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Hamptons Hydrangeas
How to Keep Them Fresh
Place the stem into boiling water. Apparently there is a sap that forms and prevents water from getting to the blooms. So by giving them 30 seconds or so in boiling water, it helps melt & redistribute this sap so the blooms can get the hydration they need.
Crush the bottoms of the stems. This also allows more water to get to the blooms.
Trim older blooms first. I’m not sure the exact reason why, but older blooms last longer in a vase. A week + later, the younger. Blooms have begun to wilt but the older blooms are still looking perfect!
I’ve also heard dipping the clipped stems in allum powder helps too, but I have had a tricky time finding it believe it or not!
THE BAG:
You can’t go wrong with a classic straw bag with leather straps. They’re classics for a reason.
THE SPF
Go organic or local here. I love @coola because it’s organic, smells amazing and has options for your face. @veridatta has a great face SPF that comes in various tints for your skin tone. And Hamptons Sun is a local favorite.
THE FLIP FLOPS
Keep it simple and chic. Save your espadrilles for dinner and go for something a little nicer than Havanas.
THE HAT
There is a hat the new shop in East Hampton, ONE, that I can’t stop thinking about! It’s a French retro straw hat with a gorgeous white silk bow on the back. Straw hats are classic, but steer clear of a hat with embroider words on the rim. (That’s something Gen Z & I can agree on)
THE SHADES
Lots of different classics here, but you can’t go wrong with Ray Bans or a Classic wide, black frame.
THE TOWEL
Turkish beach towels are awesome. Most are sand resistant so again, less sand in your car.
THE COVER UP
You can’t go wrong with linen here. It’s classy, classic and also light weight.
THE SUIT
Put fashion aside for a second and go for something you feel confident in! You can make a statement here or go for something understated like a white one piece.
THE DRINK
Fresh green juice or rosé? Maybe both! Whatever it is, leave the glassware at home and opt for a @yeti
THE FUN
Beach games, a bluetooth speaker, a juicy beach read— these are all essential! Plan accordingly for your group or if you’re going solo.
I went to Balsam the other day for the first time since 2019! Last year, Aurora was a newborn and it was just too much to wait in line with her in the sun.
SO this year, I plan to do all the cute mom things I had dreamed of doing with my baby before the pandemic changed my plans. A lot of these dreams are simple and just require me putting her in a baby carrier and taking her to a farm stand or farmers market and picking out fresh flowers, berries and other local goodies.
These are my favorite Farm Stands and Markets I can’t wait to take her!
I did this solo the other day, so I can’t wait to bring her back and have her help me pick out her favorite veggies and flowers. I’m also looking forward to going to their Montauk location!
A staple in the community! I’m looking forward to a nice day in Sag, stroll along the wharf and hitting up the market.
This is a special spot for Joe & I! One of our first dates, he and I picked wildflowers in the field. I hope to do that with Aurora soon too! Either way, their farm stand is one of the best!
Another local favorite which now is operating from Herrick Park in the Village Fridays AND Sundays.
I have to admit, I rarely buy produce here! I’m usually grabbing the guacamole salad and grilled shrimp…along with baked goods I just can’t resist!
In all my years here, I’ve never been because I usually am working on Saturdays. This year we will definitely be making a stop!
If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’d know that this summer I’m all about the “Cute Mom Summer” (as opposed to hot girl summer).
All I want to do is all the things I couldn’t do last year because I was a new mom, in a pandemic and kind of drowning in all that new mom stuff.
This summer, I’m feeling more myself and so looking forward to all the cute mom stuff I missed out on with my tiny baby.
Whether that’s a long walk to Indian Wells or Yoga in the Square with Mandala. Getting moving first thing is always the way I love to start my day.
Jack’s isn’t the only spot to stop any more— give Rosie’s a try or even Amber Waves. Il Buco is just moving in and it looks like they’ll have a coffee spot next door to the restaurant.
