I’ve talked alot about the nursery furniture. A LOT. Like when I put together the initial moodboard. Or like when I changed the initial moodboard and decided on other furniture. Or like when I posted about building the crib.
So it should come as no surprise that there is yet another post about furniture for the nursery. I promise that this will be the last time. I know. I’m milkin this pregnancy (THAT WON’T END FOR THE LIFE OF ME!) for all it’s worth. No pun intended. Ya know. About the milkin 🙂
Anyhoo. Back to the furniture. We decided to splurge for a console/buffet/changing table from Walmart. As you may remember, it matches our Craigslist crib and it can be transitioned into a new place (and function) once Will outgrows it. The best part about shopping at Walmart is that they have free shipping to the store. So all we had to do was select our nearest branch and have the Wallie World peeps deliver it to that local location (who gave us a ring to come pick it up when it came in!). Easy peasy contraction squeezy.
When we broke into the package and set out all the pieces, I went to work putting the drawers together while Jeremy put together the big pieces including the frame and the doors.
Canopy invests a little more into their instructions than Ikea (whose directions include two stick figures making faces. You think I am joking. I am not.) so we were able to get this piece together in a jiffy.
We did discover that the package was short on two ‘pins’ that were used to assemble the drawers. First we called Walmart to see if there was a way to get extra pins. They directed us to the customer service peeps at Canopy who said that if we were able to find a replacement (like getting a couple nails at our local home improvement store that would fit) then they would reimburse us up to $10.
It’s nice to know that a company is willing to work out a good deal. Because otherwise we would have had to disassemble the entire piece, pack it up, and return it to the store, then wait for a new one to be delivered, go pick it up and then assemble it all over again. That would probably be as annoying as waiting for your uterus to expel your child. THREE DAYS and counting people!
Here is the completed piece. We love the color and the versatility. We don’t love the difficulty of opening the drawers (not pictured). Since they are optional – as in, you can take em out and plop in a dvd player or a stack of dishes. Obviously, since we are using this piece of furniture in the nursery, we wanted the drawers for the storage and since they are a little tough to slide out then we will be sure to place items in them that we don’t need to access everyday.
After we assembled the console table, my boyfriend and I started talking about the layout once again. As you may remember, we had previously decided that the wardrobe would go next to the closet and the console table would go next to the door and the rocker.
But as we got closer to putting all the large furniture in the room, we both hated how the wardrobe was tall enough to block some of the light from the window (see photo below). It just didn’t butter our muffins if you know what I mean.
So we did a last minute switch. We swapped out the console table for the wardrobe…and then scooted the rocker towards the door and catty-cornered the tall wardrobe.
So much better…right??! The console table next to the closet is still in front of the window but doesn’t block the light or obstruct the shades. And we were able to pop an ikea mirror over it to reflect even more light from the opposing window and the texture from the accent wall.
And since we moved the console table, we went to work placing the cabinet in the corner. We wanted to save money by reusing the little white side table beside the (non-pictured) rocker. The only problem was that we had an overwhelming amount of white-hued stuff on this wall…the cabinet, the side table and the soon-to-be-included rocker were all white.
So to break up the albino-wall, I decided to bring a little color in. I chose to spraypaint the little sidetable so that it would separate the white pieces and also add a little boyish personality to the space.
Spraypaint was the easiest method to get a quick change. I went with the only navy spraypaint available at our local Lowe’s…and it was a REALLY quick change (it only took me thirty minutes from start to finish!).
Now onto the juiciest piece of this here furniture post…the chair.
We scored a rocker off Craigslist for $30. The seller was given the rocker by his grandparents for their own nursery (small world, huh?) and the soon-to-be-mom decided that the color wasn’t the right fit for their own scheme. So we swooped in with our thirty bones to snag the lazyboy.
Check out that hottie carryin’ the chair like it weighs two-point-oh ounces (enter cat-call whistle here!)
