We recently revealed that we’ll be working on a Young House Love nursery… just not for us. We’re super excited to create a fun and functional baby’s room for John’s sister Emily who’s expecting a little boy this October. And of course we have plenty of affordable DIY ideas up our sleeves that we’ll be sharing as we go. The first order of business in Emily’s blank canvas of a guest room was to get some paint up on those bare walls.
But we didn’t just settle for a fresh coat of soft blue-gray, we decided that a cheerful, modern and awesomely random vertical stripe effect was just the thing to get this makeover started with a bang.
The easy one-night process of taping, painting, and peeling was as simple as picking a color palette…
… getting that painter’s tape up on the wall…
… filling in each randomly sized and spaced stripe with one of our four accent colors and peeling off the tape to reveal…
… fresh slices of color around the room (we promise they’re straight, the camera lens just makes them bow out a little).
And we even whipped up this video of the entire painting process with more step by step details and paint color information:
Yes John’s awesomely long arms came in handy for the filming of this video. And that is an Oregon Trail icon on his painting shirt. Good times. Oh and you can watch it here on YouTube .
And since we’ll be keeping a tally of how much our little nursery transformation costs, we’ll share the tally for this phase of the project. For a gallon of wall paint and three sample cans of our stripe colors (we already had the white paint on hand) the room got a totally new look to the tune of just $39. And we’ll also be using the leftover paint for a few more DIY projects around the room so we’ll get even more bang for our buck. Stay tuned…
And because we love a good teaser, we thought we’d share a glimpse of some of the bedding and upholstery choices along with our paint chip color palette so you guys can get a taste of the big picture:
Don’t you love those cute little elephants? Babies are so much fun, even before they’re born. So what about you guys. Any babies on the way? Any nursery makeover details that you’d like to share? Spill the bun-in-the-oven beans.
Jess says
How freaking cute are you guys? “We are outsourcing the baby!” Love it. Thanks for the great painting tips. I’m about to start a construction project with my dad (we are building a studio apartment for me out of our existing loft in our barn) so I can use all the help I can get! (No worries, my dad is great at construction!)
Jessica says
I love the elephant bedding! If I were having a boy, I definitely would have gone with that bedding also… I’m due with my 2nd girl Oct. 3rd and wasn’t crazy about the colors of DwellStudio’s bird bedding, so I found one of their discontinued sets on ebay (“arabesque”), for $35 – which I’m sure when it was on sale it was cheaper than that, but I thought it was a pretty good deal since it’s no longer available! Can’t wait to see what you do for artwork. That’s what I’m stuck on right now – trying to find some on etsy. I would love to see you do a girl’s nursery too!! ;)
katie says
i made some art work for my baby girl’s room with felt glued onto a canvas that i painted with some simple stripes. see the finished product here:
http://dyerfamilia.blogspot.com/2009/03/shes-crafty.html
it has been a big hit with those who visit her room.
Katie says
I love the nursery too cute! I have to say, go John with the Oregon Trail! Flashback!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks, Katie! The Oregon Trail shirt was from a play I was in in college (any UVA folks remember “Voices of the Class?”). I designed the shirt as an homage to a scene where we did our best real life recreation of Oregon Trail on stage. Let’s just say it was quite interesting… good thing it was supposed to be comedy!
-John
heather s. says
Thanks for answering about Glidden and VOC, Sherry! I knew they revamped their colors but didn’t know they revamped their formula so maybe the new paint I bought last week will be more tolerable (here’s hoping!).
Ashley says
Okay, so I always knew you two were the cutest thing ever but then you make these sweet, sweet videos and blow my mind. Ya’ll are too cute!! We definitely need little YHL babies!! I am just in the beginning of nursery planning as I am 12 WEEKS pregnant! Yay! We are so excited and have some thoughts on the nursery but no exact details yet. I do know wainscoting will be going up but haven’t figured the rest out yet. We find out if we are having a boy or girl in less than a month now! Once we know that our process will certainly speed up. Can’t wait to see what you both do in this nursery. I know it is going to be great! Hopefully I’ll learn a few tips, as always!!