Stop by the farm for some groceries, mini bottles of Summer in Bottle and fresh flowers. They’ve even got some grab & go options for lunch.
If you’re a mom, there will likely be plenty of other mamas with babies and kiddos running around. Bring a blanket a few toys and just relax! I love doing this when it’s not quite beach weather.
If you’re a wine lover, of course Wolffer Kitchen is for you. If you’d prefer beer, head over to the Main Street Tavern Beer Garden.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Amagansett?
When you are working to buy or sell a home, you are going to hear from your real estate agent a lot. You want to make sure you figure out how to communicate from day one. Some people want their agent texting them at 10pm—others would prefer all email.
It happens…deals start to fall apart. It matters most how your agent can navigate those waters, deal with the stress and work to keep the deal together. You want someone who is level-headed and works well under pressure.
Now this can vary greatly depending on brokerage. There are many smaller companies that might not have a reach of a bigger company like Douglas Elliman. When selling a luxury home, especially in the Hamptons, you are trying to reach as many potential buyers as possible…and chances are, they might not live here. I love that I have a global network of agents at my fingertips because of our offices in luxury markets.
Leave a comment below!
I always love the anticipation of new restaurants each season. I know that a lot of people hate how quickly things turn over and locals wish big city restaurants would stop pushing out the small guys.
But honestly, I love it all.
I love the anticipation... the he-said-she-said... I love driving by a space trying to figure it out as they transform it into something new.
I love trying it for the first time and trying to guess how successful they’ll be.
In the Swallow East spot on the docks, this place looks beautifully done and with delicious food! Maybe it’s just that I’m older & not partying as much, but I’m excited to check out the new, more upscale residents in this MTK hot spot.
This one is under new ownership and getting a major facelift. Driving by, they’re gutting the hotel rooms and based on their website it looks like THREE different restaurants are taking shape. Fingers crossed at least one has better food and service than the last restaurant to live there. (IYKYK)
Going in the beloved Michael’s spot right by Maidstone park in Springs— their sign promises happy hours, bonfires and tacos. From the looks of it, another gut renovation inside and I can’t wait to try it out. Rumor is they’re opening Memorial Day Weekend!
Your best bet is to visit during peak weekends. (Think Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day). This is when venues are throwing parties, beaches are buzzing and you will meet others here just for the weekend as well.
Try for June. Everything is open for the season but a lot of seasonal renters have not fully moved out because of schools still being in session.
A lot of seasonal businesses may be closed, but enough are open to make the experience fun and memorable. You won't be sun bathing on the beach, but you'll definitely be able to take a beach walk or catch a beautiful sunset.
Plus hotel & rental prices are a bit more reasonable.
Yes it will be cold (it is NY after all), but all of the villages are dressed up for the holidays and you will experience a cozy side to life by the sea. Find a hotel or restaurant with a fireplace or fire pit and cozy up with a cocktail.
Nothing like a little daytrip to Greenport for some Oysters! I love this place because you can learn to shuck your own, enjoy a bloody mary and enjoy the company of the sweet older gentleman behind the bar. Anyone know his name?
Weekday afternoons right around 5pm. No crowds and the most spectacular view of the sun dancing on the water. Makes me want to linger for hours! (But then the crowds do come, so we leave:))
If you're lucky to get a spot along the rail, it's the most perfect place to watch the boats sail around sunset--while, of course, enjoying freshly shucked oysters.
First impressions are everything! That first picture of your home will leave buyers with a lasting vision of your home— so make sure it’s a good one. (For specifics— Check out my reel all about boosting curb appeal.)
This is probably the most important tip! Declutter every room in the house. Get rid of unnecessary decor, furniture or personal items. Clear all surfaces & make it clean!
While still keeping it simple! (remember no clutter!) A beautiful flower arrangement is enough.
Not everyone will love the bold color on your walls or the bright pattern on your duvet. Neutrals help buyers to see beyond your decor choices and allows them to envision themselves living in your space. So when in doubt, layer on the neutrals!
