Color Inspiration: Australia is our very favorite place, so we wanted to create an Australian themed nursery for Sydney, drawing inspiration from our recent visit to the Great Barrier Reef. Blue, in a bright beach-y tone, was the natural choice for the walls, and it was only fitting that the color of her furniture is named "Sea Grass". We added other bright colors in linens, art, toys and decor -- including the nine prints of whimsical Australian animals created by an artist in Sydney and lovingly shipped to me from the other side of the world -- then finished the room with a crib in white and the glider, side table and lamp in neutral and metallic tones. These neutral pieces, along with the white trim and ceilings, keep the space "un-busy".

Tip for Using Color: Patience is the paint equivalent of "measure twice, cut once". Try as many colors as you can until you find one you love. Paint swatches are free at any hardware store, and some stores offer inexpensive paint samples. Apply color to the walls (either by taping up swatches or painting a small section of the wall) and wait a few days. Look at the color in all different kinds of light and against furniture, fabrics -- anything you may want in the room. (We used a yellow and green duck as a touchstone; if the color looked bad with the duck, it was out.) If nothing clicks after a few days, try another color until one does. We painted samples of 15 colors on the wall before making a decision. The shade we ultimately picked was the second to last color we tried.

Colors Used: The walls are Old Pickup Blue by Benjamin Moore in the Natura paint collection. Trim and ceiling are the same basic white used by our contractors. The dresser and bookcase are from the Stanley Furniture Young America line in Sea Grass. The crib and changing top are in Starlight, also from Young America. All of the colorful bedding and the window valances come from Land of Nod. The rug is from notNeutral in white and canary yellow.

Thanks for your colorful entry Lauren and good luck!

What's at stake? Bragging rights AND $1000 worth of prizes from P'kolino!