Tag: cot

Baby number two’s modern and unisex nursery reveal

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 1, 2018
4 Comments on Baby number two’s modern and unisex nursery reveal

There’s a new room in our house which is calm, serene and incredibly tidy… because nobody uses it yet! I like to leave the door open and gaze smugly at its peaceful perfection, even if the rest of the house is increasingly becoming a bomb site as third trimester tiredness kicks in! It’s our future baby boy’s nursery and I’m thrilled to share it with you today.

Everyone jokes about how the first baby gets the best of everything and the subsequent kids are lucky to get a brand new anything! This second baby was always going to have a nice room though because I obviously love interiors, and baby rooms are so fun and special to create, and part of the getting ready process (although I’m still in denial!). But I have to say, I wasn’t in the crazy rush to have it all finished and perfect before the baby arrives because I know he’ll be in a bassinet in our room for the first few months.

Goodness knows when I’d have got round to actually doing this room because I’m even busier and tireder than I was last pregnancy, so when west elm and Pottery Barn Kids announced their first collaboration it was like a sign! west elm are one of my favourite furniture and homewares brands and Pottery Barn Kids are my go-to for kids’ decor (Seb’s last three rooms, in three homes, have been mostly PBK).

This collab was a chance for me to step outside my uber classic nursery style. I loved the idea of a less obvious nursery look and even though I knew we are having a boy, I wanted to try something more unisex. I firmly believe baby rooms should be calm and serene places, for both baby and sleep-deprived, nursing Mum (and Dad, of course). The colour and the fun can come later when they’re older, and in our house, we’re lucky to have a separate playroom where basically anything goes!

I immediately fell for the Audrey collection with its luxe style, lacquer finishes, brass accents (anyone who has been to our place knows I have a lot of those!) and glam geometric textures. I also happen to have bought the navy Audrey bedsides from west elm recently for our master, so it was like it was meant to be!

The cot is an understated design but its textured end panels and brass legs give it that little something-something. A toddler bed conversion kit is available too if you want to use it later. The three-drawer change table offers smart function with its removable topper that fixes firmly to the back but can be removed as baby grows to be a toddler (or you perhaps decide you want to steal it for your own grown-up bedroom…).

With this statement dresser and cot, I didn’t want to have too much else going on in this room, but I knew I wanted wallpaper, and settled on Love Mae’s Sleeping in the Woods design from Queensland-based Milton & King. It adds that essential bit of whimsy every child’s room needs! Wallpaper is an investment, especially when you factor in hanging it (although this can be DIY-ed if you have the skills, time and confidence!), but a single wall is pretty affordable and makes a serious impact for the money. To give you an idea, this wall required less than two rolls and the labour cost $300.

The Graham Glider chair (a matching ottoman is available too) is ridiculously comfortable and I love the Frankie side table (again, featuring brass) as somewhere to put bottles and all that other baby paraphernalia (let’s not kid ourselves, the plant will soon be moved elsewhere as I clutter it and run out of space!) so I love that it has a shelf underneath too. The Mongolian Lamb Stool (currently on sale) adds some texture and is so cute-looking and super soft.

The white picture shelf (from IKEA) was already there when this was mine and Damian’s bedroom, and it just worked to put it back above the cot so we could safely add some wall art (the frames can’t fall off because there’s a ledge at the front). The gold frames add to the sophisticated theme and we can change them up with family photos, big brother Sebastian’s “art” and prints as the mood takes us. The fluffy white rug feels gorgeous underfoot and adds to the relaxing feel. Anything to make those middle-of-the-night wake-ups more comfortable, right?!

I picked the key pieces for this room and shortlisted some wallpaper options, then happily handed over the reigns to the experts. Jodi Hall, Design Crew lead for the Williams Sonoma brands in Australia, came up with a moodboard which we tweaked together, and she brought it all together on the day of the shoot. I couldn’t have loved it more and it certainly feels more real now the room is sitting there finished and ready!

The brass mirror was a wedding present and before you ask, could not be more professionally or securely attached to the wall (safety first, always!). I wasn’t planning on keeping it in there but when everything else went into the room, it was perfect!

I am so happy with this room. I love how peaceful and uncluttered it is and I’m so happy I went with something a bit different for this baby as I’m not planning on having anymore (famous last words!). It’s so great to have it sitting there ready for 12 weeks’ time (give or take) and even though he won’t sleep in there for a while, we’ll still do plenty of changing, feeding and playing in the nursery.

So, what do you think? I’m happy to answer any questions you have in the comments.

If you’re struggling to pinpoint your nursery or kids’ room style, why not take advantage of Pottery Barn Kids’ free design service?

Disclosure: I was gifted some of the items from this shoot.

