Nursery Progress

We’re getting down to the wire here!  I should know the date of my c-section and Baby Slingshot’s arrival after my doctor’s appointment later this week, but we’re basically down to 5-ish weeks.  I feel like there is SO much left to do!  And that’s not even factoring in the holidays, which can be overwhelming enough.

The Walls

In the past, I’ve been the primary painter-of-walls around here, but The Picky Apple has been a tremendous help in getting the nursery ready.

The plan: a darker blue paint on the top half of the walls and a board and batten treatment for the lower walls, painted white.

Here’s an inspiration photo:

from Simply Smithwick via Pinterest

Here’s what our nursery looks like now…

We’ve got to apply one more coat of white paint to the bottom, and then it’s on to the board and batten treatment.  There will be a thick chair rail/molding right where the blue and white paint join up, so there was no need to paint a perfectly straight line there.

Still not sure about this board and batten thing I mentioned?  The Casabella Project, Decor Chick, and The Handmade Home all have great board and batten tutorials that we’re using for guidance.  The trim we picked wound up being the exact same as what was used in the Decor Chick tutorial, so that’s probably closest to how ours will look.

The Furniture and Bedding

Once the board and batten is done (which will be no small task—lots of cuts, painting of wood, nailing/gluing, caulking), we’ll set up the crib, changing table, and rocker (all white) formerly used in The Littlest Apple’s nursery.  We’re re-using the same striped crib bedding, which I still love.

The Rug

I still need to decide on a rug for this room.  With the lower half of the room and all of the furniture white, it’ll be important to bring some color to the floor.  Here are a couple of rugs I’m considering…

Boys’ Rugby Stripe Rug from Pottery Barn Kids

Here’s the same rug with red.  I kind of like the idea of bringing some red into the room, but I don’t want it to be too patriotic looking…

This is another one that caught my eye….definitely a bolder choice, but it could be super cute, especially if we get these star crib sheets in red (we have these sheets in The Littlest Apple’s room and LOVE them).

Super Star Rug from Pottery Barn Kids

The Curtains

Curtains are a whole ‘nother issue.  This west-facing room has a giant window with an arch above it that lets in LOTS of light.  So we need curtains that are not only decorative but that also block out that light as much as possible when it’s time for Slingshot to sleep.

I’m really drawing a blank on curtains though.  We don’t want white or navy or red.  Burlap or dropcloth curtains could look neat (or a tan twill).  I LOVE the dropcloth curtains in our Master Bedroom.  I’d have to add blackout panels which could be a pain.

Dropcloth curtains in our Master Bedroom

Would patterned curtains be too much or compete with the bedding?  I don’t really have a clear vision for the curtains yet…

Wall Art and Decorative Touches

The plan is to bring in some white frames and colorful prints and accents to offset all the blue and white.  We haven’t really decided on anything, but here are a few things I thought might look neat.

I like these vintage transportation signs…

Wall Art from The Land of Nod

I contemplated painting a dump truck or firetruck for The Littlest Apple’s big boy room.  Something like this might look cute in Slingshot’s nursery as well…

Fire Truck Triptych from Pottery Barn Kids

I’d love to incorporate some prints and quotes.  These prints are available in lots of different colors and with lots of different word-themes:

Inspiration Series by Wallfry @ Etsy

Bright alphabet prints.  I’d put them in white frames, and I’d either do a series, or maybe Slingshot’s initial.  Or the A for Apple print.  I’d love to incorporate an Apple reference somewhere!

Sweet Alphabet Prints from Etsy

And I’d love to make a fabric or felt pennant like this in bright colors….

Pennant Chase Felt Garland from Land of Nod

Any opinions on the rugs?  Thoughts or suggestions on curtains?  I’d love to hear from you!