Baby

Who doesn't love a good two-in-one?

Leave it to the Kardashians to turn a baby shower into a star-studded fete with enough ritzy gifts to fill a truck. And that’s just what the family did over the weekend to honor the last currently pregnant Kardashian, Khloe, for the impending arrival of her baby girl with boyfriend Tristan Thompson.

An amazing thing happened in June 2008 — an IKEA opened two miles from my home. Oh, and my son was born. Before this a trip to IKEA meant descending into the bowels of Port Authority in Manhattan, boarding a standing room only shuttle bus to a New Jersey IKEA and then deciding whether to spend more money than you spent on purchases to arrange home delivery of your items or to limit yourself to what you could wrangle home on the bus and subway. It was a dark time.

When you ask parents what not to buy for a nursery, a changing table rises to the top of the list. “Official” changing tables don’t repurpose well into non-baby furniture so many parents choose alternatives to traditional changing tables, primarily dressers or desks that are at a comfortable height and deep enough to accommodate a changing pad.

Name: Daphne (1 month)Location: Charleston, SC Size: 10′ x 13′ Many nurseries start off as home offices that are then bequeathed to the newest family member upon their arrival. This was the case with Deirdre’s office which she used for three years before finding out she was expecting. Luckily, the paint color worked well for the nursery she had in mind.How did your office become Daphne’s nursery?

Name: Ella Grace Location: Westlake Village, CA Room Size: 120 square feet Ella Grace’s room is a very special haven for a very special little girl. Creamy walls and neutral rugs are a soothing platform for the myriad of soft pastel fabrics and accessories. Gently old-fashioned but enlivened with on-trend touches, this room glows with handmade goodness. How would you describe the look and feel of this room? My goal was to create a playful room without it being overwhelming.

Name: Sienna Location: Los Angeles, CA Room Size: 13’x12′ The first time I laid eyes on Sienna’s nursery, I was blown away. Jen Campbell, editor of Green Wedding Shoes, wanted a girly nursery that was still modern and fresh. To achieve the look she paired bold, graphic designs with a soft color palette and added a dash of sparkle. The result is a stunning space for her new baby girl. How would you describe the look and feel of this room?

When Robert and Samantha Garlow of Shedsistance designed and built their tiny home in the woods of Yakima, Washington, they created a super cool small space with an impressive amount of room for all of their outdoor gear. Fast forward a few months and they have to make room for another form of adventure: parenthood. The couple spent about $30,000 building the 24-foot long, eight-foot-six-inch-wide, 13-foot-five-inch-tall home.

Babies don’t know much about design. Every time I’ve tried to delve into the finer points of Eliel versus Eero Saarinen with the under-one crowd, they just stare at me blankly (and occasionally drool). Thankfully, Julie Merberg has a new book coming out May 8 called Baby’s First Eames (Downtown Bookworks), and I am thrilled that finally, newborns and I will have something to talk (rather, screech and coo) about.

We spend so much time in the kitchen. We spend so much time on our kitchens. The last thing you want to plonk in that space is a great big hunk of rainforest-themed plastic! Here are some high chairs that are good looking and long wearing, that you will use many kids over and never tire of seeing (and wiping down) day in, day out. 1. Svan Signet’s High Chair. A customizable chair with optional seat cover, wrap around bentwood bucket seat.