By staging a patio or backyard, you’re adding to the livable space of your home. Add garden lights & comfortable seating for a basic upgrade. If you’re renting, make sure to include a grill and dining table with enough seating.
Every house that hits the market these days is getting a lot of attention. It's a great opportunity for you to maximize the price you get for your home. An easy way to do this is to make sure your home is irresistible to buyers (or renters!) from the moment they pull into the driveway.
This is probably the simplest way to make your home stand out and look it’s best. If the season is right, go with classic Hamptons hydrangeas. You can go small with just two plants on either side of the front doors or steps…or go all out and line the front of your house for a real show stopper.
If that’s not your style, add some planters with seasonal flower or plants. Spring, go for Tulips & Daffodils. Winter you can use evergreens or have your local flower/plant shop create a special front step arrangement.
Whichever you decide, some color will liven up that first impression of your home.
Update Hardware
The home we live in now was a fixer upper when we bought it. Last summer, we had the entire exterior power washed and it made it look like a brand new house! If your house has those classic Hamptons cedar shingles or siding, I highly recommend a power wash before your house hits the market.
Check out the difference it made with our house!
This one is so simple it’s often overlooked. An updated mailbox with easy to read numbers adds a noticeable polished touch. It definitely helps with first impressions and sets buyers up to expect good things once they step inside. This is another great spot to plan some flowers or greenery.
I realize, many Hamptons homes don’t have mailboxes— it’s still important to have some way of displaying the house number, especially now that your house is for sale. Add a post with the house numbers or get a number sign made off Etsy. Add some flowers and you’re good to go!
This can be a simple swap of the front door handles to something more modern or styled. For even more style, you can update the doorbell, light fixtures, and numbers on the house as well. Assess where your home is feeling the most tired and spend your money there.
This is where you can get creative and show off a little of your personal style. Bare minimum— make sure you have a beautiful seasonal wreath, an a simple doormat. For some extras, you can add a few lanterns, planters or other decor. When in doubt, keep it simple! Too much clutter will be a distraction.
When Joe and I were just starting to get serious, he invited me to Passover Seder with his extended family in Greenwich. I was working on the Upper West Side at the time and we’d planned to take the train there for the occasion. My co-worker (who grew up Christian and married a Jewish guy) told me I HAD to bring Jaques Torres Chocolate Covered Matzo. I’ll never forget walking into the chocolate shop— totally clueless as to what Matzo even was and trying to purchase the tastiest version to impress Joe’s family.
I’ve come to realize over the years that us gentiles often try much harder at the holidays than our Jewish soulmates & relatives. I’m usually the one to go all out with the slow cook brisket and perfecting our latke recipe year over year. One time, I even brought a bunch of pomegranates to Rosh Hashanah and everyone was very confused why I did that (it’s symbolic!). Joe loves it, but I don’t think the effort would be half as much if I didn’t step in. (You’re welcome, Joe!)
With Passover this weekend, I thought it would be fun to DIY some chocolate covered Matzos. FULL CONFESSION— I tried to make caramel & chocolate covered first, but very quickly learned I have no business making candy from scratch when my caramel started to burn and I had to run a boiling, bubbling, smoking pot outside.
So I present to you, truly, the EASIEST chocolate covered Matzos. (No burnt caramel or oven required).
Two 10 oz bags of chocolate chips
These can be dairy free, dark chocolate, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate. It’s 100% up to you and your preferences
8-10 plain matzos
Toppings: slices almonds, sprinkles, flaky salt— whatever you prefer
Melt Chocolate
I like to do one cup of chocolate at a time so I can take my time decorating without stressing over the chocolate cooling. To melt the chocolate the EASIEST way (which is what we’re going for here) is in the microwave. Place the chocolate in a microwave safe mixing bowl and start with 30 second increments. Stir between. Once the chocolate really starts to melt, drop down to 15 second increments until the chocolate is smooth.
