Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

| By | | 409 Comments

How To Make A Paper Mache Narwhal Bust

The built-in bookcases in the nursery have officially been filled with board books, toys, stuffed animals, framed prints, and a few other random bobs and bits that I hope our little man will love feasting his eyes (and mouth?) upon. We even created an easy paper mache craft there on the bottom left shelf. Can you spot him?

Bookcases1

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce Norman The Narwhal. He’s FAR from a perfect specimen, but it was the sweetest project to do with soon-to-be big sister Clara. I think I love him more for his handmade wonkiness than anything else. Dude has some serious character going on. So let’s file this under “made by a kid with a little help from mom for her baby brother.”

Bookcases3

Plus, it’s an easy craft to customize to make whatever animal you want to capture as a cheeky, faux bust display.

How We Made A Paper Mache Narwal Bust

Here was our inspiration (which is nowhere near as wonky, and very charming indeed), and here’s how Clara and I had fun subbing in paper mache for a styrofoam ball, made the horn a different way, used buttons for eyes, etc.

Narwal After

Step 1: Buy or Make Your Wood Plaque

We picked up a small wooden craft plaque from JoAnn for around $3 with a coupon, but you could also cut your own shape out of a piece of wood if you’d prefer.

Step 2: Paint Or Stain Your Plaque

We decided to paint our plaque white using a leftover sample container we had around. This was an easy step for a 3-year-old to help with. Plus, you could choose any color or choose to stain it for a wood grain look.

Narwal 1and2

Step 3: Add Your Paper Mache Ingredients

Admittedly it had been a while since we paper-mached anything, but luckily you probably already have the ingredients around the house: it’s just flour and water. Here’s another great paper-mache tutorial if you’d like to see this process on video!

Step 4: Mix Until Smooth

Mix your flour and water in a bowl until you get the consistency of thick soup. We made waaaay too much). Clara LOVED this part, hence the comically large batch. She kept wanting to add more water and more flour and “stir, stir, stir” things up.

Narwal 3and4

Step 5: Build Your Animal Head

Next, we used some small strips of newspaper dipped in our “soup” to make our narwhal head. Most paper mache crafts have you layer these soggy paper strips over a balloon. You can easily customize the size of your project with a balloon. Plus, it removes easily (just pop it!) when your paper has dried.

We didn’t have a balloon handy so we sort of just crumbled up a ball of paper to build around. It didn’t make for the smoothest finished project, but having a lightweight base that we could leave under the shell did help constructing the narwall head in the following steps. So maybe not having a balloon was a happy accident!

Narwal 5and6

Step 6: Built Your Narwal Tusk

While our paper mache dried, we turnd our attention to the narwal’s tusk. For ours, we found a small wood dowel and trimmed it to about 5″. But a pencil or firm straw would also work!

Step 7: Wrap Tape To Create Your Shape

To create the tapered horn shape of the tusk, we gently coiled some painters tape from the top to the bottom of the dowel, wrapping larger loops as we went. We could’ve used more paper to form a cone under the tape, but we were going for a lightweight tusk so it wouldn’t sag.

Step 8: Wrap Decorative Tape On The Last Layer

For the final layer of the tusk, we switched to a yellow polka dot washi tape that I had on hand. It’s hard to see in the pictures, but it was a nice way to introduce a little bit of fun pattern. We also coated the tusk in a layer of matte Mod Podge just to lock everything in place.

Narwal 7and8

Step 9: Paint Your Paper Mache Head

While our Mod Podge dried, we paintd our narwal head using some blue craft paint. But again, this is a great chance to customize yours with whatever color suits you!

Step 10: Glue A Screw

In order to put the the tusk to the head, we first used Aileen’s Tacky Glue to glue a long screw to the inside of the dowel of our horn, which we let dry for a nice long time.

