At two weeks from my due date we’re checking off a few more lingering nursery updates, like painting the closet door a bright happy color, organizing the clutter within…
… making/hanging some more art, and changing our minds in the curtain arena (you know we love a good final-hour switcheroo).
The green closet door was heavily influenced by Clara, who kept saying “my baby will like a colored door like mine but not pink” – and since a bold green door was originally in our plan back in January (which we mentioned to Clara, hence her obsession) we decided to stop hemming and hawing and just go for it.
After hanging our apple-green curtains and adding a kelly green sheet to the changing table, we worried a bright door between them would be too much. But the realization that we already had some breezy Ikea curtains from our last house meant we had nothing to lose by tossing those up to see how they looked (they used to hang on the deck sliders, but came down when we got french doors).
Although I couldn’t recoup the time I spent making the colorful curtains, they were under $10 a pop, so it seemed silly to stay married to them at the expense of losing something else we had all looked forward to in the room. And I pulled off the faux-changing-pad-cover (just a fabric remnant I tossed on to picture what a green cover might look like) when we decided a bright closet door was too hard to resist.
We still think the curtains need something (I want to line them in blackout fabric, and maybe trim them on all sides with black or brown ribbon – maybe green? Not sure) but we’re getting closer I think. And of course we still need to get a real changing pad cover, so that’s on the list.
As for picking a green door color, we relied on our usual method of taping up contender swatches to see which one we liked best in a bunch of different lighting scenarios (early morning, afternoon, late at night with the light on, etc). The winner was Irish Moss by Benjamin Moore. Not too dark, not too light, not too neon, and not too yellow or blue.
I only needed a quart to get it done (I went with semi-gloss), even though it took three coats to get a nice shiny finish with good coverage. Bold colors like this tend to look horrific for the first coat or two and then magically shape up at the end. Tinted primer probably could have saved me one coat (in exchange for one coat of that) but I didn’t have it on hand, so I just did three coats of paint instead. I applied the first one with a brush…
… but switched to a brush + small foam roller combo for the second two coats, just to knock things out a little faster. It’s the same method we used on Clara’s door (three coats of paint applied with a roller/brush combo) which has held up well for the last five months with heavy use so that’s nice to know.
As for actually getting the closet ready, that just meant organizing things (lining up shoes, putting a few empty baskets on that top shelf for future use, placing some extra toys in a bin on the floor, and transferring excess clutter to the hall closet). The hall closet is a more spacious double-doored closet, so things that we won’t use for a while like a bumbo and the play table can go in there. We’re sure the nursery closet will evolve into more sophisticated storage as the baby grows (might add some cubbies, a basket system, or a reading area on the floor depending on our needs as we go), but it’s nice to have a clean slate in there now.
We also had two nice wood frames that I wanted to hang on the curtain wall, so I was inspired by this no-longer-for-sale pear poster and just drew the shape in pencil on white foam core and used green & brown finger paint from Clara’s stash. I’m sure as the bun grows we’ll switch it out for a family picture or a subject/animal that he loves – but it’s sweet to have something there for now.
To make the lettered “Love You Forever” message below that, I took inspiration from this print from a no-longer-in-business Etsy shop, and used black construction paper and a pencil. I sketched out the letters roughly, cut them out, and laid them on another white piece of foam core. I tried to keep them all similar in height, but I didn’t get caught up in perfection, thanks to the charming irregularities in the inspiration print.
When I was done I showed John and he came up with the idea to add some color to the V’s, so I used decorative paper from my craft closet and a glue stick to attach them all to the foam core. We both love how it came out – and you can’t beat the price (free) or the amount of time it took (around fifteen minutes).
Since Clara has a print in her room that says “You Are So Loved” it feels nice to have a similar sentiment hanging in our son’s room. Sniffle.
Aren’t those wood frames nice with the stained top of the built-ins and the dark hardware on the drawers?
They also tie-in to the frames of the bike art and the changing table on the other side of the room, so there’s more balance going on.
Speaking of wooden things, we found this cute rocker at a local thrift store called Consignment Connection for $15. Clara is obsessed (even though it looks fragile it easily holds her weight) and thinks her brother is going to LOVE it. Can’t wait to see if she’s right.
Slowly but surely, this room is coming along – we even think we have a plan for the wall behind the crib after this post o’ brainstorming (thanks to everyone for their thoughts and ideas!). We might wait until the baby’s here to knock that out, but in the meantime everything from the toys on the built-ins to those elephants marching across the crib sheets and our new green closet door is making us more excited than ever to bring home this little man of ours.
