How can a crib sheet inspire an entire nursery? Indianapolis-based Whittney Parkinson combined her professional expertise as an interior designer with her personal experience (as mom of two with No. 3 on the way!) to dream up a swoon-worthy baby room designed around a beloved Liberty print. Her work has been featured in House Beautiful, Domino, and Better Homes and Gardens. Here, she shares about her process for designing the cozy, cottage-inspired nursery.
Let’s talk design process! How do you typically go about designing a space
My design process always starts with a singular source of inspiration, like a textile or wallpaper. That one item helps me create an entire palette of color, textures, and patterns that all play nice together in the same space.
What was the inspiration for this nursery design?
The Pepper Crib Sheet made with Liberty Fabric was the original source of inspiration. There are beautiful browns, greens, blues, and grays in it that could easily complement a larger and smaller pattern mix.
You chose a mix of patterns and prints. How do you mix prints in a way that feels cohesive?
It’s ALL about scale. The Liberty print is a smaller scale pattern, so I needed a larger scale (the floral wallpaper), and then more rectilinear patterns (ticking stripe and plaid), to offset the organic movement of the other two fabrics. It’s a constant balancing act for the eye!
Tell us why you love the Pepper print from our collection made with Liberty Fabric for this nursery.
I love this fabric because it feels ageless, and it could absolutely work for a girl or boy. The pattern is small, but the colors are a really unique mix you don’t see often!
Any tips for expecting parents looking to design a nursery for their little one?
Enjoy the process! Textiles and wallpaper for children can be so playful, rich in color or whimsical. Storage is key but can come in lots of forms, like a vintage chest, unique dresser, or bookshelves. Art is also a fun way to add personality and color while allowing a space to still feel sophisticated. Thinking long-term and how they will grow and evolve in these spaces is key as well!