Fortunately for us, the cost was super low, the quality and comfort was high and I had dabbled in a little re-upholstery before. Unfortunately, I had only dabbled. And I really wanted to make sure that the reupholstery included separate covers for the cushions so that we could remove them to wash off any airborne baby vomit.
It only took me about fourty-seven straight hours to remove the existing upholstery and the three and a half gazillion staples, figure out a plan for the new upholstery, and actually finish the covering.
When I got 95% completed, I was so excited to take the chair upstairs, it didn’t matter if the skirt was completed or not. Just to see the rocker in place was thrilling. And I am not too shamed to admit that I gave myself a high-five. Swollen fingers and bruised hands and all.
You’ll be happy to know that now it is 100% finished…I got the skirt done the next day (high-tens all around!). And after I put into place the side table, the rocker and the cabinet, it was easy to imagine the rest of the room complete. In fact, it was amazingly simple to get the ball rollin’ after I got the chair rockin. Yep – that’s right. There is a lot more to come…like, say, um, the baby for one…but also the gallery wall I did above the changing station, the little shelf we installed, plus our storage solutions, lighting and all the other finishing touches that make this nursery fit for a little woodsy prince.
And now that you know what we did for all the big pieces, anyone else wanna chime in with how they tackled a room with a slew of various priced furniture? I mean, we paid full price for our buffet/changing station, only $30 for the rocker and everything else was hand-me-downs (plus the cost of a can of spraypaint!). I know I can’t be the only one out there that remakes rooms with a huge variety of different pieces and styles. Or maybe you just wanna comment on how content this baby is at living inside of me…yes…I might be the first ever gal to give birth to a two-year old.
First of all, I am Swedish so IKEA is very close to my heart, making me go there anytime possible – sometimes just for lunch. I was born into an IKEA household, making me surprised once I moved to California that there ARE actually other places to get your furnitures! Secondly, I am so happy to hear that someone else actually buys things at Walmart. Sometimes we don’t even dare to tell people we have been there, as it might offend them and tell us that Walmart has awful employment deals… well, we still go there, and I can tell you a secret… we will still go there for our babystuff when it is our time for a family addition (hopefully not too far off in the future).
My mom worked with upholstry of furnitures at a factory when she was pregnant with me, so your fabulous job brings back memories of my early early childhood.
Best of luck with the baby, however, he seems to like it where he is.
Oh yes. When I was first married my hubby and I decided to recover a Goodwill chair. Not a good idea. It was the worst experience. Reupholstering furniture is way more tricky than it seems. Good luck with the babe.
Congrats on being so close to meeting your baby boy !!
I’m sure he will love his new room, and can’t wait to see the finished product!
It’s all looking great; I’m amazed at how you’ve pieced it all together into one cohesive look. And, you make upholstering a chair look easy!
I recently spray painted a stool for our bathroom makeover the exact same color navy blue from Lowe’s. I love the bright, yet sophisticated color!
Good luck – can’t wait to hear about Will’s arrival!
Im so sorry that you have to wait – but this is common with a first child. I carried my daughter 11 days over my due date!
But good luck for when the prince finally agrees to make an apperance!
Love, love, love the nurcery 🙂
Soffia, Iceland
That room is SO CUTE! You guys did an awesome job!! I was just wondering about you guys… I hope the baby comes soon 🙂
Hey Katie! Rats, thought you’d have had that fella by yesterday. That was my guess .. April 4th.
I wanted to chime in about something I hope will help the drawers slide. You may know this and have already tried it. But if not, it is worth the try.
Use a fresh bar of soap and rub it all over the places that rub. It will lubricate the parts and not ruin anything. I hope it works. Something that small can seem like a real pain when you are trying to do things with one hand, which will soon be your preferred method with a baby in your arms.
Praying for Will and his safe and healthy delivery. Blessings!!
Seriously? No baby yet? I keep thinking you’ve gone and had the little (or not so little anymore) guy but you’re too busy to post. Anyway, the nursery looks great. Hope you get to use it soon!
