Birdy Baby Nursery

by Lindsi Hanchey
(Dallas, TX)

Before we even knew we were having a girl I saw the bird prints in a Pier 1 mailer and went out the next day to get them. (I saved my receipt just in case!) I have tried to steer clear of any sort of "themed" nursery, but went for a design and color that made me smile as soon as I opened the door.


What brand and color of paint did you use?
The wallpaper is from Bed Bath and Beyond.


If you added stripes, polka dots or other paint effects, tell us how you did it.
The wallpaper was easy to apply! Just add water!


What brand of crib did you buy? Where from?
The Jenny Lind crib is originally from Land of Nod, but we found it on Craigslist for $120...half the price and in great shape!


What brand of furniture did you choose? Where did you buy it?
During one of our MANY (ha ha) snow days in Dallas this winter I tackled the wallpaper (from Bed Bath and Beyond) and my husband and I combined our efforts and dove head first into our first refinishing project for the dresser we got on Craigslist for $50.

The slim pink dresser and hot pink bench are from Nadeau Furniture. The nursery glider was a floor sample that we bought for half price at Lonestar Baby. I had it recovered to match the room for $100.


What bedding set did you use? Where did you buy it?
Monique, of SEW FUN by MONIQUE on Etsy helped me design the crib set. It didn't take that much leg work on the front end since I pretty much love any sort of Amy Butler fabric.

We collaborated on the fabric selection and the style of the bedding and came up with the ruffled bed skirt which gives the the Birdy Baby nursery that extra "girly" flair.


Tell us about your window treatments, lighting, rugs, wall decor and accessories. Where did you buy them - were any handmade?
The curtains came from Delia's.com (who knew they had curtains?!) They came in and were just the wrong shade of purple, so I bought some dye and made it more of the dark colored purple. My step dad build the beautiful wooden valence that to me, just completes the room.

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to remove the brass ceiling fan from the room and replace it with a ceiling light fixture that not only made a statement but one that fit the design of the room (within our budget of course.)I combed the internet for ideas and found a bird cage theme light fixture at Urban Outfitters for $99.

I wasn't convinced that either the "look" or the "price" of the light fixture was right so I decided to use some ingenuity and make the light fixture myself. I made the bird coop light fixture myself for $50. I paid $40 for the paper lantern at IKEA and $10 for the birds, branches and chicken wire.

Here's a simple tutorial; I just ripped the paper right off the lantern and replaced it with the chicken wire. It was so easy (and cheap) to make and it's one of my favorite things in the baby's nursery!

The large art print of the girl came from IKEA and cost $50 and of course, she had to have a pair of her mama's point shoes somewhere in the room.

The "L" wall boasts pictures of both of our baby girl's grandmothers when they were little girls, a Bible verse her daddy picked out that I painted on a plaque and a lovely retro piece of Noah's Ark embroidery that a friend gave me as a special gift. I made the "L" using a cardboard letter from JoAnn Fabrics and moss.


How did you store all your baby goodies? In baskets, on shelves?
The room has a lot going on so I tried to put just books, pictures and lamps on the shelf. We will store other items in the closet and in the dresser drawers. Her stuffed animals will be stored in the hanging garden basket on the "L" wall.


How long did it take you? Was it easy, fun, difficult? What was your favorite part?
Designing the nursery has been a blast--I'm kind of sad it's complete now! I've moved on to other nesting projects now. My best advice to someone starting would be find something that inspires you, and build off of that. Let the whole room coordinate, but not match. Decorate the walls with meaningful items as much as possible.


Did you do the entire nursery on your own or did someone help you? Who? What did they do?
Other than the window valence, I made this project my baby from the get go! It has been SO much fun to see it come together!


What do you love most about your little one's finished room?
That it makes me smile when I open the door and walk in, and my little girl isn't even born yet. I can't imagine how it will feel when she is actually here!

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