The Nursery Diaries

Chapter 1 : Paint Failure

The walls are/were not pink.  I decided I wasn't a pink person after all.  They aren't wallpapered either, but that was a good guess.

A couple of weeks ago I got stressed out after having lunch with a friend who is less pregnant than me and much further along with her nursery.

You see I do this design thing all day long and it's exhausting work, I know some of y'all think it's all fun and games... but it's not all fun and games, it takes a brain, drains you creatively and emotionally... it's hard work.  So for the past 6 months I've been working.  On other people's homes.  Mine wasn't that important.  Until that lunch date where after I started freaking out a little.

  

So in a panic I went to Home Depot and picked a 1.5" x 1.5" paint sample.  Yes, I have thousands of tried and true paint samples in my office... but I was in a panic.  So I went to Home Depot and had it mixed.  And started painting that night.  If you had been a fly on the wall  in the nursery you might have shed a tear for me.

 

Chance said "I hate to say this, but this color isn't that great.  The old color is much more cozy.  This color you picked surprises me."  To which I replied "I know.  I kinda hate it.  But let's finish it, maybe it'll dry different."

It was a color called "Wicker Mat"... a better name would have been "Non-Committal Pastel Yellow".

Are you still reading?  Or reaching for the nearest trash can so you can vomit? 

I found myself saying something I've never said before "it's just paint"... and my kind husband agreed.

This is my dag-gum profession, people pay me to do this.  And for those people I'd like to think I do it pretty well.  But for myself and my precious little girl's room... I half-assed it.  Sorry for the language, but it was necessary for emphasis.

I had a fabric to go with that pale yellow paint color I painted on the walls.  It was a Ralph Lauren blue fabric that I've always wanted for my bedroom... so that's where I'll use it instead, unless I get tired of it before I ever implement it and if that happens I'll just sell it to someone, or put it in next years yard sale.  I'll spare you the photographs of the pale yellow room.  It was atrocious.  Let's not talk about it ever again, okay? 

No comments about how you like pastel yellow... please?

So, I decided I wasn't going to rush it.  I was gonna get over the failed paint color that was very, very wrong.  I just needed time to think it through.

Chance thought it would be comforting to tell me "the baby isn't gonna know one way or another."  If there are any husbands reading: you shouldn't say that kind of thing to a pregnant woman who just painted her nursery the wrong color. 

Oh, and my sister reminded me "John Martin's nursery wasn't done til he was 6 months old." If you are a sister of a pregnant person, those aren't really comforting words either. 

I know that in the grand scheme of things this nursery is nothing.  It doesn't matter.  That baby is gonna be in our room for the first few weeks anyway... but there is that nesting-factor, not to mention the excitement-factor that should come along with having a baby.  So the fact that I was failing miserably to get my act together was killing me.

And you know when you are designer the baby's name is secondary to the nursery.  If I had a dime for every time someone asked about the nursery I'd be on in island somewhere in a hammock, drinking a virgin pina colada.   

So, as I told you in yesterday's post... I didn't rush it.  I've had a few things up my sleeve that will work regardless of the colors, so I focused on those and waited for the rest of it to come to me.

It finally came to me.  I will show you more soon, promise.  The painters are coming today to paint over the bad color... so we are on the road to recovery.

But my goal yesterday: I ordered a couple of fitted crib sheet options as seen above.

Dwell Organic Crib Sheet and Dwell Forest Sky Sheet

 

 

Comments

[Sara Jane]

you will be an absolutely fantastic mommy no matter what the nursery looks like (and i know it'll look absolutely fantastic!)

[heather]

Erika,

I can only imagine the pressure you feel being a professional designer and having to work on your own home especially for your baby girl.

Deep breath.

You are amazingly talented and and will create something beautiful and loving for your growing family. Heck girl...you could staple burlap to the walls and we'd be convinced it's cutting edge design!!

Good for you to hire a painter...gives you more time and energy for the fun stuff!!!

Hugs from Louisville. :)

[jessica]

Hi Erika!

I just had my first baby girls a few weeks ago. The nursery was a big stresser for me too. I wanted everything to be perfect.....the paint color, the bedding, the furniture. I completely understand where you are coming from. Good for you for hiring painters!! I can't wait to see the finished product....I know it will be perfection. Hope you are feeling good and squeezing in some rest!