Make sure all the chips have melted before decorating.
Get creative!
Using a spatula or back of spoon, you can decorate your matzos to your own preference. I did some full covered (uses a lot of chocolate), some I covered half, others I Jackson Pollocked.
Add Toppings
Before the chocolate cools, make sure to add any toppings. (this is why I work with one cup at a time). You can sprinkle sliced almonds, sprinkles or even more chocolate chips. Get the kids involved and just have fun.
Cool.
I cover a few sheet pans with parchment paper and lay the matzos in a single row. Then place the pans in the fridge for at least 20 minutes until the chocolate is totally solid. Once the chocolate is solid, you can condense into a stack of matzos. Best to store in a cool place, fridge if you can manage.
5 years ago, I was simultaneously planning our wedding and staging my first $3 million modern home in the Oysters Shores community of East Hampton. That first staging project lit a fire in me that I was not expecting. I loved working with the owners to make decisions and trying to fill an empty space with comfort, beauty & functionality.
I’ll never forget Joe and I hustling in the days before our wedding to get all the furniture moved into the house. We didn’t hire a crew to help, we just did it all on our own. Talk about the best pre-wedding workout!
I literally put the finishing touches on the house and drove to Montauk for our rehearsal dinner. It was an exciting time, and naturally, I learned a lot from that project.
Jenna at her first design project
below the barn: lululemon + SoulCycle collaboration
After that summer, I went back to work at lululemon. I was intrigued by the investment they were starting to make in The Hamptons community with events and a functional yoga/event space in their store. Somehow, they trusted me with a side job of designing & staging a space in partnership with Soulcycle. This was so different from the Oyster Shores house but was thrilling. What would it take for me to turn a blank canvas into a store, juice bar and yoga studio?
In those early days, it often felt like I was building the stairs while climbing them. Somehow it seemed to work and the end result was beautiful (and always gave me a stack of to-dos for next time). I loved the work I was getting but decided it was time to get some formal training. So I started studying design at the NY Institute of Art & Design and waited for my next opportunity.
In 2018, our personal goals started to really take shape. Joe and I bought our first home in Hampton Bays, which we saw as a great rental property. We closed Memorial Day Weekend and immediately staged & rented it out for the summer. We moved out of our apartment that fall and into the Hampton Bays house for the winter. 3 months later we found another home in East Hampton that was the perfect fixer upper that I’d been dying to get my hands on.
We somehow managed to get the house and (again) closed Memorial Day weekend and got to work. We did minimal fixes just to make it comfortable to live in and planned for a bigger renovation down the line.
Fast forward to January 2020, I was 5 months pregnant and we made the late call to renovate the kitchen, bathrooms and refinish the floor before the baby came. I designed the whole thing and loved dreaming about the possibility in this little Springs ranch. I was so excited to see the whole process and was excited to have a fresh living space for the newborn days ahead.
Well … everyone knows what happened in March 2020. We tore up our kitchen --down to the studs-- and 4 days later NY shut down due to the pandemic. I was working from home thinking I’d be home for 2 weeks and then ended up never going back before my maternity leave started in late May. We were living and working in a construction zone for 3 months just praying we would be able to get the project done before the baby came. Delay after delay kept coming up. Every week a new list of businesses were shutting down. Joe literally put our cabinets together himself and finally, we were just waiting on the local granite shop to reopen so we could get our counter tops. In the end, counter tops were installed a week before my due date and baby was 2 weeks late. Talk about cutting things close.
Around that same time—very tragically— I lost my younger brother. It’s an incredibly sad story of addiction and losing support during a global crisis. My world was turned upside down and I was 41 weeks pregnant. I gave birth and 3 days later was his funeral. Everything felt so fragile. Life felt precious & fleeting. In hindsight, I was dealing with postpartum depression and anxiety on top of grief, but I somehow had the clarity in my sadness that it was time to only spend time doing the things I love. Life was too short and I wouldn’t waste it on someone else’s plans for me.
