David Russo's Blog: Sophisticated Sweet Nursery + Designer Tips to Stay on Budget

When I have children one day (which will be a very long time from now), I will be calling up Jana Bek Design to design the nursery, because this one is pure perfection. Sweet and feminine without being prissy and cliché, this is a space little Georgia can grow up with. And the fact that it was done on a budget just makes it that much better. Get Jana’s tip for where to splurge and save below!

From Jana Bek… Hello! My name is Jana Bek, I am an interior designer based in Ann Arbor & Atlanta with a line of home décor products. I love layering color and pattern into my client’s designs to make the spaces pop. My longtime E-Design clients and friends, Alyssa & her husband, Mike, recently had their first child, beautiful baby Georgia, and it was my absolute delight to help them design their nursery.

Board #375639 Board #375648

splurge: Classic, Big Ticket Pieces

Spend on items that your child and family can enjoy for years to come are ones that you want to use more of your budget for, so more substantial furniture like a dresser or bookshelf. To ensure these items transition beautifully with your child, choose styles that have classic silhouettes and versatile colors or finishes.

save: Pieces that Serve a Temporary Purpose

Alyssa and I were very thoughtful about what items to spend a little more on and where to save. I think these tips would be helpful for any young family designing their children’s spaces. Generally, I recommend one saves on items that serve a more temporary purpose, so in a nursery, some examples are the crib and glider. We found this crib at Target and it is significantly less pricey than similar spindle designs on the market.

splurge: Decorative accents that give character

There may be some more decorative items that you want to splurge on to give the space character. In this case we fell in love with the pink mirror from Horchow & the beautiful Inslee Citrus fabric. Wait for sales for these items, often home stores have great sales around holidays, Alyssa waited and scooped up the mirror for 50 percent off. If you decide to use a designer fabric, you can save by sewing the items yourself. For pillows, you can use less expensive solid linen on the reverse side so in turn you’ll have to buy less fabric in total.

save: pieces with potential

Alyssa actually found the glider on her local Craigslist and I often recommend clients take this approach. Usually gliders don’t get much wear so the cushions stay in good shape. Then, if the color isn’t to your liking, an upholsterer can make you a slipcover for a reasonable priced update. Curtains are another smart place to save as many chic designs are readily available and affordable. These Pottery Barn drapes came with blackout lining but if your desired ones do not, you can purchase blackout lining from your local craft store and easily add it on with stitch witchery.