Nursery Design 101

Tips from Interior Designer Elena Brooking

Congrats on your new (or coming soon) bundle of joy!! There’s nothing more exciting than those 6-9 months of planning for your little one to arrive. And with everything going on in the world right now, I’m sure throwing yourself into a DIY home nursery project is just the virtual escape you need to brighten your mood. That’s why I’m interviewing professional Interior Designer and Feng Shui Consultant Elena Brooking on how to get started with your babe’s DIY nursery.

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Tell me a little bit about your background, what you do, and how you got started?

My name is Elena Brooking, I am a qualified interior designer + Feng Shui consultant. I am a mama of 2 little girls (Olivia 4 & Sienna 2) and a former motherhood empowerment coach.

I started my interior design diploma when pregnant with my first and finished my studies 2 weeks before my second was born. I went through post partum depression with Olivia and interior design helped me push through and make it out on my own so I could make my dream come true!

I am currently focusing on kids’ design and I help mamas out there raise confident & inspired children by creating long-lasting spaces that support their passions & personality!

Let’s talk nurseries! What’re your design principles for creating an awesome nursery?

Designing a nursery can be so much fun because anything you decide to include is entirely up to you while your baby doesn’t have a voice in it just yet! There are a few things to keep in mind when getting started:

  • Choose a specific style or theme. Although it's not absolutely necessary to limit yourself to a single concept, settling on a specific idea will help you to narrow your focus and create a more cohesive design.

  • Choose textile before paint: there is nothing worst than choosing the perfect curtains or bedding only to find out it clashes with the paint color.

  • Identify a focal point, most nurseries are centered on the crib, but there are many other options to choose from. A large window or alcove or even a signature piece, such as an over-sized toy or a painted dresser, can also draw focus.

  • Leave room to grow, when choosing furniture think long term: baby's small bassinet-style crib may look darling now, but have you left enough room to exchange it for a toddler-sized bed later?

  • Don’t neglect your windows. Properly dressing your windows is not a design choice—it's a safety concern. Always install blackout curtains or heavy blinds in the nursery. This will help the baby to sleep longer and more comfortably. More importantly, it will prevent the room from getting too hot during the day, dramatically decreasing your baby's risk of SIDS.

How should mommas who are waiting to find out their babes gender plan their nursery decor?

Neutral soft hues are always best, especially for the foundation of the room set up. Once the gender is revealed you can always add little pieces in pink or blue to give it more personality. There isn’t a right or wrong here, you can always pick a combination of colours you like whether it’s a girl or a boy!

What are your favorite on trend nursery themes for boys?

What I love about boys nurseries is the fact that there is so much you can play with. I love the brave little prints with animals hanging on the walls. Fur mats and cosy throws to create some hygge are a must.

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What about for girls?

With everything going on at the moment I have noticed rainbows are going very big and it is definitely a very nice element to be adding, it’s also long lasting (who doesn’t like a rainbow?) 

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For even more great nursery themes, check out my curated Pinterest board arranged by theme!

How can mommas design a nursery that will grow with their baby into toddlerhood and beyond?

I know a lot of mums struggle with this and specifically in knowing, when is the right time to upgrade my child’s room? While every kid is different there are a few signs to look out when considering introducing a toddler bed or a Montessori closet. It’s important to keep in mind which pieces are you introducing that your little one won’t grow out of or a while? For example, when you don’t have room for both a stand-alone changing table and a dresser. You'll get more use out of the dresser in the long run. Thinking ahead will ensure you get the most out of your money and your space. If you are on a budget, what’s really necessary in a nursery and what’s fluff? 

What are your top 3 pieces of advice for designing a nursery?

  • Consider going green, eco-friendly products can be beneficial for your baby and the environment.

  • Do decorate the ceiling, babies spend much time on their back and it can be stimulating for them.

  • Create a nursing station for you to relax in and make your journey into motherhood stress-free.

For the shoppers out there, what are your top 3 product must haves for a great nursery?

