Behind the Design: Finn's Nursery
I am so excited to share these photos of Finn’s nursery with all of you! With each of my babies, designing their nurseries has been a really special and important time for me, and with Finn, it was actually incredibly therapeutic. Because I spent months in the hospital while I was pregnant with Finn, coming up with design concepts for Finn’s nursery gave me hope, and I’ve been waiting to share my process with all of you for a long time.
When I found out I would be spending a good portion of my pregnancy with Finn confined to a hospital bed, I knew that I needed some major help to decorate Finn’s nursery. Also, because of the condition I had, placenta previa, I needed to decorate the nursery fast, because there was always a possibility that I would deliver extremely early. With all of this in mind, I knew exactly who to call on to help me– two of my besties Bill Horn & Scout Masterson, aka the Guncles. Not only do they have impeccable taste, but they also run a super successful baby and kids product PR firm called Marque Communications and know about all of the latest and greatest in nursery décor.
The Inspiration
In the early stages of my pregnancy I was shopping for antiques and found an adorable vintage giraffe figurine that I fell in love with. That was when I came up for the vision of Finn's nursery. It was as simple as that. One 2 inch porcelain animal figurine was what an entire room was built around. I decided I wanted to do a blend of vintage touches with modern regency. I love mixing old and new. Dean and I have always known since Stella was born that we would have another baby boy one day and we would name him Finn. Although we didn't find out the sex of the baby before he was born I committed whole heartedly to a baby boy giraffe inspired nursery for Finn. That very first vintage giraffe figurine I found also stayed on my bedside table in my hospital room for the 2 1/2 months I was there. It gave me hope.
As far as a color palette, I wanted Finn’s nursery to be bright and bold pop colors so I went with turquoise and orange. Then to add the vintage touch I added in a retro yellow.
From Hospital Room to Nursery
The idea of chic yet temporary wallpaper is genius! When I learned that I would potentially be spending my entire pregnancy in a hospital room, I wanted to decorate to make it feel like home and to give myself a DIY project. Nothing permanent can be on the hospital walls so the Guncles found Tempaper, which is temporary wallpaper that you peel and stick on the walls. We chose the design “Marrakesh Honey Jade”, and Dean hung it in my hospital room. Every single day that wallpaper made me happy. During the 2 ½ months I spent in a hospital room, that wallpaper was a bright spot for me during tough times. I knew it had to be a part of Finn's nursery as it had been such a huge part of our journey together. Plus I wanted him to finally get to see it and love it as much as I had.
The Crib & Changer
I'm obsessed with the crib and changer by ducduc. I had never seen anything like their designs. Their pieces exude style and glamour. And I knew the ‘Regency’ crib would be the perfect pinnacle of Finn's nursery, and the ‘Savannah’ changer helps to complete the look. ducduc custom finished both pieces for us and shipped them to us from the East Coast.
For the crib mattress and changing pad, we looked to Nook Sleep Systems. We ordered the “Pebble” mattress and got a matching, custom orange ChangPad for the changer. They’re gorgeous and modern, and so cozy for Finn. He loves them.
We also found the Ubbi Diaper Pail in the perfect color orange, which looks great with the changer and is another must-have for any nursery. They make great pop colors! Gone are the days of white diaper pails.
The Dresser
For Finn’s dresser, we knew exactly where to go – SPI Baby. I love their dressers. They are so chic, and the orange gives that amazing color pop in the room. Hattie actually has the pink version of the ‘Beckett’ dresser in her room.
I found the vintage giraffe lamps on the dresser online, and Bill & Scout added simple shades to complete them. The two side-by-side antique mirrors were found at a flea market and we got them from my store InvenTORI. The two knotted rope poufs (used in the picture below as an ottoman) are also available at InvenTORI.
The Rocking Chair
This yellow “Finn” rocking chair from Anthropologie was meant to be. I was in my hospital bed, looking online at Anthropologie, and noticed this chair. It fit the décor, was the perfect yellow for the nursery, and was named ‘Finn”. I knew it was a sign!
