When the design process began for Lakestone this bedroom was designated as a tranquil guest retreat. In order to make room for baby number 4 this guest bedroom on the main level of our house became a clear winner for a variety of functional reasons. Many influential design elements existed in the room from its inception as a guest bedroom. The first layer in designing the guest bedroom was papering the walls in Pierre-Frey’s Pommes de Pin (Dune) and painting the trim and doors in Benjamin Moore Buxton Blue. As fate would have it, this combination became the perfect pairing for a baby boy nursery. The next component was the blackout lined woven wood shades from Budget Blinds, which we couldn’t go without especially for a nursery. Budget Blinds fabricated the final layer of pure white cotton cornices and drapery panels accented with Stout Ticonderoga (61) as the band fabric, Stout Topeka (9 Bamboo) tape trim and Stout Jumble (4 Ink) leading edge fringe. These fabulous industry partners were a great foundation to build upon as we transitioned into concept creation for my fourth child.
One constant in all of my design work is the incorporation of items both old and new. Each of my children have slept in the same crib. It has been so special to me over the years as I’ve been able to incorporate this piece into a unique design for each of their nurseries.
Having the opportunity to showcase my favorite industry partners in my home is a joy and this space was no stranger to the best that our industry has to offer. Not only do I get to experience the quality and craftsmanship of these products firsthand, I am also able to find creative ways to bring my personal touch to each. My designs always use a variety of manufacturers, with a mix of vintage, and so no two projects will ever look the same.
Prior to this space transforming into a nursery, the guest bedroom included a king size bed to balance out the room’s larger size. Because of the massive space, I chose to include a daybed in this nursery which also offers a sense of comfort and rest for mom and baby. One of the most exciting pieces in the nursery is ducduc’s Indi Platform Bed, a simple, easy to assemble, and modern solution that can seamlessly blend into any design style.
“After selecting this platform daybed, I designed a waterfall hem cover with oversized bolsters to make the daybed feel more like a sofa than a daybed without losing the flexibility and functionality of providing a place to sleep for the tired parent or caregiver. To add to my maximalist design style, I chose the same Cowtan & Tout Kali Check (J875F-02) fabric from the daybed cover and carried that fabric into a custom crib skirt, creating visual balance across the room resulting in a more is more approach.”
For Fielding’s nursery, I leaned into the modern, minimalist aesthetic of the crib by including more wonderful ducduc pieces including the Juno 4 Dresser. ducduc is a beloved American-made baby and kids furniture line that creates high quality, durable and non-toxic pieces. Parents do not have to compromise on design and functionality to create a safe space for their children. ducduc offers a great solution that doubles as a changing table that arrives quickly, flat packed and easy to assemble. I built this piece myself in less than an hour. We always encourage clients to purchase nursery furniture that can grow with a child. This dresser is one of those pieces that can transform with a space over time. It’s simple design allows for maximum organization to serve as a diaper changing station with removable tray top as well as holding all of your treasured newborn pieces.
To balance these modern touches, I sourced a vintage wood and rattan bookcase as well as a vintage wicker side table with a scalloped profile. These key pieces led the way for layers that brought character and whimsy to the space. Sourcing new and exciting products across the industry is something I love, leaving no stone unturned. During my search, I came across Annie Selke’s geometric Safety Net Rug (Green), designed by Kit Kemp who is a major source of inspiration for my design work, that perfectly complemented the Pierre Frey wallpaper and helped tie these various components together. While design elements such as texture, color, size and shape play an important role in choosing a rug, knowing the inevitable wear and tear of the space means carefully considering the material composition of the rug. A rug composed of synthetic materials is less resilient, whereas a primarily wool rug is much more durable and is definitely needed in a child’s room.
“These choices in a nursery are just as much about function as they are aesthetics. In designing nurseries for our clients, it’s always function first. Identifying the right tools and design solutions to streamline the messiness of parenthood while offering more time and space to bond, play and enjoy your baby is important to our design process.”
Any good nursery needs an upholstered motion chair. Not only to soothe the baby, but to keep caregivers comfortable during those late night feedings. When I came across Cowtan & Tout’s Indian Summer (JW10F-01) fabric designed by Jane Churchill, I knew I had to find a place for it in my nursery. The structure of the pattern works perfectly on this swivel glider.
Once major design decisions are in place, I fold in the final layer of detail – art, vintage finds, and bookshelf styling. These components truly bring the space to life and give a room the lived in look we seek to achieve on all projects. A favorite part of the design process is selecting art and overseeing custom framing. I commissioned a collage from Clarence Deaton and encased her colorful creation in a lucite box for the focal wall above the crib. I was able to style a green mini Alexis Walter canvas which carried over more green from the rug to the bookcase, balancing out the blue and tying all the aspects together. You’ll also find a local Raleigh artist, Ellen Hathway above the changing table and the most adorable vintage Irish bookplates of popular nursery rhymes.
