We were so thrilled when we got the call to design a sweet little baby boy's nursery in Alexandria, Virginia. The parents-to-be were busy professionals who did not want the hassle in the lead-up to giving birth of having to think about, let alone carry out, pulling together their nursery. This was perfect because it was such a nice distraction for us from some of the more common spaces we typically interior design, like living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Our clients requested a bright, fresh, and modern take on the nursery in a neutral palette that could transition well as their child grows. This was such a fun one, and we were so happy to be able to alleviate some stress in their lives while they were preparing to welcome their little one.
The existing space had its challenges, as there was an awkward and unusable space created where the dormer punched through the roofline. At first glance, the room felt disjointed, and to most, an ideal layout for the space wouldn't be immediately evident. Our first objective was to get creative and find a solution for that previously unusable space, as this would unlock the possibilities for the ideal room layout. What we came up with were neat, little built-ins that could act as additional dresser space, as well as a bookcase. We thought about how this room would grow with baby Charlie and how the top cubby could hold his baby books, little league trophies, and eventually, down the line, maybe even his high school and college textbooks. But for now, it was the perfect space to create a shelfie moment! We also wanted to jazz up the neutral palette with an exciting splash of color, so we chose to finish the built-ins in Benjamin Moore Homestead.
We then balanced the room and added visual interest by strategically wallpapering the room's dormer end and each sidewall in a warm grey watercolor style herringbone print. We love the effect that was created and love that we could bring detail into the space without overwhelming the room with pattern.
The dormer on this sweet little Cape Cod-style house in Alexandria, Virginia, naturally created the perfect space for a sitting area where new mommy and daddy could rock baby Charlie to sleep. Funny enough, when we revealed the nursery to the new family, baby Charlie fell asleep in his daddy's arms before we even finished the reveal. The slipcovered swivel glider chair and coordinating ottoman selected for the space, in, of course, a durable performance and kid-proof white fabric, is what did the job and helped send him into Lala land. Down the line, when Charlie grows up, we thought this space would transition well to a study corner by replacing the chair with a desk.
We just fell in love with this crib made from solid American white oak with its classic lines and detail. We chose a crib that would be timeless as well as gender-neutral, so this family could transition their crib to future children if needed.
Opposite the crib, we placed a beautiful white oak bookcase that showcases a playful look, with the shelves varying in height and shape. And we couldn't forget to incorporate a storage option that makes for a quick clean-up, so we added an adorable two-tone seagrass basket perfect for toy storage. We filled the shelves with books, stuffed animals that were on theme with our animal kingdom-inspired nursery, and greenery for a bit of sophistication. We love incorporating greenery and plants into a space, and baby Charlie's nursery was no exception.
We tied everything together in this nursery with this beautiful white dresser with natural rattan inlay drawer fronts. The attention to detail on this piece is unmatched with the stunning brass, and acrylic drawer pulls. Our clients waited nearly six months for this dresser to arrive, and wow, was it worth the wait! When it finally arrived, can you believe that it just missed making it up the stairs by NOT EVEN an inch!?
This is one of the many reasons working with an interior designer is so beneficial. We have the team and resources on deck, ready to save the day! With one call, we had our handyman come in to remove the stair railing so the dresser could fit through the tight space and then replace it once complete. Problem solved, crisis averted!
Ensuring everything about the nursery could transition well throughout childhood, we selected a timeless yet unique dresser that, by incorporating a changing pad, will initially be used as a changing station and will change back to a dresser down the road by removing the changing pad.
We added sweet little finishing touches to the nursery with added details like this gallery wall that can grow with Charlie. As he grows up, additional frames can be added to fill the wall with memories and milestones. But for now, we included fundamentals like his ABC's and 123's. We also carried the sage green color to the closet pocket door for additional interest and balance in the room. We love how it turned out.
We completed the sitting area with a pair of acrylic bookshelves for easy access for mommy and daddy during storytime. We also hung his adorable bandana-style bibs in a beautiful yet functional way using a photo clip line with wooden details at each end.
We fell in love with this modern and non-traditional geometric mobile that fits this nursery so well. The wood and brass tones complement each other and the entire space perfectly.
Our clients just loved how the interior design of their nursery turned out, and we are so happy with how it all came together. We know baby Charlie will be able to enjoy this room for many years to come! What's your favorite element of this nursery? Let us know in the comments.
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