Peekaboo Design Group

Tools Needed: 

• *Long Table
• *Tall Ladder (if you're hanging to ceiling)
• *Long Level (we used a 3' level)
• *Plumb Line (see here how to make a plumb line)
• *Wallpaper
• *Wallpaper Paste
• *Wallpaper Brush (to apply paste onto paper)
• *Wallpaper Smoothing Brush
• *Plastic Straight Edge for Smoothing
• *Seam Roller (to roll seams into place)
• *Utility Knife
• *Scissors - might use if pre-cutting your wallpaper
• *Optional:  Seam Paste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1:  Prepare Your Walls

• *Make sure your walls are clean and that all nails are removed from the wall.
• *Measure the width of your wallpaper.
• *Choose a starting point on the wall.  Take the width of your wallpaper and mark the wall you plan to cover according to that width.  Mark both the top and the bottom of the wall.
• *With a plumb line, create a line from every top mark down to every bottom mark to create guidelines for your room.
• *With a level, make sure each line is level.

Option #2 for creating the guidelines for your paper:  Start in a corner making sure the wall is straight with a level. Hang your first piece of paper level and use that piece as a guide.

Step 2:  Cut Your Paper

First Method:  Pre-cut each piece

• *Measure the height of your wall.
• *Cut your first piece of paper as your guide according to wall height.  On the back, mark top, bottom and #1.
• *In a large area, place your first piece of paper down design side up.  Prepare to cut your second piece by lining up the patterns.  Remember you will have excess paper at the top and bottom.  Once cut, mark top, bottom and #2.
• *Using #2 as a guide, cut your #3 piece and mark top, bottom and #3.
• *Continue until you have all pieces cut.

Second Method:  Cut as you go

• *Measure and cut your first piece of wallpaper.
• *Hang the first piece of wallpaper (see below for hanging instructions)
• *Use the first piece as a guide for lining up the pattern of your second piec.e (remember there will be excess paper at the top and bottom).
• *Have a buddy cut the paper at the bottom.
• *Mark the piece top and bottom before applying glue.
• *Hang the second piece
• *Use the second piece as a gu.ide for cutting your third piece.
• *Continue until your space is complete. 

Step 3:  Apply the Glue

• *With your large wallpaper brush, brush a liberal amount of glue on the back of the paper.
• *Make sure to apply plenty of glue to the edges.

Step 4:  Soak the Paper (DO NOT use water!)

• *Let the paper soak in the glue.
• *With the glue side up, fold each side into the middle so that the glue sides are touching.
• *Leave soaking for 5 minutes.

Step 5:  Hang Your Paper

• *Make sure to find the "top" that you marked and place the paper at the top of the wall or, if it's the 2nd + piece, line the piece up according to the pattern.
• *Once the paper is level and exactly where you want it, smooth the paper with your wallpaper smoothing brush.
• *After the paper is securely in place, take your straight edge and smooth any air bubbles and the edges.
• *To further smooth the edges, use your seam roller.
• *If you have seams that are not adhering, use the seam paste to add glue under the edge and then smooth down.

Step 6:  Cut Your Paper

• *Start at the top and cut a straight line using your ceiling or crown molding as a guide.  If you have a gradual ceiling, use a level as a guide.
• *Cut the bottom of the paper along the baseboard.

Sit back and enjoy your work!

Have something you would add as advice in hanging wallpaper?  Let us know:  HowTo@PeekabooDesign.com

Peekaboo has been assisting couple's in planning and installing baby nurseries for almost five years now.  In that time, we've noticed a couple of "myths" that we hear told to new parents time and again.  Let's get real about those things now!! 

Myth #1: You Have to Have a Changing Table  The truth is that probably half of our parents don't ever use their changing table.  They change the baby on a bed, couch or even the floor!  After all, how often does the baby do their business in the nursery?  Most parents don't want to hike back to the nursery to change baby. 

How to know if you will use a changing table?  Here's a test.  If you are the type of person that likes a place for everything and everything in its place...I mean to a point where you'll be close to a nervous breakdown if things aren't just so...you'll use a changing table. 

