This room reveal is about 4 months later than I wanted, but the pandemic threw a wrench in many of my home decor plans. Nonetheless, I’m so excited to show you guys the safari themed nursery we designed for our son!
Choosing a safari theme for this nursery design goes beyond animals or the fact that Kenya is known for its safaris. My name means “safe journey” in Igbo, and safari is the Swahili word for journey, so a safari themed nursery was the perfect blend of both of our cultures and cultural meanings. I’m a huge believer that life is more about the journey than the destination, so being able to pass that belief system to my son in a small way at such a young age was important to me. My baby shower was also safari themed so I’ve been thinking about this concept for a while!
Now before we get into the reveal, here’s what this room looked like at the beginning of the year (more pictures here).
And here was my mood board for the room — I make one for every room I design in the house!

Drumroll… or should I say an elephant trumpet?! Here’s what the safari themed nursery looks like now!
If you watched my YouTube video, you already know that my favorite part of this room is the wallpaper. The room was just kind of ok without it, but the wallpaper really brought it to LIFE. I think I’ve caught the wallpaper bug, even though it’s way more expensive than paint. I have so many ideas about other spaces to wallpaper!
The only things I don’t love about this room are the lack of light and the scale of the floor lampshade. It’s definitely the darkest room in the apartment with only one window, so to get extra light we need to keep the bathroom door open. As for the lampshade, I really wanted it to match the fabric we used for the bassinet (which was also used for my maternity shoot), and Bespoke Binny sells a virtual lamp making kit + class so I thought it’d be the perfect DIY project. I didn’t double check the size of the lamp before purchasing, and it’s definitely too small to serve as a floor lampshade. I might get a table lamp base and move the lamp to the dresser/changing table, but it would purely be for decoration because we never really need a light there.
Otherwise, I’m really happy with how this safari themed nursery turned out! What’s your favorite part?

Sources
Crib – Babyletto
Dresser – Tira Studio
Reclining chair – Furniture Palace
Rug – Target
Wallpaper – York Wall Coverings (available at Anthropologie & Home Depot, but I bought it from Wallpaper Warehouse)
Signed ultrasound – Gifted
Ultrasound triptych – buybuy Baby
Kiss me goodnight elephant – Amazon
Animal gallery wall – Plush Interiors Kenya
Elephant wallhanging – Photowall
Framed elephant – Gray Malin (repurposed from our old office)
Mobile – gifted, but from Amani Ya Juu
Straw Elephant – Target
Felt letterboard – buybuy Baby
Diaper caddy – buybuy Baby
Play gym – Lovevery
Bassinet – Toto Care Box
Lamp base – Wasp & Sprout
Lampshade – DIY, using kit from Bespoke Binny
Well done Ijeoma! This is really beautiful x
Thank you!
Well done????????. Couldn’t help but notice the woke baby book on the shelf ?. Love it?.
Me too ?
It’s such a cute little book!
My fav thing/part has to be the neutral theme or lack of screaming colors . The subtle hues on the shelf are so tastefully placed, am SOLD! Cant wait to shop and do my son’s once I buy that hse ?
I love neutrals so wanted it for the room as well!
My favourite part is the bookshelf but the source isn’t listed. The room is amazing overall but the shelf sealed the deal for me.
Sorry, it was from Ikea!