Nautical Nursery Boys Bedroom Blue Wallpaper by Abby Capalbo | Photography: Erin McGinn

On October 24th, during a full moon, Henry Arthur Capalbo decided to join our world. At that moment our lives were forever changed. No one could ever prepare me for the rush of emotions that would follow his arrival. It’s impossible to explain, and I won’t even try. I will say love took on a whole new meaning - not only for this new person, but also for my little family. Andrew and I have always felt lucky to do this life thing together, but that night took everything to another level. I remember looking at Andrew and just being so grateful for him my heart could explode. Look at this little life we created. We are so blessed.

If you follow me on instagram, maybe you know our path to Henry wasn’t an easy one. When we bought this house ten years ago, I knew this room was going to be the nursery. It has a cozy feel to with its little nooks and funny ceilings, and is right next to both the master bedroom and the laundry room (which I’ve learned is pretty priceless with a newborn). As the years went on, however, I started to resent this room. I never decorated it, and it collected hand me down furniture. I closed the door more often than not, and it just made me sad. I know that sounds a tad dramatic, but hey, it’s true.

When we found out we were pregnant, It took me about six months to finally come face to face with this room - which is so out of character for me. I just couldn’t believe that nursery was finally happening, and honestly I was afraid to get my hopes up. But six months made it seem official - so after that, I hit the ground running.

I knew I wanted a space that would grow with him. A room with durability - walls that could be drawn on (not that I’m encouraging that, but hey, I was a kid once too), beds that could be bounced on, and cozy spots to read the same book over and over. I also wanted a room where we wanted to spend tons of time in too - so I embraced a more understated approach to nursery design with smaller nods to a childlike feeling over characters and themes.

When I found this print from One Kings Lane, I basically designed the entire room around it. Diving into the ocean might be my all time favorite feeling - it always makes me feel like a kid with no cares in the world. So I couldn’t think of a better print for the nursery. That feeling also spurred the idea of wallpapering the ceiling in some fabulous blue paper to embrace this room’s funny ceilings and give it a slight underwater feel (in a good way of course). I hope it encourages hours and hours (and hours) of sleepy nights (perhaps wishful thinking…haha).

Finding the bed was everything to me. I really wanted a bed in the nursery that gave some wow factor, but also would be a place for Henry to sleep when he gets bigger. I hit the jackpot when I found Jenn at LivenUp Design. I hope they liked working with me because I now want them to design every piece of furniture in my house. Jenn helped me find the perfect fabrics and styles to fit this room like a glove, and ended up being like a friend in the end. I can’t recommend them enough.

The bottom of the bed is a trundle, so I can just imagine pulling it out every night so the the dogs can curl up with him when he gets older, and that makes my heart melt. It should also be said that I am currently spending every night in here so I have easy access to Henry, so I can vouch for its comfort…

Jenn at LivenUp Design also made these custom bolster pillows for me which make me so happy. From there, I added these fun Matouk Linens monogrammed shams, Caitlin Wilson striped Euros in the back, and a custom throw pillow from Lynn Chalk to sync up with our fun window shade (also from Lynn Chalk). And of course all the Jelly Cat stuffed animals. Why are they so darn cute?

I splurged on the glider from Serena & Lily , because I knew I was going to spend tons of time rocking this sweet baby to sleep. And I was right. Plus that gingham was just perfection. The little tiny table next to it from Oomph gets so much use late night, and is just too darn cute for words. The navy Serena & Lily dresser fit perfectly in that little cranny, so it was a no brainer. Who knew how much time I spend in this little corner of our house! I basically live here now.

And now his closet. This little closet makes my heart so happy, and that has a lot to do with the wallpaper from my friend Sara at Sara Fitz Studio. I was struggling to find a fun wallpaper to put in this little nook and she came out with this fish print just around that time. It was like it was meant to be. I’m just obsessed with how it came out.

The room really was so fun to put together. Andrew and I sat in it for hours before Henry was born just dreaming of all the little things soon-to-be parents dream about. I can’t wait to see him grow up in it. Actually I can wait, because holy cow is this all going by so fast already. We shot this when he was a week old, and I could cry just looking at how small he was!

Henry’s birthday will be a day forever etched in my mind. Every detail and moment is so incredibly vivid it’s like I relive it every day (minus the pain of natural childbirth thank goodness). It’s a story i’ll retell in my heart for the rest of my life, and I’m pretty sure i’ll never be able to talk about that night without bursting into tears.

We are the luckiest.