See more of Jen’s home

SHOP THE LOOK

west elm x pbk Audrey Convertible Cot in Parchment

west elm x pbk Audrey 3-Drawer Change Table

west elm Frankie nightstand (as side table)

west elm x pbk Graham Glider in dove grey Performance Velvet

west elm x pbk Honeycomb Baby Bed Linen in Horseradish

west elm x pbk Organic Stamped Owl Fitted Cot Sheet

west elm x pbk Unicorn Plush

Pottery Barn Kids Nursery Faux Fur Plush Fawn Rocker

Pottery Barn Kids PBK Blocks

Pottery Barn Kids Jumbo Elephant Plush (borrowed from Sebastian, who has had it since he was born!)

Pottery Barn Kids gold gallery frames

west elm Baby Souk Wool Nursery Rug

west elm Mongolian Lamb Stool in Platinum

west elm Roar + Rabbit Ripple Ceramic Table Lamp in Cool Grey

west elm Spun Metal Planter (borrowed from my living room).

west elm Waffle Weave Throw in Platinum

Pottery Barn Kids Change Table Insert and Belgian Flax Linen Cover

west elm Graphic Printed Basket

Cream and black alpaca wool cushion on chair from Pipsqueak Home via Etsy

Tags Audrey, baby room, change table, cot, graham glider, interiors addict nursery, jen bishop, jen bishop nursery, kids room, nursery reveal, pottery barn kids, west elm, west elm x pbk

Bedrooms Designers Furniture Homewares

Top 8 picks from Pottery Barn Kids’ 2017 spring collection

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date August 8, 2017
No Comments on Top 8 picks from Pottery Barn Kids’ 2017 spring collection

Pottery Barn Kids is one of my go-to places when shopping for tiny tots. Affordable, on-trend and good quality, it’s hard to go wrong. And of course Jen has done both Sebastian’s bedrooms so far in collaboration with them! Take a look at our top picks from the new spring collection.

Sloan Acrylic Convertible Cot: A modern take on an essential, this sturdy cot boasts acrylic slats to accent the clean lines. The clear slats provide an airy, open feel that blends with any bedroom design. Nothing chunky or gaudy in sight with this cot! Best yet, it easily adapts from cot to toddler bed with a conversion kit (sold separately). $799.

House Canopy: Super cosy, the canopy can hang over your little one’s bed or act as a simple playroom accent. $259.

Organic ABC Sheet Set: I love bedding and this linen gets two ticks for being cute and educational! Featuring playful letters with coordinating images, it is made from pure organic cotton and comes in three sizes. Prices start from $99.

Nursery Fur Unicorn Bath Wrap: Oh my goodness! Too. Gorgeous. A cuddly, post-bath treat, this faux fur bath wrap adds supreme comfort (and cuteness!) to your baby’s bath time. Plus it’s just $59.

Terrier Shelf: Shaped like one of our favourite pooches, this little shelf boasts plenty of storage for favourite toys and treasures. Reversible so it can face either left or right, it also comes in a dachshund design. $99.

Junk Gypsy Garland: This hand-crafted garland drapes the wall in a whimsical design your little one will love. Designed exclusively for Pottery Barn Kids by sisters Amie and Jolie Sikes, aka the Junk Gypsies, it captures the duo’s rebellious spirit and unique design philosophy. Just $24.

Felt Learning Calendar: Organisation and planning skills are made easy with this versatile piece. Velcro pieces featuring days, months and holidays let your child plan out their upcoming activities. Plus, the pocket at the bottom neatly stores any extra pieces or notes. It’s yours for $64.

Emily & Meritt Marigold Fitted Cot Sheet: Add a touch of floral detail to your baby’s cot with bedding made from plush, pure organic cotton. Exclusively designed for Pottery Barn Kids by fashion designers Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, it captures the duo’s playful and enchanting design aesthetic. $49.

Want to get your hands on these goodies but don’t have the cash? Enter our competition to win a $1000 voucher from Pottery Barn Kids. Entries close at 11.59pm AEST on 31 August 2017. Good luck!

Tags bed linen, bedding, childrens bed linen, cot, furniture, homewares, junk gypsy, pottery barn, pottery barn kids, shelf

Kids Rooms

The latest interior finds for little people

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date April 24, 2017
1 Comment on The latest interior finds for little people

Children’s furniture and homewares just keep getting better and better with an increasing number of gorgeous things hitting our inbox on an almost daily basis. From a retro toy kitchen to Leander’s latest cot and Australia’s first white chalkboard, these are our latest finds.

Violet Eyes ‘Bilby Boy’ print: The Victorian illustrator is back with another native animal and this time it’s for the boys. $65.

White Moose resin unicorn head: While we may be in the midst of unicorn overload I still have a soft spot for them and this whimsical statement piece would look amazing on a nursery wall. $149.

Leander Linea cot: After the huge success of the brand’s curved range, this new collection is a design departure that boasts much more angular, architectural lines. $899.95

Little Louli personalised baby bassinet sheet: This custom hand-printed cotton number is the perfect gift for a newborn. $49.

Love Mae Australiana 5-piece dinner set: Mae nails it again and this time she’s all over the Australiana trend. We love! $37.95.

