The Baby Formula: Decorating Ideas for Your New Addition

This past weekend, I got to hang out with a new friend who also happens to be new to the world. At three months old, Baby Stella is already making a huge impression with her spontaneous smiles and giant blue eyes. We talked for a long time about the world and her goals and what she intends to contribute. She explained through certain gurgles, snorts and body movements that her immediate priorities are to crawl then walk--and that there's only so much impact she can have while sitting on someone's lap. That's when we moved on to lighter topics, like baby décor.

I know! She's such a great conversationalist!

Preparing the nursery has got to be one of the highest honors for parents and their meddlesome decorator-friends! It's also one of the easiest places to overspend, as emotions are running high, and in turn, so will the credit card balance. So how can you indulge your imagination, but not your pocket book?

Here are a few easy tips to consider when decorating for the new kid on the block:

• First, choose a color scheme you enjoy, since you will be spending a lot of time in there. Bright colors are great for the baby, but do you want to look at fluorescent green and pink polka-dots at 2 am? One of my favorite nurseries was done in a Zen-style of earth colors with a "lost-in-the-forest" look that made me, Meddlesome Decorator, want to take a mini-nap. Once you've chosen your color scheme, whether it is circus bright or earthy chic, the possibilities are endless in what you can create--even on a tight budget!
• Painting and more painting. This is where the expectant mother can really take advantage of those well-meaning friends. Hand out those paint brushes and start ordering people around. I highly recommend a non-toxic paint for any indoor painting, but especially for nurseries. There are now plenty of non-toxic "green" paints with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) which reduce the risk of asthma attacks, allergic reactions and eye irritation. Another trend is ceramic paints, which are low in VOC and have the added benefit of preventing mold and offer easy-scrub surfaces. Consult your local hardware store for a tutorial and pricing, but I can usually paint an average sized room for $75 or less!
  Custom murals and wall "graffiti" are also a great way to add personality with paints. In most cities, there are local artists that specialize in this, but if you want to try it out yourself, try WonderfulGraffiti for some great storybook windows and other creative ideas.
• Creating the theme is probably the most fun for us adults because we get to indulge our own imaginations and sense of play. Legendary fables with the characters dancing about on the wallpaper, bedding and curtains. A safari of animals and colorful leopard prints, or the Zen-earthy nursery as mentioned above with the soothing sounds of a table-top waterfall, bamboo shoot wallpaper and low lights. Or how about The Baby Beach Cottage-look with clean, bright whites and sky-blues, sandcastles and hand-picked seashells? The last time I checked, sea shells found on the sea shore were free! You can purchase a shadow box and arrange all your beach treasures and maybe even a little welcome note from Mom and Dad. This makes for a unique wall hanging and can be updated with new memories as the years go by…until the newborn becomes a teenager and it's ripped off the wall in favor of a rock-star poster.
• Don't be shy about hand-me-downs and thrift store finds! Baby Stella tells me she can't tell the difference and as long as everything meets the safety standards, might as well start saving for that first car and college tuition!

Now, sit down in your new creation and pat yourself on the back. Whether you are the parent, the decorator and/or friend, you've just participated in rolling out the red carpet for what could be our next president…or greatest teacher/nurse/doctor/lawyer/firefighter/writer/actor/artist or friend.  Well, the possibilities are endless. In fact if you ever want to know anything about possibilities, always ask a baby. They really do have all the answers!