Inspiration: Modern Traveller Nursery for Girls

Modern Mini Metal Table Lamp available for $53.99 at Funky Lights.com

Airplane Mobile available for $36.00 at Cactus & Olive's Etsy Shop

Watercolor World Map availalbe for $25.00 at Jessica Durrant's Etsy shop 

Airplane Prints in Violets - $89/each at Skartshop.com or on Etsy

Set of 3 Mini Suitcases - $24.95 at Land of Nod

Chevron Roman Shade - DIY 

Goodnight Glider by Nurseryworks - currently on sale at Mod Decor

1001 Peeps Fabric by Lizzy House - You can purchase it yourself from Andover Fabrics or have someone like Nursery Dreams on Etsy make you a 6 piece bedding set for $215.00

Virginia Sky Print by Ciara Patruna

Matryoshka Plushie by Beaky on Etsy

Land Carpet by Florian Pucher

Inspiration: Preppy Alligator Nursery

 

Alligator Mobile by Bananafish available at amazon.com

Stackable toy boxes by Kanga Room also available at amazon.com

There are a lot of great children's story books that feature Aligators and Crocodiles,  one of my favorites is The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl. Collecting a few adds a nice touch to any theme inspired room.

Alligator Plush Blanket - by Zoobies, available at amazon.com

Alligator Children's step stool by Custom Climbers on Etsy

Croc Pattern Rug "Amazonia" from the Martha Stewart Collection at Safavieh

Big and Baby Crocodile by Skartshop

Fitted Alligator crib sheet  from the Nantucket collection by Bananafish   

DIY argyle wall -- for detailed instruction on how to achieve this amazing effect check out designdazzle.blogspot.com

Inspiration: Sophisticated Train Travel Nursery

Boys love trains. There is no reason that your toddler's room has to be all Thomas the Train bright and cartoony. Below is some inspiration on how to add a little sophistication to your choo choo room.


Vintage antique train hook and magnetic board - this one is on etsy at Shugabee Lane
Hand-tufted train rug - currently available at Overstock.com
Ride on Choo Choo - by Pegperego - Of course it's been a fantasy since Silver Spoons to have an adult size version of one of these, but this one looks like it would be pretty fun for your little one too.
Customized Transit poster - pick your cities and your colors at Transit Design's Etsy Shop
Turn a vintage suitcase into a side table - learn how to DIY at Lark and Lola
Train Bedding set from Land of Nod
Choo Choo Train wall art - handmade prints on wood wall panels from Skartshop
Handmade wood pull train - a great toy when they are young and a great decoration piece as they get older. This one is from Woman Woodworker on Etsy
Other ideas to add a little sophistication: Incorporate some navy ticking fabric or wallpaper emulating the pattern found on a train engineer's cap. Add a vintage club chair reminiscent of the golden age of train travel.

Inspiration: Birds

Bird themed nurseries are big this year. My modern and whimsical Aviary print is available in a variety of colors to match your personal take on the theme. Below are some ideas how to incorporate feathered friends into your nursery decor.

Nest Chair - okay, maybe this is a bit over the top, but the design is so interesting by Nina Bruun
Ceramic Bird Lamp - (available in other colors) made by Perch
Bird Silhouette Mirror by Ed Annink for Driade available at Unica Home
Crocheted Bird Rattles are hand made and available on Etsy at Born With It
The Aviary in Turquoise by yours truly at Skartshop
Fabric birds on Branches - Learn how to DIY over at Spool or buy ready made at Baby Jives Etsy Shop
Paper Birds Mobile - Another great DIY project brought to you by Martha Stewart. There is also no shame in cheating and buying a ready made kit from KB Paper Creations on Etsy
Little Tree 4 piece bedding set - The set & matching accessories made by Migi
Wood Birdie Bookends - handmade and available on Etsy at The Wooden Owl
Bird on a Wire Coat Rack - available at Huset

Choosing Colors

One of the biggest and unexpected challenges I am coming across is choosing the colors. Once the design is completed I will often spend hours on the computer playing with different color variations to try and decide which color to do my first prints in.  And of course, often what looks good on the computer screen will look completely different on wood.  The possibilities can be endless.  Pink on pink, pink on yellow, green on espresso wood, green on natural wood, lime green, hunter green, seafoam green ...   So many choices.

I chose the color combo for my dancing Robots of a lime green and baby blue on dark wood. When I delivered the Robots to one of the stores, the owner loved them but then suggested I do them in yellow with glowing red eyes.  "Well, that might look cool", I said.  And the color door reopened. Hustle-bot might also look good in Aqua, or, what about Aqua with yellow eyes, or red eyes? 

