Room Tour: Nursery Becomes 'Modern Forest'

This piece of artwork by Avalisa from Art.com inspired the nursery’s color palette. “The colors were just so beautiful to me, and the quilt pattern was a great way to introduce a typical baby item in a more modern and subtle way,” says Bishop. Polka-dot upholstery on the glider is playful without being overly juvenile.

It’s hard to believe, but the nursery’s bulletin board was originally a gold and brown mirror found at HomeGoods. Bishop knew it had potential, so she began by painting the entire thing white, then painted each inset with colors she pulled from the aforementioned inspirational piece of artwork. Believing a bulletin board would be more useful than a mirror, she topped the mirror with stiff cardboard cut to size. She then cut cork tiles to the shape and spray-glued the pieces to the cardboard. Bishop removed the need for tiny, potentially dangerous pushpins by adding criss-crossed ribbon to the cork for tucking in photos and mementos. “Kids are always collecting things or are fascinated by certain interests,” says Bishop. “Bulletin boards give them a place to be creative and corral their inspirations in one place.”

The secret to keeping a nursery organized: plenty of storage. “In no time you will wonder where all this kid stuff came from,” she says. “Having spaces for toys prior to that moment will save you a headache. Think shelves, bins, baskets and buckets to keep it all tidy.”

This stuffed dog is from World Market, but Bishop suggests scouring Pier 1 or Etsy for endless options of unique stuffed animals. “For something different, look for those made with materials like patterned fabrics or a tight knit,” she says.

Bishop created playful silhouettes by outfitting the wall with decals. Her application tips: Before applying decals, be sure that your paint is cured. Once you’ve peeled off the backing and stuck the decals to the wall, help it adhere by rolling a rubber roller over the decal while the front paper is still attached. Then, slowly peel the front paper off and use the rubber roller to smooth out any air bubbles.

The dresser, a hand-me-down, was originally a honey oak color with a floral detail carved in the top center drawer. By the time Bishop arrived on the scene, it had been painted white, but the floral detail remained. “I had them fill in the floral area and sand it down to create a flat drawer front,” she says. “Then, I took large sheets of paper that featured a wood grain and decopauged them to the drawer fronts.”

Sandy asked Bishop to include a place where she could hang the baby’s hats. Instead of using pegs or hooks, Bishop opted for a birdcage rack from Urban Outfitters to add a little unexpected fun. Finished in red, it adds a complementary contrast to the green wall.