The Kenya-Themed Nursery Reveal
It’s here! It’s time! It’s time to reveal the nursery transformation. I am so excited to finally share this with you. This room was truly a labor of love for MONTHS. My husband did such an amazing job doing all the “tough” work (laying the floor, painting, etc.) and I had so much fun doing all the “fluff” work (the decorating, organizing, and “prettying”).
Since we weren’t finding out the sex of baby Stillman and since this nursery was going to have to be gender neutral, we really wanted it to be unique and feel totally us. Before Lilly arrived, John and I would just walk in this room and sit and stare at it. We love it so much. And now, we spend SO much time in it, I just love the feel of how it turned out!
As y’all know, John and I both have a huge heart for Africa and, more specifically, Kenya – as we have both served as missionaries there over the last couple years. We incorporated bits and pieces of Kenya throughout the room. We hope our sweet Lilly loves it! (Even though she really has no idea what’s going on yet… haha!)
Anyway. Before I show the “final” pictures, I wanted to show you some pictures of the “progress.” I’ve also got some befores & afters so you can REALLY see the HUGE transformation this room took.
So, this is what the room looked like after John had ripped up the carpet and while he way laying down the hardwood flooring:
The Stillman men hard at work:
Okay… now are we ready for the befores and afters? This room was John’s room BEFORE we got married. Once I moved in after we got married, this became the “guest” room – even though we never really had anyone stay in it.
But yeah, check out the before and after:
Another angle…
It doesn’t even look like the same room to me! It’s crazy! I still can’t believe how different it is.
AHHHHHH. I LOVE IT.
So, now here are some closer detail shots of the room:
(The one downside to this room is there’s a HUGE tree beside the window so the room doesn’t get very much natural light.)
For a tutorial on how I made the curtains, click here.
To see the transformation of the bookshelf and dresser, click here.
To see how I made the pillow covers, click here.
Changing table station: 
Changing table & cloth diaper organization… 
All of the canvas photos in the room are images that I took in Kenya!
That chevron blanket hanging on the side of the crib was hand made by a family friend of John’s.
We opted not to register for a crib “set” because it’s really not safe for babies to have crib bumpers (as cute as they are) – so we just opted to get a fitted sheet. I do need to make a crib skirt at some point. You can bet your bum it’s going to be no-sew. 😛
Closet organization. To see how I made the clothing and closet organization dividers, click here.
The picture on the top left was made in Kenya by one of the villagers. All the other images are ones I took.
So, what do you think?! Aren’t the befores and afters awesome?! I may be biased, but I just love it. I’m borderline obsessed with it.
Thanks for humoring me, y’all! 🙂
The Details:
Dresser / Bookshelf / End Table: DIY makeover
Crib and changing table: Buy Buy Baby
Glider and rocker: SimplyBabyFurniture.com
Curtains: DIY (Fabric from Kenya)
Pillows: DIY (Fabric from Kenya)
Rug: Urban Outfitters
Knobs: Hobby Lobby
Paper lantern: World Market
Baskets: The Mighty River Project
Canvases / Photos: Photos I took 🙂
Frames: Pier One
Wreath on door: DIY
Chevron Diaper Bag: Gift from Ooh Baby Designs
Blankets: Gifted (handmade by friends and family)
Linked up with Because Shanna Said So.
I love this! we’re adopting from Africa, and while we aren’t doing an Africa-themed room, I am including some jungle animal touches. it will be an urban jungle sort of theme… we’ll see how it turns out! waiting until we’re closer to the end to set it all up!
that’s amazing, natalie!
The nursery is amazing. There are so many touches that make it so apparent that you’ve been and love the people and culture. It’s perfect!
thank you so much, meghan! it really was a labor of love. 🙂
That is one amazing transformation! I would totally spend all my time in their too if I were you! What a beautiful room. I love that the theme has such a special meaning to your family!
Thank you so much, Miranda!
Wow. That is quite a transformation. I love the theme, how it is so personal and meaningful to you. Can I borrow Mr. Stillman to help me lay some tile this weekend?
Thanks, Jim!! Hahaha he loves household projects!
I love it! The green wall? The dresser? Everything is PERFECT!
Carly
http://www.lipglossandcrayons.com
Thanks Carly!!
Molly…it looks so amazing!!!! I love the ombre dresser and all the special little details. Your photos of the giraffes and zebras are amazing. There is so much love in this little nursery! And I adore the closet separators…so cute!
yay! thank you so much, lindsay!!
Simply adorable!
thank you so much, marissa!
It turned out to be so beautiful!!!! I love everything about it!
xo,
Angela
thank you so much, angela!
Wow, that’s incredible! And I love that you chose African theme because it has a personal meaning, makes it so much more special! And oh my goodness, I just love how you put so much thought into this, all the little details! Everything goes together so perfectly and flawlessly! Little Lilly is going to love it and be so grateful when she’s old enough to appreciate it. 😀 You are such a great mommy!
aw thank you so much, toria!!!
This came out amazing!
thank you so much, rachel!! 🙂
Amazing! Love what you did!
thank you so much, keshet!
Love it girl! Even though we found out we are having a boy, I’m keeping our room very gender neutral so that we can use it in the future for our next baby or transform it into a guest room. I love all the bright colors and that you chose something so special to both of you. Beautiful!
such a good idea! thank you so much, lindsay!
What an amazing transformation! You and your husband have created such a special place for little Lilly!
thank you so much, inge!
OMG Molly, the room looks amazing. Great job. I love how you have all the Harry Potter books on the bookshelf. That’s awesome 🙂 Gorgeous room, WEll done 🙂
Dont’ forget to link up tomorrow for my weekly tres-chic fashion thursday link up.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
aw thank you so much, agi!!
how incredibly gorgeous! i am speechless!
xx
thank you so much!
MOLLY!!!!! Oh my heavens!!! This is a baby room dream come true!! You guys have blown my mind!! It is not even remotely the same room! I love every nook & crannie!! The colors, the details, the fabrics….it is one in a MILLION!!! I just can’t get over it. I just want to come over and sit in that rocking chair and stare!! 🙂 AND HOLD Lilly!! 🙂
you are the absolute sweetest, shanna. thank you so much!
I know you just had a baby, but can you come decorate my rooms (all of them)??? This is the cutest baby room I have ever seen. And the fact that it actually means something is even more amazing. That changing pad cover is so awesome.
Amy
Fashion and Beauty Finds
hahaha awww thank you so much, amy!!
you’ll be loving that tree next summer when it’s bedtime, but still bright outside! i love the mini forest we have behind our house-makes the 6:45/7pm bedtime much smoother in the sunny months!
that’s what i’m hoping! thank you so much, amber!
SO, SO cute Molly! Congrats on the birth of your adorable baby girl! I hope you had a relatively easy delivery! XO
thank you so much, audrey!!
Oh my gosh! It is fabulous Molly! LOVE IT SO MUCH! Also, this is great because it works for both genders, just goes to show you CAN wait to know the gender on the day they are born haha. Everyone always says, well how do you know how to decorate?! Um, there are plenty of ways to 😉 But seriously the dresser, curtains, pillows, rug, little details are all perfect! You guys did an amazing job!
aw thank you so much, rachel!! that was the goal!
I’m so impressed at how this came together! Too cute!!! Congrats mamma 🙂
Rach.E.Cakes – A Life and Style Blog
thank you so much, rach!
This is AMAZING! I feel so behind and inadequate with mine now! Lilly is so lucky to have such a cool room! I LOVE it!
aww you have time, girl! 🙂
omg that nursery is amazing molly!! you guys did such a great job! xo
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com
thank you so much!!!!
Ohmigoodness Molly, it turned out amazing! I love all the special touches with photos from Kenya and all the handmade items, it makes the room so special. Love, love, love it!
Lindsay
LindsayJEveryday.blogspot.com
thank you so much, lindsay!
Oh Molly! It is absolutely beautiful. What a special theme that is close to you and your husband’s hearts. I need to come visit you and that little love bug!!
thank you so much, mia!! and YES. come visit!
It turned out so so SO cute, Molly! I have to admit at first when I saw the possible color schemes I wasn’t sure how you’d pull it off but you totally shamed me 😉 Love it!
thank you so much, lauren!!!
Oh my gosh Molly, I LOVE the nursery! I love how everything came out and all the little details. LOVE the green accent wall. Everything is perfect!
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
thank you so much, yi-chia!
It’s FABULOUS!! So many darling, personal details. Enjoy it all with lovely Lilly!
thank you so much, marypat!
Aww it came out SO cute! I love that chevron rug! And the baby Toms are the cutest shoes ever. I read that the royal baby has an African themed nursery as well 🙂
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Headband Giveaway!
whaaat?! that’s so cool! i hadn’t heard that. i am TOTALLY gonna look into that. thank you so much, sharon!
Everything looks fantastic! I especially love the zebra striped changing station. I also love all of the personal photography and the handmade cheveron quilt! 🙂
thank you so much, luisa!
Awesome job! All the details are amazing. I love that you made it with your own photos and memories.
bisous
Suzanne
thank you so much, suzanne!
I lovvvvvvve it!! You did such a great job!! I love all the colors and those floors look so good! I also would love a post all about your experience with cloth diapering 🙂
thank you so much, laura!! i will definitely do a post on cloth diapering soon – we are almost a week into it and i’m loving it so far!
Sooo pretty!!! You are a talented woman! The baby Toms killed me.
aww thank you so much, kelly!
Oh my gosh! It looks out-of-this world! I love every little detail!
thank you so much, lauren!
It’s so inviting! Great Job! Great Colors! Great Pic, I’m sure Lily loves her space ♥ God Bless!
thank you so much, linda!
Molly!!! It’s so pretty! That is such a happy room 🙂
thank you so much, rebecca!!
The room looks awesome molly! Congrats on a job well done 🙂
thank you so much, katie!!
Beautiful job Molly!!! Love every detail!!
thank you so much, priscila!
Molly it is amazing!! What a fun room for your little guy to grow up in …with so many meaningful touches. <3
thank you so much, mandy!
Molly – this is seriously adorable. Love the before and after pics to!
thank you so much, lee!
Molly it looks so great, you guys did a wonderful job, what a blessing for your sweet baby girl! xo
thank you so much, morgan!
It looks great! I love it.
thank you so much, crystal! 🙂 🙂
So darn cute!!! Nice work!!
thank you so much, stephanie!
LOVE IT! Lilly will love how much hard work and love went into the room as well as the display it shows of her parent’s love for Christ and others. Beautiful!
aw thank you so much, jessica!!
absolutely gorgeous, Molly! What a lucky baby!!
thank you so much, nicole!!!
Ah! Molly!! It’s aaaaaweeeesome!!!!! Seriously, I don’t know how you waited like this to do the big reveal, because it’s so stinkin cute!! Things I’m freaking out over: the zebra changing table pad, the elephant hook, the ombre dresser (again, since you’ve already shown it to us), and all the things. You did such a great job!!
yay!! thank you so much, lauren!!!
Love it! The colors are so bright and cheerful! I also love that its not too babyish… so Lilly will be able to enjoy it for years to come!
thank you so much, crystal!
So fun! I love the colors! And I can tell you put a ton of love into everything. Lilly is going to realize that someday 😉 it is such a blessing to be able to prepare a beautiful room for your little one. Enjoy your snuggles with her!
aw thank you so much, beth!!
this is so sweet. i like how she’ll be able to keep it as she gets a little older too and it won’t be too babyish.
if you don’t mind me asking, you mentioned it used to be john’s bedroom at one point? was it weird living together but not sharing a room? because my boyfriend and i have talked about it but i’m not sure how i would handle it.
yay! that was the goal. thank you so much, lauren!! we actually didn’t live together until after we were married…
I LOVE it! It looks fan-freaking-tastic!!!! I love how it’s not a “traditional” pink or blue.. the greens look so so good. OMG, I am seriously in love. Pinning!
aww thank you so much, chelsea!
Hi I am a new follower to your lovely blog (Via Blogvin)and it really feel pleasure meeting new awesome bloggers like you. Thanks for co hosting this Hop, Was busy last month due to sister’s marriage so was not regular in blogging, but now will regular and waiting for your next post. I would love it if you follow me back.
thank you so much!
love the nursery! the changing station is so cute with the zebra stripes and i love how you incorporated your photos into lilly’s room!
thank you so much, b!
Job well done! You will not find another nursery like it anywhere and that makes the room so very special. I am in love with the chandelier you created with fabric and the colors of the room. BTW you took great before and after pictures. Enjoy.
thank you so much, neti!
I love love your nursery! That solid green wall is awesome, I love the touches you included. Thanks for letting me know where the crib was from because I was gonna ask you if you didn’t include that info. It is exactly the type of crib I want!
yay!! so glad you like it. thank you so much, meg!
Love it! Love that you have all 4 of your yearbooks on display!! Go hornets! Lol
GO HORNETS!
I have been waiting for the big reveal!!! The room turned out great. I love all the bold colors. And the rug is fantastic. I was wondering, are any of the blankets your mom made pictured in the room? I saw that the one on the crib was made by a friend, but was the one on the ottoman made by your mom?
thank you so much, jessica!! the blankets made by my mom are actually in a shelf in the room – they didn’t make it into the actual pictures. :-/
Molly!! I love how cute this turned out!! Every bit of it is adorable!!
thank you so much, katie!