I didn’t use Pinterest at all when I dreamed up the concept of the nursery - I started with dreams and feelings. What did I want the nursery to feel like for Little L as he grew and for me and Michael as we spend time in there with him? Light, fun, whimsical, comforting, calm, and always a hint of adventure.

Definitively, I knew I wanted this hot air balloon light fixture designed by Leanne Ford for Crate & Barrel. Her design ethos has bolstered my confidence in choosing wide-open creativity as the starting point for a project rather than structure or a plan. It was unhindered creativity that allowed me to leap and paint on the walls without more than a sketch to guide to me.

The mural was a labor of love. Safari animals and hot air balloons create a great sense of adventure. 

The very final painting I did was on a canvas - I wanted something more permanent, as the mural obviously won’t be. It was Michael’s idea to do the animal theme for the nursery after I worked on baby shower invitations to submit to Minted. He asked if I would paint the animals on the wall, and I ran with that idea.

So for the final painting, it is of a lion looking down at his cub. Our great prayer is that our little one would know how loved he is, both by his earthly father and by the Great Lion of Judah.