Dreamy Floral Wallpaper Steals the Show in This Cozy and Sweet Nursery
Name: Paress and Mike Rees (Mike is the co-founder of Chasing Paper)
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Room: Baby Sienna’s nursery
When Paress and Mike Rees found out they were having a girl, their instincts were to create a nursery that eschewed a traditional light-pink palette in favor of something a little less expected. Their vision: a calming space that skewed slightly feminine but not overtly girly. And when you happen to be the co-founder of Chasing Paper, as Mike is, it’s easy to see why wallpaper would be at the heart of the design.
“Wallpaper is a must for a nursery,” Rees says. “As it provides such whimsy and fun that paint really just can’t provide.”
With an entire library of patterns and colors at their disposal, they were drawn to the muted tones of the company’s “Poppy” wallpaper, which features a floral motif of creamy-hued blooms against a soft mauve background. “It’s a repeated pattern,” Rees remarks. “But it doesn’t read busy at all.” Indeed, the poppies strike the right balance of being dainty and sweet but also neutral and sophisticated.
To break up some of the pattern adorning the walls, they brought in substantial furniture pieces with mid-century modern lines, including a stylish crib with curvilinear edges and a sage rocking chair. Large-scale artwork (some of which happen to be original pieces created by Paress’ dad) also adds visual weight to offset the smaller scale of the florals. Pops of marigold from a polka-dotted rug bring in a playful element.
A bespoke mobile hangs above the crib to offer baby Sienna a sweet view of pillowy soft stars, clouds, and a rainbow, dangling together in a range of neutral hues. Opposite the crib is a wall of colorful books displayed on four floating shelves — a gift for Sienna from her baby shower and a thoughtful detail that turned out to be one of the couple’s favorites in the entire space. “They bring fun, whimsy, and visual intrigue as well as practical storage use,” Rees remarks.
Speaking of storage, this was one area of the nursery that the couple had initially overlooked. “We didn’t realize how much storage was needed for a baby,” says Rees. “With how many outfit changes, season changes, and growth spurts, it’s nice to have extra linens, accessories, and clothing at hand’s reach!” They wasted no time incorporating practical and eye-catching solutions to corral these types of items (one of their top picks being Pehr’s cotton canvas baskets).
It’s this same form-meets-function symbiosis that infuses the whole nursery with a stylish sweetness that feels all at once nostalgic and fresh. Not only is it the kind of space that works for Sienna right now, but it’s also one that she can grow into down the road. Earthy hues of mauve and sage along with sleek furniture lines set a dreamy scene, but the poppy pattern on the walls outshines them all. As Rees puts it: “The wallpaper is the show stealer and really makes the room have such a sweet, whimsical vibe.”
Product List
- Wallpaper — Poppy in Mauve from Chasing Paper
- Crib — The Wave Crib from Nestig
- Rocking chair — Joya Nursery Rocker Chair in Moss Velvet from Crate and Barrel
- Changing table — Babyletto Gelato Changer Dresser from Amazon
- Dresser — The Wave Dresser from Nestig
- Rug — Pom-pom rug in Marigold from Pehr
- Pouf — Decor Therapy Yarn and Cotton Pouf in Off White from Amazon
- Mobile — Clouds and Rainbow Mobile from Etsy
- Nordic knot pillow — Knot Pillow in Cream from Nordic Nest
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