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Black & White: Gender Neutral Decor in a Shared Nursery

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Creating a shared nursery in a small space isn't easy, and making it gender-neutral is even more difficult. Take a tip from this gender-neutral shared nursery - use black and white.

 
 

Black and white can keep a small space from becoming overwhelmed and it's simple and dramatic. We love the neighborhood skyline painted in black chalkboard paint and the crisp white furniture and bedding.

(pic via Decor8)

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inspiration, shared bedroom, shared nursery, gender neutral

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Comments (8)

This seems a little stark for a nursery. Why not just use primary colors instead of baby shades, which tend to give the impression of being gender specific.

posted by autobot77 on August 14th 2009 at 2:36pm
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That looks like the parents trying to be cooler-than-thou more than just wanting it to be gender specific. Ooh, black and white, how edgy and designer-y. Pass.

I rather like clear gender-neutral brights for shared nurseries. Citrus-y orange, bright clear greens, aqua, etc.

I think I disagree with the premise it's challenging to decorate gender-neutral for children. Just avoid decorating solely with Disney/Nick jr. characters or gendered-toy merchandise and its pretty easy. Blocks, maps, books, art supplies, bright colours, pictures of animals/flowers...?

posted by JosieDaisy on August 14th 2009 at 10:41pm
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I live it. But those houses look haunted and my kids would be spooked.

posted by kelleyk on August 14th 2009 at 10:57pm
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Yes, that wall looks straight from Nightmare Before Christmas. But if it works for the kids, then go for it.

We've done gender neutral with wood tones, and a combo of stone blue, pale yellow, and pops of red and spring green. It works for us.

posted by wrenx on August 15th 2009 at 12:46am
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bats or vultures could be for Halloween

posted by marfanboy on August 15th 2009 at 10:22am
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I love the idea. I think I would choose silhouettes of nature though, tall grass, bugs, birds, a tree or two. But I think the effect is great! Provides for a lot of ways to alter and add to it once the wee babe is born, and as your children grow.

posted by wendy-rae on August 15th 2009 at 2:17pm
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Not digging the design itself (a little too Halloween-like for a baby) but I think if it were something more rigid (rigid houses and trees) and in a more fun color would work. I think black houses automatically gives off that Halloween effect.

posted by ohnoitskristin on August 16th 2009 at 8:18pm
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I see the houses and I don't think of Halloween; rather, I think of the bedtime stories that'll be told about the tiny people living in that city. Maybe a few outlines of people would soften the look, but I don't think it's so frightening or dreary!

posted by mere1975 on August 17th 2009 at 9:05am
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