That August I buckled down and get my real estate license. Everything was done via zoom except the exam, so I had my airbuds in taking class while simultaneously changing diapers and feeding the baby.
I’ll never forget when it came time to take my exam. Aurora was 3 months old and I wasn’t ready to leave her yet. The testing site was up-island and would take at least half a day to get there, take the test and get home. Joe, being a huge support to me always, drove all of us to Happaugue. I ran inside, in my mask, to take the exam and he carried Aurora around the parking lot making business calls. I was anxious, nervous, excited, and ultimately, felt confident I’d passed. (I did, by the way)
WFH vibes
In many ways, I’m still learning a new job but I also feel grounded in an industry I’ve known for a few years. I have many dreams for our future and our business, but for now I’m enjoying the flexibility of working during nap times and getting the opportunity to watch my little girl change week by week.
They really don’t stay small forever, do they?
Renting or selling your Hamptons home may seem simple enough, right? There is a hug influx of people visiting for the summer season (or longer now as the pandemic continues) and it should be very simple to put your home on the market and find a tenant or buyer.
Just like any business, you want to make sure that you are appealing to your customer base and presenting a great product. In real estate, this is done with home staging. In The Hamptons, this means creating a luxe but comfortable coastal style with everything your guests need for an amazing summer. I truly believe this can be accomplished in any size home—with or without a pool.
This may be the most difficult step. It can be the most time consuming but it is also the most rewarding. The brain registers clutter as chaos so when a buyer or potential tenant enters your home, they immediately register the chaos and not the tranquil, beach vacation vibes they’re hoping for. Go through each room in your home (even the bathroom!) and get minimalist.
Picture a hotel room. What is on top of the dresser? How about the bathroom vanity? Usually, next to nothing. Avoid storing things on the floor in baskets or large appliances on your counters like mixers or blenders. It’s best to tuck these away or get rid of unnecessary items entirely.
If you’re renting your home, you can designate a closet in your house to keep your belongings. Just change out the lock to have a key and you can stow away all your beloved pieces until you move back in.
Tuck away important family heirlooms and remove family photos from bookcases, dressers and nightstands. Take down large family portraits or wedding photos hanging on the walls and replace with ocean photography or abstract artwork in ocean tones.
Depersonalizing also means taking an objective look at your furniture and decor pieces. You may love that dark leather lazy-boy that is super worn in, but it screams “very personal” and not luxury vacation home. Assess your color palate in each room as well as linens. What adjustments do you need to make? Is it time to swap that bold wallpaper for a simple, light colored paint? Do you need to refresh the beds with all white linens and a new comforter? Do you need to change out some artwork on the walls? Try to put aside your emotions and look at everything through your potential tenants eyes.
It is very easy to go from classy beach decor to tacky. Not every piece in your home needs to scream “WE’RE AT THE BEACH’’ There is a subtle art to coastal decor and the elegant, peaceful vibe comes from a less is more mentality.
Avoid too much signage that say cliche phrases like “Life is better at the beach” and “Toes in the sand, wine in my hand.” If you love signs, go for 1 or two signs that emphasis the town you’re in. For instance, a handmade wooden sign that says Sag Harbor if your house is in Sag.
A surfboard can be a great piece of decor if you have a huge blank wall and don’t know what to do with it. If your budget allows, Grain surfboards are literal pieces of art that bring in the warmth of wood.
Again, keep things as clean & minimal as possible. Opt for white or light wood furniture. Keep any linens, bedding or pillows in ocean tones (white, light neutrals, blues) without buying towels that actually have seashells or starfish on them.
A great rental does not need to have a pool, but it does need to have a comfortable outdoor space. Fire pits, grills, patio seating— these are all essentials in a summer home and are fairly simple to create even if you don’t have a patio. My top tip for outdoor spaces is to make sure there is ample lighting. The most charming way to do this is with garden lights. These make summer nights magical and will make the outdoors feel like bonus square footage.
