Wanna see a pregnant lady in a crib? Boom, there it is.
Yes, this is a story all about how my life got twist turned upside down I made our little man a mobile. It’s kinda rustic (it’s made from a manzanita branch) and kinda modern (there are fun circles in a bunch of colors and sizes that hang down at different lengths) and most of all it makes me smile. Is it weird that hanging this actually made me feel more ready to have the little guy in my arms? Like “OK, the mobile’s up – now the baby party can start.”
Much like the mobile I made for Clara’s room (that one was comprised of little floral orbs made from wire, faux flowers, and glue)…
… this one was pretty simple to put together. Clara even helped!
First I dragged my decorative manzanita branch out of the storage room (what? everyone doesn’t have a decorative manzanita branch standing by? well, that needs to be remedied). It was sold by West Elm a few years ago, so it has been bleached and debarked and it’s nice and solid – so there’s no worry of anything flaking off like old bark and falling into the crib. I thought leaving it this raw color would be a nice counterpart to the colorful round disks I wanted to add. As for the dangly strands, I had two paper banners from Target that I picked up for $2.18 on clearance a few months ago without any earthly idea of what I’d eventually use them for.
Once the mobile idea popped into my head, well, they seemed perfect. Except of course they were colors/patterns that didn’t really fit into the nursery scheme thus far. But it wasn’t anything a little craft paint couldn’t solve. So I laid them out on a few old cereal boxes from our recycling bin and Clara had fun helping me paint them. They needed two coats to cover those patterns underneath, but it was pretty easy to get done – even with a wiggly three year old assistant. Mostly it was one of those we-both-hold-the-brush-so-we-don’t-get-paint-all-over-the-strings projects, but she has a lot of pride over the mobile she made for “her baby” and it was a fun thing to do with her.
While those freshly painted circles were drying, I realized they probably wouldn’t be enough to fill out the entire branch (even if I snipped them into smaller 25″ strands). So I broke out some white embroidery floss and decorative paper. Using a few round items around the house I traced multiple versions of three similarly sized circles to the ones in the pre-made banners onto craft paper in similar colors to the paint I used. For the smallest circles I used the base of the craft paint that was still out on the table, the middle ones were from tracing the bottom of another slightly larger bottle I had, and the biggest circles were from the base of a small cup. Then I just cut them out, making sure I had an even number of each.
The even number was important since I used them to sandwich my white embroidery string with some Aleen’s Tacky Glue. Just pressing them together over the string after dabbing them with some glue dots seemed to do the trick, and I spaced them by eye, using the spacing of the Target banners as my guide (those were around two inches apart).
I made each strand around 25″ long, just like the pre-made banners that I had snipped apart to make sections of that length. When everything was dry, it was time to tie them firmly onto the branch at different increments for a nice dangly effect. I hung the branch over the back of two chairs so there was room for my strands to dangle while I tied them on, and I just randomly spaced them so they were all slightly different widths from each other.
At this point Clara was over the project and happily putting stickers on the window nearby (that’s a really nice look from the curb, by the way), but Burger did mosey on over for a peek as I went.
On the topic of hanging things over a crib, we’re definitely paranoid with a side of neurotic. For example, in Clara’s nursery we hung a mirror over her crib, but we actually drilled directly through the frame in multiple places to secure that thing to the wall so tightly that even John couldn’t yank it off the wall – even though it was out of Clara’s actual reach.
So although this mobile weighs a fraction of a pound, we relied on three heavy duty brass plated plant hooks (they each support 10+ lbs and have extra long screws so we could be sure they were either hitting a ceiling beam – two of them did – or a heavy duty anchor that we added) along with extra strong fishing wire that’s almost invisible, so it looks like it’s floating. We just knotted the fishing wire to the branch in three spots that needed some support (both ends and the triangular middle branch area) and connected them to the plant hooks that we secured to the ceiling, directly above those points. And that’s how this pregnant lady found herself chilling in a crib.
