I’m going to be honest here..I can’t tell y’all how many friends, blogger friends, and family members have said “Ooh I can’t wait to see the nursery, its guaranteed to be fabulous” or “I bet you already have the whole thing planned out!”. Welp, the first will hopefully become true, but the second- definitely not true. Its like I have a mental block or something when it comes to envisioning this space. Maybe its because I am overwhelmed at the thought that its not just a room, its the room that we will bring our baby home to, and it not only needs to look great, it also needs to function great. With all of that said, I have been thinking about cribs. I feel like if I start with something kind of important in the room it will help me visualize the rest.
Now when it comes to cribs there is one that I would just kill to have and that is the Millbrook Iron crib from Restoration Hardware.
To me, this crib is perfection. It is iron, so it will last forever. It is intricate but doesn’t yell one gender or the other. It will for sure last through however many kids we are able to have, and be able to re-sell afterwards for a great price. It is built incredibly well. It has that classic yet vintage look to it. And even though this isn’t a massive selling point for us, just something thats extra nice, they set up it for you upon delivery.
Down side? Retail price is $849. Yes, I about choked when I heard that price too. Sucks, right?!
I love the look of this crib. It has a super classic design to it, and the wheels are removable. It meets all safety standards, is lead and phthalate safe, and has a non-toxic finish. The older versions used to have the un-safe drop down side, but the new ones don’t! It it totally gender neutral, and has great reviews from almost every site i’ve seen. Best thing about it? Its only $146! Worst thing about about? It’s not iron, so I don’t know really how many kids it would hold up for. {This crib does convert to a toddler bed, but we intend to keep the nursery basics and crib the same for all babies, and just make the toddler beds when we need them, instead of having to buy a new crib each time}.
So mamas, help this girl out! ANY and all recommendations are welcome, unless its for a crib that is super girly, or super traditional {ie: large back board, dark wood, etc.}. We for sure would not get the Millbrook crib unless we found it, or something similar, on Craigslist. I am just hoping and praying that something pops up, even if its a little after we have the babe because it will be in our room for awhile anyways. But if we end up with the Jenny Lind {or another recommendation from y’all} would that be good to? I need advice from the experts..you know, those of you who have actually used these kind of things before;)
I was going to hold out for a crib that will be available in January that would cost like $500-600, but realized that was INSANE! I got my second choice, the Jenny Lind crib in ebony and it is great. I did not put the wheels on it, as they (as the picture depicts) look really cheap. I just could not justify that amount on a crib when the Jenny Lind was $150. Save your money for something fun—like all the little baby clothes you could buy with the money you saved!
I’ve got four kids and lots of friends with babies. We would all say go for the cheaper crib. Yes, the $850 one is a dream, but there are so many other things to buy, I wouldn’t sink all the dough into a fancy crib. The cheaper one will last just fine and you can take the money saved to dress up the rest of the nursery, buy a stroller, etc.
Lauren Thomassays
Jenny Lind for sure. Our Jenny Lind crib is 33 years old (yes it’s the unsafe one, but we screwed the drop down side to where it’s permanently in place). That said, my mom used it for my brother first, then me, my aunt used it for her two, and now I’ve used it for all three of my children and it’s held up beautifully. The Jenny Lind is built to last…and it’s so classic looking!
I have to say, I bought a less expensive crib around (maybe around $250ish?) and it has lasted. Do I LOVE it…NO…should I have splurged and gone for the one I really wanted…Maybe. BUT honestly, my kids don’t care that they aren’t in a several thousand dollar Bellini bedroom set…they love their bed and room just the same! Now strollers on the other hand…you get what you pay for! Spend the big bucks there!
I personally love our Jenny Lind. It was the crib siblings were raised in and I’ve been in love with the style since. I of course have a new version in white for my son who is currently 10 weeks old. The price was great, but I managed even better on Craigslist (new with a gently used PB mattress!). If purchased in white, it’s easy to refinish. I’d highly suggest it.
Having a baby is a lot like planning a wedding. The things that you think are such a big deal turn out to not be such a big deal. That being said I have 3 boys, I of course wanted a great nursery. I settled for a less expensive crib and it worked fine. You will find that the crib is not a huge deal, and you will be just as happy with the Jenny Lind. Now if you find the Restoration Hardware one for 150 BUY it, otherwise dont worry about it. As the commenter above said “Spend your money on the stroller” I could not agree more!! That thing is something that you will have a lot of time invested in make sure that it is a good one!! Hope this helps.
