When I first started decorating Hudson’s nursery I knew I wanted something neutral with a few pops of color here and there. I also knew I wanted something that would be relaxing and calming as I would be spending lots of time tending to the little one in those early weeks. Decorating a room can be overwhelming to say the least. I knew, for the most part, what I wanted the nursery to look like when all was said and done but getting from point A to point Z isn’t as easy as it seems. With the help of Pinterest and Etsy I was able to pull off the perfect nursery for Hudson and I couldn’t be happier with the end result.
Woolly Cloud Merino Wool Blanket
Woolly Cloud Merino Wool Blanket II Tuk + Milo Rattle
Woolly Cloud Merino Wool Blanket
Chunky Knit Blanket by WoollyCloud - I’ve been eying chunky merino wool blankets for much longer than I’d like to admit (thanks, Pinterest!). When we found out we were expecting I told myself I’d finally pull the trigger on one for the nursery. I knew merino wool was a smart choice since it’s hypoallergenic and eco-friendly - double win! I took my search for the perfect chunky knit blanket to Etsy where I quickly discovered Woolly Cloud, a women owned business out of New York. I was really drawn to the colors that Elena (the founder of Woolly Cloud) had to offer - most of the shops had limited colors or hues I just wasn’t loving and I was immediately drawn to this lighter ashy grey. I also really love the size the stitch in her blankets, which is approximately 3 inches; when going for a blanket like this you want a big chunky stitch and this is perfect! These blankets are 100% handcrafted with the finest 100% Merino Wool (the softest wool in the world!) and made to order so you know you’re getting exactly what you want and Elena makes the whole process really easy. Not only does this blanket look good as a statement piece but it’s also made the perfect backdrop for an impromptu photoshoot.
Louise the Giraffe from Resident Design
Louise the Giraffe from Resident Design
Geometric Giraffe Wall Mount by Resident Design - I knew I wanted to do a few DIY projects for the nursery so when I came across this DIY geometric giraffe mount I just HAD to have it. I loved how different it was - I’ve never seen anything like it before. Remember when I said I wanted a neutral nursery with a few pops of color here and there - well, this is my main pop of color! The giraffe itself was actually very easy to put together; the main downside is the time it took to put together (but totally worth it). After taking some time to assemble it, I had a pretty awesome piece to mount on the wall. Tristan, the founder of Resident Design, actually designs each one himself on the computer using a 3D digital model and each one can take anywhere from 20 to 60 hours to fully design!
Elephant Balance Toy by Manzanita Kids
Elephant Balance Toy by Manzanita Kids - I’m definitely one of those moms who likes to limit the amount of plastic she puts into her child’s nursery so when I stumbled across Manzanita Kids on Etsy I was super pumped. This family owned business prides themselves in handcrafting sustainable, safe and natural toys to spark the imagination and they have some pretty awesome wooden alternatives. Obviously Hudson is much too young to entertain himself with this balance toy so for now it makes the perfect decor piece for the window sill. I especially love this business because they use the best local American hardwoods (#supportlocal) and hand polish each toy with their own blend of beeswax and organic jojoba oil.
Knot Pillow by Juju & Jake II Rug by Lorena Canals
Knot Pillow by Juju & Jake
Knot Pillow by Juju & Jake - This 12” knot pillow is one of my favorite additions to the nursery. Initially I thought it would just be a great accent pillow...something different and unique to add to the space but Matt (my fiance for those of you who are new here) quickly put this pillow to good use in a different way. In the first two weeks of Hudson’s life, Matt would keep me company during late night feedings - and by keep me company I mean curl up into a ball on the floor with this knot pillow propped up under his head while he caught some more Z’s. In those rare moments where he wasn’t snoozing away, he’d use it as a little ottoman to sit on right by the recliner. Once Hudson is a little older we plan on passing this pillow back and forth with us using both our hands and our feet. Juju & Jake is a husband and wife run team out of Toronto who hand make everything using local materials and 100% hypoallergenic stuffing.
Fox Pillow by The Decor Room
Fox Pillow by The Decor Room - I can never ever have enough accent pillows - especially when they’re in the shape of adorable animals. This soft fox pillow is super adorable and will make for the perfect sleeping companion for Hudson when he gets older. I love that it’s oversized making it almost impossible to ignore. Next time I attend a baby shower I’ll be sure to have one of these custom foxes in tow, they make for the perfect gift that you know no one else will show up with!
Rug by Lorena Canals II Wooden Play Gym by Alluring Co. II Knot Pillow by Juju & Jake
Wooden Play Gym by Alluring Co.
Wooden Play Gym by Alluring Co. - Okay, going back to that less plastic point… if you’re like me and looking for a good alternative to almost every other baby play mat on the market this is it. The “gym” itself doesn’t come with the hanging attachments - I had to make those myself - but both Hudson and I are a big fan of this play gym. I love that we can personalize it by switching out the hanging toys whenever we want. Another plus of this wooden gym is that it folds away nice and easy making it perfect to store in a small space or lean against a wall off to the side.
Eco-Friendly Rug by Lorena Canals - This rug is exactly what I needed to pull this entire room together. When envisioning the nursery I knew I wanted all white/cream furniture except for one thing - the crib. I knew I wanted a grey crib and no one was going to talk me out of it. Once I picked out the crib and it arrived, I was a bit worried… I didn’t LOVE the way it looked against a room full of whites. There was just something “off” about the mismatched furnishings and I couldn’t figure out how to make everything work until I found this gem of a rug from Lorena Canals. This rug is everything for this room; it totally ties in the colors from the crib and the changing table and completes the space. I really admire that they use all natural dyes and contain no VOCs like most conventional carpeting and rugs making it super safe for baby. The best thing about this rug though is that it’s machine-washable and easily fits into a standard washer and dryer - which is a BIG deal when dealing with newborns and their “unexpected messes” (ha!)