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I decided it was time to high-jack a blog post to share my personal mom-to-be nursery design story being it is the reason my company YouthfulNest was born.

This isn't a snoozy startup story. It's me sharing insights as an anxious, first time mom who nested so hard, trying to make everything perfect, that I ruined my brand new white nursery carpet – months before bringing home my baby.

I definitely had an out-of-body experience being a first time mom-to-be. I wanted everything in the nursery to be "perfect" before bringing home my baby. This made me realize just how unique and challenging a baby nursery was to create, even for a seasoned designer.

It was my own struggles with overwhelming decisions, budget, room size and functionality which led me to developing a better interior design experience. One that would help other parents do it with more ease and confidence.

This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts. This post is sponsored by PrettyPegs.

As we geared up to transform my son's nursery into a big boy room I thought about the new functionality I wanted him to have in his room. We don't keep toys in his room, I like that there is one area in the house that isn't covered in toy cars. His nursery was designed as a place to get ready for the day or bed; read books and relax. What I did think would be a nice addition is an upcycled kid's table and chair, the perfect DIY project.

I wanted this space to provide the same simplicity and feeling of lightness so there really wasn't much to do, but remove his crib and reposition his new full size bed. I even left the hand-made airplane and star mobile because it adds such a nice element of movement and texture above his NYC Skyline Mural.

This seating area is just his size could be a place for resting his piggy bank, those special Lego builds and playing simple card games like Spot It! And since we don't play cars I found a nice way to bring his favorite toy into his room in a creative uncluttered way that also worked well with his "city travel" inspired bedroom design.

I just want to live in Ferpie and Fray's world of hygge – a comfy cozy place surrounded by familiarity.  Amanda's refinished furniture pieces are like therapy for the soul of your home. You don’t look, you have a conversation with them and afterwards feel calm and comforted.

When I look at her work I get a sense of something that's always been there – as if they always existed exactly the way she has refinished them. They are understated, statement pieces that are painted in gentle, rich and sometimes slightly daring hues. I often find myself immediately drawn to a piece and then looking back at it a few more times to discover all the little details that it posseses, each time seeing something new; subtle curve of the legs; intricate carved detail; or even the spacing of the knobs or pulls.

Keep reading and you'll see why Amanda's work makes you look twice. And wanting more.

It's no secret that we are a nation devoted to our home improvement shows. We are addicted to renovating the worst house on the block; we love fixing up the rundown ranch; and we flip out over high-end makeovers. There is a show dedicated to kitchens, baths, great rooms, teeny-weeny homes, water homes, vacation homes, cabins, motor homes and yes, even the tree house. So how ecstatic were we when we found out about a lifestyle T.V. show dedicated to the nursery?
THIS MUCH!!! (arms opened wide and stretched out behind my back)

The host of the show Baby Makes 3 was more than happy to field our questions about the show. Melissa Lozoff understands first hand the thrill and exhaustion of becoming a first-time parent. Within only three days notice she and her husband became new adoptive parents of their little boy, Josh, when he was just 5 weeks old.  Not much time to put together her own nursery. Instead she lends her authentic voice and insight to the show’s first-time parents.  Fortunately,  on the show the couples have more time to get organized and even take on some very personal DIY projects.

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It was a glorious weekend to look for junk. Well at least that is what their calling it and we all know the saying, "One man's junk is another man's treasure." I hear that! Read more about our DIY globe works of art.

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Harper is a darling little two and a half year old who walks around on her tippy toes even hours after her ballet class has ended. Her mom, Kim, and I met each other through our participation in a local Mom’s Club. So I was tickled pink to learn that she had won a donated YouthfulNest kid's virtual interior design service made to the Omaha Rose Theatre auction. Kim Nolan and her husband Jimmy wanted to give their daughter Harper a very special third birthday gift – a very personal big girl bedroom.

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Today I share a very special toddler girl's bedroom reveal – it is for my totally adorable niece Graelin who packs big personality into a littles body. Her mom loved the convenience of our virtual interior design services since they are in Atlanta and I am in Omaha.

I’ve been waiting two years to get my virtual design hands on this little girl's room. That's because when Graelin was born my sister and her husband had just moved to Atlanta, GA and were living in a condo until they could find the right house and neighborhood in Decatur, GA. Graelin is now 2 and a half. So while I didn’t get to create a nursery design for her I did pour my heart and soul into her “big girl” kid's bedroom design.

How to make your DIY not look DIY? These sleek, chic and playful "furniture shoes" from the Swedish company Prettypegs are nothing short of spectacular.

They offer replaceable furniture legs – bringing identity and style to your favorite furniture. Their pegs also work with a wide range of furniture manufacturers, not only IKEA. Prettypegs blend a classic Scandinavian simplicity with a joyful contemporary expression. The perfect touch of class and whimsy for customizing any nursery or child's room furniture.

With dozens of style you can find the right style and color fit for any room decor. And they ship worldwide.

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Our birthday parties were so packed full of such awesome nursery inspiration that we decided we had to share with those who couldn't make it.

Our co-hosts and party guests (Project Nursery, Colorhouse, Hayneedle, and Baby Makes 3) shared their favorite nursery design ideas that can all be found on our Pinterest board 1st Birthday Pin Party, or Twitter by searching with the hashtag #1NurseryDesign.

Below are are just a few of everyone's favorite, favorites!

Here are five smart and savvy D.I.Y. hacks that start with affordable IKEA products and some basic supplies. These trending looks won't break the bank or back. If you aren't the D.I.Y. type, see where you can purchase these popular styles D.B.O. (done by others) and have them shipped to your front door with the click of your mouse.