I was thinking about you this weekend and hoping my birthday guess was right! Sorry you are still pregnant, you must have a comfy home for Will 🙂 Nursery looks great, can we have a pic of the room as a whole?
wow that looks great! and i’m seriously impressed by your upholstering skills! you’ll have to let us know how the canopy furniture piece holds up – i’ve always liked how their stuff looks but haven’t yet bought anything..
ps – hope he comes soon!
I love it! We bought a wine cabinet from Target and used it as a changing table for our living room. And Katie, I was due 21 December. One of my friends was due New Year’s Eve. I got a call from her husband on the 16 saying she had the baby, and I cried and called her names! I was beyond tired of being pregnant, and was so angry she’d had her baby first. I eventually stopped being crazy long enough to apologise, but it wasn’t one of my shining moments. You’ll have Will soon enough, healthy and ready for the world!
Your comment about Ikea instructions made me laugh but it is so true! Best wishes!
Little Will’s room is looking GREAT!! I hope that he chooses to make an apparence soon! you poor thing! Thinking about you!
maybe you will have baby W today 😉
everything looks perfect Katie!!!!!
CONGRATS!!
Nice work!!! We did the same thing as far as hand-me-downs! How wonderful!! The only thing we paid full price for was our rocker and I got it cheap!! The room looks great! This is a link to my nursery post!
http://maconamess.blogspot.com/2010/03/virgin-bloggers-block.html
Congrats, it’s looking great! I can’t believe you haven’t popped yet!!
Your writing style always makes me laugh! Love the nursery. We have a hand-me-down crib and a dresser from craigslist that I refinished as I waited to pop! My babies were both 10 days late–hang in there!
It’s looking good! Can’t wait to see the rest. I think the only thing we paid full price for in our nursery was the rocker and bedding and it was purchased with money that was gifted. Everything else was DIYed. Come check it out for yourself. http://nikkisnacs.blogspot.com/search/label/Nurseries
I spent about a minute trying to figure out what you were watching when putting the console table together.
Great job on reupholstering that chair! It looks amazing, and I’m sure that whole nursery looks that way too.
I hope you get to meet little Will very soon. Like today!
I love how your room is turning out and that you’re doing it all without spending a small fortune. Can’t wait to see the final photos!
I redid my front living room (we’re talking furniture, wall paint, floor paint, art, accessories, everything) for $500 and love it. It’s a mix of various styles an yet goes super well with my 90 year old house.
Caitlin –
It’s Seinfield 🙂 Pictured is George, Jerry & then Elaine….it’s one of our favorite shows. Is that what you guessed?
XO – Katie
It’s hard once you pass your due date isn’t it? Every day I would think “maybe today is the day”….. 10 days past my due date, she finally decided to make her entrance into the world (not induced)! Hang in there! He will be here when he’s ready, and once he’s here those few extra days won’t matter. Just try to enjoy the last few days of beautiful belly! The nursery is beautiful. Blessings to you as you start out as mama and daddy.
Jennifer
I was almost positive that it was George and Jerry, but Elaine’s weird outfit was throwing me off. It’s one of my {many} favorite shows too!
Wonderful job on it all! Just a little bit of info (I’m a nanny to a 7 month old–she was still in her momma’s tummy when I started the job), but the pretty round IKEA mirror at the changing table is gonna be grabbed and severely smudged with sticky slobbery baby hands during changing time. The nanny family has a mirror above the changing table very high above so that the cute grabbby slobbery hands aren’t able to reach the mirror. Just a tidbit of info incase you don’t wanna be cleaning the mirror every day 😉 A great thing to keep the baby laying flat on it’s back during changing time (oh man it’s not very fun alligator wrangling a baby with a blow out diaper in order to keep it on it’s back to change) so putting a mobile or something interesting above the chagnging table is a miracle worker. Something like what YHL did will really work wonderful to keep their attention straight above so they will remain on their back and not do an alligator roll and smear poopage everywhere. A mobile hung to the right of the IKEA mirror would be a great spot!
That rocker ROCKS!! I had a big rocker like that and it was the BEST- you want a really comfy chair since you’ll be in it about 12 hours a day 🙂
Here’s to hoping Will makes his appearance soon- wishing you all the best!