Best Solution?  Don't buy a specific changing table piece.  Use a dresser and add a changing table pad.  The pads run about $30 bucks and the changing table cover runs between $10-$30.  These attach easily to the back of the dresser.  Then, remove when baby grows out of it. 

A Great Idea:  Notice the rooms in your home where you spend the most time and create mobile changing stations.  Keep a basket of items needed to change baby  (diapers, wipes, changing pad, etc) that you can grab quick no matter where you are in your home.

Want a creative idea for a dresser?  Use a dining buffet as a dresser.  We've done this in several nurseries and they add interest to the room!

Myth #2:  You Must Have a Crib the Baby Will "Grow Into"  [insert wrong answer buzzer here!]  The core of Peekaboo is made up of six women who have spent the last 10+ years having babies, watching friends and family have babies and helping client's prepare for their babies.  We all agree, finding a crib that has been converted into a full-size bed is equivalent to finding a Sasquatch in the woods.  Not one of us has seen a crib converted into a full size bed.

Here's what generally happens:  Baby #1 uses the crib, then here comes baby #2.  Baby #1 is transferred into a "big boy/girl bed" and Baby #2 gets the crib (sometimes hard for Baby #1!).  For every baby that comes after, the process just continues.  What happens to the crib after the last baby?  Good question.  We think they're sucked up into the Earth!!  In all seriousness, most will either give the crib to someone, store it in the attic or trash it.

Here's my take:  I think that the convertible crib, in theory, is a great idea.  A crib that converts into a toddler bed is useful.  This means the front comes off and the crib becomes a small daybed of sorts (some cribs require  you purchase convertible kits for the toddler bed).  But, that seems to be where the "convertible" love story ends.  Why?  If you've ever seen the style of a crib converted to a full bed, you may have your answer.  Most convertible cribs (aside from the modern, much more expensive cribs) convert into "old-lady" beds...beds that would be found in your guest bedroom, not your kid's room.  Not to mention that you do have to purchase convertible kits to even get the crib to the full bed stage. 

Spend your money on items that will last.  (1) A good dresser.  (2) A nice glider that you can move to another room in the house after you've done the baby thing.  (3)  A book shelf or organization system that will keep little colorful kid's items tidy. 

Myth #3:  You Must Find Your Nursery Style in a Baby Store  My favorite baby store vendors are not going to like me much for this one!  But, the truth is a lot of our client's contact us out of desperation.  Duckies, trains and princesses are a little too cutsie.  And, the modern stores are just a little too modern.  This is why the majority of nurseries we create are what is called mixed modern.  This style is a mix of modern and traditional (also sometimes called Moditional) that many of us have been using in our homes for a long time now. The problem is, when it comes to the nursery, you're pretty much out of luck!

The best part of creating a mix-modern nursery is that the style tends to offer a more sustainable foundation that will grow well with your child.

Here are a few mix-modern tips from the Peekaboo Team. 

1.)  Paint/Color Palette -Stay away from pastels - look at neutral colors or primary colors that fall in a richer, more mature palette.  A few of our favorites are listed above (please note the colors may not translate well on every monitor.  Visit Sherwin Williams Online to see a better representation of the colors).

2.)  Art Work - Stay away from the baby art and find art work in home and antique stores that would work in a nursery.  www.Art.com is a great place to get inspiration.  If all else fails create it yourself.  You can even head to the fabric store, find a fabric you love and cover a large canvas with the fabric to add a pop of interest. 

3.)  Bedding - Keep it simple.  We recommend a simple bumper or mesh bumper. Then, add a floor length crib skirt that you can adjust as you adjust the mattress.  You may have a crib with a wood front and not even need a crib skirt.  

Did you consistantly hear/read advice for new Mom's that you have found to be a "myth?"  Share it with us in the comments below or e-mail myth@peekaboodesign.com. 

