For starters, I'm sorry you had to see my swollen feet, ha! But if that isn't an accurate representation of the current state of events, then I don't know what is.
The first couple weeks of the One Room Challenge can be a bit frustrating, to be honest. Instead of doing something exciting like ripping out a wall, I find myself waiting around for product to arrive.
On the other hand, this "downtime" – if you can really call it that – is essential to helping narrow down our design direction. So, when product does finally arrive we know exactly what to do and can whip up the room into shape in no time.
For the record, that NEVER happens – but one can dream, right?
As a result, I don't have much physical progress to show just yet. But I will be sharing 3-D mockups of the room (everyone always loves those!) and getting your opinion on a few topics that have been plaguing my I've-never-designed-a-nursery brain.
By the way, if you missed last week's introduction of the ORC project, you can catch up here.
Tricks for Maximizing Space and Making the Room Look Bigger
Before we dive into the nursery layout, here are a few tips and tricks I'm hoping will make our tiny nursery appear larger than it really is:
I was hoping that after seeing the options side by side and listing out the pros and cons of each, I'd have a more clear idea of the best layout. But honestly, things are about as clear as mud right now.
Help me, please?
Option 1 was my original plan – and it's definitely one of the more functional and aesthetically pleasing layouts, which is the reason I used it for the 3-D room renderings. I'm sure once baby girl arrives and we're actually using the space, we'll notice ways to improve the layout.
In the meantime, feast your eyes on the gorgeous mockups, below!
3-D Room Mockup
One element I haven't yet mentioned is the ceiling medallion. I'm obsessed with the idea of offsetting the modern chandelier with a traditional, ornate medallion – even blogged about it ad nauseam. What do you think – is it too much frill for the space?
What's Next?
Next week I hope to have the wallpaper installed; order the artwork; find, purchase and install the curtain rod (and the curtains); and hopefully finalize and order the big-ticket items like the crib, dresser and the glider. Oh, and the ClosetMaid closet is scheduled to arrive later today, so hopefully we can begin installing that!
Tune in next Thursday to see just how much we get done! You can also sign up for the FOXY OXIE newsletter or follow on Instagram Stories, where I'm sharing behind-the-scenes peeks at items as they arrive – like the dreamy curtains I shared yesterday.
Now, it's your turn to talk. (Imagine that!)
Which nursery layout would you choose? Do you think I can fit all three – a crib, dresser and a glider – into an 8' x 10.5' room? What do you think of the 3-D room mockups? Should I buy a black or brass curtain rod? Yay or nay on the ceiling medallion?
And last but not least, how did you decorate your small nursery? Share your tips and advice in the comments section, below!
Shop the Room Plans
Huge thanks to Linda from Calling It Home for organizing the One Room Challenge. To see the other bloggers' transformations, check out Week 2's “One Room Challenge” linkup.
Another thank you to this round's sponsors, including ClosetMaid, Walls Need Love, Lamps Plus and Minted.
Most of all, thanks to all of you lovely people who continue reading, sharing and commenting on FOXYOXIE.com. You make this blog (and projects like this!) possible.
About the One Room Challenge
The One Room Challenge (ORC) is a wildly anticipated design event hosted by Calling It Home in partnership with House Beautiful.
Twice a year, 20 featured designers along with hundreds of guest participants are challenged to transform any room they so choose, but they must complete the entire project in six weeks.
Oksana,
Thank you for a wonderful inspiration, first of all. I am expecting a baby girl and trying to incorporate wallpaper as well. My room is 10×11 ft and similar to layout 1, only the closet is on the opposite wall, and the door and window more shifted to the south (bottom of the picture). I am trying to incorporate the wallpaper, maybe partially covering the wall. Could you give me your professional advice which wall is to use as an accent wall please? Your help will be much appreciated. Warm regards, Masha
Hi Masha! I would install the accent wallpaper on the wall behind where you plan to place the crib for maximum effect. Check out the final reveal of our nursery to see what I mean: https://foxyoxie.com/one-room-challenge-week-6-nursery-reveal/
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Oh everything about this room is going to be beautiful! Baby is so so blessed!
