When I talked to Bri Moysa of Emerson Grey Designs about designing Nolan's nursery, I really didn't have a lot of guidance to give her. We'd seen some neat stuff at a Restoration Hardware store for kids, but the rooms they had set up were not exactly what we wanted. I scoured the internet for inspiration but there wasn't much that stood out. Luckily, we have amazing Bri who put together an awesome design for Nolan's room.
This is the design board provided by Bri | Emerson Grey Designs
The one project I've already shared with you that's a huge focal point of the room is the ceiling. It really sets the tone and makes his room a warm and inviting space. I still can't believe we did it, especially as pregnant as I was at the time, but am so glad we did! Going along with that rustic element is a subtle, masculine airplane and travel theme. I love the rug in his room - Bri is so good at picking the perfect rug, which really ties all the parts of the room together.
I keep trying to type out my favorite part of the design for Nolan's room but I can't choose! So I'll just explain each of the corners of the room.
Crib
Sagan had a white Jenny Lind crib in her nursery, which Bri suggested we paint green for Nolan's nursery. I would have never thought to do that but love the splash of color and character it provides. But - we had no clue how to paint the crib with all of its spindles to a quality we'd be satisfied with. Luckily, we have some awesomely talented friends.The husband of one of those friends paints cars and had a sprayer he offered to use to paint the crib (or maybe his wife "voluntold" him to do it...ha!). Regardless, he did a fantastic job. We got the Advance paint from Benjamin Moore, which was perfect for the sprayer and provided a strong, high-gloss finish.
Above the crib hangs an airplane print and an airplane mobile with a vintage look. The bumper softens the corner, as does the neat tree print on his crib sheet.
We purchased this vintage plane mobile from Restoration Hardware
Fun fact: at the foot of Nolan's crib is where the door to the playroom was before we finished his nursery. (Read the details here.)
Another fun fact: the door to this room is one of two we've stripped and stained so far. I love how it looks! (More on that here.)
Trunk & Closet
On the opposite side of the room against the same side of the wall as the crib is Nolan's trunk. We have had this trunk for probably 12 years, and got it at World Market. When I shared it with Bri, she was sure she could find the perfect spot for it in Nolan's room. It's great storage now, and will grow with him, providing storage for years to come. Above the trunk, David built two wooden shelves made of a wooden floor joist that came out of the house of our friends, the Youngs who I've mentioned before are working on another old home in Murray. They are always so gracious about sharing some of their finds as they're working on their home!
One of my favorite items on the shelves is his crocheted name, which was done by one of my sweet coworkers (we have a similar one for Sagan too). The airplanes came from HomeGoods, the globe from my awesome sister, and the little crocheted pilot's cap was purchased from Etsy. Also - can you sneak a peek at the schematic of the Millennium Falcon?
This side of the room is also home to Nolan's closet. Previously, the closet wasn't very functional. The folding doors were annoying, the closet was dark, and there was a single shelf that was so high you could barely fit anything on it.
Not the greatest photo, but the only one I could find of how the closet was prior to David fixing it up.
David took care of all of that for us! He lined the walls of the closet with white bead board, added two new rods and a new, lower, more functional shelf, and wired a light in the closet so we could actually see in there.
Again, not the greatest photo, but I love the bright, clean, well-lit new closet!
David also removed the folding doors and replaced them with an old wooden door from his Granny's house. The door was solid, so David cut it in half, added hardware and handles, and gave us a much more functional door that allows us to easily access all the sweet clothes in Nolan's closet.
The now-double-doors prior to being painted.
Dresser
I fell in love with this dresser as soon as I saw it online. It's from West Elm, and I didn't mind splurging for it because Nolan can have it in his room for years to come.
Bri picked some great art for above the dresser, including a map print that we gave our own twist. As soon as we found out we were having a baby boy, David said he wanted a print in there with one of his favorite lyrics by Jimmy Buffett: "Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks and I've learned much from both of their styles." I reached out to a former coworker who has created an amazing design business, Jessica Mitchell of Howl Creative Co., and she created this perfect addition to Nolan's room.
Chair
We have spent many an hour in this corner of Nolan's room. One of my favorite parts of Sagan's nursery was her chair, so I knew we had to have the perfect one for Nolan's nursery too. I searched high and low and finally found an old chair I thought had good enough bones to be recovered. It's the perfect size and the arms of the chairs are just right for sweet cuddles (at all hours of the night, as Nolan preferred during the newborn stage...).
I got this chair for $50 from a local thrift store
The sign above his chair was an addition we made after Nolan was born. Ashley Young made the Nolan sign for us and as soon as she gave it to me I knew we had the perfect spot for it above his chair!
The sweet curtains hanging in the room were made with love by Nolan's grandmother Bonnie. With three windows in the room, it was no easy task, and I love the dramatic effect they have on the room.
I'm so excited about how Nolan's room came together. We went from being unsure what exactly we wanted to having a plan from Bri that couldn't have been more perfect, especially with some extra touches we were able to add by updating the ceiling and using old elements from other homes, like in the shelves and the closet door. I love the warm feel of the room, and know this room will fit Nolan for years to come!
