Welcome to the gender-neutral nursery
Plastic toys are out, sustainability is in. Jessica Doyle on how ‘woke’ new parents are ditching pink and blue for Scandi style
Gone are the days of blue for boys and pink for girls; as the millennial generation begin to start families, the rules of nursery decor are changing. In today’s “woke” nursery, plastic toys, bright colours and man-made fibres are out; genderneutral colour palettes, natural materials, sustainably produced textiles and vintage furniture are in.
Forget the maximalism trend with its bold patterns and clashing colours; the new nursery has become a serene haven of Instagram-friendly wooden cots, Berber wool rugs and organic-cotton tepees. It’s as much a personal statement as a style statement – a reflection of your own interior taste, but also your commitment to the planet.
So, with Mother’s Day this weekend, here’s what to consider if you are decorating for a new arrival…
The colour scheme
Like pink and blue, primary colours are no longer de rigueur in the Instanursery (unless you’re planning on painting a red-and-white striped, circus-tent-style ceiling, which is very on-trend). The soon-to-arrive Baby Sussex is partly driving the vogue for understated nursery design – his or her first bedroom will apparently be decorated in a tasteful palette of white and grey. There is a school of thought that says a child’s room should be fun, rather than understated; but there are ways that it can be both. Scandi design companies such as Ferm Living and EO sell muted but cute furniture, toys and accessories, and there are options on the high street too: the new Scandi Kids range to be launched at Debenhams next month includes bedding and accessories featuring lions, giraffes, elephants and bears in soft grey, white and yellow.
The Duchess of Sussex’s reported choice of a vegan, all-natural paint by German brand Auro has sparked a surge of interest in chemical-free options. The British interior decorator Edward Bulmer uses Auro paint as a base for his own collection of colours, which he mixes from natural earth pigments, and which are inspired by the hues found in the English historic houses he has restored. All very tasteful
– or, as he puts it, “a paint for modern living, with none of the nasties”.
Bulmer recently added 20 new shades to his collection – many of which will be available at Oka stores from next Thursday – and he also sells nursery paints. He reports that there has been increased demand for a more “mature” palette of greys and paler colours for children’s rooms of late
– his range includes off-whites, soft beige tones and a pale grey-blue, but even the stronger colours have a slightly muted tone.
Clean air for your heir
It’s not just about style: the products you choose can have an effect on the quality of the air in your home, and paint is just one part of that. Interior designer Irene Gunter became an expert on this issue when decorating a nursery for her son, who suffers from allergies. “Even in a big city such as London, the air outside can be healthier than the air inside your home,” she says. As well as being mindful of the paint or wallcovering you choose, she points out that some wooden floors can contain high amounts of glue that can release toxins into the air. “Having a carpeted floor can be better for allergy sufferers; wool is anti allergenic,” she adds.
There can be a similar issue with regard to furniture, according to Gunter: “Some new furniture contains glue, which can take up to two years to dry, during which time it will be releasing toxins. Most people would not be affected, but if you’re prone to allergies, it can make a big difference.” Her advice is to go vintage or second-hand, so that even if the furniture has been made with glue, it will have fully dried. “With vintage pieces, not only will you have something with personality and character, you’ll be helping the environment, and the people in your home,” she explains. Websites such as Decorative Collective (decorativecollective.com), Pamono (pamono.co.uk) and 1stdibs (1stdibs. co.uk) sell vintage cribs, cots, small chests of drawers and bookcases. Gunter also suggests buying handmade furniture using traditional techniques.
Go au naturel
There is no place for shiny, brightly coloured plastic in the modern, tasteful child’s room (although textiles woven from upcycled ocean plastic waste can pass muster). The past year or so has seen an explosion of wicker and woven furniture on the high street, and it’s the perfect fit for the neutral nursery – if you happen to have an antique cane child’s chair in the family, all the better.
“I don’t like partitioning the universes; what works for an adult interior can also work for a child,” says Cecile Roederer, founder of the French family concept store Smallable (smallable.com). “The trend for rattan and natural materials is linked to the desire for a return to the source, and the need to take time and slow down. Our clients are asking us for eco-friendly products that are made with respect for the environment: we want beautiful, healthy objects that will stay with us for a long time and make us happy. “I’m a huge fan of handcrafted rattan beds by Bermbach, and decorative accessories by Olli Ella. The French fashion brand Bonton has also launched its first collection for the home, with a focus on retro rattan-inspired furniture.” And don’t forget the textiles: bedding in pesticide-free organic cotton, coloured with natural dyes, trumps easy-care polyester mixes in the “woke” nursery. Linen goes one better, as it uses less water in its production, is mainly manufactured in Europe, and helps to regulate body temperature during the night. Smallable stocks Scandi brands Liewood and Ferm Living Kids, while Organic Zoo (organic-zoo.com) is a good source for organic changing mats and wash cloths.
If you’ve gone for a vintage crib, you’ll need a new mattress: The Little Green Sheep’s are filled with natural materials such as wool and coconut coir (thelittlegreensheep.co.uk). The company also sells wool-filled duvets and pillows, organic-cotton sleeping bags and soft, plastic-free mattress protectors. All of which will help to ensure a peaceful night’s sleep, for modern babies and parents alike.