An Interior Designer’s Take on a Coastal, Relaxed Nursery

Island, beachy, laid-back

The inspiration started with a turtle art piece by Los Angeles-based artist Michael Summers that Adam had picked up years ago—we always said it would go in our future child’s room. Once we found out we were expecting, it felt like the perfect place to start. From there, we leaned into natural, beachy California vibes and brought in playful touches, especially animals. I also had a ukulele from a trip to Hawaii that felt like a sweet, meaningful addition and helped shape the mood of the space.

Many of our close friends had used Nestig for their nurseries, so we already knew the quality was excellent. What I love most is how Nestig plays with texture and color—it feels both fun and elevated. We fell in love with the cane detailing on the Island Wave Crib and Cove Floating Shelves. And mixing of lighter wood tones with walnut on the Cloud Dresser felt really fresh and stylish. Definitely brought a nice depth to the space.

Honestly, the Dawn Patrol Wall Mural was the biggest surprise. We were a little hesitant about using a mural-style design and there were so many beautiful options from Nestig that we were torn about, but I’m so glad we went with this one. It exceeded our expectations and really completed the room. I love the tiny details, like the little car and palm trees tucked into the corners. We even wrapped the inside of the door with the wallpaper, and that made it feel extra special and unique.

We really focused on making the room both beautiful and practical. Since it's a smaller space, we had to be smart about layout and storage. We added a built-in closet that’s as cute as it is functional. It hides all the things we don’t want out in the open, which helps keep the room clean and calm. We also chose materials and tones that are forgiving, not too crisp or white so little messes don’t feel like a big deal. It was all about creating a space that feels open and cozy, without being cluttered or overly delicate.

It would smell like coconut, citrus, sea salt and maybe with a little sandalwood. The soundtrack would definitely be Island in the sun by Weezer. It just captures the laid-back, sunny energy we were going for.

There’s a small ultrasound photo of our baby boy sucking his thumb that gets me every time. We don’t have many photos in the space yet, but that one will definitely stay. We also love the light fixture, it’s super cute and brings in that perfect island vibe. It’s those little touches that make the room feel personal.

We were pretty much on the same page from the start. We both wanted something uplifting and not overly "baby boy." We wanted a space that could grow with him. We love nature, being outdoors, going on road trips, and hiking. Animals and the color green have always been favorites for both of us. Those shared loves really helped guide the design. I pulled the elements together, and Adam was totally on board.

My design background gave me the confidence to mix colors, textures, and wood tones without overthinking it. I’ve worked with small spaces before, so I knew how to make the most of every square inch. Functionality was key, so we made sure the essentials like blackout curtains and layered window treatments were figured out early on. Together we focused on making the space feel open, breathable, and practical, without compromising on style.