Carousel Designs Blog

Yay! The “big news” has finally settled in and now you’re ready to stop freaking out and start preparing for your little one’s arrival. And the best part of that preparation?

Decorating the nursery!

I know, I know…it can be a bit overwhelming at first, but just try to have fun with it and enjoy the process.  You really can’t go wrong, especially if you follow these 5 easy steps:

1. A great place to start in the decorating process is with an inspiration.  Think about whether you have a favorite color, or a piece of artwork that you’d like to incorporate, or theme that you’ve always dreamed of using for a nursery.  For example, I always wanted a carousel horse to be the primary design element in my daughter’s room. (long before I came to work at Carousel Designs…a bit ironic isn’t it?!)  Then, of course, it had to be pink!  That gave me something to build on.
2. If you don’t already have something special in mind and are starting from scratch, then I’d recommend purchasing the furniture first, as this is usually the biggest investment.
3. Next, I’d choose the crib bedding as the this is probably what you’re going to fall in love with the most (like your wedding dress).  The idea is to find something that speaks to you, or generates an emotional reaction when you first lay eyes on it.
4. Now select the wall décor to coordinate and complement your bedding.  My favorite wall decorations have sentimental value or are special to the baby’s parents (i.e., a beautifully framed copy of their wedding or baby shower invitation).
5. Last but not least, decide on a wall color.  With literally thousands of paint colors available, it won’t be difficult to match anything you decide upon.  Trying to match your bedding to an existing wall color, however, can be a little tricky.

Boy or Girl?

Of course, whether or not your nursery design will be gender specific will factor into these decisions.  If you’ve chosen to complete the nursery prior to finding out whether you’re having a boy or girl, you’ll want to choose design elements that are gender neutral.

Black and white is always a great choice in decorating a nursery that’s not gender specific.  It not only stimulates your baby’s senses but it also opens up a whole world of decorating opportunities later on down the road.  You can mix your black and white bedding with touches of lime green or cherry tomato red for a nice pop of color, or you can add touches of pinks or blues once the baby has arrived.

Can’t Find Anything You Like?  Design Your Own!

If you’re having a hard time finding a crib bedding collection that speaks to you, try our custom baby bedding interactive tool.  It’s super fun (and can be a little addictive), and it’s a great way to create something one-a-kind (just like your baby).

With our already designed collections, we’ve hand selected artwork, cribs, rugs and lighting to complete your room, saving you precious time by sourcing those perfect accessories for you.

But most of all, remember…you can’t go wrong!  Your baby will love spending time with you in his or her special room regardless of what’s on the wall.  But if you’ve got specific design questions, or you’re stumped and need a little help, we’d love to hear from you!  Leave us a message on Twitter or write on our Facebook wall and let the conversation begin!

So, relax, have fun and enjoy (and send us pictures)!

~Rose

Without a doubt, the cradle becomes a special item when your newborn arrives home.  It’s the first place your baby will sleep after coming home.  Having it properly prepared is important as the baby makes the transition to their new surroundings.

There are many types and styles of cradles available including the more modern gliding cradles.  But whether your cradle is the rocking type or the gliding type, the standard cradle mattress size is 18″ x 36″.  It is important to choose bedding specifically made for the cradle so that it does not bunch, gather or leave gaps between the mattress and the rails.

Cradles are designed for use in the initial months when a baby first arrives home.  Many parents keep the cradle right beside their own bed, at least for the first couple of weeks.  And some parents choose never move the cradle to the nursery at all.  When baby is big enough to move into the nursery, they move right into the crib.

Depending on how and where the cradle is used, there are many options for incorporating cradle bedding into your home.  With literally dozens of designed cradle bedding sets available, coordinating your baby’s first sleeping quarters with the nursery or the bedroom is easy with the vast selection from Carousel Designs.  From designer modern fern to simple, solid white – cradle sheets, bumpers and blankets are available a la carte or as matching bundles to suit every new parent’s needs.

John

This week we unveiled another of our popular Damask baby bedding creations – the Black and Yellow Damask Dot collection.

Featuring a brilliant Yellow Pindot fabric combined with our Black and White Damask Dot, Solid Black Minky, Black and White Middy Dot and Black Deck Stripe fabrics, this collection is elegant, attractive and appealing to a wide range of tastes.  The versatility of the black and white accented with yellow creates a charming foundation for any nursery.