Narwal 9and10

Step 11: Attach The Tusk

Once our narwhal face was dry and the glue for our screw had cured up, we screwws it right in to the paper mache for that horned look. I even made a small pilot hole with our drill to get things started (Clara LOVES anything drill related, so this was a thrilling step for her as well).

Narwal 11

Step 12: Add Personality

We glued on some buttons to give our narwal eyes and drew a small smile on with Sharpie, but really anything goes at this point. Give it a bow! Draw freckles! Add a hat! Have fun!

Step 13: Glue To Your Plaque

With the narwal fully constructed, we used more glue to attach the head to our painted plaque from the first step. We also added some dash marks around the border with a paint pen, and added string to the back so it would hang.

Narwal After

This was such a project to involve our daughter with, and we think the final creation is so filled with personality (plus really screams “a 3-year-old helped make this!”).

Over the years I’ve been asked if I think obviously fake creations like these (or a ceramic ram head, or a cardboard deer head) might glorify the act of mounting an actual animal head. I’m sure everyone has different opinions about this (it’s such a highly personal thing) but I’ve thought about it for a while, and I don’t believe faux taxidermy makes any sort of pro-real-taxidermy statement. To me, it’s just like using faux sheepskins in our house instead of real ones, or how people might buy faux fur coats. Another example would be how animal rights activists like Stella McCartney will design things with faux leather (real leather = against her beliefs, but she’ll use the imitation to make a statement that there are great alternatives to the real thing).

Bookcases3

Now I’m excited to start in on some other personality-adding details, like a pair of colorful curtains, and a large-scale mobile for over the crib. This is just some bad photoshop below, but I have an old manzanita branch that I think could be fun with lots of colorful shapes hanging off of it at a ton of different lengths and depths.

Mobile Photoshop

So those are next on the list. What are you guys up to when it comes to bookcase-filling and art-making? Anyone else breaking out the paper mache? Clara kept trying to eat it, which was both comical and surprisingly ok (it is made from flour and water).

Psst- To see our nursery progress from the very beginning, here’s the planning and rug-buying post, the dresser-sourcing post, the wall and ceiling painting rundown, the first half of built-in building, the second half of the built-in project, and how we added crown molding and a homemade crib skirt.

Comments

  1. Amber says

    So interesting that you shared your “stance” on faux taxidermy.. I used to be super uncomfortable with it because, hey, animal heads, but I saw enough ceramic ones on your blog that I suddenly realized I kind of liked it and OBVIOUSLY it’s not a real animal head. We bought a driftwood deer head on vacation a few years ago and i don’t know why I ever thought it was a big deal. ;)

    Reply

  3. Ashley says

    I just went to IKEA to look at their dressers for my nursery. I was unimpressed with the quality of the furniture. The drawer mechanisms were very flimsy and shakey. Did you do anything to make your drawers more sturdy?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh no! Maybe the one on display was wonky or put together wrong? We drove all the way to Ikea to make sure the quality was good before spending $300 on them and building them in (that would be a total waste if they fall apart on us) and we leaned on the display and tried all the drawers and everything felt really strong. We also love the solid wood construction. After assembling these guys at home we’ve had the same experience so far. Everything is nice and substantial – even the hardware!

      xo,
      s

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’re planning to use the same method we did with Clara (especially since the doc thinks this boy might be big). So we’ll do disposables just until he can fit into the one-size-fits-all diapers (with Clara it was around 8 weeks I think). Since babies poop so often in the beginning we figure it’ll be nice to get through that stage before getting to the cloth dipes again :)

      xo
      s

    • Jen says

      As a mother of soon to be 6, three of which are boys. Always point “it” down when diapering if not pee mysteriously leaks to their back . And watch out! “It” sprays when uncovered. I have never bought them but the “peepee teepees” are cute!

