Cozy Contemporary Nursery: Where Antiques Meet Mid-Century Modern

Anticipating the imminent arrival of their first baby, our eldest daughter and her husband have deconstructed their guest room and reassembled a sophisticated, yet cozy nursery. The baby's room is both traditional and modern with mid-century furniture juxtaposed to antiques.

Let me take you on a spin around the room.

The focal point of the nursery is an oil painting by Goxwa Borg, an artist from Malta who has had numerous solo exhibits in New York and Paris. Of her own art, Goxwa writes, "I would like to think that I am being faithful to those old fresco painters, who were of course 'modern' in their days..."

No wonder Goxwa's work--ancient and current--appeals to Marcus and Anna's aesthetic. In fact, our daughter bought this painting for her husband as a birthday present early in their marriage. Now, the serene scene of a boy fishing from a boat on a languid pool sets a soothing tone for their firstborn's nursery.

To blend old and new, the couple chose an midcentury modern Oeuf baby bed. It seems more diminutive than a normal baby bed, but actually takes a standard crib mattress. As a bonus, it features is a space-saving changing table affixed to the top.

Under an eave adjacent to the crib and changing station, the soon-to-be parents tucked some floor pillows and a French colonial plantation desk to hold diapers and wipes.

Coming around the room, Anna accessorized with baskets from Serena & Lily.

Then to hold bedtime books and as another counterpoint to the antiques. she placed a tall cube-stacked bookcase

                               

                            

On the wall directly across from the crib is a Victorian jelly cupboard inherited from the baby's great, great grandmother. This lovely walnut cupboard makes great storage for baby supplies. The upper drawers hold booties and bibs, while clothing and bedding are easily accessible behind the double doors.

Here is a complete view of this side of the room:

Aren't these cute little cement cube lamps? They are designed by Regina Andrew. Order them with this word of caution: they were on backorder for months with several delays in delivery. 

At the far end of the room, our daughter placed two traditional swivel rockers and a totally-washable, comfortable Dash and Albert pouf.

Between the chairs, an acrylic C table made by CB2 is a perch for a book or a drink. Finally, behind the chairs. is a contemporary lamp from Circa--definitely not-your-father's-floor-lamp.

Now the room and the excited parents await the little gentleman's arrival.

They will be great parents; of that I'm certain. After all, they have positioned two swivel rocking chairs side-by-side so they can enjoy the baby together. With two doting parents this little man is already very blessed.