Here's how my relationship with a garden center works: an on-site consultation is $75 (split with the nursery) which is applied towards any installation work they do with the nursery. This is a really important thing, because I've learned that you get a LOT of tire kickers and brain pickers through a nursery. I had one woman want me to come out and tell her where to place the two flats of annuals she bought with a Groupon and she was FURIOUS that there was a charge to come out. Seriously. That consultation buys you my eyes and a conversation. I use my judgement; if it's a small, quick planting screen or something I'll figure it out on the spot and quote it out, but anything more involved I don't draw a thing without a design fee. Once I sell an install the nursery then pays me a percentage for the sale and to manage the install. Usually that involves laying the job out and talking through the plan with the guys, although there have been more complex jobs. And there was the time I got to stand in the November rain with the crew, the homeowner, and the fire department after someone slammed a pick through a gasline. The bottom line is they're providing you with a lead source, which is great. Just don't forget that you're providing them with an opportunity to get a lot more exposure and sales. Get paid.

Roo, I recently went to our local decorator showhouse and they had a room with a car theme so here are some ideas: The neatest thing I saw was an oval mirror with a black frame with matchbox cars glued to the frame to look like a racetrack. They also had valances and a bedskirt made from pices of (what looked like) felt with pictures of various license plates. It looked like they used photo print material and ironed it onto the pieces of felt. They had a seat from the back of a van as seating (it was kind of neat, and kind of odd simultaneously - if that makes sense.) They also had 1 wall covered in maps as the theme had a travel element to it as well. I know these are not exactly baby oriented but if you decide to go with cars, the ideas might get you thinking. I do think the oval mirror was so cute and could be cheap and easy and would be okay for a baby too. Pam

I can't find another source for the image, Houzz is not allowing me to upload pic Any way-. The bed wall is a sky blue wall with wide 6-7 inch white stripes. The other three walls are a creamy color that is three shades lighter than the beige carpeting. Basically, the similar tones of the three walls and the floor lessen the contrast and make the space feel larger. The room is accented with a dark blue dresser and the drapes hung to the ceiling are white with dark blue wavy trellis pattern. The bed is flanked by two white nightstands/ chests. White bedding with pale blue with white floral pillows and a navy accents pillow, and med blue and white wide striped sheet.

I assume that's peel and stick? Hope so...I did DDs room in birch tree and owl decals, and she recently announced that she doesn't like owls and wants a princess room (she's 4). It's great (so were the owls) but you never know what your kid will like in 4 years so make sure it's easily removable! :D I would ask for a sample and take it to the store/ compare with some paint chips so you know it will match. The background looks off white, so if you pick the wrong undertone in your paint it might look funky.