As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I started collecting little things for our baby’s nursery wherever I went. While in France over Christmas, we took a day trip to Paris, where Andrew and I found the sweetest vintage Babar prints in a little art stand by the Seine. We had so much fun sifting through them all and choosing a mix to frame for our baby’s room — Babar’s adventures that we hoped would be a prelude to all the adventures we’d take our baby on: from playing tennis and catching butterflies to visiting the Blue Grotto in Capri. I had them framed with Framebridge.

Links: crib is discontinued (VERY similar linked here), crib sheet, crib bumper, crib skirt, toile blanket, teddy bear, giraffe, rug

While in Palm Beach on a weekend trip with my girlfriends to celebrate the baby on the way, I found a pair of antique sconces at The Church Mouse (a fabulous second-hand shop) that I couldn’t pass up. From the bow details to the blue polka dotted shades, they were too perfect (and a steal at $20 each!) I hoped I would someday have a room to install them. 

Links: dresser/changing table, changing pad, changing cover, organizing baskets, giraffe (John Derian), piggy bank

Links: Blue cashmere set (cotton option), grey cashmere set, cream cashmere set, (white cotton option), blue cardigan

During my pregnancy, we were living in a one-bedroom apartment in New York City without much space to “nest” or decorate for baby. But when we made the decision late in my pregnancy to move to Connecticut to be closer to my parents after baby’s arrival, I was so excited to have a (small) room to decorate just for him — a place for the sconces and Babar prints! During the last few weeks before he came, I poured all of my spare time and energy into preparing this little space, creating a haven where we would bring him home and spend our first moments together and many moments thereafter.

Links: giant teddy bear is old (Steiff), basket, teddy bear, piggy bank, Bonpoint blanket

Links: teddy bear, piggy bank, blanket

For the bigger pieces, we opted for this crib from Serena & Lily and purchased this rocking chair and changing table from Restoration Hardware, as well as a bookcase from Pottery Barn. This blue rug from Annie Selke added a softness to the room and a comfortable surface that I imagined he’d crawl all over as soon as he could (and oh, how he does!)

Links: crib, rocking chair, rug (no longer available in this exact color but similar linked), blue cashmere coverall

By the 37th week of my pregnancy, we had the main bits all set up, but it wasn’t until the wallpaper was installed that the room was brought to life. The Pierre Frey wallpaper (Ouistitis & Co. in “ciel”) was a gift from my mom that I will never forget. She used Pierre Frey fabrics exclusively throughout Le Mas des Poiriers, the home she restored in Provence, so we love and cherish the brand dearly. The pattern is a classic French toile with the most delightful details of sweet little bears, rabbits, monkeys and birds that add a touch of whimsy. I love it for its mix of sophistication and playfulness.

My mom surprised me by having the wallpaper installed while we were in the hospital after Peter was born. I sobbed tears of joy when I walked into the room with Peter in my arms for the first time (postpartum emotions surely played a part in this, but it was still the most joyful moment!). Everything felt too good to be true. The little room has an aura of peace and sweetness that makes me want to spend every moment I can in there rocking my baby.

Links: basket, baby cashmere knit coverall

We stuck to a pretty monochromatic color palate, as everything ended up being in various shades of blue, save from a few accents here and there. But I love to think how it could look someday with added pink details to welcome a baby girl.

Links: crib, crib sheet, crib bumper, crib skirt, toile blanket

We accessorized with my all-time favorite Bunny Williams nesting baskets, a basket from Serena and Lily that we use as a laundry hamper, an oversized white felt elephant and giraffe, and toile blanket and teddy bear from De Buci Baby.

Link: baskets

Before and after:

In addition to the wallpaper and rug, the light fixture made a huge difference in upgrading the room. I love the scallop detail and affordable price point of this flushmount from Pottery Barn (on sale for $103!). We ended up putting the same one in our bedroom as well.

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