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
bohemian rhapsody
An existing den transforms into an eclectic nurseryTANYA LINTON
Mom of Eddie, 4½ months
Who she is: A television executive with loads of style, Tanya is the director of original productions for HGTV as well as a design writer for Canada’s top decor publications. She’s also author of the newly updated cookbook The Ice Cream Bible (Robert Rose).
Why we love her: She’s a style-savvy woman-about-town with a live-it-up attitude, great taste and a knack for letting her femininity show through in her decor choices, which are never too girly. Basically, she’s just fabulous.
THE BILL
Benjamin Moore Aura in Cloud White x2 - $65/gallon
Chalkboard paint x3 $20/quart Hemnes 3-drawer chest - $199
Ouef crib - $1,000
Ikea Stockholm easy chair - $349
Ikea Stockholm stool - $169
Pottery Barn rug - $550
Ikea Jarpen shelves x3 - $17 EA
Ikea Bjarnum bracket x3 - $11 for 2
Curtains - $200
Changetable cover - $40
GRAND TOTAL - $1,765
(not including crib, which was a gift)
(all prices are approximate)
TELL US EVERYTHING!
CF: What was the room before it was a nursery?
Tanya Linton: A cozy TV room. It was all-white then too and the TV sat on the credenza. All Mike and I did in terms of construction was paint in the chalkboard wall and install shelves.
CF: What made you choose this style?
TL: I didn’t want over-the-top cutesy or any matched sets. I prefer modern furniture and wanted the pieces to last and work in somewhere else as Eddie grows.
CF: What is your favourite thing about the room?
TL: I wanted to make a nursery that I would want to sleep in, so everything in it makes me happy. I like how everything works with the white walls—I have a white decor scheme throughout the rest of my house; I like how clean it is and how it works with any other colour, so the chalkboard wall grounds things and adds lots of personality. The vintage rock posters are the perfect art for a boy’s room.
CF: How big is the room?
TL: 80 square feet and it’s a perfect size. Everything is within arm’s reach.
CF: What will happen to the room when Eddie grows up?
TL: It will stay all-white and become a walk-in closet. I didn’t use any “kid’s” furniture pieces, so they can all be re-used here or in another room down the line.
CF: What was your biggest budget-saver?
TL: The chalkboard paint wasn’t expensive and has a huge impact, and the changing table is an affordable Ikea dresser. All you need to do is fit a changing table topper for it.
TANYA'S GOOD ADVICE
Don’t just head to one baby store stressed out, assuming you have to buy everything all at once. Shop around and don’t just look for baby furniture. It takes more time but it’s worth it.
Produced by Suzanne Dimma Written by Andrea Mills Prop Styling by Leah Weber
Photos by Michael Graydon
