Papoose's room

We have basically completed the nursery. Time to share! We have a sort-of inside joke about elephants that started to make its way into the room, but I don't think it's too "themey" (at least I hope not!). 
I have a few photos of the room from last summer and now from similar angles. A cool before and after:

what the room looked like last year at this time

after we painted (Behr-wasabi powder), and had started to strip the 17 layers of paint from the fireplace

attempting to strip without heavy chemicals. It was slooow going

after first round of stripping

stripped and stained

the finished product, courtesy of Reg's meticulous work. I think it's gorgeous.

the mantle now with a card my mother got for me a few years ago. It says, "I am fairly certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world."  Words to live by. 

they're banks! She can start saving for her NYU education  now!

view from the door last summer

same view now- changing table under the window. My photog skills leave a lot to be desired so I don't know how to handle when the light outside is so bright.

The awesome closet that Reggie built.  We have been so lucky- we've received bags of gently used clothes from friends and people in the neighborhood (go Highland Park listserve!), as well as awesome gifts from friends and family.  She may never need to repeat an outfit!

organization bins in the closet from the Container Store (carted by Tara from DC to this retail wasteland that is Pittsburgh).

for her adorable cloth diaper covers!

view towards the door

built-in bookshelf, I love the photos of Reg and I with our dads as infants on the top shelf.  FYI- Reg and Jean are wearing gold necklaces in their photo. Rockin 1980.  The grass bins on the bottom shelf are filled with toys and are from IKEA.

her burgeoning library

The shelf of things we hope she finds important- baby books in French and Creole, Paul McCartney figurine complete with lefty bass, porcelain Mary Poppins, framed art from her cousin, Elisabeth, and a nesting doll from Moscow.  Don't all nurseries need these essentials?

view from the door. The great glider is from my Aunt Katie and Grandma Gillespie (soon to be her Great Grandmother!).  The small yellow pillow on the chair is actually made from the crib bumper my brother and I had as infants

Oscar thinks he found a new cat bed.  Poor guy has no idea what's about to hit him

the bedding, thanks to Reg's mom (soon to be known as mami Gina!)

crib with my interesting wall art attempt!

a gorgeous beaded elephant pillowcase from Jordan that we mounted on the wall from our dear friends, the Helous.

we still have a guest bed (or place for us to sleep when the 6 steps from our room to hers is just too far)

I am in love with this fabric. It's from IKEA!  My mom made a huge bed/floor pillow with it and we still have tons left over. Yaye projects!

Such a cool find- it's painted on pieces of scrap wood and is so heavy and beautiful

the huge stuffed elephant that is likely 8 times her size (or so we hope!)