A Gender Neutral Nursery: Fresh Air & the Open Road

Have you ever wondered about what will inspire the theme for your nursery? My client, and a best friend of mine since junior high, had several ideas, actually! She loved a VW crib mobile she saw on Pinterest, because she and her husband bought one a week before their wedding. She found an ABC’s rug on Amazon that speaks to her love of books. She also liked the ideas of an adventure or woodland themed nursery. Well, my journey on this e-design nursery really was an ADVENTURE.

Her answers from my E-Design Style Guide really helped give me direction (no pun intended) and focus to design this nursery. The artwork you see above was her favorite pairing that I offered her, based on her desires to have a calm and relaxing feel with neutrals and pastels. The VW van road trip artwork pairs perfectly with the adventure theme, don’t you agree?

This design starts with my client’s directive. She already has the mini crib and is planning to purchase an oatmeal colored glider/recliner chair. And I knew I had to find a VW crib mobile, because her husband was already excited about the one she showed him on Pinterest. Next I searched for a dresser with a changing table on top as the next largest piece of furniture. This dresser has a retro feel like the artwork, and a natural wood finish like the crib mobile. It’s helpful to have a soft glow for middle-of-the-night diaper changes, and this cloud lamp should do just the trick.

I found two great options for a crib sheet and changing pad cover. I chose this cute woodland print because the trees relate to the inspiration artwork, plus the little orange fox just hints at my client’s woodland animal idea. PERFECT. I kept the nod to trees going with a tree-shaped pillow and a black and white toss pillow for the nursery chair. The trees designs are similar, and spread throughout the room for repetition to make a cohesive design.

What do you think of this removable wallpaper? This is a great option for DIYers and renters to add architectural detail to their home without damaging the walls. I knew I wanted a neutral and simple geometric pattern, like this chevron, to enhance the cream walls without becoming a distraction. My client will be transforming an alcove in her living room for her nursery. By the way, wallpaper is a great way to zone an area in an open space, similar to using a rug to ground a seating area.

Then came the accents pieces. I am in LOVE with this seafoam green side table. This soft pastel will just put their baby to sleep. (If only! ) My client currently has cream drapery in her bay window, but I also wanted to toss around the idea of light grey drapery for a bit contrast. The little triangle print basket is multipurpose for laundry or toys, or blankets, it’s just good to have around. And, amazingly, I was even able to include her ABC’s rug. It echoes the “ADVENTURE” inspiration artwork, and the round shape will complement her living room rug. Now, that’s a wrap!

With that being said, design is personal, and there’s always more than one “right” answer, so I also provide my client with a list of alternates for the main elements in the room. With e-design you can purchase your items on your own timeline, or better yet, add them to your baby registry. So, in case it’s a while before you or your guests purchase, my alternate list is handy in case an item goes out of stock.

This relaxing, gender neutral nursery with an adventure theme is successful because of the calm neutral palette and repetition of design elements. Retro trees and triangle shapes resonate with the clean lines of the furniture. Small pops of pastel colors add a smile to your face, just like the end of a long road trip.

This nursery will be filled with love by the end of the month. I am so excited for my dear friend and her husband! Their lives will be so different, they have no idea <3

Sweet dreams, little baby…