If your home is bike-able to the closest beach, included 2 beach cruisers. If you’re around the corner from the bay, buy a paddle board or kayak. Do you have an empty basement? Add a ping-pong table. These “extras” elevate your rental at a minimal cost to you. Think of all the fun summer things you enjoy and do your best to ensure your guests have access to these as well.
I’m not one for strict diets, cleanses or detoxes. I firmly believe our bodies are smart and work best when we treat them with kindness. So this juice isn’t meant to be a fix-all, a meal replacer or anything of the sort— but rather an energy shifter!
I’m starting to feel the spring energy with the sunshine peeking out and snow melting away. This recipe gives me energy mid-day and gets my cells buzzing. Added bonus, some of the ingredients are known to bump up metabolism and leave you hydrated.
So break out your juicer and give this tart recipe a whirl!
Makes enough for 2
1 lemon
1/2 beet
1/2 celery stalk
1 small ginger knob
1 Granny Smith apple
1/2 English cucumber
1/4 watermelon radish
4 kale leaves
What do you think? Leave us a comment if you give it a try!
I know I’m not the only one who has been desperate for a change of scenery these days. The wintery weather and Facebook memories of tropical vacations only adds to the misery.
So I took matters into my own hands and started researching. I knew we couldn’t go far— an 8 month old, a dog, and a global pandemic certainly limited our options. We weren’t planning to go to restaurants or seek out much in terms of entertainment because we’ve been very cautious when it comes to COVID. Just a change of scenery—preferably a water view.
We looked as far as Connecticut and as close as Montauk, eventually stumbling upon the Soundview Hotel in Greenport. We were intrigued by their 2 bedroom, hot tub suite. We could put the baby to bed at 7 and still be able to relax & enjoy ourselves. We’d be comfortable there during the day and you can’t beat the water right out your door.
Upon calling to book, we learned that this operation is brand new and that the suite was also dog friendly. We were some of the first guests to be staying and enjoying this unique amenity. So we loaded up our Jeep to the brim and ferried our way to Greenport.
Joe and I both had our own moments of dread upon arrival. Joe’s came when he saw the roadwork going on as we arrived in the rain, making the exterior look a bit less than desirable. Mine happened when we walked into the surprisingly large, spacious & a little cavernous suite and panicked slightly that our baby wouldn’t sleep a wink in this strange place.
All our fears subsided when we fully unloaded the car and all our baby & dog belongings were sprawled out on the living room floor. We ordered room service and had a glass of champagne while we got settled.
The suite has a full kitchen which we put to good use almost immediately with baby bottles & charcuterie plates. We fed & put Aurora to bed (She slept better than she has at home by the way) and we got to exploring the hot tub.
We stayed for two nights. On our only full day, we had made reservations at Macari Vineyard. It was the only vineyard we could find that was
open on a Tuesday in February.
allowed both dogs & babies
we felt comfortable with their COVID precautions.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommending bringing a baby & a dog to a winery (especially if you don’t get out much with your whole crew). Thankfully the staff was very kind & accommodating and we tried to relax and not think about being “those people”.
I don’t think I fully understood what a wood burning hot tub entailed. They had an attendant who put logs in about every hour from 10am-8:30pm. It was about 40 degrees when we went outside around 7:45pm. Joe had to pull the wooden lids off and stir the water with an oar. The hot air rises, so as the steam releases into the air the bottom of the hot tub starts to cool.
It was thrilling to be on the edge of The Sound, sitting in 110 degree water—sipping rose and eating oysters. You could faintly see the water down along the beach, but relaxed with the sound of small waves.
It’s been a year since we’ve traveled at all and it felt surreal to sense that familiar thrill you get when you’re traveling somewhere entirely new and experiencing something for the first time. Even though we were a just hop & a skip away from home, it made us think about pools in Santorini, champagne gardens in Sorrento & spicy fries on Grand Cayman.