  5. SJ says

    So jealous at how you can whip up the cutest bookshelf displays. I’ve been working on my entertainment system shelves for weeks and they taunt me and laugh at me all day long. I just can’t get it right and I’m ready to throw in the towel and leave them empty. Any tips for how you go about decorating shelves? I find it too overwhelming and it ends up looking cluttered. :( help?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      My method really is just to put things up there, step back, move them around, step back again, leave the room and do something else, come back in and try moving a few things again, step back, add something, take something else away, etc. It’s a funny little dance that I do. It does seem to help to put one or two substantial things on each shelf, sort of balanced in their placement (ex: one large book leaning against the back left of one shelf, and one large frame leaning against the back right of the shelf on top of that). You’ll notice that things seem to alternate (a big stack of boxes on one side, then something else on the other side of the shelf above that) so maybe that helps?

      xo
      s

  9. Jessica says

    I love your nursery and especially the narwhal, but as a science teacher, I just have to correct you. The “horn” is actually a tooth or a tusk and it protrudes forward out of the front of its mouth, below its eyes. Its a great art project and looks great as is, but I thought it might be good for Clara to know some fun facts about this fascinating animal!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Someone else mentioned that and it’s so interesting! Now I have big plans to watch some narwhal videos with Clara on youtube tonight. She’s going to love that tooth factoid!

      xo
      s

  10. Annie T says

    I really love the mobile! Wouldn’t it be cool if we could just photoshop stuff then BOOM it’s done? Maybe that’s the future with 3d printing. I love the branch of the mobile, the scale and the colors. You could probably do a million variations on the shapes (Narwhals, raindrops, etc) but I love the dots.

    So sweet to see everything Clara contributed to decorating for the barnacle! I’m sure she won’t end up a narwhal hunter because of the faux taxidermy! :)

    Have you told us the names you’re considering? Is that any of our business? So excited for you guys!

    xxx
    Annie

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, thanks Annie! As for names, we have nothing settled yet, but are debating a few different options (all family names, since we tend to love those with meaning the most). Will have to meet this little guy and see which one fits!

      xo
      s

  11. Carmen says

    The bookcases are so sweet. Love all the thought put into them and involving Clara. She must be so proud. The mobile idea is adorable.

    We have bookcases flanking each side of our fireplace. For whatever reason, the right hand bookcase came together beautifully, but the left hand side is just a mess. I’m trying to use what we already have, but I’m left with a bunch of mish mosh accessories that don’t go together, much less tie in with the right side. I can’t wait for warmer weather as I think spray painting a few items will help a lot with that.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Good luck Carmen! Sometimes I find that smaller objects (not enough large scale ones) might make something look more busy and cluttered, so if the bookcase on the right has larger stacks of books or boxes or frames, you might try bringing a few more large items to the left to balance things. Might help make it look more pulled together!

      xo
      s

  12. Jessica says

    Out of curiosity, are you having a baby shower? Did you have one with Clara? How do you deal with the sentimental accessories that people gift you that may not fit the decor?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      The family threw me one with Clara that was really sweet! Almost everyone just got us things from our registry or small baby cuteness (like booties, blankets, little swimsuits, etc) so there weren’t many decorative accessories or things like that coming in (someone who knew me very well did get me a ceramic animal piggy bank, which was adorable). Anyone have advice for Jessica? Have you already received things that aren’t your taste or do you just worry about that possibly happening?

      xo
      s

    • Jessica says

      Actually, I was just really curious how you handle things as bloggers with a certain design style. Me? I’m a sucker. I’ll try to make anything work that people give me. I wish I could detach sentiment from objects sometimes, but I just can’t. : ) I’m not a hoarder, I swear.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think we’re the same way. Meaning and sentiment are right up there with form or function. Come to think of it, I think that’s why I love our wonky narwhal so much. It’s far from perfect but Clara made it with so much love, it’s the best thing ever :)

      xo
      s

  13. Elissa says

    Love the bookshelves Sherry!!! Where did you get the gummy blocks? My little boy is chewing on everything like crazy but I want to get him things that he should be chewing on rather than my hand! :) Thanks!

