In the Nursery

We are so excited to announce that Kristin and her husband, Josh are expecting a baby, (#2) this Fall - and with that joyful anticipation, comes the fun and rewarding experience of designing a nursery.

The nursery serves a variety of roles - as a place for sleeping, changing, feeding, and playing- and functionality aside, the aesthetic should boast an inspiring, comfortable, and calming atmosphere, not only for the baby, but for the parents as well.

Stone Textile Studio

With all the stylish nursery products available today, a baby’s nursery no longer has to be the tired and traditional, pastel-colored affair. With the rise of gender neutral nurseries, it seems a lot of people are feeling a bit more daring with their color combinations and style aesthetic. We’re seeing modern baby nurseries that take a more sophisticated approach- sweet, but not too themed or juvenile - and chic spaces that feel more like an extension of the home in which the baby can grow into and the design-conscious adult can appreciate.

To help all the new mamas and papas think outside the box when it comes to creating a living and sleeping space for the little ones, we’re sharing unique inspiration photos from the Nursery world along with a Q&A for Kristin’s most favored pinned and purchased nursery items.

Chango & Co, East Hampton Residence

What is one thing that you would tell other parents to consider when starting their own nursery design project? Ideally, this will be a place for kids to grow into. As much fun and sweet as all the baby furniture, patterns and color palettes may be, this time does pass quickly (and through many sleepless nights). When we begin a new nursery or kid’s space, we think about color palettes, furniture and patterns that will be inspiring to these young minds for years to come.

Shay Mitchell’s LA Oasis, Chad Wood

Any Nursery must-haves you find yourself using over and over again? (product or decor suggestions) An assortment of lighting so you can have softer light for reading or rest time (think sconces, table lamps and little table top animal lights help set the mood), black out window treatments, lots of various storage options, including baskets, shelves, and closed storage too. Natural fiber textiles for rugs and upholstery are key, since there will be lots of mess in a new parent’s future! Although it may seem unusual, we like to suggest darker upholstery too - think maintenance and longevity!

Nate Berkus & Jeremiah Brent

How can you best plan a nursery to transition well into a big kid space? Finding a playful, yet sophisticated pattern to build the room around is a great starting point. We were surprised by the sex of our kids, so a more gender neutral color palette was in the cards for us, and I think this helps a space evolve with more ease for incorporating new pieces down the road. In my daughter’s room we used Hunt Slonem’s black and white bunny fabric by Lee Jofa for window treatments paired with Benjamin Moore Mountain Laurel on the walls. We warmed up the space with wood, and lots of other neutral black, white and grey fabrics. The space has evolved over the past three and half years and she still loves the playful nature of those bunnies.

Ada Modern Classic, Jean Stoffer Design

For big kid spaces, how do you suggest including your child’s likes and preferences while still keeping the design elevated? We think it's essential for all of our clients to have a voice, even the smallest ones. Once we land on a design direction approved by parents, we like to bring in the kids so they can interact and engage with our options, and feel like they’re part of the process. As children grow, their collections, tastes and needs change, so we try to develop space for custom storage solutions or art installations that will capture their growing interests. We are currently designing a home for a family with three young daughters and are incorporating Ruth Bader Ginsberg quotes in their rooms. This is perhaps one of the most inspirational design contributions we’ve made and it's so exciting! When we landed on this with our clients, we all had chills. Having the privilege of contributing to the spaces that will define young minds is such a gift, and we are grateful for it!