Create a Nursery With Style and Function

“In my opinion, a room is not complete without a rug. In this space, we tied the colors in the rug to the crib and the mural on the wall,” says Kelly Hayes Erickson
of Carriage House Studio. Photos: Chelsie Lopez

Each room in a home has its calling—a purpose for supporting its operation and aesthetic. Typically, that function is illustrated through décor, but great things can happen when that illustration captures an atypical vibe—one that still serves to blend form and function.

How do we feel about moving away from the expected to a touch of the unexpected in a nursery? One can still Rock-a-Bye Baby with sweetness and style. Kelly Hayes Erickson of Carriage House Studio in Minnetrista, which offers custom interior design and remodeling services, has created nurseries that lean into an aesthetic that suits a baby’s needs while joining the rest of the home’s décor sensibilities and growing alongside the child. She answers our questions about creating a nursery that reads: style and function.

In a nursery, is the idea to create a base layer that reflects the entire home and add more age-appropriate elements as the second and third layers?

Treat the nursery or child’s room as you would any other room in the house. Add touches of pattern and texture throughout, layer in lighting and create a memorable moment with a statement piece. With time, and as your child’s taste grows with their age, you can change out the paint, art and bedding to easily reflect their personality.

“Texture and pattern are great ways to elevate the style of a nursery,” says Kelly Hayes Erickson. “Playing with woven textures through baskets and lighting is an easy first step. Adding in custom fabrics for draperies delivers double the impact for pattern and warmth.” For an excellent resource for fabrics, she points to F. Shumacher & Co. for its variety of price points and to achieve “a truly designer look.”

Is it time to shift away from neutral, earthy color palettes for nurseries?

A neutral palette will always be timeless, but I’m a big advocate for pops of color, especially in playful ways. This would be a great opportunity to incorporate the Pantone Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, and partner it with cornflower blue or violet.

While some nursery furniture serves a specific function, how can one highlight a more styled look?

Always opt for traditional furniture when possible. A dresser can serve as a changing table, for example. An updated look for these furniture pieces is to have them lacquered in a high gloss paint. For the nursery glider, consider a swivel base and a contemporary silhouette that can transcend the baby years. In this nursery, we used a shagreen leather side table with the glider that can serve other spaces in the house in the future.

Can a throw rug ramp up the décor?

Always, always, always layer a rug in the space. A faux fur at the base of the crib feels natural and is soft underfoot for those late nights. It’s even OK to layer a rug on top of carpet. The pattern and texture will help ground the space. As an added bonus, spills and messes can be easily camouflaged with a heavy color or pattern.

What about wall art or mirrors?

Don’t go crazy with a theme; use it sparingly. A couple of prints, framed and matted, can create a lot of personality. An etched mirror, as we did in this project, gave us some drama and whimsy. Mirrors really help add light to a space and can be an unexpected touch in the nursery.

Are there other unexpected elements to include in a nursery?

As a rule, we like to balance elegance with ease in our designs. Try incorporating a vintage piece of furniture, perhaps the bookcase or dresser. Antique details balanced with a sophisticated color palette and mixed textures invite charm and comfort. We also love tying in meaningful mementos—a fabric pennant with the baby’s name or an heirloom quilt draped over the glider. Lastly, we are still using wallpaper in a big way.

How can a room grow with a child without the need for a major redo at every stage?

With my own daughters, as they near age 10, their own tastes and preferences have started to take over in their personal spaces. The furniture in the room has remained since our toddler days, but the textiles in the bedding and their little personal touches through art and décor have slowly changed from what I loved to what they love.

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