Vancouver Sun

BOHO FOR BABIES

Eclectic nurseries a lively celebratio­n of colour

- KIM COOK

Traditiona­l nursery decor tends to be a gently stirred mix of cute animals, soft hues and nicely matched furnishing­s. And there’s much to be said for all that sweet serenity; these are rooms both peaceful and soothing.

But many parents and designers are looking to inject nurseries with a quirkier style sense, creating spaces that encourage creativity and individual­ity. Some want the nursery’s decor to echo the decor in the rest of the home, and to have some longevity beyond the baby years.

These days, a baby’s room might include global elements, like Moroccan rugs and poufs; carved wooden mirrors; French light fixtures; Indian tables or wall hangings. Handmade touches might include throws, baskets, artwork or garlands made by relatives, friends or a talented Etsy.com artist.

Boho nurseries tend to include imaginativ­e prints and patterns, and the palette can range from neutral-with-a-twist to an all-out celebratio­n of colour. Eclectic, energetic and enchanting, boho nurseries are fun to decorate, and can be a visual feast for young children.

Los Angeles-based Justina Blakeney is an artist, designer and founder of the blog The Jungalow. Her latest book, The New Bohemians Handbook (Abrams, October 2017), gives readers painting, decorating and lifestyle tips.

“Boho style is about tapping into your free spirit and creativity,” she says. “Since kids and babies have the freest spirits of all, it makes so much sense to me that their environmen­ts reflect that.”

Blakeney advises taking an exuberant, upbeat approach, creating a child’s room that’s full of colour, pattern and (non-toxic) plants.

She’s just done a collection with Pottery Barn Kids that includes toy organizers, soft, plushy rugs, and a stick-on wallpaper called Jungalino.

“I also love to include things like disco balls, crystals and glowin-the-dark elements that add sparkles, rainbows and magic to a room,” she says.

“The artwork is based on an imaginary world I created for my daughter,” she says. “The world is called Glump Glump Forest, and it’s where all the fanciful creatures live.”

Blakeney, who is biracial, likes bohemian style’s inherent diversity, and designed a doll for the collection: “As a child, I never had dolls that looked like me. So I was very excited for the opportunit­y to design a doll with brown skin and curly hair for all the little girls that might feel the same way I did growing up.”

Many mainstream retailers and smaller design studios are on the boho nursery trend.

Wallpaper is one quick way to amp up the sense of adventure in a nursery. Graham & Brown has a black-and-white illustrate­d London cityscape that would keep little minds busy exploring, while Anthropolo­gie has Voutsa studio’s Garden Chinoiseri­e wall mural, full of hand-painted, oversized exotic birds, flowers and vines.

Sydney Penner, an artist in Vancouver with the Etsy site anewalldec­or, does moody murals of winter woods and forest creatures that might appeal to all ages.

And handcrafte­d elements can add charm and authentici­ty to a boho nursery. West Elm has a collection of decorative mirrors made by Peruvian artisans that were inspired by the intricate carpentry in old colonial homes. Los Angeles artist Kim Baise sculpts mini versions of objects such as ukuleles, fruit, birds and cowboy boots out of papier mâche, and strings them into playful mobiles.

Interior designer and HGTV contributo­r Erica Reitman suggests adding kilim or faux sheepskin rugs, tribal textiles, abstract art and braided baskets.

Design studio Ace & Jig has a vibrant collection at Land of Nod that’s based on antique textile patterns. A hand-tufted Indian and New Zealand wool rug features a bold, blue-and-white geometric motif. Toddler bedding comes in a black-and-white Southweste­rn pattern. And there’s a style-savvy patchwork mat and teepee for play time.

The Associated Press

 ??  ?? Elements like this wallpaper called Jungalino can provide a visual feast for kids. The artwork is based on an “imaginary world” designer Justina Blakeney created for her daughter, “where all the fanciful creatures live.”
Elements like this wallpaper called Jungalino can provide a visual feast for kids. The artwork is based on an “imaginary world” designer Justina Blakeney created for her daughter, “where all the fanciful creatures live.”
 ?? PHOTOS: POTTERY BARN KIDS ?? Bold colours and hand drawn patterns are part of designer Justina Blakeney’s signature bohemian style, inspired by her travels and love of nature.
PHOTOS: POTTERY BARN KIDS Bold colours and hand drawn patterns are part of designer Justina Blakeney’s signature bohemian style, inspired by her travels and love of nature.

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