Obviously these prints don't HAVE to go in a nursery, but I'm a big fan of using pieces I love in kids' rooms. Nothing against theme rooms - I've been there too (Curious George)...now in the age of etsy and online design you aren't limited by what can be found in stores. I'm drawn to certain color combinations and art that either includes books or looks like children's book illustrations.
From etsy:
My main inspiration in Evie's room (apart from Charlie & Lola) was a print from Cathy Nichols. Part of the plan for the big wall opposite the crib is to include more of her work. Here are some more examples - I love how she brightens up nature.
Sanctuary
Ice Cream Girl
The Boys of Summer - I love this for my boys' bathroom, anytime I see 3 dudes I can't help but think of them
Cathy's blog is www.cathynichols.blogspot.com .
Swallowfield is another favorite shop, here's my latest fave:
"six"
The Reading is Cool print (called Imagination) in Evie's room, is from DazeyChic - I love her bold graphics like this:
sweet and sour
curiousity
from seaspray blue's shop - pink & green, anyone?
the caravan exhibition
I've seen people framing & hanging gift wrap or craft paper - this would be great, from enna:
matryoshka wrap
jane mount's shop carries her bookshelf series:
#22
and another was featured on 20x200 a few weeks ago and i snapped it up:
Ideal Bookshelf
Lisa Congdon has an etsy shop with originals (out of my budget), but she had a print on 20x200 that i'm saving up to get in a larger size...
birch forest no. 7
creative thursday has wonderful whimsical prints AND a children's book for sale too!
sock monkey tree
eli (i know a lil Eli..)
andannechovie's new chair print - so colorful and fun
I could go on all day, here's my final suggestion. I am loathe to rip apart books - I don't even dog-ear pages - but someone on a message board was looking for a Chesley MacLaren print on the cheap. My suggestion was to buy a book she illustrated and frame some pages:
like this one... Let's face it I'd love to own an Oliver Jeffers or Melissa Sweet original, but until then I'm not totally above taking a page from one of their books, cringing all the way. The same goes for vintage children's book art (particularly one that might be already falling apart). I picked up a book of National Children's Book Week posters at a yard sale and one day plan to frame some of those :)
available used here
tips for hunting on etsy:
-
you can use their search function, of course- by seller name if you know it, or color,or by number (if you have a favorite number) - i used to search for 3 (no. of children) or 5 (no. of people in our famiy) now i'm all about 4 & 6
-
but the easiest way for me, is to go to an artist i admire and click on favorites (under their picture along the right column in their store) - because the etsy community is so supportive of one another, you are sure to find tons of great art being nosy :)
-
and once you register as a buyer, you can add items to your favorites and refer back
-
if you see something you like, but it isn't the right size, email the seller - cahty nichols was able to make a bigger print than the 8x11 that was offered on the site
Happy Hunting! Let me know if you find some cool stuff :)
The End.
URGH.
from 
