For Caroline Klein, designing her son Arnie’s nursery was about creating a space that felt as joyful as childhood itself. From the beginning, she envisioned a colorful, warm and playful room — somewhere Arnie could grow from baby to toddler and beyond.
The nursery has become a gathering place for the family — to read books, play together and soak in the quiet moments of early parenthood. Understanding how much time new parents spend in the nursery, Caroline was intentional about making it a space she and her husband, Erik, would truly want to be, even on the most sleepless nights.
The room incorporates meaningful personal details that reflect the family’s story. It pays homage to Erik’s roots in Alaska through carefully chosen artwork. A painting by Caroline’s mother captures his hometown, along with a watercolor of a fishing boat. These sentimental touches transform the room into a vibrant reflection of family history. Caroline, whose passion for design began with the renovation of her own 120-year-old Victorian home, says she believes great design isn’t about chasing trends — it’s about creating spaces that feel personal and functional.
The design of the nursery takes on that philosophy, blending beauty, purpose and heart.
Caroline used the painting above the dresser to determine the color of the walls, pillows and accessories.
Caroline’s Top 3 Tips for Recreating This Room:
1. Select foundational pieces that will work as your kids grow. Arnie’s room will serve him well for years to come, just by swapping out the crib for a bed. I chose pieces that didn’t feel too “precious” or too specific to a baby, so we wouldn’t have to repurchase those more expensive items as he gets older. When designing kids’ rooms, invest in the larger furniture pieces. Smaller items, like an accent table or lamp, are easier to change out as your child grows.
2. Choose a rug or a piece of art that you love to serve as the starting point for the color scheme. Allow the pillows, paint colors and accessories to be guided by that. The painting above the dresser is what I used to determine the color of the walls, pillows and accessories.
3. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns. Start by choosing a small-, medium- and large-scale patterns. By varying the scale, you can avoid visual overload.
Caroline Klein | Owner, Principal Designer, Caroline Klein Design, @carolinekleindesign
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: My Favorite Room: Caroline Klein creates warm, playful nursery design
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