Well, we’re finally getting settled back in the D.C. area after several months of travel to visit family and introduce them to Emme Belle! It’s been stressful, and a bit overwhelming …. we gave up our apartment last spring before Emme was born and headed out to California for the birth and to take a few months off … and now we’re putting all the pieces back together! As most of you know, moving is a challenge… moving across the country with a newborn and a two-year-old adds a whole new dimension of difficulty, let me tell you!
But, we’re finally getting settled in our (very small) apartment, where we plan to hang out while we do some house-searching (for those of you acquainted with the area, finding a suitable home, somewhat near the city, and that doesn’t break the bank is ….. difficult). So, for the time being, I’ve had to make a pretty small space work for Jacob, Livi, Emme, our dog, Roho, and me. It’s tight! But, you’d be surprised how little space you actually need if you just plan ahead and organize appropriately — I can actually say our little space is pretty roomy, even with all five of us packed in!
So, today, I thought I’d share with you a little slice of our space — Livi’s “nest nook” … it’s just a small corner, but it’s all hers, and she adores it! The biggest challenge I faced with making the space “hers” is that it’s just a corner in a much larger room, so figuring out how to separate it and make it distinct required some planning. I didn’t want to actually section it off with room dividers because I want to be able to see her at all times, plus I think it just creates a cluttered feeling when you separate spaces that aren’t meant to actually be separate. So, I followed a few key principles, which I’ve outlined below, and the result is a truly distinct area that reflects Livi’s personality, but allows me to keep a watchful eye on her, and which doesn’t disrupt the overall flow of the larger space.
Anchor the Space with an Area Rug
First, I defined Livi’s space with a large area rug. It’s plush and thick, providing the perfect space for her to safely play, and it creates a cushion-effect in the event she accidentally rolls out of her “big girl” bed. In this respect, it’s perfectly practical.
And visually, it helps anchor the space and define it as distinct from the rest of the room. Livi knows that when she sets foot on the rug, we’re in her territory!
Create a Theme to Further Define the Space
Livi adores birds … it’s her thing … she loves to watch them fly. So, I chose a bird theme for her space … everything from her bedding to the decorations, anyone viewing the space can see that it belongs to someone who has affection for our feathered friends. And, again, creating a theme for the space helps visually separate her corner from the rest of the room.
Bedding: The Land of Nod — Well Nested Collection, Fitted Crib Sheet & Duvet Cover
Make it Comfy, Make it Hers
As I discussed above, I wanted the space to really be Livi’s, and to reflect what she loves, which is why I chose a bird theme. Choose something meaningful for your little one — it will make him or her feel special, like the space truly belongs to him or her.
And don’t skimp on the comfies! Choose bedding that’s super-soft and fluffy, and add some throw pillows with a variety of textures and fun details. Livi loves her oversized fur throw pillow (a great buy at Pottery Barn) and tassel pillow (under $20 at Target)! From a mommy perspective, they’re a great safety net for when she runs full speed ahead and hurls herself onto her bed (yes, she does that … regularly). She’s also in the process of learning the alphabet, so she’s all about her “O” for Olivia pillow (similar one here)!
Creating a unique, individual space is all about the details … even just a planter or a picture or two will make all the difference.
Include One Standout Piece
And to really make the space unique to your little angel, add a standout piece — a piece you can’t buy in the store, so no one else will have it. Take your time and put some thought into it. Browse Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration and how-to guides. Make it the final touch, so the space is complete, all but for the standout piece. That way, you don’t have to complete it before your little angel can use the space. Don’t put a timetable on it — you don’t want this to be an added source of stress, it should be fun!
Keeping with the bird theme, I wanted to create a “nest” above Livi’s bed! A bunch of twigs, some gold spray paint, and a few birds from the craft store was all it took — now Livi has her own little bird nest she can admire every morning and night.
Fill the Space with Love
And, of course, the most important ingredient in the mix is to fill the space with love. Sure, the bedding is pretty, the pillows are comfy, and the decorations help create a theme … but Livi can’t wait to retreat to her space whenever we come home because when she’s in it, she feels safe and loved. It’s where her daddy or I read her a bedtime story before she goes to sleep, it’s where she cuddles up under a blanket and plays with her coloring books, and it’s where I say a prayer each night over her while she sleeps. She knows, above all else, that her space is filled with love.
All post details are linked below! Stay tuned for another post next week on how to create a dream-worthy bed … there’s three key principles to keep in mind! I’ll share them with you next week. In the meantime, have a great weekend!
yours, K
Livi’s Overalls: Zara (sold out), but she also has the denim version here // Livi’s Ruffled Top: Zara
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SHOP the POST
the foundation
the comfy details
the extras
Leave a Reply