We were delighted to discover this project in our inbox, via Nadja Mueller (an architect who worked with Annabelle Selldorf in New York and currently runs her own studio from Cambridge, MA, and Berlin). Mueller writes: "My daughter, Helena, was born in September. She is our first child and was very much anticipated. I am a designer and therefore have a tendency to turn all major events in my life into 'projects.' I wanted the nursery to be welcoming and happy, light and joyful, and yet functional and sensible. The project also had to remain within a reasonable cost frame. I pulled it together with an eclectic mix of Swedish budget cool (Ikea), handmade (Etsy), a bit of help from corporate America (Target), and some homegrown elements (via Nadja Mueller). The final cost? For $530, you can get the basic look and a few extras."

Recreate the look with the following elements:

Above: The Gulliver Crib in birch (also available in white) is $139 at Ikea.

Above: Designed by Ole Flensted in 1976 for Flensted Mobiles (a family business based on the island of Funen in Denmark), the Elephant Party Mobile is $31 at Design Public.

Above: Tryggve Shelf ($3 to $7 each, depending on size) and Valter Brackets ($3 each) are available at Ikea; Mueller painted her brackets an appealing shade of gray blue.

Above: We like the Sveje Flat Woven Cotton Rugs (available in a red-and-white-striped version or a blue-and-white-striped version), which measure 4 feet 11 inches by 2 feet 11 inches (buy two and stitch them together to make a wider rug); $12.99 at Ikea. 

Above: Mueller painted the Sniglar Changing Table ($39.99 at Ikea) beige and decorated the walls with her own Bubbles Poster and Pear Poster ($40 and $60, respectively), available from Etsy. 

Above: Mueller uses the Lidan Door Mounted Storage Hanger ($19.99 at Ikea) for small items; $19.99 at Ikea.

Above: The Woven Nylon Strapping Shelf Baskets are $7.99 each at the Land of Nod. 

Above: The Gray Fish and Boat Pillows are available on Nadja Meuller's Etsy Shop for $55 each. She uses a Striped Scarf ($70) from Lemlem in New York as a bed throw.

Above: For a similar look to Meuller's lampshade, we like the white Lunta Pendant Lamp; $39.99 at Ikea.