Tuesday, November 2, 2010

A Nursery Project



I
thought I'd do a quick post on one of our nursery projects.


Here is the inside of the antique French armoire we purchased for the nursery. The piece was missing shelves so Hubby made these using pine tongue and groove planks. We are striving to make our nursery as green as possible, and didn't want to use any wood products such as plywood that contained glues and adhesives.


My Mom came up with the brilliant idea to cover the shelves in cloth - so we used 100% cotton duck cloth. After washing and ironing it, my Mom made slipcovers, which she was able to slide over the wood shelves as shown above.


Years ago I saw a photo of a linen closet that had a nice lace detail running along the edge of the shelves. We decided to add a similar detail to the armoire. Here is my Mom pinning the lace to one of the shelves before hand-sewing it.


And here's the result.


The cloth covers add a nice freshness to this piece that's been around for well over a hundred years.

I've received a lot of inquiries into when I'll be posting photographs of the nursery and honestly, I thought I would have been able to do so by now. But as it is, I am still waiting for a few items to arrive in the mail - one of the those items being the rug!

I'm typically not an on-line shopper but it's been helpful as I'm no longer making trips into the city. The downside of course is that sometimes things aren't always what they seem online, returns have to be made, and items reordered...for example our cribs.

However, things are coming together and we're really close to having everything completed. So photos to hopefully follow soon!

53 comments:

  1. Sooo excited for you. The shelves look pretty and sweet. Can't wait to see your nursery. Your taste is exquisite.

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  2. It's just gorgeous. What an heirloom piece this will be. Your mama seems to be quite the lady.

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  3. so pretty ~ I know you will have lovely things on those shelves soon!
    Love that your Mom slipcovered those shelves.
    The lace is a lovely touch!
    pve

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  4. What a gorgeous idea for the shelves, so pretty and it really does transform the piece.

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  5. What sweet shelves! Hope you are feeling good.

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  6. This is so nice...and very good idea :o)

    I like your blog, if you have a little time , please visit my own patchwork blog...

    http://huncutkacerna.blogspot.com/

    I am a hungarian girl,
    best wishes: Ágota

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  7. Slipcovers...now that's a GREAT idea. Very cottage-like and fresh! Glad I found your blog today! -diane

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  8. It's wonderful this armoire for your nursery... you have really good taste... and your mother is really good!
    if you like, Find me, find my blog ... I'd love to.

    Raffaella
    http://www.melogranoantico.blogspot.com

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  9. What a good look that is - fresh and new but in keeping with the age of the piece. It looks like you're having fun!

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  10. as a natural nester, the end of a pregnancy is such an exciting time. I hope you are enjoying every moment of the preparations. I can't wait to meet your additions!
    xx

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  11. Love the special touches added to the armoire! And, I know it means a lot to have some of those touches added by your mom.

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  12. This armoire is so sweet, I love the clean and fresh cloth and lace!

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  13. What a beautiful way to finish the shelves of such a lovely piece of antique furniture. What a very sweet and talented mom you must have!

    Can't wait to see the nursery...my daughter-in-law is due November 24th...a little girl. We can hardly wait.
    Karen

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  14. What a sweet and loving touch to that piece. Whenever you open it, you will be reminded of your Mom's loving hands sewing that lace.

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  15. hi trina,

    i'm w/steve. i could use her here.

    take your time. it just adds to the anticipation.

    ~janet

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  16. What a lovely detail Trina! You are blessed to be surrounded by talented people!
    xo,
    joan

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  17. Trina ~ I gave birth to triplets 17 years ago, so I'm enjoying the posts about your growing tummy and nursery decor...how fun! Put your feet up now! :)

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  18. What a lovely way to dress up the shelves in your beautiful armoire. I'm sure you are thrilled with how it turned out and can't wait to get the whole nursery pulled together!

    Kat :)

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  19. Your mom sounds terrific! I wish I could sew. I love this look and it's practical too. Baby things will look so sweet on these beautifully trimmed shelves. Can't wait to see the nursery.

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  20. What a fantastic project to share! You are right, it looks nice and fresh inside. I just love the contrast between the natural wood and crisp white. Thanks for sharing this project!

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  21. It looks beautiful! I love your mom.