Karen says
I love that fabric for the bedding, etc. Has Emily seen this elephant (http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&partNumber=WE-PRODa636&retainNav=true&parent_category_rn=&cmsrc=SCH&parentId=elephant) at West Elm?? I saw it a couple of weeks ago and although my hubby and I are a year or more from wanting kids, I went ahead and bought it becuase it’s soooo cute.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Karen,
Oh yeah, we love those little West Elm critters and the elephant is specially adorable. You know I love a ceramic animal (or ten)!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
So cute! I’ve been redecorating my room at home while I’m going to college out of town, and your site is great inspiriation. I tried to get my mom to jump on the stripes bandwagon, but no luck so far. This might help!
You guys cracked me up! I was laughing out loud watching the video! I’ll have to watch it a second time to pick up on the tips!
Keep up the good work!
Stephanie
Brandi U. says
You guys are too cute! I love watching your videos. Your personalities come right through.
LauraC says
Quick question regarding the Dwell bedding you got/pictured: I just got back from Target (picked up the adorable pink bird crib sheet for our daughter’s new (i.e. Craigslist) toddler bed) and I looked at the bedding you got for your nephew. Super cute, but the yellow looked very yellow in the store, but on my screen it looked like a more mellow/gold-y, not-so-bright-yellow. The shade on my computer was my favorite, I was just surprised at the difference. Just curious as to which shade it was. Enjoyed the video!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Laura C,
Good question! The yellow in the crib sheet is pretty… well, yellow. The other fabric swatch from the chair and the wall paint is a bit more weathered and gold-ish instead of primary yellow, but the light pops of the brighter yellow in the bedding will create a nice layered and not-so-matchy-matchy effect so we’re psyched. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
pearls and green tea says
Here are pics of the modern nursery i created for my daughter! Can’t wait to see the rest of your nursery come along!!
http://pearlsandgreentea.blogspot.com/2009/03/baby-talk.html
LauraC says
Oh, and I second the shirt comment! I’d definitely wear one with your logo, and I’d put it on my birthday/Christmas list! :=)
Sevi says
I love watching your tips on video, that’s probably why you’re so cute guys! Elephants are my fav.
jbhat says
I am so anxious to see the finished project. And I’ll say it again, you guys are just destined for a TV show of your own. I would be surprised if you aren’t already fielding offers.
Our nursery is coming along. We’re due in less than a month. I just found a copy of that For Like Ever print online and can’t wait to see it framed in her room. If I can get it together, I’ll flickr it for you and send you a link or something.
YoungHouseLove says
Yay! So glad you guys are digging the nursery so far. We’re super excited to get things going and can’t wait to update you guys about our next projects. Thanks so much for sharing links to your own projects as well! We love seeing what you guys are up to.
xo,
s
Tamara says
Enjoyed the video very much! Looking forward to the next one!
j says
I whole heartedly beleive a child becomes who they will be their whole lives in those very early formative months. stimulate the right brain now!!! intricate and colorful mobiles and wall decor above the crib. i swear i remember staring up at the big fabric turtle on the wall for hours.
Nikki G says
Hey Guys! Love how the stripes came out…I actually did something very similar in our master bath so I was psyched to see it in another room! Also….the video was great…hopefully we’ll see more videos soon from you guys!
Erin says
Love the color palette! I was just picking up my own Glidden paint samples today for two rooms- our toddler boy’s room redo and new baby girl nursery. For our boy’s room, our inspiration is a giant vintage school map (Europe and Asia circa 1960, it’s awesome!)- there are great colors in it and I’ll use it as a jumping off point. Not sure about bedding yet. I’m anxious to see how your project unfolds! I really love random skinny stripes!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow Erin your vintage map inspiration has us drooling. Take lots of pics and don’t forget to send ’em our way!
xo,
s (& j) <– who is addicted to maps, seriously
Marianne says
you two are so cute. thanks for the tutorial! great job.