Little Red Industries white chalkboard: The first-ever white chalkboard to hit Australia, it makes a nice departure from traditional black. $395.

Donkey products Spoonimals kids’ bamboo spoons: When you’re out of options to get the tiny tyrants to eat, these gorgeous spoons might be just the ticket. $7.95.

Mocka Mezzi kitchen: With its cute retro styling, gender-neutral colour scheme and great price, this wooden toy kitchen is a winner. $129.95.

Tags australian kids rooms, baby, cot, kids, kids rooms, nursery

Bedrooms Kids Rooms

7 tips for setting up your nursery by decorator Briar Stanley

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 23, 2016
No Comments on 7 tips for setting up your nursery by decorator Briar Stanley

Photography by Jacqui Turk

Welcoming a new baby into your life (and your home) is an exciting experience, especially if it’s the first time. Having a beautiful and practical nursery space ready for your new arrival – whether it’s a whole room or an unused nook – makes the process a little easier for both yourself and bub. Need a little styling inspiration? Interior decorator, blogger and mum of two Briar Stanley of Sunday Collector recently created a dream-worthy nursery for her new son Rafferty with a little help from Pottery Barn Kids. See her baby-licious nursery below, plus seven tips to help you design yours.

Briar recently designed this nursery for her son Rafferty.

1. Create your foundation

Designing a nursery from scratch can be overwhelming, but keep in mind a newborn baby doesn’t require too much in the first few months of his or her life. Briar suggests starting with the basics. “Begin with a cot or bassinet, a changing table and a comfortable nursing chair – if space permits!” Choose high-quality pieces that will stand the test of time and also consider designs that can be converted as your child grows, such as the Reese Cot from Pottery Barn Kids.

2. The right light

Having the right amount of light in a nursery (both natural and task) can make all the difference to your baby’s sleeping patterns. Blackout curtains help to control natural light and to encourage sleep during the day, while sheer curtains are perfect for filtering light during awake and play time. “I also recommend buying a night light – they’re perfect for middle-of-the-night feeds and settling, and my four-year-old daughter now uses one in her room for a more comforting light to sleep with,” Briar says.

3. Storage is key

Creating a beautiful nursery is an exciting process, but don’t forget that it should also be super-functional. Ample drawers or cupboards are essential for storing nappies, swaddles, burp cloths and clothes, and for keeping clutter at bay. “Toy chests and baskets or buckets are really handy, too, as they are built for the child’s height, making access to all their ‘treasures’ easy,” Briar explains. “And a dual-purpose unit such as a changing table with drawers is ideal for storing everything you need at arm’s length.”

4. Changing station

A well-stocked changing table is a nursery must-have. “I always have my changing table stocked with the following: baby wipes, a good nappy cream, a big stack of nappies that don’t leak (seriously, you can go through about 10 a day with a newborn), nappy disposable bags, a pile of burp cloths (the terry towelling nappies are good for this), baby massage oil, a digital thermometer and hand sanitiser. I like to be organised so I’m not having to look for things for too long – babies don’t happily wait when under duress!” Briar says.

5. Natural materials

A newborn’s skin can be highly sensitive, so consider buying swaddles, stroller blankets and bed linen made from natural materials. Briar chose the Linen Nursery Quilt from Pottery Barn Kids; linen breathes better and helps to keep babies warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Think about what you’re comfortable wearing or sleeping in, and the same will apply to them!

6. Temperature control

Babies can’t manage their body temperature as easily as adults, so it’s important to make sure your nursery is the right temperature. Keep a room thermometer (which you can purchase from your local chemist) close to the cot. Anywhere between 16°C and 20°C is a good temperature, but 18°C is ideal. “Also ensure your baby is dressed right for the season,” Briar adds. “It’s always handy to check the back of their neck for their temperature, or refer to a digital thermometer if you’re unsure.”

7. Finishing touches

Putting the finishing touches to your nursery comes down to personal taste, but the finer details can really come together once you get to know your baby a little better. If you’re not finding out the sex, start with fairly neutral colours and furniture choices – think crisp whites and light greys – then you can add things like wall decorations as you go along. “It’s also nice to consider unexpected hues like peach, olive green, canary yellow, charcoal grey or navy,” suggests Briar.

Shop Briar’s nursery style

1 Linen Nursery Quilt in Grey. 2 Nursery Animal Bath Wrap in Grey Elephant. 3 Kendall Dresser in Simply White. 4 Reese Convertible Cot in Simply White. 5 Sabrina Nappy Caddy in Simply White. 6 Cloud & Star Cot Mobile. 7 Lamb Plush Toy. 8 Modern Tufted Wingback Rocker in Linen Blend Grey. 9 Gallery Frames in White. 10 Rugby Rug in Grey/White.