Part IV:  Choosing Your Color Palette

Deciding your color palette can be the most challenging aspect of a nursery.  At Peekaboo, we take clients through a process we call the Nursery Psych Test to help in determining what the clients will like best.  We take them through tons of pictures, fabrics and color patterns while watching their reaction to each.  From these observations, it becomes very clear what the client likes.  Most times clients don't know themselves what colors are most appealing to them until we review the test!

It's important that you understand the Peekaboo nursery philosophy before continuing. 

Peekaboo Nursery Philosophy  A properly assembled nursery should give parents a comforting and serene place to care for baby while providing a functional and sustainable space that grows with baby.

For this reason, we tend to focus on the parent's tastes in color rather than what baby "might like" or "should like."  In other words, there ends up being very little pastel or primary color in our nurseries, unless those colors appeal to the parents.

When we focus on the parents we are doing 2 things:

1.)  Creating a space that the parents will enjoy stumbling into in the middle of the night to care for baby. 

2.)  Creating a space that more naturally grows with baby.  Afer all, hot pink and clown nose red can grow tired pretty quick.  It's easier to choose a more neutral color that can be easily added to once baby decides he likes Dinosours or she likes Ponies.

The point is, think of the color combination that you've wanted to try in another area of your house and do it in baby's room!  Think outside of the box.  The sky's the limit when it comes to color!

Inspiration

Frustrated with trying to find what you like in your local store?  We'll let you in on a little secret.  Baby stores are not the first place that we go to for inspiration when helping clients.  If you can walk into a baby store and find inspiration right off the bat, GREAT!  This will make your job that much easier.  If not, don't worry, you're not alone.

Here's where we turn for inspiration: 

1.)  Scrap Book Pages - head to your local craft store and start looking through the color combinations on scrap book pages.  These pages can even be used in art pieces and accessories for your room.

2.)  Fabric Stores - head to your local fabric store to find color combos in fabrics that appeal to you.  For a quick and easy art piece, take the fabric you like and wrap a canvass.  Hang it on the wall as is or embelish with trim.  An easy place to troll fabrics in your PJ's is online.

3.)  Sheet Sets - we've come across sheets that we liked and cut them up to use for bedding or custom art pieces.  It' s an inexpensive way to get a different look. 

The bottom line when it comes to inspiration is to think outside of the baby stores.  If you find nothing in a baby store, find it somewhere else, then go back for coordinating essentials at the store (eg.  plain bumpers, crib skirt, window treatments, etc).

Miss Part III?  Read It Here!

Part III - Your Nursery Budget

If you feel like you have no idea what a nursery should cost, you are not alone.  Every client we meet with struggles with how much a nursery should cost. 

The most important thing to remember when budgeting for baby is to plan well and not nickel and dime yourself.  Small things here and there add up quickly!  Below is a simplified version of the budget guide that we take our clients through.  This includes just the basics, but should give you a good start.

Remember your SQ (sustainability quotient) from Part II?  It's going to come in handy now.  As you begin the budget process,  keep in mind the things you want to invest more money in and those where you don't want to invest as much.  A dresser, for example, is something that your child might take with them to college.  A crib, on the other hand, is something that you may only use for a year or two at the most if it converts into a toddler bed.

With these things in mind, continue on to Step#1.

Step#1  Take out a pen and a piece of paper.  Note the cost you feel comfortable spending on each furniture piece based on the average price in the category.  For example, if you want a moderately priced crib, write down $650 for your crib budget.  Then, continue down the list.

The Crib

Least Expensive (Babies R Us) - $200-$450

Moderate (Pottery Barn) - $500-$900  

More Expensive (Modern Furniture, Boutiques) $1000-$2500 

Most Expensive (Custom, Luxury) $3000-$5000

Example Budget: Crib - $650 

The Changing Table/Dresser

Least Expensive (Babies R Us) - $150-$600

Moderate (Pottery Barn) - $400-$1200  

More Expensive (Modern Furniture, Boutiques) $1000-$2500 

Most Expensive (Custom, Luxury) $3000-$5000

Example Budget:  ChangingTable - $400

Glider/Rocker

Least Expensive (Babies R Us) - $200-$400

Moderate (Pottery Barn, Lone Star Baby) - $400-$1200  

More Expensive (Modern Furniture, Boutiques) $1000-$3000 

Example Budget:  Glider - $550

Step #2  Add all of the above. 

