Kids’ Spaces

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More Rooms → Kids’ Spaces

Step Right Up to a Top Model’s Circus-Inspired Nursery

Based on the big top and set in a real castle’s turret, this nursery could be the setting for a storybook

Becky Harris February 14, 2014

Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected." I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.

Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More

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You may notice that this nursery has an unconventional shape. That’s because it’s in a turret … in a castle in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, complete with a moat. And if Mama looks familiar, you likely saw her on America’s Next Top Model. Lisa D’Amato was a fan favorite in Cycle 5 and won the all-star title in Cycle 17. Many models stomped down the runway toward judges Tyra Banks, Miss J. and Nigel Barker in Cycle 17, but D’Amato’s fun-loving and wacky personality stood out the most.

To show off D’Amato’s daring style and charisma in the unique castle she shares with her husband, Adam Friedman, interior designer Vanessa De Vargas transformed the room with a modern circus theme, dubbed “Cirque du L.A.” Step right up and take a tour.

Photography by C. Louis Creative

Before Photo

Top Model's Baby's Nursery Is a Modern Circus in a Castle

De Vargas knows a cry for help when she hears one. “At Lisa’s baby shower, I asked about her plans for her nursery, and she said, ‘Oh, you know, we’re just getting some stuff off Craigslist, and we’re going to make it comfy.” The designer knew immediately that D’Amato and Friedman needed her help.

Transitional Nursery by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

AFTER: “I asked her if she had any ideas, and she said, ‘I want a circus!’” De Vargas recalls. A circus big top inspired the red and white striped fabric on the window treatments and floor pillows.

Transitional by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

Transitional by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

To make the room boyish yet not babyish, De Vargas went with a black, white, gray and red color palette. Three-month-old Daxel went with the same palette for his photo shoot.

Chair: Land of Nod

Eclectic Kids by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

“I knew we needed to make it a fun vintage modern take on a circus, inspired by some of the great art I found on Etsy,” De Vargas says.

Vintage circus prints like this one informed De Vargas’ vision.

Transitional Nursery by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

Tucked into a turret, the room is relatively small and cozy. Black may not be the first color one thinks of for a nursery, but with the slight purple tone in the paint and the bright white ceiling and upper walls, it actually makes the room appear larger. “If you’re going to go with black on the walls and you don’t want the room to look dark, balance it out with a lot of bright white,” De Vargas advises.

Friedman actually grew up in the castle that he and D’Amato call home today. “There’s actually a plaque on the door that says ‘Adam,’” De Vargas says. Coincidentally, the room was painted black when he was a boy.

Paint: Valspar; window treatments: ReRack Gals, with fabric by Premier Prints; chair, crib: Land of Nod; light fixtures: Ikea; lion pillow: Etsy; “D” marquee sign: Etsy; elephant cardboard trophy head: Etsy

Transitional Kids by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

De Vargas designed the room to grow up with Daxel. The changing table base is a large dresser that will serve him well later on too. A pouf provides climbing practice and will serve as a seat for him when he grows up a little.

She also played off the turret’s round shape by mixing in circles, such as the dots on the changing pad cover and the rings on the drawer pulls.

Changing pad, changing pad cover, dresser: Land of Nod; flooring: Lumber Liquidators

Transitional Kids by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

To avoid cutesy baby stuff overload, De Vargas added contemporary and vintage circus prints she found on Etsy. White frames and mats make them stand out against the black walls.

Prints: tent: Etsy, zebra and girl: Etsy, “Elephant Love”: Parima Studio

Transitional Kids by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

The throw pillows were placed just for photo styling and immediately removed from the crib afterward for Daxel’s safety. The striped throw pillow fabric is the same as that on the Roman shades.

“D” pillow, zebra pillow: Land of Nod; red striped fabric: Premier Prints

Transitional Kids by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

Shelves and baskets corral all of Daxel’s books, toys and tchotchkes.

Oak Park Elementary Bookcase: Land of Nod

Eclectic Kids by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

Bright white shelves and trimwork create a strong graphic contrast against the black walls.

Transitional Kids by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

Right now Daxel’s books, toys and slippers are neatly arranged, but as he ages, he’ll be able to quickly toss things in when he’s picking up.

Stegosaurus plush toy: Etsy

Transitional by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

Yes, everyone knows these baskets will never look this neat once Daxel can reach them, and that’s the way it should be. But for now they’re extra nice to look at.

Elephant pillow: Etsy

Transitional by Vanessa De Vargas

Vanessa De Vargas

A cushy shag rug and floor pillows create the comfiness D’Amato and Friedman craved. The floor is now a soft place for sitting, playing and snuggling with Daxel.

Photos: Browse more nurseries and kids’ rooms

nuLOOM Behati High-Low Polka Dot Tassel Contemporary Kids Shag Area Rug, Beige,

nuLOOM Behati High-Low Polka Dot Tassel Contemporary Kids Shag Area Rug, Beige,

$249

Junior Indoor/Outdoor Handmade Acapulco Chair, Orange Weave, Black Frame

Junior Indoor/Outdoor Handmade Acapulco Chair, Orange Weave, Black Frame

$310

Twin/Full Princeton Bunk Bed, Drawers Or Trundle Not Included

Twin/Full Princeton Bunk Bed, Drawers Or Trundle Not Included

$531

Contemporary Pecan Brown Leather Like Child Rocker Recliner Chair

Contemporary Pecan Brown Leather Like Child Rocker Recliner Chair

$206

Shaggy Raggy Area Rug, Silver, 2

Shaggy Raggy Area Rug, Silver, 2'8"x4'8"

$125

nuLOOM Behati High-Low Polka Dot Tassel Contemporary Kids Shag Area Rug, Beige,

nuLOOM Behati High-Low Polka Dot Tassel Contemporary Kids Shag Area Rug, Beige,

$144

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Comments (43)

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rubyloves2shop

I think it could easily be changed to a girls room. I kept some of my sons black in his old room and added hot pink and white for my grand daughter. Her Mom picked those colors for the quilt and bumper pads I made her. It is feminine but strong and a bit sassy not timid. The main thing is she loves it so much and it suits her personality. It will last as she grows since she wont think it is baby colors. Yet it is neutral enough to add pops of yellow, green or purple as we choose.

1 Like February 28, 2014 at 6:37PM

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PRO

Architecture Is Fun, Inc.

black and white and high contrast are so good for infants and toddlers, too, to focus on. and as Ruby above notes, you can easily swap in a hot or fun color. so I'm going to vote yes to black.

1 Like March 2, 2014 at 8:31AM

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ami_gar

Cool...like her :)

1 Like May 6, 2014 at 6:31AM

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