Cheap and Chic Nursery
53 days and counting until our 3rd little bite-sized cookie arrives. It maybe the third Smart Cookie baby on the way, but its the first for me and what an exciting time it is!! A few weeks ago I embarked on a Smart Cookie challenge. Would it be possible to furnish and decorate a room that would function as a nursery and a guest room for the price that some people would pay for just the crib?! With a budget of $1700, I set out to prove that it is possible to create a beautiful room that will work as a nursery and as a guest room. So …. was I able to do it. See for yourself!
P.S As you’ll see, we’ve nicknamed our little boy Chubs. We’re not quite sure how it all started, but it seems to be sticking. Could be the first strike on our new parent record!
ALL READY FOR BABY
The Smart Cookie Cheap and Chic Nursery Reveal.
My Goal: Create an entire nursery/guest room for $1700. The price some people pay for just a crib
Here is how it out turned out!
Here is how I did it, and how you can save.
1. Buy Transitional Furniture ( items that aren’t JUST for baby). The idea is that you get the most value for years to come. Through my research I found IKEA was the best place for functional transitional furniture. Every piece of furniture below can be used for 20+ years!
Smart Cookie Buying Guide
IKEA Hemnes Daybed – $399.00
See Video Footage of how the bed transforms here:
IKEA Sultan Florvag Mattress – $99.99
IKEA Birgit Stra Bedspread – $39.99
IKEA Hemnes Shelves – $135
IKEA Egeby Brown Rug – $99.00
Restoration Hardware Vintage Locker Dresser – $999.00
** We used gift cards from our wedding to get this for free!
Graco Lauren Classic Crib – $179.00
Serta Perfect Dream Crib Mattress – $79.99 on sale for $59.99
** There is no need to buy a baby changing table. We are going to use the daybed as a changing surface and bought this cute changing pad from IKEA to use.
IKEA GULLUNGE Changing Pad – $6.99
IKEA Changing Pad Cover – $5.99 for 2
IKEA Arstid Lamp – $39.99
2. Buy Your Own Inexpensive Fabric Make Custom Bedding and Accessories
Amazed at the IKEA Fabric selection! I loved the bright fun patterns. And my seamstress that I found on craigslist is simply amazing and very affordable. If you live in the Denver area e-mail me for her info at sandra@smartcookies.com
Smart Cookie Buying Guide
Fabric for pillows
Berit Fabric $8.99/yrd
Sophia Fabric $7.99/yrd
Fabric for blinds
Joann Fabric White Duck Cloth – $10.99/yrd
Navy Ribbon – $13.99/yrd
3. Make Your Own Artwork
I made use of what I had. Creating copies from one of my favourite books growing up, The Ship of Dreams by Dean Morrissey
I had extra frames around, so I used them to frame the pictures and used existing family photos on the shelves
4. Buy a Few High Impact Low Cost Accessories
I wanted to spend the bulk of my money investing in classic pieces of furniture that would last a lifetime, but to add a little fun, I added a couple inexpensive accessories
Smart Cookie Buying Guide
Ikea Rens Rug the link here says $29.99, but I got mine at IKEA Centennial for $9.99
Ikea Magnetic Chalkboard $14.99
The Grand Total?? $1798.00
This includes, the paint, hardware, sewing, furniture and accessories. I was over by about $100, but still feel so good about the room. It feels like a space I’ll want to be in for years to come!
BEHIND THE SCENES: HOW IT ALL CAME TOGETHER
THE BEFORE
First step was to paint the room. We found this gorgeous color, Old Navy and used our Amex points to buy the paint at Home Depot.
IKEA HERE WE COME
After creating our shopping list we drove out to Ikea Centennial ( http://info.ikea-usa.com/centennial/) to do some shopping. We brought our own list, but the awesome thing about the IKEA process is that you can pick up a list before you head onto the floor so that you can write down the product information about what you’de like to buy as you go. For the bigger items, you write down the items corresponding numbers and then pic up the items just before you check out!
I talked more about the Shopping process on the Everyday Show
SETTING IT ALL UP
Now for the fun – getting everything out of the boxes and set up as functional furniture. Setting up the pieces from Ikea was hard, just took a bit of time. So give yourself time and get yourself as organized as possible before you start assembling.
I also had to take the fabric I found at IKEA to my AMAZING seamstress to sew up the Roman Shades, pillows and crib skirt. If you’re in the Denver area and need a fantastic seamstress, e-mail me at sandra@smartcookies.com and I’ll connect you!
In the end, all of the hard work and planning was worth it. I find myself wanting to spend lots of time in the room, and little Chubs isn’t even here yet! There are some exciting months ahead, and it helps to feel a bit more “ready” now that the room is finished!
Love,
Sandra, Chubs, Jason and Ginger(the dog) too.
Xoxo