    Reply

  14. Lynn says

    Can something be cute and creepy at the same time? That narwal sure is! P.S. My four-year-old still calls her younger sister (now 18 months) “my baby.” It makes my heart go goopy.

    Reply

  15. Maria says

    The stain job on those dresser tops is so delicious, you guys really are staining pros now. It looks good in the other posts, but I feel like these photos show just how smooth and shiny and wood-grainy it is. Drooling a little bit…

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks so much Sarah! We did consider either painting them an accent color or slipping some cardboard or foam core in there with a fun fabric or wallpaper (or gift wrap) on it, but for now I think we want to wait for other items to come into the room (like bright curtains, a large scale mobile, art, etc) before deciding if we think that’ll be too busy :)

      xo
      s

  18. Beth says

    awww its so lovely. The bookshelves are wonderful! I love the color and they do look built in. You guys continually inspire me, thank you. Good luck to you and your family and your new blessing. Take Care!

    Reply

  20. Michelle | Birds of Berwick says

    Clara is so so so sweet! She’s going to be a great big sister!
    The mobile idea is awesome! I love how the branch would bring some elements of nature into the room and really relates to the bright green color you’ve brought into the space as well.

    Reply

  21. Stephanie says

    Love how you styled the bookcases and all of Clara’s touches! Regarding the mobile, many years back I saw Genevieve Gorder wrap colorful yarn around some big branches and hang them from the ceiling like a mobile and it was seriously cute. Though the natural wood would be nice with the wood tops on the bookshelves… Love the colors you guys have chosen for the nursery!

    Reply

  23. E.D.R. says

    I love all the things for the baby! For the mobile, one time I pretended I was the baby and looked up at the mobile, and it was TOTALLY boring from a baby’s perspective, even though it was super cute from the side. So, if you are making a mobile, look at it from a baby’s-eye view. For our third, I scrapped the cute, but boring mobile and subbed in big face only photos of our family, mounted flat and printed black and white for contrast, so that she could see her family. They say that faces are the most interesting to babies, and black and white the easiest to see. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

    Reply

  24. Aurelie says

    hey guys! love the way the nursery is shaping up! I made a similar mobile for our daughters room this past summer and it was super easy, cute, and cheap to make. i got some bold colored felt from joann’s, cut out a bunch of circles, and then sewed them together with a machine (pulling the thread at varying lenths after sewing through each circle to make a garland of circles – hope that makes sense!). then i just hung the varying length strands from a dowel we cut in 2 parts and screwed together… wish i had a pic to attach here. anyway – good luck, can’t wait to see this chapter (decor and also child rearing!) evolve.

    Reply

  25. Ruthie says

    I have a little guy, so I can’t wait to see boy projects and toys you come up with!
    Are you using the same dresser for a changing table as you did for Clara?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      She has become pretty attached to that dresser and we love it in her room, so we’re planning to bring in a toy cubby/cabinet for the wall across from the crib where we can put a changing pad on top at a nice comfortable height.

      xo
      s

  26. Kelley says

    It all looks great! And I love the green storage box, I bought some of those storage bins for my sons bookcase yesterday (I had been eyeing them for a while and finally got them 40% off with my Target Cartwheel App!) They are so bright and fun!

    Reply

  27. Courtney says

    Fun fact, a narwhal’s “horn” is actually a very long canine tooth. Pretty weird. Seems like it would be uncomfortable. I think I’d rather have a horn on my head. :)

    Reply

  28. Raesha de Ruiter Zylker says

    I have always loved narwhals….and truth be told I wholeheartedly believed they were mythical creatures like unicorns until seriously like 6 months ago. Yes I’m 41 years old. You cannot imagine my excitement when I found out they were really real!!! Santa does exist! Narnia is real! Narwhals exist!!! I was so excited. I want to make a little embroidered narwhal someday kind of like this:
    https://www.etsy.com/listing/166873032/reusable-snack-bag-reusable-sandwich-bag?ref=shop_home_active_8

    But I secretly have this fear that people are pulling my leg and they really aren’t real.

