Hunting Themes for a Newborn's Nursery

Wall Decor

• Use the blank four walls of the nursery as a canvas to create a hunting cabin by screwing reclaimed wide lumber planks onto the walls. Use a clear stain to maintain the rustic look. Attach animal heads ̵1; either realistic or paper mache ̵1; onto an accent wall. For a different approach, opt for a camping theme by mimicking a tent on one wall. Fasten a dark, heavy-weight tarp material to the center of the wall, near the ceiling. Drape the sides in a triangular shape down from the fabric peak to create the illusion of a tent around the crib. A forest mural on the other walls will provide a wealth of color and patterns for your newborn.

Furniture

• Continue the rustic theme to the furniture with natural wooden furniture ̵1; such as Amish-made rocking chairs complete with bark. Although using a crib that meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards is necessary, you can alter its appearance by faux-painting a wood grain or wrapping a natural-fiber rope around the bed posts to give the illusion of a camp bed. Make sure the rope ends are securely hot glued in place to prevent your baby from playing with it as a toddler. Transform a dresser or changing table with a camouflage leaf pattern, and hot glue silk leaves to the top in a random pattern to create a 3D effect.

Bedding

• Fashion a hunting-themed bed ensemble with fabric in a forest or camouflage pattern. Attach quilting fabric to the other side of the fabric for a cozy newborn quilt. For a different look, find fabric in shades of forest green and brown. Attach appliqués of animals like deer and bears onto the edges. Coordinate with dark green crib sheets, and customize coordinating swaddling blankets by edging them with the bedding fabric.

Accessories

• Complete the look with accessories your baby can grow into. Select a lamp with a tree base and a rustic shade such as a canvas or grasscloth material. To complete the tree lamp, paint green leaves onto the shade to match the tree trunk base. Pick brushed bronze hooks in the shape of twigs or birds to continue the woodsy theme. Find pictures of deer, bears and birds to hang inside of twig frames. For ceiling art, fashion a mobile out of a pattern of branches, and hang silk leaves from fishing wire at various lengths.