Everleigh’s Nursery
A Quick Note:
If you had asked me how many children I pictured myself having five years ago, I would’ve told you, “We probably won’t have children.”
It wasn’t that we didn’t want to become parents; rather, we had been trying for years without success. After speaking with some fertility specialists, then saving up for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), here we are about to have our second sweet little baby! It’s unbelievable to think God created people with enough intelligence to figure out how to help loving couples raise children of their own. And now, we have not one, but TWO nurseries!
I value the fact that my husband and I have put so much of our love and energy into these two rooms over this past year. I can honestly say I am filled with happiness upon entering each of these sweet nursery spaces. These rooms each have their own personality, and while there are some definite moments in each one that demonstrate one room being more boyish and one being more girlish, they are pretty gender-neutral at the core. Join me as I walk you through each space!
The Theme: “Meadow”
I’ve always loved the name Everleigh (ICYMI, that’s our daughter’s name). I first heard it when I was working as a non-profit event planner my first year out of college. My colleague’s daughter’s name was Everley, and she was adorable! It’s stuck with me ever since! What truly sealed the deal, though, was learning the etymology of the name. A little background: I studied English (I also taught it for a few years before starting our family), and word root meanings have always been fun for me. I learned that “ever” comes from the old English word “oefer,” which means “boar.” Hmm.... Do I want my daughter’s name to be tied to a mean, ugly pig? Looking deeper into the name, I’ve learned that the boar represents “bravery” (an Anglo-Saxon surname given to only the bravest men was “Oeferhard” which means “brave as a wild boar,” and it was an honor to have been compared to a boar). That makes it better. I’d love for my daughter to grow up to be brave! And for the root “leigh”? That means “meadow” or “clearing,” and it signifies freedom and beauty. So while the name Everleigh quite literally means “boar in a meadow,” the meaning behind the literal root translation goes deeper: brave as a wild boar, beautiful, and free. Those are qualities I’m happy to associate with my little girl.
Flooring
We installed LL Flooring’s Park Avenue Chevron laminate flooring in both of these spaces. It transitions well from our main-area French Oak flooring, and I think it also helps that the entries into both nurseries are on a diagonal. With the Park Avenue Chevron, there was just something about its tones, that old-world-meets-sophisticated-modern pattern, and its durability and resistance to spills that won us over. We’ve been nothing less than pleased with these floors ever since installing them about a year ago. They’re also incredibly easy to install—even for beginners! My mother-in-law and I just installed some more in the guest bedroom, and that was a first for us both! We finished in less than three hours! For more information on these floors, why we chose them, how to install them, and why we love them, check out my post on our sweet toddler Joe’s nursery!
Paint Colors:
Since this is another bedroom with only north-facing light coming in, I wanted this space to feel bright and crisp from the inside. To do that, my husband Jason installed an Art Deco style wall paneling pattern, which adds depth to the walls while drawing the eye up, creating the illusion of a taller space (details below). We painted it in Benjamin Moore’s “Chantilly Lace” (semigloss), which is a crisp, bright-yet-warm white that still maintains a level of softness without feeling dull. I love it because it brightens up any space without being overpowering, and it works well with warm wood tones. Above the decorative trim, I used Chantilly Lace in a matte finish to help differentiate between the paneled portion and the non-paneled portion of the walls.
Wall Paneling:
Since this space was already not a massive bedroom, we didn’t want to bring in plywood panels and affix them to the walls because with that, plus baseboards, we’d be shortening the footprint of the space by nearly four inches in both its length and width. To get the look of wall panels without encroaching on the space, we skim-coated the walls (if you’re intimidated by this, you can always hire a local drywaller to tackle the job for you!), primed them with a builder-basic wall primer, and then (as I mentioned in the previous section) painted them in Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace. We went with a semigloss finish to give the effect of there being wood paneling on the walls, and we used that same paint on all of the decorative trim pieces. Above the uppermost trim line, we used the same paint color, but in a matte finish. If you have textured walls, I’d recommend using a matte/flat finish because it reduces light reflection and therefore makes the nooks and crannies in your textured walls less obvious.
