As Jo experiences the "nesting phase" of her pregnancy, she uses her interior design talents to advise on how to create the perfect nursery. One of the most amazing tips suggested to me during my own pregnancies was to play the music from the baby mobile before the baby was born-that way when baby arrives and it's time to sleep the music is already familiar and soothing! This works like a charm. As well as Jo's shopping suggestions I highly recommend www.lavenderfieldsonline.com a New York based company that ships worldwide. They have the most beautiful nursery items from sumptuous bed linen to the most unique and bespoke nursery items. They offer free design assistance and free swatch sampling. Also, make the whole experience even more special by adding a little keep-sake that can be passed on through future generations. My mother-in-law gave me a collection of nursery books she had in my husbands nursery, that featured in both my sons’ nurseries along with a humpty-dumpty clock.
Liz x
Hi All
This week, i have also begun what is called the 'nesting' phrase. In a bid to be super organised and in the unlikely event the baby is early I have started decorating and preparing the nursery. Transforming an ordinary room in your home into a haven for your little one to grow and flourish in is definitely a monumental occasion. However, while it can be tempting (and incredibly fun!) to go overboard with a whole coordinated baby theme, the key to creating the perfect nursery is finding a balance between adorable decor and versatility. There is an amazing range of nursery wallpaper available detailing everything from cartoon characters to cute animals, racing cars to sea creatures so you're really spoilt for choice. However if you're not a big fan of papering there are other options which actually make it much simpler to update your baby's nursery as they grow and develop their own tastes and ideas. By painting your baby's nursery a neutral colour and adding a decorative boarder you can still achieve a coordinated look but one that is easily updated or changed. Alternatively, if you've fallen in love with a cute nursery wallpaper why not go for the 'feature wall' look and adorn only one of the walls, its much simpler, easier to change and always looks fantastic.
Try papering the 'focus' wall in front of which you plan to place your baby's cot and painting the other walls either in a complimentary or contrasting colour for the best effect. Another option you have for your nursery walls is to paint them a 'background colour' and then either go mad with one of the many stenciling sets available or purchasing piece-by-piece nursery murals that literally stick on your wall until you (or your little one) get bored of them. Murals are especially great if you're renting your home as most are completely removable (always worth checking first though). Whatever you decide make sure that you enlist someone to help you (its much better to oversee rather than do all the hard work!), use non-toxic paint, air the room well and are incredibly careful about any old paint that you suspect may be a relic from pre-1965 as it could be harmful to you and baby.
The key pieces of furniture you'll need in your baby's nursery are a cot, a chest of drawers or wardrobe and a comfortable chair. When choosing a cot you should always make sure it conforms to the latest safety standards especially if it is second hand - there should be no more than 3" between bars, no gap between the mattress and side bars, no decorative cutouts that your baby could get caught on or in and no obvious sharp parts. Ideally you should go for a cot that has a drop side as this will make it much easier to lay your baby down to sleep and will place less strain on your back. If you get a second hand cot, always get a new mattress to go with it. I invested in the Stokke Sleepi (www.stokke.com), with the addition of a few extra pieces it can grow with your child. Extending from a mini-cot to a toddlers bed, then to a desk.
A waist height chest of drawers will help keep all of your baby's clothes dust free and to hand and can also be doubled up as a changing table if you don't want to splash out on a seperate changing unit (make sure you never leave your baby on top unaided though as this has the potential to be incredibly dangerous). Good quality wooden versions look stylish and should serve your child though infancy and beyond. A comfortable chair placed near the cot and by night light will come in incredibly handy for night feeds. Wicker chairs piled with cushions are very economically priced and fit in with a nursery theme quite well, alternatively you could go for a larger arm chair if you have the room. As a mum-to-be this is the most fun...
Until next time
Joxx