Solid Studio is officially getting an intern, and preparing for her arrival gave us the perfect excuse to transform our own nursery. There’s something uniquely tender about designing a space for someone you haven’t met yet—someone who will change your life in ways you can’t fully imagine. That anticipation made every decision feel a little more meaningful.

As soon as we started, I realized how fun it is to design without a client brief. No constraints, no approvals, no second guessing—just instinct, sentiment, and the desire to create a room that feels like a hug.

Before We Began: The Room’s Past Life

Before it became a nursery, this room wore many hats. It served as our guest room for a while, and then as my office before I moved my workspace to the add‑on off our primary bedroom. Because of that, we already knew the room well—its quirks, its strengths, and the way it feels at different times of day.

One of its best features is the natural light. With east‑facing windows, the room gets the most beautiful morning sun, and we knew we wanted to capitalize on that warmth. It’s also located right off our main hallway, so acoustics played a role in how we laid out the space. And since I’m a big believer that everything should have a place, storage quickly became a top priority.

Setting the Stage

With the room’s history and natural features in mind, we started shaping the vision. We wanted the nursery to feel warm, collected, and full of personality. Mixing old and new has always been our design love language, and this space became the perfect example of that philosophy.

The crib, chair, and ottoman are new additions—functional, comfortable, and built to last. But the changing table/credenza, wall shelves, and bookshelf? All second‑hand or antique finds. Those pieces bring the soul. They carry stories, textures, and imperfections that make a room feel lived‑in from day one.

And honestly, hunting for these treasures is one of my favorite parts of any project. I could happily spend hours digging through antique malls and thrift shops. If you ever want help sourcing second‑hand or vintage pieces for your own home, I’m your girl.

One non‑negotiable for us: the chair cover had to be fully removable and machine washable. I had a feeling that would be important, and—blast from the future—it has already proven itself very necessary.

Color Story: Butter Yellow Warmth

The room is wrapped in the dreamiest butter‑yellow shade—soft, warm, and perfect for snuggling a new baby. Choosing the color was its own little journey. I tested several swatches at different times of day, watching how the light shifted across the walls. Some yellows went too green, others too bright, but this one landed right in that sweet spot: cozy without feeling heavy, cheerful without being loud.

And with those east‑facing windows, the natural sunlight bounces off the yellow beautifully. It fills the room with a glow that feels almost nostalgic.

The room already had a chair rail, so we extended it with beadboard. Since beadboard appears throughout the rest of the house, continuing it here felt cohesive and intentional. I love when a new space feels like it belongs to the home rather than competing with it.

Pattern & Texture

To bring in pattern, we added a rug that grounds the space without overwhelming it. Nurseries can easily tip into “too busy,” so the rug needed to add interest without stealing the show.

Textiles in nurseries matter more than people realize. They’re touched constantly, washed frequently, and often become the backdrop of memories—late‑night feedings, first giggles, sleepy snuggles. So we chose fabrics that feel good, wear well, and bring warmth to the room.

And then there’s the handmade blanket, which brings in the perfect pop of color. It adds that homey, lived‑in feel that only something crafted by hand can. The texture is soft and comforting, the kind you instinctively reach for during quiet moments.

Art With Heart

The artwork in this room might be my favorite part because every piece carries a story.

Brass butterflies from Lula B’s in the Dallas Design District
A mouse painting discovered at a local art fair
A teal flower painting created by a dear friend
An owl painting I made in high school art class
A Buckley Moss piece of me, passed down from my mom

Each piece brings a different energy—whimsy, nostalgia, sentiment, humor. Together, they create a gallery that feels deeply personal.

We also framed baby photos of both Chip and me, along with small objects from our childhoods. These are the details that make a room feel whole. When I get to be involved in these layers—the emotional ones—that’s when everything truly comes together.

Storage That Actually Works

We kept the storage simple and truly functional. Large baskets hold toys and plushies, making cleanup quick and realistic. On top of the changing table, smaller baskets keep diapers and pajamas within easy reach. A back‑of‑the‑door organizer corrals all the tiny essentials—burp cloths, sheets, bibs, socks—without taking up any visual space.

For clothing, cube storage handles everyday wear (because I’m not folding anything I don’t have to), while the closet hanging space is reserved for the cuter, more occasional outfits. We also added small hooks off the shelf for bows and accessories, which keeps them visible and easy to grab.

Everything has a place, and the room stays calm because of it.

Inspiration

If you want to explore the full mood and direction behind this room, here’s the Pinterest board that guided the design:

PINTEREST BOARD FOR MORE INSPO

Looking back, this project reminded me how powerful personal touches are. A nursery doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to feel like love. And this one does.