Furnishing a non-traditional baby room 
“WAAAAH!” was the noise my heart was making when a recent client said she wanted me to design her new nursery. I had never worked in a nursery and I tell you, it made me a little nervous.
My new clients, Matthew and Jenessia Cunningham, had the winning bid for my services at last year’s Philadelphia Center Auction Against AIDS.
We met at their home a few days later where she told me she wanted a non-traditional baby room. They knew they were having a little girl, but did not want to fall into the traditional trappings of pinks or light greens or other cutesy, girly rooms. They wanted something different, something they’ve never seen before but nothing silly or too out there.
The dark wood furniture and a linen glider had been purchased before I signed on and had to be included in the new room. The gauntlet had been thrown.
I left feeling a bit vexed. I mean, “I don’t know nuttin ’bout no babies!” I knew I had to find an inspiration piece – something that defined the room and could easily be built around it.
After scouring several resale stores and antique shoppes, I entered Time Line Antiques on Line. I scanned the store waiting for that special piece to pop out. I rounded the reception area to head up the steps, and there it was – one of the most unique chandeliers I have ever seen, and it was so perfectly girly I couldn’t stand it.
I selected a palette which could grow with a little girl and not simply be a “baby” room. We decided on a mushroom-y taupe for the walls and a more elevated version of pink: coral, for the ceiling.
When you have a more vivid color, you don’t use too much of it because it will lose its “pop” value.
I added a muted vinyl wall graphic of a tree branch with lilac flowers canopies over her bed – always under the watchful eye of the bluebirds.
It’s very sweet. The graphic bird rug came from Ostock.com, and the collage paintings from Ashley Furniture, each complimenting the color theme from floor to ceiling. Toss in a simple modern blue lamp from Dillard’s and a cool lil birdy lumbar pillow from Bed Bath and Beyond, and it really started to come together.
Then, I hit Uniquely Yours on Youree, one of my go-to stores. They always have consignment pieces and new furniture that truly are unique. I also found this amazing side table for mom to set her bottles, phone – whatever – on. It was cast aluminum made to look like twig legs and crosscut top. It even has this awesome little split in the “wood” – it was the perfect accent.
My clients were so wonderful and open to new ideas. I am very appreciative to have been entrusted to doing this special room. I feel we’ve created the perfect nest for lil’ Clara. Tweet dreams.