    Reply

  29. Karis says

    My 2 year-old loves The Going to Bed Book, and all of Sandra Boynton’s board books for that matter. If you haven’t checked out her “Blue Hat, Green Hat” I recommend it — makes me laugh every time. Great job decorating the shelves!

    Reply

  30. Kim Hall says

    I seriously can’t get over how good the built-ins look. My last comment probably said the same thing! I love all the little knickknacks you decorated with. It really does look wonderful!

    Reply

  32. LC says

    Hold up… Ikea sheepskins aren’t real?! I’ve always liked the visual texture they add but can’t shake the in-person queasiness of “I bet that animal enjoyed having its skin attached more than I enjoy having another neutral texture in the room” (and yes, I know my queasy bar is set lower than most people’s — I can’t help it). I’d love to have a good cheap faux sheepskin source!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      They sell both! Actually, I’m not sure if they still sell the faux ones but they used to (it was clear from the backing and label that they were made from synthetic materials vs. the others which were real and had the hide-like backing).

      xo
      s

  33. Victoria says

    Hello there! I did something similar with a mobile for my son’s room when he was born in 2011. I knew we were moving internationally and that it would be easy to just find a new branch and pack up the flat discs when it was time to go. I used cardboard and glued colorful paper (from Korea, where we were living) to the discs. I used a sewing needle to put the ties through.

    Here’s a link to see the picture:
    http://seoulomon.blogspot.com/2011/04/two-more-art-projects-for-baby.html

    I redid it using clear fishing line when we moved. The downside is that you can’t really play with this mobile.

    Have fun!
    -Victoria

    Reply

  34. Whitney says

    I love, love, love the Narwhal! I have actually been fascinated with them lately, so I might have to steal your project idea:) Just wanted to also say that I love your blog; it has now become part of my ritual in the morning. I get to work, pour myself some green juice and then settle in at my desk and check out your blog. After I am done reading it- I get right down to my work:) I draw so much inspiration from you guys and what you post and do. My husband and I are DIYer’s, and it is so nice to see another couple around our age, who are so creative and inventive and who are so successful with it! I always look forward to all of your posts and projects:)

    Thanks,
    Whitney

    Reply

  36. Anna // Gone Banannas says

    This is such an adorable room! I think I’ve said this before but I so idolize your color balance talent! Even though the room is filled with a bunch of non-matchy matchy items, the room flows so well :) I can’t wait to see what mobile you end up making. I happen to thoroughly enjoy the photoshopped creation!

    Reply

  37. Rose says

    Love the room so far! Did you memtion possibly painting the crib? I think the white looks too bright or clashy next to the built-ins but I love it so I was just wondering ….no negative criticism here!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Rose! I think once we have more stuff in the room (art, curtains, a piece of furniture on the wall across from the crib) the white crib will hopefully make a lot more sense. The rest of the trim/baseboard/crown around the room is white too, so these shots aren’t as balanced as they will be once the rest of the room is addressed and the camera isn’t super angled at just one wall :)

      xo
      s

  39. Karen says

    Now I’m all fascinated by Warwhals. Interesting tidbit:

    “The narwhal males are the ones distinguished by a long, straight, helical tusk, actually an elongated upper left canine.”

    Reply

  40. Rose says

    Sorry I kept getting a server error with my comment submission but thanks for replying. I can’t wait to see the outcome.

