Our Home

Graham’s Nursery

A Subtle Safari Themed Baby Boy Nursery Design

filed in:

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!

Beveled Bronze Mirror

Picture & book shelves  : IKEA – Mix of 21″ and 45″ options

Rug: 7×9 size

Blackout Curtains

Floor Lamp : Target

Rope Chandelier 

Odin Pouf

Rocking Chair – Wayfair from about 3 years ago (repurposed from Evy’s room!)

Thanks for reading!

— Katelyn

Podcast Art Marriage

54 | How to Talk with Your Spouse About Your Vision with Julia Woods

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.

READ MORE
The Doing Life Differently Podcast

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?

FAITH AND FAMILY PODCAST BLOG
READ MORE

53 | How We’re Redefining Success for Our Family Teaching our kids a different way

The Doing Life Differently Podcast
FAITH AND FAMILY PODCAST BLOG

52 | Viewing Your Business as a Ministry Opportunity and not just a business!

When you think about your business, do you see it as simply a job—or something more? 

READ MORE
The Doing Life Differently Podcast
DLD WELLNESS

51 | The Unexpected Gifts of a Digital Detox It didn't go as planned!

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.

READ MORE
The Doing Life Differently Podcast

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.

book more weddings in 2025
READ MORE

How to Book More Weddings in 2025 5 practical tips to do today

Youtube
DLD WELLNESS

50 | What Alpha Gal Taught Me About Healing & Living Fully

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.

READ MORE
The Doing Life Differently Podcast

READER FAVORITES

"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”

- Kara Abbey, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”

- Shannon Drummond, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”

- Kate gansneder, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”

- Angie mcpherson, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”

- Brittany Lowe, ALl ACCESS MEMBER

"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"

- Joanna Krueger, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER
10 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business
Helping a friend survive a season of Infant Loss
How to photograph a first look in Harsh Light
OUR KJ COUPLES REUNION
A Lake Como Destination Wedding - Greg and Kate
A Letter to the Go-Getters fearful of Motherhood

The KJ blog
must-reads

The KJ Blog is where you get to know me, where you meet our KJ Couples and see their beautiful wedding days, where I have been building an archive of education for over a decade and where I let you see a peek into our life, our home, and hear about our purpose! 
don't miss the
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

YOUTUBE

Join 100,000+ others and learn, grow and get connected via our Youtube Channel! This is where I'm constantly sharing new content, talking all things gear, business, tips, tricks and letting you into the behind-the-scenes of our everyday life! 
MORE FREE EDUCATION + CUTE BABIES ON
WATCH NOW

The KJ Learning roadmap

If you're a visual learner, this real-life, behind the scenes training was created just for you!

Create clients who can't help but rave about how you made them feel in front of your camera!

A 4-step educational preset process that will make Lightroom seem like a friend instead of a constant frustation.

The only thing you'll need as a beginner to kick start your photography journey.

The most popular, most transformational KJ Course of them all! Learn how to find great light in any location no matter how challenging!

The course that teaches photographers how to master Lightroom, find their unique style and trasnform their workflow!

Not only can artificial intelligence edit your images in minutes, it can now edit your work exactly the way KJ would if I was editing it myself!

Create polished, scroll-stopping images!  If you’re tired of “normal” and are ready to access the “Next Level”, this course was designed for you! 

"I have invested in all of KJ’s education!

The way she teaches makes so much sense and I’m so grateful for her! My business will be forever changed!"

- Renee Nicolo

"KJ education has been life-changing

 It has elevated my work so I could quit my day job and work from home with our baby boy!"

- joanna k.

"I'VE INVESTED IN SO MANY RESOURCES... 

and none compare to what I get from KJ!"

- LAUREN M.