So I say the safer the better!

Artwork and Wall Treatments are the single biggest visual statement one can make in the nursery. It will most likely be in the space the longest (usually a crib and crib bedding goes away once the baby turns into a toddler)  Most artwork and wall treatments for babies are very safe and integral in creating a sweet ‘n’ stylish nursery- as well as an important element for stimulation and wonder… here are a few things I would keep in mind while choosing and hanging art work- or painting your baby’s room.  The following are a couple pieces of advice I give to my clients.

GO NATURAL!  NO STINKY PAINTS!  (just stinky diapers)
When painting your room- who wants that painty smell?  Especially- because in most scenarios- that smell means there are those evil VOC’s!  What is a VOC you ask?  The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines a VOC as: “Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) [that] are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.  VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings..”
With such a focus on organic foods, bedding or clothing for baby- how about the biggest part of the baby room- THE WALLS!  Water based, zero v.o.c. paints are easy to find and very affordable!  I like and use Benjamin Moore Natura Paint.  For just about $5 more per gallon, (then their traditional line of paint), I think- it’s a no brainer!  NATURA  Paint comes in every gorgeous shade Benjamin Moore makes!  They go on walls with fantastic coverage, and have barely any – to none of that “painty” smell we expect.

Benajamin Moore Natura Paints have NO VOC's and are only $5 more then their traditional Regal line of paints! It's a no brainer!

KEEP IT OUT OF REACH!
While artwork is great to look at, and most is OK to touch- my big concern is babies grabbing a piece and knocking it off the wall- making them vulnerable to injury.
The newborn baby is unable to sit up when he comes home from the hospital- but soon he will be reaching, grabbing- and sitting up!  Babies are known to perform Harry Houdini like escape acts from their cribs, and one thing you don’t want them to do is use their wall art as a leverage point – while trying to sit up or get out of the crib.  A good rule of thumb is keep art work at least 16” above the top rail of the crib, (to keep it way over an arms length away). Most cribs have a mattress platform that  lowers as your baby becomes more mobile.  I say, Lower that mattress early!  As soon as baby starts to roll over or reach-  this is a sign the he is getting stronger- and will soon be sitting up.  Look out world!  Here comes baby!

Hang Artwork Securely at least 16" above crib- way out of baby's reach.

KEEP IT LIGHT! (weight)
Why would anyone hang a very heavy piece of artwork right over where their baby sleeps?? While I think the minimal modern look of the Spot on Square artwork is OK….it has sharp corners and feels about as heavy as a brick!  (Please note:  I love modern design!   However, this body of work is just impersonal and boring.)  After lifting this piece up,  I felt like doing curls with it- vs hanging it over a sleeping baby’s crib!!  Besides being dangerous- heavy artwork is harder to hang!  To hang this up I recommend wall anchors, or molly screws (which most people do not know how to use, and frankly are a pain to install). Heaven forbid one falls off the wall-  it’s heavy, hard, and has sharp corners!!!  I don’t even want to think about it!  My suggestion is:  Keep it Light! Go for art work on Canvas- which is  readily available, light weight, and very easy to hang securely.  Sam Simon says: If it feels heavier then your baby- don’t hang it over your baby!

This Spot on Square artwork is heavy, has sharp corners, and frankly just not that cute. Modern need not be boring.

Spot on Square's "Ray the Cat" artwork should go back to square one.

Hip to be SQUARE! (Where is Hewey Lewis when you need him?)
I double do it!  When hanging artwork- if it’s a canvas painting with a wire on the back (for hanging),  I use 2 picture hanging hooks (I like ook brand hooks) for double the safety.  As an added level of security I affix the bottom corners with 3m heavy duty mounting squares.  These are about $7 a pack, and available at most hardware stores.  Two main reasons why these are great below:

#1  They add another layer of security to the wall art, as well as, if a tossed stuffed animal hits the piece, it is stuck in place!
#2 Once you level the piece – the sucka wont move! This tip is also great for the rest of the home- you will never have to adjust your artwork again!

3m Heavy Duty Mounting Squares- are fantastic!

The Sam Simon color of the week!
The perfect baby blue award goes to……. Sweet Bluette #813 (Benjamin Moore Natura Paint / Eggshell finish). In my experience most classic baby blue textiles veer more towards chambray like periwinkle vs greenish blue aquas.  I like this specific hue as it is definitely a color on your wall- however it is not overpowering or heavy.  Because of its light value- it will go with many shades of blue- and give the room a dreamy and visually soft feel.  I did a color wash on these walls, giving the traditionally flat paint a soft undulation.

Benjamin Moore's Sweet Bluette #813 is the perfect Baby Blue, color washed on walls with hand painted border by "Sam Simon"

Benjamin Moore's Sweet Bluette #813 is the Sam Simon Perfect Baby Blue. I use the Natura line of paints from Benjamin Moore in Eggshell finish.

Please ask any design questions!  I love reader mail! sam@samsimonprojects.com

(I’m expecting an angry one any minute now from Spot on Square)

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When getting ready for a gala evening out the last thing we do is choose accessories to highlight our ensemble.   The same goes for adding dazzling finishing touches to the room that will be your very favorite in your home, the most visited day, night and those early a.m. hours.

