Real Nursery: Pink and Grey Vintage Bird Sanctuary

Camilla has always loved everything vintage. When she knew she was expecting a girl, she knew she wanted a feminine nursery, but ” without being really ‘baby girl’ so that the room could grow up with her.” Before it was a fantastic pink and grey vintage palace, it was a plain white guest bedroom. After going through a bit of change in design taste, I knew I wanted the nursery to be gray. “When we first started designing the nursery I didn’t know what we were having,” Camilla said. She created a fake wall molding and batten, before finding out the bun in the oven was a girl. The walls were painted Pearl Gray in Satin by Walmart Colorplace.

“I also knew I wanted a toile crib set, because it’s my favorite pattern. Once I found the crib set I wanted, I started patterning everything off of it and matching the rest of the fabrics to it. The theme of the nursery is birds. Originally I wanted a little more vintage feel, but it ended up coming out really delicate and clean, which I also love.”

“The design trend this year is a lot of shabby chic and nature-esc pieces. I found that a lot of bird silhouettes or vintage bird paintings were being used and I loved it. I hadn’t specifically seen it done in a nursery, so I was excited to try. I thought they were perfect in it being super feminine as well, and worked great with the pastel colors.” This vintage labor of love room was done completely by Camilla. “I love art and design, so although I have never gone to school for interior design, I find myself redecorating my house all the time.”

Because we were on a budget, Camilla had to get creative with her shopping. The major pieces in the room are the Lauren Graco Crib purchased from Walmart.com, the glider and ottoman that I purchased from ksl.com  and then recovered, the changing table which was actually an old dresser from college, and the nightstand table that I found on the side of the road and refinished. Pretty much everything. The only things that are exactly how they were when I first saw them are the crib and crib set.”

Creating DIY elements for your nursery is not only economical but you will be so proud of all your hard work. And people will be amazed at what you did. DIY elements in this vintage bird nursery are everywhere you look. Camilla hand-made the mobile from coordinating fabrics and “it makes me pretty happy. The bird house I painted and modpodged the top with the same paper as the letters and paint as the murals. The little booties are just cute ones I found, the little rosette purse a gift from her Grandma. The sleigh is her first ornament from Michaels, but I liked it so much I put it in here. The bird is my favorite ornament from growing up.”

Inspired by a lamp from Pottery Barn Kids, Camilla created this rosette nursery lamp shade herself. “I still love it every time I go into the nursery.”

The canvas’ with birds were from Walmart and then hand painted by Camilla. “I used a bird stencil I found online, but the branches are free hand. I made the numbers stencil also just from a font on the computer. Ribbon is from hobby lobby and I just hot glued it to the top corners to make a loop. After hanging I added the little bows over the top.”

Camilla’s favorite details of the nursery is the French canopy over the bed. The shelf is from when my mom redecorated my room for my 14th birthday. It’s built by my dad. It was repainted to match the nursery, but it’s sentimental. The curtains coming down make the nursery so sweet and it is the first thing you see when you walk in, so it makes a statement. Originally Camilla was going to put the shelf and French canopy over the changing table, but next door neighbor, designer Kristen Halligan, suggested placing it over the crib. “She’s a genius!”

The bassinet made it through all of Camilla’s siblings’ childhoods, including her own.

Don’t be intimidated when it comes to creating your baby’s nursery room, says Camilla. “It doesn’t have to cost a lot to be beautiful. Make it personal; you will love seeing things that were special to you or will be special to your little ones when you walk in. And make sure you love the space, because in reality your little one won’t really notice, but you will be spending the most time in there.

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