Baby Chic and the Nursery Revolution

So, you've got a baby on the way and you're full of ideas for the new nursery... or maybe you've got no ideas, or just too many. Sit down and relax. The good news is, there are no set in stone rules anymore and nurseries don't have to conform to some idea of tradition. You can truly have some fun, and keep within the designed look and feel of the rest of your home. Yes, nurseries are going chic, so come on board!

It's not the case that cold and heartless, design-only minded parents are behind the psychology of this new movement for the chic nursery, it's moreover that practicality is playing a stronger role in the approach to the child's room. Many are opting for long-term decor that'll blend with the rest of the house and will be suitable for their newborns as they emerge into toddlerhood and beyond.

There is a movement away from the traditional pastel pinks and blues, with themes of teddy bears and all things "baby". Homeowners and new parents are opting for bold colors and contrasting geometric designs. These elements are enticing, and stimulating for the newborn, but are often transferable to the rest of your home design. Likewise, these looks are somewhat neutral and will not outgrow the child as soon as he/she realizes that teddy bears are for babies, while they're strutting their for year old, big-boy or big-girl attitudes.

Another option for the nursery is to stick to neutral tones for the paint. From here, you can add as much color as your like with bedding, pictures, mobiles and lanterns.

Of course the necessities are still there. You'll need a crib and a change table. But today there are souped up, highly modern and practical versions of these purchases on the market. You can find cribs that can transform into single beds, and change tables that have a replaceable top, to grow with your child- so you don't have to think about purchasing new items every year or so.

In terms of a theme inspired room, again many are opting for themes that are gender neutral and that can carry on through and beyond the infant years. Think under the sea, the forest and virtually anything connected to nature.

Ideally you want a place that is stimulating for your child, but nothing too alarming or distracting. Great finishing touches to consider are wall borders, colorful mobiles, throw pillows, afghans, decorative lamps and theme inspired night lights.

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Top 5 Tips in Setting Up Your Baby's Nursery

It is an exciting time to prepare your baby's nursery but knowing the right time is also important. Some parents may choose to have it done while the mother has just received the good news that she's pregnant. Other parents prefer to set up the baby's nursery together with the construction and interior design of their homes.

Normally if you plan and set-up the nursery in advance, neutral colors are incorporated to ensure that the room will fit the baby's gender. White, beige and cream are the most common color schemes for a neutral room. A few updating once the baby's gender is determined can be done to make sure that the room is comfy and appropriate.

Once you've determined the gender of your baby, it's ideal to plan the completion of the interiors and purchase other necessities for the nursery.

Here are top 5 tips in setting-up your baby's nursery for its completion to make it baby-ready:

1. If you haven't selected the right furniture yet for your little one, make sure that you prioritize the bigger furniture pieces first and foremost. These pieces are normally moderately-priced to expensive, so make sure that you have the budget or prioritize in spending your budget for the more important pieces. The baby's crib is the most important as of this time because it is the place for baby's rest and relaxation.

A changing table is also important and these days it is incorporated with a dresser to keep all of your baby's clothes and stuff in.

Make sure that you have a bed for mom or for any adult in the house who will be assigned to stay with the baby each night. Younger infants should not be left alone in a nursery unless you have a baby camera or monitoring device inside. It is a safety precaution nowadays, so you might as well invest on those too.

2. Other baby-friendly necessities such as bedding materials, bedding sets, toys and activity sets should be examined first before you buy them.

Make sure that the materials are safe and non-toxic for your baby. If he/she is vulnerable to allergens, make sure that the material of her beddings is hypoallergenic.

3. You may want to plan and purchase for furniture that can be used for a long period of time. Dressers and a bed you are planning to buy should be made of tough materials to ensure that your baby can use them for years. These are bigger pieces of furniture so invest on them wisely.

4. The decor of your baby's nursery can be based on a theme such as a cartoon character, flora and fauna themes, or a generic theme that can be updated as the child grows older.

As mentioned earlier, if you plan ahead and included the nursery in the overall interior design of your home, a neutral palette can be used. Complementary design can be used via incorporating furniture, curtains and other stuff that can add life and fun to your baby's nursery.

Upgrading some paint job is also advisable just make sure to do this while the baby is still unborn and once you've determine its gender. Make sure to use non-toxic and odorless paint.

5. Once all the upgrading and furniture are ready, you can arrange the interiors of the nursery to make it baby-friendly and safe for everyone. It is ideal to keep the nursery free from clutter and too much unnecessary furniture and accessories. It is important that you can move around freely and that there is ample space. As much as possible, do not overcrowd the nursery with too much toys and things that the baby won't enjoy at this time.

Planning for a baby's nursery is a fun idea. The key is to keep it safe, simple and spacious for everyone. Only buy the necessary furniture and when you do, make sure to check each piece for safety and sturdiness to keep your baby happy and safe at all times.

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Baby Nursery Bedding - The ABC's of Nursery Feng Shui

For first time parents, welcome to parenthood, and for those preparing to make use of the old rocking horse and crib buried shoulder deep amongst other acquired mess in the garage, welcome back!

