I’ve found that when I’m decorating nurseries, I tend to try to stay away from some of the uber trendy decor ideas and I try to find a happy medium between a light theme, my style and baby elements. I feel like Graham’s room turned out to be a wonderful mix of all of those things and I love it! It’s simple with a very subtle theme but it’s also not so minimal that there’s nothing to it!
So how did I come up with this concept? Gradually.
I knew that I didn’t want a hard-core “theme” to the room because that’s not my style. However, a subtle, reserved, not over-the-top theme would work just fine! So what made me think of the “Subtle Safari” theme? Well, Michael’s mom (our kid’s Grammie!) has made custom watercolors for every one of our kids. I absolutely LOVE the one that she made for Graham (you’ll see it further down in the post!). The BLUE-GREY color that she used in the painting is what I matched for the wall color and the design she used had some jungle animals included and that marked the idea for a subtle safari theme!
The goal was to have some safari “elements ” but nothing too attached to theme. I loved how it all turned out! It’s masculine but still soft and inviting. It looks like a baby-boy’s room but also has design elements that could be used in a living room or a regular bedroom. I think the hardest balance for me when decorating is the balance of textures. I have wood, rope, white painted wood, and a hit of bronze accents in his room. I’m no professional but I think it’s a decent balance!
So enjoy his little room tour and just know…. this is NOT how it looks in our everyday life. There is normally a two-day old milk cup that got lost under the crib, an overflowing trash bin and stacks of laundry that gets worn again before it gets put away! :) I worked hard to make this room look Pinterest-worthy and it lasted for about 15 minutes.
Three-piece woven basket set These were a splurge but they are honestly the most well-made baskets I have EVER purchased…even Michael randomly commented on how great they felt!
Tiny set of faux succulents These can also be purchased from IKEA for cheaper… just not as cute!
Wooden Side Table It falls over easily but it’s unique and cute so we kept it! It’s teaching Graham “balance”. ha!
Dresser: IKEA Hemnes Collection (literally, we own 5 of these total… so cheap and they last!)
Crib : Gift from Grammie and Paw! Evy has converted hers twice and it’s now a full size big girl bed!
Picture & book shelves : IKEA – Mix of 21″ and 45″ options
Rug: 7×9 size
Floor Lamp : Target
Rocking Chair – Wayfair from about 3 years ago (repurposed from Evy’s room!)
Have you ever tried to sit down with your spouse to talk about dreams, goals, and vision—only for it to turn into frustration or misalignment? If so, you’re not alone. Vision casting in marriage is hard because it brings up deeper fears, beliefs, and unspoken dynamics that many couples don’t even realize are at play.
Success—it’s a word we hear all the time. But what does it really mean? Is it about financial security? Status? Owning a dream home or taking extravagant vacations?
When you think about your business, do you see it as simply a job—or something more?
Today, I’m diving into an experience that was nothing like I anticipated: my digital detox in December. If you’ve ever considered taking a break from the noise of the online world, you might relate to my journey—the good, the surprising, and the, well, completely unplanned.
The wedding industry has faced unique challenges recently, with inflation affecting budgets and couples cutting costs. If you’re a wedding photographer feeling the pinch, don’t worry—2025 doesn’t have to be a slow year.
Life has a way of surprising us, doesn’t it? Over the last few months, I’ve been on a medical rollercoaster that I never saw coming.