When I found out we were having a baby girl my immediate reaction was, "Oh, I'm definitely not going to be one of those moms that dresses their nugget in all pink and fluff and hell no she won't have a tutu"! Now nearly a year later, if you can believe it, this poor child is pinked out, blush pinks and corals, let's not be crazy, and she definitely has a tutu, WTF. But I must say, she can pull it off, goes really well with her strawberry bindi birthmark ;)

Conspiring over Poppy's nursery design was of course a highlight of my pregnancy. I started with the full intention of keeping it really minimal, soft, neutral with of course a dash of boho. We threw a fresh coat of white on the walls, opted for a simple, modern, light wood crib with just a subtle grey striped sheet and a single mudcloth pillow. I dressed the windows in light linen, hung the brass lantern we found in Morocco in the corner over a grey arm chair and threw up some simple ikea book shelves for her growing reading collection. Then, slowly and subconsciously, I started to pile on the pink. Hot pink pom poms draped here, magenta wool blankies throw there, a mounted flamingo head, until it kind of spiraled out of my control. I love all the elements of her room individually, but together it was becoming a mess. I had to remind myself that just because you think something is sew kewt, doesn't mean it will fit into the story your trying to tell in your design. That's a killer design tip right there. Stick with the story, don't get distracted by the sew kewt! 

Editing is a big part of design and I'm feeling the less is more focus lately. I have been really inspired by all the minimal neutral interiors, especially in nursery decor, who hasn't lets get real, so I figured, let's refocus Pop's room. I scaled it back, toned it down, chilled it the f out! Here is what inspired me initially.

Riiiiight. So good, all of it. Now this is what I came up with for Pop.

I love the Pillowfort mounted heads from Target and the unicorn is my favorite because the colors are super mellow and it adds just the right amount of whimsy I was looking for. I knew I wanted a modern bohemian wallhanging over the crib as a main decor piece to add a bit of clean boho. It is such a big bare wall and I needed something to complete the crib vignette but I didn't want anything heavy or bulky since we do live in LA and earthquakes are a real concern. I spotted a simple modern boho fiber art piece on Pinterest and decided to exercise my DIY skills. I took 3 rolls of yarn, a dowl rod and maybe an hour and a half or cutting and knotting and I had the perfect piece, for like $30, in the exact color and size I wanted. #crafyaf

Ok, now I'm really going to sound super nerdy and crafty, but I was on a big crochet kick when I was getting ready for baby and had a lot of time on my hands, being laid out and sober ya know, so I made her this blankie. I love the look of a chunky knit throw and this one is super soft, made out of a cream chenille blend knit and its really warm and cozy but breathes because of the loose stitch I used.  P.S. Eyelet crib skirt is from Anthropologie. They have the cutest kids stuff!

This chair was not my first choice however its within the color story and we opted for a new white linen chair and a half for the living room because that's really where I spend most of my lounge time, so we repurposed this old Ikea number in the nursery. It's perfect and functional for the ten minutes a night I sit in it to nurse Pop to sleep and for Patrick to take conference calls in the mornings. Just added a little white sheerling, a pillow from Morocco, a Jellycat and a Jenni Kayne Alpaca bear for some layered cozy.

This room was in need of some natural elements and for sure some green. The faux fern in the woven basket on the vintage milk stool I scored at the flea market works to achieve that goal I think.  Popped in that creepy mounted critter head for some quirk and I'd say we're looking good in this corner. 

The opposite wall to her crib is where the fun is. Something inspiring for her to look out on to when she wakes up from her naps. These ikea spice racks are great for book shelves, but just a disclaimer, a total nightmare to mount. Like, divorce status. Just prepare yourself. That being said, I love how simple they are and how many books and stuffies I can shove in there. Woven covered storage is an absolute must for any nursery I always say. This one is from Crate and Kids and is sturdy, pretty and the perfect size for all Pops extra swaddles, sweaters and books. I'm OBSESSED with this toadstool reading stool. I tear up just thinking about Pop sitting on it reading her books in the next few years. Ugh!

This dresser is a little reflection of my feminine boho side. It's from Anthro and it makes me think of somewhere tropical and exotic and she will be able to use it forever. It works great as a changing station topped with the Keekaroo Peanut, a nursery essential! The simple round brass mirror from Target, the DWR inspired mobile, another DIY project, and Gund Happy Elephant all work together to distract during diaper changes. I don't typically like signage with inspirational phrases, I actually f-ing hate them in home decor, but I found this wall hanging from the Little Market with two words of wisdom I live by and hope Pop will too, so I thought it was appropriate. It's hand stitched and neutral and really works sweetly in a child's room. Don't think I'm going all "dream" or "eat" in the bedroom or kitchen now because I refuse!

Neutral nursery decor is a win win. Its soothing to the eye, for mommy and baby alike, and it leaves room for them to grow into their own and make of it what they will, add their own style as they grow into themselves. I'm also a fan because if we have a boy next time around I don't have to buy more stuff. Does that make me gender neutral, or a total cheapo ?? You decide. 

Ciao for now!

-K