I really loved this way of hanging it since it’ll always be out of baby’s reach (this method makes it really easy raise if we ever think it’s within grabbing distance – although once the baby is more mobile we’ll drop the mattress so it’ll be even further away).
It’s amazing how much sweeter the crib feels now. Like it’s saying “bring on the baby!”
Once we got it hanging there was a split second where I wished it was a little bigger, just to fill up that wall more, but it’s almost three feet wide and around 16″ deep and 25″ long, so if it was any bigger the function of it might hinder us since it’s a real-life 3-D object that’s hanging there (we feared we’d hit our heads on it every time we leaned into the crib if it were much bigger). So after staring at it for a while I’ve come to peace with its size.
John actually ordered two samples of Spoonflower wallpaper that he thinks could be fun to further fill out that wall between the built-ins (a complete surprise to me!) so maybe we’ll end up layering in some sort of interesting color or backdrop behind the mobile. It takes 12 business days to arrive, so I can’t wait to get it. Might be a total “nope that would look crazy” moment, or something that we’re both enamored with, so we’ll keep you posted. We’ve also talked about some sort of accent color with paint, just between those two built-ins, so we’re definitely open to seeing where this thing goes.
Either way, it’s pretty cool to see a room that used to look like this…
… looking more like this these days.
As for what’s left on the list in here, there are just a few outstanding items.
- possibly tweak the wall behind the crib with wallpaper or some sort of accent color
- add an overhead light on a dimmer (nothing’s there at all right now)
- redo the closet for little clothes (paint it, add a second hanging bar or some cubby storage, etc)
- finishing touches (some other small art/accessories, etc)
- just add baby
It’s nice to be in the home stretch! Both for this pregnancy (I’m still having morning sickness at 33 weeks) and for the room. Most of all we’re just excited to meet the little guy who’s doing the macarena in my tummy right now. I think he’s a very good dancer.
Oh and since a few readers have passed along an awesome tip about making sure to look at a mobile from below to check that it’s interesting from that point of view, here’s what the bun will see when he glances up. Little spinning slices of color and a nice branchy background. Although I don’t think his eyes will focus that high up for a little while…
I contemplated adding something facing him to the bottom of each strand (ex: a small animal-shaped piece of paper that would look flat from the side, but read easily from his in-the-crib perspective) but since his bedding has elephants marching all over it, I wondered if it might be more soothing to just see some dancing disks. We’re definitely open to evolving this little creation as he grows though. So if he’s really into some sort of creature (remember how much Clara got into worms and dragons?) I can work those in later. Just don’t want to stimulate him too much since it’s a spot for sleep.
And just because it might be more fun to see a grown man lying in a crib than a pregnant lady standing in one, there’s this:
Is anyone else making mobiles? Or putting the last few touches on a different room that you’ve been working on? What about hanging out in cribs? I’m telling you, it’s kind of a good time.
Psst- Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button:
Tyra says
Love love love!!!
2 questions:
When you are done can you do a if the bun was a girl post, how would the nursey look? I love the post you did for Clara’s with similar colors but geared to a boy….it’s nice to see nurserys/ideas that are not girl=pink boy=baby blue!
When you get a light installed will you have the electrician go ahead and add boxes to the other rooms upstairs? The idea of seeing lots of new lights (going light shopping with y’all) is thrilling!!!! Lights are the most fun!!
YoungHouseLove says
Ahh, I agree! Lights are so much fun! We are holding out on calling the electrician until we find a nursery light, but if we find something we might have him go ahead and do them all at once. And as for the “if baby Barnacle was a girl” we’d love to do a post like that since we did one with Clara’s nursery :)
xo
s
Rebecca | the lil house that could says
The colors in the mobile look great and bring everything together! Have you ever thought of painting the built ins or just the backs of the shelves navy? Not that you need another project right now, but the navy in the mobile and blanket had me thinking… And I’m partial to the navy & greens in my son’s room :)
YoungHouseLove says
That could be fun too!
xo
s
JCTate2 says
My daughter sends to me:
Sent by Mely at 10:45 AM on Wednesday
I wish I was this couple’s best friend. They’re so fun to follow on their blog
http://www.younghouselove.com
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet!