As a mother myself and as a designer I recommend:

  • An adjustable crib so you can have the flexibility to shift it’s functionality as baby grows. The Graco Benton cribs are very good for this, they are convertible and can turn into a toddler bed or a day bed.

  • A good dresser for organized storage space. Here you can get creative, I personally love the Harriet Bee style, minimalistic and classy.

  • A crib mobile. You are going to need all the breaks you can get and this is a great tool for keeping your baby busy while laying on his back. Usually the cut out animal ones with a little sound can do wonders!

Thank you Elena Brooking for all of your great tips and tricks on designing a DIY nursery! If you’re looking for more personalized advice, please reach out to Elena directly or join her Facebook Group for even more nursery collaboration. And of course, check out our printable nursery art & closet organizers!

Shop Nursery

5 Reasons Why Flashcards Are The Best Toddler Gift

Nowadays, everyone is looking for the best alternatives to the brightly colored, flashing lights, noise-making children’s toys that quickly become junk around the house or garage sale items within a few years. From Montessori style wooden toys and games to gifting experiences instead of toys, everyone is on the hunt for wholesome alternatives to the traditional toy store run two days before you need that birthday party gift. And of course, there’s always the fallback of ordering a great children’s book on Amazon :). But what about good old fashioned flashcards?! Here are 5 reasons why I think flashcards should be at the top of your shopping list if you’re looking for a great gift for a toddler.

1. They’re education wrapped in fun

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Babies are never too young to start learning the alphabet, recognizing shapes and colors or even making neural connections by looking at black and white images. Flash cards can literally be used to teach anything and they’re the perfect way to get shot-attention spans to concentrate on one thing at a time.

2. They’re great on the go

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You can take flashcards anywhere and as long as they’re super thick and durable like these ones, they make the perfect entertainment. Reaching for that cellphone to entertain your toddler in line? Grab a compact set of flashcards instead. Kiddos can look at the images, practice words and colors, all while you’re running errands. Most flashcards even come with a binder ring so that you can keep them all together without carrying around the box or bag that they came in! Imagine taking on-the-go education to the extreme with Whitney and her family who homeschool’s on the road.

3. They make great nursery or playroom decor

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If you’re not taking them out and about, flashcards make the most adorable nursery or playroom decor. You can use them for practical purposes like hanging above a changing table to keep little minds occupied during diaper duty. Or you can use them as an adorable border around the room, hanging mosaic, or even and inexpensive alternative to framed prints. You can easily decorate a room with just one set!

4. They grow with your child!

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You’re never too old (or too young) for flashcards! Babies can use them as something to look at on the floor during tummy time. Or you can hold them up during bottle feeds or activity time! Toddlers get a kick out of laying them out or flipping through them with mom or dad and trying to identify objects and words. And as they grow and learn, concepts can become more challenging. Or you can even start asking kids to not only identify the object, but spell the word, spell it backwards, or identify it after only a few seconds of seeing it. If you get a little creative, you can easily make the same set of flashcards span years of learning and development!

5. Great for bilingual language learners

Whether you have a bilingual household or you’re just trying to introduce new languages at an early age, flashcards can be a great way to expose children to the sounds and syllables of multiple languages. And they’re a great reminder for mom and dad to be teaching basic words in alternative languages! Investing in multiple language development is critical in a child’s early years, so what better way to do it than a good set of multilingual flashcards!

So there you have it! Flashcards are probably the last gift on any child’s mind, but they’re such a great activity to introduce of love of learning and play at an early age. So if you’re looking for a toddler Easter gift or you have a first birthday party coming up, consider including a set of these flashcards in your Montessori inspired toddler gift basket.

DIY Winter Onederland Birthday Party Theme

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I absolutely love party planning and party decor! It’s so much fun and so rewarding to look back at photos and see those bright smiles amongst the beautiful party decorations. And what could be more fun for a Winter Baby than a Winter Onederland theme?! Check out the list below for some awesome inspiration for your kiddo’s party.

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