When we last left off in the nursery, we had painted the closet door green, but still had a few lingering functional things that we needed (like a changing pad cover, a hamper, and a bin for dirty diapers) as well as a plan for the wall behind the crib that we had been debating.
Update #1. You probably remember when we were considering this fun arrow wallpaper for that spot (among others) but thought it might be a little busy on that side with all the built-ins, so imagine our surprise to find a changing pad cover in the same pattern on Etsy. Teddy loves it. So much, in fact, that he has already peed on it a whole bunch of times. You know, to mark his territory.
We’ve heard a ton of tips (washcloth, wipe, clean diaper) to block the spray, but even with those methods we found that it still managed to run down and pool on the changing pad cover, meaning that we had to strip it off and wash it more times than we hoped in the first few days of being home from the hospital. To the point that even if we had 4 spares we’d still be washing them constantly. We had the same problem with baby Clara (good genes I guess) so we used a wipeable changing pad cover over her cloth changing pad during that phase (it was so much easier to wipe that down than constantly be washing the cover itself).
Which brings us to Update #2. Now that we use that vinyl pad in the car for changes on the go, I thought I’d make one for the house from oilcloth. Here was my process in a nutshell:
1. I grabbed half of a yard of “marine coat vinyl” in white from JoAnn for $6 (they didn’t have white oilcloth), and I actually got two changing pad covers out of that half a yard (so we can use one downstairs when we change Teddy on the ottoman as well)
2. I laid out our existing car pad by Skip Hop (the front is the shiny vinyl part and looks like this, so the black fabric is the back) and traced the shape onto the back of the white marine coat vinyl fabric with a sharpie (twice since there was room for two).
3. Then I just cut them out. Vinyl doesn’t have a fraying edge, so I didn’t even need to hem them or anything
So far it has been awesome. Just look at Teddy modeling his new waterproof cover. He actually peed through his diaper and his onesie while we took this shot. True story. It’s like he wanted to test just how waterproof it was. Thankfully, it worked like a charm. And it has been saving us a little bit of laundry (every little bit helps!) ever since.
Update #3. You can also see the simple white trash can that we grabbed at Ikea for diapers (we’re using disposables until Teddy grows into our cloth ones, just like we did with Clara). So far it’s working well. The lid (with the step-to-open mechanism) keeps smells in, and makes for hands-free opening, which is really convenient.
Update #4. In other “I’ll take all the small conveniences I can get while running on a lot less sleep” category, we also got this adorable navy and white Boppy cover from John’s sister as a baby gift (it was also from Etsy). I know some folks skip the Boppy and just use a pillow or something but I use it so much in these early days when the baby’s so small and nursing all the time. We debated bringing ours to the hospital and I said “nah, that’s overkill” and I actually wished I had it instead of using wadded up blankets and pillows, which surprised me.
Please avert your gaze from my dirty nails and focus on the cute baby.
Update #5. This is a little craft fair item that we bought here in Richmond at the annual Spring Bada Bing event (we’ve blogged about it a few times before). It’s always fun to support small businesses and browse homemade wares – and this one is made by The Little Bandit Shop. It’s an embroidery hoop with discontinued fabric (from Ikea a while back) that she hand-stitched with some cute green vines on each side. We thought it was so charming, and a great idea for a DIY project too.
Update #6. We also realized we needed a clothes hamper, so we grabbed a basket from HomeGoods that’s around the same size as the hamper that we use in Clara’s room and I quickly sewed a little inside-out pillowcase to create a liner. Why inside out? That way when you fold the edges over the side of the basket, they face the right way (and when you look down at the inside of the hamper the patterned side shows). It’s easy to pull out and wash, and I got half a yard of this soft gray ticking fabric at JoAnn for $4.
Update #7. Now for our little plan behind the crib wall, which we didn’t actually do yet – but we think we’re set on this idea. John came up with a repeating pattern of T’s (for Teddy of course). Although this photoshopped version leaves a lot to be desired in the “realistic” department, in our minds it’ll look awesome.
It’s subtle and sweet enough for both of us to like it best of all the other options we’ve considered, so now we’re just debating if we’ll end up making a stencil to paint the T’s on the wall like Clara’s raindrops, or if we’ll use contact paper or some other method to add them. Will keep you posted!
Oh and I finally remembered to snap a picture of the fourth wall of the room (it briefly flashed by in this video tour, but I don’t think I ever took a photo of that angle). Right now there’s just a floor lamp for function (it works on the wall switch, so we can flip it on when we enter the room) but eventually we’d love an overhead light on a dimmer and we think we’ll use that wall to make a fun little play area once Teddy’s a little older, like we did on this wall in Clara’s room.