The Bookshelf
Finn's yellow bookshelf was an old chipped red $5 bookshelf I found at a yard sale. Liam and Stella and I sanded it and painted it yellow to match Finn's chair. The kids loved making something for the new baby's room. We actually have a video of the DIY process coming soon!
Next to the bookcase is the 4moms mamaRoo baby swing. The mamaRoo has been a constant in my babies’ lives. Hattie loved her and now Finn adores his. It’s so soothing for baby, and is an absolute must-have.
The Mobile
The macramé mobile with hanging salt dough (DIY recipe coming soon) giraffes was made with my crafty friend Chris who taught me how to macramé. We started it together and then he made the rest cause I was busy having a baby ;) I love making things for a room. It makes it so personal and I'm a huge believer that DIY= LOVE
The Details
If you ask me, the details make a space. See the 5 foot tall stuffed giraffe in the corner? That was Billy and Scouty’s gift to baby Finn on the day he was born. To find all of the vintage giraffe artwork and knickknacks that are throughout the nursery, I endlessly searched online at Etsy and eBay for the perfect pieces. For more giraffe pieces, we found the wooden giraffe push toy from Manny & Simon, and got the brown “Menagerie” giraffe bookends from Serena & Lily. The curtains and pillows were all custom-made with fabric that I found from Rikshaw Design. A matching giraffe blanket from Rikshaw hangs on the side of Finn’s crib. I got the large metal letter “F” that hangs on the wall next to Finn’s crib from Fab.com. To complete the room, I made the orange area rug from vintage placemats that I found at an estate sale and made into a rug.
All of the design details were so worth it when we saw the finished room come together. Finn’s nursery turned out exactly as we imagined it, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
I also took tons of detail pics of Finn’s nursery, which I wanted to share with you too:
My friend Chris and I want to bring macramé back! Not just for plant hangers as they did in the 70's but so cool as a mobile! And the giraffes were made from salt dough. All ingredients found in the pantry!
Little pillows made from Rikshaw fabric I found online.
Finn loves his crib so much! It's very cozy.
These were placemats I found at an estate sale that I turned into an area rug
The curtains I had made from Rikshaw fabric and then I added orange pom poms from a local craft store
This vintage painted glass giraffe is Finn's favorite thing in his nursery. When we change him he laughs and coos at it the entire time.
In a nursery I think a blend of baby and adult works really well. This floor lamp used to be in our living room and works perfect now in the nursery
This giraffe rocker was a gift to Finn from our beloved Patsy
A collection of vintage giraffe figurines and prints
Some amazing Etsy vintage finds
These are actually vintage salt and pepper shakers
I had each print framed in various wood frames mixing light and dark woods and metallics
This was the 1st giraffe figurine I found that was the inspiration for Finn's room. It also sat next to my bed when I was in the hospital.
More eclectic giraffe pieces and love these mid-century giraffe lamps I found online. We added simple and inexpensive shades to complete their look.
These herringbone Hermes shoes were Finn's first designer gift!
Thank you SO MUCH to Bill & Scout, and everyone else who helped us pull off this incredible nursery.
I hope you enjoyed the journey of Finn's nursery. I'm very proud of the room I created for my incredible little man. And make sure to come back to ediTORIal tomorrow to watch the first episodes of documenTORI, which will be all about designing and decorating Finn’s nursery.
What’s your favorite part of Finn’s nursery?
Love,
T
Professional Photography By: Michael Simon/Startraks
31 comments
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Love the bright orange diaper pail. We bought a bright yellow one 6 years ago for our daughter's room! -
oohh, for got to answer that question...my favourite part is a tie between the walls and that FABULOUS orange dresser!