We got lucky with a beautiful day that was sunny & pushing 60 degrees (even though the forecast said freezing rain & snow). So we decided to let the baby nap in her stroller and we headed to the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company for lunch with hopes of sitting outside. We were happy to find they had ample outdoor seating and it seems they burn multiple fire pits on colder days.
After a quick stroll in town (almost everything was closed), we made it back to the Soundview just in time for sunset. We were so grateful to be able to enjoy the stunning views, breathe in the fresh air and just let our minds relax. In our pre-baby days, we probably would’ve been in the hot-tub at sunset, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. The colors were spectacular.
Overall, it was an amazing trip and a wonderful stay at the Soundview. There were small details that could have made the suite experience more enjoyable (robes/slippers for going outside in your bathing suit in freezing temperatures is one), but we would certainly book that suite again and probably will. We look forward to post-COVID when we can dine in their restaurant, enjoy the piano bar and talk to other guests.
Have you traveled at all this winter? Tell us where in the comments.
Top Take Out Spots this Winter
Highway Restaurant
Not only do we love seeing the staff when we pick up, but the food is still amazing by the time you get it home.
Make sure to call earlier in the week to reserve your Peking duck for Friday!
Other favorites: Caesar Salad for 2, Roasted Organic Chicken, Sea salt and Triple chocolate chip cookies
Coche Comedor
Another spot we love to say hi to friends at pick up, but we also can’t get enough of that duck fried rice. We love ordering a few different menus items, sharing it all and hoping for leftovers.
They even freshly bottle their margaritas to go!
Our other favorites: Skirt Steak & Pork Barbacoa with hand pressed tortillas.
Smokin’ Wolf BBQ
The secret here is that if you call earlier in the day, they will usually deliver dinner! Perfect for those days when you really don’t want to head out in the cold.
They have non-BBQ options too like salmon & various salads. We love the Brisket Sandwich, Mexican Corn and the various platters were you can choose your meats & sides.
Of all the rooms in our East Hampton house, this is one is my absolute favorite. When I began planning the nursery, our entire world seemed chaotic. We were at the beginning of the pandemic. Joe and I had just demo-ed our kitchen, we were working from home, and trying to decide if we needed to cancel our baby shower. My prenatal care changed drastically and it was uncertain how labor & delivery would unfold.
As I envisioned bringing a sweet baby girl into the world, I wanted her first experiences to be beautiful & peaceful. I didn’t want her to sense the uncertainty of the world. Rather, I wanted her room to be a tranquil place that we would love to be in and where she would feel safe.
Once I knew how I wanted the room to feel, I got to work on designing the room. I’d never designed a nursery before and I learned quickly what was important to me and what was actually functional.
*note— baby never sleeps with stuffed animals in the crib. Please be sure to review the AAP’s safe sleep recommendations while preparing your nursery.
As I researched nursery design, I read somewhere that the primary caregiver will be the one who spends the most time in the room—so make was important to make it a place you actually want to spend time in! Homes always change and evolve as families grow, and a nursery is no exception.
I set out to make this space beautiful— for both myself & my daughter. I wanted it to feel a part of the rest of the home. Our house has a lot of characteristics of the classic Hamptons style— bright whites, natural wood tones, hues of blue and clean coastal decor. If you love the very dainty or child-centric decor, by all means, make your nursery that way. But I knew after a few weeks of looking at bunny rabbits or zoo animals, I would be bored with it before the baby was even born.
So while the room still is a nursery, I didn’t look at traditional “baby” themes and decor. I love the pieces I found and as baby grows and the room changes, I will happily move some items elsewhere in my home.
I’ll never forget, I had a very small framed picture of Monet’s Lily Pond in my childhood room. I was so interested in him as a painter and that has carried through to my adult life. It was always my dream to go to Paris and see his home in Giverny.
