Ahoy there, friends! With my college kids off on their new adventures, I’ve been diving back into design projects, and let me tell you it’s been an absolute joy to bring creative visions to life again. For those of you who are new here, I’m not a professional designer by trade. I don’t have a formal degree in interior design, but what started as a fun hobby, helping friends with their spaces, quickly evolved into a fulfilling side passion. Over time, friends of friends started reaching out, and before I knew it, I was working on all sorts of projects! Recently, I’ve had a few inquiries about my e-design services, and I’m thrilled to say that I’ll be bringing those back now that life has settled down a bit stay tuned for more details.
One of my most exciting current projects is for a very special little client my soon-to-arrive grand-nephew! Yes, you read that right I’m going to be a grand-aunt! My niece, who tied the knot last summer, is expecting a baby boy in November, and I have the absolute pleasure of designing his nursery. Naturally, I couldn’t wait to share some of my ideas with you!
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A Nautical-Inspired Nursery
My niece and her husband live on Cape Cod, so a navy & white nursery with a subtle nautical theme felt like the perfect fit. While I generally steer clear of overly themed spaces, I just couldn’t resist incorporating this charming watercolor WHALES print by Amy Hamilton as the inspiration piece for the entire room!
Could this be any cuter for a baby boy’s nursery? I don’t think so! With this lovely print as our anchor, here’s the initial nursery design concept I put together:
- Crib
- Changing Table Dresser
- Rocker
- Rug
- Whales Print
- Rope Mirror
- Book Ledges
- Whale Sound Machine
- White Rope Basket
- Driftwood & Sea Glass Wall Hanging
- Ivory Blanket
- Fitted Crib Sheet
- Changing Pad Cover
Navy Blue Accents & Timeless Furniture
This campaign-style crib and dresser in a rich marine blue immediately caught my eye! The sleek, modern lines paired with brass hardware create a sophisticated yet cozy feel. What I love most is that the crib converts to a toddler bed, making it a long-lasting investment. The dresser also has incredible longevity, transitioning easily as the child grows.
If they were expecting a little girl, I’d tweak the design slightly—perhaps adding a pop of hot pink, which looks absolutely stunning alongside navy. A few floral accents, like a pink rug or floral fitted sheet, could completely transform the space while keeping the overall aesthetic elegant and refined.
A Crisp White Option for Maximum Versatility
Ultimately, my niece and her husband are leaning toward a white furniture set, which I completely understand. The crib they love transitions from a crib to a toddler bed and then to a full-size headboard, ensuring years of usability. With that in mind, I adjusted the bedding and accents to create a white + navy nursery concept:
- White Crib
- White Changing Dresser
- Navy Blanket
- Navy Fitted Crib Sheet
- “Welcome Aboard” Swaddling Blanket
- Rocker
- Rug
- Whales Print
- Rope Mirror
- Book Ledges
- Whale Sound Machine
- White Rope Basket
- Driftwood & Sea Glass Wall Hanging
A Thoughtful Blend of Comfort & Functionality
One piece I could not resist? This adorable “Welcome Aboard” swaddling blanket. Just the name alone had me sold! I can already picture wrapping up this sweet baby boy in it. Cue the heart-melting moment.
Another must-have is a comfy upholstered rocker, a staple I always recommend to clients designing a nursery. This particular model is brilliant because once the nursery phase is over, you can swap the rocking legs for regular furniture legs, transforming it into a stylish accent chair for any space in the house. Talk about versatility!
High-Tech Comfort for Baby
Modern parenting has come a long way, and I’m absolutely fascinated by today’s nursery technology. This whale sound machine is a game-changer! It connects to Wi-Fi, allowing parents to control it remotely from their phone or laptop. It plays soothing sounds, lullabies, and even pre-recorded voice messages—so you can comfort your little one without stepping into the room.
(Of course, I can also see this backfiring—imagine your baby waking up, hearing Mom’s voice, and instantly realizing Wait, where’s my snuggle?! Cue instant protest! But hey, it’s worth a shot!)
Decor Details with a Personal Touch
For smaller nursery spaces, Book ledges are a fantastic solution for narrow walls. They add both function and style, allowing you to display favorite bedtime stories as part of the decor.
Speaking of bedtime stories, I included a sweet quote from Sandra Boynton’s Going To Bed Book in the design:
“The moon is high. The sea is deep. They rock and rock and rock to sleep.”
If you’ve ever read this book a hundred million times (as most parents have), you know how sentimental this line is! I’m considering using the wax paper graphic transfer to create a DIY pillow featuring this quote.
Final Thoughts
This nursery will likely evolve as my niece and her husband finalize their choices, but this navy & white nursery is such a fun starting point. I can’t wait to meet this little cutie and see how his space comes together!
Want to see more Shine Design Boards? Visit the Paint Color Crush archives here for more inspiration!
Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!
