Finn's Nursery

My, oh my...it's been awhile!

Well, I do have something to write about now, and that's worth sharing...

As you know, we are expecting baby #3, and a couple weeks ago we found out this baby is a boy! We are all very excited, but of course, the name battle was waiting. Luckily, Chris and I don't spar too long on a name once we know pink or blue. This time was no different. After a week or so, we have landed on a name! Baby boy is named Finnian George Lewis. We'll call him Finn.

Once a name was in place, his nursery setup was required. I blame a little of my early preparation on nesting, but mainly on the part of my personality that likes to be organized and ready-to-go far before it's necessary. Along with his bedroom, I have to make his crocheted baby blanket (my SiL has graciously offered to make him a quilt, it's going to be lovely) and I have to make his Christmas stocking. Early? Yes. But I do not want to be cutting and sewing while holding a baby...beads, sequins...yeah, no thanks.

But first, his room.

When we built the house we made sure we had 3 bedrooms for kids...we knew we weren't done yet. It already had the baby crib, the glider and ottoman, and dresser/changing table placed. I already bought some curtains for the window and had one shelf installed.
The furniture is all dark, for it was less expensive and easy to match back when we bought it for baby Lorelai. Worked fine for the girls with their pinks and greens, and works even better with blues! Thinking long term since the beginning, we made sure none of our big baby items were gender specific. Who wants to re-buy everything?!

The theme I fell in love with for Finn? Woodland mountains. Moose, bears, pine trees, camping...it fit my style, and it was different from the apparently popular nautical themes. Boats, fishing, lighthouses...no thanks.

I painted the shelf brackets gray and covered the white shelves with dark contact paper to blend in better with the furniture (and theme) and to take away some of the delicateness from the girls' hand-me-downs.

I stuck with basic patterns and colors for the main bedding and such and made the theme an "easy to take down later" feature with inexpensive wall decals and wall hangings. It's all about long-term functionality, people.

I found a set of animal wall stickers I loved for not that much $, but I couldn't find pine trees by themselves. I made them...exactly what I wanted, and for far cheaper than I could buy. The combination worked out very well. With a trip to Hobby Lobby and Target for the other accessories, I was done pulling together the space in a few days. Thank you, Amazon Prime for being a big part of the timeline. The goal was something cute, engaging, fast, and inexpensive. DIY did play a part, and here is the results:

Just like his sisters before him, I made him his name with custom colors and patterns. The wooden letters were ~$1.50 a piece before sales/coupons at Hobby Lobby. Paint ~$1 for each color (navy, gray, sage, and light blue). Total for wooden name: ~$11.50

The tree decals I made simply from a roll of green contact paper and a roll of wood grain printed contact paper. I drew the shapes and cut them out...easy. Total for contact paper: $17

Baby blue bedding and gray crib skirt from Target. Both on sale for a total of: ~$23

The green blanket is a place-holder for my hand-made baby blanket...so much work left. (And the quilt!)

Wooden rocking horse, mine from when I was little, and random bin of toys...yeah, that's been around for a while too. 

The arrow, paddle, and stars were also purchased at Hobby Lobby. The stars came unfinished, but I had the paint at home for them already. $5 each before sale. The paddle was the "big" purchase at $17...no coupon... and the arrow was ~$12. Total for name accessories: ~$35

You can also see a close up of his patterns on his name.

Here is his mobile. It was the girls', but I stripped it of the girly parts and made my own pieces to fit my theme. Made out of felt, the mountain, teepee, tree, and arrow were a great .33c a piece buy. simply cut out and glue. The jute rope I had on hand, and I just covered the arms for some color and texture. Total for mobile makeover: ~$1.45!

Here you see some forest animal stickers and tree decals. They came in a set (more animals in a minute) from Amazon for $16. You also that I used left-over wood grain paper to cover the shelf. I painted the brackets gray with on-hand chalk paint (love that stuff) and I got the book/toy shelf from Addy's room. It never matched her stuff, so I bought her a white bookcase and stole this guy. Round about price for putting this shelf here, $18. The bins were an additional $16...the toys on the shelf, our collection compiled over the years.

More animals! Deer, hedgehog, bird, and bear...mushroom accents and another tree...price for set listed previously. I did add some grass from the left-over green paper. Clouds were made with on-hand white contact paper. No additional cost. Shelf again with wood grain paper and gray chalk paint. Bunting made from left-over felt and on-hand jute rope. Free. The 2 pictures on the shelf were bought. Blue one, from Hobby Lobby for $30 before sale (ouch! but it was too cute). The teepee one, from Target, $15. Total: ~$32

The cute arrow lamp? From Target...though it seems to be unavailable right now, sorry, no link. ~$20

Green changing pad cover, already had from the girls. No cost

Curtains were already purchased...and that coffee table needs a better home (once we clean out the closet for the baby swing, cradle, walker, etc). Raccoon buddy and bird from the animal set, and you see more trees and clouds previously mentioned. This shot has needs no listed additional cost.

Sounds like a lot? It did to me when listing it all, but it really was reasonable. Total for all new purchases: $201.95 My goal was $200...so I did go over a little bit, but not by much!

A nursery made for $200...your budget may be bigger or smaller, but I think this is one cute room for the cost. Baby Finn's room is ready!

I have to fill up his drawers and closet with boy clothes now...and yes, I have already been working on that.

I have forgotten how tiny newborn clothes are! So cute! Who ever said shopping for a boy isn't as much fun was completely wrong.

I have to finish his blanket and stocking during the summer, which is doable for sure. We're so excited for your arrival Finnian!