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Fashion blogger’s nursery: small on space, big on style

April 23, 2018 6 Comments

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It’s natural to wish for a little extra room in your home when faced with the imminent arrival of a new baby. Particularly if it’s your third child. Space and time is at a premium but you still want to create a special space for your much-anticipated little one, just as blogger Jess Dempsey from What Would Karl Do did. Her third son, Freddie, arrived six months ago.

Faced with the challenge of working with a tiny room, Jess enlisted the help of Melbourne stylist Heather Nette King and Pottery Barn Kids, to create a nursery that was true to her signature style, functional and calm – and in Jess’ words “an escape for the baby and I to unwind in together.”

The good news is little people don’t take up much space. Pottery Barn Kids’ top tips on how to create the ultimate nursery when you’re up against the space stakes will help you troubleshoot like a pro!

Start with a vision
Create a moodboard, a list of keywords or get onto Pinterest – have an idea of what you love, and let that be your starting point. “I wanted a classic and memorable nursery – and I wanted it gender neutral with the option to add colour once the baby arrived. I already had an idea of the key pieces I wanted, so that was where I started,” said Jess.

A lighter shade of pale
Let the paint colour be the foundation of your room. When you’re selecting a wall colour – select a light shade which can act as the base for styling the room. Light wall colours add a feeling of airiness and give the eye room to move.

When you’re choosing paint colour for trims and moldings – go even lighter, this will instantly create the feeling of even more space.

“I thought I wouldn’t have the opportunity to get creative with the space because of its size, but we stuck to a colour plan and made the small room big in wow factor,” added Jess.

Let it grow
A room that grows with your child was paramount for Jess’ room design, “By choosing classic pieces that could be used in different rooms later – such as the rocker, the side table, rug and lamp I was able to see longevity in my room design.” Now’s the time to invest in quality to ensure the pieces your child has as a newborn, will be with them when they’re a teenager and beyond.

Look for furniture items that serve double duty – a cot that can convert into a toddler bed, a change table that double as a dresser.

Pattern play
It may sound counter-intuitive but using pattern can sometimes make the space feel bigger – vertical stripes make the room appear wider, horizontal stripes accentuate the height. Don’t go crazy with pattern – try to choose a clean, repetitive pattern featuring two-to-three colours to keep it simple and uncluttered.

Let the light in
Natural light instantly makes spaces breezier. Consider sheers for the windows to diffuse the sunshine, and light-blocking curtains to ensure naptime is a little easier. If you don’t have a lot of natural light introduce a couple of light sources to add warmth – it could be a feature chandelier such as the Pottery Barn Kids Dahlia Chandelier (that could easily live in any room in the house), or a couple of table lamps. The idea is to bounce light around the room and keep the eye moving.

Mirror image
Babies are attracted to mirrors – they’re shiny and bright and they’re happy to spot their own reflection – it helps increase their ability to focus. But when it comes to interiors and small spaces – mirrors can also act to bounce light around, and make a small room feel bigger. Bonus points if it can be placed opposite a window to bring the outdoors inside!

Stow and store
Ask any parent – storage is always a hot topic! “The room doesn’t have storage, so we had to get clever by adding in wall shelves and an oversized chest of drawers.”

Wall shelving is ideal for showcasing treasures and books; baskets are great for stowing toys, and a dresser with drawers of varying sizes that will take them from toddler-hood and beyond!

Stuck for an idea?
Maybe like Jess you’ve chosen some pieces – but don’t know how to weave it all together? Or maybe you need help starting. “I had chosen the main furniture pieces, but I didn’t know how to pull it all together or what to put on the shelving to create a display. Heather came in and knew how to create the space that I wanted, keep it calm and on brief – neutral, yet memorable. Once she laid the rug down it made the room feel bigger and lighter, and the small pieces she layered into the room turned my tiny room into a stunning nursery,” said Jess.

If you don’t have Heather on speed dial – Pottery Barn Kids offers free design services, no matter the project size and can share some clever pointers on how to maximise your space for your new arrival.

Check out Jess’ blog, What Would Karl Do.

More kids’ room inspo | Sebastian’s baby nursery | Sebastian’s latest big boy room

Photography: Mike Baker | Styling: Heather Nette King

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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery 🍸 

They'll give you 20% off your first order with our code. Find everything you need on the blog now via link in bio.

Cheers! 

#pinkpeppercorn #spritzlife
Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world! 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to your projects that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful 🙏
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love 🤗

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps 🤕

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (🤪) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a 🍷

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop
#creatingbeautifulspaces #homestylingdesign
#designbywomen #homestylingtips #sydneycreatives
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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

🦘🐨Forget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

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Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

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Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! 💧 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!🤗

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap 🥴) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon 😆

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!💪🏻) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too 😉

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarVritika| Villas in OMR says

    April 23, 2018 at 8:51 pm

    Awesome! I love the wall colour, Jen 🙂

    Reply
  2. Avatarcarolyn says

    April 28, 2018 at 9:49 pm

    When my older son was born we didn’t even have a nursery for him. He had his own special corner in our room. He then got his own room when he was about 6 months old. You do not need a big space to make a space special, and you illustrate that beautifully.

    Reply
  3. AvatarSofia Peers says

    May 6, 2018 at 8:41 pm

    I love the rocking chair – where can I get it? Thanks Sofia

    Reply
  4. AvatarTarana says

    May 10, 2018 at 12:47 am

    The rocking chair looks lovely. Where can I find it?

    Thank you
    T

    Reply
  5. AvatarKarolina Ryan says

    May 31, 2020 at 11:07 pm

    I love the wall colour! What colour is that please?

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      June 1, 2020 at 8:11 am

      I don’t know I’m afraid. You’d have to try and contact her via her blog and ask 🙂

      Reply

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