A bold look -- for baby
A baby’s first room doesn’t have to be swathed in pink or blue, says Lara Fishman, who specializes in nurseries. What’s her advice, especially if you don’t know the sex of the baby or just want a look that’s fresh and different? “Think bold and graphic, which is stimulating for a baby,” says Fishman, owner-principal of Los Angeles-based Storm Interiors. Her decorating tips for parents-to-be:
Color: Unexpected combinations in a nursery can create an exciting environment for a child, Fishman says. She loves butter yellow, apple green and navy, which together work for a boy or a girl. Blue paired with orange is another favorite, as is hot pink with navy. Modernists can even craft a junior Hollywood Regency look, she says, with chocolate brown, orange and white tones. Unusual colors are the easiest solution for any parent who “wants their child’s room to feel different than something bought off the shelf,” she says.
Basics: Prepping the room with essentials will lay the groundwork for accessories, which are easy to add later. In designing a room for parents who did not know the baby’s sex in advance, Fishman chose non-gender-specific turquoise for the walls and kept the rug neutral. Pink bedding and complementary window treatments were added after a girl was born. Interesting wallpaper can add a distinctive touch. Fishman has used a coral design, a tree trunk pattern above the chair rail and a lattice print on the ceiling -- all from Cole & Son.
Context: Fishman considers the context of the nursery and how it fits into the rest of the house. Do you want the spaces to have unity? Do you want to blend modern with authentic Spanish? Vintage elements can be an inexpensive way to add decorative detail while still keeping a room masculine. Fishman found a faux bamboo iron chandelier from Wertz Brothers (stores in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles) and painted it fuchsia for a striking addition to a traditional room.
Timelessness: Fishman recommends choosing furniture with clean, classic lines. Soft rocking chairs add comfort because they’re “really adult chairs” -- a nice alternative to ugly gliders. For one project she chose a rocking club chair from Jenny Bec’s in Santa Monica that can be reupholstered or slipcovered. Think of the pitch: Can you stand up while you’re holding a baby? For a modern look, Fishman likes the classic Rapson rocker from Knoll, available from highbrowfurniture.com, among others. It will last beyond the toddler years and work in practically any room.
Texture, materials: Chandeliers can add an elegant touch to a playful room. A shag rug is distinctive and can be easily changed out. Fishman created an interactive vinyl floor for a pediatrician’s office with squares from Linoleum City in Los Angeles. “The kids can play chess on it,” she says. The designer favors texture over pattern and likes to mix chenille with loop, or perhaps cotton with linen. “All of us are drawn to certain patterns and color,” she says, “but keep pattern innocuous.” The same is true for murals. “It is really an investment,” she says, noting that they can confine your design options.
Storage: Look for furnishings that can serve double duty: ottomans as storage trunks, window benches with lift-up seats, low shelving that can hold books as well as decorative items. Fishman’s company designed its Beach Ball ottoman with round edges on castors -- a piece that doubles as a toy box.
Function: Storage for toys is good, but don’t get carried away. “It’s completely insensitive to think you should hide all the kids’ toys,” says Fishman. Well-organized closets -- Fishman has used California Closets and House of Closets -- allow kids to put away things themselves as they grow older -- at least theoretically. “They need to be able to see their stuff and access it,” she says. Smart organization lets them “take ownership of their own stuff.”
Comfort: It’s the baby’s room, but what about the parent? Fishman suggests creating a space that’s comfortable for mom and dad. Wall-to-wall carpeting is great for tummy time, as is a daybed or a sofa bed, which can help with nursing or late night feedings. “Always put a reading light in a baby’s room,” Fishman says. In lieu of a daybed, you also can ready the rocker with a side table for all those bleary-eyed readings of Dr. Spock.
Lisa Boone can be reached at home@latimes.com.