Pingback: Spring 2017 One Room Challenge, Week 3: Designing a Custom Nursery Closet (+ Wallpaper Update!)
I think you should also consider, as far as layouts go, putting the crib in the back corner (intersection of window wall and feature wall ) on a diagonal. I love placing thing on a diagonal – it seems to soften the corners! One thing I found to be important as far a cribs go it to make sure you can see into the crib from the door easily, so you won’t have to go into room to check on baby and possibly wake her!
I love the wallpaper! It’s going to be a beautiful baby room. I like Option 1 in that the crib is centered on the feature wall. I would just perhaps angle the glider a little so that it faces away from the window slightly and more into the room, like in Option 5. Can’t wait to see what you decide.
The 3D plans look AMAZING (no surprise there)! As a mom who finally has no more diapers in the house, I can tell you I think it’s a great plan to use a dresser with a changing tray on top… it’s so much easier to not bend down for every diaper change, but it’s also great to be able to remove the changing tray when the diaper-free days roll around and still have a functional dresser!
While I’m not a mom, I know just how important it is to be flexible with storage. I definitely think you made the right call with the dresser and the changing pad on top!
I believe this will be the most chic nursery ever! Love all of it!
This is going to look amazing!!! I can’t wait to see how it turns out, I love your design!
I definitely like option 1 the most, but you’ll just have to be sure to find the right sized glider for the space. I don’t like the options with the crib in front of the window – I’m just imagining the sun coming up and waking the baby up! If you end up taking those closet doors off, then it won’t be too much of an issue having the glider in front of it like that I don’t think. And love the mirror! I know you got yours at Target, but I love to get giant mirrors for cheap at Homegoods!
What a gorgeous space! I’m partial to option 1, it looks to use the space perfectly!
Very cool mockup! I should do this for the different rooms in our house!
Ooh, are you renovating or just decorating?
You are literally the most organized, handy woman I have ever seen online! I need to just pin everything for future reference! Also, THAT RUG!!!
It’s the OCD… :)
Omg I love the layout you’ve put together already! Congratulations on the baby!!
Thanks so much Sofieyah!
This is going to be a gorgeous room! I don’t have a specific vote, but after four kids, I definitely say keep the crib away from the window. They are only inactive lumps for a very short time. Then, it’s all about keeping them safe and asleep. :D
Thanks so much for your input, Stacy! We’re definitely not fans of the crib-in-front-of-the-window scenario – I was just brainstorming in hopes of finding the best solution. And LOL on your inactive lumps comment – literally made me laugh out loud.
I like layout 1 and 5. I think you have something good here. Those curtains are gorgeous! If you do not mind me saying, I think the glider might be a little oversized for the room based off of the image. It is nice though.
Thanks so much Jess! I totally respect and appreciate your honest opinion – I’m afraid it might be too large, too. Granted, the 3-D room renderings aren’t mocked up to scale, but you’re so right – the glider will be the last thing we purchase, after all the other essentials are situated in the room, just so we can see if it’s feasible or not.
That mural is to die for! Can’t wait to see it in the room. And I love the ceiling medallion with the modern light fixture…a little unexpected but that’s what makes it interesting.
Thanks Wanda! The mural is scheduled to arrive early next week, so hopefully I can have an update on it next Thursday! As for the medallion – do you think it’s too much?
I love all the things you’ve picked out for this room! I wish that mirror were bigger; I need one that’s in the 40-inch range, but they are crazy expensive!
They sure are – that’s why when the Target one went on sale for $35, I bought four! LOL
I love the design plan — I think I like Layout 5 the best due to the flow. It’s hard to know exactly how it would look with the dresser/window combo, though.
Option 5 is definitely a crowd favorite – something I was surprised about, to be honest! I just really, really dislike the glider being in front of the mural wall – gliders are just so ugly…haha
We live in a 140 year old house…and a few years ago I bought a beautiful ceiling medallion – it made perfect sense. It only took two years to get it installed and wow what HUGE addition… one tricky part is to make sure you get it centered on the existing light fixture, because once you get them up they are hard to move and the adhesive is strong! Also, do ALL painting of it before you put it up…all those nooks and crannies are tricky…but I say go for it…you can see mine here: http://myoldcountryhouse.com/the-living-rooms/
OH. MY. GOODNESS. Your living room is stunning, Lesli. Thanks so much for the tips – I will definitely paint before installing, and I’m hoping my OCD will help me get it perfectly centered. My hesitation is that the nursery is so tiny… Do you think a 24-26″ would be too big for a 8×10.5′ room? Is there a sizing standard to follow?