Erin H says
Looks Awesome!!! Love the “Dwell” look of it all- can’t wait to try it myself… and glad to see John didn’t lose his head via the ceiling fan!!!
Sam & Jacci says
LOVE IT!!!!!!! I love the video fun!!! :) You guys are super cute :)
XO,
Jacci
p.s. I think it was very wise of you to not paint the stripes all over the room. I painted one of my daughter’s bedrooms with two horizontal stripes **all the way around** the room a few years back. When it came time to repaint and nix the stripes it was SUCH a bear sanding all traces of them away. They kept showing marks (just the edge of the painted stripe, 3D, not color) through the new paint. I vowed to stay away from painted stripes after that, but this nursery is so stinking fun already… y’all might have me changing my tune! ;)
XO,
Jacci
Christie Stearns says
I love what you guys are doing with the nursery! Your video was great!! You guys are so entertaining and cute! We just love reading your blog. Someday when it’s our turn to do a nursery, we just might hire you for design advice :-D
Just on a side note in case you’re curious, the house we’ve been wanting went under contract today :( But we’re trying to stay positive. We’ll keep ours on the market, look around at more, see what’s out there. Who knows what will happen.
I’d love to send you guys a link to my house listing and get your opinion on the current design… if you are interested let me know, I’d have to send it over email because I don’t want the whole world having my address :)
Thanks guys, great post!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Christie,
Sure thing! Send that listing link over and we’ll take a look. Everything happens for a reason and I’m sure you guys will end up in your dream home!
xo,
s
Jamie says
voices of the class. how could anyone forget?
I love your reactions when Sherry was going through the names of the colors.
Amanda says
I bought that bedding for my baby boy! It looks so good in his room. We love that it has a variety of colors that we can use to help pick out accessories and that it wasn’t pastel…I feel like babies need more stimulating colors then pale blue or yellow or pink. I love when people use vibrant colors in a babies room! I also love the stripes. May have to repaint my sons room now. His walls are blue but they are a deep gray blue with fun wall decals of dots in swirl patterns near the windows and doors. We also bought a bunch of robot stuff to transform his room as he gets older. Anyway great job!
Amy says
Ok, I check your site every day from Sydney Australia & did not think it was possible to love you guys any more – but now I’ve seen your video you are even more adorable!
G&D says
Baby on the way here! Looking forward to seeing what you do with this room. I’m already loving the stripes. So cute!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey D,
Those were snagged at Tar-jay a while back. We think they might be seasonal so even if you don’t see ’em now check back for them periodically (kind of like checking for skin tags but more exciting). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jaime @ A Place Out West says
I love it! I love that the colors are soft enough for a nursery but modern enough to be something the baby can grow into. I can’t wait to see the finished room!
Caitlyn S. says
Love the nursery!!! The colors are awesome! But I have a question for you both…
Have you thought about a crib mobile yet? Or are those totally outdated? I saw on this urban grace interiors blog (one of your links) a really precious idea for a mobile and I thought it was SO CUTE! I will include the link! I know it doesn’t go with your theme, but it just made me wonder if you two had been thinking about some incredible ideas for a mobile or if you don’t think they are necessary.
Thanks!
Caitlyn
Here is the link to urban grace interiors!
http://www.urbangraceinteriors.typepad.com/
it is under a July 20th post entitled Nantucket (round 2)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Caitlyn,
Oh yeah we love that mobile and of course Erika could not be cuter. Isn’t she the most adorable prego person you’ve ever seen? We definitely have plans for art and accessories around the room although with those super tall ceilings we’re not sure about what we’ll do for the mobile. Stay tuned…
xo,
s
Stephanie says
I am due in 2 weeks, I went home last night and put stripes on the wall in the nursery. I love it, you guys are great!! Thanks
Caitlyn S. says
Yes absolutely the most PRECIOUS!!!! haha! Her sister is so cute too! http://www.flythroughmywindow.blogspot.com (She has the cutest kids EVER!) They both went to Auburn and Erika was in the interior design program that I am now in, and one of my professors to me about her blog! I love it! Almost as much as I love yalls! Can’t wait to see your ideas!!!
