Bedding

You may remember a long time ago when I first started decorating the nursery, I mentioned that Lucie and I would be sleeping together on a queen sized mattress on the floor, and that my goal was to make the bed look more thought out than a mattress thrown in the corner.  My first plan was to sew two pillows from a pattern I saw in the JoAnn's circular (it was a "That's So Raven" pattern-- buying that was sort of humiliating).  They were wedge-shaped like a reading pillow, and I thought two of them together would look headboard-ish.  The task seemed a little daunting because you have to make the pillow forms as well as the pillow covers, and I kept putting it off.  Then I ran across the Cuddledown body pillow I used during my first pregnancy, sitting unused in the closet.  It was the exact width of the queen mattress, so I decided to use it as my headboard.

I found some nubby indigo linen at Haberman's-- actually a remnant pinned as a skirt on a mannequin.  It was the exact size I needed (thank you decorating gods), but I noticed as I sewed it up that is a little threadbare in areas.  Oops.  Just look at it kids, don't touch it.  I left it in one big piece, and just sewed up the sides and did an envelope back with some ties out of trim from Kitty-Craft.  I was going for a slouchy look and I think I got it.

The shams are made from my favorite folksy Liberty print and some white linen Ikea curtain cut-offs (again, the perfect size).  I got fancy with these teaching myself how to make French seams.  Again with the envelope back.  After the first couple of washings, I decided these would be shams only (that way I don't have to iron them every time I wash the sheets), so I throw them in this basket at night, and use plain white pillowcases for sleeping.

Above the bed on two walls, I've added a clothesline as seen in Martha Stewart Kids (see it down there?).  I drew a line with the laser level and hung 1/2" twill tape with a tack every 1'.  I'm trying to decide whether to leave the tacks blank or dress them up a bit-- paint them or cover them with a circle of cute paper.

The clothesline is empty now, but I hung a few things from it just to give you the idea.  I plan on puttering away all summer making doll clothes to tack to it.  I am going to raid my husband's closet for some worn shirts, because I'm dying to make some doll clothes out of some nice shirt fabrics.

Comments

[Melissa]

Very cute...love the recycled preggo pillow/headboard idea!

You could hot glue buttons to the pin tacks.

[Mama Urchin]

It looks great and a nice place to lounge with Lucie.

[autum]

I love, love, love the clothesline. What about gluing fabric covered buttons to the tacks? You could use some of the fabric from the shams.

[Jess]

I'm loving that clothesline - what a cute idea!

[beki]

everything is perfect!

[kayla_d]

What a way to use and reuse resources. It all looks great, and I especially love the clothesline!

[Wendy]

Love the room. Everything at your house seems to nice and pretty! I thought I would send you a link for how to cover thumbtacks with fabric. It's not my website, but one that I read often (like yours). Good luck. http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2007/03/thumb-tack-tutorial.html

[Jen Leheny]

Wow it just looks so lovely and inviting. Love the colours. And so glad you are bedsharing! :)

[sulu-design]

A mattress on the floor might sound unappealing, but you've done a knock-out job of turning it into a thing of beauty! Fabulous work.

[Alicia H.]

I'm right there with you with the mattress on the floor. My daughter was the same way for the first six weeks or so -- only slept if I was holding her. I think I'll borrow your idea for the next one. The nursery is so, so beautiful. Love the blue and red.

[samantha]

Ok mainly I am just overwhelmed by the sheer simple beauty of what you have done - but part of me is jealous that I didn't think of the clothesline thing!

[Joanne]

*sigh* I love every picture you post of your nursery. It makes me want to redo my son's room! I wish you could have a panoramic view of the room posted somehow so we can see how all the pieces fit together. Very, very, gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

[abbyjane]

I have one of those long body pillows sitting in a closet, too. What a great idea! My daughter could use a headboard-like pillow on her bed. Thanks!

[kate]

oh my goodness, that is all so cute... you have officially inspired me to do something to our poor sad bed that's directly on the floor... hmmm, maybe some paint could help our bedroom too, good job, looks beautiful!!

[Wendy]

I love that Liberty print, too. And the clothesline idea is really great. I'm wondering what kind of tacks you used and how much weight can they really hold?

[Heidi]

very cozy and inviting! One question, what's an envelope back?

[Shannon]

(my first time commenting)
I've been reading your blog for a few weeks now and I love all of your ideas! They make me so excited to have my own kids someday soon!

[molly]

this all looks fantastic courtney! I love the idea of your bodypillow as a mock headboard. Dan and I don't have a heardboard on our bed, and I think this would be perfect! I'm going to have to break mine out of the closet.

I've always loved the idea of a clothesline in a child's bedroom. After we repaint E and M's room, I think I'll try this. My grandmother gave me a giant roll of twill tape, so I have plenty!

(ps. ordered a kangaroo pouch yesterday after several emails back and forth to get the proper size. i can't wait to trade in my bjorn, which is killing my lower back for this new one! thanks for turning me on to them.)

[amandajean]

beautiful!

[Blair]

it looks so sweet, such a nice restful feel. you've got such great taste.

[Laurel]

How adorable! With your love of Liberty prints, I thought of you immediately when I saw this post about PronkStyle.com on the DesignMom blog: http://www.designmom.com/2007/05/mothers-day-giveaway-7-pronk-blouse.html.

The skirt on this page looks so much like your beautiful pillowcases: http://www.pronkstyle.com/scandinavian_summer_magic.html

I love your blog. Keep it up!

[Cassi]

That is such a great looking room. I love that Liberty print and the clothesline around the room with bitty clothes is adorable!

[myra]

Oh my gosh I loooove the clothesline so much! What a great idea. It all looks amazing!