Nena's Nursery

I am so excited to finally share Siena's nursery with you all! Willy Wonka's, "Pure Imagination" plays in my head just thinking about it. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2pt2-F2j2g) With sentimental touches and personalized creations, I poured so much time and love into making a special nursery for my first born. I wanted to create a bright colorful space that would encourage Siena to be creative, playful and imaginative. Three themes organically emerged as the room came together - Home, NY, and London. Before her arrival, I pictured feeding Siena in the corner chair and watching her tumble on the floral rug. Now that the nursery is complete and Siena is here, it has become my favorite room in the apartment and perhaps my favorite room of any home where I have ever lived. It at once feels serene yet playful; just perfect for my sweet baby Siena Kate. 

                         The Room... 

The bee on the garden rug is one of my favorite details!

Details...

This is the same mobile which hung over my crib and my brother's.

Grandma (Mama Chris) and I refurbished the toy chest from a wooden chest we used in our old apartment. 

Chalkboard painted over crib by Mama Chris. Calligraphy by moi.

British guard who guards Siena as she sleeps

London shelf/Brooklyn shelf

2012 London Olympics mascot

Rob's greatest award: Outstanding Student from when he was in Kindergarten 

Wall decor. I bought an old wooden drawer at a flea market and turned it into this. I also handmade the SKB bunting.

London/New York

New York/London

Closet door detail

Closet organization

DIY wall art and barrette holder

Days before delivery.

Siena's welcome home reception

Welcome Sweet Siena Kate

On September 18, 2012, at 6:44am BST, Rob and I welcomed our daughter Siena Kate into the world. She weighed 6lbs 12oz and measured 19.5 inches. She was born with enviably thick black hair and grey eyes which tease mommy and daddy as to whom she will take after. 

We chose the name Siena after the city where Rob proposed, a city which in addition to having charm and beauty, holds special meaning to us. Since my middle name, Capri, was also chosen after a place in Italy which held special meaning to my parents, Siena seemed fitting. Her middle name, Kate, a name fit for British Royalty, is a nod to her birth place, London.

Siena's birth story is long, and not without drama (is anyone surprised?). It will take some time to put the experience down in words and share, but for now and most importantly, our little girl is here and she is perfect. 

Siena's First Photo. Wearing her Birthday fascinator (... because she's British)

Bundled up to go home from the hospital

Heading home

Siena was born with a dislocated hip and has to wear a harness 24/7 for 6 weeks. We have to dress her in these over-sized gowns to fit over her harness. It's ridiculous and adorable.

                                      

In the garden with daddy

9 days old

Crib Tour Part 1: Before and After

As much as I wish this were a birth announcement post, it's just a before and after photo tour of our new flat. Despite being 1 day away from my due date I have no real signs of labor and no clue when this little chica will arrive. I had an appointment with the Doctor yesterday and he just said everything looks good and we'll wait and see. I am beyond ready for action, I think i am doubling in size by the day at this point and my face is a full moon (in a pathetic attempt to make me feel better Rob said it's more like Pluto than a full moon, Pluto being a smaller planet...uh it's still round Rob!). I'm very open to any natural ways to induce labor so I've been walking a lot and eating spicy foods. My mother keeps telling us to have sex which makes Rob cringe and is difficult when she is staying in the room next door. She offers to go out so we can be alone but that is just awkward.  

Anywho, on to the tour...

 Since we are renters and unsure how long we will be living here (here as in this flat and in London in general) we really didn't want to go out and buy new furniture that may or may not work in our future home. It's difficult for me since I am an Elle Decor aficionado who loves scouting and scoring the perfect piece to create a space in which Rob and I enjoy living and inviting guests. Fortunately, since the nursery needed to be designed from start to finish I had an outlet to channel my extreme home makeover sensibilities. All the other rooms of the house were put together like a puzzle, shifting items from our Brooklyn apt until they fit. 

Kitchen Before. Can you tell I'm massively overwhelmed and drowning in paper/boxes? I can't believe I'm 6 months preggers in this pic and I thought I was big at the time...if I only knew. 

Half-way through unpacking the kitchen

Kitchen After

Kitchen details

Kitchen Details

Living Room Before. Rob watching Italy in the Euro Cup

Living/Dining Room Before

Making Progress

Living/Dining Room After 

Living room/Dining room Before

Living/Dining room After

Dining Room Before

Dining Room After - showcasing mom's painting and sculpture.

My spa bathroom detail. 

Rob's bathroom detail: Photos from our wedding day

Bedroom before

Bedroom After

New bedding

Dresser Before. Our first ever attempt at furniture renovation

8 Hours of sanding later

Dresser After

Part 2 of the Crib Tour will be exclusively dedicated to the nursery, my favorite room in the flat and a true labor of love. (Get it..."crib" tour, "labor" of love...yup). And, if you'd like to see the guest room you'll have to come visit!