When JB and I learned we were having a boy, I immediately started daydreaming about how I would decorate the nursery. As I scoured the internet and magazines for inspiration, the only thing I knew for sure was that I didn’t want it to look babyish.

Some of you are probably scratching your heads right now. She doesn’t want a baby’s room to look babyish? So I’ll explain.

My goal is to create a comfortable space for my son and for myself. Yes, I’m decorating partly for him and partly for me since I anticipate I’ll be spending quite a lot of time in his room.

First, I thought about colors. Specifically, paint colors. I don’t think a nursery should be limited to candy coated shades of pink or blue or yellow. And truthfully, I don’t care for pastel colors anyway. My office, which will become the baby’s room, was painted a bright shade of green called Dill Pickle. I actually had nothing against the color for a boy’s room. In fact, one of my closest friends painted her baby boy’s room Dill Pickle. But after two and half years surrounded by green walls, I was ready for a change.

So I began seeking inspiration, and when I stumbled upon Hawken’s room and Finn’s room I knew I found exactly what I wanted. Their striped walls appeared sophisticated, preppy and masculine, which I loved. I also liked the fact that stripes would add visual interest and dimension to my baby’s small room. Once JB and I agreed on the walls, the rest of color scheme sort of fell into place.

My painted doubted my vision from the beginning, but when he pulled the last piece of tape off the wall, he acknowledged that my idea worked. No, the room doesn’t look exactly like Hawken’s and Finn’s… but you’ll have to wait a little bit longer for the big reveal.

Stay tuned for part 2: nursery furniture.

 {images via Project Nursery and Ohdeedoh}