Name: Dallas
Age: 3 months
Location: Rohnert Park, CA
Room size: 100 sq ft

Nikki and her husband pulled off an 'easier said than done' trick in their baby son Dallas' room by perfectly creating a vintage modern style that is simultaneously fresh and interesting yet feels lived in and authentic. Not only does using vintage or vintage-inspired pieces lend story and history to a room, but it's also a good strategy for keeping your budget in check. Read on to learn more about Dallas' room and to hear some advice from Nikki.

What was the inspiration for Dallas’ room?
Our house is already a mash of vintage and modern and I knew I wanted to carry that over into his nursery. We also wanted a space that was fairly gender neutral and something he could grow up in... a place he will still enjoy when he is 5 or 6.

What is the first thing you bought or picked out?
Some record sleeves circa the 1970s that are now framed on the wall

What is your favorite element in his room?
The yellow lockers. I think they are a piece that will forever be in his room.... maybe painted a new shade when he gets older, but what boy wouldn't love lockers to hide things in? I also love the old book pages that are framed in the chalkboard frame. They are from a book on manners and say cute things like "a boy should always remove his hat when he meets a lady." If we're gonna raise a gentleman we better start early...

What was the biggest challenge decorating this room?
Not letting the space get too "girly"... creating a vintage inspired room while still keeping it boyish enough to keep my husband happy.

What do your friends say when they see the room?
A great mix of the past and present. Perfect for now and the years to come.

Any tips for adding vintage items to a still modern space?
Look for pieces with history or an emotional connection. Most of the vintage toys in Dallas's room were toys or books that my husband or I owned as a child. Plus, half the fun of adding vintage elements to a space is looking for and finding them. Enjoy the hunt. As for mixing vintage with modern, focus on color. Use it to tie everything together and unify the room. You can also use this technique by painting a vintage piece with a bright pop of color. This will give it more of a contemporary feel as is the case with both the old farmhouse dresser and the lockers.

What was your biggest indulgence here?
When a friend pointed out the "Dallas" pennant I knew I had to have it, but it had a $40 price tag which seemed high for a "non focal" item... but it was just too perfect.

Do you have any advice for parents or parents-to-be starting this process?
Don't take the room too seriously. I did at first and then finally let loose and just had fun. You're doing this for a kid after all - allow the process to be carefree and playful and that will be mirrored in the results.

If money were no object, what’s your dream source:
I love all the vintage goodies on Three Potato Four and of course Etsy.

Resources:
• Crib, rug, robot bank, white shelving, lamps: Target
• Crib bedding: Burlington's Baby Depot
• Dresser: Craigslist
• Orange chair, globes, READ letters - Alameda Antique Fair
• Keep Calm print:The Poster List
• Love is Spoken Here print - Tuesday Mourning
• At Home on the Sea print: Amy Blackwell
• Wild thing Max print:Nan Lawson
• Lowtops print: John W. Golden
• Electric Guitar Bird print: Barking Bird Art
• Framed numbers: scrapbook paper from My Little Shoebox
• Dogs at Play: vintage book page
• Inside chalkboard frame: vintage book pages
• Become Who You Are: made by me!
• Metal D: Urban Outfitters
• Framed record sleeves: eBay
• Giants mobile: Amazon
• Dallas pennant: Three Potato Four

• Paint color: Sea Song by Behr (Disney Line)

Thanks Nikki & Dallas! Like Nikki's style? Visit her blog!

(Images: Nikki Peterson)