On trend: Nurseries with Bohemian style
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 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-atwist to an all-out celebration of color. 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 color, pattern and (nontoxic) plants.
She has 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 glow-in-the-dark elements that add sparkles, rainbows and magic to a room,” she says.
Many mainstream retailers and smaller design studios are on the boho nursery trend.
Wallpaper is one quick way to increase 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, oversize exotic birds, flowers and vines.
Interior designer and HGTV contributor Erica Reitman suggests adding kilim or faux sheepskin rugs, tribal textiles, abstract art and braided baskets.
“Larger baskets can hold toys or extra blankets, and smaller baskets can store extra diapers or burp cloths,” she says.