Are you rallying to add a flurry of small things to a space that’s mostly complete? Buying anything fun from Etsy or at a local craft show? Peeing on changing pads, just for fun?
Psst- To read about all of the nursery updates from the beginning, here’s how we painted all the pink trim, laid new hardwood floors, got a rug, painted the walls & ceiling, added built-ins, tackled some baby bedding, hung extra thick crown molding, filled up the built-ins, added a storage cabinet/changing table, made a mobile, and made art & painted the closet door green.
Autumn says
I did not read all 300+ comments, but in case no one has mentioned it, we found these waterproof flannel pads to be a lifesaver changing 1 million diapers of twin boys! Put on top of the changing pad just like the vinyl covers you made, but there would be days when I’d go through a lot more than two, so these might be nice to have handy. We also used these in place of sheets in our bassinet in the beginning (easy to switch them out!). 2 1/2 years later they’re still soft, not pilled, and waterproof.
http://www.amazon.com/Carters-Keep-Flannel-Bassinet-Ecru/dp/B002UD660S/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398887107&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=2X+Carters+Keep+Me+Dry+Flannel+Bassinet+Pad
Briana says
The vinyl changing pad idea is fabulous! I have a 6 month old baby boy and he still pees all over the place at diaper changing time. Haha!
As well, I love all the colors, textures and patterns in Teddy’s nursery!
Ann says
Love your sense of style! Modern, minimal, cozy, and fun!!
Jennifer says
If the vinyl ends up getting sticky against his skin (I have never used that type of thing for a changing pad so I do not have experience with it) you should get flannel lap pads. They are waterproof and fully washable and are basically just rectangular pieces of fabric that go on top of the cute changing pad cover. We have a pile of white ones we can change out whenever a mess occurs. My 10 month old son has only made a mess of the changing pad itself 2 times since he was born because of the flannel pads.
Angie C says
If Teddy’s wetting through the diaper, it might also be because you’re leaving his uhm, wee wee up. Point it downwards towards the diaper. If you’re leaving it upright, it leaks out the diaper and has nothing to do with diaper size. Just one mommy to another.
Shannon Summers says
Sherry,
Question for the update with the design on the wall, are you going with a silver or gray? I can’t seem to tell from my monitor. Love the T design!
-Shannon
YoungHouseLove says
I think we’re considering little white T’s to tie into things like the crib, the curtains, and the ottoman.
xo
s
Ash says
Seconding (second-hundredth-ing?) the approval of T for Teddy. MAN, I can’t wait to have a nursery to decorate!
Out of curiosity, I haven’t seen what kind of “growth photos” project you guys are going to do for Teddy, like you did with Clara’s photo project. Or, if you are or are not going to do one at all. Maybe I missed it somewhere? Perhaps with book/showhouse/older kid/blog/house projects it’s just not going to happen with him?
YoungHouseLove says
We’re having fun with weekly pics with Teddy too! Just did our first one last Wednesday and our second one today. Can’t wait to post about it soon (it’s similar to Clara’s, but with a few tweaks for our little man).
xo
s
Jennie says
For those that love statistics (in love with this website):
http://www.minted.com/product/custom-art-prints/MIN-01Z-FCA/by-the-numbers?ccId=72189&org=photo
I had to do a double take…thought it was another YHL posting at first!
Congrats on your beautiful boy and on taking time out for the family…we never get this time back with our little ones.
Best wishes,
Jennie
YoungHouseLove says
So cool!
xo
s
Chelsea says
I’m not sure if you can find/have white electrical tape, but my mom has used black multiple times for quick detailing. I think it would work really well for making the T’s, no painting required.
I love your sweet baby’s room.
Carly says
I am the mama of boy-girl twins, so efficiency was the model at our home! The nurses showed us a trick for diapers. Unlatch the dirty one with the clean one underneath (opened as if you were putting it on) and let a little air get into his diaper area. He’ll pee, the dirty diaper will absorb it and block it from shooting everywhere, then you just wipe them off with the dirty diaper, and the wipe, and the clean one is underneath and ready to go! Doing two-times everything, this was a life hanging tip!!!
Sharon says
I did not bring the Boppy to the hospital with my first. But, you’d better bet I learned my lesson and brought it along when my second was born. I actually just pulled it out today as I’m going to donate it to our crisis pregnancy center.
Emily says
The T’s is an AWESOME idea! I love it. Teddy is such a handsome little guy. And I’m so glad you guys found that changing pad in the very same print so you can still use it for the room without it being too busy; I loved that pattern.
P.S. This room is currently one of my favorites of the house so far :) It’s adorable, versatile, practical, sweet, and fun.
Seng says
What great ideas!!!! Love the nursery tips!!