My husband and I were also working on the kitchen, master bath, and office renovation while I was putting this post together, so I didn’t think to take photos along the way when we were installing the wall paneling. In an effort to make up for that, I’m including some photos with measurements so you can take the “figure-it-out” approach (I’m sorry!) if you wanted to recreate this look. If in the future, I have a moment to pull links and put together a more detailed DIY post on this, I’ll link it here and will let you know through my Instagram account @nest.out.west!
Interested in attempting this DIY in your home? Here are the exact trim pieces we used:
Wallpaper on the Ceiling:
I was so thrilled to have had the opportunity to collaborate with one of my all-time favorite brands when it came to selecting a wallpaper and some other accessories for this space! McGee & Co. very generously provided all of the wallpaper we’d need to cover the ceiling of this 11′ x 12′ room. It took a little less than four full rolls to cover this ceiling, and the pattern we chose was called “Poppy”—what I love most is that it has a white base with a touch of warmth, and then a thin, metallic gold poppy floral pattern that doesn’t have an obvious line where it repeats once installed (do you know what I’m talking about here?).
Furniture and Decor
Crib:
I toyed with transitioning Joe out of his crib before his sister arrives, but he finds so much comfort and security in there that we decided to go a different route. I ordered the Ikea Sniglar crib in unfinished beech (only $79!). We painted it Benjamin Moore’s “Fatigue Green” in a satin finish, and it’s now my favorite dark-green-that’s-nearly-black paint color! Why a satin finish instead of a semigloss? Because I was too lazy and frugal to go back to the store and get more in a semigloss finish when the sample quart would be plenty of paint to give the crib two coats.
Dresser:
This was another epic Craigslist score in my book! This dresser, which was built in the late 1800s, needed some tender, loving care, but I found it for only $140, and my mother-in-law wanted to buy it for me as a birthday gift back in 2019. I fixed it up on my own, making sure to follow Shannon Ingle’s instructions for painting an old piece of furniture. Shannon owns and operates a fun studio (and an addictive Instagram account by the same name): @coffeepaintrepeat. Here are her tried and true instructions:
No matter what paint you use, you’ll need to clean the piece simply because of its age. TSP does a great job, and you can get it from the hardware store.
Consider whether you want to use chalk paint or latex. I was always a latex paint girl. It lasts forever. Chalk paint wax (which is what you use to “seal” the chalk paint) has to be reapplied yearly for continued protection. It can wear off with the repeated touching of our hands in places and then expose the chalk paint (top corner of the dresser for example),” so if you do chalk paint and wax, just be sure to re apply the wax annually.
If you’re going to use latex paint, I would lightly rough up the piece with 220 grit sand paper. Use a tack cloth to clean, then roll on the primer. Sand again (lightly—just to smooth any bumps) and then spray.
Here is where old dark wood pieces can usually make you want to scream when you paint them white:
You will probably see some bleed through of the wood oils in some places. Painting over them won’t fix it. The only thing to help that if it happens is to get some Zinsser Bulls Eye Clear Shellac Finish and Sealer (do not buy the amber tinted shellac if you’re painting the piece white or any other light paint color) and apply that over the yellowed area. Let it dry and then paint again. It works like a charm and stops the bleed.Cait’s edit: I noticed quite a bit of bleed through on the entire dresser (maybe because it was such an old piece), so after priming and applying my first coat of white paint (and of course allowing that to dry), I rolled on the Zinsser Bulls Eye Clear Shellac over the entire piece. Make sure you do this in a well-ventilated area. It has a smell that’s almost reminiscent of college parties where someone brought and perhaps spilled a bunch of rum. I digress… It worked like a charm! I applied the final coat of white semigloss paint once the shellac dried, and there was virtually ZERO bleed through. It looks like a beautiful, crisp white now.
Finally, you can spray or wipe on your clear coat. Shannon highly recommends the General Finishes top coat. It doesn’t yellow over time on white paint like the cheap ones at big-box hardware stores do. You can find it online (Amazon is linked) or at a local wood worker’s shop in your area by doing a search on the general finishes website. It’s worth the extra $5—trust me!