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Just wanted to take a moment to say how much I love the Orange and Teal/Turquoise nursery. Such a refreshing change to see so many handmade details in there. I recently gave birth to my 3rd baby girl and her room is done in these same colours. I also used some of that orange and cream dot fabric like your giraffe. (that Amy Butler coton dot print is one of my all time fave fabrics..I'm a confessed fabric hoard, sewer and crafter). What a special and personal place for him. My 3rd baby's nursery is also very handmade. I wanted her to feel just as wanted and anticipated as the first 2 were. Congratulations and enjoy your family...the fact that you have 4 is inspiring me to give it one more go....(I'm 38 yrs old, so seeing you do it makes me think I can too).
-michelle :) -
you are so right that the small details make a room! love this! What do Stella and Liam think? Is Liam open to sharing rooms with Finn when he's older? -
I just saw a giraffe rocker on zulily and thought of this post -- only to come back and see someone had given one just like it as a gift. Love the DIY pieces! -
I love the giraffe theme. It is a such a beautiful animal. The nursery is Awesome and so are you guys. The colors are also amazing. The room looks so cozy. So glad all is well. Beautiful family you are. Love you guys. -
I love how everything comes together; the colors and all the great giraffe accesoiries; beautiful nursery! -
I love giraffes so I absolutely love his nursery, it's very unique. I love the walls and the collection of pictures and the chair and everything! I would love to see the other kids rooms as well. Thanks for sharing Tori.
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Wow, that nursery is awesome! I will be pinning it. It's a genius mix of contemporary and vintage. I love the colors you chose. My favorite parts are - the rocker, the dresser, the crib mattress (do you not do sheets with that kind?), and the mobile.
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I love the blue things the walls are beautiful. Blue is my favorite color. Thanks for sharing your life. Not many celebs share any at all with there fans. -
Ok...first, I must say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE your ediTORIal emails I get every day! I enjoy seeing all the pictures of you, Dean, and your beautiful children! I love the nursery! Although it's a little much for me, I really like it for you and Finn! I'm a much more traditional person, and don't really like big bold colors! My wife is definitly the DIY girl in the house, and most definitely the decorator! But, after 2 1/2 years of trying to get her pregnant (via IUI, as we are a same-sex couple), we are FINALLY pregnant! She's only 10 weeks, so we don't know what we're having yet (and we will be finding out!), but we've decided on classic Pooh, and even have a very talented artist friend who'll be painting the tree mural-style for us on the wall! It's all very exciting!
Anyhoo...I have to say, too, that I absolutely LOVED the "Ducky" story from Jayme Dowdy! I, too, am hoping for a boy because I'm better with boys! I'm a tomboy, and I honestly don't know what I'll do with a girl, although my wife seems to think it won't matter! Just to be myself, and raise her normally, and she'll be fine. Either way, we're just hoping for a happy and healthy baby!!
So glad you're doing better, and are home with your beautiful family!! Keep the ediTORIal's coming! -
I love it!! We have some orange accents in our home, I have teal walls in my living room and I love how it looks with our orange lamp and chair. I posted pics on my profile...orange is back!! -
Here's my Ducky Story: I was absolutely TERRIFIED to have a girl. I swore it wouldn't happen! My mother and I have such a volatile relationship, I was scared to have the same with a daughter. So I vowed to have ONLY BOYS! My first ultrasound picture I brought home to my DH, I said "Looks like a duck doesn't it?" He said, looks like a rabbit to me! Duck, rabbit, duck, rabbit. WHATEVER! It was forgotten after that. Then in month 4, there it was, my ultrasound...a child with no penis. OH DEAR GOD, I'M HAVING A GIRL! I cried (sobbed really) for the rest of the appointment and all the way home. My DH needed new boots for work so we had to go out shopping that evening, and though I really wasn't feeling it, I went with him. We had to walk by the baby section to get to shoes, and there it was, right in the front of the rack, a super cute & tiny 3 piece ducky outfit. My boyfriend picked it up, and said "Look babe, we can call her "Ducky" I got teary at the sound of "her" being said and I sneered at him and said "And why would we do that?" He said "Because in the first ultrasound you said she looked like a duck. And your favorite color is yellow, and we can get her ducky stuff instead of girly pink crap." My heart melted. He remembered, he does listen, he was trying to make me feel better, and in that moment I realized that he was going to have a daughter, a little girl that would have him wrapped so tight his hair would fall out! That having a daughter would be good for him. That he was going to have a Daddys Girl. AND that this was not just MY "girl" baby, but OUR daughter, OUR little girl and that I was being selfish and being the pregnant hormonal mess I was I sobbed again in the middle of the store and appologized that I "ruined" the ultrasound for him and I was sorry. And we literally bought every duck thing in the store and I went home smiling thinking of my baby girl. Suffice to say, we now have 100's of things that are "JUST DUCKY"!!! (and I must say, she looks beautiful in yellow!) -
I love the giraffe theme for Finn's room. I especially like the mobile you made from salt dough giraffes!