Tags briar stanley, children's room, cot, kids room, nurdery, pottery barn kids, rafferty, sunday, sunday collector

Bedrooms House Tours Kids Rooms

Real rooms: Sebastian’s nursery reveal

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date September 23, 2015
13 Comments on Real rooms: Sebastian’s nursery reveal

Being that Sebastian moved out of our room and into his own room at the weekend, it seemed a good time to finally share the nursery with you!

I never took much interest in children’s rooms until I fell pregnant last year, yet when I started to plan Sebastian’s nursery (and before I even knew if we were having a boy or a girl), I was surprised how quickly I knew what I wanted and how that didn’t really change!

I’m exposed to the latest and greatest in children’s homewares and we have featured so many achingly cool and trendy baby rooms on Interiors Addict but I knew my baby’s nursery wasn’t going to be one of them. Not only am I not hip and trendy, but I knew I wanted something classic, timeless, simple and serene. And I suppose, being English, that influenced my idea of what a nursery should look like.

Navy, my favourite colour, was always going to feature, whether we had a boy or a girl, and I just love it paired with mint. If we had a girl I was simply going to add touches of coral or pink. This is how I justified my choice of the navy Emerson cot from Pottery Barn Kids. The design is solid, timeless and practical in that it can convert to a toddler bed later. I didn’t fancy timber and white just didn’t seem special enough when I knew I was keeping everything quite simple.

I always wanted a few key, quality pieces in this room and they are the cot, the rocker chair (otherwise known as the most comfortable rocking, swivelling, back-supporting chair in the world ever!) from Pottery Barn Kids and the beautiful Lucy change table from Incy Interiors. When it came to picking my colour for the table (they give you many options or you can even go completely custom) it just had to be this gorgeous green. It’s another piece which met my requirements of solid (painted timber) and timeless. The change table top is easily removed later for it to become a chest of drawers. Who knows, I may steal it for my own room later down the track…

To tie it all together I needed a rug for the timber floorboards. Again, I wanted it simple but not too boring and I think I found the perfect thing is this jute rug (hardwearing and neutral) with a navy (just enough navy!) border. Bingo! I have to say that if ever a shop embodied my idea of gorgeous nursery style, it has to be Pottery Barn Kids. Spot on!

I wanted a few pops of gold to add interest and I bought the Dandymoon wall flag after seeing it on Instagram. I chose the wording ‘then there were three’ and remember looking at it a lot while I was pregnant, trying to get my head around the fact there would actually be three of us soon! I absolutely love this room. It is the calmest most lovely sunny spot with its big window onto the front garden. Damian and I both spent a lot of time in that chair while we waited for the big day, contemplating the life-changing event ahead! And now our son is here and 4.5 months old and it’s like we were never without him! I bought the Fromage La Rue (love everything they do!) heart light for myself way before I was pregnant but could never find quite the right place for it. It’s the perfect night light!

I’ve so far neglected to mention the wallpaper which everyone comments on. Being a renter does limit what you can do to an extent but removable wallpaper was just the thing and I was keen to try it once and for all. This is the (large) trellis design from The Wallsticker Company in grey. It’s worth mentioning that it is more blue than grey in reality, but luckily we had a boy and it works well anyway! Most interior projects in our home fall to me (it’s my department) but being heavily pregnant, Damian had to take care of the application. While it took plenty of patience (and maybe some swearing), it wasn’t that hard to put up. That said, we had very varied results depending on the walls. Some look great, one is very bubbled and those bubbles aren’t going anywhere no matter how many times we pop them. Ah well…

We’re lucky that this room had built-in open shelving perfect for storing and displaying children’s toys and bits and pieces! I’m not going to pretend to be a stylist but it has been fun arranging it all. I deliberately haven’t made it too ‘done’. They’re toys after all, not ornaments! It’s a bit like a toy shop in there as you can see, and some of mine and Damian’s favourite childhood toys and books are in there too.

Anyone who knows me knows I love a bit of bunting and this custom string was a gift from small business Bunting By Design. The Winnie the Pooh painting was a gift from my talented mother-in-law who says she always knew her little boy was going to have his own little boy! I would love to add more art and shelving to the walls but being a renter and with removable wallpaper to boot, it isn’t really advisable!

The curtains are a ready to hang pair from Freedom. If I wasn’t renting I would have done something fancier with a blind and sheers over the top. And while I claim not to be a trendy monochrome nursery kind of girl, I couldn’t resist the Sac en Papier (and it’s great for storage) as seen in the most stylish kids’ rooms! I bought mine from Norsu Interiors. The fab gold painted tree trunk side table is from Two Girls and a Container and was stolen from the living room.

It’s so nice that Sebastian is finally in here (after outgrowing his bassinet in our room faster than we anticipated!) and perhaps now my husband will stop referring to it as “Sebby’s toilet” seeing as nappy-changing has been its main purpose up until now!

Decorating a nursery is so different and so much more fun than any other room in the house! You could very easily go overboard because there is so much great/cute product out there! I did try very hard to restrain myself myself and keep this a calm and uncluttered space though and I feel like I’ve achieved that. I hope you like it!

