Gender-specific children’s rooms need not be based on stereotypical colors. Most of us know by now that girl’s rooms don’t have to be pink (or, I daresay, even include it), boy’s rooms don’t need to be blue, and there are many other options for gender-neutral rooms besides green and yellow. That’s what makes design fun and challenging. There’s nothing terribly “gender-specific” about my son’s nursery at a basic level: the walls are yellow, the furniture is white, and there are no trucks, trains, or airplanes in sight (not yet, anyway!). However, I do think you get a sense that a boy lives there when you walk in the room based on the fabric choices and more masculine lines and shapes.

I love blue. Most of my wardrobe is blue. Our master bedroom and half-bath are blue. Sure, I have a few pink tops and accessories (even a pink pair of sandals), but given the choice between the two colors, I will pick blue nearly every time (although I write this while wearing a raspberry-hued shirt). The fact is that for at least the next decade my life will be bombarded with pink in the form of my daughters clothes and toys, so do I need a heavily pink room on top of it all – and at the top of my stairs? My vote is no. Soon enough she’ll have her own opinions and will likely request a pink room, but in the meantime I want what I want. And I’m pretty sold on blue right now.

Left Fabric: Kumari Garden Teja in Blue
Right Fabric: Kumari Garden Tanaya in Blue
Bottom Fabric: Kumari Garden Sacha in Blue
Ceiling Light: Ikea ARSTID (only $30!)
Paint: Benjamin Moore Swept Away
Rug: Land of Nod Gray Chevron Rug
Crib (already own): Graco “Lauren” Crib
Chair (already own): Boston Interiors “Cooper” Swivel Rocker
Alphabet Cards: Free printable from The Handmade Home
Elephant Art: Brick House Studio

Despite what Mr. JC says, I actually think that this is a very girly room. The bold global print is dotted with flowers and will be roman shades (two in the room), the stripes (or possibly this print) will be a ruffled crib skirt, and I think I’ll frame the butterfly fabric. I used the alphabet cards for my friend’s baby shower and the art is quite feminine. Little touches of pink will come through in other art that will hung on the walls.

For comparison’s sake, I whipped up the same design using the pink versions from the Kumari Garden collection.

This pink colorway attracted me first, and while I really like it I just find the blue palette more appealing (plus, it works better with our existing chair). We went to Captiva, FL for a few days last week and the mix of blue, turquoise and gray reminds me of the gorgeous waters of the Gulf Coast. I’m trying to track down these fabrics locally so I can see them in person, and I have a feeling that we’ll go blue for our little lass’s room.

For you, dear readers, this means a new nursery design and lots of ideas for turning or little guest room into a girly (but still educational) oasis for my little princess.

We can’t go overboard buying new stuff, so my plans revolve around using some existing pieces like my son’s crib and rocking chair. My mom will likely make new window treatments and a coordinating crib skirt, but I really want to splurge on a new rug and overhead lighting.

Since the rocking chair is navy blue, the nursery’s color scheme must work with that (since I can’t be bothered buying/making a slipcover). I actually like using blue in a girl’s room, so I’m sure I’ll be able to make this work.

Instead of focusing my fabric hunt on home decor weight material, I’m opening up to the vast array of quilting fabric that’s available. Frankly, I’m finding so many more choices that I really like! I’m playing around with a few different ideas, and am torn between using a navy/pink combination, my favorite shades of blue and teal, or lilac/purple.

Here’s the first design board that I came up with. I’d love to her your thoughts and suggestions!

Paint: Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue (maybe – not sure if it’s the right blue for the fabric)
Ceiling Light: Lamps Plus
Floral Print Fabric: Amy Butler Lark Dreamer Charisma Midnight Blue
Pink and White Polka Dot Fabric: Premier Fabrics “Ikat Dot Nina Birch”
Rug: Land of Nod
Crib (already own): Graco “Lauren” Crib
Chair (already own): Boston Interiors “Cooper” Swivel Rocker
Animal Art: Oh Hello Dear
Number Art: Modern Pop
 

I recently ordered a pair of Gap Maternity 1969 Always Skinny jeans and love them! In fact, I’m wearing them as I type this. They’re extremely comfortable, and Gap’s “ankle length” is perfect for my 5’1″ frame. It’s nearly impossible to find cute and affordable petite maternity clothes.

Topped with an animal print blouse from LOFT Maternity, a fun date night look is created. Ah, who am I kidding? I’d totally wear this to work, too.

See the look’s details here.

If you have any tips for where to find petite maternity clothes, please let me know!

BTW, LOFT needs to allow Polyvore to grab images, or at least upload more of their product images to Polyvore. ShopStyle is quite substandard when it comes to putting looks together for blogging purposes.