apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

the hermelin crib @ ikea is blue but not teal. only $129! i can't think of any other cheap ones :\

Here's one, but it's pricey. And green.

http://www.geniusjones.com/product-exec/category_id/260/product_id/8899/nm/Alma_Urban_Crib_w_Mattress_

Stanley Furniture's Young America MyHaven line comes in a slew of colors, and 2 different versions:
http://www.youngamerica.com/products/135408/Collection/myhaven
http://www.youngamerica.com/products/135409/Collection/myhaven

We have the Built to Grow crib (in boring white - I couldn't commit) and the quality is fantastic! The list price is high, but we purchased it from Furnitureland South (http://www.furniturelandsouth.com/) and paid around $500. Certainly not cheap, but since it becomes a toddler bed and a double bed I could easily justify the price.

Check out Muu: www.muukids.com

Their stuff is so unique, and they have a lot of different color and graphic options, so you should be able to find something you like. Their stuff is not cheap, but the quality is unbelievable, and everything is made in the US from sustainable, non-toxic materials.

you could also get a white crib and then get vinyl stickers to put on--this way you get the customization w/out having to paint

I wanted a crib with some color myself, I was thinking orange or yellow, but couldn't find one I really liked. This crib is nice and solid, low to the ground, with no (possibly unsafe) dropside: http://www.albeebaby.com/ap-industries-lollipop-crib.html It doesn't come in teal or orange but it does come in a nice bright blue. Mother Hubbard cribs come in colors, but I doubt blue or teal. Duc Duc has a couple of cribs that are at least partially orange--they have great style, but they're not cheap: http://www.ducducnyc.com And someone beat me to mentioning the Young America cribs, which do come in a great tangerine color--I didn't go for them because I wanted a more modern look than their convertible one, and I didn't want a drop side cribe.

if you found a metal crib you could have it powder coated...i'm not sure if that is harmful? maybe someone knows? but i don't think it is...

I was considering the lollipop crib mentioned above until we wound up with a used stokke. The red "ladybug" one I saw in the store was pretty eye-catching.

I bought a bright turquoise custom-painted Jenny Lind-style crib from Plain Jane Kids in Manhattan. Alas, the store closed in 2006. Pickleboots was started by one of the 3 original partners, but just made custom bedding I believe.

http://www.pickleboots.com/

The Jenny Lind particulary lends itself to bright colours because it is such a classic shape. And because it is so popular, you can find it for a reasonable price.

Look around for a sturdy version (some are more sturdy than others), and try to get one that comes with a toddler conversion rail.

Then, have your husband strip it, paint it with an appropriate latex paint, and seal with a safe sealer. You could always hire someone else to do it too. (ours had a vintage finish, with some of the turquoise sanded off)

Here is one version that looks very solid (don't know about the toddler conversion):

http://www.dmart2000.com/dejelibacrfr.html?productid=dejelibacrfr&channelid=FROOG

The Alma by Bloom comes in orange and a bright green. It folds up...not sure if you're interested in that but here it is:

http://www.bloombaby.com/collection/main.php?sID=83

Young America furniture is not very wallet-conscious, but it is well-constructed and brightly colored!

http://www.simplybabyfurniture.com/shop-by-brand-young-america.html

Is it that hard to paint a crib? I had intended to purchase this crib http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3012851 in white and have my husband paint it kelly green. I've read about people painting cribs and didn't think it was that big of an issue. Am I wrong?

Painting something with tons of bars or spindles could be kind of tedious. Beyond that, I can't think of why it would be difficult.

I'm seconding the suggestion of the IKEA Hermelin crib (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60116007). We bought one for our daughter, and added punch pink and white striped bedding I found at a Pottery Barn outlet. I think it looks pretty sharp, if I do say so.

Painting a crib, even with bars and spindles, is no big deal. You have to use a paint brush, but it goes quick even so. The tedious part is stripping it, because I have yet to come across an unpainted crib, ready for painting.

Just make sure you use the right materials. It is easiest if you can spread your work around -- i.e., in an empty room, on top of drop cloths -- and if is well-ventilated (good window).

Mason Gray is a collection by duc duc with tons of color choices & unique finishes. They are very pricey but don't be discouraged - if there is a will there is a way! Call the showroom, retailers, search ebay as there could be a floor sample for sale or a piece that was returned. Don't give up & happy hunting!


bundle design co.
www.bundledesignco.blogspot.com

Really, don't paint a crib. Don't try and buy something and strip it yourself. Don't try and get it professionally stripped. The professionals wanted an absurd amount of money. We had a terrible time with and had stripped and painted many pieces.

We tried it and it was a miserable, miserable *time consuming* and unsuccessful. We had to throw away the first crib and buy another. Maybe it would work if you have a billion hours of free time and bought a untreated, unpainted crib but seriously, rethink.

People have been doing it themselves for a long, long time. (repainting cribs that is!). It is not that hard!

As a matter of fact, my husband refinished the heirloom Lloyd Loom bassinet he inherited when I was pregnant with our first -- it had been his father's, then his and his siblings', and now, both of our children's. If my husband could refinish twisted paper...!...almost any husband can refinish a crib :-)

(when pregnant, I wouldn't go near strippers or the like... even better to have that part done in a garage or at the grandparent's home).

Probably Klean Strip Liquid Sander, and then some good non-toxic primer and paint:

http://www.finishing.com/312/62.shtml

http://www.mythicpaint.com/

Yes, painting a crib is very reasonable and practical and do-able! "JudiAU's" remarks are the only ones that surprise me--oh where did she go wrong?!

Everyone mentioned painting with a brush. But you can get GREAT results with spray paint!! Yes, your husband or another responsible non-pregnant adult needs to sand and prime first, then spray away! Spray paint comes in all of the basic colors and a few others (maybe not teal, but definitely orange.)

My husband spray painted our old rocking chair and we got a custom made cushion for it to match the nursery decor. It was beautiful. He then spray painted 2 other furniture items with great success.

Good Luck!!