Guest writer Sherri Blum, Certified Interior Designer, Children’s Artist and celebrity nursery designer, shares nursery decorating and design advice in her article “10 Tips for Designing a Unique and Whimsical Nursery” .
{Image: Nursery Design by Sherri Blum.}
Baby is on her way and everyone is preparing for her arrival. But none, of course, has as much preparation ahead as the expectant parents. Creating a warm, safe environment is one of the greatest joys and responsibilities of parents-to-be.
In the past, children’s rooms were often an afterthought. Whatever hand-me-downs were available sufficed. But trends have changed. Terms like Feng Shui are household words as we realize the effects that our surroundings have on our well-being. Now, more than ever, parents are creating exceptional nurseries. So enjoy the process of preparing this nursery for your baby. Everyone is expecting to see the typical pink or blue. Instead, follow a few simple suggestions to create a chic nursery that will break the mold and have others talking!
- Decorate to please yourself. Baby has no opinion on the room’s design and won’t even begin to care about the theme until he is much older. By then, your little independent thinker will have his own ideas for his bedroom and will deserve to have the space reflect his personality and interests. I’m letting you “off the hook” from feeling committed to a traditional, babyish nursery.
- Rather than a predictable character theme, design a nursery in styles you might have throughout the rest of your home. Create a French nursery with vivid colors, toile fabric and a Louis XVI chair instead of a traditional rocking chair. Try an old world Italian look with golden color-washed walls, a black iron crib, and terra cotta accents. An Asian-inspired room with silk fabrics in deep colors and sleek dark wood-toned furnishings would provide the bold contrast of colors that appeal to infants and parents alike. Add bamboo shades and a few well chosen accessories and you have a serene, very sophisticated room. Citrus colors are hot this year. Pair aqua with orange and add brown accents for a modern twist.
- Have fun with furniture. Painted furniture is popular and available in a rainbow of unique color choices. An armoire is a dramatic, yet versatile option for a changing station. When no longer necessary, the changing pad can be removed and the armoire can hold a television, computer, or clothes. Consider built-in shelves and window seats for great storage as well as a custom look that will always serve you well.
- Mix luxurious textures. A baby might not see colors well at first, but his sense of touch is up to adult levels from birth. Babies enjoy a variety of textures such as silk and chenille. Use these throughout the nursery for their tactile and visual appeal.
- Give the ceiling some attention. A baby spends most of her time on her back looking at the ceiling. A decorative paint finish will last many years and will be interesting for a child. At the very least paint the ceiling something other than white.
- Add a chandelier for ambiance. Lighting companies are catering to children’s design and are creating chandeliers with whimsical colors and characters to coordinate with bedding. When placed on a dimmer switch this fun light can be very useful for checking on a sleeping baby.
- Use your closet in a unique way. Most of baby’s tiny clothes can be kept in a dresser. So consider removing closet doors and hanging fabric panels instead. Paint the interior of your closet in an accent color to make it stand out. Transform it to a reading nook or puppet theatre and later to a computer or homework station simply by altering the space within.
- Window treatments should be functional and beautiful. Accomplish both by using a roman or balloon shade in a fabric that coordinates with your bedding. The shade blocks sunlight when extended, and is a decorative treatment when lifted. Or customize a crown shaped, painted wooden valance to top off a pair of luxurious curtain panels for an opulent look.
- Accessories are the least expensive element and yet are necessary to complete the room! Choose artwork that touches you. It doesn’t need to be childish, just interesting and well placed. Consider a large wall hanging such as those in my own line, Sherri Blum Designs. Measuring 3’x2’, they make a great substitute for a mural, are large enough to make a grand statement, yet versatile in that they can be moved to another room or stored for future generations to enjoy. Monograms are hot. Paint one on the wall or headboard of a crib. And don’t forget an area rug. A well placed rug makes an inviting spot for story time or playtime and helps to bring some color to the otherwise plain floor space.
- Most importantly, have fun. Think outside of the box. Parents spend nearly as much time in the nursery as their babies and therefore should be proud of this special place they’ve prepared for their little one.
About The Decorating Diva.com’s Guest Writer:
Sherri Blum, CID is the owner of Jack and Jill Interiors, a nursery design company that focuses on creating unique and functional children’s spaces. Her clients range from those looking to create a nice nursery on a strict budget, to celebrity clients who want something extravagant.
Decorating for children led Sherri to the creation of her own brand of children’s decor, Sherri Blum Designs which offers products such as wall art, rugs, bedding, clocks and more. These products can be found in specialty boutiques both in the US and abroad.
