Are those just about the cutest little bunny slippers you've ever seen?! (They are! They are!) I got them for the Peanut while we were shopping on 4th Avenue in sweet little Camas Washington. Oh, but that wasn't all we found on the street of dreams.
One of the highlights of the past weekend's trip to Camas was playing with the furniture in the nursery, arranging it and staring at it, imagining it full of baby sounds, sights and smells.(and I knew you'd want to see our progress!) The nursery is a wonderful large, sunny bedroom, with high cathedral ceilings and it's own fabulous walk-in closet (with a window, no less!) and it's own bathroom.
Because of the nice high ceiling we knew we needed something with some height in there for a focal point....but what?
Well.....The Mama-to-be discovered this incredible "changing station" while we were in Camas Antiques. (it's actually a reproduction piece!) We were so excited to show it to my son-law, who so sweetly said they should buy it right then and there. (He's such a good sport! I actually think he thought that's what the piece was designed for as my daughter explained that the little alcove was for a diaper changing area.) Okay, technically it's a hutch, but open your mind. Think outside of that hutch box. It's a piece of furniture that will work pretty much anywhere in a home (in so many places, and with so many options for use!) for years and years to come.
The changing pad we bought fits perfectly in the alcove, as though it was made for it.(I am picturing a wee little banner hung back in there against that green backdrop) Imagine this beauty filled with onesies, diapers, story books and stuffed bears. My mind reels just thinking about it.
Since the thrifty couple had bought the crib and mattress on craigslist (which we promptly painted and antiqued to go with the feel of the room) and had a reinvented dresser and charming little table from Gramma Cupcake, (the dresser is in the other corner of the room, not shown in the photos) they decided to cut loose and buy this beautiful piece for the huge back wall of the soon-to-be nursery.
**edited to add: Here is a picture of our "practice baby" the adorable Mona Fleasa!
This, along with the rocking chair that was used to rock my babies and some incredible old hinged doors from the fabulous retreat team round out the room quite nicely and it is really beginning to take shape.
Now, in another couple of weeks when we know if we're having a boy or a girl, we can really get the ball rolling.
Perfect piece of furniture.
I am so happy for your joy!!!
marcia in TX
Posted by: marcia | July 31, 2008 at 05:47 AM
Wow! I love it already! That hutch is a great piece of furniture - a good choice. I can't wait to see the room all dolled up.
Posted by: Vanessa | July 31, 2008 at 05:50 AM
All of this is soooooo exciting. It appears that GG needs to get busy sewing some cute curtains, bibs, diaper covers, blankets, etc. Can't wait to get started. I have purchased materials for either sex as well as patterns. I'm all set for both of my great-grand babies. Can hardly wait to hold them, smell that beautiful baby smell and touch those sweet soft baby cheeks.
Posted by: The Sewing Queen | July 31, 2008 at 05:57 AM
I love the hutch. What a great idea!! I love the colors and have to chuckle because that is the color my DD is using!!
Enjoy!
Posted by: Mecky | July 31, 2008 at 06:12 AM
OH MY GOODNESS!!!! This is going to be SO GORGEOUS!!! It already is! I can so see that your daughter has the same amazing taste that you do Tracey! What a beautiful hutch, too...I love that it's not the traditional type changing area and look at all of the storage ~ perfect. I can't wait for you to let us know what she's having! xxoo, Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | July 31, 2008 at 07:05 AM
That hutch is a great addition to the nursery and it really has a lot of storage they will need, especially for all the fun things the Gramma's will find. Isn't it fun to see a nursery come together? The colors are just perfect and he or she is going to be one lucky baby!
Posted by: Gretchen | July 31, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Wow! I love the hutch - it will be a perfect changing station! We used one of those huge computer desk armoires with the drop down table and drawers and pull out shelves. I used divided baskets to keep the twins 2 different diaper sizes separate but available. Everything was right there within reach. It was fantastic!
(I did tie the right hand door to the table to create a safer "back board" for the changing cushion I attached to the table top. No chance of a baby rolling off the table on the side opposite me.)
Thank you for sharing the joy with us!!
Posted by: Katherine McKamey | July 31, 2008 at 07:09 AM
That hutch used as a combo storage/changing table in the new nursery.....is one of the most inventive ideas ever. And, that, my dear, is why you have such an informative blog...lots of clever ideas and a nice person behind them. With my only grandchild just turning 23, I'm not in need of a changing table, but, my goodness.....just think of the zillions of others uses for that hutch...once again, you've got me thinking!! Thanks, Pat
Posted by: Patricia Eaton | July 31, 2008 at 07:39 AM
What?! No picture of our "practice baby" in the crib? You have to share the Mona picture. She will feel so left out if you don't and she is already getting a little jealous.