Disclosure: The cot, rug, chair, cot mobile, navy and white striped buckets and silver nappy caddy were gifted by Pottery Barn Kids in return for coverage on the blog. The following items were also gifts: change table from Incy Interiors, ‘We Made a Wish and You Came True’ print from My Sweet Prints, belly basket from Olli Ella, Sebastian wire sign on shelves from Planet Joy, wallpaper from The Wallsticker company, blanket from Gather Kids, hippo in cot from Nana Huchy, round cushion from I Love Linen, cushion on chair from Madras Link, cot sheet from Goosebumps Boutique Bedding.

If you’d like to know where I bought anything else, please ask in the comments!

Thank you to Melissa Webster from The Gather Collective for being a sounding board for my ideas and selections and to my husband for ‘hanging’ the wallpaper! I’d also like to say a big thank you to everyone (there are too many to mention) for their kind words, messages and gifts for Sebastian, which we genuinely appreciate.

Planning a nursery?

This Saturday 26 September, Pottery Barn Kids stores are holding nursery style events from 3 to 5pm. Join them for the ultimate event for new and expecting parents! Enjoy refreshments, complimentary nursery design advice and 10% off your purchases. RSVP to your local store today!

Tags change table, cot, incy interiors, interiors addict baby, interiors addict nursery, kids room, nursery, pottery barn kids, real rooms, room reveal, sebastian, wallpaper

Bedrooms Expert Tips Kids Rooms

How to create a gender-neutral nursery that’s far from dull

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date September 4, 2015
2 Comments on How to create a gender-neutral nursery that’s far from dull

By Bianca Tzatzagos

Not sure if you’re having a boy or girl? Or maybe you just want to create a nursery that expresses your home style without the colour clichés? Good news – it doesn’t have to be bland neutral to be gender neutral! Pottery Barn Kids offers this simple five-step plan to your perfect gender-neutral nursery.

1. Identify your style

Modern and streamlined or classic and traditional? The furniture you choose is the most important decision you’ll make in your nursery, not least because it will be your biggest investment. Take clues from the rest of your home – if your living room is filled with mid-century design, then you might want to reconsider that French country-inspired nursery! And don’t forget, the colour of the furniture will become the basis of room’s colour palette, so consider that when you’re choosing between breezy Hamptons-style white or rich dark timber.

2. Choose a theme

Finding a theme for your nursery will make it feel cohesive and whole. And it’s far easier to pull an accent colour from a pattern of bed linen you like than to find a pattern that will work in with an existing colour palette. Animals, sea life and the alphabet are all good themes for a gender-neutral nursery. Alternatively, you could avoid a motif altogether and anchor the room around a colour like yellow, grey or aqua, using geometric patterns such as stripes or chevron to bring interest.

3. Complete your colour palette

Now’s a good time to pull together a mood board of the colours that you’ve chosen for the space: include the current wall colour, floor colour, furniture colour(s) and your chosen bed linen. That soft aqua shade found in the bedding pattern might be just the ticket for a fresh new wall colour. Or maybe the existing floorboards are a little too pale for the rest of the furniture? Consider a large rug in your chosen theme and palette to instantly bring the room together with minimal effort.

4. Add accessories that round out the space

If you’ve decided to stick to that gender-neutral, preppy-chic classic combination of grey and white (a Pottery Barn Kids favourite!), add interest with plenty of texture – think embroidered quilts, needlework cushions and ruffle curtains. Other small touches, such as wicker storage baskets and table lamps in coordinating colours, will also help polish your nursery’s overall look.

[contextly_sidebar id=”60t9xMd5yjlei9N3NW7r85CFmobdS5xp”]5. Personalise, personalise, personalise

Adding personal touches to the nursery is a great way to prepare for your baby’s arrival. It’s so easy to add warmth and personality without defining the space as a boy’s or girl’s room. Display old family photos, cherished toys and books from your own childhood to add character and history to the room. Incorporate the first letter of your last name as an element of the decor; consider stencilling it on the wall or framing it to hang over the cot. Once you bring your baby home, add items with his or her name, like a monogrammed quilt and large white wooden letters over the change table. For a more whimsical take, spell out the name with wooden blocks on a shelf or alphabet cards propped on a photo rail.

–For more inspiration, head to www.potterybarnkids.com.au or contact your local store for a free interior design consultation. There’s no obligation to purchase and if you live in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth, a design specialist will even come to your home to measure your space, discuss colour schemes and find ways to make it all come together.

Tags boys room, cot, gender neutral, girls room, kids room, nursery, pottery barn, pottery barn kids

Bedrooms Kids Rooms

Jen’s 10 best baby blankets

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date July 27, 2015
4 Comments on Jen’s 10 best baby blankets

Aha! I do believe when it comes to blankets, I have found something which fits (perhaps loosely) into the category of homewares, therefore I can blog about baby stuff sans guilt. Am I right?!

