The Look For Less: A Playroom For All

Since I first published this family room/ playroom featured in Lonny Magazine back in April, you wouldn’t believe the amount of emails and comments we’ve received asking for advice on how to create a similar space on budget.

Traditional Family Room from Lonny Mag

Your wish is my command, dear readers!

Here’s a design board of affordable alternatives to create a similar look for less.

look for less luxury family room

– Pendant Lamps: The original basket-like wood pendant lamps in the original design (Design Within Reach (DWR) – Koura Pendant) retail for almost $2,000 — eek! Go for these Woven Seagrass Pendants (on sale of $64.99 each from West Elm) for a similar look and an unbelievable price difference.

– Subway Art: The subway art in the original design are the lyrics to Madonna’s ‘Little Star’ by LA artist Matthew Heller — but this Horizontal Subway Art Sign from Wall Bling on Etsy ($60) looks like a great affordable alternative to us!

– Modular Sofa: The KARLSTAD Loveseat and chaise lounge in Lindö beige ($978) from Ikea gives your family plenty of seating room — looks comfy too!

– High Pile Rug: A Flokati Rug ($79.99) from Ikea is inexpensive item that will give you and baby a soft place to play. It’s 6’7″ x 4’7″ but if you want a larger rug, like the one in the original design, you can purchase two and tape them together on the back with rug tape.

Classic Modern Boy Nursery | Featured Real Room

full room bensnursery

I’m so excited to share with you this lovely and modern boy nursery designed by Adriane, of the a & b stories — it’s uncluttered, bright and cozy! “Our house is designed around cool neutral tones and we wanted this room to flow with the rest of the rooms. Having never been a big fan of overly themed rooms, we tried to keep it classic but still cute. Most importantly, we think this room will really grow with our boy for years to come.”

nursery wall art giraffe

Child’s Name: Benjamin
Child’s Age:
3 1/2 months old
Location:
Hamilton, Ontario

nursery details modern fun

Describe your decorating style: I would say we lean towards modern classic design. Our house is a palette of greys, whites and blacks, and this soft blue-grey room is a welcome addition.

What was your inspiration for the room? We had an idea of how we wanted it to look, but I must say the whole design really came together when we discovered ‘A Vintage Poster’ and ordered the print set above the crib. They became the focal point, and the rest just fell into place!

white and blue traditional boys room gorgeous affordable

Favorite items in the room:
The prints above crib, the crib, and mobile our among our favorites. They really give the room the feel we were looking for.

black and white mobile

Any advice to share with expectant moms  designing a nursery?
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great room! We purchased mostly non-nursery furniture and that saved us a LOT. And the artwork was all very affordable!

contemporary modern real room for boy classic

Room Resources.

Crib: Babyletto Modo 3 in 1 Crib  in Two Tone (White and Espresso)
Dresser: Ikea (Hemnes)
Side Table: Ikea (Hemnes)
Arm chair: Ikea (Ektorp)
Curtains (Grey): Ikea (Ritva)
Curtains (White): Ikea (Matilda)
Artwork (above crib): A Vintage Poster
Artwork (above dresser): Sarah Jane Studios
Mobile: Wee Gallery
Blankets and throw pillows: Ikea
Lamp (base only): Ikea (Arstid)
Lamp shade: Ikea (Renate)
Carpet: Walmart
Paint: Behr Misty Surf

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Wyatt’s Vintage-Inspired Traditional Nursery {Featured Real Room}

Annie, of A Dorkable Annie, is patiently awaiting the arrival of her first baby. She has embraced her nesting instinct and created a classic, traditional, homespun and vintage-inspired space with soothing, soft colors draping everything in sight. Come take a our of Wyatt’s nursery…

vintage elegance boy nursery

Child’s Name: Wyatt
Child’s Age: Coming September 2011
Location: Oklahoma

Describe your decorating style: My style is definitely traditional with shabby, homespun and even country details. I want a space to feel cozy and welcoming — no museums!

