design kits
neutral nursery (mid-century & colourful) (USA clients)
Welcome to your design kit! I loved working on your home and I think I’ve come up with the perfect solution for your space, based on the photos and comments you’ve given me as we’ve gone through. This custom Design Kit has all the information you should need to finish off your space, including a floor plan, colour palette, moodboard, furniture choices and more! And remember, you don’t need to feel limited by the ideas here. If you love them, go ahead and use them all! Or, simply use these as suggestions to help guide and inform your own decisions. Now, let’s take a closer look at your existing space and your style!
You have asked me to re-design your office and storage space into a bright and cheerful nursery for the newest addition to your family. While I’m working with the existing carpet and shelving, I’ve suggested a new wall colour for you. We are also keeping the antique green chest of drawers, and incorporating that into your modern mid-century aesthetic.
What we want to work on 1
Colour Scheme. You currently have the room painted in a charcoal grey. While this can look fantastic, it is a dark colour for a nursery and such a small space so I’ve suggested painting the room a fresh white instead. I’ve also suggested some fun accent colours which are gender neutral, and work with your existing chest of drawers.
2
Layout. You have a tricky space to work with due to the angled walls and built-in furniture. I’ve suggested a layout for you that should work well and give you space for changing the baby, as well as a feeding spot with a comfortable chair and place to put your feet up!
3
Accessories & Design. At the moment we’re working with a blank slate! I’ve tried to incorporate the mid-century style I see in your living space, with youthful and colourful touches suitable for a baby.
The colour scheme The colour scheme I’m working uses with lots of neutrals, particularly a fresh clean white. However to tie in your dresser I’ve added a soft apple green, and pops of red to brighten it up. Many of the pieces incorporate a mix of cheerful colours though, so the room doesn’t feel over designed. To bring in your modernist aesthetic I’ve also used organic materials like wicker, and light timber tones to keep the room fresh and clean. These light beige colours should also tie your existing carpet into the design. I would suggest painting the walls in Dulux Vivid White to give you a clean bright blank slate.
I would describe your style as eclectic, relaxed with a leaning toward the mid-century modern aesthetic. Although in your own home you appear to gravitate toward darker, bolder colours the images you had chosen for the nursery tended to be bright, white and clean. In your space I saw elements of natural materials such as timber, and have incorporated these into the design using lighter tones to keep it feeling fresh and bright. You have an eclectic approach to colour, incorporating pieces you love rather than sticking to a theme or style.
A large pendant provides a focal point in a simple space while built-in shelves provide storage for toys and books.
A neutral nursery doesn’t have to
feel boring. Splashes of colours and lots of texture will keep it interesting.
IMAGE SOURCES: LEFT - Interiors Magazine (top); designed by Sami Wall (left) and featured in Domino Magazine (right). ABOVE: Mark Lund Photography (top) and Design Sponge (bottom).
The Large Pieces The only piece you already own is the antique dresser. To make it multi-task in a small space, I would suggest adding a changing pad to the top so you have a changing table in the room, as well as the storage it provides.
The most important element in a nursery must be the cot. You had already looked at the Gulliver cot from Ikea, and I agree wholeheartedly with your choice. This cot has simple modern lines, while the bright white colour is perfect for your style. It is a great piece, especially for such a reasonable price.
With such a small room, it’s difficult to fit a traditional armchair. However, it is nice to have a comfortable seating option in a nursery so I’ve suggested the Eames rocker in white. While these rockers are extremely comfortable, they also have a modern look perfect for your style.
While you’re painting the walls and ceiling in Dulux Vivid White, I would also paint the bookshelves, and built-in desk. Having a consistent colour throughout, will avoid highlighting some architectural oddities like the bulkhead above your bookshelf. Painting the shelves white, as well as the walls, will also help to lighten the room up a lot.
Accent Pieces & Lighting I think this Ikea pendant is a great piece for your nursery. Its simple shape is neutral and modern which means it will work with whatever decor style you choose in the future. The wicker design brings an organic element into the room, and also ties in with the soft tones of the carpet, and the baskets you already have on your shelves.
