This project was small but had a lot of details and moving parts. When designing a Nursery or a child’s room many people have a tendency to over-design, tipping into a “theme park” room that’s neither restful nor practical.

This room’s story (baby jungle animals) was originally inspired by a giraffe stuffy. We took that as a jumping-off point and we wanted to create a natural environment that would be a peaceful respite for bonding time between the parents and the baby. We opted for soft white walls and ceiling to keep the room grounded and calm. Too often people use large murals and bright colors that overstimulate the senses and then wonder why a child is restless and the parents are harried.

We decided that the inspiration and boldest design element would be the rug. I found the perfect RuggableJungle Safari rug as our anchor piece. This piece also provided a color palette for other soft goods and accessories. The Client had found baby animal prints and we opted for just 3 to use on one wall. All of the pieces in this space were selected according to the function of the space, keeping in mind how that will change as the child gets older. While it’s not likely that the child will occupy this room his whole life, it was also important to give thought to how adaptable the main pieces would be in another house. Often parents will purchase pieces that are only usable up to preschool, but these parents wanted to invest in heirloom pieces that the child could even take with him when he leaves home, should he desire to do so.

We discussed lighting in detail. It was important to have mostly low-key ambient lighting. The fiddle leaf fig tree was wrapped in twinkle lights to provide a “night light” and the table lamp was the only other lighting that was deemed important at this time. These mild lighting options, along with the blackout curtains, will create a serene and cozy space for mom/dad and baby for his first year. Although once he is crawling we will modify some things to make the space safer for a toddler.

The parents opted for mid-tone wood finishes for the main pieces from Pottery Barn. They weren’t all from the same collection, but they opted for the same finish. That way, it doesn’t look so much like a furniture store display as a curated set with different textures. While the bulk of the furnishings were new purchases we did reuse a bamboo bookcase that had been in another room to store the child’s books and a few toys. We included other finishes and textures to give the room more interest and three-dimensionality. The bed is a 4-in-1 that will later convert to a junior bed and then to a double bed. The oversized dresser has a changing table topper that will be removed when they no longer need it. We also purchased a bedside table to use later since they loved the style. So this room will go from newborn to middle school and beyond by simply converting the main pieces and updating age-appropriate art/accessories.

If you need help with your design project, whether large or small, please contact me HERE. I am happy to answer any questions you have or explain the process and options for your project. I do both residential and commercial design.