What was your inspiration for the room?
I wanted a room that was warm, soothing, soft and functional.

vintage boy heirloom nursery

Favorite items in the room:
I love the vintage pieces. I really scored after searching multiple antique store locations. Also the custom bookcases help make the room unique and functional.

Any advice to share with expectant moms  designing a nursery?
The last thing I wanted was for this room to be “matchy matchy”, but I didn’t want it to look hodgepodge either — that’s the tough part. Make sure you’re keeping track of your purchases by putting them up in the room as you get them. Don’t make the mistake of buying stuff randomly and letting it sit in the room until you’re ready to put the room together — you’ll forget what you already have and lose the focus of the room.

vintage inspired room details

Room Resources:

Wall Color: Valspar Cashmere
Wall Art: Letters from Restoration Hardware, empty frames from Hobby Lobby, Little boy and dog art from Etsy, flash cards printed from Etsy order and cut out by me
Crib: Restoration Hardware
Monogram Quilt: Restoration Hardware
Bedding: RosenberryRooms.com
Dog Snuggle Blanket: DIY project
Window Treatments: Bed Bath & Beyond
Glider: Custom order from Pickles & Ice Cream, Edmond, OK
Changing Table & Dressier: Antique store
Bookcases: Custom built and painted
Rug: Tuesday Morning

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Laila Ali’s Celebrity Nursery | Pink and Green Traditional Girly Chic

Laila Ali Celebrity Nursery

I have a confession. And let’s try to keep this just between us, ok?

Here goes… I’m not a fan of most celebrity nurseries.

Phew! Feels good to get that off my chest.

However, there are always exceptions like Tiffani Thiessen’s nursery and Tori Spelling’s nurseries for her son Liam and daughter Stella. And now I can add Laila Ali to that very short list of celebrity nurseries that I love.

Celebrity Nursery Laila Ali

Laila Ali worked with the uber-talented duo, Naomi Alon and Gerri Panebianco, of Little Crown Interiors to design a custom dream nursery for her little baby girl, Sydney. And they did a FANTASTIC job!

Some of my FAVORITE design features in the room include:

– The color palette. Pink and green make a great color combo. Through in a muted blue/gray and you’ve got yourself the perfect trio!

– The silver wall decals that add architecture to the room.

– The “Hope” Crib and Changing Table. Made in a gorgeous shade of pink, this crib is the combined effort of Little Crown Interiors and Newport Cottages, a luxury furniture maker. Proceeds from the sale of every “Hope” Crib go to Breast Cancer Research and the piece serves as a symbol of courage and compassion.

– The custom crib bedding. Love Bird Damask is my favorite fabric from Carousel Designs and I was so happy to see it in this nursery.

laila ali nursery celebrity designer

Ok.

I LOVE this entire room! Don’t you?

Room Resources:
Wall color: DE5744 Seaport
Crib: Newport Cottages Hope Crib in Pink
{Custom end panels in Grey Geometric Print by SPI Baby}
Changing Table: Newport Cottages Hope Changing Table in Pink
Custom Crib Bedding, Changing Pad Cover and Window Panels: Carousel Designs
Custom upholstered glider and ottoman: SPI Baby
Toy Box: White with Green Trim & Lid from Newport Cottages
De-Lite Floor Lamp & Ribbon Trim Shade: Pottery Barn Kids
Rug: Dash & Albert Scroll Platinum Wool Rug, 5 x 7
Panel Wall Decals on Three Main Walls in Silver: Dali Decals
Digital Monogram File by Wee Monograms: Wee Monograms
Plush Bunny, PBK Blocks, Lucy Baby Doll and Cradle: Pottery Barn Kids
Crib Mattress: Naturalmat
Shaped Mirrors in Medium (2): Pottery Barn Kids
Classic Steel Curtain Rod, Nickel and Colored Ball Finials: Pottery Barn Kids