Hayes’s room was one of those projects that took a long time to come together. I began planning months ago but went back and forth about the design a hundred times—neutral and calming to match our style, colorful and playful, or a mix of both. Decision paralysis delayed progress for a while, but eventually I found a hybrid approach that feels right. Hopefully Hayes will love it too.
Today I’m sharing our organic modern nursery reveal, created in partnership with Blinds.com. Below are the images from before and during the setup, followed by the final reveal and the design choices that brought the room together.
Here’s what the room looked like before and during setup:
The room is straightforward in layout—one large window, a standard closet, and a few uninterrupted wall sections. That simplicity made some decisions easier and others more limiting. Because only two walls offered enough uninterrupted space, the crib and the changing table/dresser had just two placement options. Once those were set, there wasn’t room for many more large pieces, so fitting everything required thoughtful planning. Still, we managed to include all the essentials and the decorative elements I wanted within a relatively small footprint.
How it all came together
When planning the nursery, I asked a few friends with children what practical items they considered essential. Nearly everyone emphasized blackout shades as crucial for sleep training and better naps, so I prioritized that. Anything that helps Hayes—and parents—sleep better is worth it in my book.
I chose a Blinds.com blackout roller shade that coordinates with the rest of our home, is cordless for safety, and effectively blocks light when needed. We matched the shade color used downstairs (Interlude Canvas) but switched to a blackout material so the room becomes dark when the shade is down. Installation was quick and simple—since we’d installed similar shades before, this one took less than ten minutes to put up.
Safety was a major consideration when choosing window coverings. The cordless roller shade removes cord hazards, which offers real peace of mind while childproofing the room. The Window Covering Safety Council recommends cordless or inaccessible cord window coverings in homes with young children, and opting for a cordless blackout roller is a reliable way to follow that guidance.
Furniture When the window treatment was settled, we focused on the major furniture pieces, starting with the crib. I’d had the Kalon Studio Caravan crib bookmarked long before pregnancy; it was a splurge but converts to a bed later, which helped justify the cost. The raw wood finish fits the organic modern aesthetic I wanted.
The changing area is a dresser-style piece I found on a big sale. Using a dresser or credenza as a changing surface can be a stylish and practical alternative to a traditional changing table—just ensure the piece is deep enough to safely accommodate a changing pad and tall enough to avoid excessive bending.
Rug With hardwood floors, I prioritized a large rug to provide a soft play surface as Hayes grows. I still plan to add a rug pad for extra cushion, but the rug already helps warm the room and define the space.
Book storage I wanted books to serve as both storage and visual interest, so I used picture ledges that let the covers face outward instead of a conventional bookcase where only spines are visible. This makes it easy to see and select books at a glance and doubles as a spot for small toys.
Artwork Choosing art for the nursery was one of my favorite parts. I aimed for a balance between pieces suited for a child’s room and artwork that would fit elsewhere in the house. A special piece by my friend Ashley—a small circle artwork with color sections—sits on the grey shelf under the window; she made it for Jeff and me when our dog passed away, and it’s meaningful to have it in Hayes’s room.
Decorative details The brass mobile is a standout element—large and sculptural over the changing area. I also added a set of half-circle wall shelves above the changing surface, a woven wall hanging, and some plants to soften the room. These finishing touches bring texture, warmth, and personality to the space.
Photography by Amelia Lawrence.
Source list: Blinds.com blackout roller shade // Caravan Crib from Kalon Studios // Mudcloth crib sheets from Mebie Baby // Ojalla flatweave rug // Santa Lucia brass mobile // SAMMANHANG wall shelf // Coldwell sideboard // Wall hanging and toy baskets // DIY half circle shelves // Contour face drawing by Cori Maass // Circle artwork // Prints from Fine Little Day // Grey stick system shelving // Moon-shaped toy pram.
If you’re working on window treatments, Blinds.com provided the blackout roller shade used in this room. For anyone interested, there was a limited-time code offered: paperextra5 for 5% off (offer expired 11/18/18).
For more room makeovers, follow the 12 rooms in 12 months series. I’d love to hear what you think of the nursery makeover—what does your dream nursery or child’s room look like?
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This post was created in partnership with Blinds.com. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper and Stitch running.