I have the Jenny Lind one (the older drop down version) and I absolutely love it. It has gone through 3 kids from birth-2 years and I have had no problems. I’m currently pregnant with my 4th and plan on using it for him or her also. We took the wheels off of ours. Good luck!! You still have time left so don’t settle. 🙂
I’d go with the Jenny Lind one. The crib I have and have used with both our babies is the same Jenny Lind crib that has been around for 27 years, went through all 4 of the kiddos in our family as well as a couple others from times my mom lent it out. Yes it has the drop side, but I actually love that feature, and it is still in great shape. I think it would last and hold up as long as you need it too, especially if you aren’t using it as a toddler bed as well.
Okay I say go with the cheaper one, it’s beautiful. I have 5 kids and the cheap cribs hold up great. I also agree with the stroller advice, get a good one.
Wow, you guys are so so awesome for your responses! Thank you!! I would definitely not everrrr pay even close to the original price of the RH one, but I am still going to wait around a litte to see if I can find it for a SUPER deal on craigslist. If not- then after all of your positive feedback about the Jenny Lind, I think that will be what we go with. I cannot believe that that crib has lasted some of you 6+ kids! So encouraging!! Thanks again
I really wanted an oeuf crib and scoured craigslist and ebay for months. We finally settled on the Gulliver from ikea (and got it used on craigslist for only 50 bucks). Saving the money on the crib meant we could spend a little more on the mattress. Even though our crib was very inexpensive it is built to European safety standards (which are stricter than US standards) and it is rock solid. I considered the jenny lind but the husband thinks it is too girly for a boy. I love that the gulliver is clean and modern and will last through all of our kids. I say go for the less expensive crib for sure!
Reneesays
Go for the cheap crib. I searched and searched for the right crib and loved it for the time I had it…that being said, I got bored with it. I sold it:) Now the next baby will have their own different one. I bought my last one cheap so I could do that if I wanted to! Also the stroller is the key…and baby carrier. But really your stroller is what is soooo important for a really long time! I transitioned to a big bed at 18 months so the crib is not around that long!!
Sorry I am late to the ;party, but I too agree, Jenny Lind all the way. MY sister used it for her two kids (the older version with the drop-side) and has since handed it down to me (I am 31 weeks now). Although I haven’t used it yet myself, I used it a lot when I watched her kids and it has held up beautifully. I painted mine gray (http://turning-the-tables.blogspot.com/2011/11/bringing-our-vision-to-life.html) and am SO happy with it. Also – one more alternative suggestion would be a more modern looking crib that has gotten GREAT reviews from people I know that have it. It is called the “Baby Mod Modena 3-in-1 Fixed-side Convertible Crib” (http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=Baby+Mod+-+Modena+3-in-1+Fixed+Side+Crib&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=5427). It comes in white, espresso, navy, and gray. It is definitely much more modern and straight-lined than the Jenny Lind, but could look really cool with stylish bedding and vintage touches surrounding it. Just thought I’d share 🙂 Happy crib hunting!
Ohhh I had a vintage white iron crib like RH for Rye and wish now I held onto it! Got the Jenny Lind for Ozzy for five bucks at a g-sale! Mike still has to paint it which will hopefully be soon (I’ll post it on the blog once he does) It was a drop down BUT we called evenflow and they sent a replacement kit to make it safe.
Sydni’s advise is good, the girl knows what she’s talking about 🙂
We also have the Gulliver crib in natural from Ikea and love it. Our 11month old bangs on it all the time and it’s held up perfectly so far. It also converts into a toddler bed. I would definitely say go with a less expensive crib and save your money for a fabulous stroller – you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to strollers.
I was going to hold out for a crib that will be available in January that would cost like $500-600, but realized that was INSANE! I got my second choice, the Jenny Lind crib in ebony and it is great. I did not put the wheels on it, as they (as the picture depicts) look really cheap.
I just could not justify that amount on a crib when the Jenny Lind was $150. Save your money for something fun—like all the little baby clothes you could buy with the money you saved!
I’ve got four kids and lots of friends with babies. We would all say go for the cheaper crib. Yes, the $850 one is a dream, but there are so many other things to buy, I wouldn’t sink all the dough into a fancy crib. The cheaper one will last just fine and you can take the money saved to dress up the rest of the nursery, buy a stroller, etc.
Jenny Lind for sure. Our Jenny Lind crib is 33 years old (yes it’s the unsafe one, but we screwed the drop down side to where it’s permanently in place). That said, my mom used it for my brother first, then me, my aunt used it for her two, and now I’ve used it for all three of my children and it’s held up beautifully. The Jenny Lind is built to last…and it’s so classic looking!
