Practically the minute I found out I was pregnant I wanted to tear down the shelves in my office, break out the paint brushes, and start decorating a nursery.
Of course I held back and controlled myself, but it didn’t mean I wasn’t constantly thinking about the endless number of possibilities. Bright, bold, and crazy; pale and serene; a crazy theme like a circus or caterpillars or airplanes.
I avoided Pinterest like the plague because I knew I couldn’t resist pinning one of the 1,000 adorable nurseries I saw come across the screen. Instead, my computer’s filled with screen shots and only now are my finds being pinned.
Now suddenly here I am 21 weeks pregnant, and I have put a concrete thought into what, when, or how the transformation’s going to happen. I guess it’s about time.
Decision 1: What Room?
Our choices for a nursery include my office and our guest room.
My office makes the most sense: it’s the closest to our bedroom and the bathroom, and it’s a cute room. The only problem is it’s the brightest room in the house. Absolutely perfect for my office- maybe not so much for a sleeping baby. We’d definitely need some serious curtains, and then we’d lose all of our indoor sunshine. That makes me particularly sad when I think about not working next to my brightly lit window all day.
The other option is the guest room. It’s a bit dark and dreary, and it’s farther away from the bedroom. I’m guessing every step counts when you’re getting up multiple times in the middle of the night. Plus it gives our guests a little more privacy.
{So not what this room likes like anymore, but the only picture I have right now.}
My solution? Make the nursery my office, but leave my desk in there. The husband vetoed that idea. So I guess I’m saying adios to my bright, sunshiny office, and moving down the hall to the guest room. How we’re going to fit both a bed and a desk in that room is beyond me, but we’ll deal with that part later.
Decision 2: How to Decorate
The first option is easy: no themes! I don’t like themes, and I don’t want to be forced to repaint down the road if I don’t want to. Plus, this room has seen enough “theme-iness” from before we moved in.
The goals:
– Keep it gender neutral but not boring
– Avoid being too babyish, but still nursery-like
– Make it awesome
If it were just up to me, the nursery would be bold and untraditional, like some of these:
Knowing there’s no way the husband would go for any of that business, I’m thinking a little more inside the box, and will probably go with something a little more toned down. Blue, green, gray, orange, yellow…we’ll see. The husband did say that blue was too masculine and not good for a girl’s room. For the record, I’m a girl- I pick blue all the time!
More realistic nursery inspiration ideas:
So now it’s time for some brainstorming and decision making! The latter is not my favorite thing to do…
If you have a picture of an awesome nursery, feel free to share. 
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
UMMMM I AM IN LOVE with the striped/chevron striped walls!! SO FUN and so unique!!!!! Also really love the gray and white…can easily be dressed up with bright colored details like bedding, throw rug, a cool big chair, etc etc. perfect for boys AND girls…and mommies 🙂
Other than that…I got nothin for ya. Ha! But I have no doubt you will make your bebes room fabulous!!
I am also 21 weeks along and just purchased my crib from Land of Nod! We are planning on painting the baby’s bedroom a light grey… and I am thinking turquoise accents. I love the idea of painting a wall in chalkboard… perfect for baby to draw on later or for moms who like to make lists or track things…
That sounds awesome!
I will hopefully be posting my nursery pictures next week! AH! I’m the same way though – I didn’t want any kind of theme and wanted something not too baby-ish. I originally wanted to paint the walls of our GIRLS nursery blue, but I also got vetoed. I love all your inspirations though! So cute!
I can’t wait to see them!!!!
Those are all so nice looking! You don’t want to see a pic of ours. B still has butterfly knobs on his dresser from when M was in that room. LOL
Haha that might make Chris feel better about using blue for a girl’s room. 😉
I didn’t want our nursery to be too babyish either! Here are some photos: http://cherrypietwins.blogspot.com/2011/09/nursery.html. Good luck with your nursery!
Oh it’s SO beautiful! I love your chair 🙂
Oh, my! It must be so overwhelming trying to narrow down the infinite possibilities. And you deserve your own separate office space – maybe work out a space downstairs? Since you cook so much as part of your job, perhaps that kitchenette area could be a work space? I know you’ll find a solution that works for all of you. It’ll come, don’t worry!
Downstairs would be a solution if ESPN didn’t rule that floor. 😉
We went the same way with our nursery – no theme, not too baby-ish and gender neutral. I love it! It’s soft, relaxing and my new favorite room.
Have fun planning it out! Can’t wait to see what you pick 🙂
Decorating the nursery, how fun!
Honestly I’d keep your office and go for the guest room as the nursery. The brightness will probably be an issue for napping. Of course, I don’t have kids, so I’m no expert.
Also, consider having the adjustable crib or Moses basket in your room for the first few weeks at home. My sister in law prefers co-sleeping (just her and her newborn, with the dad across the hall in the master bedroom) for maximum ease with nighttime feedings.