Babies love the sparkle and glitter created by the twinkling lights of crystal chandeliers, lamps and sconces.  Ideal for both boys and girls rooms, the elegant lighting provides a  long lasting accessory to the ambiance.

Joyce Martinez, lighting artist from I Lite 4 U, creates unique custom designs and coordinated hues from a myriad of crystals including Swarovski and glass beaded chains.

Styles include sports, seashore, ballet, cherubs and princesses plus traditional to give varied choices that will complete the décor.

Patti Williamson of Beautifully Chic has created a wonderful line of jeweled knobs using crystal rhinestones, pearls and cameos that can bring your drawers and doors a classy sparkle.  The knobs are wood based and can be used on any furniture, even to update your treasured family heirlooms  to update your treasured family

Glittering letters to spell out your baby’s name become delightful wall décor.  Using flowers, glitter, ribbons and bows they spell out love for all to see.

This wonderful charming line delights the hearts of our little Princesses everywhere.

I am currently working on a bedroom/bathroom suite for an 11 year old girl.  While this is different than a nursery project, the design fundamentals are the same.  A design scheme that will be appealing to a preteen client but have the staying power to carry her through her college years is required.  My eleven year old client had one request–a purple and green room.

The first thing I had to consider was how the space was going to flow.  For the bedroom, we would need ample storage, a desk/work area, display space for all the things little girls collect, and a bed.  For the bathroom, a vanity with plenty of counter and storage space was a requirement.

With a color scheme in place I began the design process with the selection of bedding.  I selected a ready made duvet cover and pillow shams from one collection and combined it with sheets from a different collection. I’ve also mixed in some fabrics that will become a custom bed skirt and accent pillows.

I selected a carpet with a small pattern to be installed wall to wall. A carpet with pattern is a great way for hiding daily wear and tear, but also allows an additional design element.

From left to right:  The purple and green large print is the ready made bedding we seleceted, The plaid will be used for a custom bed skirt, the large stripe and floral will be used as accent pillows.  The small diamond pattern is the carpet we chose.  The final photo is the schematic board.

Bellini Boca Sold This room Love Is In The Air ~ Love it

One of my favorite sets of the Nava’s Design’s collection is “Love Is In The Air”
At times I feel like sending a winner set a “Thank You” note~ smiling and I am ever so thankful for my winner “babies” like Love Is In The Air and Bellini keeps selling it again and again~
It’s such a joy to get an image from one of our Moms with her pride and joy Baby’s room image~ like this image which Amy from Bellini Boca got from one of her Moms , to share with us. We love it and we thank you Amy~
Please, please if you have any great image of your Baby’s room with Nava’s Designs bedding on a Bellini Crib e-mail it to us. We will love to share your great rooms with the whole world~ and nowadays when we say the whole wide world ~we mean it~ smiling
Enjoy your baby ~ celebrate your baby as after all how many celebrations we have in our lives?!

bla bla jungle mobile $114

Frazier and Wing Paper Cut Out Mobile s$75 and up

Authentic Model Flight Mobile

Petit Collage Jungle Bamboo $68

These round 15″ circles called Park-it!® can easily be folded up and placed in your purse to be ready for whenever bad behavior pops up!  Michelle and Susan the owners of  doodle&juju also recognized that moms should have more hip modern options when choosing the spot for time out, whether they’re at home or “out and about”.  Check out a few super chic choices they give us to choose from:

These mats were also selected to be included  in pre emmy gift bags for celebrity moms! I have a feeling we are going to see great things happening to this company real soon. Oh the power of ETSY is amazing!!!!

Here are some great decor items I love for playroom pizazz.

Silly Soft Seating by Pkolino $39.99

bla bla kis giant Mr X

Wallcandy Art-Decals

Cabriolet Rocker $320

Chalk Table $89.99

Dress Up Carousel $240

Creating the perfect nursery for your little prince or princess can be an over whelming task whether you are planning for a girl or boy.  The first things to consider are the furniture pieces you will need. Thankfully, Bellini has some great collections to choose from.  A crib and changing table/dresser are must haves, as are a comfy glider and ottoman for late night feedings.  Now is when the fun, for some, and stress for others begins.

Should the furniture be white, natural, or espresso?  Should the bedding be pink, blue, or unisex? Should the nursery have a theme? All these are normal questions you will ask yourself.  The best way to approach a nursery is the same way you would any design project.

Find something you love…a fabric, a painting, a plush animal, even a color, this will give you a start point.  Now you are on your way to the nursery of your dreams.

As a designer I find that a common thread in all projects is color.  We are always drawn to our color comfort zone.  If you are having a girl, but love blue, so be it! Do a sweet girly room with shades of blue. If you are planning a nursery not knowing the sex of the baby you have many options.  Yellow, green, purple, red, even orange could be the start of a great nursery.

Stay tuned to Bellini Buzz for more design tips, storage solutions, and creative options to make your baby’s room the talk of the playground!!

Egyptian Cotton Bedding By Blauen

Sylvana Campbell Damask Wall Paper (Nina Campbell)

Blue Hydrangeas

All A Twitter Wall Art by Oopsy Daisy

JellyCat Blue Cordy Elephant

Grace Table and Ava Toddler Chair by Jennifer Delonge