The bumper and comforter both feature the Black and White Damask Dots fabric and are trimmed with Yellow Pindot.  The back of the comforter balances the damask print with an ultra soft solid Black Minky backing.  The front and back of the bumper feature the Black and White Damask print.  The crib skirt design features our black and white Black Deck Stripe fabric with a 4 inch Yellow Pindot trim.  The four piece collection is completed with a beautiful Black and White Middy crib sheet.

The Yellow Pindot crib sheet also works well with this collection and the solid Black Minky crib sheet is another great option for additional distinctiveness.  Add some Black and White Damask Dot drapes to the nursery or a matching window valance and your nursery will be a classy little castle for your prince or princess.

John

Today we are launching our newest damask collection of baby bedding and decor – Sage Damask.  Featuring earth tones paired with the elegance of a damask print, this collection cleverly combines sophistication and simplicity.  The earthy color combinations in this collection are just in time to celebrate Earth Day.

Our Sage Damask Four Piece Crib Bedding Set features a luxurious crib comforter with our sage damask print on the front balanced by sage stripes on the reverse.  Chocolate brown piping adds the finishing touches to this unique and versatile crib comforter.  The crib bumper echoes the design of the comforter featuring sage stripes on the inside with sage damask on the outside and chocolate brown ties and trim.  The box pleat crib skirt is made with our sage stripes print and trimmed with chocolate brown.  The four piece bundle comes with a chocolate brown crib sheet yet easily coordinates with sage stripe crib sheets.

To complete the nursery with coordinating pieces of decor, we offer Sage Damask Drapes in 84 and 96 inches.  Featuring sage damask fabric backed by a poly-cotton liner, our coordinating drapes have a solid chocolate brown bottom trim and tie-tops.  Other coordinating options include our Sage Damask window valances in either tab top or rod pocket style.  Other accessories include diaper stackers, changing pad covers, high chair pads and many other items that can be found on our Sage Damask Nursery Decor page.

John

We recently updated our dots and stripes baby bedding section and I’m really liking the new collections.  Here are the latest and greatest color combinations with contrasting dots.  Click the image to see the entire collection which includes crib bedding, toddler bedding, portable crib bedding, cradle bedding and nursery decor.

Black and White Dots and Stripes

Black and White Dots and Stripes offer a crisp contrast for the developing eyesight of newborns.  This collection features white dots on a black background and the reverse black dots on a white background.  Black and white stripes are added in the trim and ties.

Blue and Chocolate Dots and Stripes

The blue and chocolate dots and stripes collection features a soothing blue contrasted with brown – great for a baby boy nursery.

Pink and Chocolate Dots and Stripes

The pink and chocolate dots and stripes collection is an instant favorite with the fresh combination of pink and brown dots.

Brown and Natural Dots and Stripes

The natural and brown dots collection features a dark brown contrasted with natural, “raw-sugar” color to create a beautiful, earthy combination.  The crib sheet in this collection is made with organic cotton.

Green and Brown Dots and Stripes

The Green and Brown Dots and Stripes collection features another earthy combination of green apple and dark brown.

Red and White Dots and Stripes

This bold combination of red and white make the Red and White Dots and Stripes collection a real stand out.

Lime and White Dots and Stripes

The Lime and White Dots and Stripes Collection is perfect for a gender neutral nursery.

John

I recently noticed some new parents on a message board discussing their lack of knowledge about the terminology surrounding baby bedding and nursery decorations.  I felt their pain.  It wasn’t long ago that I didn’t know the difference between a crib and a cradle and I certainly didn’t know what a dust ruffle was.  So I put together this short list – let me know if I missed anything!

Appliqué - A pattern or design that has been cut out of one fabric, and sewn on another fabric with a “satin stitch” (a very tight and smooth zig zag stitch). Appliquéd items give a wonderful dimensional and custom look, especially when compared to bedding designs with screen printed or stamped themes.

Cradle Bedding - Cradles are typically used for a baby’s first six months before they transition to their own crib in their own nursery. Standard-size cradle mattresses measure approximately 18″ x 36″. Cradle bedding typically comes with a sheet, bumper and blanket.

Cradle Blanket / Stroller Blanket – A cradle blanket / stroller blanket typically measures 29″ x 39″; a perfect size to carry or swaddle a newborn. They are also a nice size for covering a baby when taking walks in the stroller on chilly mornings.

Crib Bumper – A crib bumper is a protective pad that lines the inside of a crib and is the same height all the way around. Crib Bumpers should have both top and bottom ties for added safety.

