Name: Aiden (14 months)
Location: Stevenson Ranch, California
Room Size: 11' x 11 1/2'
Interior designer, Jennifer Hsu, recently finished a project for a very special client - her son. I have heard many interior designers say that they are their toughest client. Jennifer and her husband put in the extra care to make sure everything was just perfect for their little man. I am in love with the results; so calming and so perfect!
What was the first inspiration for creating the design for your son's nursery?
Knowing that we would be spending a lot of time in this room, I wanted it to be a serene and peaceful place that will grow with Aiden. As soon as we found out we were having a little boy, I had a vision of a soothing white, blue and gray palette. In addition, I wanted a space that was "modern preppy." To achieve this look I brought in traditional elements like wainscoting and mixed it with modern furniture pieces.
What is your favorite element in the design?
It has to be the walls. I am really happy with how the wide horizontal stripes, wainscoting, and the built-in shelves turned out. My husband installed all this. It was his very first time building wainscoting and built-in shelves and I think he did a really amazing job. I had a lot of fun drawing them out and shopping for molding. The shelves turned out to be at the perfect height for Aiden; he loves getting his books and toys from the shelves every day.
When designing the nursery, what were some of the more practical considerations?
Aim for adaptability - whether with the furniture, color palette, or style. Also, make sure to invest in furniture that will grow with your child. We purchased a crib that can be adapted into a toddler bed and bought a dresser to be used as a diaper changing station. When looking for furniture pieces, try to look for pieces that are thoughtfully designed but not overly designed. Also, if you can, repurpose old furniture pieces. We were lucky to receive a comfortable glider from my sister-in-law. After we reupholstered with new cushion inserts and fabric, it looked even better than new! Most importantly, when designing a nursery don't worry about following a trend. Stick with the style you love. You will be spending a lot of time in that room so it has to be something that you will enjoy seeing every day.
What were the biggest challenges when designing the space?
Finding the time to put everything together. Besides the nursery, we had tons of other home improvement projects that we wanted to get done before Aiden arrived. We were good about ordering all the furniture and accessories on time, but when it came to building the wainscoting, built-in shelves, and painting we ran out of time. Luckily, Aiden slept in a bassinet next to our bed for the first 4 months. This gave my husband plenty of time to finish up the nursery.
What is your advice for incorporating built-in furniture into a nursery?
Custom built-in furniture is a clever way to make the most of every nook and cranny in a home. I love incorporating them because their custom nature has the ability to offer endless style and configuration options tailored to any space. Think about what is the main purpose you want for your built-in furniture - is it for open storage, closed storage, seating, etc? With Aiden's room we turned a wide, but shallow window niche into an open bookshelf. This was a perfect way to display children's books and to reduce clutter by storing smaller toys in the metal bins.
How do you see Aiden's room transforming as he grows into his toddler years?
We made sure to purchase furniture pieces that Aiden can use beyond his infant years. The crib can transition to a toddler bed and the changing table is actually a dresser. Later I will probably add a toddler-sized table and chairs where he can do arts and crafts.
What are a few of your dream sources for decorating a nursery?
I love Etsy; you can find lots of fun and creative items there. Also, Pinterest is always great for finding inspiration. I enjoy browsing other people's pinboards and I discover new things every time I visit. I also frequently visit The New Traditionalists, Dwell Studio, and Serena & Lily. They carry beautiful furniture, accessories, and/or bedding.
Sources:
- Oeuf Sparrow Crib: Modern Nursery
- 6-Drawer Dresser: West Elm
- Side table: West Elm
- Area rug: Overstock.com
- Knitted Pouf: CB2
- Owl Crib Bedding: Dwell Studio
- Mobil: Modern Nursery
- "Pistachio Wishes" poster: Etsy
- "Our story will always read LOVE" art print: Etsy
Thanks Jennifer!
(Images: Jessica Comingore)
Things Fall Apart: Living Alone in a Space After a Breakup
Juan's Garage Turned Modern Guest House
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Commercial Flour Sa...
10 Picnic-Ready Salads to Eat Outside
Recipe: Thai Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
paint colors please! I love them.
would also love to know the paint colors... please? & thank you.
Ahh, this room is a breath of fresh air! The colors you chose really brighten up the space and make it inviting. Thanks for sharing your son's nursery with us : ]
i'd love to know where the shelves are from. They look different from many I've seen.. so cute and unique!
very soothing palette, but still fun! perfect for a little kid room. great tour!
great room.
This is a lovely nursery - fresh and clean for a brand new human ! I really like this.
I love the accents. And Sophie the giraffe? She's the Eames chair of nurseries =)
The mobile is simply beautiful!
I've been on the fence about this rug and you've helped me decide. Its gorgeous! The entire room is beautiful. Lucky little Aiden!
I LOVE the built ins! What a great way to save space in a child's room for playing on the floor.
Love the paint colors, love the furniture, love the accents, and LOVE the built-ins. The room is so elegantly put together, such a fun and chic space. Great job mommy and daddy. Aiden is a very lucky boy.
