch out for and incorporate into your room:

Ceiling Decor - Think of it as the 5th wall. This space can be dressed up with mobiles, tissue paper flowers or even paint. Since baby spends most of the first year laying down in the nursery, it only makes sense to decorate what they will see!

Bold Wall Paint - Whether is is one hot shade - or stripes - punch up your design with bold wall colors. Not sure what colors to choose? Take the quilt from your bedding set to the paint store and pull some colors straight from that. Just be sure to test out the colors on the wall first! For more ideas on painting your room, check out my 4 series post on painting your walls.

Eclectic Furniture - I've said it before but I will say it again - not everything has to match! Save money (and go green!) by reusing furniture you already have. Its ok to mix colors and painted or stained wood pieces. Tie pieces together by changing out the hardware to match. Bonus - this room also features an amazing ceiling paint treatment!

Wall Murals - Painted or stuck on, wall murals are HOT right now. They are such a cool way to add interest and they look totally custom. Check out etsy.com for vinyl decals you can stick on yourself. Or, get creative and paint your own! Hint: draw out your design with chalk first. You can paint over it and wipe off the lines with water when you are done!

image courtesy of tinydecorblog.com

Sophisticated Bedding - Today's fabrics are not just for babies. Decorator quality fabrics and designs have made their way into baby bedding as well. Using home inspired design is a great way to make your nursery last. The set below was created by Grandma as a gift to the new parents.

Geared Up: My Favorite Finds

As a former baby products buyer, I get asked tons of questions about my favorite gear and what items are a must have on any registry. So, on this lovely Fall Friday, I thought I would share my favorite finds with everyone. Below is a list of my must haves in every category. Note: while I am a die-hard bargain shopper, I also believe in quality goods that are easy to use. Not everything on my list is a steal but if you are juggling work, a baby, and a home sometimes it is a good idea to pay more for what works well!

BOB Revolution Stroller - You have read me blog about my love for BOB for quite some time. I recommend the Revolution strollers to anyone looking for a jogging or jogging/everyday combo stroller. They are easy to use, stroll like a dream and have a 70 lb weight limit. To quote my friend Kim, "By far the best baby product decision we made was purchasing a BOB." I love them so much, I bought my brother and sister-in-law one for our nephew. Just be sure you get a Revolution version because the swivel wheel is essential. Regularly priced from $389, you can catch them on sale online, at REI and sometimes on Craigslist.

Fisher-Price Infant Seat - Fancy bouncers and swings are nice, but this basic seat is great for grabbing a shower at home and taking with you on a trip or to a play-date. The Zen collection is has much more style than you would expect from Fisher-Price, with detailed fabrics and espresso wood trim. My nephew loved this thing and was happy in it for hours. Priced at $79 and also available in other colors.

Skip Hop Studio Diaper Bag - Diaper bags can be a tough item to choose. Do you go designer (which is cute but not always functional), laminated for easy clean up (but looks plastic-y) or basic cloth from Target? Enter the Skip Hop Studio bag. Stylish AND functional, at just $89 it won't break the bank. Plus, all Skip Hop bags come with stroller straps that allow you to strap the bag onto the handles of your stroller with just a few clicks. So cute people might not even know it was a diaper bag!

Beco Baby Carrier - The basic Baby Bjorn has paved the way for all kinds of baby carriers. From slings and wraps to front carriers and frame back packs the choices in this category can be overwhelming as well. After testing tons of options and giving new Moms hundreds of demonstrations I love the Beco Butterfly carrier the best. With the help of an little infant seat, it can be used as a front carrier with your newborn. Unclip the seat and it expands, giving more room as baby grows. Then, you can flip it around and use it as a backpack carrier. The straps are comfy and it does a great job of distributing the weight to your hips. Plus, the fabrics are super stylish. Starting at $139, this carrier is more expensive than most but well worth the price. Just think of how much easier your daily errands would be if you didn't have to lug your stroller around and you could comfortably carry baby around in this!

UPPABaby G-Luxe Umbrella Stroller - Fairly new to the market, UPPABaby makes a great lightweight umbrella stroller. I chose this one ahead of the Maclaren Truimph because it is priced at $50 less than the comperable Maclaren version. The mesh seat with washable, removable pad is also nice. Umbrella stollers are a must have for quick shopping trips and vacations and this one is sleek, stylish and SUPER lightweight.

Baby Bjorn Travel Lite Crib - Everyone has a playard, but not everyone has the Baby Bjorn Travel Lite Crib. If you truely travel this thing is amazing. I have never been able to properly open and close a playard without a fight but I got this thing right on the first try. It pops open in litterally 3 seconds. Great for sleeping on the go it also have more padding that a traditional playard. At $220 it is a bit pricey, but like I said, if you are going to travel with baby alot I think it is worth it.