Crib Blanket / Baby Blanket – A crib blanket measures approximately 35″ x 45″. These blankets are typically made with two different fabric types on the front and back. They have a variety of uses including swaddling or carrying infants, tummy time or as an emergency changing area (yes, I have done this more than once!).

Crib Comforter – A box-quilted comforter with non-allergenic resin-free poly-fill that coordinates or complements a crib bedding set. Dimensions of crib comforters are approximately 38″ x 48″, depending on the edging. For the early months of infancy, a comforter should not be used directly on or under the baby. However, later on in the toddler stage, a quilt can be a very comforting item for the child. They identify with the theme or colors and it gives them a feeling of security which they have become accustomed to with their nursery décor.

Crib Bedding Set -  A bedding ensemble that will fit a standard crib with the approximate dimensions of 28″ X 52″. Four-piece crib bedding sets include a bumper, comforter or blanket, sheet and dust ruffle.

Dust Ruffle / Crib Skirt – Crib skirts are decorative in nature and hang below the crib mattress area and hide unsightly crib hardware and storage areas under some cribs.

Diaper Stacker - A decorative item used to store diapers – either cloth or disposable. Diaper stackers usually hang near or on the changing or dressing table for convenience and will make diaper changing easier. Diaper stackers should not hang on the crib.

Musical Mobile / Crib Mobile – Mobiles attach to the sides of cribs and hang over the crib area so that babies can look up and be entertained by the patterns, movement and music of the mobile. Crib mobiles should be removed from the crib area once the child can sit up or move to their hands and knees.

Portable/Mini Crib/ Portacrib Set – A bedding set that will fit a travel or mini crib with the dimensions of approximately 24″ x 38″. A 3-piece portable crib bedding set includes the bumper, sheet and blanket.

Valance – Window valances fit at the top of your window for decoration. The balloon valances may be stuffed with tissue for a “balloon” look or may hang straight. Dimensions are 18″ x 84” and are designed to fit the large 2 1/2 inch curtain rod and can be stuffed or left to hang straight. Tab top valances measure approximately 64″ x 16″ and leave a generous 3” header.

I hope this helps some of the new parents (er, dads) out there.  I know I was lost about 19 months ago!

John

Previously available only through better baby retail stores,  the Spa and Chocolate Gumball Collection is now available on the babybedding.com website.

This collection contains tranquil earth tones and features blue and brown colors perfect for a baby boy nursery.  The Spa and Chocolate Fabric has branches of brown that bloom with blue and green gumballs.  Paired with Robin’s Egg Blue and Chocolate Brown, this collection combines charm with elegance.

The crib comforter front features the Spa and Gumball fabric and is backed in solid Robin’s Egg Blue and is trimmed in Chocolate Suede.  The crib bumper also shares this configuration with the outside in Spa and Gumball, the inside in Robin’s Egg Blue.  The bumper trim is in Chocolate Suede fabric.

The crib skirt combines blue and brown by utilizing the Robin’s Egg Blue fabric for the skirt body and the Chocolate Suede fabric for a 4″ trim.  The four piece crib set comes with a Solid Chocolate crib sheet but a Robin’s Egg Blue crib sheet matches perfectly as well.

This beautiful collection has been a staff favorite for some time and we are pleased to make it more widely available online.

I just had a conversation with my wife last night about the need to update our rocking chair pads.  I mentioned the new Modern Fern collection and thought that pattern would go well in our living room.  But she responded by saying, “I don’t think that will match the yoga room…or do you think we should convert the office for our next baby?”

Next baby?

I thought it was funny that a little purchase like rocking chair pads would get tied to matching the next nursery theme that, at this point, is a remote possibility.  Maybe the possibility is not that remote.  At any rate, it seems like decorating the nursery doesn’t quite leave the minds of new moms.

We are not professional designers but we do like to be inventive in our household.  Our current nursery is a combination of some family pictures, animal pictures, flower and butterfly wall stickers and a combination of nature-themed decor old and new.  But given the current level of sleep deprivation in our household, we’re going to need some outside inspiration for the next nursery.  After some research, I came across a great reference for those families who take the do it yourself approach to nursery design – Project Nursery.

Their do it yourself nursery design page has lots of home grown ideas for inexpensive and creative nursery decorations.  If you want some great ideas for making your nursery unique without blowing your budget, they are an abundant resource for great ideas.

John