It's too bad about the crib bumper being...you know...present.
so cute!
beautiful, jen, great job!
I love this! I want this for my own room!
where is that stuffed owl from? so cute!
This room is COOL. Clean and cool. Sweet baby room.
Could you please post what the wall colors are. I love them.
Also, what is the name and maker of the fabric you covered your glider in. I have been looking for a print with those colors. Thanks.
"Modern Preppy" is the perfect description, and it's a beautiful look. I think it's the paneling that really cements it.
Hi Everyone! Thank you all for your comments. I am glad that everyone is enjoying Aiden's nursery!
It was tough to narrow down the right blue, white, and gray from a sea of sample paint chips, but I am really happy with these.
White: Benjamin Moore Simply White
Blue: Benjamin Moore Mountain Mist
Gray: Benjamin Moore Storm
I purchased the floating shelves from Pottery Barn Kids almost 2 years ago, and unfortunately that particular model has been discontinued.
We actually purchased the crib bedding set before Aiden was born. But we took the bumper out as soon as Aiden's pediatrician advised not having the bumper in the crib when we were at his 3 month check-up. However, since the bumper pattern was such an integral part of the original design we just had to include them for the photo shoot. Aiden was very lucky that he never slept a day with the bumper in his crib.
As for the stuffed owl, I bought it over 6 years ago but unfortunately I can't recall where I got it from.
The fabric I used for the gliding chair is from Dwell Studio, and it is called Boteh-Brindle.
Thanks everyone again for all the great comments, let me know if you have any more questions.
I love your nursery! The rug is gorgeous... I would like to know what size it is. Thank you for sharing Aiden's room!
It's a beautiful room, BUT...re: the bumper issue. Even if it was 'an integral part of the original design', I still think you should have left it out for the shoot. Not everyone reads all the comments, you know! Why did you include something in the picture that you know is actually dangerous?
LOVE the grey - so hard to use that color without making it look dowdy but you have done a fantastic job and it looks great!
ps - had to respond to Charlie26's comment. Not sure why he/she wrote that here. Plenty of people use bumpers and even if you didn't use it, there's nothing wrong with keeping it up for the pictures, for heaven's sake.
Anyway...
Are cot bumpers dangerous? And if so, why are they still sold? I had one on the cot for all 3 of my children when they were small (quite a number of years ago).
Meh. It's not that it isn't nice... it just looks like all the other nurseries on this site.
Tabitha, Jen said:
'We actually purchased the crib bedding set before Aiden was born. But we took the bumper out as soon as Aiden's pediatrician advised not having the bumper in the crib when we were at his 3 month check-up. However, since the bumper pattern was such an integral part of the original design we just had to include them for the photo shoot. Aiden was very lucky that he never slept a day with the bumper in his crib'.
She didn't 'keep it up for the pictures', actually. She took it out because her paediatrician advised against it, then put it back because it looked pretty in the photos. You don't see a problem with that?
Gorgeous! Love the stripes, and the wonderful crib bumper.
Adding more to the bumper debate...It appears Aiden is 14 months old and is now past the age when SIDS is even a concern. He can have bumpers and blankets. So no need for the bumper police.
This room is so calm and soothing and those built in shelves under the window are amazing! Two thumbs up!
Hopefully you can find another (safe) use for the bumper because it is really cute and does work well with the room design.
Love this! I've never seen this nursery before (stopping over from Chist loves Julia) and I can't believe it but I'm using the same bedding (owl pattern by Dwell Studios) and have just finished painting big wide stripes like this in my little guys closet - turning it into a reading nook. I'm transitioning the room from his nusery to his 'big boy room'. Needless to say, I love this nursery!
http://visualmeringue.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-is-blue-white-grey-and-striped.html
Lovely! We have that same rug in my son's nursery. I like that he won't outgrow it; in fact, I'd love to steal it and use it elsewhere in the house.
The wall colors are perfect! Great job!
Love the room, especially how it will work with him when he is older too since the colors are so calming! Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry that some people do not know when enough is enough and should not leave inappropriate comments. It is your choice to showcase all of the items in your son's bedroom, including a crib bumper that you stated in your blog that you never even used. We are all here to get great ideas for our families and people should learn some restraint when leaving comments. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful work!
WHERE did you find the owls on the second shelf? I love them!
@Rn_Rn: I was looking at those for my daughter too, they are P'kolino Nesting Birds.
What a beautiful room. You did a great job.
There are some real jerks commenting on here (i.e. bumper police). Don't you have better things to do?
This is such a cheerful room. I love it!
This is a lovely nursery - fresh and clean for a brand new human ! I really like this.
portable crib bedding
love the room. wondering - where did you get the owl on the top shelf? thanks!
love this room!!!! most certainly i love the stripes on the room. I live in an apartment where they dont let me paint the walls,but i found a place online where I can get vinyl stripe decals so im doing that. Just wondering how thick your stripes are??? thank you and congratulations on your design