Making of a Chicago Nursery and Kid's Room DeSigns

6/14/2018

This post is sponsored by YouthfulNest and other retailers, but the content and opinions expressed are our own. This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts.

Maybe you've seen on social media that I have been working with a client in Chicago. Her name is Jeannine Benoit Adams and she is a real, busy working woman. She is also the mom to the most adorable four year old little boy and pregnant with their second little boy! Being that she owns an online wardrobe styling company, Ready Pretty, she is all about working virtually. Which is where YouthfulNest's virtual services comes in. Our services allowed her to sneak in time to make design decisions for two youthful spaces, a big kid bedroom and a nursery. All doable when it worked for her and her schedule.

As with all virtual design projects, Jeannine first completed our online Project Overview questionnaires and submitted them via her cell phone. After I studied them we booked a call to discuss the projects based on her specific input.

We discussed budgets, visions, timing, functionality, room likes and dislikes, etc. As well as went over what she can expect from the whole online process.

Lisa Janvrin, designer and Jeannine Benoit Adams, client

Here is a look at the initial style boards which I uploaded to the Jeannine's personal, online Design Studio on our site. Fabulous right? Well sorta.

Let's start with the baby's room. She wanted serene, but not sterile with a wallpaper accent wall. Jeannine originally was loving all the cactus wallpaper that's been so popular. Then after seeing it decided it was not quite right for the nursery for a few reasons. For one she realized she already had another similar plant print in her home and thought it might be too much. It also seemed a little busy so worked against her desire for a calm soothing environment.

This is all normal and expected. Often seeing what you don't want helps you figure out what you do want. What Jeannine did want, was a wall mural in a soft, minty green and a print that was easy on the eyes. Jeannine also reconfirmed to me her vision of "California Cool", it was minimal, simple and soothing, but not to be confused with the Boho or dessert style. Got it!

First Boy's Bedroom Style Board

Next up was Jeannine's son's big kid bedroom. Here she wanted an eclectic, but not cluttered look. One original thought was to keep the existing wave pattern wallpaper that was currently in his room. After seeing the first design and reflecting on things she decided to go for an all new look. No problem. Of course, when I removed that significant beachy element some of the other beach inspired décor items had to go as well.

I asked Jeannine if her son had any prominent interests that we could use as inspiration and play off in the design. After Jeannine talked with her son they came up with a sorta pride of place and the city of Chicago as inspo. Along with the city of Chicago came baseball of course, so I had some fun ideas of how to curate all that.

One other concern for mom in this space was she wanted the room to be age appropriate – so young and fun, but also have room to grow with her son for years to come. Got it! (This is something that I strive for with all my youthful designs.)

Another Second Look

After addressing a few more of mom's wishes and concerns I reworked each design for the nursery and big boy bedroom and represented them to Jeannine. Her reaction was, "OMG took a quick glance and I'm obsessed!!"

Final nursery design, Califorina Cool.

Second Look: For the second nursery style board I took out the cactus print wallpaper some and of the other elements like the foxes and additional cactus décor. I also took another look at how to incorporate California cool through the color palette and décor details.

Final big boy bedroom design, Chicago pride of place.

Second Look: I swapped out the ocean waves wallpaper for something more classic, but with an organic, youthful feel. I lost the beachy décor elements, brought in some additional kid friendly accents and incorporated Chicago details, pride of place details.

Ready to Bring the room together

With a few minor tweaks to the product, a floor plan, paint color recommendation and room installation guide for each room (all part of our Premium service package), it was time to hand over the baton to the homeowners.

Since presenting these two looks that the client fell in love with products have been purchased; paint and wallpaper are installed; and placing the furniture and décor is in progress! All good right? Well, sorta.

Along the way it was decided that some product wasn't needed; some items didn't cut it once they saw them in person and well; and a few install mishaps have kept these homeowners on their toes. This is normal and all part of the process for any room makeover. But when working with YouthfulNest we have our client's back and have helped Jeannine find solutions and support to keep moving forward.

Starting at the beginning.

Neutral Nursery Mint Green Anewall Wallpaper

This baby nursery is looking heavenly already! Custom wallpaper: Anewall

Oops!

Boys bedroom Serena and Lily Feahter Wallpaper Denim

The big boy bedroom got the perfect accent wall. Wallpaper: Serena & Lily

Ugh!	These baseball knobs dress up this modern dresser. Knobs: Etsy Shop TradingCo

For now that's all I can share since I haven't seen the finished rooms yet!!! I am headed to Chicago once they are finished to see everything in person, CAN NOT WAIT! I promise to share the final room reveals back here on our blog as soon as I can. To be continued.