Designers say it all the time; kids’ rooms are their favorite to create. There is an amount of creative license that comes with designing a space for children that you just don’t have with other rooms in the home. Any time I’m asked to design for a pint-sized client, I jump at the chance. I also jump (and squeal and cry) when I am told my niece and her husband are expecting their first baby, it’s a girl, and they want me to design the nursery! This project was special for me because my niece was the first grandchild in our family and this baby is the first great-grandchild (my first great-niece). I considered it an honor to use my passion for design to create a peaceful, comfortable, and stylish space to welcome this next generation of our family. [Update: Baby River Renee has arrived and is healthy, happy, and loving her new digs!]
Project River Renee (all photos by: Life Created)
I knew my niece and her husband loved Scandinavian style and preferred a minimal, tone-on-tone aesthetic, so that really gave me a head start on understanding what direction to take the design; gender-neutral, textural, unique, and minimal. Their budget and timeline for this space were minimal as well, so we got creative and resourceful, utilizing my favorite concept of the high-low mix in order to achieve the dream space my niece desired.
When we couldn’t find a new dresser that they loved, we sourced an amazing collector’s edition dresser from Craigslist that added loads of texture and interest (it ended up being worth a lot more than what they paid for it!).
A live tree was a must in this nursery design because my niece’s husband is something of a tree expert and instilling a love of nature in their daughter from the beginning is very important to them.
A few of my niece’s favorite elements in the room were the subdued, textural pillows, the striking Mother and Child art, and these ceramic bells on the wall, while my favorite items were the mid-century modern crib and the vintage rattan rocking horse I picked up in Nashville. My niece and I both love antique stores and vintage items, and I hope this little one will grow up to appreciate those things as well.
The rug was the final layer to be added, and it pulled the whole design together beautifully. My niece’s Weimaraner seemed to love this final addition.
Everything in this design, from the crib to the rocker to the dresser to the rug, can be reused for any kids they have in the future, regardless of gender, and several items can be used throughout the home when they are done being used for babies. This element of re-usability was a must for these new parents.
Designing this nursery was an expression of love from my heart to this sweet, growing family who has seen their share of challenges as they navigate life together. I wanted to give my niece a haven of rest, my great-niece a new, clean, safe place to start life, and the three of them together a beautiful space to be able to bond and make memories. I think we achieved that!
Other Product Sources:
White Drapes: Ikea Lejongap
Dresser: Vintage
Rug: Home Goods (I’ve linked some similar ones)
Bamboo Blinds: Lowe’s
Mustard Striped Pom Pom Blanket: Atelier Buffo
Artwork Above Crib: Chaos and Wonder shop on Etsy
Pompom and Striped Pillows: Linen and Stripes shop on Etsy
Blue-Gray Lamp on Dresser: Home Goods
Acrylic Frame: Highland Hardware shop on Etsy
Basket for Tree: Home Goods but similar ones are at World Market
Ottoman: Wayfair
Rockinghorse: Vintage (Similar One on One Kings Lane)
So classically beautiful and timeless! Great job.
Thank you so much Carole! This was so fun for me and so special!
Just beautiful! Love the minimalist feel and yet still cozy!!
Thank you Karen! That was exactly the feel I was trying to create for this sweet family! Minimal can be cozy for sure.
Maryann, you ROCKED this nursery (and first post). Such a fabulous space. Love it all!
~Marissa
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words and your visit to my blog!
I’m so excited to follow your blog! You are so talented and I can hardly wait to see more of the spaces you create!
I’m excited for you to follow my blog Amanda! Thank you for the kind words and the enthusiasm!
YOU NAILED IT!!! I love so many of the details in this nursery – those ceramic bells were unique + fun. And I especially love the re-usable aspect and being able to use a lot of these elements ANYWHERE in the house. Bravo!
Thanks so much Tana! I’m discovering how important the element of multi-purpose and re-usability is to millenials. I think it’s fantastic and it’s how I have operated for a very long time so it was easy to incorporate that. Thanks for everything!!
Marynn this nursery is absolutely gorgeous! That vintage dresser was a real find!
-Laura
Thank you Laura! Yes it was. My niece and I were both jumping for joy when we found this and that it was a collector’s edition! My niece and her husband are true millennials and LOVE reusing things and collecting vintage furniture.
I absolutely love the minimalism, and every single detail!
Thank you Christina! I love the minimalism too because it’s not my usual style. I love to create spaces in every different type of style so I had fun with this one.
Wow! You did such an amazing job at transforming this into a nursery that fits their style! I’m loving every part of it.
Thank you so much Jackie! It’s always my goal to create spaces unique to my clients and my niece and her husband were no exception. It was fun!
What a beautifully designed space!
Thank you Karan! I enjoyed creating this little space for my great-niece!
Wow what a beautiful design, you are so talented! The nursery turned out so sweet! Just love your blog…good luck on your new adventure!
Thank you so much! I love what I do and I’m excited to blog about it all!
Beautiful! I love the simple elegance of the room; perfect and soothing!
Hi!!! Thanks for reading my first post and commenting! Alyssa kept texting me after I left, saying “This is my favorite room. I just love this room.” That was my goal!
How cool is that…to have your daughter design your first great granddaughter’s nursery! Marynn these pictures are stunning but the creative mind behind the design just blows me away! Proud to say you are my daughter! Keep dreaming and reaching for the stars…the world is in for a beautiful treat! I love you. Mom
You are the sweetest mom! And thank you for leaving my very first comment! It was fun and so special to design River’s nursery, and yes, pretty cool that your daughter designed your great-granddaughter’s room! Love you!!