Trend Obsession: Black and White

As much as I love all kinds of color, I find myself strongly attracted to bold black and white lately. Maybe after years of putting colors together in endless trend-following combinations, my brain just needs a break. Black and white together are both relaxing in their simplicity, yet exciting with their high-contrast.

It may not be the newest trend, but I am noticing more and more nurseries and products in black and white, lately. It's a look accessible for all - easy to interpret across many subjects. Whether it's geometric lines, triangles, or tribal arrows and cactii - black and white works it's magic. Always a classic in fashion, black and white feels fresh applied to children's products.

And besides, babies only see in black and white, anyways. But we all know the nursery is really for the adults. That's why decorating it is so fun!
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Mostly white, just a little black, feels relaxing but playful:

Cloud Kids Room via Babble: 20 Amazing Kids Rooms

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Layering many different patterns is easy:

Finn's Black and white Woodland Nursery from Project Nursery via Apartment Therapy: 5 Bold Black & White Nurseries

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A bold rug to tie it all together is a no-brainer:

Nursery for a baby boy via ID Home

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Hey, doesn't that pop of green look fresh, too? Hint Hint... I think there's a lot more greeny green on the horizon for nurseries this year, too...

Black and White Nursery by Dayme Walther

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Even PB Kids is on the bandwagon, as they try to appeal to an evolving customer with more modern taste. How fresh and lovely is this?

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Such a beautiful crib, made from FSC-certified maple. So popular the company can't keep up with demand, even at over $1000! Kind of seems like a good DIY project for the rest of us...

Kalon Caravan Crib in Black (also in other colors)

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Some nice finds from BHG - and I can't tell you how many times I've seen this zig zag rug in nurseries:

Black & White Delight from BHG Style Spotters

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Every Modern nursery needs a swiss cross, right? Especially in black and white!

via Decoholic

Stripes, chevrons, dots, crosses, diamonds, triangles, hearts, flowers....What's your favorite modern black and white pattern? 

Nia's Nursery Project

I recently gave birth to my second child, a little girl named Nia. She is now 4 months old, and I've spent about one hour total working on things for Little Pop. I underestimated the amount of free time I would have, as baby #2 is very different from baby #1. Everything but eating, sleeping and bathing have taken a back burner at the moment.

As we <finally> settle into some kind of schedule that <finally> includes more than one hour of sleep per day, and less than 12 hours of crying, I hope to find a little time to share my creative endeavors, once again. 

Meanwhile, I'd like to reveal my big nesting project - Nia's nursery. In the last few months of pregnancy, I found the time and inspiration to redecorate the room. I decided to keep the pastel, beachy, shade of blue (greenish gray tinted aqua) in the room and make it girly by adding peach and pink. The blue color and the fact that I plan to spend lots of time on the nearby beach with her inspired some of the artwork and the happy summer floral fabrics, as well as the shag rug, that feels delicious under bare feet, in the color of beach sand. I also became a little obsessed with flamingos in the process, and I found a great watercolor print as a focal point over the changing station. Best of all, the fabrics and artwork can be easily switched out to give a new look as my little girl grows and changes.

Here is the "guest room" before (all pieces from my son's nursery):

This is the Nursery completed:

This quilt matched the wall color perfectly, and ties together the aqua, pink and peach palette of the room. 

My favorite flamingo is the first thing you see as you enter from the hallway.

A delicate mobile and simple watercolor prints add interest without overwhelming.

A very happy watercolor floral sheet adds pop

An alternative pattern I loved that also ties the color palette together

All in all, these are just things in a room. But I think it's a much more happy and relaxing room now, don't you?

Sources

Crib: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Crib, purchased in 2012 from Albee Baby, but still widely available

Quilt: Laura Ashley "Ainsley" Quilt, Overstock.com (and occasionally Joss & Main)

Changing Pad: Serta Perfect Balance Organic Changing Pad, Amazon.com

Crib Sheets, Changing Pads and Euro Pillow Shams: Sewn from fabric from Fabric.com and Carousel Designs

Curtains: Sewn from White Seersucker and Blackout lining from Fabric.com

Throw Blanket: Quilted coral minky, Century21 store

Drawer Pulls: My Dear Watson Designs on Etsy.com 

Mobile: Sea Shells, Starfish and pearls, custom made (shop has closed, no longer available) Etsy.com

Watercolor Prints: Kelly Bermudez, Etsy.com. Frames from Amazon.com and Ikea.

Wicker Hampers: Set of 2, Overstock.com

Rug: Safavieh "Montreal" Shag Rug, Overstock.com

Lamp: Mix & Match base and shade from Target

Wall Paint Color: Benjamin Moore "Heavenly Blue 709"