Ever since Mel and I found out we’re having a baby girl, we have worked hard at getting the nursery in order. We decided to name her Autumn, but we didn’t want to use a predictable Autumn theme such as owls, leaves, foxes, etc. We had an excess of Mel’s fifties ceramic wall fish and mermaids, and we couldn’t find a place for our mid-century Reglor fish lamps, so we decided to do an under the sea theme. This was not easy to carry out considering most sea themed nursery items are geared towards boys.
We were more comfortable with using modern MCM style pieces in her room rather than vintage children’s furniture because we had concerns about safety and lead paint. We chose the Babyletto Bingo 3-in-1 convertible crib and storage combo. What drew us to this crib is the mid-century style and splash of sea-foam green accent. For seating, we needed something comfortable for the long nights ahead and we knew a wooden rocking chair wouldn’t cut it. Searching online, we came across this blush colored swivel rocking chair by Delta Children. We vintaged up the rocking chair by adding an original atomic barkcloth throw pillow that pulls colors from the room.
Believe it or not, the dressers are from Ikea. They are the Busunge style and come in either pink or white. When you purchase them, each dresser comes in two boxes. One box has the frame, and the other has the drawers. So, we got creative and mixed pink drawers with a white frame. We think it compliments the room nicely.
On top of the dressers we have our 1951 Reglor fish lamps. I restored them about five years ago and we absolutely love them. Vintage fish lamps are very hard to find. Continental Art Company made a fish lamp that we’re still looking for. I’ve linked it here.
Because we wanted to make the room as atomic as possible, we pulled in some vintage shadowboxes. The first shadowbox on the left has a similar shape to a Carlo of Hollywood frame. It’s a reversed forced perspective style. Inside the shadowbox are vintage ceramic mermaids and fish by Lefton, Bradley, Gilner & Relco. The bowtie shadowboxes have vintage fish and mermaids by Lefton, Josef Originals and Nameth Enterprises. The amoeba shaped shadowboxes contain vintage mermaids by Bradley. We filled in the open spaces above the figurines in each shadowbox with vintage ceramic bubbles. We used museum max to secure them in place so we didn’t have to nail into the shadowboxes.
Instead of just hanging Autumn’s vintage ceramic fish on a blank canvas, I decided to paint under the sea murals with mountain silhouettes as the backdrop. The first photo showcases vintage fish and mermaids by Deforest, Norecrest, and Freeman McFarlin. The vintage wall fish in the center photo are all by Freeman McFarlin. The vintage shell in the center photo is just marked Japan. The last photo has vintage fish by Deforest, Ceramicraft and a vintage shell marked Japan.
The vintage mermaids on the left are by Freeman McFarlin. The center school of fish are by Lefton. The last photo of the vintage seahorses are by Nameth.
All the above vintage ceramic fish are by Deforest.
The upper left photo showcases our favorite pink vintage wall fish made by Freeman McFarlin. The blue swordfish is also by Freeman McFarlin, and the two small green fish are by Ceramicraft. The vintage angel fish on the upper right are by Deforest. The last photo is a really large mural made up of many vintage ceramic fish by Freeman McFarlin, Deforest and Ceramicraft.
We’re really happy with how the room came together. Unfortunately, we don’t think that the photos do the murals justice. Here are some additional photos of the finished room.
Milo and Kozmo have taken to Autumn’s new room. We find them sleeping on her bean bag all the time.
What a room! Autumn will have so many beautiful and interesting things to look at for years to come (as well as the rest of the house). Creative, colorful, comical, cozy…sublime. You really must submit photos to a decorating or baby magazine.
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Thanks so much Beth. Your comments are really encouraging!
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You Two Have done such a Great Job on the Nursery, I Just Know that your Both are going to be the Coolest Parents Ever… All My Best. Bill
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Thanks so much Bill!!
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Fantastic! Congratulations again!
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Thanks so much Maryann!
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Oh wow! The room looks fabulous—and what a great idea!
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Thanks so much Barbs! We hope you both are doing well!!
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That is just an amazing room !!! However I didn’t expect anything less from you…. Love it..!!!
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Awwww, thanks sis!
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The baby’s room is amazing! Congratulations on your new baby girl! I would still like to purchase the ballet pictures if you still have them??
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Ommggshhh this got to be the best baby room I’ve seen!!! You guys did a wonderful job! This needs to go on TV !
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CONGRATULATIONS!!! AWESOME NURSERY FOR AUTUMN!!!
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Brilliant and beautiful!
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Autumn is one lucky girl. Her room looks amazing, you guys have gone above and beyond as usual. The detail is just phenomenal. Also, how cute are Milo and kozmo on the bean bag 💕
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Awwww thanks so much Carly!!!
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Oh ma’ gosh!!
I wanna be your daughter!!
That is the coolest room ever!!
Congratulations on your baby girl!!
May you have a wonderful pregnancy and a smooth and easy delivery!
You two are going to be the coolest parents EVER!!
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LOL! Thanks soo much!
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I guess your baby is a darling three-year old by now. I just want to add my enthusiastic praise for your 1950’s “undersea” nursery. Your choices of paint and furniture really make the room look authentic fifties, without the dangers from coatings and chemicals from the period. You did a lovely job!
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Thanks so much!
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