The Five Essential Elements To Creating A Great Space

When you enter a space that has been carefully considered and well designed, you know it.  You are instantly filled with feelings of well being and comfort.  To achieve this sensibility in any room, but especially the nursery, you need to include these 5 essential elements. Incorporate texture, natural light, a little bit of sparkle, a comfortable chair, and books and like magic, your room will come to life and beckon you to enter, sit awhile, and experience the wonders of life.

1. Texture

Nursery design by Charles Neal Interiors and features Bratt Decor's Chelsea Collection in Antique Silver

In this stunner space, you see texture throughout.  The valance is finished in a fuzzy white shimmer, the thick sheep skin in front of the crib, and the opulent sheen found in the silk curtains work together to bring life to this luxurious nursery through texture. 

2. Natural Light

This beautiful nursery is designed by Sherri Blum of Jack & Jill Interiors, and features Bratt Decor's four poster iron crib and chelsea case good in antique silver. 

Everyone knows that natural light lifts the mood and makes you happy.  It's also a great source of vitamin D.  Bringing light into your space is essential for feelings of well being.  With a room of this magnificence the work is done for you.  The wall of windows bathes the room in golden light, creating warmth and a golden glow.  Not to mention, an ever changing wall of nature within the room. 

3. A Little Bit of Sparkle

Designed by Little Crown Interiors

Things that sparkle and reflect light, add energy to a quiet space, and just make things feel special.  Here, the magnificent ceiling featuring a cascading chandelier and silk tufted ceiling does the trick effortlessly. 

4. A Comfy Chair

No matter how gorgeous your space is, if you can't plop down in a great chair and get comfy, its all for naught.  This is especially true in the nursery, where you wile away endless hours, rocking, feeding, singing and falling in love.  This chair is beautiful, and ridiculously comfortable.  Put your feet up. You can rock or swivel in velvet luxury.  

5. Books 

image courtesy of A Cup of Joe

You know why I love books so much when designing a room ? It says this room is used, it's lived in, it is where we read and relax. And books make a room real.  I feel no nursery is complete without books.  Reading to your baby is a valuable and rich experience for both of you. And, its super fun.

This Just In: Dreamy Blush and Cream Nursery

Nothing makes my heart beat faster than seeing a beautiful nursery designed by one of talented, nesting moms. Ashley Pettiette is one such mom.  She shared with us this graceful sanctuary for her lucky baby girl which features Bratt Decor's venetian iron baby bed in distressed white.  The soft warm walls and white textiles create perfect peaceful harmony throughout.

This airy mobile was a DIY project that Ashely found on pinterest. The crystals were left over from her wedding, so she incorporated them into this elegant work of art.  We love that she found a way to  give new life to something so precious.

Putting together your idea of a perfect nursery need not be complicated or overly costly.  Yes, spend the money on the crib, after all, that is where you child will spend most of his alone time, so it is not a place to cut corners.  But look around and see what you can repurpose and create that will make your nursery all your own without breaking the bank.  

COLOR DRENCH: AQUA

For an elegant punch of color, think Aqua, or its lighter version, tiffany blue.  This color is neutral, bold, and sophisticated.   It's a perfect choice for the nursery, adding cool sophistication.  Color drench the walls, or add pops of the blue throughout, in furnishings, bedding and lighting for a more subtler effect. Pairs perfectly with white, silver and gold. 

photo courtesy of Veranda magazine

Stay Warm Little Bear

This winter is just way too cold. But, there are luxurious ways to keep your home, and baby toasty and beautiful.  Enter the sheep skin. This fluffy, bit of heaven is versatile, natural, and adds texture and beauty wherever you throw it. It comes in a variety of colors, which will also add a punch to a neutral pallet.  I'm in love . . . 