There probably is some “rule” but I think those leave lots of room for individual interpretation !!! I say do it!!!! It will be sweet!
I like layout one or three I think. For some reason I feel weird about the crib being in front of the window or where someone could potentially look in and see the crib. Could just be me, though!
Interesting – you’re the first person to mention layout 3! I totally agree with you on the crib – not a fan of that scenario either, despite our windows being quite far off the ground so it’s impossible to look in.
I LOVE your design plan! That’s exactly the crib I wanted to put in our nursery, but I just couldn’t rationally explain to the husband that I was going to get rid of a perfectly functional, sturdy, and well built crib to get a different one. But I love it and obviously love all your plans for the room!
Thanks so much, Jenny! That pretty crib sure costs a pretty penny, though. I’m currently debating between the Land of Nod one and a similar one from Amazon (that’s about $400 cheaper).
soft colours are the way to go- so pretty and light and a great way to make the space look bigger! I also like layout option 5 x
Option 5 is a crowd favorite!
I love these! Options 1 and 5 are my favorite!
Thanks McKenna – those two are definitely the most popular options!
Obsessed with this nursery! I love that it isn’t typical. So pretty!
I love that it isn’t typical too! :)
drooling over this beautiful space! it’s going to be amazing- what a lucky little lady!
Thanks Cassie!
I don’t have any layout tips or opinions – sorry! But man is this going to be so pretty!! Very excited to see next week’s update. I do have a thought about the closet situation, however…have you ever read HouseTweaking’s blog? She uses curtains for closet doors in a bunch of her rooms to save space. I’ve never tried it but I feel like it could look really cute!
Oh yes, I love Dana from House Tweaking! I’ve seen it done before, but I’m afraid that because the closet is right next to the window, it might look a bit awkward with so many curtains at different heights so close to each other… I don’t know, we shall see! For all I know, my OCD just might not be able to take it and the doors will be back on before the challenge is over, ha!
Ah that’s true about the curtains! Excited to see what you come up with :)
Your plans are gorgeous and I LOVE the curtains – so soft and pretty!
I think I’d go with option 1 or 5 for the layout. 1 definitely looks the best with that stunning feature wall, though having a heavy mirror above the crib might not work so well once the babe is standing. You could always rearrange then though.
And I love the ornate ceiling medallion paired with the modern pendant. Can’t wait to see it all come together!
That is such a good point about the mirror! See, I knew there’d be a million scenarios I hadn’t considered, especially being a first-time mama – which is why I’m so thankful for readers like you, Lizzie!
I think we are cut from the same cloth. I had the same crib in my son’s room (PS – we didn’t know what we were having), it’s an amazing crib and looks great! Also, I’m using the same Clara wallpaper in my ORC (isn’t it amazing!?). I like your option 1 layout the best (it seems the most natural). Great post! Can’t wait to see more : )
Option 1 seems to be the favorite at this point (which makes me feel good about myself since that is the layout that makes the most sense to me, too). I cannot wait to see the “Clara” in your laundry room – I just know it’ll make doing laundry a million times better!
Your nursery is going to be perfection!!! I am in love with your wallpaper. I love the crib and the dresser too. The glass knobs you selected will look great! Can’t wait for Week 3 updates!
Thank you Jennifer! I can’t believe by next week we’ll be halfway through the challenge – I better get to work if I want the room to look ANYTHING like these mockups, ha!
What a beautiful room! I love the wallpaper, and cannot get over those curtains! They look like a tulle skirt…beyond gorgeous! What a great find. I do like the idea of the medallion with the modern chandelier…
Yes, that is EXACTLY how the curtains look – like a beautiful, luscious tulle skirt! (Can you tell I’m obsessed with them?) I love them so very much, I’m considering buying the same kind for our dining room… Thank you for your sweet words and for stopping by! XO