Bumkins Super Bib - This thing really is SUPER. Made in the USA of a PVC, BPA, Vinyl and Phthalate free waterproof material is is great for use at home and in the diaper bag. Folds up amazingly small and spills will not get through this bib. Available in a variety of sizes and TONS of patterns it is functional and cute. The same material is also available in diaper bags, aprons and wet diaper bags.

Hope you enjoyed my product recommendations. For more articles on choosing the right products for you, check out these past posts:

Stroller & Car Seat 101: A 3 Part Post

Crib Bedding 101: How to Choose the Perfect Set

Top 6 Baby Girl's Room Themes

So you're having a girl! Welcome to a world of dress-up, barbies and fights about prom dresses! Little girls are so precious and decorating their nursery should be fun. So, if you are into girly-girl, here are my top picks for room designs:

1. Classic Preppy - you know how I love Monograms! A classic bedding set in stripes with a monogram is simple and sweet and allows you to mix in any other theme you want with accessories.

2. Pink and Green is the new Pink and Brown - Pink and chocolate brown is a hot color combo, but it has been popular for a few years and I think pink deserves a new partner. Pink and green used to be so 80's but is making a big comeback and can look cute if you pick the right shades. Kristin DeMarco from Gifted Notions designed this pink and green argyle nursery and although it might be a little overkill, it is full of design ideas:

And if pink and green happen to be your sorority colors (they were mine) so you just can't decorate your nursery in it, try this hot pink and orange combo. Who says baby's room has to be pastel? Bright colors are cheery and transition into toddler better!

3. For the Birds - Can you tell I am into birds lately? The simple shape is so interesting and can be done is so many different ways. This set by Banana Fish is sweet, yet modern and available for under $200! It would be great accented with a set of 4 square canvases, each with a different patterned bird silhouette.


4. Flowers with a New Twist - Flowers and butterflies are kinda played out but they can be updated. This set, also from Banana Fish, features a cherry blossom pattern that is new a fresh. Plus, its pink and brown, so you can pick up accessories from other sets and collections to go with it. Not getting every single accessory available from a bedding designer allows you to mix it up and not look too matchy-matchy.


5. Vintage Inspired - I love everything Anthropologie and the shabby chic style has also made its way into nursery decor. If you choose a set that is vintage inspired, you can pick up other accessories in the grown up section of home decor stores. Think billowy curtains and a vintage looking chandelier or light fixture. These sets look great with iron cribs and a hand-me-down dresser that is scuffed around the edges. A great way to shop thrift and have it fit into your theme!

Check out this set from Caden Lane:




Or, if $350 is not in your price range (because really, who spends that?) this set from JJ Cole is just as cute and will run you about $170. Plus, I have seen JJ Cole bedding at TJMaxx, so you can probably get it even cheaper!

6. The Bold and the Beautiful - So this pink and black color scheme is a little more edgy, but it sure is fun. Plus, it is totally not "baby" so it will grow with your little girl from toddler to teen. If you you have been thinking about black furniture this is a fun design. You can add some vintage black and white Paris posters, or go urban with a black acrylic chandelier. Thrift accessories can be painted a high-gloss black and added to this design to look ultra-sophisticated.

Whatever you decide, think outside the box and go for something different. And, as always, check out DesignDazzle.com for some great pictures of inspiring designs by the pros! And no, I am not affiliated with Design Dazzle, it really is just that great of a resource!

If you are having a baby boy, check out my post with my top 5 baby boy theme ideas. Thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoy the blog as much as I enjoy writing it!

Tuesday's Top 5 - Amazing DIY Projects

I have been doing some blog-browsing lately checking out other blogger's designs, articles and features and I have run across some really great tutorials on some DIY projects I thought you guys would love! So here are my top picks for some easy DIY gift ideas. Enjoy!

Pacifier clip and burp cloth tutorial from CreateStudio. What mom doesn't need about 100 burp cloths and wishes her baby would stop dropping their pacifier!


Glass etching tutorial also from CreateStudio. Seriously, this girl has some super cute ideas. I am jealous of her creativity! What a great personalized wedding or house warming gift this would be. Or, take some of your existing glassware and personalize it for yourself. You know how I feel about monogramming!


Little girls dress from CraftGossip. Use on of Dad's old dress shirts to create this keepsake. Not an easy project for us novice stitchers but how freakin' cute is this! Maybe you can convince your oh-sew-perfect mother in law to craft this one up for you......


Egg-shaped sidewalk chalk just in time for Easter! Skip on over to skiptomylou.com to check out this project. If you don't mind it on the driveway, chalk can provide endless hours of entertainment!


And last but not least, these silk tie-dyed eggs from Martha Stewart. You actually use old silk ties to dye the eggs! How cool is that. So raid your Dad's closet for some of those oldies but still goodies he has been hoarding and get to dying some vintage style eggs!