Posted by: momma-to-be | July 31, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Okay, okay. I added sweet Mona Fleasa's picture... :)
Tracey
Posted by: ACottageIndustry | July 31, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Tracey,
The hutch is so much like the changing "tower" my DIL bought while expecting the twins! The main difference is the doors - hers are solid wood that come off to just be display shelves as they get older. She ordered it, along with 2 cribs, from a guy in Georgia that makes each piece individually. The crib ends are now the headboard and footboard of their twin beds and the changing "tower" lives on, holding their TV, VCR, special animals and books! With the dresser portion below still holding clothes. It is such a "usable" piece!
BTW, my son drilled a hole in the back of the garage-type unit to the right of the changing area. The heated wipe unit went there, with the plug going out the back. Looked much better that way.
Everything is looking great!
MimiG
Posted by: MimiG | July 31, 2008 at 09:35 AM
I'm completely swooning over the baby's hutch! I loved using things in my daughter Amelia's room that aren't necessarily made for babies, like this piece. It makes the nursery look so much more unique and interesting, and of course, one-of-a-kind. I love it!
Posted by: Katie | July 31, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Oh Tracey! Absolutely darling! All of it- the hutch, the room, the crib, the fabulous Mona Fleasa!
Posted by: Bettsi | July 31, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I love your cabinet! and the "practice baby" :O)
Posted by: Julie | July 31, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Gasp! Simply stunning. What a special special piece for baby. So much nicer than store bought, assembled in minutes stuff.
~Stacy
Posted by: stacy | July 31, 2008 at 04:55 PM
How cozy! That hutch..changing table is great. In the future don't you see it with cute little toys and storybooks.
I have the same exact crib. First for my own children then for grandbabies. Hopefully, a few more grandbabies down the road. There is a ten year age difference between my oldest and youngest. Anyway, when my husband and I picked out the crib he went over it checking for imperfections...nothing but the best for our babies ha ha. Within a couple a few months my son had it looking like we were raising beavers! So much for perfection:)
Love those cute bunny slippers.
Best,
Kathy
Posted by: kathy | July 31, 2008 at 05:24 PM
I love hutches! They have so many uses.
I bought a double hutch to go on top of a six foot base cabinet. I use the hutch as a bookcase and the base is perfect for endless storage.
That hutch will be priceless and become a family piece.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | July 31, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Well that is going to be by far one of the sweetest baby rooms I've ever seen. I can't wait to see if finished.
I love that photo of your dog in the crib. So cute!
Hugs,
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne Kennedy | July 31, 2008 at 10:47 PM
I say forget those high-priced nurseries that all the celebs (Jennifer Lopez, Angelina etc.) have! This will be so much more beautiful, personal and cozy than what expensive designers produce. I can't wait to see all the gorgeous things the Sewing Queen (Great-grandma) makes. This will be one of the most charming nurseries seen in blogland, that's for sure!
Posted by: lindenhaus | August 01, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Great use for the hutch! And, something baby can grow with, or Mom can appropriate later. :) That hutch is exactly what I am looking for, for my office area!
Posted by: Dori | August 02, 2008 at 07:27 AM
and here I am... about to have a baby *any* day... I *KNEW* exactly what that was!!! I so see where the wipes go, where the changing pad goes, extra burp cloths, a mirror for Baby to look at him/herself (we don't know if it's a boy or girl yet!!!)
oh, and then a place for onsies, a few stuffed toys and some of my photographs of family....
send it my way.. lol!
Posted by: AnneMarieZ | August 02, 2008 at 09:10 AM
How exciting preparing for a wee one. :) That is a nice addition to the nursery but after the baby is of the walking age you can FORGET about storing anything in those bottom doors. My 14 month old twins are all the time opening the bottom 3 drawers of their dresser and slinging out all the contents. Sometimes I wonder why I even have a dresser in there if only the top drawer is usable? However with those doors on your piece, that would be a great place for toys, books, stuffed animals... ;)
Glad I found your blog (listed at quiltville.com) Happy Weekend and love from Texas! ~bonnie
Posted by: bingo~bonnie | August 02, 2008 at 09:59 PM