Sarah from Stratford-Upon-Avon is almost 39 weeks pregnant and is eagerly awaiting her surprise delivery. Rather than go down the route of a ‘neutral’ nursery lacking in personality, she and her husband have created a gorgeous, welcoming space stamped with detail and personality, that they can add to and build on over time. Punctuating the space with well loved pieces both old and new, this is an inspiring space.

“I wanted something light, airy, and colourful without being overly stimulating, so it would be a peaceful sleeping space. I’m really into mixing retro with more contemporary styles – we used quite modern bedding, a modern cot, an Ikea rocking chair, modern floating shelves, etc., then our toy box was an old chest of my grandmother-in-law’s which we had repainted and lined with some bright fabric.

I spent lots of time searching for nurseries to get ideas, and I liked Project Nursery and Bambino Goodies, among other websites. The first thing I bought was the bedding (sheet and quilt are by The Modern Baby Co, but I found them discounted on Etsy; bumper was £10 from Ikea), then I chose the paint to complement it, and kept adding pieces gradually. I’m not a theme person – I wanted everything in the room to work together without being matchy-matchy.

I bought a few old fashioned wooden toys here and there (several from After Noah in Islington) and my husband found a 1989 Beatrix Potter box set from a market in London. I also try to be environmentally conscious and avoid unnecessary chemicals for the baby’s things, so I used low VOC paint from Fired Earth, an organic mattress, I picked wooden and cloth toys (I also prefer how they look!), etc. I was hesitant to use green or yellow paint, for fear being predictably ‘unisex’, but I ended up using both. I adore the shade of bluey-green on the walls, and I think it works because I haven’t banned any other colours – even pink appears.

We definitely didn’t have an unlimited budget, so I spent time hunting for bargains and made some of the pieces myself. The art above the cot I made with embroidery hoops, which I painted white and filled with fabric I found on Etsy. I wish I could take the credit for that idea, but I was inspired by a picture of a nursery where someone else had done something similar. [Purl Bee have a quick tutorial and also check out Apartment Therapy for more inspiration.]

The other six pictures in the room are greetings cards which I found in Paperchase and framed cheaply – the three by the rocking chair are prints of old Ladybird book covers – Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and Puss in Boots. [Check out our previous post on Ladybird Prints.]

We bought the bird mobile in a little shop in Amalfi, Italy, when we were there on a belated honeymoon in July. We also bought the alphabet toy from there.

The lightshade was actually from Next. I don’t think they sell that one anymore, but they have a bigger version with the flower and leaf pendant, £18. The yellow and aqua cushions on the chair are by Sweet Home London. The small dog cushion is by Cath Kidston, £6.

Thanks Sarah for sharing your gorgeous nursery and good luck with your impending birth!