As many second, third or even fourth-time parents will know, the right environment and mood surrounding your child can provide them with the best possible start in life. Everything from your baby's mood, mental and physical health to their awareness and emotions can be soothed or inspired by nursery Feng Shui.

While most people think this may break the bank and leave their pockets with gaping holes, they couldn't be further from the truth. In actual fact, nursery Feng Shui has absolutely nothing to do with designer linens or expensive interior decorators. With a little research it is an easy do-it-yourself project that simply anyone can do.

In a nutshell, Feng Shui is a 3,000-year-old Chinese practice of interior decorating which allows for the open flow of positive energy in a home, educational or workplace setting.

Practitioners of Feng Shui, which literally means "wind and water", believe space must be arranged for energy, or "chi" to flow freely, to invite good luck, success, and positive energies. As such, it isn't hard to see where this could be used as a tool to raise your child in a healthy environment.

Laila Wah, a master Feng Shui practitioner and Doctor of Acupuncture in the U.S. with more than 30 years experience exploring complimentary medicine, outlines several Feng Shui principles to consider when arranging a nursery. These include the location of the nursery in the house, as well as furniture arrangement, colour and movement in the bedroom.

Choosing the right bedroom With Baby Nursery Bedding

There isn't a large margin for error when deciding which room to place your baby in. A baby is better placed away from stairwells, but not on a floor above the parent's bedroom. According to Wah, if this happens the child has the upper hand and as the common saying goes "rules the roost". A baby should also never be placed over a garage or empty space in the house, and should be somewhere where it will not be disturbed by excessive noise. Feng Shui also suggests a baby boy should be placed in a nursery located in the east and north parts of a house, while a baby girl should be placed in the south, southeast or west parts. If all else fails, it's best to arrange the room so it is in harmony and has a positive flow.

Locating the Crib

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when arranging furniture in a nursery is the location of the crib. The crib should be placed in a command position, the widest angle to the entrance of the room, just as an adults bed is placed in one. The head should be places against a solid wall for protection and grounding, and should not be placed along a wall that is shared with a bathroom or storage room, since this is believed to adversely affect the baby's health. Either side of the crib should be open, so the baby is able to see his caregivers as they enter the room and feel safe and protected. Nothing should be stored or placed under the bed since it impedes the flow of Qi and interferes with sound sleep. Try to keep a child's bed away from electrical outlets since it creates negative energy.

Creating movement

Creating movement in your baby's room does not mean arranging the furniture so you can move better around the room. In essence there should be lots of space in your child's room, but the movement Feng Shui refers to is that of sound and air movement. For soft energy flow this can be achieved by use of a fan kept on a low setting. Soothing music and a mobile wind chime also enhances the energy of a room and can also be used to compliment the flow of energy.

Choosing the right colors

The right colors in a nursery can influence a baby's mood. It has been a popular practice of decorators to use colors to influence mood; blue is calming, yellow is energetic and happy, green is restful, orange invokes enthusiasm, and purple inspires the creative juices. Before you break out the dramatic colors however, Wah insists nursery's be painted in soft colors with appropriate pictures, like the child's artwork. Although bright colors are attractive they can be too stimulating for babies. To find the appropriate shade for the room you can use a Feng Shui bagua, a wheel chart that assigns colours and elements to certain areas in the home, as well as to life aspects such as relationships, careers, and children. If stuck trying to make that decision, the bagua indicates white as the best color for children since it is associated with creativity. If you wanted more color though, do so using soft muted colored furniture.

Eliminating clutter

Babies bring meaning to the word "spoilt" as grandparents, relatives, and parents themselves, shower toys and gifts upon them. Quite soon you're struggling to find space to fit it all. When it comes to the child's bedroom it is important that this clutter is stored elsewhere. Excess clutter of toys around a child can be over stimulating, which can lead to restless sleep, inability to fall asleep, confusion and attention disorders. An over crowded room can also create or assist respiratory problems. Unnecessary clutter can block a baby's creative energy, both physically and mentally, and lead to discouragement. While a much more busy life ensues, it is important that clutter be organized and away from your child.

The right fabric

A point often overlooked is the effect touch can have on a baby's mental growth or wellbeing. Smooth textures such as cotton, cotton knits or velvet promote a sense of calm, quiet, and sleep, while silky textures such as polyester, silk and satin, ignite excitement and action. While shopping around for baby nursery bedding i.e.crib sheets, bumpers, or blankets, choose fabrics that are smooth but not silky.

The principles of Feng Shui are often simple and do not always require the expertise of interior decorators. Negative Chi can often be felt instinctively by people arranging their furniture in a new house, or while looking for a new home. A little research goes a long way when preparing for your child's first few years in the world, but be rest assured, it doesn't take a university education to ground your baby in a positive environment. Trust yourself to know what's right for both you and your baby, and let your imagination point you in the right direction.

Dorothy Slater has two children and three grandchildren. At the moment she is semi retired. Dorothy and her husband were the original owners of a company named Slater Technical Services which they sold in 2000 when they decided to retire and go to live on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia.

They still visit the UK as most of their family and friends live in England and Europe, and will be visiting again in 2010.

http://www.babynurserybeddingoutlet.co.uk

Baby Nursery Bedding