This nursery, designed by Dave and Carrie for their daughter Everly Harper, welcomed us with a smile from the very first photo. Bold, playful and full of personal touches, the room blends handmade details and thoughtful DIY projects to create a warm woodland-inspired nursery.
Dave and Carrie explain that before little Everly arrived they knew they didn’t want a conventional nursery or anything like the room they found when they bought the house. From the start they aimed for a unique, budget-conscious space that reflected their style and a love of putting projects together themselves.
The walls were painted using Behr Ultra Premium Plus Flat Enamel color-matched to Sherwin-Williams Grizzle Gray, while the birch trees were hand-painted with leftover trim paint matched to Sherwin-Williams Extra White. To cover the dated half-hardwood, half-painted subfloor, they installed carpet tiles and layered a white shag area rug from Target on top for comfort and texture.
Window treatments began with simple Ikea curtains and hardware, but the couple couldn’t find yellow curtains they loved, so they hand-painted cheerful yellow stripes (Behr Yellow Gold) onto the panels. Those custom stripes add a sunny, bespoke detail that ties the room together.
The changing table and long dresser started as a vintage Craigslist find. Dave and Carrie sanded, stained, painted and polyurethaned the piece, then added a removable changing pad frame and insert from Pottery Barn Kids so the dresser will grow with Everly. The crib itself was purchased new from Walmart.
One standout element is a large canvas made from vinyl printed with their birth-announcement photo. Dave built a frame from leftover lumber and stretched the vinyl as you would a traditional canvas. The photo was printed locally and originally came from a special “Trash the Dress” portrait session with photographer Erin Oveis Brant. The session doubled as a five-year wedding anniversary shoot and an early pregnancy announcement—the couple even bought a pair of small Hunter boots for the shoot, which later became part of the nursery décor.
Those small Hunter boots now sit on display as a sweet decorative touch until Everly can wear them herself. Many accessories were gathered over the months leading up to her arrival: a fox figurine and mushroom accents from Target, a fabric-wrapped tree from Anthropologie, and a practical diaper pail from Ikea. Each piece contributes to the woodland theme without feeling contrived.
Throughout the project, Dave and Carrie prioritized saving where possible and embracing hands-on solutions. Their combination of thrifted finds, repurposed furniture and carefully chosen new items created a cohesive, meaningful nursery that looks professionally put together while remaining authentically theirs.
Beyond the visual appeal, this nursery is full of stories and intentional decisions—a painted forest, hand-striped curtains, a refurbished dresser, and the framed announcement that marks a joyful moment in the family’s life. Everly’s room is clearly the product of love and careful effort, and it will likely grow with her as the family makes new memories there.
Dave and Carrie’s approach offers practical inspiration for anyone planning a nursery: mix DIY with a few well-chosen purchases, personalize with meaningful photos and mementos, and don’t be afraid to hand-paint a detail to get exactly the look you want. The result can be a distinctive, budget-friendly space that feels both playful and personal.
We admire the thoughtfulness behind this woodland nursery and appreciate how every element reflects the family’s history and priorities. Everly Harper is surrounded by a room created with care—and that makes it truly special.