the {beginnings}

When we found out we were pregnant we were pretty happy. This one was planned and so it didn't come as a shock. What did come as a shock was the immense planning and doing that new babies require. Yikes. I think they should hand out manuals on families with every marriage certificate.
So we started getting the nursery ready, because we were lucky enough to have a room for that. It was originally the guest bedroom and originally had started as stark hospital white. Yum.

My first thought was to paint it a green that the office was in and then just add pink or blue as the accent wall when we found out the gender. So this is how it sat, for months. White can be an accent right? :) Because I'm a habitutal redecorator, I decided I didn't like it and figured I wanted something a little more classy after seeing this:

That way I could use the gray/white coloring I wanted without having to wait for the gender of the baby, and then when we resell they don't have to repaint. If they want.

So we got to work on our fake 'board and batton'. We went to the home depot and bought a regular chair molding that we liked that came in a bundle for $60. You can buy the exact amount that you want for the room so it will be cheaper, you just need to measure the walls. We just wanted extra for the master...if we ever get around to that. (I say we, but I really mean me, because Hubby would probably be content living in a cardboard box). Have I also told you hubs hates his picture taken? He does. We put the chair rail a little higher than normal at about 54". Then we bought wood strips that are also in the molding isle, they are about 3/4" wide and are $.33 a foot. We cut them at the home depot to 54" a piece because you can do that, and then you won't need a saw when you get home for them. The rail, not so much. You'll need a saw. We placed the strips 2' apart around the room, give or take a few inches in some spaces. Really you just place them how they look best to you. A nail gun is extremely helpful for this part.

Once it was all up we sealed in the top seam on the chair rail and all the strips and holes with wood filler. This is probably my worst hated job ever, and after that the room sat for another month because filling holes in wood seriously is a demotivator for me.

The next step would be to manipulate invite a really nice brother or neighbor to come paint it for you. That's the best way I think. If you have to paint it yourself, then good luck. Ok, well I did paint a little...

I choose a light grey satin for the top which makes the room so soothing and light, and then the base is a white semi gloss. Obviously you can pick whatever colors you want.

Even though it messed up the 2' rule, we framed in the closet and window, which really made them look a lot better. Ignore the fact my closet won't close. I'll get to that....eventually.


We're super happy with the results! It makes it so elegant and everything is coming together awesome! Do you like it? Let me know if you have any questions! Total cost for the project was about $60- $30 for the strips, $20 for the chair rail, and about $10 for paint and supplies. Happy Tuesday!