Making Memories in the Woods: Ana Hito’s Whimsical, Hudson Valley Nursery

It’s been really interesting spending part of the year on Easter Island and a few months in the Hudson Valley—our homes have such different energies. On the island, we live on a big ranch with tons of animals (my husband is a rancher there and feeds 80% of the island with his cattle). Life is rustic, very “of the land.”

Our Hudson Valley home, though, has its own unique feel—mid-century modern with strong architectural character. I’ve been crafting our incoming daughter’s room to reflect that. Of course, I’ll still weave in meaningful trinkets I’ve collected over the years (though now I know they need to be child-safe—my 17-month-old will destroy anything in her path). I also really want both girls to share a room in this house. On Easter Island, they’ll have their own spaces, but this house feels perfect for creating that kind of bond.

When I first discovered Nestig, I instantly loved the Walnut Wood Cribs and Beds and all the built-ins—desks, cabinets, etc.—because they blend so naturally with the house. You know that classic Danish, all-blonde wood everyone loves? It just doesn’t work here. Nestig pieces make the nursery feel like a true extension of the home.

I grew up with one of my best friend’s moms, who was so inspiring and so good at  making a space feel the perfect amount of warmth, new and old. She knew how to seamlessly incorporate keepsakes in a way that was truly imprinting on me. Because of this, I’ve always wanted to create a space for my children that felt whimsical and special.

I feel like my daughters—by the time they’re two or three—will be in the nursery by themselves full-time. I want them to feel like their space is a grounding, energetic space that holds the uniqueness of our woodsy environment—especially because it’s so different from our island home.

Omg, there are so many that we’ve been obsessed with. We’ve already set up the Woodland Cloud Crib and Cloud Kids Bed, and I just love how they fit in the room. The color is spot on with the color of the built-ins.

We also have the Enchanted Kingdom Sheet & Duvet Sets that we can’t get over. Our house is tucked into the woods against the state park, so even though we’re nowhere near the adirondacks, it feels so woodsy and campy. To complement this Big Forest Energy, I chose to go with a woodsy, floraly, fairy-y vibe—like pink and soft pastel colors juxtaposed alongside the dark walnut wood.

We also have  the Arches Library Desk and Hug Mini Chair in our den, where our 17-month-old plays a lot. It feels like a library, but it opens up onto our porch, so you can be inside and outside at the same time.

My worst nightmare is being in a space that is overly cluttered in a disorganized way (think: Home Goods or things that don’t match). The whole “Oh, somebody gave this to me,” or “I found this on the side of the road” does not work for me.

The most important things in any space are warmth and rhythm. Whether I’m hosting a dinner or creating a nursery, warmth is always at the top of my mind. I want people to feel held and comfortable. I also don’t want to make a space that has too many rules. I want my kids to be able to make a mess, and make something beautiful out of that mess.

I mentioned collecting trinkets and things earlier, and that’s because I love collecting things. I’ve started collecting little polaroids of when my first daughter was born as well as notes people have written us, my daughter’s first hand print, Rapa Nui photos, or things my husband has made for her into a collage.

It’s a fun space to have little memories of all of the little things. Hopefully, as my daughters continue to grow and have more experiences, we’ll have more things to add to the collection and showcase. It’s a way of bringing all of the crazy parts of our life together in a cohesive way.

I feel like so many people gave me advice (and still do!), but the best piece of advice that continues to ring true is “Don’t listen to anybody.” 

Just because someone has experienced something doesn’t mean it’s true for you. You have to experience things for the first time on your own. At the end of the day, you know best. Seriously, don’t listen to anybody ever (even Instagram Reels!).

When my first daughter was born, I had this overwhelming sense of “I know what I’m doing. I know what works for us.” In this situation, where we feel comfortable, I know what works. That’s not to say reading things on how your child’s brain develops isn’t amazing, but when it comes to the instinctive things, you have to go with your gut.

The other piece of advice that I think is amazing (and I use it all the time) is, “You just need one movie downloaded, and you’ll use it when you need to.” You don’t need TVs or anything. We play Sound of Music on repeat—like so much.

Favorite nursery rhyme 

I genuinely don’t know any nursery rhymes. My daughter has this record player with nursery rhymes on it, and I’m getting to know them now in a way I never did before.

Biggest myth about pregnancy: 

I feel like for everybody it’s so different. For me, I’ve always had a very easy experience. I know that’s not the truth for everyone. But your mind needs to lead that experience.

Baby name that almost made the cut, but won’t:

There were definitely lots of names that were like, “No, no, no.” My brother’s name is Rio, so we just knew my daughter would be named River. But there were no two names that were competing.

Every nursery should have a ________

Relic of the past. A little something that reminds you of your childhood or your past.

Best piece of advice about parenthood you’ve been given:

You gotta do you.

One thing you’d want your child to know about this time of your life:

It’s the best, most fun, challenging time of my life. I just love it so much. But it does come with all of its challenges; I feel like before you have kids, you have stressful challenges; these are not stressful challenges, these are joyful challenges. 

Name your color scheme in one word:

It really depends on where I am. When I think about Rapa Nui, I like neutrals and naturals. But here in New York, it’s more bold colors and pops. 

One piece of furniture you got for the nursery, but hope to keep forever:

It’s crazy how many little things I’ve fallen in love with. I’m like, “She uses that now, but I’m going to keep this rocking horse forever!” Something that I got for her nursery from my mom’s house was this duck lamp that I was like, “I’m going to keep this in the house forever now.” There are lots of little things. She got this pair of Mexican cowboy boots, and I’m determined to make them her future pencil holder.  The structure of new things that are sturdy and amazing; relics of the past make the space. That’s what I love to find and collect with intention.