It’s unreal to me that our sweet girl will be here so soon! I feel like the months leading up to her arrival have flown by and now we wait! Poor Ruby is definitely a second child–I didn’t get started on her nursery until my third trimester. I had a few ideas in my head of what I wanted (brights + neutrals) and absolutely no motivation to make it happen! I think the most overwhelming part of working on the room was the removal of the wallpaper and border and repairing the sheetrock + texturizing the wall before painting. Ok, that and cleaning out all of the junk that lived in there! I can’t help but smile and feel a little surge of pride when I walk in her room now. You’ll understand why when you see the mortifying before picture!! I’ll try to post source info for everything in the room but many of the items were things that I made or previously owned and upcycled. I’m still not done with the room and would love to take better pictures when I get around to finishing (is there such a thing?) but my time with Mom’s camera was limited so night time flash pictures are all I have. Of course, I received the changing pad cover after I snapped these pictures and returned the camera to my mom so a few are taken with my phone. I can’t wait until Miss Ruby Kate is here and I hope she loves growing up in this room that I had so much fun creating!
BEFORE {cringe! makeup, craft supplies, leftover Christmas decor..this room was a catch-all!}
crib: Ikea // crib sheet: Candy Kirby Designs // tassel garland: Studio Mucci // orange swaddle blanket: Stitched Baby // mermaid doll: Sophie and Lili // flamingo: “vintage” Beanie Baby // paint color: Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray // rug: Homegoods // dresser color: Sherwin Williams Zany Pink
dresser: Craigslist upcycle // rocking chair: already had // sun pillow: Ikea // orange quatrefoil blanket: Tuesday Morning // pink color block pillow: already had // acrylic book shelves: Clear Solutions Displays // curtains: Target // curtain rod: DIY
lime green framed art: DIY // round cork: Michaels // print on cork: Pen + Paint // oval frame: Michaels // yarn tassel: DIY // zebra plaque: DIY // white frame: Walmart // all framed art prints: Me & My Big Ideas via Hobby Lobby // lamp: already owned // lamp shade: Walmart // never grow up banner: DIY // changing pad cover: Little Woolf
Other special details:
The hardware on the dresser/changing table was handmade by yours truly out of copper following a tutorial from Upcycled Treasures. I discovered the copper + pink color combo about a year ago and fell in love. I struggled with finding hardware to fit the holes previously drilled in the drawers and happily stumbled across the DIY copper drawer pull tutorial on Pinterest. I couldn’t be happier with the results and love the dash of modern that the hardware adds to the traditional style dresser.
The hand painted sign contains lyrics from the song “Ruby Baby”. Have a listen here. The song has a lot of sentimental value to me because after we chose our daughter’s name, my aunt told me that my grandfather used to sing it. I never had a chance to meet him–he passed away before I was born, but I’ve always felt a special connection to him. Hearing the song and imagining him singing it when my dad and aunt were younger felt like confirmation that Ruby was the perfect name for our girl. The name Kate was chosen in memory of my late aunt, Debie Kate. I love that Ruby Kate’s name holds so much meaning–at least to my super sentimental heart!
Just for grins, I’ll post a before picture of the lime green frame art and the dresser. They both endured quite a makeover!
found at a thrift store and painted right over it
this is the picture from the Craigslist ad
I’m proud to say that most of the room projects were completed by me. Special thanks to my sweet, handyman step dad for all of the help and for letting me borrow (and teaching me to use) his tools! There’s something so gratifying about getting your hands dirty and making things happen–maybe even more so at 30+ weeks pregnant! Working on this room gave me the confidence to just “go for it.” I’m usually one to make safe decisions when it comes to design. I’m always a little bit terrified to do something funky or different for fear that it might not look good. I’ve learned a lot about just doing what you love and not worrying about matching or making sense. In fact, I’ve already changed several things around since I took these pictures and I’m sure it won’t be the last time! I’m so happy to be mostly done with the nursery and I’ll be propping my feet up until Ruby Kate arrives!
porch + pine 