Example Budget:  All Furniture - $1600

Step #3 Accessories & Decor To set a budget for accessories and decor, take 20% of the total furniture budget. 

Example Budget:  Accessories & Decor - $320

Step #4  Add totals from #2 & #3 to set your total budget.  Too high?  Too low?  Go back and adjust where you think you can, but be realistic. 

Example Budget:  $1920 = total nursery budget

Next:  Part IV - Deciding Your Color Palette 

Miss Part II?  Read it HERE!

Part II:  Planning Your Nursery

You've decided which room your going to use as your nursery.  Now, it's time to plan your space.  Why plan?  Planning forces you to look at the space and envision how it will be used and what will be needed in order to make the best use of it.  Thorough planning arms you with the information you need in order to yeild a less frustrating and more enjoyable shopping experience.  Not totally stress free, but definitely less stress than if you went out unprepared!

1.)  Clean Out Your Space.  First things first.  Get your space completely cleared out.  Yes.  COMPLETELY.  Unless it applies to baby, get it out.  The less clutter in your nursery the better.  Move that clutter somewhere else. 

2.)  Decide What Furniture You Want/Need.  Below is a list of standard furniture most common in a nursery. 

• * Crib - can either be put on the wall vertical or horizontal depending on the design you like.
• * Changing Table and/or Dresser which you can add a changing pad to.
• * Glider - the wood frames are generally smaller than the padded chairs 
• * Side Table - nice next to the glider
• * Book Shelves - nice for extra storage if you have room
• * Twin/Full/Queen size bed - few have room for this, but they're nice for those nights you fall asleep in the nursery.

3.)  Plot Out Your Space.  Decide how you want your furniture laid out.

• * Crib - generally works well on the "feature" wall.  The wall with no windows or doors if available.  Preferably, not on the wall where you enter the room.
• * Changing Table/Dresser - works well near your bathroom door, if attached or the closet wall.
• * Glider/side table - Many like to place the glider and side table near the window so that they can see out while caring for baby.
• * Book Shelves - should go on a wall where it can be easily secured so that baby cannot pull it over.
• * Twin/Full/Queen Size Bed - go well in a corner arranged almost as a daybed so not to take focus away from the crib.

4.)  Measure and Document Your Space.  Note all below before heading out to shop.

• * Make a diagram of the room and mark plugs, doors, windows. 
• * If you're thinking about a new ceiling light, make note of your light switches.  Is your main switch a "two-pole", meaning one fixture has multiple switches. 
• * Measure not only the length and width of the room, but the wall space in between doors and windows.  Make note of exactly how much actual wall space you have to work with.  This is especially handy when looking for a space for a book shelf.  Maybe a wall isn't big enough for a crib or dresser, but a book shelf would fit perfectly. 
• * Measure your window height and width.  Measure the top of the window up to the ceiling and out to either wall so that you know how much space you have to work with for window coverings.

5.)  Decide your Sustainability Quotient (SQ).  What are your plans for this space and furniture in the future?  Will it be used for your next baby? Do you want to be able to convert the entire room into baby's big boy/girl room by just adding a few details?  This will be important in deciding what kind of furniture you will purchase. 

The Crib: If you plan to use the furniture for the next baby, you'll want to go with something more neutral that will go with boy or girl (note:  this is what most couple's do).  If you know that you'll take the furniture from crib to full bed, you may want to go with a convertable crib (note:  Around the Peekaboo office, of all of our friends, family and client's nurseries, we've never seen a crib converted into a full bed. Moral?  Don't stress on taking your room from nursery to college!). 

The Dresser/Changing Table:  A dresser or a dresser being used as a changing table actaully could go to college with our child.  This may be a furniture item where you want to invest a little more.