xo
s
Jennifer says
Looks beautiful! Your dots gave me flashbacks to my own mobile-making project from a few years ago, although it wasn’t as elaborate as yours! Mine has a bicycle theme, which is funny since you have the bike prints. We did not hang it above the crib, but rather in a corner of the room. Check it out if you have a chance… http://www.bungalow54.com/2012/10/interpretation-of-mobile.html
YoungHouseLove says
Really cute! I love how that turned out!
xo
s
theresa says
It looks like you have completed your vision to perfection. I guess all you have left to do is wait for baby. I would love to see the little mans baby clothes before you fill all those drawers.
Just wondering if a double bed will fit between the built ins for future use.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we built them so a double bed would slip in there (lengthwise) and even so a full/queen could go in there width-wise for way down the line. As for all of his tiny clothes, they’re too cute. I have to take a picture of them all washed & ready for him.
xo
s
Briel K. says
I really like how the room is coming together! This one and Clara’s are my favorites in your house so far! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Briel!
xo
s
Caroline says
I love the nursery! And I love the mobile. I made a paper mobile for our little boy last year. I’m so glad now that it’s something I made and didn’t buy!
http://colorfulengineer.blogspot.com/2013/08/paper-mobile.html?m=1
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so sweet! I love it so much!
xo
s
Donna says
Things are really coming together in there. I am really liking all of the shades of green with the navy blue accents. You may have already discussed this in other posts comments, so sorry if I missed something, but I’m thinking navy would be a great color for the closet door. It wouldn’t be too bright like the emerald or yellow-green, would tie in with the other bits of navy here and there, and would be a color that would grow with a boy as he matured…Maybe for a future nautical themed boy’s room. :) Sorry, he’s not even here yet, and I’m thinking 10 years down the road.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a sweet idea too! Thanks Donna!
xo
s
Kim says
So glad you guys took baby’s view into consideration :) I love that it gives him a little something to look at while drifting off to dreamland without being over-stimulating. I can’t WAIT to virtually meet baby barnacle :)
Lesley says
Okay, the ideas I have never turn out the same in reality…. how is it possible that you were able to execute exactly what you envisioned/photoshopped? Brilliant!
If you are thinking paint between the built-ins, I vote for tue slightly darker grey you almost couse-corrected to on the shelves. It would be like a sideways ombre, getting darker and cozier into the crib.
And if you’re thinking names, for the last 3 weeks every time I read Barnacle, my brain sees Alexander…. no clue why.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! Good friends of ours have a baby Alex (Alexandrer) and he’s adorable!
xo
s
Susan says
Every time you post a nursery update, I just get happier for you — what a wonderful room to spend time in. I love the green, your shelf hack, and the mobile turned out great.
But morning sickness still at 33 weeks! You poor thing. :-/
Cindy says
Love the Spoonflower idea a lot. But, if that doesn’t work for you how about 8″ – 9″ wide horizontal stripes on top of the current wall color on that wall. Maybe dark gray, blue, green. I recently did horizontal stripes in my powder room in cream and a bronze-brown and it is a showstopper. But y’all are the experts. I love everything you do. Your home is so young, fresh, crisp and really reflects your personality. Love you. Best wishes for a lovely birth story.
Cindy says
BTW, the stripe idea, I meant pick one color on top of the current paint color.
YoungHouseLove says
That would be really fun Cindy!
xo
s
Carissa says
Love the mobile idea. The nursery looks great! Where did you find the dresser with the changing pad? From the angle pictured, it looks like a rustic/distressed style dresser? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We just posted about that two days ago (Monday morning), so here’s the link for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2014/02/changing-tables-and-our-minds/
xo
s
Julie Clanton says
LOVE it! I think we are due to have our babies about the same time a girl this time for me :)
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! Good luck with your girl!
xo
s
Angela says
It’s looking so great! I never had a mobile for my babies and I regret it. 3 of them have visual problems that they are in therapy for. I was reading the literature in the office and they said a tool for developing proper vision in kids using a crib mobile. Who knew? It may not have prevented all our troubles, but it would have helped.
