Under Construction

The nursery will be under construction for a little while. We began with having the closet door taken off and have a contractor open up the closet on both sides the first week in December. This was done so that we could have our cabinet/carpentry friend to build the units to go inside.

We decided to hang the things back up in the closet after the contractor completed his job. The right side of the closet could not be opened up all of the way because the contractor found some sort of pipe that was there, so he opened it up as much as he could and closed the portion with pipe. Therefore, having a closet designed perfectly for dimensions is the ticket for us. Our friend that has his own custom cabinetry business will be doing the custom closet.

He has also agreed to make another piece or two furniture pieces that we found through a nursery furniture store. It just makes more sense to go ahead and have it done custom if you can get the same thing without the mark up from a retail store. The pieces had hefty tags on them because they were custom, so we took pictures and hubby will be taking him to the store to see a display piece. He has awesome talent with cabinetry and that is his speciality. He builds cabinetry for custom builders and does other individual projects for designers that he deals with. We love his work and he has also been featured in decorating magazines. It really just makes sense for us to use him so that we can get what we want and know that it is exactly what we want.

I spent one afternoon this past week packing up things that could not be hung up in the closet. I placed everything into Rubbermaid storage containers (packs of onesies, bibs, hats, wash cloths, socks) so that everything can be taken out of the room. I don't think that I realized how many little things that we had accumulated that were not in the closet.

Last time we took the few items we had exposed and covered everything else up with old sheets due to the dust from the contractor sanding the wall back. 

On a side note, I really dislike the closet in this room. We chose to do the nursery in this bedroom because it is next to our bedroom and it has its own bathroom. 

I felt uncomfortable having the nursery down the hall in one of the jack n jill rooms. It would be  more appropriate when they are a few years older, but I am not comfortable with it now. The closets in those rooms are a little better, especially the walk in, and they share a bath. 

The choices that we make. I have a couple of friends that beg to differ. They suggest putting the baby down the hallway so they will not be so close to our room. Hummm, something to think about I guess. Too late now, we have already started construction!

One of the most helpful items to assist with the organization of the closet is the size organizers hooks for the closet. It gave me a better idea of what size items what had already, and what items can be stored away for later. BRU has them, but they have changed.

I was blessed with a set from my girlfriend (the yellow round ones that has the sizes on them) who gave us several brand new extra nursery items that she never used.

Our next steps are having the built ins completed, wainscoting, crown moulding addition, change baseboards, lighting, and lastly painting (once we finalize on our color combinations). It will continue to be under construction for a little bit, but these projects are not time consuming. In actuality, the same person will be taking care of all 3 projects. My hubby will be helping him with the wainscoting and crown moulding. It really does not take people long who know what they are doing (that would not be me). TV makes it look easy, but in actuality, it is truly a trade that takes a lot of "know how". 

Some places to check into for custom closets if you do not have a cabinet/carpentry person are:
California Closets, Affordable Closets, Ardent Custom Closets, and Easy Closets to get an idea of what is out there to select from.

Here are pictures of the closet after we had it opened up, and now waiting for built ins.