Wendy says
Here is a link to a picture of the stripes I did in my son’s room (he’s 6 months old). It took about a week to paint and I don’t know if I would do it again, but I love how it turned out. Let me know if a picture would be easier and I will email you one.
http://texasborn-texasbred.xanga.com/photos/a1267221124440/
Katie A. says
Hey John & Sherry,
I love the stripes in the nursery and would love to do something similar for my son’s new “big boy” room, but here in VA Beach we have textured walls. ( I hate them!) Any ideas? or am I stuck with solid colors?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Katie,
I think you can still do stripes! Just press your tape firmly against the textured part of the walls and paint away. You might have some edges to straighten once you peel back the paint (small touch ups that can be made with a short handled brush) but I’m sure you can make it work! Good luck…
xo,
s
dee says
You guys are adorable. You really should have your own TV show.
Wendy says
Katie,
I also painted striped and have textured walls. I get perfectly straight lines by using paintable caulk. It take a lot of prep time, but your lines will be PERFECTLY straight on the textured walls. I put a small bead of clear paintable caulk along the tape line, smooth out the bead to create a thin seal between the wall and the tape, paint, and then remove the tape. I am anal and have done my whole house this way.
Wendy
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip Wendy! Thanks so much for sharing.
xo,
s
amyb! says
I loooove the stripes! We are due in November and I am in a mad pyscho mode to get this baby’s room done, lol! We are going with a vintage blue, orange, white and maybe green colors! I can’t wait to see the ends results, i have so many ideas in my head but can’t figure where to start!!!
Megan says
You two are so unbelievably adorable! I love the idea of not making the stripes uniformed.
ASH says
I’m thinking of doing stripes in my bedroom (horizontal ones) and had a question. Do you prime the stripes before painting them? thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Nope no primer necessary!
xo,
s
Amy says
I picked up a white ceramic elephant from Ross today for just $2.99. It’s the same rounded-back shape as the elephant on the fabric, but the trunk is up. Small, maybe around 6″. Cute if you need more accessories :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amy,
So cute! Thanks for the heads up. You know we loooove a ceramic animal (or ten)…
xo,
s
Lori says
I’ve seen your nursery pics before, but only tonight did I notice that you used Polished Limestone! We recently moved and I painted our large master bedroom in that color and it is so soothing and gorgeous.
This is our bedspread: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1626&f=31814 and it looks fantastic with the light gray paint.
I’ve learned so much from your site; keep up the great work!
Katie says
Hey,
LOVE this! Can you tell me where these colors are from and also if there are follow-up links to get more great ideas for this specific nursery?
You guys are such an inspiration!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Katie,
They’re from Glidden at Home Depot. Hope it helps! As for this project, we don’t have a way to pinpoint those specific posts, but if you click “next” you should be able to cycle through posts after this one to see how it all ends up! Here’s the last post to see where it all ends up: https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/09/onemodern-nursery-the-big-reveal/
xo,
s
Shannu says
Hi,
This is soooo beautiful and refreshing. We just bought a new home(Old Ranch) and I am looking for all I can get ideas to set it up. Came across your post on the Reader and I shud say I am glad I stumbled across this website. You guys are doing a great job. God Bless.
Love,
Shannu
Miranda says
Love the stripe idea on the walls…we are doing a grey, white and yellow (with a few black touches) color scheme in our baby boy’s nursery (due in April) and this would look really neat on the grey walls :)