the start. Many have a color palette in mind, but even those ideas tend to change once we begin discussing the space, various functions the space will need to meet, and long-term goals for the room.” For much of the past decade, clients were coming to her with color palette ideas more than themes. “I believe this was due to the fact that bedding designers were beginning to stray from the traditional baby blue and pink and clients were loving the unique new color palettes that were emerging and becoming more acceptable. They wanted to be on trend with the new color palettes.” Lately Blum is seeing the theme requests cycle around again. “I do love a theme in a nursery, but I’m also practical. I advise the client that if they invest in a $4,000 wall mural, that they should either select one that can grow into various themes with their child, or be prepared to paint over it when the child hits about age eight and decides their mural is too babyish. It’s difficult for expectant parents to envision their unborn baby as an older child or teen, but I feel it’s important when designing a nursery to plan ahead to avoid costly redesign.” To illustrate this point, Blum remembers what it was like when she was a first-time parent. Her crib was merely a crib and had no use after the first few years of
her son’s life. It was the same with changing tables, as Blum found herself selling both pieces and having to buy a completely new set of furniture for her growing child. “Parents today have the opportunity to avoid that added expense and hassle,” she remarked. “There are dozens of convertible cribs on the market today that transition from crib to toddler bed, to full size bed. Changing tables are a thing of the past with today’s dressers doubling as a changing table simply with the addition of a changing tray that can be removed when no longer in use. When selecting a rocker/glider, we choose a style and fabric that will allow the chair to either stay and grow with that child or can be used in another room of the house when no longer needed in the nursery. We often select neutral chair colors that work well with either the master bedroom or a family room. We plan ahead and always try to be more practical when it comes to the larger purchases for the space.” It is this reason that Blum often steers clear of elaborate murals with nursery rhyme or storybook characters. “These are too quickly outgrown by a child. Some murals however can grow with your child and can be a good investment as well as look great with today’s styles. An outdoor scene with a countryside and blue skies, grass and trees
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