First off let me just say today's topic is one of my favorites and I have been wanting to write a post on this room for way too long. So what am I design-geeking out on... I'm talking all things NURSERY; so grab a pen and get your Pinterest button ready!

Yes, that is a gold crib and a blue tutu skirt with a pink zebra rug but first let's talk about this wallpaper! This wallpaper was my jumping off point. I found it and became obsessed with the saturated color and the idea of a black floral Nursery. Something unexpected, something whimsical, yet chic. Inside Designer tip...Always having some kind of inspiration because it will guide you through the entire project as your reference. Does it feel cohesive, are the colors and patterns complimenting each other? With having some form of inspiration, you now have a go-to for those answers. I personally use art, fabric, or wallpaper as my inspiration and build a room around the "idea" I get from that pattern or color story.

When I design a Nursery (just like other rooms) I say add layers of color, pattern, and texture. This ottoman is throwing out all of the above. It's a vintage family piece so it adds a personal touch. A room should not feel like it's "one note". It should feel acquired and layered. I'm not saying throw everything and anything in the room but I am saying it should be balanced and approachable. In a Nursery there are key items you need. A cozy chair, an ottoman, a soft rug, plenty of storage and, oh yeah, a crib! So let's talk about storage and more layers.

Ample storage is key for any functional Nursery. The amount of clothing, blankets, diapers, supplies, and so on is kind of overwhelming. So having a place to stash and rotate these items is one of the best tips I can offer. But let's make it pretty storage as well as functional storage. I opted to make this dresser one of the stand out pieces in the room just purely by its color. I wanted to play on the idea of a blue Nursery for a girl. So to balance out the pink I added some major drama with this blue. The dresser has some traditional lines so by painting it a bold color and adding modern hardware it creates the juxtaposition in style that I was wanting.

YES this is a PINK closet and it's one of my favorite surprises in the room. The closest should still feel like it's part of the room... not just a catch all. Why not paint the walls and shelving a complimentary color!? By adding the second shelf and rod it doubles the functional storage. Kids clothing is small and in a couple of years she will want to dress herself. Why not let them actually reach their clothing. I added pretty boxes to store her bows, shoes, and random keepsakes. Add in a few decorative items and voila...a stylish and functional Nursery closet. And yes there is still room in there to shove those Costco size diaper boxes.

The changing table has always been the eyesore in the Nursery (besides the glider) until more recently. Moms and Dads are realizing they don't have to pick the not so stylish changing tables from the big box stores. They can use beautiful pieces that can double as a changing table and then in couple of years they return back to a dresser or console. You can add a changing pad (that latches to furniture), a box for diapers, and storage for the essentials and there you go...another non-traditional piece that can transition with you over the years.

This black wall, that white mirror, and these vintage ladies are adding some major drama to this Nursery. A Nursery can be bold, chic, and playful at the same time. Yes, you can paint the walls black and it still be light and bright. This room has three East facing windows so it gets a ton of light. I used white drapery, a crisp white paint on the trim and ceiling, and lighter rugs that all help to balance out the black and bounce the light around the room. These are those tips and tricks to consider when deciding to go black on the walls.

A special space for the whole family to cherish your sweet baby is what it all comes down to. Find your inspiration and run with it. Create that magical room for your baby; one that they can love and adore for years to come.

xo,
Andria Fromm
Designer/Owner @ Andria Fromm Interiors

With all of the decisions you are faced with when you decide to build or renovate your home, tile selections are often the hardest because (1) they are usually in the first round of decisions you have to make for the project and (2) they lay the foundation for so many other design choices. One of my top requests from clients is to help them pick out the tile and countertops because it can be overwhelming …along with lighting but I’ll save that for another discussion.

So what is the advice I give to clients when selecting tile? Well let’s first assume you have already
decided on a certain aesthetic for the space and you have collected inspiration or a mood board for the overall look you are wanting. What’s next, stone for the countertops? Yes. If you are picking tile, then you are most likely picking out stone for the countertops. They go hand in hand and it’s important to think of them as a “pair”, because they will literally be sitting on top and beside each other. So as a designer I ask myself or my client, “Do you want the countertop to be quiet or loud”? If the answer to the question is “loud”, then I need to start looking at slabs of stone for the counters and move to tile selections after. If the countertops are going to be more neutral, then I can start jumping into tile first. I do, however, touch base on the stone selections through this process so that my colors are cohesive. It’s very helpful if you can find a stone and tile company in one location to compare samples.

Since I am talking “tile tips” let’s start with the concept of neutral countertop with patterned tile. I start this process by looking for the “wow” tile. It’s the tile that jumps out at and grabs my attention; the tile that leads the design in the space. The “must have” tile. Congratulations! Now ask for the price and available stock on the tile. Nothing (in design) is worse than when you find what you love and it’s unavailable for one reason or another. So where does this amazing tile take stage. Is it wall to wall behind the vanity, or floor to ceiling behind a free standing tub? Are you going extra bold and laying it as the floor throughout? P.S. check on the recommendations for floor or wall application to help answer that question.

Next choice is the “supporting role” tiles. These are often a neutral or matching tile that has a little interest via texture or mini-pattern. These elements are simple enough that they don’t take away from the “lead” tile but add interest in a subtle manner. Another element to consider is contrasting tile size. This adds a needed change in scale and helps to keep interest throughout the room. You can also change the pattern direction or play with the grout color to create depth to the design. I don’t recommend you do all of these but pick and choose what works best for your space and your selections.