A Blogger Designed a Black-and-White Nursery That’s Anything but Boring
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Nursery decor has come along way over the past few years. Color schemes have evolved beyond the traditional pastel pinks and blues, and upholstered gliders now look like stylish showpieces you’d leave out in your living room. In general, there’s also been a shift towards creating environments that can grow up along with a child without the need for a major redecoration project or thematic shift a short time later.
If you’re looking for inspiration in creating a baby or big kid space that prioritizes design longevity without sacrificing style or personality, then let the nursery Texas-based blogger Ashley Robertson put together for her son, George, with designer Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs be your decorating North star. George’s modern, black-and-white, coastal-inspired space is everything a nursery should be: soothing with a side of whimsy, full of special touches, and sophisticated enough design-wise to be inspiring for baby and parent or caretaker alike.
The graphic yet serene seascape wallpaper really kicked off the design process for Robertson, introducing a gentle nod to the sea as the nursery’s theme. “The line-drawn ocean waves are so simple and slightly whimsical yet make a very dramatic statement,” Robertson says. Once this paper was selected and installed on the crib wall, Curtis got to work furnishing the space around it by riffing off of its classic black-and-white palette with a spindle-style Jenny Lind wooden crib, an Urban Outfitters rug, a Mercury Row chandelier, a mid-century modern-inspired cream glider, and a vintage-look woven changing table (as seen below) similar to this Crate & Barrel console.
“We kept the room tonal with rattan accents and warm wood tones,” says Curtis of the decorating plan. A striking, oversized Cloud giclée canvas provides a bold but tranquil focal point above the crib, while a framed “G” print on the adjacent wall references George’s name.
Robertson wanted to accessorize with pieces that would keep the space light, bright, and nature-inspired, so she brought in a uniquely-shaped mirror, woven bins for toy storage, and pampas grass as well as dried flowers for the tabletop surfaces. A few meaningful touches are scattered around the space, including the blanket her grandmother crocheted for George when he was born.
A small but eclectic gallery wall was also added to bring a very personal touch to the room, says Curtis. The arrangement is anchored by framed pictures from Robertson’s grandparents’ home and also features on-theme, nature-inspired pieces including a stork printable and peony printable from Etsy. Vintage brass birds rounds out the setup and add a bit of extra dimension to the wall. “I love having those special pieces to share now with George,” says Robertson.
On the whole, the design choices made in the nursery add up to a sweet, serene space that has just the right amount of warmth and style. “My husband and I wanted to design a nursery that has a touch of sophistication yet speaks to that inner child in all of us,” says Robertson. “George can grow into this nursery for years to come.” By sticking with a classic color scheme and time-tested theme—nature and the ocean—it’s easy to see how a toddler bed could easily be brought into the room when that time comes without any need to retrofit the rest of the decor. Even a teenager could jibe with the chill vibes in this space!