I've spent (some would say ridiculous amounts of) money on baby furniture in the past, like the crib we got from the Netto Collection. Sure it was expensive, but the nursery is still my favorite room in the house, and we've got at least another three years to enjoy it. I've also in the past decided to go with the more frugal option too. For a while I was really in love with the Nest high chairs from England, but with those Ikea chairs looking good (and a full decimal place and a half cheaper) I couldn't justify it.
But now this new baby is coming and I've got to figure out a place for him or her to sleep. When Madame was a newborn we just kept her in the Bugaboo bassinet and wheeled her around the house for her many naps. But she's still using her stroller, which means I need a new bassinet solution.
There are some really beautiful ones out there (two years ago all we had was Netto...), the newest being the Ooba "Nest Collection" bassinet (pictured). Sure, it's modern and will look great in my bedroom, but $500 for a piece that will only be used for two months? Not even I, the king of conspicuous consumption, can justify it.
But everything else that I've found are these frilly, lace-laden monstrosities. Look at the bassinet page from Target.com here. Even at $70, I just can't honestly bring myself to buy something that looks like it came out of some ten year old girl's Barbie Dream Nursery fantasy.
So what's the solution? I think what I'm going to do is borrow a frilly bassinet from a friend for a couple of months. That way the baby will have a place to sleep that's comfortable and nearby, Madame will get to keep riding in the Bugaboo and I won't have to spend money on something ugly.
And we'll keep the bedroom door closed.
Also on MDD: High (chair) decisions.
FYI: The Ooba bassinet later flips over and becomes a table or chair--most modern pieces have dual or more functionality than you think so you should always research/ask/check out the piece on the designer's website. It's actually quite a beautiful piece when it's not a bassinet.
Posted by: d.u.h. | March 26, 2007 at 11:12 AM
We almost made a run for it with the bassinet from the hospital. Molded clear acrylic, stainless wheeled stand with storage... what's not to like? Beats lace and navajo white from babies r us!
Posted by: bigpoppa | October 29, 2006 at 11:21 AM
We lucked out -- we have a vintage bassinet that my husband and all his siblings inherited from his dad. It is made out of that twisted paper, like Lloyd Loom. Heck, being from the early 1930s, it may very well BE Lloyd Loom! The design is very simple, straight and square, and it is not lined with fabric or embellished in any way. We repainted it creamy yellow (best contrast with white sheets we thought), and stuck new wheels from Lee Valley on it. Our baby stayed in it for 5 months, and we all loved it.
Like you, we intended to get the Netto crib (it had just come out), but in the end, we got a custom-painted Jenny Lind crib from Plain Jane. Apart from that, our purchases (and non-purchases) are eerily similar!!
Posted by: Monika | March 11, 2006 at 09:08 AM
Ooba bassinet is beautiful, and well worth it. Plus you can keep your bedroom doors open! I also like the height. Some of those little baskets keep baby too low on the floor which is not as nice.
Posted by: Kara | March 06, 2006 at 06:23 AM
we visited my boyfriend's sister and her newborn this weekend. she had one of those hideous babies-r-us bassinets, and not only that, but their mom made a ruffled skirt for it out of her wedding dress. yikes!
we're trying to get pregnant and now i'm completely horrified that someone might offer it to us. i don't want to offend my momma's boy fiancee, and i'm not a huge snob, nor can i afford the $500 beauty you posted, but man, that thing is fugly!
Posted by: dirtgirl | March 03, 2006 at 04:26 PM
Have you seen the Cariboo bassinets? If you are looking for something more modern looking, you might check them out.
Posted by: Erin | March 01, 2006 at 12:46 PM
Check out the Amby Baby Hammock -- Great alternative to a bassinet. It's portable, good for your baby, and doesn't look out of place next to your herman miller chairs.
www.ambybaby.com
Thanks for keeping the website up!
Cameron
Posted by: Cameron | March 01, 2006 at 12:45 AM