Baby Lenhof Nursery Inspiration & Design Ideas

As my husband Caleb and I prepare to welcome our first little one, we’ve spent a lot of time and thought into creating a warm, inviting, and meaningful nursery space.

Drawing inspiration from our love of dogs, particularly German Shepherds and American Akitas, mid-century modern design, and the retro aesthetic of Mad Men, we’ve crafted a vision for the Baby Lenhof nursery that seamlessly blends our passions and personal touches.

The color scheme I’ve chosen is a soothing palette of beiges, grays, warm browns, with accents of green and black – a thoughtful nod to my beloved late German Shepherd, Vik, whose coloring has served as the primary inspiration. We lost him a few weeks ago and it has been heartbreaking, but working on the nursery design has brought me so much joy.

To honor Vik’s memory and incorporate my furry family members, I’ve curated a collection of vintage magazine advertisements, drawings, and book pages featuring German Shepherds and American Akitas from the late 1930s to the early 1970s. These photos will be showcased with big white mats, setting up a gallery wall that captures our love for our beloved dogs in a special way.

In keeping with my appreciation for mid-century modern design, I’ve chosen Babyletto’s cribs and furniture, which feature warm wood tones, rounded elements, and textured materials like natural cane, boucle upholstery, and vegan leather. These pieces align with the aesthetic I love while also prioritizing non-toxic materials, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for my little one. We appreciate the cane-style furniture as it resonates with the dining room chairs gifted to us by my parents. I like that we can echo this pattern throughout the house.

To spruce up the space with a touch of nature, I’m thinking of adding snake plants and other greenery from my vast collection of over 200 houseplants. This splash of green will not only make things more visually appealing but also help create a soothing, nurturing vibe.

Baby Lenhof’s nursery design is a heartfelt mix of what my family loves and values, along with our precious memories. It’s set to be a cozy and stylish haven for the new baby, while also celebrating our beloved pets who’ve brought us so much joy. I can’t wait to see it all come together; it will feel like a piece of our hearts wrapped up in one room.

Nursery Furniture & Decor Shopping Links

• Crib (Babyletto)
• Swivel Chair (Babyletto)
• Round Mirror w/ Leather (Amazon)
• Vintage Dog Advertisements and Book Pages Etsy
• Vintage Dog Advertisements and Book Pages Ebay
• Round Rug (Pottery Barn)
• Shelton Natural Rattan Storage Shelf (World Market)
• Jellycat Silly Succulent Aloe Plant Plush (Amazon)
• Snake Plant (Amazon)
• Black Planter (Amazon)
• Rattan Laundry Hamper (Amazon)
• Rattan Light and Ceiling Fan (Amazon)

Vintage Dog Artwork 

When it comes to decorating the nursery, the details matter. From the color scheme to the furniture choices, every little aspect adds up to create a cohesive and inviting space for our little one.

I found various book pages and advertisements ranging from the mid 1930’s to 1970’s on Etsy and Ebay. I cannot wait to get them hung up!

Artwork Sizes and Framing Ideas

• Milkbone BW 10.25 x 14
• Rin Tin Tin 10.25 x 14
• Calvert Whiskey w/ GSD 10.25 x 14
• Packard Luxury Cars 10.2 5x 14
• 1952 Akita Puppy Red Heart 5.5 x 11 (will need to trim ad)
• GSD Puppy Red Heart 14 x 5.75
• Hiram Webster Whiskey w/ GSD in Volkswagon 13.25 x 10
• German Shepherd Sketch 11.5 x 9 
• BW Police Working GSD Book Page 10 x 6.25
• Obedience Course GSD Colored Book Illustration 10 x 6.5
• 1932 “a police dog waiting to play” looks like Leo 12 x 9

These are the different sizes. I would like them to be framed in a pine wood frame so that it matches the other wood furniture in the nursery. I would like them to have oversized white matting. 

I would like to have three same size frames above the crib and then the other artwork can be  placed on the other walls in the room, mixing and matching sizes but still have a nice white matting. 

I wasn’t sure if we should mix and match the actual frame woods as well, or stick with the same pine wood throughout.

But, I think black or dark wood would be too heavy, and gold or silver might be too much. I think the same wood frame throughout for consistency is best, but varied thickness of frames to add some visual interest.

Wrap Up & Next Steps

Hey, I’m 25 weeks pregnant and we’ve got the artwork, baby clothes (thanks to my amazing clients for the gifts!), the PB rug, houseplants, and the aloe plant stuffy all ready to go!

Right now, the nursery doubles as our home gym, but once we sell the motorcycles, we’ll move the gym to the garage. It’s convenient having it at home, especially on days I can’t make it out. Moving it to the garage will be just as great! One step at a time! Thanks for following along!