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  22. How beautiful! Everything you do in your house is amazing. We have an 1850 stone house but we do small farming as well, so there never seems to be enough money to get it all done. I like to dream through your projects! :)

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  23. What an absolutely wonderful mother you have, Trina! You lucky girl, you! That was such a creatively "green" way to cover those shelves, and they turned out so lovely! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  24. Trina what a wonderful idea! I love the way it softens the shelves and will make a lovely display for what ever you use it for. I'm excited to see the finished result of the room...I know it will be beautiful. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
    Maura :)

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  25. Slipcovers! What a great idea! Would your mom consider adopting me? I'm not expecting any babies - not now, not ever! Mine are grown and their babies are such fun. Can't wait to see more.
    ~Adrienne~

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  26. This is really charming! Love the crocheted edging!

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  27. Love the shelves! They look so beautiful! I like the lace detail...I bet it makes you smile every time you look at it. ;) Can't wait to see the rest of the nursery....but I will be patient. :)

    Hugs,

    Gail

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  28. I used to put trim on shelves like that. What a sweet idea for a nursery. Your mom is clever. Can't wait for more photos.

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  29. Looks wonderful. I really like the crisp white againg the wood and the lace edging makes such a wonderful addtition. Well done.

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  30. It's beautiful - what a talented mum you have. It must be lovely to work together on projects like this for your nursery. Can't wait to see the finished result x x

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  31. Can't wait to see the finished nursery Trina.

    What a clever family you have! You all seem to have the ability to make every project you undertake that little bit more special.

    Sandy K

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  32. Trina, the shelves are perfect as I know the entire nursery will be. We all can hardly wait!! A new baby in blogland is so exciting but two babies is simply thrilling!!!!

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  33. Looking forward to the finished projects, room and babies!

    The shelves look amazing. The fabric covers and the little bit of lace make all the difference.
    Chris

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  34. Such a great idea! I love the lace detail...such a nice touch.

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  35. As always, I absolutely love it! It will be fun to see it all ready for the babies.

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  36. What a lovely piece for the nursery all done up Country Farmhouse style. I can't to see the room.

    -Rene

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  37. Oh you've sweetened up the shelving beautifully! And it's so special that "Grandma's touch will be a part of the nursery. Sorry you had to return the cribs...hope it wasn't to big of an *of course*! ;)
    xoxo J~

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  38. lovely armoire and what a great idea to slip the shelves....and I love the attention to detail with the lace. Wow, your mom sewed it on. How sweet is she?
    Your nursery sounds like it's coming along and I am sure it will be a darling place to welcome your precious gifts from above.

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  39. I'm very happy for you and am checking your blog daily for your nursery pictures. The armoire shelves are beautiful, I love the detail that your mom added. Best wishes, Amelia

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  40. Great idea about covering the shelves. I love the look! Kit

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  41. What a brilliant solution! It's beautiful and soft and just perfect with the rest of you house! I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures!

    Melissa

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  42. So crisp & fresh & clean. Made with love, absolutley!
    xo Lisa

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  43. I trimmed our pine kitchen cabinets with lace in our old home, it looked very cute! Your armoire is beautiful, and your mom is very talented! Such a clever idea to make slip covers for the shelves! Now what happens when the babies go into their own room ... who gets the armoire?

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  44. I need you to put your gorgeous & talented Mum on a plane now Trina, destination....The Hedge. Have I got some work for her.
    Millie ^_^

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  45. that looks so lovely Trina! I did a similar thing to an old linen press when i was expecting my first - but i was no where near as talented as your mum obviously is (i used a staple gun!! hehe)

    exciting times getting a nursery ready, hope you're having a ball! xoxo

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  46. I LOVE the lace trim on the shelves, love love love!

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  47. ohh, those are very delic! how creative and what a unique way to pop the shelves. just found you and look forward in reading more! jill

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  48. awesome idea! I have a really junky old shelf I'm trying to fix up and just may have to try this ;) Do you think it'd be easy to get the dust off the cloth? I wanna try it but the dusting fairies don't show up as often as they should so I think this may be a problem.. but a $1 junker would be the perfect way for me to find out :)

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  49. What a lovely idea Trina, your mother is very clever! The babies' things will look sweet on those shelves..Rachaelxx

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