YoungHouseLove says
Never knew that! Thanks for the info Angela!
xo
s
Susan in Colorado says
I just LOVE it.. and Clara’s as well (I wasn’t a reader back then)… Can we be like best friends and you come to my house and decorate? And then I’ll treat you to a Starbucks. LOL…
Really though I love all your projects and it’s inspiring me to go to my garage once it warms up a little and finally paint an end table that I keep putting off cause I am scared! I am going to DO IT!!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet Susan. It’s a deal! I’ll totally work for Starbucks.
xo
s
Bethany says
I love the nursery and I love the mobile. I don’t necessarily think that it needs anything else between the bookcases and behind the mobile, BUT…. if you still are thinking that you maybe wish it was bigger to fill the space, have you thought about buying a large canvas that you could hang on the wall behind the crib between the bookcases. You could paint it a solid color – like maybe the same as the curtains or one of the lighter green or blue colors from the mobile and then it would add an extra pop of color and fill the wall but not be too busy that it takes away from the adorable mobile! Just an idea!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a really fun idea Bethany! Thanks!
xo
s
Eileen says
I have been a quiet reader for at least three years. And I just had an “aha” moment. I made a ribbon chandelier for my daughter (inspired by Clara’s of course) and tried adding some circles in the mix much like this. But used fishing wire and used stickers and the wire would curl. Never thought to use embroidery thread. Thanks for so much inspiration throughout the years.
Hugs from very sunny and hot Puerto Rico
YoungHouseLove says
So glad! Good luck Eileen!
xo
s
Momcat says
Between you, the Barnacle, AND John…. That’s one sturdy crib!
I adore the room. Clean, fresh, simple, and yet fun and cheerful. A-DORE it!
Jerri says
Love it! What a happy little room! If the wallpaper doesn’t work on the wall, maybe just putting it on the wall inside the shelves on either side would work.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a fun idea too!
xo
s
Katie says
I think an accent wall similar to the color of your chair would make the white crib, mobile, and built-in’s pop, all while giving it more dimension. Loving the nursery!
LibraDesignEye says
That is one lucky barnacle. Sending strong energy headed your way for his arrival.
Me and my (gosh now my boys arein college but I remember) advice – Might I suggest finding an warm enough indoor swimming pool between now and then for you to start swimming a few times a week? The ability to stretch and move and exercise while relatively weightless at this stage can really help you sleep better. And barnacles love water.
Sleep is just the one key thing to make you stronger for childbirth, but sleeping gets more uncomfortable and difficult to stay in and theres a feedback loop that swimming can cut through for you . . .
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tips! A swim sounds lovely right about now!
xo
s
Kristin says
The whole room looks beautiful and fun! I did something simliar to the mobile for my wedding reception as a wall installation. Bigger paper and glittered it up. I love the mobile idea!
Joanna says
Sorry you’re still sick but the nursery looks amazing!
Something about being 33 weeks and still getting morning sickness just doesn’t feel natural. I remember after I gave birth to my daughter and recovering a bit, I felt like I could eat everything in the hospital and more, I was just so happy to not feel ill after nine+ months (and for my baby of course).
Amy says
Did you know you can also run craft or construction paper cutouts through the sewing machine also to make a quick garland? We’ve made valentines hearts and Easter eggs that the kids string up on their doors to decorate. They’d be great hanging from a mobile too though. Just sew a wide stitch kind of slow and let the machine just kind leave some unsewn thread space between each shape.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
Taylee @ twist me fit says
Love how it turned out!
sheila f says
Poor Sherry, My sister had all day morning sickness with all 3 of of her pregnancies. I feel for you. You and she are troopers.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Sheila! I’m thrilled to be in the home stretch. Not much longer now!
xo
s
Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork says
Love, love, love the way this looks! It’s definitely something I would do! I’m also partial to the blue/green color scheme since those are our favorite (and were obviously our wedding) colors. Love the touch of modern with rustic.