[Annmarie]

Sorry, but It is so nice to hear that you make mistakes, too! It's going to ROCK!! Little Miss Sunshine is a lucky duck on many levels!!!

[megan]

I can't understand the pregnancy part, but can totally understand the design draining part and the half-assing it part. :) I painted our sunroom {over a year ago} and it came out totally different than plained. I still don't like it to this day.
Can't wait for Chapter 2!

[Christine]

Don't worry too much about this. It will all come together, and it sounds like you now have a good plan (I can't imagine the stress of being a designer decorating her daughter's room). Plus, as you get to know her personality, I'm sure you'll want to make a few changes anyway so that the room will reflect her. That is a long way of saying that you would be tweaking the room as you go, anyway.

[Julie]

Baby Powell is going to have to most amazing nursery ever! I am kind of jealous!! Missing :-/ Julie

[Nessa]

I have loved reading you blog for months now. I was excited to see when you were expecting.

Now that I am also expecting... I have been really anticipating to see what you do in your room.

Only draw back for me decorating is that we are not finding out the babies sex until B-Day. So I have to go unisex... it is hard.

[gabrielle]

I have the same problem sometimes when I design something for myself, it's hard to be your own client. Once, we painted our front door the most horrible color of green, it looked so nice on the paint chip, but was bad and ugle on the front door, we painted the door, and had to do it all over agin, this time blue. Don't be too hard on yourself, the baby won't care for a few years!

[Jennifer]

well you vetoed all of the "comforting" things I was going to offer, haha. I've heard that nesting instinct is serious biz, so I think I'll just leave you be!

and TOTALLY with you on the pale yellow. when we bought our house, every. single. wall. was pale yellow that I think the previous owner intended to be a buyer-friendly beige but wasn't. if I never see another pale yellow wall again I'll be happy.

[Courtney]

I love you E. Pastel yellow and all. And just know, JJ and I would give our right arms to spend the night in your pastel yellow room right about now. I asked him yesterday how much he'd like to recreate last 4th of July and we both just smiled. HUGE smiles. You two are fab and we love you both no matter what that room looks like! So breath, relax, and enjoy doing up the room for the one girl you will love more than anything!

[Leslie Rowlands]

1. Take a deep breath

2. BREATHE

3. Now, repeat to yourself " It will be alright" again, " it will be alright"

4. Now, when the painters leave go enjoy the newly painted room and remember, you did not have to paint it!

5. You just did an amazing color trial and deceided to change your direction!

6. Enjoy the weekend!!!!

Leslie
Lamaisonfou blog

[Sarah's Fab Day]

No worries, it will all come together. Big hugs!!

[alison g. (brazil)]

Those darn hormones - wrecking havoc with your deliriously-creative mind!

Take Care, and have a wonderful (relaxing) weekend!

Hugs to you and your peanut Ooh, and Chance, too, for being such a good sport! :)

[Laura]

I have been going to home shows around here and one of the homes had the perfect butter yellow, it was dreamy. I so get why the nursery paint needs to be perfect. Being a designer puts more pressure on, especially for baby #1. By baby #3 its just different.

[Kristin]

Okay, I have to comment. Love your blog. I've been reading for months and I have no idea why I've not ever commented before. I'm a designer, I lived four years in Bluewater Bay (right across the Destin bridge), and I have a couple kids. I always know exactly the local places you talk about. I just love that. I'm currently in the DC burbs about to ship off to Boston this summer. I think all designers skip the steps they normally take with clients when we do our own stuff. So here is my nursery story. I'm not a girly girl and my favorite color is Red. When I found out I was having a girl the 2nd time around I couldn't wait to do the nursery. I had all this custom bedding done with Red, Lime Green, and Yellow colors in this strawberry and bumble bees kind of theme. I had the room hand painted and spent a small fortune. Very cute, just not girly girl. Well, my daughter turned out to be the girliest girl EV ER! I still have no idea where she came from. If she wasn't the spitting image of me, I would have suspected she'd been switched in the hospital. She is now 8. When we redid her room a couple of years ago, she choose Pink, Blue, Kelly Green, and Orange. I can not believe I have pink painted furniture in my house. So the moral of the story is. Don't fret it, you could possibly be changing it in a few short years. Especially if you have a boy the next time around(assuming there is a next time or two). Good luck.

