Room of the Week: A Nursery Gets a Galactic Makeover
A gym is transformed into a playful and soothing nursery just in time for the arrival of its new resident
When Chicago interior designer SuzAnn Kletzien took on the assignment of converting a makeshift home gym into a nursery, she discovered that she and the client were both expecting babies around the same time. In fact, their children were born within a month of each other. ‘It was fun, because as I was doing research for my own baby’s nursery, I was also researching hers,’ says Kletzien. ‘We would share ideas.’ The goal of the project was to shoot for the moon and give the room a no-expense-spared look while keeping the costs firmly grounded in earthly reality.
AFTER A dark blue accent wall with white, gold and grey circle stickers give the illusion of a starry sky. ‘We were in the planning stages when the parents came up with the idea of a solar system theme,’ says Kletzien. ‘They wanted a look that would be appropriate as their little boy grew.’ That’s why she chose circles rather than five-pointed stars. ‘I felt like actual star shapes might be too girly for him later,’ she says. To get the galaxy effect, she carefully plotted the placement of each dot to make it look random.
Kletzien’s must for the nursery: a truly comfortable rocking chair. ‘I really prefer a wingback model,’ she says. ‘It gives you a comfortable place to rest your head.’ Noting that tired new parents often have their hands full, she made sure she included an occasional table and an ottoman within reach.
Dresser: Patchwork, West Elm; crib: Sparrow, Oeuf; decals: Lottie Dots, Land of Nod; rug: Jonathan Adler; rocking chair: Empire, Masins; ottoman: Target; table: Martini, West Elm
Check out these designer tips for designing a nursery
Dresser: Patchwork, West Elm; crib: Sparrow, Oeuf; decals: Lottie Dots, Land of Nod; rug: Jonathan Adler; rocking chair: Empire, Masins; ottoman: Target; table: Martini, West Elm
Check out these designer tips for designing a nursery
With Kletzien’s addition of a padded window seat, the window is now a reading spot armed with storage as well. An assortment of cushions picks up on the geometric shapes in the room.
Framed vintage prints depicting starry skies hang above the dresser. ‘I found the prints online and in local antiques shops,’ says Kletzien. ‘I used frames from West Elm and Cost Plus World Market, selecting ones that matched the wood in the dresser drawers.’
On another wall, a framed sentiment sums up the theme of the room. ‘I love this phrase,’ says Kletzien. ‘I’d seen it in children’s books, and it seemed perfect here.’
The window seat was installed just one week before Kletzien’s daughter, Maevis, was born (her nursery theme is Bohemian baby). The resident of this room, Andrew, followed one month later, and has been stargazing ever since.
See a fun and colourful playroom
The window seat was installed just one week before Kletzien’s daughter, Maevis, was born (her nursery theme is Bohemian baby). The resident of this room, Andrew, followed one month later, and has been stargazing ever since.
See a fun and colourful playroom
The room was previously a strictly utilitarian gym.
Have you decorated a nursery? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Have you decorated a nursery? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.