This baby of mine has more blankets than you can shake a stick at but they’re actually all getting used in rotation because let’s face it, in this weather, you can never be warm enough. It’s actually pretty hard keeping a baby warm in this weather. Our power bill is going to give me a heart attack this quarter, I just know it! So here are 10 of my favourite baby blankets; many of them Australian, half of which we already own and the other half Seb wouldn’t mind adding to his rather impressive collection.

5 BLANKETS WE OWN

1. Mooi Baby Reversible Foxey Star Blanket $159.95*

This is our latest acquisition and current fave in the blanket department. Made of baby alpaca and pima cotton, this is double-sided and oversized so super warm. I may or may not have stolen it a few times for my lap on the couch. And we love everything foxy and/or navy in this house so this was always going to be a winner. You really have to see and feel this blanket — which comes in its own cloth bag — to appreciate its quality, which is extremely high. Rightly described as heirloom quality in my opinion, it would make a gorgeous gift for a new mum. They have other designs too.

2. Sunday Ganim Stripes Blanket in grey $129

I’m a fan of a neutral when it comes to most linen, even baby linen, but this one hits a very happy medium with its touches of pale blue and bright yellow. This one always gets comments. Its 100% Egyptian cotton makes it a nice light option which we often fold double in Sebastian’s bassinet or pram. The cotton holds the Okeo-tex® Standard 100, which guarantees the highest sustainable and ecological practices in textiles. I also love that this one’s made in Melbourne.

3. Kate&Kate The Jane Baby* $109

I’ve long been a fan of Kate & Kate’s grown up blankets, so no surprises I love the mini versions too! This is a simple design but it’s the details that count, like the lovely blanket stitching around the edges and the cloth bag it comes in. Another 100% cotton option, this one also gets used in Seb’s bassinet. It also happens to match his blue and grey pram (the Bugaboo Bee3 with bassinet) perfectly!

4. GatherKids Pure Cotton Soft Blanket* from $180

If you love an old fashioned crochet blanket, a la Princess Charlotte, you need this GatherKids option. We have the bassinet size in grey and love it. Because it’s smaller we often taken it out with his capsule or in his pram. I just love how this looks like it could have been passed down generations but is in fact brand new! It’s a beauty! These are made in New Zealand and individually knitted, pre-shrunk and tumble dried.

5. Pottery Barn Kids Honeycomb Stroller Blanket in grey* $49

This is a great size for bassinet or pram and you can’t go wrong with grey and white, especially if you’re buying for a baby whose sex is as yet unknown. I love the navy version too and at $49 it’s great value. Cotton/acrylic blend.

5 BLANKETS SEB’S GOT HIS EYE ON

1.Kip & Co Baby Tartan Pom Pom Blanket $129

How cool is this?! No wonder it’s currently sold out. In true Kip & Co style it’s totally out there but who said all baby blankets had to be pastel and pared back? I love the pom poms! In peach and red 100% merino wool, I’d say this is a unisex option. (We love the nap wraps they recently gifted us too).

2. The Camo in blue by Atelier/Child $225

Atelier/Child is the new luxury children’s knitwear label founded this year by ex Vogue Australia deputy editor and founder of The Grace Tales Georgie Abay and communications consultant Jessica Baird Walsh. This on trend blanket is made of a cashmere/wool blend.

3. Little Bonbon Rocking Horse Beige/White $49.95

There’s something wonderfully old school about this rocking horse design and I do love a neutral option. This Australian-designed, reversible cotton knit blanket is the perfect size for a pram or bassinet or perhaps just snuggling on the lounge! Little Bonbon also sell some lovely baby shawls, including this one which is rather reminiscent of Princess Charlotte’s!

4. aden + anais Organic Muslin Dream Blanket $89.95

Everyone RAVES about their oversized muslin wraps for swaddling, so it goes without saying aden + anais’ organic muslin blankets would be something pretty special. They promise to get softer with every wash. This 100% organic cotton four-layer blanket is the ultimate in breathability; warm in winter and cool in summer.

5. Weegoamigo Knitted Baby Blanket Geo Charcoal

This on trend geometric is just one of the fun designs by Weegoamigo, available from The Little Linen Company (who also sell the Airwrap, the safer cot bumper alternative). A premium double-layered knit blend of 30% bamboo rayon and 70% cotton, this one’s nice and warm and comes gift boxed.

Disclosure: Blankets marked with an asterisk were kindly gifted to Sebastian with no promise of coverage.

Bedrooms Kids Rooms

Nursery décor: it’s all for the parents, not the baby!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date January 15, 2015
1 Comment on Nursery décor: it’s all for the parents, not the baby!

Photo: Bramwell Designs. Styling by Simone Barter, photography by Elisabeth Harvey

(And that’s okay!)