Seng | sengerson.com
Suzanne says
I really enjoy your nursery. I have an 8 month old boy and we did his nursery in blues and red. I was a huge fan of the arrow wall paper but I also think the Ts on the crib wall will look awesome. Congrats on your new little guy!!
BTW, I had a dream last night that you two renewed your wedding vows. I feel like a weirdo now but at least I’m in good company as it seems other readers have dreams featuring Sherry and John!!
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Gmama says
The best solution we found for the re-pees was holding our son over the sink and giving him a preferred place to relieve himself. Can’t blame a boy for not wanting to sit in his own urine!
Lily says
The room looks amazing and I’m thoroughly impressed that you had time to put this post together!
x Lily
whilemyboyfriendsaway.blogspot.com
Geales Sands says
Hi! Teddy and Clara are adorable–no question about that.Well done, you! I have never commented before because it makes more work for you, but finally, curiosity is killing me. Why have you left the old 80’s intercom system in place? Every time you redo a room, you seem to paint around the ancient intercom system. Why is that? In the kitchen, the nursery, Clara’s room, etc. the speaker is always in the photographs. Why don’t you pull it out and patch the hole and move on? I don’t get it. Enlighten me.
YoungHouseLove says
We are thinking about replacing them with a newer sound system so we want to keep the wiring and hookups in place. We figure we can always patch them if we change our minds, but having a music/intercom system could be fun if it’s up to date :)
xo
s
Jill says
Hi there
I’m sure someone else has asked this but can you tell me the room dimensions for Teddy’s room? Thanks! He’s beautiful btw :). Great addition to family! Thanks for all the great posts!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s 11.5 x 13.5 :)
xo
s
Korie says
Love the nursery, it’s so perfect! I especially love your use of the Expedit as a changing table and want to do that for our first little one (due in August!). I was wondering, how do you like it compared to the dresser you used for Clara? Is the storage working out well/any better than using a dresser?
YoungHouseLove says
It has been really nice so far. Dressing her was simpler with the drawers right under the changing pad, but we have a basket of diapers and wipes under the pad in the expedit, so as long as we bring the outfit over with us we have everything we need!
xo
s
Paula says
Teddy is adorable! I’m looking to design my our nursery and the hubs and I can’t agree on a chair. Any chance you can share where the nursing chair is from?
YoungHouseLove says
That was from Joss & Main a few years ago. It used to be in our kitchen near the fireplace in our last house. Maybe check jossandmain.com along with overstock and wayfair for it?
xo
s
Sarah says
Loved seeing that this designer chose the Bun’s diaper pad cover! have been following you guys since we started our ranch remodel….you have kept me going-though Iam not much of a commenter…I will take this opportunity to say: You rock. Good choice on focusing on the family. Thank you. Come see us in Staunton if you ever need a little road trip. http://www.houzz.com/photos/11518402/Huntington-Hacienda-contemporary-kids-orange-county Happy birthday, Clara! welcome to the world baby boy!
Audra says
Cute nursery! You’ve inspired me to add some punches of green in my son’s gray (boring) nursery as well as a pattern.
I m trying my hand at making a stencil and I’m going to make an arrow design similar to the one you were toying with…but mine will only be below his chair rail (where its really dark gray) and I’m going to space it out. I think smaller groupings of 3-4 arrows placed every so often will be enough.
I love the T design. I know you must get tired of us less creative folks suggesting things, but I’ll brave it:) I think you have the perfect amount of color as is. What about making the T’s in the exact same color as the wall paint, but in a gloss? You’d get a classy shimmer though very subtle. I guess that would only work if you used flat wall paint and I’m not sure if you did or not.
Teddy is very precious… Congratulations!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a fun idea too! Thanks Audra!
xo
s
Summer says
A question about your ModFox changing pad cover: did it interfere with the straps that attach to the back of the dress/Expedit? I ordered three ModFox changing pad covers for my sister, but now that they are on, we can’t figure out how to make that work — the cover wraps really far into the bottom middle — which is great for making it fit and stay nice and snug, but not great for the attaching-to-the-back straps. (I think her change pad might be slightly smaller than yours, so this might be more extreme on hers than yours.) Any thoughts? Is your cover just a bit bunched up on the one side so they can get over?
Thanks in advance!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no, that stinks! We snapped ours on first (without the cover) and then just put the cover over it (since the straps just go down the sides of the back and down the back of the dresser the cover just slips over that and it seems to stay put). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Summer says
Thanks for the help! You guys are so awesome to always reply. We’ll try it out and see if we can make it work!
Michelle says
Creating a nursery inspired by yours, it’s amazing! Do you recall where you found the white curtains? Thanks from a fellow Richmonder!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Michelle! They’re from Ikea a while back.
xo
s