A Room for Audrey

WARNING: This is a long post, and there is no reward for enduring to the end. ♦

Many moons before I knew I had a grandbaby on the way, I had this empty space upstairs needing a makeover and a purpose. I already have an office and a guest room upstairs, so my plan was sketchy at best. Three things I was sure of, however: The walls needed paint, the blinds needed a bonfire and the ceiling fan could cool somebody else on hot summer days.

After hearing a grandbaby was coming (you can read more about that here), I decided to make it a transitional room of sorts. The baby wouldn't be living with me, of course, but I would put a crib in there and let the space evolve as time and age dictated.

And so, the fun began!

After two coats of Beher's "Gentle Rain" (a color I had chosen many moons ago), I started thinking about furniture. Other than the crib, I wanted everything to be somewhat vintage. I had already bought a $20 coffee table at Goodwill, so I decided to paint it and figure out later if it stayed or went. I used Benjamin Moore Advance paint in "Super White."

I liked how it turned out, but I had no clue how to use it in a nursery. Maybe inspiration would strike before long.

Next, I wanted a chest of drawers, and I spotted the perfect one at a roadside flea market. It needed some sprucing up, but the price was right, so me and Twin Sis loaded it up and hauled it to my garage.

My original intent was to paint it, but the more I looked at it, the more I liked the warmth of the wood. It would bring contrast to the white crib I had ordered. The handles were corroded, so they would be soaked in Brasso and cleaned. The missing trim could be disguised with a brown marker until a more final fix could be done. (Don't judge me.)

Of course, every newborn needs a rocking chair, so I asked Mom if I could borrow hers from an extra guest room. She said yes, and agreed to me painting it. I used the Benjaman Moore's "Super White" paint.

Slowly, but surely, things were moving along. (And you may have moved along, too, but the story continues.)

I had planned to use "travel" as an underlying theme in the room, prior to grandbaby news. I wasn't sure how I'd incorporate that into a nursery, but where there's a will, there's a way.

I bought a few globes, and then my daughter mentioned a book from Dr. Seuss, "Oh, the places you'll go!" I ordered this custom piece from Etsy, and I think it's perfect.

Twin sister knew I was interested in using maps as decor, so she brought me some old ones that Mother was discarding. I was immediately drawn to the Texas map and decided to make a bunting banner out of it, which would be a real stretch for me, since I am creative, but not necessarily crafty. I didn't realize how special the map was, until I saw the date on it: 1969 - the year the Allen clan moved to Texas. (Is that special, or what?)

I can hear me telling Audrey the story now. "In 1969, your great-grandparents moved me and your great aunties from Mississippi to Texas, and this bunting banner was made from the map they used to help us navigate our way across the fruited plain in our covered wagon...I mean, Pontiac."

I have to tell you that each step of this project was oozing with "Nonni love," and this is, by far, my favorite thing in the room. Maybe I'll do a blog later with step-by-step instructions for making it.

There were a million other small projects and purchases along the way, but I think it's time to show you how it all came together. I do hope you are awake for the big reveal!

Drum roll.....

Audrey's Room!

 Special friends await Audrey's arrival.

The bunny on the upper left in the collage is Flopsy.

She was Leslie's favorite stuffed animal as a little girl.

The orange dog was Nonni's.

The suitcases and the white wicker chair came from our local antique gallery.

 I think the old Dixie chest brings such warmth to the room,

and I'm so glad I didn't paint it.

Thanks to my friend Ann for this wonderful picture frame.

It has special meaning to me.

 I love the colors of the maps and the globe.

 The ceramic dog basket on top of the chest was Mother's.

I loved it as a child, and I love it even more now.

This side of the room makes me smile. So many memories here.

Leslie got Big Bird for Christmas, the year she turned two. The little ladder he's sitting on came from a vintage shop in Galveston. The "Jesus Forgives" sign was made by Leslie in Sunday school while staying with Nana and Papa in the summer of '91. The wood rocker was a gift to Leslie from her MiMi Cox, and the lighted globe is a vintage Fisher-Price that Twin Sis found during her last trip.

I think the coffee table fits right in, don't you?

 This wall represents Audrey's mother, grandmother,

great-grandmother and great-great grandmother.

 The shoes (and dresses) are her mother's.

 The thimbles on top of the blocks are her great-grandmother's.

The letter was sent to me in 1979 from her great-great grandmother.

This adorable print was also her great-great grandmother's,

and Nonni adored it every time she went to visit.

 The tall "Fuzzy Wuzzy" puzzle was mine.

Well, I guess that's enough about "The Nursery that Nonni Built." If you are still reading, thank you for enduring to the end. I've spent many hours and a ton of energy in creating this room for my first grandchild. I hope only happy memories are made here, and that she comes to visit me often. ♦