Baby Nursery on a Budget: Interview with
Kathy Peterson

For nearly a decade, design expert Kathy Peterson has established herself as a well-known TV celebrity. Her national TV series Town & Country Crafts with Kathy Peterson is broadcast on the Family Net TV Network and other cable networks. As a design expert, she is frequently featured and/or quoted in hundreds of shelter publications, newspapers, and trade publications including USA Weekend, Woman’s Day, Woman’s World, Entrepreneur Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Copley News Service, Washington Times, Better Homes & Gardens SIP, Budget Decorating, iVillage, FoxNews.com, American Ways, Go Magazine, and NY Daily News.

Kathy Peterson talks about creating a nursery on a budget.

Kathy’s licensed floral designs have been included in 150 Oscar gift bags, and she has made more than 100 TV guest appearances on HGTV, DIY Network, TNN, DISCOVERY CHANNEL, E! and PBS with personal appearances on various network affiliates based Dallas, Miami, Palm Beach, Chattanooga and more. Kathy has written five design books which have been featured in numerous women’s publications, TV shows and newspapers. Her most recent book, Kathy Peterson’s Great Outdoor Decorating Makeovers is currently being sold in Lowe’s, leading book retailers and Web based retailers including Amazon.com.

Money can be tight, and preparing for a new baby can get quite expensive. We know our readers love to save money, so we asked Kathy about creating a baby nursery on a tight budget.

• Parents need to purchase quality furniture that will last.
• Look for good quality bedding as well.
• A well-planned nursery needs ample lighting.

• Always make sure that the furniture piece is safe.
• Make sure the item is clean and sturdy.
• Avoid rusty or broken components.
• Avoid chipped or peeling paint on furniture unless you want to spend the time or money stripping the piece then repainting.
• For cribs, make sure the railing works, and the latch won't slip. Replace any hardware and the mattress as needed.
• Check old wiring on lamps, then replace as necessary.

• Parents can find great buys for furniture, lamps, artwork and other baby decor by shopping thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, eBay and more.
• When purchasing used furniture, condition is always something to consider for your child's safety. Otherwise if the color or finish isn't right simple spruce it up with paint or refinished with furniture stain.
• Consider making smaller items like pillows, chair cushions, valances that are easy to sew using a simple straight stitch. When choosing colors, consider using colors that would be age appropriate as the child grows up.
• For inexpensive artwork, consider framing illustrations from old children's books or group black and white photos of baby. Frames are inexpensive when purchased at sales.
• Use items already in your home if possible. Recycle from room to room.
• Do it yourself! Painting and sewing aren't that difficult to learn.
• For fast, no mess clean up, spruce up furniture with spray paint. It's fast, easy and inexpensive.
• Buy several larger accessories pieces and skip the smaller accessories for later.

• Use your creativity NOT your credit card is my motto.
• Mix up colors on drawer fronts, frames, lamps, and other furniture and accessories.

• Consider decorating the room with minimal child themes using items such as themed artwork, fabrics or other smaller items that can be easily and inexpensively replaced as the child matures.
• Consider purchasing furniture that transforms/conforms as the child matures.

Get FREE Designer Tips and Trends at Kathy Peterson.com. It's FREE, Fun and Full of Tips! Simply sign up for a V.I.P. E-Zine subscription.

• Infant Car Seat Covers
• Elegant Dresses for Infants
• Baby Shower Cupcakes

• Baby Shower Cake Pictures
• Free Printable Baby Shower Games
• Baby Shower Invitation Wording
• Baby Shower Poems
• Baby Shower Sayings

• Toddler Separation Anxiety: Interview with Judith Barr
• Parenting Multiples: Interview with Dr. Sharon Buchalter
• Getting Pets Ready for New Babies Interview
• Developmental Milestones: Interview with Dr. Tanya
• Last Name for Baby: Interview with Kelly Utt-Grubb