A Playful Nursery With an Artistic Touch
A mom uses her background as a graphic designer to help make her baby daughter’s bedroom special
This nursery in a suburb of Sydney is full of color, fun and artistic touches. Karen Enis, a graphic designer, was expecting a baby girl, and she worked with friend and former colleague Kate Connors to complete the room before daughter Molly’s birth. Connors describes the design as “bursting with personal touches,” including art on the walls and handmade soft furnishings.
To add a custom look, Enis made many of the pieces in the room by hand, including the mobile over the crib. Her partner made the bookcase. Enis also decorated with items from her stationery and graphic design business, Me and Amber.
Wall hangings: Me and Amber
Wall hangings: Me and Amber
More of Enis’ artistic touches can be seen in the artwork that decorates the room. She drew this illustrated picture of animals with her daughter’s future development in mind.
Enis loves the chalkboard wall since it provides contrast to an otherwise bright room. She also loves to doodle on it and hopes Molly will soon be old enough to take over. “Probably not the best lesson to teach your 1-year-old but fun nonetheless,” Connors says.
Chalkboard paint: Porter’s Paints
Chalkboard paint: Porter’s Paints
The corn stool is a cute touch that adds color to this corner of the room. Enis bought it years ago when she worked at furniture store Planet.
Toy on chair: Planet
Toy on chair: Planet
Storage is, of course, important for little ones as they grow up and accumulate things, so stylish and practical closets were built in the room for Molly’s toys and clothing. The handles have custom shapes.
Location: Maroubra Beach, New South Wales, Australia
Size: 84 square feet (7.8 square meters)
Designers: Kate Connors and homeowner Karen Enis
“[Enis] wanted something unique with a sense of whimsy and that would grow with Molly,” says Connors of the goals for the project. This room was completed first in a whole-floor renovation. Connors built and painted new walls, installed custom closets, put in new carpeting and decorated the space.