Monday, 17 March 2014

A VINTAGE INSPIRED NURSERY

When it was time to design a nursery I knew that I wanted to incorporate many vintage items. It took a little convincing to get my husband on board and then the transformations began.


I loved you from the very start…
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.



We started by painting the whole room a light sage green color and then decided to add white wood paneling to the lower portion of the wall to give it an older feel. We applied a base board to the ceiling and then a trim board several inches down.  Rope lighting runs the entire length behind this trim board and after a visit from an electrician friend is produces a subtle glow.

Our life together has just begun,
You’re part of me, my little one.
As mother with child, each day I knew
My mind would be filled with thoughts of you.

We made shutters to encase the window to keep the room darker for baby to sleep. I made a patchwork curtain to cover the top portion of these.


I’d daydream of the things we’ll share
Like late-night bottles and teddy bears.
Like First steps and skinned knees,
Like bedtime stories and ABC’s.


A vintage ladder sits in the one corner with both maternity, and later, baby photos.  I put my folk art skills to use and hand painted on the walls, several quotes from my favorite poem “I Loved You From The Very Start” –author unknown.  I also printed this poem and placed in into the old washboard that hangs on the wall.



















I’m thinking of things you’ll want to know,
Like how birds fly and flowers grow.
I’ve thought of lessons I’ll need to share,
Like standing tall and playing fair.

My husband designed the washstand change table that fits a store bought pad. The towel rack portion of this allows toys to be hung to entertain baby during changing.


The old dresser was painted white and distressed (although I wish I had roughed it up a bit more) and then the words dream and imagine were transferred to it.  A lone shelf with recycled brackets displays a collection of baby trinkets and gifts.



When I first see your precious face,
I’ll pray your life by touched with grace.
I’ll thank angels from above,
And promise you unending love.


Our crib was a gift as well as the quilt that it displays. Beside this crib is an old jug and handmade toolbox that holds all the baby bathing and cleaning requirements. 



A vintage rocking horse sits in the corner competing with the old push car my husband had to have (after we delivered a boy). Our wooden bassinet that I scored at a garage sale also remains in the room.


















Each night I’ll lay you down to sleep,
I’ll gently kiss your head and cheek.
I’ll count your little fingers and toes,
I’ll memorize your eyes and nose.



I decided to hang a baby farm animal baking pan. I had picked it up previously and it just seemed to fit into my nursery plans. 



I created some baby hangers to display some of the miniature clothes and they will serve as keepsakes in the future. I hope to dig out my pattern and design a baby hanger tutorial in the future.




I will linger at your nursery door,
Awed each day that I love you more.
Through misty eyes, I’ll dim the light,
And whisper, “I love you” every night.

The creation of my baby vintage nursery was a labor of love. It has now see two wonderful boys that one day will be too big to appreciate its charm in a request for something more boyish and sporty. Perhaps they will be displaced to another room in the house and at last my craft room will appear; keeping with it my nursery charm.

As mother with child our journey’s begun,
My heart’s your forever, little one.

I hope you have enjoyed my vintage nursery and spending a little time with A Day in the Country.

I loved you from the very start….
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.