I typically like to start with any inspiration photos that the client has. They generally feel a bit overwhelmed by everything they see on social media, etc. so we’ll go through everything together and work on finding the key elements they are drawn to so we know what design direction to take. After that, we always discuss functionality and budget to make sure we choose pieces that work perfectly for them!

We have a big questionnaire! I like to always ask specific questions about things like wallpaper—is that something they want to do? Do they have any idea about the type of window treatments they want? Most of our nursery clients don’t have many specifics in mind yet, but if they do, it’s important to know about those up front.

Wallpaper! We use it all the time because it just makes a nursery so unique and fun. And there are so many options for removable wallpaper now that it doesn’t even have to be permanent.

Safety. It doesn’t matter how gorgeous something is, if it’s not safe, it shouldn’t be in the nursery. We’ve had to have a few hard conversations over the years with clients on certain things, but it always works out better in the end. Of course, there are certain elements that parents use on occasion and then remove when the baby is actually in there, but in general, things like crib bumpers, cords on blinds, hanging crib canopies, etc. shouldn’t be used. There’s a whole chapter on this in my book!

1. Evaluate what you have before you start. You may want to reuse the existing curtains, pull something out of storage, or use a hand-me-down. Make a list of anything you may want to use that you already own. 2. Create a checklist. Most parents don’t know exactly what needs to go in a nursery, and costs can really add up toward the end. Having a thorough checklist in place is a great way to stay on top of budget, ordering and deliveries. 3. Have fun. The nursery is the one room in your home where you can have fun without limits! Make it a space that feels good to you as a parent. This space is about YOU.

We don’t use a lot of themes, but I’ve always wanted to design a nursery with some really unique color palettes. We do a lot of blush, neutrals, pale blues and greens, and even black and white. I love clients who aren’t afraid to experiment with color!