Hi Katie!
Will’s room looks fab! It amazes me that you reupholstered that chair! I remember my mom reupholstering a chair when I was younger. She would get so frustrated and in the end it didn’t look as great as she had hoped.
Your chair looks fantastic!
I would love to know how you did it!
Hope your doing well-I’m sure Will will join us soon!
Blessings
Michelle
Hang in there friend… I know everyone has told you 17 thousand times that first babies are often slow to show, and it’s true! I was 2 weeks late with Miss Willow and was getting psychologically defeated. I just kept reminding myself that a “due-date” is really just a lucky guesstimate and she would appear when she was good and ripe! I vowed not tell an actual due date to people ever again, just give a loose time frame, for my own sanity 🙂 He’s just giving you time to get all your crazy projects done, what a polite little fella.
Love it! Just wanted to let you know I used your discount code to score 15% off at the tile center today! Thanks!
Hi Sam,
Thanks for the advice…and isn’t the mobile that Sherry did just wonderful?!?! And to put your mind at ease, Jeremy wants to start potty training as soon as Will breathes oxygen so hopefully by the time Will has cute grabby slobbery hands, he should be using the big potty 🙂
XO – Katie
The week I spent overdue with our daughter was one of the best of my pregnancy for one reason–the look on people’s faces when I answered their question, “When are you due?” The week before my due date we started stopping at a new Starbucks as my husband drove me to work. The cashier asked when I was due and was excited when I said one week. Each day up until my due date and for the full week afterwards, all the cashiers would get so excited when I walked in and would tell everyone that I was overdue–it was the cutest thing and made being overdue so fun (I of course sent my husband in with an update after Amelia made her debut). I highly recommend going out as frequently as possibly to places where they are likely to ask–it really makes being overdue a lot of fun!
We ordered our crib (well, the boy’s) from Wal-mart and are really happy with it – now it’s time to order the dresser and crib mattress from the big W as well. Your dresser looks great in the room, and the rocking chair – WOW – what a transformation!
Today I’m having a giveaway for some pretty, modern pillowcases. Stop by and check it out!
Hang in there, it won’t be long! Love your nursery and can’t wait to see the little one.
I have been lusting over that console/buffet forever now! We bought the TV stand that matches it though back in november. I actually really like it!
I love love love the baby room though! It looks fabulous!
Hopefully that baby will come on out soon for ya!
Hi Katie! Will’s room looks fantastic. You are so talented. Thinking of you while you wait for his grand entrance.
Katie, everything looks great! Especially the chair – you are so brave at trying (and conquering) new projects! 🙂
Not sure if this would work for you or not, but instead of drawers in the console/changing table, why not find some baskets? They would add a little interest and would be easier to pull in and out. You could even create some cute “labels” for them!
Hope little Will is on his way out soon!
You are amazing!
Wow, I can imagine the pain of your fingers in schnazzing up your chair. When I was pregnant my fingers had that carpel tunnel pinchy feeling from simply doing the dishes.
FYI, if you don’t deliver on your due date, keep in mind that most mom’s deliver 1 or 2 weeks after their due date. 40 weeks is arbitrary. Unfortunately it’s often used as an excuse to induce, and Pitocin and natural delivery do not mix. So don’t worry if you go over. I went over my second due date by a few days and the baby was fine. Induction is just convenient for doctors who have 30 or more births a month.
I love Walmart furniture..especially the Better Homes and Gardens line…good stuff! I love how youguys are trying to save $$ on your nursery…im due in May with my first (its a boy) and am the same way! I got my rocking chair for $40 at a thrift store= score!! I was going to spend $300 bones on one but am glad i didnt! i wish i had the skills/balls (sorry ;0) to make a slip cover for it though! Good job! Im SO excited for your little guy to come! Are you ready to be a mommy?! Have a fabulous day :0)
And I love that you weren’t afraid to buy something from Walmart. We bought our entertainment center from there 2 years ago and LOVE it. Everyone always asks us if it cost over $300 but it ended up only costing us $190! So great job on your find!
