We're big on projects around here

We're big on projects around here. When my husband was waiting for our son to arrive he organized (alphabetically, chronologically and, I believe, cross referenced to other authors) his entire sermon collection which numbers close to 1000. It kept him busy.

Me, I cook. But I'm spreading my wings a bit this summer and I'm going to redecorate my son's room. Actually I should say I'm going to decorate my son's room; redecorate might lead you to believe that it is, in fact, currently decorated. It is not. Let me tell you what it has in it. There is a small crib, a one-shelf IKEA-style sidetable with some baskets for toys and such. A computer desk chair where I put his clean clothes before they get folded and put away, a small five-drawer dresser, (currently filled with books since he doesn't have a bookcase) the top of which doubles as a change table, and a dollhouse. There is a closet, but it is also my closet as the one in our bedroom doesn't fit both my husband and my clothes. The baby's clothes are either hung up in my closet or, if there isn't room there, put away in my dresser, which is in the other room. Very confusing and not functional at all.

I have combed the internet looking at room styles because I think that might be the way to start and the following pictures have really struck a chord with me:

The last three are from http://www.designdazzle.blogspot.com/ and the first five are http://www.potterybarnkids.com/

I really like the crispness of nautical design and I think it will work well in the room, but I have a budget. A really tight budget. I think I could probably spend $100 on his room and for that I have to address:

1) lighting. There is only one ceiling light and it doesn't have a dimmer switch so some sort of ambient lighting is needed.

2) an area for books so I can reclaim the dresser

3) paint

4) window treatments

5) accessories to make a nautical theme

6) some sort of storage option for toys and clothes he has yet to grow into

7) if possible, a seating option so I could nurse in the room

8) art

Yeah, with $100. I have some ideas, though. To start with furniture will be my biggest expense. I'm going to keep the dresser I have for him, even though it isn't ideal, but I'll paint it this colour. My neighbour has offered me a free bookcase, and I plan to decoupage it using this tutorial. If I can find nautical maps, so much the better, but if not I might try newsprint. I have a beautiful steamer trunk that I currently use as a coffee table in my livingroom but that would work very well as storage in the room for toys and clothes that he has yet to grow into. The crib, unfortunately, has to stay right now and it is this crib, so it doesn't go very well with anything nautical...but I have plans to make it work.

I'll keep a running commentary on here. $100 is pretty firm, so I'm going to have to be very creative to make this work.