10 months ago, my husband and I found out we were expecting an adorable bundle! Naturally, my DIY, creative mind automatically began to draw illustrations in my mind of what this little one's nursery would look like. I had a direction for a girl, and one for a boy. These visuals were absolutely nothing like what I had imagined for my child's nursery growing up. I used to want a vintage Winnie the Pooh theme, or a parisian Madeline-esque nursery. I went through a phase semi-recently in which I wanted to name my daughter Eloise and do a whole Eloise at the Plaza thing. Somehow, I completely forgot all previous notions and we decided on a woodland/camping/outdoors-y theme. I made a "lookbook" (a medium sized poster board with pictures and paint chips and wood stains), and began my DIY nursery journey (Hubby and I had a blast painting the room together, 8 paint samples later!).
DISCLAIMER: I am not wealthy, nor do I have a large toolshed. I completed this nursery for about $170. This does not include large ticket items that were purchased for us like the crib, rocking chair, and all that goes with it.
1. Monogram Wall Piece: When I found out I was pregnant, I went in search of a chalkboard for bump pics. I found a mirror I wanted to paint for $8. When I got home, the mirror started cracking. I took a hammer to it and found the beautiful, dark wood panels behind it. I found these metal letters at Michael's for $2 each. I added 3 screws and hung the letters.
2. Globe: I knew the direction I wanted to go for the nursery, so while my sister visited, we went in search of items. We stopped at Habitat for Humanity. While scouring the aisles, we turned and at the end of an aisle, as if sent from God, this globe was sitting in the middle for $5!
3. Crate: I was given this crate by a friend because staples were falling out. I used small nails and reattached the siding.
4. Side Table: My husband and I got this from Ikea a while ago for $20. It was repurposed.
5. Jacks Bookends: During the same search I went on with my sister, we stopped in a random boutique and I found the (very heavy) jacks for $3 each.
6. Massive Stuffed Wolf: Though it's a little, uhh, big, it is my husband's pride and joy (before the baby was born). We went to the fair while I was pregnant and Stephen's goal was to leave with the biggest stuffed animal he could find. He won it playing a game in which a person had to gently throw a quarter perfectly in a small circle. It took 9 tries, $2.25.
7. Gallery Wall: Okay, this is a big project! These pieces were collected throughout my pregnancy and even from before!
a. Metal Stars: Hobby Lobby! I used a 40% off on multiple occasions (for many of these items) so I paid about $2.75 each
b. Frames: All these frames were previously hanging in my office. When the office was converted, so were the frames. I painted the frame with the compass using the same grey paint used throughout the room
c. Arrows: Another Hobby Lobby find! I knew I wanted arrows, and I went looking for a pre-made piece. I couldn't find anything I really liked, so I decided to get raw wood arrows and stain them. They were $4 each and I already had the stain.
d. Compass: purchased printable on Etsy $5
e. Fox: purchased printable on Etsy $3 and then I brush lettered "Stay curious, little fox"
f. Chalkboard: Habitat for Humanity $3 and painted the edges
g. Dreamcatcher: $12 at Claire's!
h. Window: The hubby and I got two of these for $30 when we first moved out here. It's twin is hanging in our entry way! I knew I could use it to write notes, times, and reminders. Our beautiful maternity pictures are framed as well.
i. Wood Art: I got this from a local specialty store called Poppie's. One of the priciest pieces, I paid $25. But it's perfect!
8. Towel: We were gifted this towel, but I spent $12 to monogram it and add a special touch.
9. Changing Table Organizer: I found this at one of the most random antique stores on the side of the road one day on my way home from therapy. It was handmade in India, and I scored it for $17.
10. Changing Table: Beginning as a dresser back home in my husband's room in LA, he sanded and painted this grey before moving to Charlotte. It was a dresser in our room, and we moved it into the nursery as a special piece for Daxton. Stephen kept the grey paint, which was used on the pieces in the gallery wall, and then for the accent wall. God gave us just enough to squeeze out enough for the whole wall!
11. Glider: My mom and dad gifted us the glider. I knew I wanted a simple, wood and white/cream one (if baby was a girl, it was going to be an oversized sure white one). I searched and my mom scoured the internet until we found this one which was only available at Walmart for less than $200!
12. Woodland Stuffed Animals: Both of these were gifted to us, but they deserve mention because they really round out the room. They were both from Target, and we still need the raccoon! [UPDATE: We got the raccoon!] (http://www.target.com/p/manhattan-toy-folksy-foresters-bear/-/A-21406437?lnk=rec|slp|search_bought|slp|21406437|0)
13. Mobile: This was the very last piece to go up in the nursery. I completed it the last week I was pregnant. My mom came out about a week and a half before Daxton arrived, and she and I completed this together. We found some similar ones online, got the felt we would need. I drew the shapes, my mom cut them out, and then we sewed and stuffed. The wood slab was also from Hobby Lobby. I drilled holes, 3 for the jute rope on top and 5 for the pieces. We used translucent thread to hang the animals and my husband hung it up! Total=$15
14. Crib: Another gift from my parents. From the beginning, no matter the gender, I knew I wanted this exact style crib. We all loved the Jenny Lind crib in White so much, we got it before anything else! Best part, it was only $200!
15. Crib Bedding: All our crib bedding and the large grey quilt are all from my mother-in-law. She bought us all organic bedding. Rest assured, Daxton is sleeping happily and healthy.
16. Hanging Door Sign: I made this door sign for the hospital. I used two raw wood pieces from Hobby Lobby, stained, painted, glued, and wrote. Voila! Total=about $10
17. Metal Sign: My mom found this sign at a Big Lots in California. Naturally, she called the Big Lots close to me and put one on hold for me to pick up. This was something my mom always said to my sister and I, and now, we each have our own. I chose to put it in Daxton's room because he can look at it everyday and know how much I love him. $9
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