[Marybeth]

So, as a mom with grown girls, this is what I know. If my girls land in therapy, it will not be for a bad paint color in their nursery.
There is a Ben Moore color I just had painted in a clients house... on the color chip it reads differently. Buy a little tub and check it out.
HC-30 Philadelphia Cream. It never goes glow in the dark. It is sunny and happy.

[allison walker]

i totally understand about the easier to do for others than for your own space thing. but everything eventually comes together.usually after i let go of the angst and can think calmly. can't wait to see the pics!!

[Holly]

thanks for sharing..i dont feel so crazy now;; i nearly changed my mind on things AFTER i sent stuff to my sewer..i have been so indecisive. the people at Layla Grace have been very nice letting me return stuff, that is the only way, to get your hands on it and THEN decide.i can not wait to see what you do!

and i love Dwell baby..if you go to their main website they have some great things on sale too..

Holly

Holly Mathis
www.hollymathisinteriors.com

[Ashley]

Hormones. It's all in the hormones. And, the fact that you're still working crazy long days. We all have these breakdowns, and thankfully, we have husbands who can "talk us off the edge." You're doing great, and it's going to be great...one step at a time, right?!

Good luck!

P.S. Thanks for such sweet comments on the blog. I am glad that any wisdom I can impart is encouraging to you (related to working, baby, etc.). These choices aren't easy; but, I always want to remember that my joy is not bound in circumstances - only in the Lord! Hang in there!

[anna]

You're funny. . . What happened to the pink? My vote goes for pink :) What if you have this sweet baby girl and the next go 'round you end up with twin boys?! You'll be wishing for some pink then! Just kidding. . . I know it's going to be FAB! Can't wait to see the next installment!!

Love you!

[Starry-Eyed Barefoot Bride]

Dont think of it as a failed paint job but a great primer job with a pale bit of kick. =)

[Becky Brodbeck]

LOL! I can only imagine how upsetting that must have been, so my laughter is honestly sympathy laughter, if you needed a cry partner, I could have done that with you too:-) I love your advice about what not to say when trying to comfort a pregnant woman too, that was right on! I think your solution was great too...focus on what you CAN get done and pace yourself for the rest. Love you and so excited for you all! It is also good to know that even a pro like you can pick out the wrong paint color, there is hope for me yet!

[Debra]

Oh Darlin'- you are such an amazing designer, that of course you want your very best for your little girl. We have such expectations for ourselves. Try to rest and take 'baby steps'- it will come together. Perhaps the best work is to come after your princess arrives and you see her..... she may dictate what she would love for a room.

[Cousin]

Oh Brookey! I know how stressed you are and you have my sympathies! This is why people don't tell people things...too many questions that just stress you out. I'm sure everyone means well, but an overloaded pregnant woman doesn't need a million questions:) On that note, who cares what the nursery will look like?? It'll be perfect no matter what. And most importantly, you and Chance will be absoluely wonderful parents, so none of this matters! I love you and it'll all be perfect. Miss you! XO

[Mag]

I look forward to your blog (and your sisters) each day. It's my little getaway. The nursery is half the fun of a baby, I always did it before the baby came, because you dont have much time to fiddle with it once they come. My only daughter's room is painted Ben. Moore's Wispy pink which is sweet but not too much so. She just turned 4 and told me that she really likes lavender. Too bad I just finished her curtains, she is stuck with it! Good luck, and I cant wait to see the pix!

[Kara]

Oh, I just have to comment... I know how you are feeling! Not the designer part, but the nesting-instinct-overdrive, get-that-nursery-DONE feeling! I have a 6 month old little girl, and when I was 30 weeks pregnant I went on a curtains rampage. I remember crying to my husband (crazy pregnant hormones!) that the nursery just HAD to be perfect when the baby came, and it would NOT be perfect without the right curtains! And I think he totally said something along the lines of "the baby isn't going to know." :)

I'm sure whatever you do will look marvelous. Yay for painters... soon the yellow will be forgotten!