I really like the idea of a small round rug at the far end of the room to provide a bright spot of colour, but also to create a ‘sitting area’ for you. A round rug adds a softer line to the space to the angled room. This colourful felt option is gorgeous, and incorporates the soft green of your dresser with many other colours, letting you mix and match your decor as much as you like.
I wanted to incorporate a soft ottoman into the space to give you a place to put your feet up. When you aren’t using it, it can be easily tucked under the built-in desk so you aren’t taking up floor space. I love these colourful Argentinean ottomans available on Etsy; they are quirky and cheerful and a little bit different to the Moroccan ottomans you see everywhere these days.
Wall Decor & Window Treatments I incorporated this simple white mirror above the dresser in order to help bounce some more light around the room. In a small space with relatively small windows, a large mirror like this will help the space feel much larger and brighter.
For the small wall above the built-in desk I wanted to add a few colourful prints. Here, I’ve suggested some cute images in green and red but Etsy has many options in any colours you like. I’ve framed these in Ikea Ribba frames in the light timber colour, to tie in with your basket and pendant light.
To keep the room simple and not too fussy feeling (particularly with a fabric canopy over the cot) I would avoid using curtains. Since the room faces the street and you want privacy, I would suggest one of two options for the main window. The first is to use a spray to make the window appear frosted. This is affordable, and would mean both windows match! You could then add a simple white block out blind for additional light blocking properties. If you still want the option of having the glass clear, I would suggest a blind with both a block out fabric, and a sheer white fabric. This gives you the best of both privacy and light blocking.
Bedding I’ve kept the bed are simple, colourful and practical, with a pretty canopy and a patterned sheet set.
The Ikea Canopy is cheerful and pretty and works well with your colour scheme. If you did feel a bit crafty though, here are a couple of other canopies that others have made (click on the picture to view the tutorial).
Ikea sells sheet sets to fit their cots but while a great price, none of the designs jumped out at me. Instead, I’ve suggested this handmade option from Etsy. Not only are you supporting an Aussie owner but the pattern is adorable!
Accessories
(Built-in Shelves)
The bookshelves will give you plenty of storage for not only children’s books, but also clothing, bedding, nappies and toys. Since I’m sure you’ll collect plenty of cute toys and accessories I’m just going to suggest a few ideas on styling it so the space looks its best!
Since you need these shelves to be as practical as possible, some closed storage options will be your best friend. I noticed you already have some storage baskets from Ikea. I would add some more and use these along the bottom of the shelves to keep clothes, shoes, nappies and other toiletries.
1) , to keep it from looking too busy. With your room, use neutrals like white, cream and beige with pops of colour from your art and the rug. 2) . Leaving some space between the objects and books gives the arrangement room to ‘breathe’ and keeps the look modern and not too fussy. . In a children’s room I would use mostly toys and accessories with just a few 3) books. The key is to get a variety of shapes and heights on the shelf. 4) These bookshelves are the perfect place to bring in some more personal touches Try a small framed family photograph leaning against the wall.
design kits
now the practical things (shopping & layout) (USA clients)
Using the awkward corner created by the built-in desk for a reading, playing and sitting corner makes the best use of the space. The desk can act as a side table, while you have plenty of storage on the shelves. This leaves the rest of the room for the cot, and the dresser/change table.
The Layout
Small prints
Mirror over dresser
Canopy
Shopping list Gulliver Cot $249 Ikea
Replica Eames Rocker $99 ($118 incl. postage) Matt Blatt
Boja Pendant $129 Ikea
Blinx Floor Rug $229 Freedom
Hemnes Mirror in White $99 Ikea
Shopping list Fabler Bed Canopy $29.99 Ikea
Nanduti Pouffe $160.80 incl postage Etsy Seller Sole Cox
Apple Screen Print $38.22 incl postage Etsy Seller sassandperil
Snail Print $37.22 Etsy Seller lulufroot
Cot Sheets $90.20 Etsy Seller Bugaloo Basics
Shopping list White Knights Glass Frosting Bunnings or other hardware stores.
Day / Night Blind From $120 Bunnings. But also try Pillowtalk, Spotlight or Kmart for similar.