Gender Neutral Rustic Nursery

by Melissa Mangold
(Brooklyn, NY USA)

My baby nursery was inspired by the Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic, blue rose curtains I've had in my storage bin since 2002! I thought they would make a great gender neutral addition to the nursery being both blue and floral. I had to do this as inexpensively as possible. I recently quit my job as a visual merchandiser and I'm saving every penny for baby's arrival, 5 weeks to go!


What brand and color of paint did you use?
Benjamin Moore color sundance 2022-50


What brand of crib did you buy? Where from?
I really wanted to stay away from wood so I found this great crib at Target by Davinci, Kalani crib in Ebony.


What brand of furniture did you choose? Where did you buy it?
The dresser and table on top are old pieces given to me by a friend's grandmother many years ago. I painted it black and white and changed the knobs to create an antiqued paint finish on the recycled furniture.

The changing table was a gift from my mother in law, also a piece from Target in ebony.

I was searching everywhere for a nice rocking chair that didn't look like your typical glider. Most of the ones I adored were upwards of $600. That being completely unaffordable I searched and searched until I found this Dorel brand rocker at Wal Mart. There is even a choice of slipcover color and matching ottoman. Total cost was $300 including shipping and it was easy to assemble and looks great.


What bedding set did you use? Where did you buy it?
The Shabby Chic curtains I've had for many years were taken out of storage and used as the window treatments. I recycled the extra curtain panels to make the crib sheets. Next I added the Red Gingham crib skirt and bumper by Tadpoles for contrast and added color/pattern. It was very inexpensive for both pieces and making the crib sheet kept the cost down, under $90.00 total for the bedding.


Tell us about your window treatments, lighting, rugs, wall decor and accessories. Where did you buy them - were any handmade?
For the lighting I wanted to do something that could function not only as a light source but also a mobile. I hit up Pearl River Market on Canal St in NYC for some paper lanterns. Their assortment is vast and inexpensive. I chose various sizes and colors for added effect. Mixing in blues and reds made the initial base of yellow and white pop.

A star shape was also added for that extra element of fun.

I used

tree branches I collected from my parents back yard in NJ to accent the photos I framed and hung on the wall. I used photos I had taken in Asia, Europe and a photo of mom and dad so baby would know we were always watching over their slumber!

The embroidery hoops I made with vintage fabric I found at a tiny fabric store here in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. I used some of the extra gingham fabric to cover an old chair I found in the basement of my first home.

The wooden letters I ordered unfinished from a seller on Etsy. I hand painted them in two colors then lightly sanded for an antiqued effect.

The rug is from Urban Outfitters which is neutral and pretty. I wanted something that could easily blend into the room as well as tie it together.


How did you store all your baby goodies? In baskets, on shelves?
I stacked the dresser with the old night stand to create a book shelf section for the many books we received at our library themed baby shower.
Living in Brooklyn we are hard pressed for space so I had to store toys in the drawers of the changing table as well as in rolling storage tubs snuck under the crib.


How long did it take you? Was it easy, fun, difficult? What was your favorite part?
It took me about a month to just come up with a concept. Not knowing the sex made it difficult to pick a color scheme. My partner hating green also added to the stress of a gender neutral nursery. Once I saw the Shabby Chic curtains in my parents attic everything easily feel into place after.

Painting was fun and tedious, especially the furniture but I had nothing else on my plate so it kept my busy! I spent another month or so finalizing all the details and hand making all the decor.


Did you do the entire nursery on your own or did someone help you? Who? What did they do?
I did the entire nursery on my own. My partner helped me move the furniture around a bit when I was bored and felt the need to rearrange for no reason! I get bored in the house all day, what can I say.


What do you love most about your little one's finished room?
I love the sticks accenting the framed photos. They bring an element of the outdoors and my childhood into the room. I collected them from the yard where I grew up climbing trees, playing and exploring with my friends.

---