Nurture senses in nursery
Every nursery should be designed with a sense of whimsy. This is a room in which baby and parents should dream.
Your baby's first sights and sounds away from parents will begin here; it's the first space he or she will get to explore on his or her own.
This nurturing space is a joy to decorate. It awakens the child in all of us, and perhaps as you choose all the components — colors, carpet, furniture and lighting — you'll discover that your child's first room is more about you. I recommend that you design your baby's room so that it nurtures you as much as your child. You'll be spending a lot of time here, too!
There are many ways to begin planning your nursery. You may have a theme in mind, but why not go for a mood when thinking about colors, and work from there? You can always adjust your theme to the colors you love. Although we think of primary colors for children's rooms, they are not always the best bet. Red, yellow and blue are basic, yes, but also strong and full of energy. The colors in the nursery shown here are more complex; shades of apricot, gray/blue and frosted green combine to create a cheerful mood with quiet undertones. Nothing is jarring, nothing screams out for attention, and yet this space is filled with color and interest.
The wainscoting adds traditional character and warmth. By dividing the walls with beadboard, you have the option of playing with many complementary color and pattern combinations. Wallpaper is more costly than paint, but you require less when papering only the upper wall surface. (Always prepare the walls with wallpaper primer before hanging the paper, so that it will be easy to remove when the time comes.)
If you have only one item to splurge on, it should be the crib. A well-designed crib can take your child from baby to teen — hard to believe, but true. Look for a crib that converts from a standard-size baby crib to a toddler's bed, day bed and a full-size bed, too.
One more practical consideration is the window covering. Cordless blackout blinds or curtains can be a mom's best friend.
Now about the whimsical bit. How about a chandelier? Very much a trend today, and what a fascinating light fixture for your baby to gaze up at. In fact, ceilings in a nursery can be a great source of delight.
Mount a few shelves (not too high) to display your favorite children's books and knick knacks.
These and framed photos will personalize the space and make it a cherished home for you and your baby.
Debbie Travis' House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. E-mail your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. Distributed by King Features Syndicate.
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