    Reply

  42. Erin says

    Totally cute! Sherry, I would love to see a post on how you’re preparing for your postpartum recovery. After I had my last baby, I way over-did it because I felt great, but I paid for it a few weeks later. This time (due in June) I’m planning on taking it super easy for a month, but I know I’m not thinking of everything! Since you’re preparing for a c-section, I know you’ve definitely got some good plans for your recovery.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh man, I guess I need to think about that, huh?! It took me about 3 weeks to really be up for long walks again, so I think I have just thought about how I’ll lay low for a few weeks and try to get off pain meds as soon as possible (they made me feel fuzzy and almost worse than without them). I remember a lot of nursing and sleeping too, so we hope to have some posts planned beforehand to share so the blog doesn’t grind to a halt :)

      xo
      s

  43. Sandi says

    our baby girl needs more art work on her wall, so I’ve printed lyrics to one of her bedtime songs (My Bonnie lies over the ocean… her name is Bonnie :) ) and painted a photo matte to make it pop more. Her room colors are yellow, turquoise and pink with cream walls.

    Reply

  44. Cher says

    The adorableness of this entire post has me in a giant pile of “awwww”ing mush. I love that Clara is so invested in creating a home for her baby brother- it speaks volumes about the two of you as parents. You guys are doing this parenting thing right!! Also- If you’re looking for a large branch, West Elm has a bunch of stuff on MAJOR sale right now- I snagged a $60 vase for $7. (no, that’s not a typo. $7.) But for non-sale stuff, this is made to already stick to the wall- might hang from the ceiling easily, too! http://www.westelm.com/products/manzanita-wall-jewelry-branch-d2038/

    Reply

  45. Anna says

    It looks fantastic!

    I just have one very random question: How do you get Sophie the Giraffe to stand upright? I’ve tried to display it standing up on my shelf but it keeps falling down! It doesn’t look like yours is leaning on anything, do you have any tricks up your sleeve for making her stand up?

    Reply

    • Anna says

      Ooh, that explains it – I didn’t see that she was leaning on the back well. Makes sense now!

      I have very deep shelves but still want to have her on display, so I’ve tried to make her just stand up but of course that just isn’t possible.

      I’ll have to find something nice for her to lean on – she’s so pretty to look at so I want to keep her front and centre. She reminds me of working in a baby boutique! So even though I don’t have children I have her for decor!!

      Thanks for your help!

  46. Jennifer says

    Love the pops of color and so happy for you all! Did you just purchase boxes at Target? Would love to know the source if available. Would look perfect in our soon to be playroom! Thanks!

    Reply

  47. Amanda @ All Day Activewear says

    I’m seriously in love! Such great styling on the bookshelves (as always!!) All the details are absolutely perfect. I’m going to look for one of those three-toned trees — adorable! And I couldn’t help but notice the Snuggle Puppy book….a favorite in our house (we are singing the song that goes with it ALL the time!) Great job, guys!!

    Reply

  48. Sandra says

    When I first saw your photoshop of the bookcases (before you bought and built) I thought “ehh..whaat…noo…really? Ugh…” BUT boy was I wrong! Love how it’s all comming together! Well done! :)

    Reply

  49. Meg says

    I love how this room is shaping up. Your DIY mobile is going to be so cool. You should totally add a boat on top of the branch and hang blue and green shapes with some sea creature mixed in.

    Reply

  50. Becca says

    All those green accents are just TOO cute! :o) That little barnacle is going to be so loved.

    Just curious about your choice of chair (LOVE it, btw) – I’m helping my pregnant twin sis plan her nursery and she’s trying to pick out a rocking chair. I noticed in both of your nurseries you never used a rocker – I’ve also read that some babies become almost “dependent” on the rocking to fall asleep. Just curious if that was your thinking or just a coincidence?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I read that too! It wasn’t the only factor in our decision (we just found a chair we liked for Clara’s room, as well as having this comfy armchair on hand already that we thought would work well for the bun) but I figure it can’t hurt! Clara has been an awesome sleeper, so I’m hoping to do everything the same (sound machine, black out curtains, etc) so not having a rocker this time sticks to that “same” formula. Who knows how it’ll go since every kid is different though…

      xo
      s

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *