Embark on a delightful journey through Evie’s enchanting travel-themed nursery, a charming space brimming with simple yet stylish inspiration for any baby girl’s room. Discover custom pieces, modern furniture, and globally inspired decor meticulously curated to create a truly unique and serene environment.
Discovering Evie’s Travel-Themed Nursery
As Evie, our sweet baby girl, reaches six months old and comfortably settles into her beautiful new bedroom, it feels like the perfect moment to unveil her captivating travel-themed nursery. This space has been a true labor of love, a journey of meticulous internet searches, and a collection of treasures from literally traveling the globe. The result is a room I absolutely adore; it has quickly become my favorite sanctuary in our entire home.
The vision for this unique baby girl’s nursery began years before I was even pregnant. I instinctively started collecting charming trinkets and mementos from my various travels, always with the dream of creating a travel-inspired nursery. Some might call it a little unconventional, but I was confident in the theme, regardless of whether we welcomed a boy or a girl. Initially, my plan leaned towards a very gender-neutral palette and decor. I even purchased a striking art print in Vienna, Austria, back in December 2017, fully intending for it to be the room’s central focal point. However, as the time came to truly bring the nursery to life, that particular piece just didn’t quite resonate with the evolving vision.
Once we joyfully navigated through the first trimester, we began laying the foundation of Evie’s room with essential furniture pieces. We chose the sleek and versatile Babyletto Lolly 3-in-1 Crib, complemented by the coordinating Babyletto Lolly Dresser, which also functions as a changing table. For optimal comfort and safety, we selected the Graco Premium Foam Mattress. Just a few weeks later, I stumbled upon a stylish end table (Similar available) and the elegant Project 62 Ceramic Lamp, and suddenly, the room’s cohesive aesthetic truly began to take shape. A charming stuffed Llama, discovered at Hobby Lobby, added a touch of whimsical flair, perfectly suiting the adventurous theme.
The next crucial step was selecting the perfect paint color, a decision that proved surprisingly challenging. We had to finalize the color before knowing Evie’s gender, as it was the only window our painter had available. After much deliberation, we settled on Kind Green by Sherwin Williams, and I absolutely, unequivocally adore it! In fact, I was so enamored with this shade that we decided to paint our master bathroom the same color. It’s a truly remarkable hue, boasting beautiful blue and green undertones that subtly shift with the changing light throughout the day. I particularly appreciate its balance of cool and warm tones, which provided an incredibly versatile backdrop, making the rest of the decorating process wonderfully straightforward.
Finding the ideal rocking chair was another significant milestone in decorating this travel-themed nursery. It became clear very quickly that nursery rocking chairs can be incredibly expensive, often surpassing the cost of the crib itself. For a while, I resigned myself to doing without one, believing I could make do. However, as is often the case with many of my cherished household items, a shopping trip to Marshall’s yielded an unexpected treasure. There, in all its glory, sat this magnificent, beautiful beast of a chair.
It was incredibly comfortable, and I found myself unexpectedly falling in love with its unique charm. Yet, a practical concern loomed: its faux sheepskin upholstery. In a nursery? Would it be too impractical, too prone to spills and messes? Perhaps a little crazy. But then, a kind woman passed by, catching my eye, and simply stated, “Honey, you need that chair in your life – it’s amazing.” Her words resonated, sealing the deal. I brought it home, and for about three weeks, it became the family joke, with me repeatedly promising to return it. But I couldn’t bring myself to part with it, and I am eternally grateful I didn’t. This chair has become an irreplaceable fixture in our lives. It’s where I read to Evie, both before and after her birth, where I pump, and where I find solace for a few minutes of quiet reflection when needed. Moreover, I absolutely adore its sturdy wooden frame; should the faux sheepskin ever become too worn or crumbly, re-upholstering it will be a simple task. You can find a similar chair here. The soft Pleated Velvet Round Throw Pillow, adding a pop of color, is from Target, available in several delightful shades.
The quest for the perfect rug concluded with this delightful Pillowfort Pink Braided Rug from Target. It wasn’t just a floor covering; it served as a wonderful inspirational piece, helping to define the accent colors for the entire room. While online images and photographs might not fully capture its intricate beauty, the rug subtly incorporates two shades of pink, mint green, soft yellow, crisp white, and a touch of lavender, creating a harmonious and playful palette.
One of our early nursery projects involved installing the bookshelves. These practical Acrylic Book Shelves are cleverly positioned behind Evie’s door, proving to be an excellent solution for utilizing what would otherwise be unused space, given the six-inch gap between the wall and the door. It was a slightly nerve-wracking experience to drill holes into the freshly painted walls, as it felt like a significant step, truly committing to the nursery’s design. However, I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out. Not only do they look stylish and minimalist, but they also hold an impressive number of books – typically around 25 at any given time – keeping Evie’s growing library neatly organized and easily accessible.
My journey to find the perfect focal art continued as I discovered this charming World Map Print by Alice Tait at TJ Maxx. I instantly fell in love with its whimsical style and had it custom-framed at Hobby Lobby, expecting it to be the definitive centerpiece of the room. While it turned out absolutely beautifully, I still felt the nursery lacked a certain spark, a unique personal touch. I considered various alternatives, like hot air balloon motifs, but nothing felt quite right for the grand central piece. Then, after what felt like an eternity of searching the internet, I finally found them – the perfect, unparalleled art pieces that would truly define Evie’s global nursery.
I’ve never been keen on the “name-over-the-crib” trend; while perfectly lovely for others, it wasn’t a direction I envisioned for our nursery. I wanted the art above Evie’s crib to be truly unique, something that told a story. The search was extensive, but when I stumbled upon these incredible Travel Cross-stitch Patterns on Etsy, it was instant love. These aren’t just decorative pieces; they are the heart of Evie’s travel-themed nursery, representing different corners of our beautiful world and the adventures that await her.
Handcrafted Travel Inspired Hoop Art: A Touch of Global Charm
There was just one small hurdle: I don’t know how to cross-stitch, and the sheer number of hours required to complete these intricate patterns was daunting. This is where my incredible Nana’s best friend, whom I consider an honorary aunt, stepped in with the most generous offer to create them for me. I will be forever grateful to her for meticulously crafting these stunning pieces for my sweet girl, truly bringing the travel theme of her nursery to vibrant life. While I initially considered square frames, we ultimately decided on presenting them as captivating hoop art, using elegant 14-inch hoops that perfectly complement their delicate designs. Each hoop is a miniature work of art, representing a different global destination. Take a closer look at these incredible creations – they each tell a story of far-off lands, instilling a sense of wonder and adventure. Which one captures your heart the most? Mine, without a doubt, is the vibrant Hawaii design!
Representing the vibrant continent of Australia, the Sydney cross-stitch hoop art beautifully captures the city’s iconic landmarks.
From the rich culture of Asia, the India cross-stitch is a stunning display of vibrant colors and traditional motifs.
The charming Amsterdam hoop art transports you to the picturesque canals and unique architecture of the Netherlands.
A nod to classic European charm, the London cross-stitch features instantly recognizable landmarks.
The vibrant Tokyo cross-stitch offers a glimpse into the dynamic energy and unique aesthetics of Japan.
And finally, my personal favorite, the Hawaii cross-stitch, brings the serene beauty of the Pacific islands right into the room.
In addition to these magnificent pieces, my honorary aunt also created a beautiful birth sampler to match the cross-stitch theme. We’ve chosen not to photograph it as we’re keeping Evie’s middle name private for now. But truly, aren’t these hoop art pieces just absolutely gorgeous? I am so incredibly in love with them, and they bring an instant smile to my face every single time I walk into the room, serving as constant reminders of both the journeys we’ve taken and the adventures yet to come.
My fondness for hot air balloons runs deep, and they played a significant role in my baby shower, inspiring elements like these delightful Free Printable Hot Air Balloon Favors. It was only natural, then, to incorporate this motif into Evie’s travel-themed nursery. I absolutely adore the whimsical Hot Air Balloon Mobile we carefully selected. Suspended gracefully above the crib, it adds a touch of dreamy adventure, inviting Evie’s imagination to soar.
The remaining decor pieces in the nursery are a beautiful blend of items collected during our travels and thoughtfully chosen finds from various stores. I specifically sought shelving that could elegantly display decorative items, pieces that wouldn’t necessarily be interactive toys for Evie for a couple of years. My search led me to these perfect IKEA Ekby Wood Brackets paired with White Press Board Shelves. I had seen them utilized by another blogger in her nursery and instantly knew they would flawlessly complement the existing wood and white elements of our modern nursery furniture.
Curated Global Decor and Heartfelt Personal Touches
My husband Matt and I always had a strong intuition that we would have girls, which emboldened me to be a little adventurous with some of my purchases abroad, knowing they would find a special place in a daughter’s room. Among these treasures are a beautiful doll I acquired in Bratislava, Slovakia, and an exquisitely carved wooden wand from Strasbourg, France. The charming globe on the shelf is a Hobby Lobby find; originally, its stand was black, but my mother kindly spray-painted it to perfectly match the room’s lighter aesthetic. The colorful maracas are a recent addition, purchased just a few weeks ago during a memorable trip to Puerto Rico, adding a playful, rhythmic touch.
Another precious memento is the hand-carved flamingo, one of the delightful items I brought back for Evie from the Dominican Republic just weeks ago. Her growing library includes the wonderful Puffin Classics Book Collection, purchased on Amazon, which adds a vibrant rainbow of literary adventure to the shelves. The stylish succulent holder is a Marshall’s discovery, though a similar one can be found on Amazon, bringing a touch of refreshing greenery to the space.
The adorable piggy bank, another lucky TJ Maxx find, encourages future savings for global adventures, and a similar one is available at Walmart. Perched beside it is a charming corgi toy, a souvenir I picked up at Windsor Castle during my trip to England in April 2017 – it even sports a tiny crown, though not visible in this particular photo. The sweet wooden camera was a thoughtful gift from my high school best friend; isn’t it the cutest? These delightful cameras come in a variety of colors on Amazon, perfect for a budding explorer. And among Evie’s cherished books, This Little Explorer holds a special place, inspiring dreams of future journeys. I’ll be sharing a more comprehensive post on all my favorite baby books very soon!
The final touches of shelf decor include a framed print of one of my personal photos from Luna Park in Sydney, Australia, captured in June 2017. The elegant frame itself is a TJ Maxx discovery. Next to it sits a whimsical little turtle toy, a sweet reminder of my trip to Bratislava, Slovakia, in December 2017. Interestingly, despite purchasing several nesting doll sets for friends and family during my various travels, I had never thought to get one for myself. This realization saddened me when it came time to decorate the nursery. Fortunately, I discovered this lovely Matryoshka Nesting Dolls set on Amazon, and even more serendipitously, my friend Courtney, while traveling through Czechia last summer, sent me another beautiful little doll from Prague! These delightful pieces add layers of cultural charm and storytelling to Evie’s room.
My heartfelt intention is to continually add new pieces to Evie’s room from my own adventures and, more excitingly, from our travels together as a family. Each item, whether a tiny trinket or a larger memento, will serve as a constant, tangible reminder that no matter where I am in the world, my thoughts and love are always with her, nurturing her sense of wonder and connection to the vast beauty of our planet.
The ultimate personal touch in Evie’s travel-themed nursery comes from framed prints of my own cherished photographs. These include breathtaking scenes from Conca dei Marini in Italy and the iconic Bondi Beach in Australia, elegantly hung with modern Hanging Wooden Magnetic Frames. Initially, I hesitated to incorporate my own photos into her room, questioning if it was appropriate. However, my mother wisely advised me that it would be a missed opportunity, a real shame not to share these personal memories. And she was absolutely right. These prints infuse the Travel Themed Nursery with a deeply personal touch, transforming it into a space that truly reflects our shared love for exploration and discovery.
Rounding out the room’s functionality are several practical yet stylish pieces. A soft pink storage ottoman provides a comfortable spot to sit while offering discreet storage for blankets or toys. Durable rope baskets keep essentials neatly tucked away, maintaining a tidy aesthetic. And a versatile white Utility Cart, a true workhorse, houses diapers, wipes, my breast pump, and other frequently used items right at my fingertips. We’ve found these carts so indispensable that we have another one in the bathroom, organizing Evie’s towels, bath toys, and toiletries, making daily routines effortlessly streamlined.
As a side note, my comfortable dress featured in these photos is from Amazon; I originally purchased it for our Gender Reveal Photos but ultimately opted for something else. So there you have it – a complete tour of our baby girl Evie’s truly unique and cherished Travel Themed Nursery. What are your thoughts on this global-inspired sanctuary?
I understand that as she grows, Evie may never fully grasp the intricate details or the labor of love that went into creating every corner of this room. Yet, I am so glad I invested the time and emotion. Each piece tells a story, each memento holds a memory, and together, they paint a picture of a world waiting to be explored. I eagerly anticipate the day I can show this little lady all the magnificent wonders that exist in the beautiful world we inhabit. But for now, our grand adventures will begin right here, nestled within the cozy, inspiring corners of her very own travel-themed nursery.
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