The Nursery Edit

Nov 11

Rooms

Three nurseries, three very different moods. What they share is a comfortable chair, a crib that lasts and a little pattern.

Striped nursery with a white crib, built-in bookshelves and a desk under the window — Signature SpacesSoft gray stripes, a painted crib and built-in shelves with a small desk under the window.

A nursery changes faster than any room in the house. We design them to feel special on day one and still work when the crib turns into a big-kid bed.

01Start with the chair

You will spend more hours in the glider than anywhere else in the room. Make it truly comfortable, give it a washable slipcover and keep a small table and a lamp within reach.

Navy plaid nursery with a green gingham glider, ottoman and brass crib — Prosper StreetA gingham glider and ottoman against navy plaid walls, with a brass crib in the corner.

02Choose a crib that lasts

A classic shape in brass, wood or a painted finish will not date. Choose one that converts and it will stay in the family for years.

Nursery with a brass crib, white glider, burl side table and star wallpaper — Morton StreetA brass crib, a skirted glider and a burl side table in a nursery papered in a small star print.

03Use pattern

Wallpaper does more work in a nursery than anywhere else. It is soothing, it hides scuffs and it grows up well. Stripes, small stars and a tailored plaid all fit the bill.

Navy plaid nursery wall with a wood dresser, framed golf prints and a green bookcase — Prosper Street & Signature SpacesA plaid nursery with a wood dresser and a bookcase of favorite stories; soft stripes with a shearling chair and patterned drapery.

Striped nursery corner with a shearling armchair and patterned curtains — Prosper Street & Signature SpacesA plaid nursery with a wood dresser and a bookcase of favorite stories; soft stripes with a shearling chair and patterned drapery.

04Plan the storage

A dresser at changing-table height, baskets for blankets and open shelves for books keep the room calm. A built-in window seat adds storage now and a reading spot later.

Nursery with a rattan dresser, built-in shelves and a small desk — Signature Spaces & Morton StreetA rattan dresser beside built-in shelves and a desk; a dormer window seat with a basket for blankets.

Dormer window seat with pale blue pillows and a basket — Signature Spaces & Morton StreetA rattan dresser beside built-in shelves and a desk; a dormer window seat with a basket for blankets.

Nursery essentials

Blackout shades behind the decorative ones.
A dimmer on the overhead light, and a lamp you can reach with one hand.
A washable rug with a good pad.

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