I've been searching for inexpensive nursery furniture since day 1. I've heard of people going all out and buying gorgeous heirloom furniture and I would love to be able to do that but finances don't really permit us to do that and do anything else we might want to do. I figure the baby could care less how expensive the crib is so I figured I would settle for something nice. Even so, cribs are expensive! I really wanted a natural wood crib stained in a light honey color (but not yellowish). About a month ago Graham's Uncle called to offer us their old crib. His children are both in elementary school so they won't be needing it anymore. The only downside - it's white. I battled internally for a little while as I really didn't want white but how can you say no to free? We went to look at the crib and it's very nice, has modern safety features, and is actually a very expensive brand (bellini). All we'll have to do is purchase the mattress. As a bonus it has the one thing I really wanted - a drawer in the bottom for storing linens. It also converts to a toddler bed (but not beyond that).
Bellini "Katie" Crib (This picture was one on sale on eBay for 350 - Used!)
After our score in the crib department I was also hoping for something similar in regards to a changing table. Unfortunately I couldn't find free and I could find cheap but the quality was so poor I couldn't bring myself to even consider those. Graham was kind enough to offer to finish a piece from Wood You so that we could get a nice piece of furniture inexpensively. We've had really good luck with them in the past and I had actually considered doing this for a changing table but hadn't brought it up as I'm usually the finisher of furniture and I know it's not his favorite task. We haven't purchased it yet but plan to sometime early this summer. We decided to go with a dresser vs. changing unit as we'll get more long term use out of the piece.
Changing Table/Dresser - We'll probably choose a finish close to this color. ($279 plus staining supplies)
The only other piece I'm hoping to add is a Chair and Ottoman. I don't want a nursery glider - more like a club chair and ottoman. I plan to pick out something neutral so that I can move it to my bedroom as a reading chair once baby is no longer nursing. Hopefully since the other furniture was such a good price we can get a nice chair. I looked at the ones at Babies R Us but they had awful reviews. Many people said the chairs started out nice but after 6 to 9 months the springs started popping out. These sets retail for 400+. I'd rather pay a little more and get something that is good quality. Jack and Julie have a really nice large club chair and ottoman set from La-Z-Boy so I may look there.
Changing Table/Dresser - We'll probably choose a finish close to this color. ($279 plus staining supplies)
6 Responses:
Our Pastor and wife offered us the use of their crib as long as we need it - it was really nice not to have to buy that along with everything else. I don't have a comfy chair in the nursery, but I sure would love to have one. We have a rocking chair and with a cushion and pillows it is ok. For those middle of the night nursing times where you just feel like dozing, something more cushy would certainly be nice! For a changing table I had the same struggles as you. In the end I found a deal at Target on a piece of furniture that has worked well for our use as a changing table. It is not high quality, but I've already gotten my $100 worth!
I'm going to check out the website for that unfinished furniture. We're in the market for some things.
We have 3 of their mission style book cases that have turned out quite well and Jack's sister and brother in law bought a full dining room set from there which they finished (quite the job!) and it's very pretty.
I thought I couldn't live without comfy chair in the nursery. . I was wrong. In fact, we found a chair that I loved, but it was the wrong color. To order it would have taken 6 weeks, so we declined thinking, "Boy, we need something earlier than that!" 14 weeks later, we still haven't bought a chair. :-) I use the couch, which had the benefit of having a tv in front of it. Good luck chair shopping!
Neato on the furniture!
AH yes - nursing on the couch. I also did that a lot of times during the night feedings with Lydia. However, that was at the old house when her room was just a few steps from the living room. In our current house I think it will be "too far away" for me to consider going downstairs to use the couch. Maybe this time around I WILL get that comfy chair -- or else Ben will put up with me coming back to our bed to nurse!!! What is your house layout like Kelley?
Jen - I think I have a layout of the house at home that the previous owner gave us. If so, I'll scan it in and post it to my blog as it's probably easier to see the layout rather than describe it.
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