Name: Turner, 16 months
Location: Sunset District, San Francisco, CA

When Turner was about 8 months old, he would fall asleep nursing or cuddling on our bed, and then we would try to transfer him to his crib, but he would wake up every time. In trying to find a solution to the common problem of a baby needing cuddles as he falls asleep (but mama and papa needing their own bed), we started researching Montessori rooms.

They have the baby stay on a regular bed (no crib) and babyproof the whole room! Turner has been sleeping in a queen sized bed since he was 9 months old, and even as a courageous explorer (and sometimes trouble maker), this room has been a great set up for us! When we are sleeping, we put a baby gate in the doorway just in case he decides to explore, but amazingly, he rarely gets off the bed in the night. He usually just calls to us to come get him!

Using some Montessori principles we designed a calm, mellow room that is all accessible for our 16-month old toddler.

The large silk screened "seasons" canvas is the primary inspiration for the room. My husband and I found it on a trip in Mendocino County at a thrift store when we were planning our wedding and I wanted it for a "someday" nursery. We considered getting rid of it a few times since we didn't have room for it, but we found the perfect place.

Some Montessori inspired ideas we used:
Child-safe frames with our pictures in them at his height
Child-safe mirror at his height
Books accessible at his height
Low easy to climb on and off of bed
Clean room without a lot of "stuff"

Thanks, Gigi! Readers, visit Gigi at Two Bedrooms and a Baby.

(Images: Two Bedrooms and a Baby)

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