Slightly nautical nursery

My sister is having a baby! Have we discussed that she and my brother-in-law are not finding out whether it’s a boy or girl? (I actually think the pendulum is swinging back this way — I’ve noticed more and more people going this route.) She came to me back in August with a request for some help on the nursery, and I was more than happy to oblige! I love having loved ones in different stages of life — there’s always something new and fun to create around :)

When Kate requested my help, she already had a crib, a dresser, and bedding picked out. The bedding is gray and blue, and she was looking for an accent color that would help the overall design feel less boy-y. She tossed out yellow, orange, or aqua. I countered with coral, since orange isn’t that girly, I wasn’t feeling yellow, and I thought their Minnesota locale needed something warmer than aqua. I also suggested that if they end up having a girl, they can layer in some light pink for a slightly girlier feel. We agreed, and purchased this print as the basis for the color palette.

She was also considering a striped wall, but we agreed that gray walls and striped curtains would be a better option. We chose Harbor Gray by Ben Moore when we were together for the baby shower, and it looks SO good! It’s a beautiful light gray that doesn’t read too blue, gray, or brown. Highly recommended.

Here’s what we ended up with!

A lot of these pieces K + C already have, but this boat mobile isn’t one of them. However, I think they should buy it :) So sweet! Their dresser is from Ikea and their crib from Target. Aside from the bedding, we pulled in stripes in the curtains (yes, that’s a shower curtain, but it’s fabric and we’re going to use it on the window!). I’m also recommending they pick up some of these or these striped storage cubes — they’ll be perfect for sorting toys later on. This shade is a great hit of coral. Finally, Kate picked up some Ikea spice racks and painted them coral for book storage!

Does anyone else have trouble making a multi-color palette look cohesive? It can be tricky to find pieces that incorporate different combinations of your chosen colors, and to make sure that just the right amount of each color is represented. I know it’s something Kate has trouble with, so we brainstormed different pieces that could potentially tie together the gray, coral, pink/peach, and blue as she finishes the room. The short list? A rug; fabric for a pillow or curtains; vintage books for a book shelf; simple toys; a blanket for the glider; artwork (like our print!); stuffed animals (love this one for K+C); vintage metal letters; a felt, fabric, or crepe paper garland (one example); a fun light fixture; or a little painted table and chairs… just to name a few. Finding the pieces with the perfect palette can take a while, so if you’re in the same situation, just keep your eyes peeled and be ready to pounce!

What do you think: would this design work for a girl or a boy? And just for fun, what do you think my sister is having? Family consensus is it’s a boy, but my vote is girl! :)