Written by Melissa Dunlap of SheKnows for Building Blocks.
I started mentally decorating my nursery the moment I learned I was pregnant. I regularly cruised Pinterest, ripped pictures out of magazines and collected paint chips and fabric swatches for inspiration.
So when I was invited to try the complimentary design services at Pottery Barn Kids, I was ecstatic—and intrigued.
I love decorating and following the latest design trends, but I’ve never worked with a designer to help with my own personal space. After interviewing celebrity designer Genevieve Gorder about what it’s like to work with a designer, I decided to give it a go and check out the design services at Pottery Barn Kids.
The design consultation
My mom (AKA proud new grandma) came with me to the initial consultation at the Pottery Barn Kids store in Cincinnati. She chatted all things baby with General Manager Melissa Kucia while designers Mary Anne Converse and Katlyn Moore walked me around the store and asked which items caught my attention.
Armed with an iPad, they pulled up my Pinterest nursery board when discussing design ideas and I shared the custom inspiration fabric and artwork I wanted included in the space.
Other than the baby gear we were starting to accumulate and the accessories I wanted to incorporate, the room was a blank slate.
The before:
Space planning
After our initial consultation, designers Mary Anne and Katlyn came to my house for a space planning appointment. They measured the entire room and layout including windows, doors, and even vents.
Using the Pottery Barn Kids Room Planner, they plugged in all the measurements, added the furniture choices I was considering and showed me the various layout options available.
I initially thought there was only space for a crib, changing table, a glider, and maybe a bookcase, but Mary Anne showed me there was room to include two bookcases, a bookrack, and a kid chair to create a reading nook. I had no idea all of that could fit in the room!
The designers created four layout options. Two in particular appealed to me since they both included the same furniture items and allowed me to have more layout options in the future (a girl loves to have options!).
Option 1:
Option 2:
As part of the design consultation I received an inspiration board that included the items we discussed so I could get a better feel for how the décor would look. They even went the extra mile to add a mockup of the custom artwork and crafts I was planning to include!
Nursery inspiration board:
Putting it all together
Furniture placement was a breeze since, thanks to the handy-dandy room planner, I knew exactly where each item went (my husband is thankful too since I didn’t make him haul heavy items around the room a gazillion times).
While I knew which artwork I wanted to hang and the general area it should go, I was hesitant to start nailing holes in our plaster walls without getting a second opinion. Luckily, Mary Anne and Katlyn were available to come over for a one last consultation where they helped finalize ideas for hanging the artwork.
The big reveal
Three months after our initial consultation, we have a beautiful space to welcome our daughter.
Take a look:
It’s the perfect dose of calm and serene combined with bright pops of color, and our little girl will be able to enjoy it for years to come.
I highly recommend the design services to other expecting parents. Whether you’re looking for help creating a nursery from top to bottom or simply need assistance finding the right furniture layout so you can focus on decorative touches, the designers can help you create the nursery you’ve been dreaming about.
*Photography by KK & A Camera