Bright Vintage Nautical Nursery
From the old-world touches to a modern color scheme, this nursery is perfect for a 21st-century baby.
Photo: Lauren McBride
When prepping for the arrival of a new baby, a mom's nesting instinct takes over and having the room ready to go for that little bundle of joy is a priority! It can also cause some slightly neurotic moments, at least for me anyway. My husband did not enjoy that. At all. When preparing for my own son, I wanted a nautical-inspired room since we live so close to the shore. I wanted to incorporate a rustic, vintage touch. Wood finishes and plush carpets were must-have items. A serene environment was my goal, so the color palette (soft grays, whites, and blues) was neutral and calming. Here's the scoop on how my son's room came together.
Photo: Lauren McBride
1 Neutral Color Palette
Cool, neutral tones like soft gray, white, and linen are a great base for any room, as the colors can be easily built upon in whatever direction you want to take them.
2
Textural Elements
I chose to keep the entire room neutral, but added pops of distressed wood for texture and dimension. The variety of wood tones in the frames, side table, oar and crate really stand out against the light and bright background!
Photo: Lauren McBride
3
Subtle Nods to the Theme
For more texture, I hung a rope chandelier in the center of the room. It ties in the nautical theme, along with the map, oar, and lantern. While I love anything nautical, I didn't want this room to go overboard (no pun intended!), so it was important that the nautical elements were natural. This chandelier really ties the entire look together.
4
Cozy, Cozy, Cozy
Since I would be spending so much time in the nursery with my little one, I wanted it to feel cozy, warm, and inviting. Plush carpets, blankets, and pillows did the trick. These soft elements add a finishing touch to every room, and give a welcoming feel. Perfect for any new baby (or tired new mom!).
Photo: Lauren McBride
- Decorative pillows should always be removed when the baby is in the crib, of course!