The Rocker/Glider:  A glider is seldom kept in a child's room as they get older.  It's usually used in the next kid's nursery, then it's out the door.  Is there another place in the house that you can use a glider?  Perhaps a reading area?  If so, look for a neutral color that will go not only into your next child's nursery, but also in another area of your house much later.

If you've done parts I (Assessing Your Nursery-published 1/15) and Part II (Planning Your Nursery-above), you should be feeling pretty good about where you are in the nursery creating process.  Now it's time to get down to the numbers! 

Next - Part III:  Budgeting for Your Nursery

Miss Part I?  Read it HERE!

Below are a few suggestions to help you decide on the best room in your house.  These suggestions are based on the dozens of nurseries we've installed at Peekaboo along with the advice of parents.

1.)  Proximity to Master Bedroom.  Many find it easier to have the nursery close to their bedroom.  You may not have this choice.  Our master bedroom is downstairs, for example, a good distance from the additional rooms which are upstairs.  This is OK, since most choose to have baby in the master bedroom in the first few months, anyhow.  

Generally, parents move baby out of the master bedroom once he/she starts sleeping through the night.  This typically happens between 3-6 months.  And note, "through the night" for babies is usually 5-6 hours.  This is still better than the 2 hour intervals in the first few months.

TIP:  Create a temporary space for baby in your room with a co-sleeper or craddle and a mobile changing station with everything you need to care for baby. 

2.)  Proximity to Bathroom.  If a couple is trying to decide whether to choose between a room attached to a bathroom and one that is not, we almost always suggest the one attached.  This just makes it easier to get to plumbing when you need it! 

3.)  Considering Chi.  In case you were curious, the rules of Feng Shui state that you should not have a nursery over a garage or facing a busy street.  In the same vein, we suggest a room away from your media/TV room so that you can watch your "programs" without waking baby.  Feng Shui guidelines also suggests a baby boy should be placed in a nursery located in the east and north parts of the house while a baby girl should be placed in the south, southeast or west parts of the home.

4.)  Window Placement.  Though Feng Shui is cool with putting a baby girl on the West side of the home, baby girl might not be as cool.  Most rooms with West facing windows get extremely warm in the afternoons, especially in Texas.  It is important to keep air flowing easily through a baby's room and the sun often impedes the flow of air.  

TIP:  If your only choice is a room that receives the Western sun, try energy efficient/room darkening window treatments.  They don't cut out the heat completely, but they do help.  Sometimes it can't be helped, but it's best never put the crib against a window, especially if it's facing West.

5.)  Storage.  A closet that is easy to access and that has extra storage for diapers, toys, etc is a very nice feature in a nursery.

6.)  Furniture Placement.  We will go into this in more detail later, but consider the furniture you want and how it will fit and function in the room. 

TIP:  It's best not to put the crib on the same wall as the nursery door.  It's nice to have the changing table close to the bathroom and/or closet.  Many prefer their glider next to the window so that they can look out as they feed/rock baby.

Got the best room in mind???  Now, it's time to plan your space!

Next - Part II:  Planning Your Nursery Space

Miss the Intro?  Read it HERE

Introduction 

If we've learned anything by assisting couples in creating their dream nursery, it is that the nursery is a very important space.  It's the reason that Peekaboo DG approaches baby planning from the nursery out. 

We have found that a lot of the anxiety and stress associated with pregnancy can be alleviated through the nursery.  This may sound odd considering all that an expecting couple has to prepare for, but not so strange when you consider the nursery as the one main area where parents do have control.  By dominating this one area, they're able to better prepare in the areas where they have less control.

Starting with the nursery is like building your road map.  Knowing the layout of your nursery, allows you to know what size, style and type of furniture you need.  Knowing the color of your nursery, allows you to register for items that fit that theme.  Knowing how your nursery will function, allows you to make better use of other areas in your home.   Once you have a comfy, cozy space built for you that is functional for baby, you are ready to tackle the fun stuff, like maternity photos, Dude's Days and birth announcements. 

So let's get started! 

Next - Part I:   Assessing Your Space