Hi friends! It’s Courtney (Melissa’s daughter) here. I’m excited to share the design mood board I created for our baby boy’s nursery.
If you’re new or catching up, my husband and I got married in July 2022 and are expecting our first baby on February 14 (Valentine’s Day!). This summer we moved from a small apartment into a rental townhouse, which gives us plenty of room as we prepare for our little one.
Here’s a photo of the nursery before we moved in. The window seat is my favorite feature.
We have a lot to do before the nursery is finished, but today I wanted to share the design plan and the mood board that inspired it.
I’m drawn to a cozy Scandinavian look—clean, calm, and layered with texture and warmth. Over time my style may shift toward a cottage-transitional mix as I collect pieces, but for now I’m embracing muted neutrals with pops of color, nature-inspired accents, and soft, whimsical touches.
Because we live in a coastal Pacific Northwest town surrounded by forest and sea, I leaned into elements that nod to that setting: sailboats, botanicals, warm wood tones, and soft, muted colors. I wanted the nursery to feel restful and cozy, but also playful in small doses.
Below is our design mood board.
Here are the mood board sources, why I chose them, and a few additional pieces we’ll include that aren’t shown on the board.
Cross Baby Quilt
We received this sweet muslin baby quilt at our shower. The tiny cross pattern is even prettier in person and feels like a cozy, understated layer for the crib or window seat.
Bunting Banner
This bunting adds a playful, whimsical touch. I’m still deciding whether to hang it above the crib or on another wall, but the muted colors fit perfectly with the mood I want.
Green ‘Explore’ Pennant Banner Art
This pennant felt right for the room—simple, adventurous, and a gentle pop of green. It matches the nature-inspired feeling I’m aiming for.
Ikea Sniglar Crib
We chose the Ikea Sniglar crib for its simple style, solid beech wood, affordability, and ability to convert to a toddler bed. It fits our aesthetic and budget, and the clean lines pair well with the other natural elements in the room.
Wood and Crochet Stars & Clouds Mobile
We fell in love with a pre-made mobile that combines wood shapes and crochet textures. It’s well made and adds a soft, tactile element above the crib; we’ll hang it from a stand or hook so it can be seen from the chair and bed.
Machine-Washable Rug
Even though the room has wall-to-wall carpet, I plan to layer a washable rug to add pattern and color while keeping cleanup easy.
Faux Olive Tree
I’m considering a faux olive tree to bring life into the room without the maintenance of a real plant. It will add height and softness in a corner once the furniture is arranged.
Ikea Ektorp Chair with White Slipcover
We’re using an Ektorp chair that was passed down from my mom with a white slipcover. It’s cozy and practical—enough for nightly feeds and cuddles for now. If we later need a glider, we’ll reassess.
Wood Accent Stool/Table
A small wood stool or side table will sit beside the chair for a lamp or a cup of tea. I also plan to tuck in a leather pouf for extra comfort if it fits the space.
Black Floor Lamp
A simple black floor lamp will provide focused light for late-night feedings without overwhelming the calm palette.
Wood Blanket Ladder
A blanket ladder is a sweet, functional way to display a few special baby blankets—one is handmade and too lovely to hide away.
Lightweight Black & White Stitched Curtains
We’ll layer lightweight stitched curtains over the window seat for texture, plus a room-darkening option for naps when needed.
Botanical Art
A couple of botanical prints will add a calm, natural focal point above the dresser or chair. They feel timeless and pair well with the coastal accents.
Vintage Wicker Elephant Accent
I found a wicker elephant at a local antique shop that’s perfect for holding small toys or essentials. I’ll keep an eye out for similar vintage finds to balance some of the newer pieces.
A few more favorite accents: a wooden sailboat with tiny animal toys to reflect our love of sailing, a watercolor sailboat print that reminds me of where we lived early in our marriage, a sailboat muslin swaddle that’s too pretty not to display, and a soft teddy bear I bought early on as a keepsake.
We’ll use an Ikea Hemnes dresser as a changing table and swap the hardware for unfinished wood knobs to warm up the finish and coordinate with the crib and mobile.
Teddy Bear
One of the first little items we bought—this bear will be part of the nursery’s cozy, sentimental details.
That’s all for now! I hope you enjoyed this peek at our plans. I can’t wait to share photos of the finished nursery.
Would you like more nursery inspiration and baby gift ideas here? I’ve loved gathering pieces and will share more recommendations as we go — tell me what you’d like to see!
You can also follow along with me on Instagram for more of my home and life.
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