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, as I start pulling together design ideas for our unborn child’s nursery. It’s a deliciously self-indulgent pass time really. Kids’ rooms are really good fun and can be beautiful, cute, dreamy, whimsical, soothing and many more lovely adjectives. But will baby benefit? Not so much. It’s all about the parents. And when I say parents, I mostly mean the mums (not to say some dads aren’t also interested in the wallpaper choices for their newborn!).

Will the baby care about that carefully chosen wall art with cute inspirational quotes or the wallpaper pattern, the carefully picked colour scheme, decorative accents or coordinating linen? Um, no. They just want a comfortable cot mattress, a dark, quiet room at the correct temperature and someone to attend to their every cry. It will be months before they can work out what’s going on with that designer mobile hanging above them or are even capable of clearly seeing it. It’s even more ironic and amusing when you consider many people’s babies won’t even sleep in these perfectly prepared sanctuaries for months after their arrival as they snooze in the bassinet in your room first!

I have my eye on the Pottery Barn Kids Emerson cot in navy

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No, nursery décor is definitely all about the parents!

And there’s absolutely nothing wrong in that if you ask me. As I prepare to spend many hours in that room feeding my child, damn straight I want a comfortable chair and some pretty things to look at. And practically, yes, I need sufficient storage for all those nappies, clothes and seemingly endless baby paraphernalia.

And designing kids’ rooms is so much fun, it really is (I remember interior designer Greg Natale once telling me the very same thing). It’s nothing like designing a grown up room. And, especially when it’s your first, working on it really adds to the anticipation and excitement.

A child's room by interior designer Greg Natale — A child’s room by interior designer Greg Natale

Of course, later on, when your child’s a bit older, they’ll appreciate the bright/soothing colours and interesting textures you’ve lovingly chosen for their room. But you can bet your bottom dollar it will be something garish and plastic which keeps their attention longest. Or, like my friend’s baby girl Audrey, it will be the energy rating sticker on the fridge which they can’t stop looking at!

In a future post, we’ll talk about the practical and safety elements of designing a nursery (no, you can’t have the cot under the window, even if it looks better there, damn it!). Later on, as it comes together, I’ll be sharing the work in progress that is Baby Interiors Addict’s nursery too. Watch this space!

If there’s a serious point to make in this post it’s that while gorgeous nurseries are fun and enjoyable to decorate, what babies really need most is love, care and attention. And nappies. And milk. Lots of that.

Find all our kids room latest in this section.

Tags children rooms, cot, greg natale, interiors, kids room decor, kids rooms, nursery design, nursery ideas, pottery barn kids

Bedrooms Kids Rooms

Kip & Co for babies’ cots!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date October 20, 2014
No Comments on Kip & Co for babies’ cots!

Kip & Co designers Hayley, Kate and Alex have brought their signature bright, bold colourways and prints to the nursery, giving in to the demand they’ve experienced since launching their much loved bedding label.

The first Kip & Co TINY collection is comprised of six designs in fitted cot sheets and three baby blankets. Three of the sheet sets feature a print collaboration with super cool kidswear label Munster Kids: Munster Leopard, Munster Mash and Munster Camo.

“We wanted to be challenge what traditional ‘baby bedding’ looked like,” the girls said. “Pastels and whites have dominated this market for such a long time and we felt that if older kids were really into their bright bedding, then we couldn’t see a reason why vibrant colours and cool prints wouldn’t work in a nursery as well.”

What do you think? Would you go for a brighter, bolder more fun nursery scheme or do you prefer calm, muted neutrals and pastels?

Shop online.

Tags baby, baby blankets, bed, bed linen, bedroom, children's rooms, cot, fitted cot fits, kids, kids decor, kids rooms, kip & co, leopard, munster kids, nursery

Bedrooms Kids Rooms

Inside Be My Baby author’s daughter’s nursery

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 19, 2014

Today, Be My Baby author Laura Greaves shares her daughter’s animal-themed nursery. We love how colourful and fun it is!

Mark and Laura Greaves, who live on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, knew they were having a girl when they started decorating but, far from reaching for the pink and frilly, they went for something a little more eclectic. “All white, minimalist kids’ rooms are not for me,” Laura says. “I initially wanted the room to have a dog theme, but as it came together that expanded and evolved to include all types of animals; it has a bit of a zoo vibe now I think!

“It was also really important to me that the room be tactile and enticing for little fingers to explore, so there’s a whole range of different textures from the fluffy sheepskin rug to the smooth wood and velvet upholstery on the rocking chair. One of her favourite things is lying on her change table and running her hands over the raised polka dots on the curtains.”

Laura didn’t want to spend too much on the basics (I”’d rather blow my budget on adorable clothes for her!”), so she repurposed and upcycled a few things. The chest of drawers, for example, was once bathroom storage, and the vintage rocker was a wedding anniversary gift to Laura from husband Mark. He bought it on Gumtree, then restored and reupholstered it himself. Impressive or what?

Laura already had two “fur children” and she splashed out on a custom mobile depicting Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Tex and Delilah! The plain Ikea wardrobes’ doors will soon be papered with her latest purchase: Thibault’s Best in Show wallpaper.