For the paint color, I went with Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace in a semigloss finish. Then, for the hardware, mirror, and decorative filigree on the face, I used Rub ‘n’ Buff Antique Gold, which I ordered on Amazon. It comes in the tiniest little tube, but keep in mind that the littlest bit actually goes a long way! I applied it with my index finger, and then I used a Q-Tip to get it into the nooks, crannies, and grooves.
What About the Smell?
One of my most frequently asked questions refers to the musty smell that an antique dresser might bring to a space (and to the clothes that’ll live inside it). I decided that if I was going to go through the trouble of ridding the drawers in this piece from the mothball odor they came with, I was going to make them pretty while doing so.
First, I coated the inside of each drawer with Kilz white primer. To seal the primer, prevent bleeding, and lock away that old dresser smell, I applied Zinsser Bulls Eye Clear Shellac Finish and Sealer once the primer coat was dry. I waited a full day to make sure everything settled and dried nicely, and then once I gave it another good sniff and was satisfied by the lack of musty odor coming through, I applied a peel and stick wallpaper.
This is not just any peel-and-stick wallpaper, people; this is “Flowers for Sasha,” pre-cut from the company (Dizzy with Excitement) according to the measurements I submitted with my order. This is revolutionary for the peel-and-stick wallpaper industry. If you’ve applied peel-and-stick wallpaper, then you know what a pain in the butt it can be, right?! DW/E made this DIY so simple! They even labeled the back side of each pre-cut portion according to the labeling conventions I uploaded with my order, so I knew which drawer each sheet belonged in. Now, Everleigh has a beautiful dresser—both inside and out—to store her outfits in for years to come!
Area Rug:
Having been a big fan of Loloi Rugs for years now, I knew I wanted to bring one into our sweet daughter’s nursery. I love that their rugs feature vintage patterns in a variety of color palettes, and I think the more mature pattern will grow with her as she becomes a young woman someday in this space. I selected this Loloi Wynter area rug in Auburn/Multi (7’6″ x 9’6″) because of its coral tones woven in with deep olive greens, charcoals, mustards, and pale baby blues. It’s both beautiful and versatile!
Area rug: Loloi Rugs Wynter in Auburn/Multi
Curtains and Curtain Rod DIY:
Have I mentioned before that I’m actually really frugal where it counts? Yes, I like nice things, but to me, it’s really hard to tell the difference between $25/panel linen blend and $300/panel pure linen curtains. I found these gorgeous pale blush-toned linen blend curtains online at Macy’s, and after seeing them in person, I couldn’t be happier with them! The color is exactly as depicted in the online photos, and the texture is beautiful.
We (my husband and I) also tend to DIY our curtain rods whenever we can, so we purchased a 90″ long x 1.25″ diameter wood dowel from the hardware store and stained it with Minwax Early American. I did splurge on some beautiful 1.25″ diameter brass and marble finials from Ballard, and then I found some brass-toned mounting hardware and ring clips on Amazon. My rule of thumb for how many ring clips to order is to buy 10 for every 45-55″ curtain panel. Apply one at each end of the curtain panel, then at the middle, and then keep dividing the curtain into two using ring clips until you’ve used all 10/panel and they appear to be evenly spaced.
Rocker/Glider:
I searched high and low for an ivory boucle rocking chair with a modern silhouette that didn’t break the bank. I landed on this lovely Sleepytime rocker from Kathy Kuo Home for $499! The size, color, and texture appear to be perfect for this sweet space, and I love the price—especially considering what a boucle rocking chair costs when searching other retailers (it’s typically a premium upholstery upgrade, and it’s very en vogue right now). It’s currently on backorder, so I’ll update this post with photos once it arrives!
Baskets:
This Set of Three Haines Baskets from McGee & Co. caught my eye, and they were so generous so have gifted them to me as a “Welcome, Baby Pappas” treat for our baby girl’s nursery! The baskets are delicate and have a very natural vibe about them, which makes me love them even more after seeing and feeling them in person. We’re using the small one as a planter basket for the faux tree, the large one will be used as a hamper, and the medium one will be used to store small toys and stuffed animals.