Also, love the title (when I saw it in my feed, I nearly said outloud, “Why, yes I do!”) and seeing John in the crib. Thanks for sharing! Pinning this for reference “later.”
Teresa says
Well done, Sherry! It’s beautiful.
Shauna says
I love this room. I’m 21.5 weeks along, also with a boy, and also with morning sickness that went away and then RETURNED, and I’ve enjoyed seeing your nursery come along as we get started on ours. I just love the mobile and might just use it as inspiration in our little man’s room!
Samara says
Beautiful! Where are the curtains from and what colour?
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s that post for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2014/02/pleated-panels-burger-photobombs/
xo
s
Stephanie Sentelle says
That looks so great!! I think your little boy will love it. I made a mobile for my daughter, now 6 months. I used an embroidery hoop, embroidery string, pillow fluff, and felt to create a cloud with colorful raindrops hanging down. I love how it turned out! Check out my blog post of her nursery reveal to see it.
http://braydenmakesthree.blogspot.com/2013/08/madisons-nursery.html
Can’t wait to see your little man in that crib! The room looks wonderful!
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet Stephanie! Thanks for sharing the link!
xo
s
Jodee B says
It turned out great, Sherry! I gotta say, making a mobile for my daughters room was the best thing I did in there. She loves it so much! It makes me so proud to see her watch it when I change her diaper or dress her (it’s above her changing table). You can see it on my blog: http://homeheartandsoul.blogspot.com/2013/04/diy-baby-mobile.html and her whole nursery here: http://homeheartandsoul.blogspot.com/2013/07/nursery-reveal.html
Once the room was complete I was so ready for her to be here. Now she’s 7 months old and I still love her tiny nursery so much! I personally love all the green in your little guy’s nursery. It’s my favorite color. Lime green, to be exact. Obsessed with those curtains!
YoungHouseLove says
Such a sweet space Jodee! Thanks for sharing!
xo
s
Cristina says
Gosh! I love how this room has come together. I keep thinking – did I miss the story on where the chair came from? Love it!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s from Joss & Main a while back! Used to be in our last house’s kitchen across from the fireplace.
xo
s
cristina says
OH – good to know. I love my son’s nursery (he’s 15 months), EXCEPT for our chair and rug. Someday I’ll figure out something better…
Carolyn Williams says
I love it! The colors in the nursery are so inspiring and calming. Your little boy will love it. I made a mobile a couple years ago for my daughter and moved it into her book nook last summer. I also didn’t put horizontal things on the bottom, thinking that she would enjoy the spinning fabric raindrops I made. http://andthenthey.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/book-nook/
Carolyn Williams says
Oh! I just noticed you can also see my gradient dresser (inspired by your book) in these photos, too! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Love that so much! Thanks for the link Carolyn!
xo
s
Tina says
First, let me say..love your site, love the nursery, love you guy…but hahahaha hahahaha rotfl. That is one, no two hilarious pictures and totally brings me to the what won’t we do for our kids!
Angela says
What a lucky baby boy! His room looks awesome already!!
It’s probably in your website somewhere already but I can’t find the answer anywhere. Do you guys do mood boards for other people and get paid through paypal perhaps? We are military moving to a new home and now our older two kids want to be together in the same bedroom which I love! However, I have no idea how to combine their likes. My son is 3 and loves green and trains (Thomas being his favorite thing in the world). My daughter is 6 and loves purple and musicals (obsessed with Wicked, which happens to have purple and green in their adds).
