Vintage Modern DIY Nursery

by Lara Hernandez
(Austin, TX, USA)

I started the nursery with painting color swatches.  I had a feel, an impression I wanted to convey.  My goal was for the nursery to feel cheerful, playful, and unique.  I wanted my son to feel that his mom put her heart and soul into making his room as artistic, inspirational, and cozy as possible.  

I knew early on that I wanted to make several things in the room and give it a hand-made feel.  

I strived to mix modern and vintage elements. I loosely tied in a forest animal theme, however, it was important to me not to be constricted by the theme or make it match too much.

Another thing I should mention is that this room was created on a budget and whenever possible I reused and recycled items I already had.


What brand and color of paint did you use?

Sherwin Williams Breaktime


]If you added stripes, polka dots or other paint effects, tell us how you did it.]

I painted the birch tree mural on one wall and made fabric wall decals of birds and an owl.

These were inspired from images I saw online. 


What brand of crib did you buy? Where from?

Monza II crib from Amazon.com.


What brand of nursery furniture did you choose? Where did you buy it?

I bought the changing table on Craigslist and my husband spray painted it white.  We re-used a brown dresser in the room.


What nursery bedding set did you use? Where did you buy it?

The acorn fitted sheet was bought on Etsy and I made the yellow crib skirt.  


Tell us about your window treatments, nursery lighting, rugs, wall decor and accessories. Where did you buy them - were any handmade?

The rug was purchased from Urban Outfitters.  

I found a pattern for the birds on the bird mobile online and made the birds and used branches from my yard. My husband helped me

balance the mobile.

The orange display shelf was made by my husband, re-using wood we had.

I felted the owl on the shelf.

I purchased the vintage items on the shelf including the books, deer, and old bottle.

The clouds above the shelf were made out of paper mache and painted with gouache. I hung them with some old nails and fun red and white striped bakers twine.

I had painted the gouache sunflower painting just a few months ago and decided to hang it in the nursery.


How did you store all your baby goodies? In baskets, on shelves?

I bought grey fabric bins for the changing table on Amazon.com. In the closet I re-used hanging shoe holders to store extra clothes and shoes. I re-used some white Ikea wall bins for toys.


How long did it take you? Was it easy, fun, difficult? What was your favorite part?

It took about 6 months or so. I loved the process! My favorite parts were all the things I learned to make-embroidered animals, felted owl, bird mobile. They were relaxing projects I could do at the end of the day to unwind.


Did you do the entire nursery on your own or did someone help you? Who? What did they do?

My husband helped me with the placement of the birch tree mural, and with balancing the bird mobile. He also made the orange wall shelf that I designed. He spray painted the changing table.


What do you love most about your little one's finished baby room?

I love how it feels when you walk in! It's so inviting and creative and I know my son is going to like it. I feel so happy that I was able to make so many design elements, which makes it feel so personal and unique.

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TIP: If painting or making your own tree seems a bit daunting, try an easy stick, removable tree wall decal. There are lots of beautiful ones available and they really brighten up the room!

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