Nursery Primer: How to use antiques in your children's bedroom design (And why it's a good idea)
A soulful nursery with a restored family heirloom rocker, Persian rug, vintage Brutalist stool, and English-style textiles. Design: Time & Place Interiors
When we welcomed a baby into my life, I knew we’d be spending a lot of time in the nursery. Why not apply the same dedication to designing that room as the rest of our New York City apartment?
I purposely avoided buying all new “baby” labeled furniture, in favor of interesting antiques. For the floor, I purchased a distressed vintage Persian rug that will easily take more wear. Instead of a conventional changing table, I sourced a lovingly worn antique 19th Century painted cabinet, on top of which I placed a changing pad. A vintage shelf holds children’s books. Next to the armchair is an Mid Century French milking stool. And I came across a delightful kid-size bergère with teddy bear upholstery that was too cute to pass up.
Whoever said that every piece of nursery furniture needs to be conventionally made for kids was pushing a marketing ploy. Antiques are more fun! For one, they have loads more character than garish plastics or fiberboard. And they’re a sustainable alternative to our society’s throwaway consumerism.
So, how do you use antiques in a nursery and make it liveable? Introducing one or two vintage accents to give character to your children’s bedroom or playroom. You’ll be rewarded with a unique design, and your kids will learn to appreciate living with better things from an early age.
Intrigued? Here are ideas for using antiques in your nursery or children’s room:
Hang antique prints for the nursery’s wall art
Put down a vintage rug: they’re more forgiving of stains, and are healthier alternatives to synthetic fibers
Buy an antique children’s size chair or two for the craft area
Use a handmade textile brought back from travels for your child’s bedspread
Get a vintage dresser to store children’s clothes; put a changing pad on top of it
Choose a vintage nightlight: they often come in fun colors and shapes
Pick out a fun antique rocking horse as a beautiful toy
Take the cue from these inspiring designs of nurseries and children’s bedrooms that use vintage or antiques. They’re all delightfully sweet.
A nursery with a Moroccan rug and a little vintage rattan chair would make anyone happy, regardless of their age. Design: Alice Lund / Photo: Stephanie Russo
This classy Brooklyn nursery features a fabulous Mid Century lambswool chair + ottoman set. Design: Hovey Design / Photo: Jonathan Hökklo
Our own New York City nursery, with our little “Hushpuppy.” The 19th Century painted cabinet is used as a changing table (and a place to store tons of diapers). On the floor is a vintage Persian rug. Design: Time & Place Interiors
Doesn’t this classic 1950s armchair looks just right in this cozy children’s bedroom? Design: Joana Astolfi / Photo: Francisco Nogueira
These lucky girls! Their super stylish room includes a Raoul Guys table between the beds. Design: Emmanuelle Simon / Photo: Damien de Medeiros
For the nursery I designed for a client, I sourced a mirror framing a19th Century sampler, a vintage Persian Gabbeh rug, and toys passed down from earlier generations. Design: Time & Place Interiors
An antique rocking toy and a vintage-like blanket ladder give subtle touches of historic flavor to this nursery. Design: Plume Events / Photo: Brett & Jessica Photography
An antique chest holds baby gear in an East Village nursery. Custom window treatments have Pierre Frey fabric repeated in the crib bumpers. Design: Louisa Roeder / Photo: Sean Litchfield
Break the mold with an Alexander Calder style mobile. Bonus points for the vintage red clamp light attached to the crib in this Brooklyn space. Design: Margaux Lafond / Photo: Nick Glimenakis
A serene and casual children’s bedroom in a whimsical European bedroom. Design & Photo: Sanne Hop
This Park Slope child’s bedroom is anything but stuffy. It has vintage suzani bedspreads from Uzbekistan, a vintage Turkish rug, and a little antique desk. Design: Kate Reynolds / Photo: Max Zambelli
Vintage accessories add just the right soft touches to a girl’s bedroom on Shelter Island. Design: Workstead / Photo: Matthew Williams
Expecting a baby? Let us design a beautiful nursery.
Time & Place Interiors specializes in mixing eclectic designs to create one-of-a-kind rooms, crafting spaces that everyone in your household will enjoy. Use the link below to schedule a free 20-minute information call with founder Ksenya Malina to discuss your design project:
