Message Boards

Hi, everyone. It's been ages since I've been on this message board. Well over a year! I'm excited to tell everyone that I am going to be a Grandmother! My daughter is going to have a little girl in April. As a child, she loved the American Girl Books. Her favorite was Samantha. She is using Samantha and that time period as the inspiration. Since Samantha has been retired, I've been madly hunting for anything Samantha. I've found some books at a used book store and we are currently bidding on a doll on ebay. It's going to be a victorian nursery, and I could use any advice on decorating. There is a huge closet with drawers in the closet, so furniture is not an issue. So, we can even stay with period pieces for the nursery. Thanks for your help!

Just wanted to extend my congrats to the grandparents and parents. I know your excitement as I am blessed with two little granddaughters. A victorian nursery sounds darling. Good luck with the hunt and enjoy that bundle of joy.

Some inspirational links...
http://pregnant.thebump.com/pr...hemed-nurseries.aspx

http://www.ehow.com/info_12172...n-style-nursery.html

http://www.homedit.com/victori...s-ideas-inspiration/

I don't have any ideas for your nursery, but I wanted to offer my congratulations to you and you family. BTW, I love your avatar.

Congrats, Trish! I remember you. My girls also loved the American Girls, and had three (including Samantha) and a Bitty Baby. They are all in storage now, but I don't think we could give up Samantha! However, one of my hobbies (that I don't seem to have time for anymore) is sewing American Girl clothes, and I've been wanting an excuse to get back to it. If you find a Samantha and want some clothes for it, I would do it for free (or just the cost of materials). (Time dependent of course - no promises!) As for the nursery, all I can think of is to use book illustrations for inspiration. Good luck!

Congratulations on the new grandbaby!

I don't have any ideas except lots of lace.

Good luck and have fun.

Thanks everyone for all of the tips and offer of seeing clothes! I will keep everyone posted on the nursery with pics! And keep sending suggestions and links!

Sewing clothes. Stupid auto correct! Also, what do you think about this high chair?

Cute chair but....Today's high chairs have so much better and soft padding that wraps around the
entire chair seating area.
There's no good safety strap for around waist and between the legs
The chair doesn't have the option to slightly tilt back to better accommodate a
young baby that can't quite sit up just yet.
Today's high chairs have trays that can be operated with one hand.

If I were a mom today I would say it makes a good grandma chair that gets occasional use, especially with modifications to make it safer and more comfortable.

This high chair is intended for looks, but I wondered if it looked Victorian enough.

Trish congratulations on your soon to arrive granddaughter. About a Victorian nursery, I would recommend doing some research in books at the library or visiting historic houses that may have such rooms.

Safety standards may not then have been up to contemporary rules but you still could get some good ideas.

Congratulations, Trish. What delicious news.

Here's a link to one of my favorite Victorian resources you might find helpful: http://www.victoriantradingco.com/index.html

My advice for your Victorian nursery is to remember that everything you put into the room will either tell that story or dilute it.

While you will of course want safe and current items for the baby so that they will meet safety standards, you could hunt down an antique victorian dresser to use for a changing table, and a real victorian rocking chair. Find a modern crib that is simple, or a reproduction victorian styled one. The doll would be cute on display.

And came back to say congratulations! I know your excitement as my oldest daughter is having her first baby, a girl, in January!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cocok,

Thank you for all of your congratulations. I'm so excited! I did not know I could love anyone as much as my own child, until now.

quote:

I did not know I could love anyone as much as my own child, until now.

Just wait and see the reality. Not only the pride and love and enjoyment but not too much responsibility! It is the best!

Kate Greenaway illustrations would be lovely on the walls. You can even get old books and frame the pages.

I have Kate Greenaway paperdolls I have meant to frame from my daughter.

That high chair looks very much like the Jenny Lind high chair my 2 youngest had. It was purchased new and they are in their mid 20s now. It met safety standards and if this chair is one of those you should be able to use it. And there are many patterns these days for covers, padding etc . out there to adapt for smaller babies.

Are you wanting to make the nursery perhaps similar to the furniture and items available to buy for Samantha dolls when they were available? I have some American Girl catalogs that have all the Samantha items in them(from the mid 90s) and would be glad to make copies of the pages for you if you are interested.

oh-congratulations!!

Update on the nursery. My daughter has decided on a modern style nursery with a victorian twist. She has purchased a white crib, and is going to decorate with white wicker furniture. The walls are raspberry and all bedding is going to be pinks and white with frilly bows. There will be white netting draped around the crib, until the baby is old enough to yank it down. We now have 4 Samantha books, and she is buying a Samantha doll, which will be displayed on a shelf. She is considering rose color toile drapery for the two windows in the room.

Sounds like your daughter doesn't need our help and is well on her way to fulfilling her vision. It sounds darling. BTW, it wouldn't hurt to check out those links I posted.

I've already checked them out. Awesome ideas! Thank you!

Here is one of the chandeliers they are considering.