I have to say, I bought a less expensive crib around (maybe around $250ish?) and it has lasted. Do I LOVE it…NO…should I have splurged and gone for the one I really wanted…Maybe. BUT honestly, my kids don’t care that they aren’t in a several thousand dollar Bellini bedroom set…they love their bed and room just the same! Now strollers on the other hand…you get what you pay for! Spend the big bucks there!
I personally love our Jenny Lind. It was the crib siblings were raised in and I’ve been in love with the style since. I of course have a new version in white for my son who is currently 10 weeks old. The price was great, but I managed even better on Craigslist (new with a gently used PB mattress!). If purchased in white, it’s easy to refinish. I’d highly suggest it.
Having a baby is a lot like planning a wedding. The things that you think are such a big deal turn out to not be such a big deal. That being said I have 3 boys, I of course wanted a great nursery. I settled for a less expensive crib and it worked fine. You will find that the crib is not a huge deal, and you will be just as happy with the Jenny Lind. Now if you find the Restoration Hardware one for 150 BUY it, otherwise dont worry about it. As the commenter above said “Spend your money on the stroller” I could not agree more!! That thing is something that you will have a lot of time invested in make sure that it is a good one!! Hope this helps.
I have the Jenny Lind one (the older drop down version) and I absolutely love it. It has gone through 3 kids from birth-2 years and I have had no problems. I’m currently pregnant with my 4th and plan on using it for him or her also.
We took the wheels off of ours.
Good luck!! You still have time left so don’t settle. 🙂
I’d go with the Jenny Lind one. The crib I have and have used with both our babies is the same Jenny Lind crib that has been around for 27 years, went through all 4 of the kiddos in our family as well as a couple others from times my mom lent it out. Yes it has the drop side, but I actually love that feature, and it is still in great shape. I think it would last and hold up as long as you need it too, especially if you aren’t using it as a toddler bed as well.
Okay I say go with the cheaper one, it’s beautiful. I have 5 kids and the cheap cribs hold up great. I also agree with the stroller advice, get a good one.
Wow, you guys are so so awesome for your responses! Thank you!! I would definitely not everrrr pay even close to the original price of the RH one, but I am still going to wait around a litte to see if I can find it for a SUPER deal on craigslist. If not- then after all of your positive feedback about the Jenny Lind, I think that will be what we go with. I cannot believe that that crib has lasted some of you 6+ kids! So encouraging!! Thanks again
I really wanted an oeuf crib and scoured craigslist and ebay for months. We finally settled on the Gulliver from ikea (and got it used on craigslist for only 50 bucks). Saving the money on the crib meant we could spend a little more on the mattress. Even though our crib was very inexpensive it is built to European safety standards (which are stricter than US standards) and it is rock solid. I considered the jenny lind but the husband thinks it is too girly for a boy. I love that the gulliver is clean and modern and will last through all of our kids. I say go for the less expensive crib for sure!
Go for the cheap crib. I searched and searched for the right crib and loved it for the time I had it…that being said, I got bored with it. I sold it:) Now the next baby will have their own different one. I bought my last one cheap so I could do that if I wanted to! Also the stroller is the key…and baby carrier. But really your stroller is what is soooo important for a really long time! I transitioned to a big bed at 18 months so the crib is not around that long!!
Sorry I am late to the ;party, but I too agree, Jenny Lind all the way. MY sister used it for her two kids (the older version with the drop-side) and has since handed it down to me (I am 31 weeks now). Although I haven’t used it yet myself, I used it a lot when I watched her kids and it has held up beautifully. I painted mine gray (http://turning-the-tables.blogspot.com/2011/11/bringing-our-vision-to-life.html) and am SO happy with it.
Also – one more alternative suggestion would be a more modern looking crib that has gotten GREAT reviews from people I know that have it. It is called the “Baby Mod Modena 3-in-1 Fixed-side Convertible Crib” (http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=Baby+Mod+-+Modena+3-in-1+Fixed+Side+Crib&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=5427). It comes in white, espresso, navy, and gray. It is definitely much more modern and straight-lined than the Jenny Lind, but could look really cool with stylish bedding and vintage touches surrounding it. Just thought I’d share 🙂 Happy crib hunting!
Ohhh I had a vintage white iron crib like RH for Rye and wish now I held onto it! Got the Jenny Lind for Ozzy for five bucks at a g-sale! Mike still has to paint it which will hopefully be soon (I’ll post it on the blog once he does) It was a drop down BUT we called evenflow and they sent a replacement kit to make it safe.
Sydni’s advise is good, the girl knows what she’s talking about 🙂
We also have the Gulliver crib in natural from Ikea and love it. Our 11month old bangs on it all the time and it’s held up perfectly so far. It also converts into a toddler bed. I would definitely say go with a less expensive crib and save your money for a fabulous stroller – you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to strollers.