Even though we’re not done in here, we worried we’d miss the chance to re-take our family picture before the bun is born (a tradition that we started with Clara), so here’s the one we took when we started on the room back in January…
… and here’s one that we snapped yesterday. Could I be more pregnant? I laughed and asked John if he inflated my bump in photoshop (or hid my legs). Turns out I just look like this and my belly really is that far out in front of me. #watermelonsmuggler
And just because I can’t resist a good waaaay back shot, here’s how the room looked before we moved in last summer.
Even though we still have a bunch of remaining to-do list items, it’s definitely feeling more like a baby-ready space.
So our to-do list officially looks like this:
- get a changing pad cover
- line the curtains with blackout liner and add some sort of black/brown/green trim detail?
- tweak the wall behind the crib with wallpaper, a stencil, slatted wood, or some sort of accent color (we have a plan… we think…)
- make a woodsy little cuckoo clock (since I made one for Clara, I’d like to make a charming little rustic one for the bun as well)
- add an overhead light on a dimmer since nothing’s there at all right now (wish we could check this off but we can’t agree on a light we both like)
- possibly add a softly colored ceiling someday? maybe sky blue to add another color to the mostly green/yellow/neutral/white palette?
- add sconces to wall between the built-ins in a few years (we’ve decided these will be more functional after the crib is swapped out for a twin bed, to be used as reading lights)
Is anyone else making art? Having a curtain change of heart? Or painting something a bold, saturated color? We never could have guessed we’d have a bold foyer door along with two in our kids rooms, but they’re proving to be somewhat addictive.
Psst- To read about all of the nursery updates from the beginning, here’s how we painted all the pink trim, laid new hardwood floors, got a rug, painted the walls and ceiling, added built-ins to each corner of the crib wall, tackled some baby bedding, hung some extra thick crown molding, filled up the built-ins, made some curtains, added a cabinet for open storage and diaper changes, and made a mobile for over the crib.
Psst- Wanna know where we got something in our house? Just click on this button:
Jessica says
We just found out on Monday that we’re having a little boy! This is our first! Excited to get our nursery going now that we know!
YoungHouseLove says
Congrats Jessica!
xo
s
Zuzanna says
Great work Guys!
Btw, in the Jan picture, it kind of looks like some giant creature is looking into the room through the window :O What are you keeping in your garden? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! That’s a Christmas wreath peeking through.
xo
s
Catie says
Oh, YAY, Barnacle bump! You look awesome for two weeks out, let that bump pop! :)
Love love love the green door. LOVE.
alexis says
MUCH better with the new curtains! Good choice :)
Mary says
I absolutely love this room and love how it has come together. Its definitely my favorite room of all time by you guys! Its just so cohesive and nothing seems out of place. Its perfect! Maybe I’m biased because I’m a sucker for wood tones thrown into a room :) Either way, I think the little barnacle head will love it.
Debbie says
Oh I am so glad those horrid curtains are gone!
Lexi M says
OMG! I don’t normally comment, but I felt like I HAD to once I saw the little rocking horse! We have the EXACT one!! It was mine when I was little! Unfortunately the wicker is a bit brittle and probably too delicate to hold much weight. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone with that rocker. I was born in 1982, so they are about 32 years old. :)
YoungHouseLove says
No way! That’s so sweet!
xo
s
Stefanie says
Linseed oil! Furniture like this can be maintained by giving it a quick dusting and a wipe down with linseed oil every couple of weeks. I have to do this with a couple of pieces that were left to me by my grandmother and they’ve held up beautifully even though they’re 50+ years old.
Warning..the cloth used to wipe the furniture down should be rinsed thoroughly after use. Linseed oil is completely safe on furniture. But when left to dry on fabric can actually heat up and catch on fire! Scary, I know..but really not a big deal as long as you’re not leaving throw away clothes in trash bins..etc.
Elle says
In the second picture I thought the green triangles were hearts. I’m going to keep pretending they are.
The door looks fantastic.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that would be cute.
xo
s
jeannette says
well done, guys. he’s a lucky little man.
the idea of brown trim around the curtains gives me the shivers. what a great idea. and it vibes not only with the wood but with the graphic pencilled kind of look of the rug.
Amy Baker says
What is white foam core you used for the DIY wall art?
YoungHouseLove says
You can grab that at any craft store (I keep it around for projects- in fact I used an old piece under the door when I painted it green :)
xo
s
Aurélie says
Oh it’s the best nursery I’ve seen!! I love the neutral colour with the pops of green <3 Definitely an inspiration!!
Constance says
This room could not be more adorable. Love absolutely everything about it!
Stefanie says
LOVE the curtain swap out. I’m positive that the green ones never really showed true to color in photos and that is why I never really loved them. I think you guys nailed it with the swap though. I even think leaving them “as is” would be fine.
This room really came together..now it’s just missing a baby! What an exciting time for you all.
