Child's name and age: Zoe, due any day now!
Location: Malden, MA
Baby Zoe is a lucky girl. She's not even born yet, and she already has a beautiful room fit to please a discriminating occupant of any age. Her parents, Winnie and Kevin, describe their style as "part Eames, part Ikea," stating that "good design can come from both expensive and inexpensive retailers, but ultimately it has to make the individual happy." Amen to that!
What was your inspiration for Zoe's room?
Inspiration was drawn from our love of modern and simplistic design. We often found inspiration in other parent’s nurseries on Ohdeedoh, Apartment Therapy and Dwell. We basically wanted to put a nursery together that was different than all the “traditional” nurseries that we were seeing at some of the larger baby retailers. The items are simply a collaboration of many of our favorite ‘design-driven’ retailers: DWR, Ikea, Etsy and smaller boutiques in the area.
Were there any design challenges you had to overcome?
The two main challenges we had to face were the size of the room (11’ x 8’) and the placement of the electrical breaker box (as seen in pictures and description below). Also, we initially planned to use an Eames rocker for those long nights up, but have found that the rocker isn’t the most comfortable chair after an hour or so of use.
How did the "breaker box artwork" come about?
The artwork was created by hand out of non-toxic foam paper glued to a blank canvas that was re-upholstered to yellow canvas. The completed canvas was then screwed to hinges and mounted to the wall so it can’t be accidentally pulled or knocked off the wall. By doing this, it also allowed access to the electrical box.
Important to note: the actual inspiration for the monkey itself was from a San Francisco artist whose work is featured on Etsy. The artist’s name is “Weesf” and the monkey artwork that she created is called "Max the Monkey”. I was not able to purchase her original work because the art she was selling was made from paper, and didn't come in a size that would have covered the electrical box.
That's an enviable amount of wall storage! What are you keeping in there?
We use the bookshelf to store baby books, dolls, toys, lotions, diapers, picture frames, and any electronics needed, including a baby monitor and an ipod speaker system. The dresser is completely full of baby clothes, bibs, burp clothes, and more diapers. Under the crib, we store blankets, pads, and bed sheets for the baby.
Sources:
Thanks so much for the tour, Kevin and Winnie. And all our best wishes for Zoe's arrival!
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Oh this is so beautiful! I love everything about it. And what a clever way to disguise the breaker box! Great job.
view EricaHT's profile
Wow, I am very jealous of this nursery! We're also expecting a baby girl any day now, but we haven't set up a nursery because we're living in a smallish apartment while looking for a house. (The baby is going to sleep in a bassinet in our room to start, although the Loom crib just showed up today, yikes!) This nursery has so many of the things I want: from the Flenstead butterfly mobile to the Eames Hang-it-all to the tree wall art (although my dad is going to paint one for us.) And I love how you covered the breaker box. What a great, creative idea.
Congrats on your new baby, and on putting together a lovely nursery for her.
view Pencils's profile
Where did you get that Buddha from? I LOVE it.
view Elle78's profile
Gorgeous!
view schnappycat's profile
I love the mixing and matching of furniture and all the items on the shelves.
view Organized A La Mode's profile
Charming, happy space. Congratulations.
We did something similar with our breaker box but, ahem, yours looks safer...
view JudiAU's profile
Where's the crib from?! Just darling!
view supapfunk's profile
I love the tree - I recognize it from somewhere...?
view ilovemymini's profile
Hey all, I've just added a list of furniture and accessory sources to the bottom of this post. I think it will answer all your questions.
view TammyE's profile
What about the Buddha??? :)
view Elle78's profile
I love the Buddha too - I found one online at perpetualkid.com. It's a bank.
view LaneC's profile
Just found out the green Buddha bank has been discontinued. Argh.
view LaneC's profile
I would like that room for myself! And smart parents to put the iPod in there. I'm digging the clock above the windows especially.
I am *shocked* that the baby's parents are Kevin and Winnie! As in Arnold and Cooper? So glad those crazy kids ended up together. :)
view Daffodil's profile
Beautiful nursery and wonderful job.
The only thing I'd think about is sleeping so close to the breaker box - all that wiring can give off electromagnetic and radio frequencies. As well, as the child gets older they may want in there - I know my kid would be all over ripping down the picture and opening it to flick some switches. Is it possible to switch the dresser and the bed? From the pictures it looks like the room would still work that way.
view sparklish's profile
oh, I so WANT an Eames Hang-it-All for our nursery! Love the whole thing--so great--especially the creative breaker box cover.
view motherclucker's profile
Buddha lovers!!! I found a site still selling these. I just ordered a handful for future gift-giving.
http://www.limegreencatalog.com/buddabank.html
Thanks for the inspiration Winnie & Kevin!
view trixiegirl's profile