[amanda jones]

I love your blog and haven't commented but I am today...I am one of those people that thinks the nursery is important...its part of nesting and preparing your lives and home to welcome this precious little one, you will be SOOO glad its done when she arrives b/c trust me there won't be "extra" time afterwards - and even if she sleeps in with you all, you'll love to sit and roack and feed her in there, change her diapers there, etc...and for me it gave me peace to know that my children (each one of them (3)) had their own place and my husband and I had our own place (child free) at the end of the day...so good for you for getting the painters and getting back on track, it will be great and beautiful no matter what you decide! best wishes!

[Kat]

Oh honey, I just know that whatever you choose will be breathtaking and she'll love it because you designed it. Just try to relax and do what comes naturally. My husband painted our second daughter's room, only they messed up at Lowe's when they mixed the primer. Instead of stopping, he painted the whole room. I kept seeing an odd greenish glow coming out from under the door but figured he had everything under control. He didn't... it was attrocious and hilarious. It was literally a neon, slime-like, incredible hulkish green.

Everything will be lovely. It will. You are incredibly talented and it will all work out. Good luck. :)

[amanda jones]

Oh and since you are a fab designer maybe you can help me pick a white...my kids playroom, no natural light, we want to paint it all one white (over oak beadboard on bottom, and grass cloth wallpaper (top)...any thoughts? Cause I know you love to give out free decorating advice, ha!!! thanks .

[Jessica {lovely jubbly london}]

try not to put so much pressure on yourself! It will be perfect no matter what it looks like and your daughter will love it simply b/c her mama designed it!

I can only imagine what it's like to design all day and then have to do your own things. To me, the non-professional, it's fun all the time, but I can only imagine what's it like when it's all you do. You have great style and it will all come together.

[jenn]

hee hee...you're cracking me up. I've got less than four weeks until baby arrives...I'm already dilating...and T has the fan on in the nursery, aimed at drying the second coat of sheetrock mud. The fabric for the baby bedding...is in a stack in my office...un-sewn. (it's fabric from you!)

can't wait to see what you do. i know it will be beautiful!

[Kathy]

I am so glad you shared this with all of us. Personally, it seems like when the things I have anticipated for so long finally arrive, I have a mental block and nearly freeze. Just relaxing and letting all thoughts come back always does the trick! I am not surprised you are not a pink person. I absolutely love your style, and there isn't much pink going on. I am definitely a blue girl, always have been. Those crystal blue waters and white sandy beaches of Seaside are where it's at! Your nursery will be beautiful.

[Jen West Design]

Funny. I'm a decorator. Other people's houses are easy. I struggle with mine. Too many choices. Cloudy brain after working for everybody else. My daughter is almost two and I am just now pulling it together. Sigh...

[Paula Grace]

I nearly feel off my chair when I read this. Does this happen to all designers? We know how to do it but when it comes to our own homes, we flake. I had three huge rooms painted in a God awful color before I threatehed my painter to put the roller down or I was going to kill him. He put it down. I called my husband and told him if I had to live with my paint selection, I was going to die. He said he didn't want that to happen so we could re-paint IF I had my colleague friend, Kristin, help me with the paint colors. Sobering experience. I did not follow ANY of the timeless rules I follow each and every time with clients. I am glad you are on your way to recovery! I recovered quickly - that is after my colleague friend and I ran around my house while my painter watched with paint swatches. We got it right! It only took several more gallons of paint and another trip to the hair salon to cover up the gray hair from the stress. All better! I'm sure your nursery will be beautiful :)

[Sharne]

I do some design work too and I can tell you doing it for other people is so so much easier. My eldest daughter is 4 - I am not a girly girl either, so had vision of a unisex type thing - however somehow my daughter got an extra pink gene in there and is mad about pink! I am still coming to terms with that one....she wants everything pink, so have painted the walls a lovely green and have pink accessories as a compromise. My youngest daughter is 1 and I still haven't worked hers out and as a consequence she is still sleeping in our bedroom - so don't be too hard on yourself. We get access to so many choices...and even when we decide, in a month or so, something else will catch your eye and you will probably wish you had done that....enjoy the process...looking forward to seeing what you do.xx
PS: I love your blog and look forward to reading it and your sisters each day thank you

[Jennifer]

are you interested in the whole dwell baby set in forest blue? my baby never slept in his crib and is now 17 months. i would sell it too you at a bargin if you want (sheet, bumper, skirt & comforter)

[vuittonobsessed]