In other news I’m sitting here with my Homearama tickets all printed out and ready to go and not so patiently waiting for the first weekend in May! Congratulations on all that you guys have already achieved this year (it’s only April!).
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Stefanie! We are over at the showhouse right now. Can’t wait to finish things up and enjoy the show :)
xo
s
Lydia says
Ah man, this room is so awesome. I am 21 weeks and in total decision paralysis for my baby’s room. Can you come to Iowa and decorate mine? Pleeeeeease? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Be right over ;)
xo
s
Mara says
SO.MUCH.BETTER. The lime green curtains seemed to take all the credit from the things that you guys put so much time and thought into. Replacing them with the lighter curtains really does tie everything together so nicely now. And the green door looks great too!
Rachel says
Guys I figured it out for you. You don’t need to do anything on the crib wall. Just stain the crib to match the built-ins & cubbies and that will look great! I’m sure you guys have all the time in the world for this :)
LOVE the green door! Everything looks great!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that sounds sweet!
xo
s
Kerry says
Lovely!
I just love your curtain edit. I say — keep ’em — and don’t do a thing to ’em! There was getting to be a lot of color in the room and I much prefer the big pop on the closet.
Countdown to Barnacle … :)
Jennifer R. says
I love how the room is shaping up, and completely agree with going another direction with the curtains.
I think a light turquoise/very light blue detail on the curtains would look great and bring in another color.
Such a sweet room!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s fun too!
xo
s
Jennifer says
I am so happy that you switched out the curtains! Now the room looks amazing!
liz says
Your belly is darling!!!!
Love love love the green door! I can’t wait till we find our a house (we’re looking, but becoming expert house shoppers at this point)… my little guys will share a room, and I’m collecting great ideas like this!
Amy K. says
I love it!! Makes me what to decorate a nursery! Too bad my kids are 17,15, and 11.
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Love the pop of color from the door! I like the Kelly Green more than the apple color of the old curtains. It’s actually my favorite color ;)
kimberly says
Love it! Do you ever have any issues with the door sticking after painting? Or the door not closing properly after adding the extra layers of paint?
YoungHouseLove says
We had some sticking on the front door but not closet ones (I think they’re looser fitting). If it sticks I’d try baby powder first and if that doesn’t work I’d sand it down a good amount (so paint doesn’t bulk it up again) and touch it up with paint.
xo
s
MaKaela says
The room is looking wonderful! Love the green choice! You look wonderful as well, oh how ready your back must be for the babe-o to arrive! Good Luck!
Blakely says
What if you lined the curtains in a color and maybe added a border around the front too. Would that be weird?
Also, Petersiks, your family is adorable and I wish you a wonderful and smooth April!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a fun idea too!
xo
s
Barbara says
Sorry, but that would look terrible from the outside – a big green block of color from the street.
Natalie Stachon says
The nursery is absolutely incredible!! The green door is amazing and I’m obsessing over all the stained wood pieces.
I can see now why it pays off so well to get gender-neutral toys and accents with the first baby. It’s cool to see a lot of Clara’s things in the baby’s room. It really proves the point that you can create a brand-new room/look by first shopping your own house. You all have definitely taught me that decorating doesn’t have to break the bank!
ES says
It looks great! I feel like the room breathed a sigh of relief when the green curtains came down (that green-yellow color is so tricky). It looks SO much more cohesive and calming now, and you can really see all the elements and personal touches without the curtains grabbing all the attention. And the green door is so cute. Best of luck in the next few weeks!
Bethany says
If you’re looking for blanket storage, my husband and I installed towel hanging rods on the back of our closet door to hold a bunch of our son’s blankets. I’m not sure you’d want to ruin your beautiful door, but maybe adding them to a wall in the closet would be a good storage solution?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a cute idea!
xo
s
Laura says
I freakin love this room! I think this is my favorite room you have ever done. You guys are so talented at bringing a space together and making everything cohesive…I am so envious that I can’t do that! It kind of makes me wish I was having a baby so I could copy this look haha. Prayers and best wishes as you reach the end of your pregnancy….can’t wait to meet the newest Petersik!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Laura! You’re so sweet.
xo
s
Lauren (in PA) says
Love the green door!
And I can not tell a lie…I didn’t really care for the bright green curtains…for me they were too bright in a room that should be soothing and restful. So yahoo for the change!
I could curl up with those marching elephants and take a nap!
Looking forward to seeing what the Barnacle thinks of it all!
