Real World Cribs - Episode 2

DadLabs.com: In our latest installment of Real World Cribs, we visit the baby nursery of parents Clayton and Scott. This bedroom features a number of unique elements, such as their framed art that comes with a personal family touch. They've also refurbished old pieces of furniture, including a dresser found on the streets of New Orleans, and a baby crib used by many generations in their family. This Real World Crib is truly one-of-a-kind. DadLabs Ep. 583 is brought to you by Munchkin.

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Clayton: Hey DadLabs.

Scott: It's the DadLabs guys.

Clayton: Hi I'm Clayton.

Scott: Scott.

Clayton: Come on in. See our crib.

Clayton: We didn't want it to be gender specific. And we wanted it to be inviting to him. Obviously, we want him to like it. But also for adults to want to stay here. We don't have a guest bedroom, so this has to substitute as a guest bedroom.

Scott: The dresser was something I had in graduate school in New Orleans, and we decided to paint it to match the orange on the cover for the glider.

Clayton: Wait, I didn't know you found it in New Orleans.

Scott: Yeah.

Clayton: You just found it on the street?

Scott: Yeah.

Clayton: And it was really ugly. It was brown. It was kind of a downer. It was really heavy.

Scott: I beg to differ actually.

Clayton: This is back when I was in second grade, 1978, yes, I am almost 40. And it's an essay called "Dad". I'll just read the first line. "My Dad is a nut." So it's really great, because we got it framed. It's an essay. And that seemed like much more meaningful art.

Scott: The watercolors above the changing table are from my grandmother. There's one of two skiers which actually kind of reminds me of Clayton and me. Kind of looks like a couple there. And then the other was done in Cape Cod where my parents live. And I actually was there with my grandmother when she painted the bay scene, so that was kind of cool.

Clayton: I've had such a good experience with this crib.

Scott: It takes some time to put it together but it's solid once it's together.

Clayton: It seems so solid that I'm not really worried. And he's the sixth baby to use it. That lovely glider was this dumpy old glider that was at a garage sale. We bought it for $20. I sent it off to Spruce, this upholstery and furniture restoration shop. And they did a really good job turning a $20 recycled yard sale glider into something I think is pretty fabulous. My advice is to try to not spend a lot of money on brand new things. To take old things and make them nice. Or find things that can be used after the baby is no longer a baby.

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written by Tom, December 16, 2009

This nursery proves that you can still have an awesome looking nursery on a budget. The crib looks great too. I think that alot of people discount the quality and saftey of older cribs. I think as long as you check for saftey why not recycle an old crib. My wife and I used a 50 year old play pen over the thanksgiving holiday (it was my mothers) and it proved to be a great. Maybe its because things made then used more solid parts instead of plastic.

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written by newdad2B, December 16, 2009

This is a great looking nursery with some personal touches that are awsome ideas.

Refurbs & Heirlooms
written by Jeffrey Paul, December 16, 2009

I'd recommend doing a VERY thorough cleaning of any refurb furniture, especially anything taken off the streets. NYC has a crazy bedbug infestation and you just don't know what's living on some of this stuff. Now, heirlooms are wonderful and can be some meaningful to use but will obviously lack many of the conveniences or niceties of more modern furniture. Either way, saving money on childrearing is ALWAYS a nice thing!

Love the colors!
written by Sarah Loyd, December 17, 2009

All the colors and creative touches are fabulous! I'd like to see a RWC episode for someone living in an apartment who can't paint...

Tears
written by Elizabeth Keller, December 17, 2009

I had tears brimming when she read the essay about her Dad from when she was a kid! Such a great idea to have it framed. We also have reused items in our "crib" using mostly things passed down from parents and grandparents (and some peices even great-grandparents!) It's nice to save our money for more important things, and to see that the things our parents worked for are still being used.

Cool room
written by Kevin, December 17, 2009

Our first child's nursery also had to serve as a guest room for a year and a half... so we know all about finding that balance.

Great job.

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written by Mindy, December 18, 2009

I love the use of old furniture and the colors they chose go very well together. The framed essay was a very cute added touch. I think I may do that in my daughter's nursery!

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