“It’s funny because, in my book, the heroine has to pull a nursery together out of nowhere when she suddenly finds herself having to care for her best friend’s baby – she borrows a lot of stuff and comes up with a few, er, creative design solutions! I always thought I’d be a bit haphazard myself when it came to creating my baby’s nursery, as the rest of my house is what I like to call accidental chic, so I was a little surprised to find I had quite a specific vision from the word go.”

Although the pair knew they were having a girl, they didn’t want anyone else to know! “I knew people would want to see the nursery as it came together, and I didn’t want to give away her gender by having lashings of pink everywhere! The few pink accents I did have in the room before she was born I would stash in the cupboard whenever anyone came over! Green is my favourite colour and I knew even before we found out the baby’s sex that I wanted a green cot, so the colour palette developed around that.”

Just not interested in any of that that “pink is for girls nonsense,” Laura thought it more important that the room be filled with things she loves, and that she thinks her daughter will love, regardless of gender associations. “If she adores princesses and party dresses as she grows up then that’s fine by me, but I don’t ever want her to think she has to conform to some narrow idea of what femininity is.”

Laura says the room feels warm and inviting, and also interesting. “There’s quirky details everywhere you look. It feels like a very personal space to me. Although at the moment it’s mostly a reflection of my personality, I’ll encourage her to put her own stamp on her bedroom as she grows up. The nursery is also very light and spacious, which I love. That’s one of the advantages of living in an Art Deco house: huge windows!”

Where to buy:

Mocka Aspiring Cot in green, $169.95 (currently out of stock). Also available in white and can be converted to a toddler bed with a conversion kit.
Debbie Kendall Enlightened Hound (dog-inspired typography) prints via Etsy.
Custom dog mobile, made by Miranda Rommel and based on the pair’s dogs Tex and Deliliah, from Fiber Friends Online.

Laura’s first book, Be My Baby, was published by Destiny Romance this week. Available via Amazon, Kobo and Google Play.

Tags author, baby room, be my baby, cot, dogs, green cot, interiors, kids rooms, laura greaves, nova scotia duck tolling retriever, nursery, toller

Furniture Kids Rooms

The cot that turns into a toddler bed, and later, a desk!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date May 15, 2014
2 Comments on The cot that turns into a toddler bed, and later, a desk!

The innovative, Italian designed and made AVA — a cot, junior bed and desk all in one — is one product that will defintiely evolve with your family.

While there are many cots on the market with converter kits that you can buy as your child grows, the Ava cot from Plyroom is the first product in Australia that converts from a beautifully designed cot into a bed without the need for additional components, as well as later converting into a desk!

With an intelligent design, and using the eponymous European birch plywood, Plyroom and Totem Italia have collaborated to create something special for parents wanting maximum practicality coupled with a stunning design. Totem Italia’s designs push the boundaries of what one product can do. “Working with Totem Italia has been an exciting journey. We worked closely with an independent testing agency here in Australia to ensure the product adheres to all mandatory cot safety requirements in Australia and New Zealand. Whilst safety was our first priority, we needed to ensure it also retained the design simplicity synonymous with Totem Italia products,” says Plyroom founder, Elise Heslop.

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Like all Plyroom products, the Ava cot is proudly designed and made in Italy and finished by hand. Using Totem Italia’s signature precision cut joinery with a unique interlocking system, means that all parts are held in place by solid wooden pegs and dowels. Ava requires no metal joins which ensures maximum product strength and integrity. The cot is flat-packed and the assembly process is surprisingly simple; no infamous allen keys or drills are necessary for assembly — the only tool needed to assemble this product is an old-fashioned hammer.

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Made of FSC certified European birch ply and non-toxic water based finishes, the Ava cot features an adjustable mattress height for newborns and older babies. The organically shaped peepholes in the sides of the cot reflect the natural curves of nature and balance baby being able to see out whilst feeling secure.

Always passionate about sustainable and smart design, Totem Italia has designed this product so that the cot turns into a toddler bed without the additional expense or pieces of a conversion kit. “The cot also fits a standard size found in Australia, so mums and dads won’t have to search for a special-sized mattress or sheets and can take advantage of all the beautiful children’s cot bedlinen now available in Australia,” Elise adds.

The Ava offers a comfortable height for parents putting little ones down whilst also being low to the ground. The height of the junior bed is perfect for children as they transition from cot to bed as being close to the floor helps them feel safe. “The junior bed with safe and easy access also doubles as a reading couch and a place for quiet play,” she adds.

Ava can be a cherished piece beyond toddler years with its ingenious conversion to a desk with a clean, elegant, modern design. “The mattress base has round holes for proper ventilation of the cot and bed mattress but what’s fabulous about this is that these openings double up as glass or cup holders and are a great way to thread laptop cords neatly when Ava converts into a desk.”

Can’t believe it? Watch the video!