As fate would have it, Joe and I planned a trip abroad to France, not knowing it would be our last before babies. On our second night there, I got that double-lined, positive pregnancy test. Wandering Monet’s gardens & home— two dreams fulfilled at once— I knew I had to incorporate his art into our baby’s nursery somehow. We saw so much of his work at the Louvre and the Musee D’Orsay. I love the colors in this print of “The Cliffs at Etretat” and knew it would be the perfect focal point of the room.
Joe and I are both passionate about the arts and one of our greatest hopes for our baby is that they will appreciate and hopefully participate in them in some way. I love that instead of a generic animal print, there is a gorgeous print of one of the great impressionists. And to make sure music was readily accessible, we hung one of Joe’s ukelele’s in the room for spontaneous songs & serenading.
Getting sleep for mom, dad and baby has been at the top of my priority list since before I even knew I was pregnant. I took a class, read books, and wanted to make sure the nursery was a perfect spot for great sleep.
First and foremost, safety is important. The AAP recommends no loose blankets, no pillows, no toys or stuffed animals, no bumpers in the crib. Only a fitted sheet on a firm mattress. So if all you can splurge on is a fitted sheet, make it a pretty one. I got ours from Serena & Lily— They are beautiful, soft and safe. While baby never sleeps with blankets, we use muslin blankets all the time so I purchased a decorative ladder to display and store them.
Next up, I decided to hang our sea-critter mobile above the change table and not the crib. Here’s the thing— mobiles are fun, interesting and a great decor item. When your baby is trying to fall asleep, we don’t want them staring up at this super interesting, fun toy because guess what? They won’t go to sleep! It’s too stimulating. But during diaper changes— distractions, play & fun are more than welcome.
And finally, a dark & quiet room. As of right now, our baby is doing great without black out curtains. She sleeps the same either in pitch black or in a dim room, so I’ve opted for bamboo shades. We have them in all the bedrooms and I love that the brown tone warms up the bright white. If at some point the light becomes an issue, I will likely swap them out or add black out curtains. She also sleeps with a sound machine which helps block out noise from the kitchen & living room.
One of my biggest pet peeves while pouring over pictures of nurseries on Pinterest and Instagram was seeing well meaning parents hang book selves at a height where only an adult can reach the books! You might not know this about me, but I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.
It is SO important for kids to be exposed to and be able to get their hands on books at a young age. And by young I mean, right away! We even read to Aurora while I was pregnant.
We want our kids to see books, touch books, & hear books being read to them all the time. Infants are primed for learning and if we expose them to books, they are learning to love them at an early age while also developing their language skills like vocabulary and the rhythms of speech.
So from a design perspective, we want those books to be easily accessible and visible! If they’re doing tummy time, they see their library. Once they start to crawl, they can scoot over and touch the books. And as they get older, they will be able to pick out books on their own, look at them, touch them and bring them to you to read.
While floating shelves are a great design item, save them for another room in the house or use them for displaying decorative items only.
I know how strong that urge to nest can be. You want everything to look perfect weeks (maybe months) before your little one gets here. I was the same way. COVID, however, had other plans. I was forced to slow down. Shipping times were delayed by weeks on essential items like the change table and the crib. I couldn’t go shopping in person but was stuck trying to design the perfect room with google as my only ally. I couldn’t have my baby shower, so I couldn’t really anticipate what I still needed or when anything would arrive.
Did I get the room done on time? Absolutely not—and I even had extra time because Aurora was 2 weeks late! It’s still not finished. And you know what? Everything is ok. Our baby is 4 months now. She’s sleeping in our room in the bassinet and just took her first nap in her crib in the nursery this morning. I hardly use the nursing station I set up…I feed her & pump in the living room all day. We use the nursery for the change table (approximately 100 times a day) and we play & read in there. At the end of the day, babies really don’t need that much. Try to relax and not stress about getting it perfect before baby. They need you and a safe place to sleep. End of story :)
