Nursery Reveal: Wallpaper and Geometric Pattern Boy Room

Decorating the nursery was one of the most exciting parts of the nesting process for Lucy of  Four Walls and a Roof. “I really wanted to know the gender in advance. Harry was our second boy so, on the one hand, I was pleased because I had a better idea of what works in a boy’s nursery but, on the other, all the notions of a girly, flowery nursery were out the window!  I had been seeing a lot of rooms with a whimsical fairytale quality to them. I was also into retro mod spaces with geometric designs and white silhouettes. In the end, it all sort of melded together into a vision of a room that was babyish, boyish and bachelor pad all in one!”

“This was my second child, but third kids’ room (including the toddler room for my older son). It was easier this time around because I learned from mistakes before and had some furniture already to work with. But it was harder too because I knew I probably wouldn’t have another chance to do a nursery–two kids is a handful!–so I needed to exercize all my decorating demons this time around! I learned some valuable lessons first time around. For example, I knew that practical considerations must come first in a nursery. Comfortable rockers take priority over stylish chairs, hence our rather unattractive rocker. Surfaces need to be clear for all the bottles, formula, wipes etc. I also learned that they grow out of the baby phase so quickly that really babyish designs quickly become irrelevant. I indulged in a few babyish features but most of them are movable, such as the decal, the plush toys etc.”

One exciting feature was that Lucy wanted to introduce wallpaper into this room. “It had to be appropriate for a baby but last through his toddler years or possibly serve for an adult guest room or office one day if we switch the rooms around.” She picked Hick’s Hexagon by Cole and Son, thinking a geometric pattern would serve all those needs. “he wallpaper was a real departure for me, so I’m delighted I still like it. I especially love the color – a really pure, clear, summery blue, which tones well with the paint Polar Sky by Benjamin Moore.   The combination was purely by gut feel. I considered a fresh white and green scheme but, in the end, I was just drawn to the blue.”

Because she went with this classic baby boy blue, Lucy felt the other elements in the room didn’t need to be overly childish. “The wall decal above the dresser/changing table is child-friendly enough, without being cartoony.  I added interest with grays, taupes and warm wood.  My husband was the real star here. He did the wallpapering, painting and even painstakingly applied the decal.”

As with most nurseries, this is a small room. It’s also connected to Lucy’s sun room, which reduces the wall space available for storage. To give her extra storage options, Lucy combined the changing table with a dresser, added a small bookcase for books and toys, and then added a second small bedside table by the rocker for storing feeding supplies. “We also have a small, very awkward built-in closet in the room, which we use for hanging clothes, storing bulky items and toys. It’s really not enough so we plan to put some better shelving in the closet.”

Lucy offers great advice for first time parents in the decorating process: “First, go with your gut instinct and choose colors and furnishings that you really love. You will spend a lot of time in there and, while your baby won’t care what it looks like, you will. So don’t throw your own design aesthetic out of the window. Then make sure you really consider all the practical elements. Surface space and storage are critical. But you also need to consider things like the amount of light at night (blackout blinds, plus drapes, plus an adjustable light are the best combination); the heat (add a fan, heater and a cool mist humidifier so you’re covered for all eventualities); the noise (a white noise machine and a non-squeaky rocker, for example). Everything needs to be safe and easy-to-clean or you’ll have no peace of mind. Then think about it from the baby’s perspective. Is there something to look at while feeding or being changed? Is the space going to be over-stimulating for the baby?

It’s easy to get worked up and anxious about a nursery being ‘perfect’ for baby’s arrival. Just bear in mind that, once you bring your little one home, you really won’t care about how it looks. You’ll sweep all those cute knick knacks off the surface to make room for diapers and tissues. You’ll have burp cloths, blankets and bottles festooned around the place. In the middle of the night, you’ll care only about how comfy the rocker is and how reachable the copy of Goodnight Moon is. And when your baby is one, he or she will be such a defined personality in your mind that you’ll want to redecorate all over again so the space fits your child. But you will at least know that you poured your heart into creating a space you love, as a tiny sign of what that baby means to you.” Thanks Lucy for sharing Harry’s geometric home with us!