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Some design projects we share on the blog hit close to home but the reveal I share in this post is my actual home. For over a decade I have had visions for how I wanted to update every square inch of the dated raised ranch we purchased in 2009. Early on there was my son’s nursery, and now big kid's bedroom, which has gotten a lot of attention with its super makeover. It was the room that inspired me to open YouthfulNest.

This last summer was finally time for a family room remodel – taking it down to the studs and rebuilding it into my vision of Midwest Coastal. This space had become our son’s playroom and occasional hangout for the older kids to get their gaming on. It wasn’t just unattractive, the old carpet was nasty and smelly. There was water damage behind the fireplace built-ins and most certainly mold growing in places we could and couldn’t see. 

I hated being down there myself; it made me depressed. Except I couldn't ignore it since it was the first thing guests in our home saw and more importantly where kids played. It could no longer be ignored. 

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Pandemic or no pandemic babies and kids continue to grow and outgrow their rooms. This is why the producer of the hit T.V. show Get Out of My Room, from NBC Universal Kids, turned to YouthfulNest.

The typical formula for a T.V. design makeover show has a designer and crew working with the homeowner in person. Unfortunately, with the new normal of social distancing, this in-person scenario has not been desirable.

Instead, YouthfulNest was welcomed into the New Jersey home through a completely virtual process. The Mann’s family worked with their designer via an initial voice consult call; an online eDesign service and final room walkthrough via Zoom. Two years ago the young Mann sisters had their shared bedroom designed on the show Get Out of My Room. It was bright and bold and the sisters loved it. Then they outgrew it.

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As we are getting ready for gift giving season, one of the challenges is to buy things that fit into our play space, both literally and figuratively. A play space is a parenting essential. If you don’t already have that space, maybe that should be the gift you give yourself.

Whether you have a small space and need the area to serve multiple functions (for us it’s our guest room) or if you’ve repurposed your three-car garage to build a mini DisneyLand, it is important to have a designated area for play. There is nothing sustainable or healthy about toys being strewn all over the house.

My son is 9 months old now. And as a big kid, myself, I’m already having a ton of fun creating his play area. There are a few things that are must-haves for me.​

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We often work with customers who's  nursery or child's bedroom is on the "small" side. This is never discouraging to us. It is our business to know about amazing tricks and products available to create a personal yet functional space, not matter what the dimensions. Even those no larger than a walk in closet. 

Keep reading to learn how to do it yourself.​

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It's time! Maybe your little one is simply growing out of their crib and needs more space. Maybe they have developed a personality that no longer jives with their baby room styling. Or maybe mom and dad are ready to help them grow. Whatever the indications or reasoning, at some point your baby is going to be ready for a "big kid" bedroom probably around the age of 3.

Below I share five simple makeover tips for a smooth transition from the nursery into that more mature space that should be fun for you and them. I knew it was time to makeover my son's nursery that started it all for YouthfulNest, 'City Night Lite', after removing the changing pad and baby toiletries from the changing area.

My son has also developed quite the interest in cars, it's beyond toy cars. He loves flipping through car mags with dad and can name almost any model that drives by us on the road or he's sees parked on the street. I really wanted to bring in "some" of his love of four wheel vehicles into his personal space. Especially since we don't do toys in the bedroom.

We took our time and didn't race through the process. We had a couple speed bumps along the way, like when I told him with excitement he was getting a brand new full size organic mattress from Naturepedic. He wasn't as thrilled as mom was – instead he sulked and almost came to tears in a couple conversations about the change. I asked him why he was so upset and he said, "I just don't want to get rid of my very first mattress." I seized the opportunity to point out that his very first mattress was actually the crib mattress which we had already given away. " Then he said, "Oh, O.K." And we put that discussion to bed. In the end he loves the new bed frame and mattress because it is several inches lower then the original guest bed that was in his nursery so he can easily get up and slide off the bed.

He thinks his new bed and all the other newness is perfect for him!

This  is perfecting for sitting to write that novel or standing to craft personal wall art.

These days gold is the gold standard. The design projects all seem to be begging for some hint or spray of gold room accents. Not only does this make for a really pretty room, but its smart too. With brass and gold metal finishes making a come back in the past year or so they are available everywhere, in every shape and at every price point.

We’ve round-ed up a refined collection of 10 furniture and décor pieces that we can’t wait to use in rooms to come.

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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.

We aren’t talking about the kind of night light that keeps all the scary monsters away. This night light is to provide enough light so that you are not stumbling around in the dark trying, hoping you got the diaper on right without having to switch on the blinding overhead room light. This way you aren't completely waking up baby or yourself. More often than not when one gets up for those nighttime changed or feedings they are half asleep themselves and putting on a bright room light messes with ones ability to go back to sleep. The same can be said for the baby.

By placing a small, battery powered LED light near your changing table you should be able to have enough light to manage all night time baby tasks successfully. We recommend the motion censored versions versus the touch kinds just because well…you might have your handful with baby.

There are only a handful of table lamp options that aren't completely hideous, so another option are small puck like style adhesives lights usually used for under the counter lighting in the kitchen. You also may not have lots of counter space near on a changing table and the smaller self-stick ones you can get creative with placement.