McGee & Co. Haines Baskets, Set of 3
Wall Decor:
I found the beautiful wreath from HomeGoods, and I scored the two framed botanical prints at Hobby Lobby, so I’m not able to link either of them, but keep your eyes peeled at your local store(s) for similar pieces if you love these! The framed bird prints gallery form one element I could NOT wait to style in this space! The artist, Christine Sweet, lives in Charleston, SC, and she’s known for her whimsical watercolor prints—especially her collection of birds, which 100% caught my attention the moment I landed on the “Meadow” theme for this nursery. I selected my five favorite prints from Christine’s bird collection, and inspired by the antique frames she styled them with on her website, I sought out to source a similar collection of frames that would coordinate well together.
These are the prints I selected (some are no longer available and therefore could not be linked here):
…and these are the (linkable) frames I sourced (the two seen but not linked are from HomeGoods and Hobby Lobby):
Exotic Burl Wood Gallery Frame (8×10″ opening), from Williams Sonoma
Malden International Designs Classic Wood Picture Frame, Gold (5×7″ opening), from Amazon
Brass Flower and Leaf Wall Sculpture (5×7″ opening), from Opalhouse at Target
Floor Lamp:
When I first saw this Laurel Glass Cylinder Floor Lamp in Satin Brass by Lights.com, I knew it belonged in this space. The acrylic base with the brass shining through, the two bulbs each on a separate pull chain, and the soft, cylindrical shade were just the look I was hoping to find. I can picture myself sitting in the rocking chair underneath the glow of this pretty lamp holding our sweet daughter during those 2 am feedings.
Laurel Glass Cylinder Floor Lamp in Satin Brass by Lights.com
Ceiling Pendant:
I found this beautiful Daisy Capiz Flush Mount pendant at Anthropologie, as well as this Madelyn Faceted Flush Mount. Both pendants were said to have been on backorder until the end of May, but the website also said there was one of each available at the Anthropologie store about an hour from where I live, so I called first to make sure both were available so I could see them in person before making a purchase (they were), drove down there, and learned that there was a 20% open-box discount taken off the cost—weeh! I ended up choosing the Daisy Capiz Flush Mount for two reasons despite truly loving the Madelyn just a little bit more: 1) It cost less, and 2) I figured it would grow with our daughter’s changing style as she gets older better than a pale pink light fixture might. The Daisy Capiz is 19″ in diameter and 7.5″ H, so it’s actually much larger in person than it appears on Anthropologie’s website, and that, my friends, was a pleasant surprise to me!
Daisy Capiz Flush Mount pendant from Anthropologie
Throws:
I saw this 20″ x 20″ Presley Woven Pillow Cover from McGee & Co., and with its neutral but warm tones and subtle texture, I needed to have it for the rocking chair. I also loved the size and chunky texture of this 50″ x 70″ Lorelle Cotton Knit Throw from McGee & Co.
Faux Plant:
I was between this six-foot Christopher Knight Home Rebecca Artificial Eucalyptus Tree and this six-foot Christopher Knight Home Regina Artificial Olive Tree, but since I already had an olive tree in Joe’s room, I decided to mix things up and try the eucalyptus tree for Baby Girl’s space.
Hand-Knit Dolls:
Since I already loved the Cuddle + Kind dolls this family-owned charitable company sent Joe when he was first born, I was beyond thrilled when they offered to send us a couple of adorable dolls for our daughter’s nursery. Baby Pappas’ dolls are Hannah the Bunny, Ivory(Regular) and Lucy the Lamb, Pastel (little). I absolutely love what this company stands for! For each doll sold, they donate 10 meals to children in need all around the world! Read more about how they do this and what inspired them here.
Sheep Rocking Toy:
Since the adorable buffalo ottoman in Joe’s room has gotten so much love over the years (both from the Instagram community and from Joe himself), I wanted to find something similar for this meadow-themed nursery. A sweet, fluffy lamb as a rocking horse? Umm, yes please! I found this on Amazon, and it’s even cuter in person! The moment Joe saw it, he pet its head and said, “Aww… yittle yamb!”
So that’s everything… I think! If I missed anything that you’d like more information about, or if you just feel like popping in to leave a comment, I love reading your questions and feedback! Thanks for taking the time!
