Room of His Own

A few years ago, when interior designer Irene Lovett discovered a void in the market for kids rooms and baby
nurseries, she kicked off her firm designstiles. “I create stylish and unique rooms that feature a balance of matured playfulness—usually filled with color, pattern and a little whimsy,” she says.

She embarked on a project with special meaning recently when she found out she was pregnant—ultimately zeroing in on a hodgepodge guest room/office in the home she shares with husband Evan. Before even finding out the sex of the baby, creative thoughts started swirling.

“I wanted to create a nursery that felt slightly grown up and not overly cutesy—a space where the baby can easily transition into childhood,”
she explains.

Upon discovering they were having a boy, the color blue was brought into the design. “I opted for a more sophisticated application, steering away from the expected ‘baby blue.’ With a mostly neutral backdrop, adding the blue was about balance. I incorporated it with art, bedding and accessories.”

The baby’s room feels bright, modern and airy and includes an interesting mix of vintage pieces and personal, kid-friendly touches.

“Our son, Felix (now 20 months old), loves his little space, and it has totally turned into a family hangout spot. Our dogs love sitting on the window seat and looking out the window, which was also a bit of our intention,” she says.

My “splurge” item is the bird wallpaper from Schumacher. It creates a graphic backdrop while still feeling neutral and allows the furniture to stand out, like the custom blue campaign dresser. With black-and-white wallpaper and a white crib, I wanted the dresser to make a statement.

I found an antique rocker, a total “steal” on Etsy, and reupholstered it in a patterned blue fabric that coordinates with the dresser. Everything else in the room is square or rectangular, so the curved shape creates interest and dimension.