DESIGNER STYLE 

 nursery 

You’ve completed trimester 1, and stopped feeling as if you’ve just gotten off of the tilt a whirl, and now you’re fully into semester 2. Nesting is in all its glory. Time to get started on the nursery. You’re a very style savvy gal, who likes great sheets, fantastic resorts, and fine dining. You’ve taken a lot of time putting your home together, and you’re wondering how you can carry that same sophistication into the baby’s room. Well, Bratt Décor can help. Bratt was founded when hipster parents, Mary and Stephen Bauer, were in exactly the same place. Design, sophistication and timelessness define their style. Their collections give you everything you need to effortlessly create the nursery of your dreams. “The first step in creating your space is to pick a feeling or energy you want the room to convey”, says Bratt Prez, Mary Bauer. Some moms opt for serenity in the nursery, and others want stimulation. While defining terms like “modern” and “traditional, can give you some guidelines on how to decorate, more and more moms are letting go of the restrictive labels seen in décor, and they are breaking all the rules. We’re seeing wildly elegant furnishings in stark modern settings, and rooms that boast both sleek and glamorous touches. “ Rooms like people are never one dimensional and all should be original,” says Bauer. Putting a great room together is like throwing a great party. It’s all about the choices you make. The right choices create harmony, and excitement. While you may love Bobby, Sue and Sally, they might not all be compatible at the party. When making choices for your nursery, furniture, bedding, lighting, artwork, etc, make sure they play nice together. And, that’s not to say they all have to be exactly the same. That gets boring. Definitely, add something completely unexpected. That will give your room (and party) some spice and unpredictability. Now, go create something magnifique!

Nesting 101

At some point in your pregnancy, that primal urge called nesting wakes up and takes over your entire being. You fantasize about fabric and crave cribs. It's o.k. It's normal, and I'm here to help you create the nursery of your dreams, on time, on budget and just the way you want it. In fact, being the professional that I am, I'm going to break it down for you in 3 easy steps. Ready?

Step 1: Consider your space, choose your furnishings
Step 2: Form meets function
Step 3: Bring in the love

1. O.K., so let's look at the room. Consider the size, features, light, and style of the space. Often the nurseries are the smallest room in the house, so you're going to want to maximize the look and feel of that space. Choose light colored walls, and make the most of any light coming in from the windows. This will make the room seem bigger. Next choose your furnishings. So often people with small rooms make the fatal mistake of choosing small scaled furniture. This just makes your room feel even more diminutive, like a doll house. Rather, choose regular size pieces, but ones that can do double duty so you end up using less furnishings. Choose a changer that can doubles as a dresser, for example. If your room is really large, you will want to make sure you have great floor coverings to cut down on noise, and feel free to use rich, warm or dark wall colors which will help create a more cozy atmosphere. Every room has its own personality, so find out what's unique about your s and highlight that. Maybe you have beautiful old molding, if so, maximize its affect by painting it a contrasting color. Maybe you have a great arch, or window seat, or fabulous wide planked floors. Whatever it is, if its beautiful, show it off.

2. Once you've chosen your color scheme and furnishings, you're off to a great start. By now, the room should begin to take shape and reflect your style. But, this isn't just a beautiful room, its a room that has work to do. It has to provide for a safe sleeping environment, a place to change baby, and, ideally, offer a place to feed and rock your little rock star. So, now we've got to get practical. I know you've chosen a brand new beautiful crib (hopefully one from Bratt Decor) that meets all of the latest safety requirements, and you've decked it out with a great mattress and bedding. So, that area is all taken care of. And, I'm sure you heeded all of your manufacturers warnings about crib placement, etc. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check at the CPSC website for all that very important info. Next, you need to set up a changing station. Believe me you'll be spending way more time than you ever imagined doing this one little task. Make sure you have everything at your fingertips that you need, so you never are tempted to leave baby. Stock it with wipes, diapers, a change of clothes, ointments and powders, everything you could possibly need, and don't forget the diaper genie. Next, do yourself a favor and get a fabulously comfy chair, and make sure your hubby likes it too. You will be in this chair a lot. There are so many great options, one for every style. So, you've covered SEP functions. What's SEP, you ask, oh, that's Sleep, Eat and Poop.

3. Finally, the love. Honestly, if this room isn't absolutely oozing with the love, you've missed the whole point. Remember, this first room is for you. After the SEP is covered, it really is all about you. This is where you will while away the hours, as night turns into day. This is the room you will remember, as you bring that brand new baby home and place him in his gorgeous crib that you so lovingly prepared for him. So, as you love on the baby this room needs to love on you. Put things that you love all around the room. I love things from your personal history, your childhood. Do you have a favorite stuffy, or a silver rattle, or maybe your own christening gown that you can frame and put on the wall. Whatever objects you choose, make sure they are personal and that they melt your heart whenever you look at them. You will be soothed and peaceful and that most definitely will transfer to baby.

So there you have it, as easy as 123. I want you to have so much fun putting this room together, and I want you to love the end result. Be kind to yourself. Include your husband in the process. Give yourself enough time to do all the things you want to do. Create a budget and make it work. Be flexible if things don't go exactly the way you planned, it's really not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of the miracle that you're experiencing. Laugh, a lot. It's a fantastic time and one that should be savored.

Have fun little birdies.