Rachel @ www.thesunnydispositionhome.blogspot.com says
Ahhh, now I’m absolutely loving it!!! I wished so bad for the door to be green, and well I don’t know why bc it’s your nursery. I guess having two kids I know things have to be fair all the way down to the little details. LOVE-LOVE IT!!:)
Amanda Bolan says
I love getting a child’s room almost finished and then allowing them to arrive. My first daughter I had her room “perfect” and it changed so much after I met her. With the second, I got all the bones in place and have allowed her to help me mold it as she grows (she’s 6 months). For example, the wall above her changer was empty and she loves “stealing” things, so we hung some thin floating shelves (anchored of course) and put some things on them that we were okay with her having/touching and it’s gotten us through lots of diaper changes!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so sweet!
xo
s
Stefani says
Hate that you lost those super sweet curtains but I must say the green door was a great choice! Pale blue ceiling would rock the house.
Heather says
I can’t get over how cute this nursery is. I love the built-ins and the colors. The green on the closet door was a great idea, but I agree with PP that you could still get away with a green changing pad as well. I love the idea of adding a touch of brown trim to the curtains, though.
Barbara says
Oh, thank GOODNESS, you took down those awful chartreuse curtains! It looks so, so-o-o much better. Congrats on the correction!
Tina says
Green paint is the absolute WORST to paint with. I have a bedroom and a small wall painted green and both took at least three coats. I’d bet it’s as hard or harder than red. I love the end result though.
The door looks great.
Mary Sabrina says
Love it! I really like the decision to switch out the curtains. Have you considered doing a bamboo blind to block out the light instead of lining the curtains? I’m pretty sure you can find a fix to keep the cord out of your son’s reach.
YoungHouseLove says
We have white faux wood blinds on all the windows upstairs already so to keep them cohesive from the front I think we are nervous about a woven shade on just one window on the front of the house.
xo
s
Valerie W. says
You have converted me to a bold door lover!–I’m so glad Clara kept pushing for it. ;) I like the idea of adding some green to those curtains—I think a wide green stripe about 1/3 from the top would be nice and modern. I love your homemade art and have been on a homemade art kick myself making silhouettes of our pups and an outline of our home state IA with a lil’heart on our home city (we’re VA residents now!) but I’m short on frames. I love your small wood frames, can you please share where you found them?
YoungHouseLove says
Those were gifts but I think something similar could be found at Michaels or Target.
xo
s
Lauren N says
What about using the apple green curtains to make a changing pad cover?
YoungHouseLove says
Didn’t even think of that! Will have to see how it looks!
xo
s
Amy J. says
That’s what I was thinking!
leslie says
I love the door! I think the room looks SO MUCH BETTER with that and the white curtains :) yay baby!!!
Rebecca | the lil house that could says
I love the changes you made, they really made everything come together! Sometimes you have to live with something for a while before you can truly step back and say ehh, not loving all of those things together. It stinks losing that time and money, but I doubt most people get a room right on the first try!
Best of luck to you all in the next few weeks, I can’t wait to hear that the little guy is here!
Leah says
Good call on changing out the curtains; the door looks fantastic! I think you should leave the ceiling white…adding another color would detract from the strong cohesive color palette you’ve got going on. It looks great as is! Good luck getting through these last few weeks—that was the hardest part for me!
HeatherB says
You guys continually amaze me. It looks wonderful! And I must confess I was disappointed with the first curtains…not that they looked bad, but over the loss of the green door which I loved from the moment you mentioned it. So glad you changed back…it’s fabulous! Perhaps the curtains will tie in with the guest room decor? I loved how vibrant and fun your old guest room was; maybe these can be a starting point.
Praying for a safe delivery of the Barnacle. Can’t wait to see him!
Casey says
This looks amazing! Let me know if you need any hand painted artwork for behind the bed! I make custom art for nurseries! I love all of the work that y’all do. http://www.kidspiredcreations.com
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet!
xo
s
decoratica says
I loooove it as is. It’s so calm but funky at the same time. Love how the green pops now and I guess you’ll get hundreds of coments on how this switch is amazing :-)
Anh says
I was heartbroken to see that you took out the green curtains, but then I saw the green door, and all is well again. You guys have done wonders in this room. Thanks so much for sharing!
Susan says
Love the nursery! I’m in Richmond as well (in fact I work in contracting :>) – but also have one of the amazing Silhouette Cameo machines that cut vinyl. I’m happy to work with you on a great piece of vinyl artwork for the wall behind the crib. It’s removable/re-positionable so easy to change in the future without having to repaint!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a sweet offer. Thanks for the thought Susan!
xo
s
Desiree says
I think a DIY ruler growth chart stained Walnut would look great between the window and the closet door. The barnacle and Clara would get use out of it for years to come.
Jessica says
I love everything about this nursery! What a wonderful space you’ve created! It’s funny, I just lined my own neutral curtains with black ribbon and I love the way they turned out. It’s not a huge change, but gives the room a little something extra!
http://heylittlemomma.blogspot.com/2014/04/super-simple-curtain-update.html
Lisa E says
Looks really nice Jessica!
Susan V says
Luv.. Looks so good