When choosing colors I  have to consider what is "in" right now in kids' decor.  Tiffany Blue is IN, Purple is OUT?  What will match the hot new bedding?  What is Pottery Barn Kids or Land of Nod highlighting for the season?  

I have found a big help in choosing my initial color scheme is matching to fabric.  That is how I came up with the Pastel and Vibrant versions of my Safari Baby series.  I chose to match the colors to Alexander Henry's 2d Zoo Fabric.   By using the colors in the fabric it gives me a basic palette to go by.  Of course custom color requests are also always welcome.

And if you are looking to decorate a room in this theme you should check out Etsy because there are many other talented artists using this fabric to create wonderful decor accessories.

Custom Crib bedding by Fingers and Toes

Mobile by EvenEden13

Canvas Growth Chart by Giraffes and Stuff

Chenille and Flannel Baby Blanket by The Red Pistachio

Little Hooter Owl by Cut Sew Repeat

Nursing Pillow cover by MollyAnneMake

Inspiration: Woodland

A friend of mine is getting ready for a new addition and is in the oh- so-fun stage of planning the nursery decor.  She has a crib and a rug from Pottery barn.   

Here is a little idea board based on forest/woodland themed decor.  (For some reason I have the theme song for "The Green Forest" Running through my mind as I made this) 

Squirrel Harvest & Dancing Leaves - brought to you by yours truly at Skårtshop.com

Forest Scene Decal- There are many different designs and customizable colors out there.  This one is from designedDESIGNER on Etsy.

Forest Friends Lamp - made by Carter, available at Amazon for $44.95

Collection of adorable (mostly handmade) woodland creatures: Plush Owl is by Lams & Ivy, The Fox, Bear, Racoon and Squirrel are handmade and available at Sleepy King on Etsy, The Turquoise owl with rosy cheeks is also available through a shop on Etsy at Pipoca Handmade.

DIY Deer head out of foam core - you can get directions and templates HERE

Craft/Work Desk - Ecofriendly and made by Igloo Play

Creature Crib sheet - From Eddie Bauer's Enchanted Hollow collection - available at Amazon

and now, I leave you with this: 

Inspiration Lavender & Bees

My Lavender and Bees piece reminds me of French Country and Provence.  Below are some ideas of how to incorporate that look into your child's room decor.

Lavender and Bees Print - Skårt shop

Toile birds and flower wallpaper - Creative Wallcoverings

Purple Bulletin Board - available at Rosenberry Rooms

Shabby Chic Chair - DIY make your own cover by adding a big ruffle to the bottom of a simple arm or rocking chair

Country Lavender Pillow (on chair) - By Victorian Heart, available at Tot2Teen

Wooden bee toy - Big Smile Toys

Bumble Bee Pewter Drawer Knob - F is For Frank Etsy Shop

Toile receiving blanket - QTPie Baby

Gingham Fabric/Curtains - Warm Biscuit Bedding Co or Land of Nod

Lavender Crib bedding set - by Seed Sprout, available at Walmart

Baby Bee Ragdoll - Belinda's Garden Etsy Shop

DIY dried lavender - make cute little satchels and display in a bowl or bundle some and tie or put in a vase.  Will add a lovely scent to the room

Inspirations: Dandelion Decor

Dandelion Pillows from Milk & Cookies Canada on Etsy

Dandi Light by Benjamin Hubert

Dandelion Print by none other that Skart Shop

Signature 2.0 Dresser by Iannone Design Ltd

Make a Wish Dandelion Collection Jars - a DIY project (coming soon)

Fabric available at Saffron Craig

Pink Dandelion bedding found at Sea Holly by Sight-Two for Nursery works

Dandelion Area rug by Tibetan Rug Company

Decorating Ideas - Aviator Themed

If you are going to buy an airplane print from me.  You are going to need a few more airplane accessories to complete your room.  Here are just a few ideas of fun ways to bring the aviator theme into your nursery.

Fold down changing table by Bo Design.  It sort of reminds me of something you would find in an airplane bathroom (like on SAS airways or something!) 

Paper airplane pillow from defraction fiber on Etsy

Assorted pewter airplane and propeller drawer pulls - I think it would be great to collect a bunch of different ones. Maybe even vintage ones from ebay!

Wood toy airplanes - great for play, for display or buy a bunch of different designs and hang them from your ceiling.   These ones are from Mary's Country Craft, she's got a bunch of other great wood planes as well as other toy vehicles.

Aviator teddy bears --- aww how cute -- these ones are courtesy of The Future Flyers Club

Personal letters with airplane background - order them online or if you are feeling crafty, paint your own! 

Deluxe chrome pedal plane by American Retro

Big bed airplane sheets from Pottery Barn kids