Room of the Day: Playful Accessories for a Dallas Nursery

In fall 2014, Stephen and Kellie Graddy found out that they were expecting a second boy. They also learned that he would be born with spina bifida — a neural tube defect in which the spinal column does not close completely. During the next few months, the Graddys followed their hearts and planned for the birth of baby Davis. “Sometimes the second kid gets a little left out, so we wanted a special place for Davis to land when he arrived,” says Kellie.

Feeling a bit distressed with the news of Davis’ diagnosis, Kellie called upon friend Lynsey Purl for help designing a playful, contemporary nursery. “I always get overwhelmed when I’m at a home goods store. I knew I needed a friend to hold my hand,” says Kellie.

Room at a Glance
Who lives here: Stephen and Kellie Graddy and their sons, Carter (age 3) and Davis (8 weeks)
Location: Dallas
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters)

While Kellie was initially unsure of what she wanted Davis’ nursery to look like, she was very clear about how it should feel. “I wanted this room to feel like pure childhood — to have objects that said ‘play and wonder,’” says Kellie. The couple also wanted to stay away from a nursery that looked babyish. A bold statement rug and gray walls ground the space. Playful vintage decor sets the tone.


The room began with the red and aqua curtains. Then Purl brought in the bold striped rug, found on a local Facebook sale page. At first Kellie couldn’t see how the rug and curtains would work together, but she was impressed with how everything came together visually with the addition of just a few old pieces.


Lively bold stripe patterns are used all over the nursery, such as on this upholstered ottoman, which is tucked under the side table for quick and easy use. Inspirational sayings and rustic touches are found throughout the room as well. A gold-lettered print that reads “Be Brave” is perfect for baby Davis. He is recovering beautifully since his initial surgery, which closed the opening in his spine. About 90 percent of children with spina bifida also require shunts, but so far, Davis has not needed one.

Recliner: Buy Buy Baby; ottoman: Target


Purl loves decorating children’s spaces. “As a mother of three, I like to create a room a child can grow with, not out of. I also look for pieces that could possibly transition around the home and repurpose,” she says. “I feel this is an important aspect in designing a room with longevity.”

Curtains: I Decorate With Pillows; crib: Graco


Kellie took on the dresser as a DIY paint project. She created a navy trim around the drawers and added brass hardware for a nautical look. “I was a little disappointed because the white paints I bought didn’t match,” says Kellie. “It turns out that all whites are not the same.”

Art: HomeGoods; dresser: Graco; lamps: Target


Big brother Carter, pictured at left with Kellie and Davis, is thrilled that his younger brother has arrived. “Our household is pretty busy these days, with a chatty 3-year-old running around,” says Kellie. The nursery provides a calm retreat from the rest of the house for naps and feedings.


One of Stephen’s favorite features in the nursery is a pair of bulldog bookends, a nod to his alma mater’s athletic teams, the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Purl mounted a vintage fruit box on the wall as a shelving unit and repurposed a hay feeder to hold swaddling blankets.

Bulldog bookends: HomeGoods


For the crib bedding, Purl headed to her favorite shopping haunts, HomeGoods and Target. She says, “I’m fairly practical. I think to myself, ‘Would I go crazy if my 2-year-old took a permanent marker to this?’ If the answer is yes, then I move on.” These decorative pillows were placed in the crib just for the photo shoot.

Pillows: HomeGoods; crib sheet: Target


The Graddy family huddles together for a quick family portrait in their newly decorated room as baby Davis announces his hunger. “It’s been tough, but it’s also been really good,” says Kellie. “Davis will show us what he needs, and we’ll be here to give it to him.”

Browse more Rooms of the Day

URL: Room of the Day: Playful Accessories for a Dallas Nursery http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-26229.html