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Target also has some pretty basic cribs around $100. We bought the simplicity Aspen, and are very happy with it. There are plenty of simple cribs to be found and if you match the color (wood or painted) I think that is the more important thing anyway.
BTW Target does seem to carry some modern looking cribs, and I think Ikea does too.

Ikea, seriously.

The Gulliver crib has nice clean lines, can be positioned low to the ground, and is about $90. Although I don't have an Ikea crib, I have heard very good feedback about it. Also can convert to a toddler bed--bonus!

http://tinyurl.com/ykmxf6

What about the new modern crib at Wal-mart. Now I know it's Wal-mart, but the crib looks modern without the price-tag that modern furniture typically brings. As a mother of two I say save your money on the crib, and put it towards furniture that can transition from baby to toddler to kid. A great dresser, beautiful art, or whatever.

I was going to also suggest the modern two-tone crib from Wal-mart, even though I hate the store and boycott. BUT, it has the look, and I have seriously, SERIOUSLY considered breaking my boycott to get the set when I have another baby. It's THAT CUTE. I think it is about $300 each piece.

i seriously love the ouef crib - especially in the walnut. i say if you can swing it - go for it. i also love the look of the toddler bed that it converts to - one of the few that doesn't leave you with one tall crib side to make it look like a cage.
i know i couldn't afford it and will probably go with the gulliver (or the similar looking brio crib if i can find it in the states by the time i have a kid). but the ouef is just so pretty and really makes an impact.

There is also another clean-line crib at Target: the Childcraft Shaker ridge crib:
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_13/602-9718624-5489414?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0009ROBQS


And here is the link to the Walmart modern collection: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=5185226&povid=cat86325-env3708-module40684-lLink1

I second IKEA. We have the DIKTAD crib/toddler bed. As a toddler bed, it does not have tall sides. There was a lighter wood one called TASSA I saw in the store that I liked, but don't see online.

Have you checked out the Argington Sahara crib? It's 685 - still expensive but you save a little money :). And it's really pretty and modern looking.

I third IKEA. I know the urge is great to get a cool crib, but think of all the diapers you can get with what you save. I have a TASSA crib, which is a perfect square, basic, and does the job beautifully. It's maybe 130 bucks and it also can be made into a toddler bed. Not online for some reason, but it's available in stores. Spending 800 dollars on a crib is like getting a 900 dollar bugaboo. i just don't get it. They're all made in China. It's not like some craftsman in Denmark is personally crafting this Oeuf for you.

These suggestions are great! Thanks so much to everyone. I really like that Target crib, Exxon23 -- and I had not seen it. (Had seen the Walmart crib and like it.) Well, we're heading off to IKEA later this week (didn't make it last weekend). We'll let you know what we decide! As for the Argington crib, I love it but decided a while ago that, in our small room and given how clumsy we are, Andrew and I would pummel our shins constantly on that ledge that sticks out! -- Becky

We got a Jenny Lind, and after the damage our son visited on it when he was teething I am so, so happy we got a cheap crib. All cribs look like crap once they have teeth marks all over the rails. We put the difference in his college savings account, and ditto what we didn't spend on a bugaboo. (Incidentally that is a stroller I have come to hate after trying to squeeze by them dozens of times in our tiny neighborhood cafe -- it is one super-wide stroller. Now when I see someone with two kids in a Phil&Ted I want to run up and thank them.)

I also really like the Oeuf but couldn't afford the price, so I made my own. It's an almost identical copy, but I got to be extra choosy about materials--kid friendly finishes, and an extra strip of cherry around the top rail for gnawing on. Here's a bad picture: http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=471962107&size=m

Okay, I'm in the minority here but since Becky and Andrew bought the Monte Luca glider I think they should go with what they love and buy the Oeuf crib. I also loved the Oeuf crib but we ended up getting a lovely crib from a friend. It was too much of a deal to pass up, and we didn't end up spending very much on our nursery. Now that my son's almost two and I see what an energetic little teether he is, I'm glad we didn't spend the big bucks, but in all honsety I would have a hard time spending anywhere near $800 for a glider. If I had a whole heap more money I would have bought the Oeuf.

We just bought a Jenny Lind though we had been contemplating more design & modern cribs. Frankly it all comes down to how much money you spend & can spend on other things. How much did you pay for your own bedframe and mattress, which you expect to probably use for at least 10 years. Compare that to a crib you will use for a couple years. Should tell you if it is wise to buy a $824 crib.

Burton - that crib is beautiful! i love the extra strip you added, and the changing tray is even more practical with the addition of the handles. great job.

Burton - What an amazing crib. I wish I had an ounce of that talent!

With such a small space I think it's important to find things you love - whether expensive or not. With that said, if you are planning on having more than one child and using the crib again, the Oeuf crib might be worth the investment. However, you may want to look at other alternatives if you think you will only use the crib for a few years. Maybe Burton could be convinced make another amazing crib?

dear becky,
like you i lusted after the high-end cribs (oeuf at al) but having only recently finished graduate school and begun working (for pay, that is) i couldn't justify such a high end expenditure on something my son will only be using for two or three years. so my husband and i did buy the jenny lind. not my favorite, to be sure (i tried to get the gulliver at IKEA but found out a few months ago that they are no longer being sold, at least at that time) but it works. we splurged instead on couple of items that will be around much longer--a blu dot modulicious no. 4 dresser doubles perfectly as a changing table and an eames rocker (at half off retail price--a DWR annex score!)--both of which bring me much happiness! remember, at the end of the day, it's just a crib. as long as it's safe, that's what matters. your baby won't sleep better in an $800 vs $100 bed!

How long are babies in cribs? 2 years max? And if you convert to a toddler bed, MAYBE 2 more years? I know I have always been overly practical, but the Oeuf, while beautiful, does not seem worth it to me. Buy something cheaper and put the extra money in the college fund.

The gulliver at Ikea is the best looking crib with a small footprint we saw under $1000. It has simple clean lines. Much better looking than the Target, Wal-mart, or chain options even at four or five times the price.

The other option was Stokke but at that price, plus the expensive linens, plus the cost of conversion kits, we couldn't justify it.

We really liked the Arlington Sahara but it was too big for our space. Many of the other modern designs were really cheap-looking, especially for the money.

Becky - I really relate to your choices!

At the time my daughter was born, I wanted either a Netto crib (but balked at the price) or a jenny lind style crib from Plain Jane -- we got the Plain Jane one and had it custom painted bright turquoise. It is very fun, and we love it although now we have moved, it does not suit our nursery as much as the IKEA Gulliver crib.

I have come to the practical conclusion (only because I am on my second child!) that they are in their cribs for such a short time -- maybe 2 years, or 3 with it as the toddler bed (which the Gulliver accomodates), that it is not worth while spending a real fortune. A simple well-made crib with a good mattress is the way to go (we got a natural latex one, which is hypoallergenic). And the IKEA one is very similar to the Oeuf crib (no nice wlanut detailing, I know...).

Spend the extra money on art work or furniture that they will not grow out of...

(you would not have caught me saying this when I was having my first baby!)

We purchased the Wallmart "modern" crib. Cream and Brown. We also purchased the toddler rail, so that we can stretch the use of the crib...our son slept in his crib/toddler bed till 4! We also bought the matching bureau (just put the changing mattress on top!) Plus we find many changing tables are low and at 5'7" and 6'4" we appreciated the baby being closer! And then after diapers are gone you have a nice bureau. We switched out the knobs with these cool chunky steel roses!

Good Luck w/ your decision!