I just came across your blog and I'm one week shy of being 6 months pregnant and I don't have any part of the nursery done either. Our guestroom/my office will be our baby's room and it's painted a khaki color from HD. I think we'll keep it since DH doesn't want to paint it and it's pretty neutral while still being cozy and warm. I'm kinda stressing myself with not having any accessory colors picked out but I'm sure in the next 4 months I'll figure something out. Good luck with your nursery and don't stress out to much! Also CONGRATS on your baby to come! It's exciting and nerve wrecking all at the same time! (This is our first child so I'm more nervous and stressed then anything!) =)

[kendall boggs]

Very soft, pale ballet pink (almost cream), navy and cream was what I wanted my daughter to use. (Actually it was her idea!) But, we couldn't find anything at all with that color combo. She ended up using the pale pink (almost cream/ tan combo and it looks beautiful with the Restoration Hardware line.) I'm really, really sick of the pink/brown combo. I thought the pale pink/navy was a great choice though...and not SO "girly". Sortof a hot/cold look. I think pale pink and navy sailboats would be a really cute addition without being so "nautical, beachy, predictable". On another note, even though long ago, I still remember the stress of wanting to have everything "perfect" for the big coming home event. You'll get it done! I just know it! I love the post about the paint color being a primer! That was good! I am so enjoying your blog!

[Kristin]

Good for you, just take it slow. As a designer myself I know how long it can take me to get stuff done or make decisions. How come it is so much easier for clients homes. : ) I am sure whatever you do will be beautiful and your baby girl will love it. Thanks for sharing.

[Michele]

you're funny. I know it'll be fab- can't wait to see it!

[Erin]

It will all work out and I'm sure it will be beautiful!!!

[velvet and linen]

Being pregnant (especially the first time) is a hormonal emotional roller coaster!
Paint color is so challenging. I have had a couple of real duds, where I just had to tell my client that I screwed up and would pay to have their room repainted. It's funny, but I'm always a bit relieved when the mistake is on my own home. I think of my house as my science experiment. Sometimes the experiment includes a few bad frankensteins in order to get to the beautiful creation in the end.
I'm sure your little girl's nursery will be gorgeous, and knowing you through your blog, it will be complete enough when she arrives.

xo
Brooke

Oh, and yes, interior design is a stressful, draining job!
xo

[Lindsay]

this sounds oddly familiar! I can design for other people all day but when it comes to choosing for myself...well... it looks half ass here too! ;o)

[Shelly]

Erika, I found myself chuckling reading this post...thinking of me about 18 months ago (My baby is 16 months old now). Self-inflicted design pressure stinks. Here I was a qualified, talented (in my humble opinion) interior designer unable to make a decision on the baby's crib. I sell beautiful high-end furniture everyday of my life for crying out loud! I had endless resources, and I just couldn't make a decision, until 2 months before the due date...the crib arrived exactly 3 weeks before the due date, and I had the baby 4 days later! Nothing like designer pressure!

I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of what you finally decide to do - I know it will be great.

War Eagle!

[Lauren Liess]

you have me cracking up!! i know how rough it can be-- because it's true.. if you don't get the nursery done now right, you never will and she will be 6+ months old before you finish it. (and then you'll have to lower the crib mattress and the baby bedding doesn't look as cute that way. )

The first time I was preggers, I totally had the nursery finished before we'd even decided on names... Now I'm pregnant again (we've moved since then) and I'm staring at builder's white walls and I literally have a shower rod up in the window right now!! haha eeeek. But, I so know where you're at.. I've got plans too it's just rough when you're tired from doing others' houses to start weekend projects!!

huge hug & i know when you're finished, it will be perfect for baby. (and most importantly, you!)
xoxo

[Abby]

Oh the REALNESS of nesting! You will look back one day and laugh at how hormoned you are...but I know that time is not now and that is nothing but annoying. Seriously, I had been in LABOR with Mary Aplin for 6 hours or so when my husband finally DRUG me out of the basement where I was folding laundry and rinsing my clorox rag from wiping down my cabinets. I WAS CRAZY. Can't wait to see how it all turns out in the nursery though :)

[Joelle Segal]

You are hilarious...love your blog! I am a web designer and I don't yet have a proper website of my own! I totally get it...

[amy]

I have no doubt yr gonna rock it out!