Design Tips:
| Perfect Miniatures Creating a Nursery that Grows and Lets Grow By Olga Adler A nursery is a baby’s first room, the first space where she can feel at home, in her own element. I call nurseries “perfect miniatures” because I believe that in every respect they should be as beautiful and practical as adult rooms. There are certain elements of design that you need to consider as you are getting ready to create your baby’s first room. Space Planning and Furniture Every nursery has several “must haves.” Among these are: a crib, changing table, dressing area with chest of drawers or armoire, side table and an arm chair. Try not to clutter a nursery too much. You want to leave as much floor space empty as possible for baby to crawl and explore. The changing table ideally should be close to the door so you can easily pop in and out of the room for diaper changing. It is the easiest if the changing and dressing areas are close to the crib. It is good to have all the cleansers, balms and clean diapers easily accessible - a shelf installed above the changing area is definitely the best solution. Instead of choosing a changing table I tend to go for a dresser with a changing topper. When the diaper changing days are over, you simply remove the topper and can use the top surface for display. Safety The crib is definitely the most important element of every nursery. When choosing a spot for it, make sure that is not too close to windows, radiators or AC vents. Make sure that a baby, who will be able to stand up in her crib sooner than you expect, can’t reach shades’ pulls or draperies. The cordless lift system is the best solution. Every nursery can use a baby monitor so you can hear the little voice wherever you are. A smoke detector is a must in every bedroom but especially in a nursery. Today’s acrylic paints are safe for babies’ rooms, and I prefer paint to wallpaper. It is easier to maintain or change if you want to alter the décor. When choosing paint make sure it is baby- friendly, water-based and odorless. Style. Theme. Color. After space planning and safety issues are tackled, it is time for the most exciting decision – what style should the nursery be? Should there be a theme? Should its décor complement the style the rest of the house? Some people still believe that girl’s room should be pink and boy’s should go nowhere except for blue. What a cliché! Not only is gender stereotyping limiting, but some even believe it is harmful to kids’ development. Think outside the box. How about a nursery in robin’s egg blue, chocolate brown and beige? Or blue, green and white? How refreshing. Can a nursery be stylish? Yes! Original? You bet! Think twice before choosing a theme, especially if it comes from a TV cartoon. Disney- inspired rooms are so over! Think of something more original. I love using a jungle animal or botanical theme. I know a child who could name 30 or so different kinds of birds by the time she was 2 – all because of the ornithological theme that was chosen for her room. How great is that? You may also go very neutral, creating décor that will have a longer life span. Choose beautiful plaid, toile or stripes in your favorite colors – mix and coordinate just as you would for your own bedroom. Using a neutral background now will allow you to incorporate more style specific elements later when your child develops specific interests. Lighting General lighting is very important in a nursery, and recessed lights are just about the best solution out there. Make sure dimmers are installed so you can regulate the intensity of light throughout the day. Ambient and task lighting is as important -- make sure there is a table lamp on a side table and that the changing and dressing areas are well lit – wall sconces are the best option. When installing lamps or plug-in sconces, make sure that baby can’t reach the cords or plugs. Flooring Hardwood floor is the best choice for a nursery. If properly sealed with polyurethane, it cleans easily and is kind to baby’s feet and knees, especially of you choose a medium- shine finish. A cozy area rug in the middle of the room will complete the perfect background for her crawling and walking experience. Wall-to-wall carpeting, once considered de rigeur for nurseries, is still a valid option. Soft carpeting gives extra warmth and can add to the coziness. When choosing a carpet, make sure it is stain- and mildew-resistant as you just know there will be lots of stuff spilled on it over time. Accessories Some of my favorite accessories are customized lamp shades, picture frames and mobiles. Monogrammed bedding, rugs and throw pillows are nice touches as well. Nurseries should be beautiful, functional and safe for you and your baby to enjoy a happy and peaceful time together. Decorating a nursery, creating this perfect little world for a baby can be one of the most exciting moments of parenthood. Have fun with it! And Happy Holidays! Olga Adler is an interior designer with a design studio in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Her company Olga Adler Interiors is dedicated to lifestyle driven design. You can email your questions or comments to: olga@olgaadlerinteriors.com. |
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December 2006