I love your style and taste, and how you can do a room within a reasonable budget. So please, let me know if you guys offer that kind of services. I need you! =) Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Angela! We used to do them a while back but after Clara was born it was hard to juggle them with blog/book stuff so we had to let them go. We promise to make a big announcement if we ever have time to bring those back though!
xo
s
Anna // Gone Banannas says
I love this mobile! I won’t be having children any time soon but I am storing all these ideas for down the road. I am super thankful for your DIY tutorials. You are great at breaking things down with little projects like this to make it seem like anyone can tackle them! <3
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks Anna!
xo
s
Emily F. says
The nursery looks awesome! I love how the colors are all coming together. I’m due with girl #2 at the end of June and I’m just waiting for the nursery motivation to hit! I’ve done a few things (some clothes sorting, some fabric picking out) but I really need to paint in there and clean up! Here’s hoping once spring in MI hits and I can open a window and see the sun shining, I’ll feel more motivated!
arty says
You guys did a brilliant job!
Amazing how you stick to your vision… i tend to keep deviating.
How long did it actually take to come up with a plan? -Just curious…?
YoungHouseLove says
Do you mean a plan for the mobile or a plan for the nursery? We probably percolated about the nursery for about 4 months, just saving inspiration and thinking about stuff, and then also brainstormed stuff as we went, so it definitely evolved for a while as opposed to happening overnight :)
xo,
s
Liz says
That’s really cute but I think would fit the space better if it were longer – or maybe if the branch was darker it wouldn’t get so lost in the space? Spoonflower has such cute patterns! I’d put a patterned paper on the opposite wall so the built-in side of the room doesn’t get too heavy.
Like other commenters, pics of y’all in the crib makes me nervous! My neice has the same one and it doesn’t seem like it would be sturdy enough for adults. You obviously didn’t collapse the thing but I’d be hesitant to toss my plump body into it. Haha! Did you recently reinforce the springs?
YoungHouseLove says
We added nice thick wood slats since our Angelcare monitor required them. It had to sit on “a solid wood surface” (couldn’t be placed on that metal spring thing) so we just added wide wood boards that run end to end. Just ran upstairs and snapped a pic (the slat on the back says “Clara’s crib” since we labeled them when we moved).
xo
s
Danielle says
Love the mobile!
I made the mobile for my youngest (now 18 months)- tissue paper poufs. Perfect to break up the grey and white stripes and chevrons of the room.
This weekend, we’re going to work on the foyer. A simple place to hang coats, backpacks, stash shoes, etc.
Stacy says
I love how quickly you guys put together a room. This is gorgeous! I am having so much trouble coming up with ideas for my master, guest room and other living spaces. I can’t get over how beautifully these changes have come together. Your little man is going to be so content in that space.
Ally says
I really really like this room! What amazing details! Can I ask where you purchased the pouf/ottoman?
YoungHouseLove says
That was from Joss & Main a while back.
xo
s
Lauren Robinson says
Love it! Wish you were having Barnacle last year this time so I could have stolen ideas for my “Norris”! And don’t underestimate a boy in pulling things into the crib. Emerson’s crib has to sit way out from wall as he pulls door to get to our pipes in bathroom next door. I think we may have a future plumber! :)
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Kerrie says
Hahaha! I love the pics of each of you in the crib. So cute. (and the mobile is amazing btw).
Jenn says
I love the branch! I did our mobile on an emroidery hoop (where was my manzanita?!) with double sided pattern paper and threaded the circles on to a piece of fishing line. I don’t know if your’s will since it’s more linar, but the circles on ours moved and swayed very softly when the vents kicked on. Everly really liked to watch it move. And bonus, no batteries required.
If you wanted the mobile to appear large you could always hang a mirror or something around that level (like a long horizontal one) to help visually duplicate the circles. Cute either way!
YoungHouseLove says
Your mobile sounds pretty Jenn! And I think the mirror idea is a fun one too!
xo
s
Lauren Robinson says
Love it! Wish you were having barnacle last year this time so I could have stolen ideas for my “Norris.” Don’t underestimate what boys will pull into the crib! “Norris’s” crib has to sit way out from wall as he pulls down the door to get to pipes in shower to bathroom next door. Was not an issue with his sister. We mayhave a future plumber on our hands. :)
Kelli says
The mobile is going to be such fun for barnacle to stare up at. The room looks soooooo good! High fives all around! And did you say wallpaper?!! Can’t wait to see what happens between your built ins!