Woah. Discovering the world of children’s shops is a very dangerous game: there are so many lovely things! Making a wish list for the nursery has been difficult purely because there is so much to choose from and far too much temptation to go completely over board. Forget the boring stuff that we’ll actually need, I’m just enjoying choosing the pretty stuff right now.
I have chosen a white back drop for the room and because I don’t like bright, bold colours I have gone for my favourite dusky pinks, blues, greys and greens with touches of black and lots of raw wood and jute baskets to ground the scheme so it doesn’t look or feel too sickly.
Here is a taster of some of the lovely things I have found, some of which I have bought already, others may remain firmly on my wish list forever *sigh*.
Accessories
Chalkboard – Labour & Wait, Hot air balloon light – The Modern Nursery, Saar Manche illustration – Tea & Kate, Quilts – Camomile London, Cushions – Camomile London, Wool rug – Urbanara, Zebra basket – The Tipi , Home cushions – Smallable, Ferm Living whale mobile – Smallable, Natural belly baskets – Olli Ella, Changing basket – Olli Ella, Cam Cam swaddles – Little Goldie.
I want to include lots of texture in the room using layered textiles on the day bed, a snuggly woollen rug and lots of baskets to store toys and blankets. I’ve chosen a beautiful illustration, a chalkboard and a couple of other prints for the walls.
Furniture
String shelving – Haus, Sebra Kili cot bed – Houseology, Chest of drawers – Ikea, Day bed – Ikea, Rocking chair, Black-out blinds – Luxaflex.
I’ve been told by friends with babies that black-out blinds for the window are a must, especially as the cot has to be positioned under the window as this is the only place it will fit in the room. A lot of Luxaflex blinds have the option of room darkening fabric and they are safe for children so that seems like a good choice. I wish I had the budget to source some beautiful vintage furniture for the room but I need the practicality of the Ikea day bed and drawers at the moment as we have such a severe lack of storage. I will, however, be on the hunt for more characterful options as the baby gets older – what I really want is some lovely wooden furniture rather than all the brand new white pieces. Hopefully the beautiful Danish cot and a lovely rocking chair that Jules’s mum used when he was a baby will make up for the generic Ikea stuff. I am keeping the String shelving from our home office in the room, too, as storage is key in our small flat.
Toys
Wooden activity arch – Smallable, Cart and cubes – Smallable, Sebra rabbit – Smallable, Maileg bunny – Tea & Kate, Sebra elephant on wheels – Smallable, Little People books – Southbank Centre shop, Wooden toy bundle – Sarah & Bendrix, Luggy basket – Olli Ella, White paper doll house – Sarah & Bendrix.
I know the baby won’t be able to play with some of these toys for quite a while but they look so pretty! Wooden and crocheted toys, beautiful books – all so tempting…
Someone hold me back!
Katy x
Oooh, dangerous territory indeed! I spent so much before my first baby was born, and didn’t use most of it.
One word of advice, I’m not sure if you’re planning on using a Moses basket initially, but have you looked at co-sleeping cots?
They last longer than a Moses basket, are smaller and allow you to get more sleep, since you don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to reach the baby.
Next dangerous space: baby changing bags!
Author
Oh, yes. We will have a co-sleeping crib for the first few months and see how we go from there x
You’ll probably get more advice than you’ll ever need (or want!) but I would definitely back up what your friends say about a good quality blank out blind and a lovely soft rug is the best thing we have in our nursery as we spend so much time on the floor. Love the toys you’ve picked out and that baby gym is WAY nicer than any I’ve seen before. Very excited for you – enjoy putting the room together x
Author
The rug is GORGEOUS! Makes the space feel so cosy. Thanks for the advice x
Such wonderful colours! Your baby is going to have the most beautiful, stylish nursery around! Is it bad that I kind of want the hot-air balloon light for myself…? x
Author
I would not judge you one bit! Plus, it emits such a lovely, soft light – just saying! x
I love those little people books! Haven’t seen those before, so they’re going on my daughter’s first birthday wish list. x
Author
They are really lovely! X
Sad to hear about the vintage items but a very nicely curated mix ! ??
Author
Don’t worry, Anne-Catherine, there will be a few vintage touches. Just haven’t got the budget for a glorious vintage day bed at the moment 😉 xx
Looove that cot and those cute crochet toys! Enjoy the nesting period – it’s such a lovely time x
Author
Who knew toys could be so much fun to choose?! Thanks for the well wishes x
I disagree with those who recommend black-out blinds. For my oldest, when we lived in Chicago with floor to ceiling windows on two walls, we just had standard blinds. For my younger twins, their room, with two standard windows, had no window coverings at all – we’ve actually just gotten blinds, and they are almost 4 now. If they get used to sleeping in total darkness it may be difficult for them (and you) when sleeping elsewhere where total darkness is not available.
Author
Great advice, Imogen. The clever thing about some of the Luxaflex blinds is that you can adjust the amount of light that comes in so it doesn’t have to be completely blackout if you don’t want it to be so you get the best of both worlds. Also, they are designed specifically to be safe for children, which is reassuring for when the baby is a bit older.
Such a fun time! I so enjoyed gathering bits for before P was born, and even the necessary bits can be stylish too. Funny people’s thoughts on black out blinds – P spent a month in hospital after he was born where there were no blinds, and when he came home we were still so unprepared he had no curtains for an age, and he slept well. I think he got used to sleeping in the light in hospital, so maybe it is just what the newborn babe is used to. Look forward to seeing the Nursery…