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Debbie Travis

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Every nursery should be designed with a sense of whimsy. This is a room in which to dream, for baby and parents. Your baby's first sights and sounds away from mommy will begin here, the first space he or she will get to explore on their own.

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Step away from primary colours for a nurturing nursery that’s quietly cheerful.

This nurturing space is a joy to decorate; it awakens the child in all of us, and perhaps as you choose all the components -- colours, carpet, furniture, and lighting, you'll discover that your child's first room is more about you. I recommend you design your baby's room so that it nurtures you as much as your child. You'll be spending a lot of time here too!There are many ways to begin planning your nursery. You may have a theme in mind, but why not go for a mood when thinking about colours and work from there. You can always adjust your theme to the colours you love. Although we think of primary colours for children's rooms, they are not always the best bet. Red, yellow and blue are basic, yes, but also strong and full of energy. The colours in the nursery shown here are more complex; shades of apricot, gray/blue and frosted green combine to create a cheerful mood with quiet undertones. Nothing jars, nothing screams out for attention, and yet this space is filled with colour and interest.

The wainscoting adds traditional character and warmth. By dividing the walls with beadboard, you have the option of playing with many complementary colour and pattern combinations. Wallpaper is more costly than paint, but you require less when papering only the upper wall surface. (Always prepare the walls with wallpaper primer before hanging the paper so that it will be easy to remove when the time comes.)

If you have only one item to splurge on, it should be the crib. A well-designed crib will take your child from baby to teen -- hard to believe. Look for a crib that converts from a standard size baby crib to a toddler's bed, day bed, and a full size bed too. Safety and solid construction are first priorities. Railings come in enough styles to suit your vision -- traditional sleigh bed to contemporary sleek. Another versatile nursery piece is a change table that converts to a bedside table. It's the right height for changing your baby (easy on the back), and storage drawers keep diapers and clothing at your fingertips.

One more practical consideration is the window covering. Cordless blackout blinds or curtains can be a mom's best friend. Install them so that the fabric extends to the outer edge of the window frame. You can find complementary fabric and wallpaper combinations at your decorating store.

Now about the whimsical bit. How about a chandelier? Very much on trend today, and what a fascinating light fixture for your baby to gaze up at. In fact, ceilings in a nursery can be a great source of delight. Paint a cloudy day sky or a starry night sky. In this nursery, a mobile of oversized butterflies flutters gently over the crib, and a few have landed on the lampshade. Mount a few shelves (not too high) to display your favourite children's books, and knick knacks. These and framed photos will personalize the space and make it a cherished home for you and your baby.

* Debbie Travis' House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.