Transforming the Nursery with a DIY Accent Wall
With geometric tiles, soft lights and lots of love, Jenn Bischoff created a pink oasis for a nursery. "It’s my favorite place to sneak away to when I need a moment to myself," she says. Read on as she shares her process for creating the statement wall, and the memories and details that bring the nursery to life!
I'm a west coast girl turned east coast and a creative. I've been married 14 years and I'm a mother of two for 12 years and decided I was already too close to being an empty nester, so we bought ourselves some more time and welcomed our little Luna this past spring.
Minimal. Dynamic. Unexpected
I tried the Pinterest/moodboard route, and even though it was enjoyable to see so many beautiful ideas, they didn't feel right. So I went back to my own style and created a focus point. I transformed the space with lighting and eliminated excess to create a soothing oasis.
I love an accent wall. I like directing the audience to a focal point. I chose a geometric, three dimension tile that is timeless, durable, and adds depth to the space without being distracting. Depending on the time of day, you get to experience the wall differently. During the day, the tiles are almost a background texture. At night, when the soft LED strip is illuminated,
the light catches every high point, accentuating the lines, while the valleys are left in the shadows, creating a gradient of pinks.
A wonderful element of being pregnant is there’s a pretty firm deadline. And I took advantage of that time, starting on the nursery earlier than many do. A lot of love and intention went into designing Luna’s room. I dreamt about rocking her in the recliner. Singing (really badly, but she loves it) to her in the muted light of the accent wall.
I considered how I’d experience entering her room when she’ll be eagerly awaiting someone to pick her up out of her crib. I have some physical limitations and I took those into account with the placement of the
changing table and automation of lights. I made the space transitional so it has room to grow as she does. I love the wall of photos I add to weekly, counting our way up to 1 year. Infants change so fast, I want to see every stage, enjoy every milestone and cherish her development.
I really didn’t want another baby shower. At least not a typical one with presents... But, not wanting to deprive my friends of shopping for a baby (who doesn’t love to shop for tiny things?!?!?), and no one would get on board with not buying a gift. I asked them to buy books they read to their babies (this group of women have older children, teens, college kids, etc). A wonderful thing happened: the awkward gift opening turned into a beautiful time of sharing what the book meant to them and how their children would end their day with these words and pictures. There wasn’t a dry eye in the group. I’m so excited to read the gufted books full of so much love.
My favorite time in the nursery were those first few week when time has no meaning and there were only needs to be met and moments to be cherished. When we’re both getting to know each other as separate beings. It’s a holy time with rapid growth, painful healing, and foggy memories. I loved the nights: me, curled up on the recliner, and Luna, swaddled in her mini crib that was tucked up next to me. I’d slowly drift to sleep staring at her delicate features, memorizing and admiring them. Just as I close my eyes she wakes again from hunger. I’d say “Alexa, turn on the pink wall.” A womb like glow fills the room. Just her and I, awake, while the rest of the house slumbers on. I’ll always cherish those moments.