One year my sister and I made salt dough Christmas ornaments.Every one of mine came out looking pregnant ever though I had punctured the dough to let the air escape. Finally that last batch came out of the oven and my sister said, "Is there something you want to share with me?!
I was definitely not pregnant and neither were my angels, fairies,drums, ornaments or Santa! Yes! Even Santa looked like he was with child. Fun-ny! -
I have always loved your decorating style!!!!!!!!!!!the way you mix old and new, rough and smooth, rustic and glamourous. The guncles killed it! You really should consider your next big venture to be a home accessories line at Target perhaps? That would be FABULOUS! Great job and can not wait to see the rest of your home.
xoxo -
I LOVE it!! Gorgeous colors~ now I want to borrow those colors!!
The only thing that concerns me is the large F hanging near his crib. I'd worry that it'd fall no matter how it was put up. -
I love everything! What a beautiful nursery! My favorite things are the super comfy crib and changing mattress. Makes me want one too! Also just love the picture over his changing table. No wonder he looks up and coos! What an inspiration that came from one little figurine!
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I love the salt dough mobile! When I was little my brothers and I made Christmas tree ornaments just like that with star cookie cutters, we painted them and hung them up with ribbon (I actually still have one)! Super cute idea! -
Hi Tori and all !
Oh my god, I told you yesterday that I would love to witness and have all the details of you decorating a room !! and now i get to see it on documenTORI as well :))) i'm so happy thank you !
I love this nursery. Very unique and as you said, mix well the adult/baby items.
this rich wallpaper brings the identity to the room and fits perfectly to pop colors around like yellow and orange. Colors=life and you guys did an amazing job. I'm sure Finn gets the best sleep in there.
the giraffe theme is adorable and the fact that you mixed all these vintage giraffes, old, new even salt and pepper shakers makes it even more adorable and unique.
sometimes we are kind of afraid to use bright colors but Finn's nursery as well as all your kids 's nurseries are a proof that it's a good option, so thank you for your inspiration :)
I can't wait to see the footage in documenTORI
congrats to Bill&Scout you guys are amazing and have the best taste; and most important you seem to be amzing parents to Simone who is so beautiful. your family is the future.
love
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PLEASE COME DECORATE MY HOUSE. NO MONEY BUT I'LL COOK FOR YOU. I'm serious. Most beautiful nursery I've ever seen. I went a little DIY with daughter's nursery, had chair rail installed and did glossy-matt stripes on bottom part, green, top was yellow, theme was a very neutral celestial. everything has been replaced by princesses. oh well. son's is monkeys, love the brown on his wall. everything is brown and masculine with touches of orange and green here and there. want more orange in there, you've inspired me. :)
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Hi Tori!
I was just wondering what strollers you have and wich one is you favorite, and why?? Hope to get a anwser :)
Love Mari<3and bye the way I just LOVE that nursery<3<3 -
Beautiful nursery. My favorite part is the rug. What a creative idea. Love the orange also. =) Thank you for sharing.
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