Designer Nurseries for Any Budget
Three inspiring design aficionados give us the goods on building a stylish nursery from scratch. From traditional to modern, one is sure to suit your style—and your budget
Originally published September, 2008
A Mod Little Pod
A pre-fab room built to fit into an open-concept loftJOHN TONG
Dad of Uma, 7, and 6-month-old twins Luka and Maelle
Who he is: An innovative architect, designer and partner in 3rd Uncle Design Inc., the award-winning multidisciplinary design firm responsible for Toronto’s The Drake Hotel, MTV’s studio at the historic Masonic Temple, boutiques like Lileo and the original Lululemon on Queen Street, Totum Life Science Private Gym & Spa and countless other impressive projects.
Why we love him: He epitomizes cutting-edge, creative design and has a special talent for bringing out and making better the original characteristics of a space while transforming it into something modern, smart and new.
THE BILL
Building costs - $2,600
Ikea Gulliver cribs x2 - $100 ea
Lamp - $157
Vintage change table - $350
Cabinet Supplies - $40
(Cabinet found & refinished)
Vintage chair - $450
Ikea fur throw - $40
Wall tattoos x2 - $80 ea
GRAND TOTAL - $3,997
(all prices are approximate)
TELL US EVERYTHING!
Canadian Family: What was the room before it was a nursery?
John Tong: It was empty space in our open-living converted loft. That was the approach with Uma’s [their first-born] room as well—we just keep building rooms into our open-concept space.
CF: How was the space constructed?
JT: We didn’t want any drywall dust in the construction of the room when Anne was pregnant, so we used a prefab approach and built the wall and ceiling panels in our yard and moved the completed structure in.
CF: What is your favourite thing about the nursery?
JT: That we have a real reason to have two identical cribs in the same room. There’s a delightful symmetry that did not come from a stylistic preference but out of the fact that we were blessed with twins.
CF: How big is the room?
JT: Ten feet by eight. It’s small but completely fulfills all the needs we have for the babies right now. Plenty of natural light pours in from the glass doors, and the set-up is efficient for changing and feeding.
CF: What will happen to the room when they grow out of it?
JT: Because of the prefab approach, when it comes time to move upstairs the room’s walls and ceiling can easily be dismantled with minimal destruction and dust.
CF: What was your biggest budget-saver?
JT: The French doors from The Home Depot were affordable and are key to making the room feel spacious and bright.
JOHN’S GOOD ADVICE
With children, stuff and clutter comes with the territory. Try to keep things simple and don’t over-decorate. Space will become a luxury both physically and mentally.
Produced by Suzanne Dimma Written by Andrea Mills Prop Styling by Leah Weber
Photos by Michael Graydon