You did a GREAT job on the chair!
And can I just say again that I love love love the accent wall?! Genius, you two!
P.S. Is Jeremy going to write a little blurb to let us know when you have a baby?? If not, can you pleeeease ask him to? I know he’ll be busy smoking cigars, but still! Your little followers need to stay informed! 🙂
I can’t tell in the picture but does the console have wood slides or metal slides. If it has wood then you could replace them with metal slides. They would work much better. Hope you have your lil man soon. I’m sure you are just chomping at the bit. I had my daughter a week early so I got pretty lucky considering sometimes your first will go a week or more past the due date.
I love reading your blog! You always have great ideas and ways to inspire us all. We are expecting our first in June and have been given all the furniture for our little man’s room for free! So far, we haven’t spent a dime…yet.
Also, I was wondering if you could give us a little tutorial on the re-upholstering. I have really wanted to get my hands on a project like that but have never done any upholstering before because it seems so overwhelming. Any words of wisdom or where I can begin?
Katie Bower! We’ve been laptop-less for a month and the first thing I did (after checking a bazillion emails) this week when we received our brand-spankin’ new laptop was see what you & YHL were up to! 😉 Everything looks fabulous, including you guys in your pictures ~ such a sweet memory to cherish! Watching you guys’ journey reminds me of our own journey to our ah-dorable curly-haired addition three years ago ~ lil’ Will is going to be absolutely adorable! Enjoy these last few days, hug your belly & know that we are saying prayers for a smooth delivery for momma & baby 🙂
I would LOVE for you to post more on the reupholtery of the chair and how you did it. I’ve wanted to tackle that vut not really sure how to go about it. Please send some guidance my way on how to begin. I’ve just started following your blog and totally enjoy it. I’m excited for you and your new little one. Mine are teenagers now and I miss the babies.
I just started following your blog and are excited about your future lil man. My kiddos are teenagers and I miss the babies.
I am so interested in your reupholstery job. I’ve wanted to tackle that but have no idea where to begin. I would love for you to share some advice.
Great job with the room, it looks great!!
wow, What a great job! I’ve recovered a frenh chair before and the back was a nightmare!lol your chair turned our perfect
I absolutely love the lamp shade for the floor lamp!! Did you buy it or spray paint it?
Hi Lindsey,
Actually I scored that shade (with the lamp) at a Bed Bath & Beyond in the clearance section. It was super cheap and came as is. I have seen faux bois contact paper that would look amazing on a lamp shade!
XO – Katie
wow..what a great job. i like your furnitures
Thank You for the info…:)
First of all I love your nursery, second of all how on earth did you re-upholstery the lazy boy. I got a lazy boy that needs to be re-upholstery but have no idea how to do it. Any tips?
This is my first comment ever though I’ve been faithfully reading your blog since before Christmas! 🙂 First, congratulations on sweet William! He is such a cutie and I, like everyone else, am looking forward to the rest of your birth story! I have a question for you- how many yards of fabric did you use to reupholster the rocker??
Oh yes. When I was first married my hubby and I decided to recover a Goodwill chair. Not a good idea. It was the worst experience. Reupholstering furniture is way more tricky than it seems. Good luck with the babe.
I just now stumbled upon this post. Would you mind telling us if (after a few years) you would still recommend Canopy furniture? We’re thinking of getting new bedroom furniture and I’m trying to decide between an Ikea Hemnes set vs Canopy . . . .Thanks! 🙂
Hmmm…I don’t know about the Hemnes set but I do know that the Canopy still looks really good after our abuse. One drawer on a tall dresser sticks and the bottom drawer on the buffet sticks but we have tried anything else. Hope this helps!
xo – kb
I wonder if this will still get seen! Katie, now that you’ve also had a hemnes, which would you prefer; all drawers or drawers and doors? x
For a nursery I mean 😉
I prefer having bins for babies and drawers for the big kids.
xo – kb