Designing our son Luca’s nursery was one of the most special projects I’ve ever worked on. I knew from the beginning that I didn’t want the space to feel overly babyish or theme-driven. My goal was to create a space that felt calm, grounded, and elevated. A room that feels intentional now, but can easily grow with him over time! I wanted it to feel more like a beautifully designed bedroom than a nursery you’d feel pressure to redo in a few years.
I knew I wanted to go slightly moody, so the color palette set the tone for everything. Deep, inky charcoal tones anchor the room and give it a cocoon-like feel, while softer neutrals in the wallpaper keep it from feeling too dark or heavy. The overall vibe is classic, layered, and timeless, with just enough softness to still feel appropriate for a nursery!
Wall Treatment That Defines the Space
The walls are truly the heart of the room. We installed beadboard paneling 59 inches up the wall (yes, I just went to go measure to double check lol). Our ceilings are 8 ft high and I intentionally wanted the beadboard to sit closer to two-thirds of the wall height. I’ve always preferred a taller beadboard because it feels more architectural and substantial than a standard half wall.
We sourced the beadboard from Home Depot, added a trim cap on top, and then layered wallpaper above. The wallpaper is Sandberg’s Montfort in Graphite, and I love that it reads like a quiet, old-world landscape with a hand-drawn quality. Subtle animals, soft movement, and just enough detail to feel special without ever feeling babyish.
The beadboard is painted in Farrow & Ball’s “Down Pipe.” It’s a deep charcoal with blue undertones that shifts beautifully depending on the light. A tip my contractor shared (and one I highly recommend): Sherwin-Williams can color-match Farrow & Ball colors, and they already have them saved in their system. That’s exactly what we did, and the result was nearly identical—at about half the price. We used a satin enamel finish, which gives the beadboard a subtle sheen and durability while still feeling soft.
To fully commit to the look, I went with a color-drenched approach. The baseboards, window trim, and even the interior doors visible from the room are all painted in Down Pipe. This creates a seamless, enveloping feel and really enhances the moodiness of the space.
Furniture That Grows With Him
To balance the darker walls, I leaned into warm wood tones for the furniture. Most of Luca’s furniture is from Pottery Barn Kids, which I highly recommend. Their pieces feel classic, well-made, and thoughtfully designed.
My mom generously gifted us both the toddler and full-size bed conversion kits (thank you, Abuelita)! These kits were really important to me because I didn’t want to invest in a beautiful crib only to have to replace it once he outgrows it. My advice is to buy the conversion kits upfront, because styles do get discontinued, and it’s not always easy to track them down later!
You can’t have a nursery without a rocking chair! Ours is from Crate & Barrel, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite pieces in the room. It’s incredibly comfortable and has been so nice for nursing him, reading him a book, or just sitting there and looking out the window!
Meaningful Pieces That Tell a Story
One thing I always encourage—whether I’m designing for clients or my own home—is incorporating personal pieces that actually mean something to you. These are the elements that give a room depth and make it feel lived-in rather than styled.
In Luca’s nursery, that piece is the wooden rocking horse tucked beside the crib. It originally belonged to my sister when we were little, and passing it down to Luca felt incredibly special. I love that it carries history and memories with it—it’s not just décor, but something that already has a story!
In a room that’s intentionally restrained and timeless, pieces like this stand out in the best way. They add warmth and authenticity without needing to be explained!
Elevated Details That Make a Difference
Some of my favorite upgrades in the room are the smallest ones. We replaced all of the outlets and light switches with brass plates and toggles, and while subtle, they make a huge difference. These little details instantly make the room feel more custom and elevated.
We also added blackout curtains from Amazon, which have been amazing for sleep. They function beautifully and blend seamlessly with the rest of the room without distracting from the design.
The mirror above the dresser is from HomeGoods (size: 40 x 60), as well as the floor lamp. At the side of the room, we added two vintage-style trunks, which we’ll use to store stuffed animals (also from HomeGoods lol). They add texture and character while still being practical.
Soft, Sculptural Lighting
The ceiling light fixture is from Rejuvenation, and I love the soft, umbrella-like shape. It feels sculptural without being heavy and gives off the most beautiful, diffused light.
When it comes to choosing the right size ceiling fixture, here’s the simple method I always use:
- Add the room’s length + width (in feet)
- Convert that number to inches
- That number is your ideal fixture diameter, with a little flexibility on either side
For Luca’s room, which is approximately 13′ x 14’7″, that calculation puts the ideal fixture size right around 28 inches in diameter, give or take about 2 inches. We ended up ordering the 30-inch fixture, which sits perfectly within that range and feels balanced in the space. The last thing you want is for a light fixture to feel small, dinky, and lost once it’s installed lol!
Personal Art & A Reading Corner
The framed artwork above the beadboard is another favorite detail. I created the prints using ChatGPT, printed them at UPS, and found the frames at HomeGoods. It was an easy and affordable way to add something personal while still keeping the room elevated.
We also added a front-facing bookshelf, which was a must. For Luca’s baby shower, we asked guests to bring a book instead of a card, so we knew we’d be collecting quite a few. I love how the books add warmth and color while still feeling intentional and organized.
The Final Result
We truly love how Luca’s nursery came together—it’s even better than we imagined. It feels calm, layered, and thoughtful, and most importantly, it’s a space that can grow with him without needing a full redesign down the line.
If you’re designing a nursery and want something that feels timeless, elevated, and livable, I hope this space gives you a little inspiration 
