KIDS - Real Nursery Inspiration: Baby Collier's Sophisticated Safari

When I came across a few nursery photos from my dear Midland friend and former camp counselor, Kate, I literally could not quit oohing and aahing with admiration. From the gorgeous chandelier and playful papier mache animal heads to the stunning, multi-purpose changing table/dresser and the organized book rack of colorful children's books, this room is a beautiful inspiration for how a nursery should be decorated! 

I felt like I needed to start taking notes for my future children, so instead, I decided to ask Kate to share her clever decorating tips, shopping guide, and photos with all of you. Enjoy! 

 

I learned a lot from Kate’s intentional decorating process, and I know you will too:

• Choose multi-functional pieces whenever possible. You want items that will function and look gorgeous in other rooms of your house after the “baby” stage.

For instance, Kate can use the beautiful, glass Z Gallerie dresser (current changing table with storage) later on in a dining room, guest room, or adult bedroom. She smartly chose the chandelier knowing that she would eventually use it in her entryway. The bookcase from Ballard Designs is another great example.

• Select main items that you can use for both a boy and a girl, in case your next child is a different gender.

Kate decided to use gray as her base color in case her next child is a girl. With a few minor adjustments, she can mix in splashes of hot pink to create a more feminine look without having to purchase very many new pieces.

• Seek inspiration from specific stores that emulate your tastes and style preferences.

In Kate’s case, she wanted to create a traditional yet interesting space that felt calming and happy during the many hours she would be spending in the nursery. Restoration Hardware and Doodles (Houston) represented this look for Kate, so she was able to turn to them for ideas and inspiration.

• If you’re not sure where to begin, start with one specific item that you absolutely love and work off of that.

For Kate, it was the Ella Glider in the cute, printed fabric. Once she found that one piece of furniture, she was able to build the rest of the nursery around it. Sometimes, it’s overwhelming to define your entire vision, but if you try to find just one item that you’re drawn to, then it may become easier to distinguish your preferences.

• Personalize all of the details, so that your baby’s room surrounds him or her with meaning and love. Merge substance with style as much as possible.

Don’t just purchase cutesy, random décor items or toys. Like Kate, allow for meaningful objects and mementos to fill the bookshelves and crannies.

Examples from Collier’s nursery:

• Quilt with each square embroidered by Kate’s Aunt
• Cashmere blanket from London that was a gift from another Aunt
• Books that were special gifts from family and friends and that were personal childhood favorites of Kate and her husband
• Football that belonged to Kate’s father who played professional football in the 1970s
• Father-Son Baseball gloves that Kate gave to her husband and Collier for Christmas right after Collier’s birth
• Personal letter and engraved silver cup to Collier from former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush because Kate and her husband both worked at the White House during the Bush Administration 

Precious baby, Collier

Product Guide for Collier’s Nursery

• Crib:  Restoration Hardware Antique Spindle Crib in Aged White
• Dresser:  Z Gallerie Borghese Mirrored 7-Drawer Chest
• Bookcase:  Ballard Designs Bourdonnais Bookcase in Belgian Oak
• Animal Heads: Anthropologie 
• Elephant Head Tie Backs: Urban Outfitters
• Chandelier: Capiz Flower Burst Pendant by Horchow
• Drapes: Fabric is Calico Corners Seymour Celadon, made by Graham Kracker in Midland, TX (along with “Collier” pillow)
• Drape liners in white linen on large window: Bed Bath and Beyond
• Moses Basket: MADISON in Dallas, Texas
• Book Rack: Pottery Barn Kids Large Book Rack in White
• Custom bedding: Doodles in Houston
• Rug: Doodles in Houston
• Glider and Ottoman:  Four Seasons Furniture Ella Glider in Essence Fabric (Doodles in Houston)
• Custom embroidered nursery rhyme quilt: Gift from her Aunt (who stitched each quilt square)
• Side table: Already owned
• Lamp: Pier 1 Imports (no longer available)