Sharon is always threatening to move The Animal Print Shop to a cabin in the woods, and who knows? Maybe one day she’ll actually do it. In the meantime, her love of nature serves as subtle inspiration for our newest Nursery Project (kids’ room edition)–and we can’t think of a better way to welcome Baby Horse and Baby Horse Little Darling than in this spirited, summer-splashed bedroom, made for play.

Its kid-friendly highlights include sky-blue wallpaper with shapes reminiscent of pine tress, a cozy sand-colored tent, and a chalkboard wall featuring a sweeping sketch of Yosemite Valley (soon to be gone in place of tic-tac-toe boards, ABC’s, and spaceships). 

In keeping with the theme of nature, there’s also a rain cloud cushion and a desk made of reclaimed cedar. And above the bed, painted in lake colors, there are six Little Darlings, including our newest, leading the pack.

When Catherine Chan and her husband began planning for the arrival of their son, Sebastian, much thought was given to the future. “We knew we wanted his nursery to be gender-neutral, since if we ever decided to have another child, it’d be sharing a room with our first,” says Catherine. “And we used furniture we already owned – like the bookshelf and the dresser – as often as possible. That way, as Sebastian grows up, the pieces don’t need to change as much.”

We’re honored, then, that eight of our Little Darlings make cameos in Sebastian’s warm, whimsical, made-to-grow nursery.  Baby Giraffe was chosen first – to match a Jonathan Adler lamp and a towering stuffed toy stationed near a set of wooden shelves; “from there,” says Catherine, “my husband I chose the rest of the animals together. They’re an ideal way to make Sebastian’s space fun and kid-appropriate. That area instantly became a strong focal point in the room.”

“We love that sitting area,” Catherine continues. “My husband and I spend hours there, with me nursing the baby and him reading. It’s a great place for us to unwind after a long day and reconnect.”

With love – and so many friendly faces – all around, we have a feeling it’ll remain that way for years to come.

Thank you so much for sharing, Catherine! 

In our opinion, no nursery’s complete without dolls designed for cuddling, so as a follow-up to last month’s accent pillow round-up, we’ve put together a collection of top-quality toys made from materials like organic fleece, eco-friendly yarn, sheepswool, and alpaca. We call them softies, and we’re smitten. (We guess that makes us softies, too.)

There’s no time like spring, and for the past couple months, we’ve been relishing its sunshine; its pure, crisp colors; and its new arrivals (birds, bees, budding trees!) as we’ve prepared to announce two of our very own: Baby Deer Little Darling, and a brand-new nursery designed to celebrate what we love most about the season.

The latest addition to our Nursery Project series features bird-patterned wallpaper in shades of pink and gray; painted trim in robins egg blue echoes a sunny afternoon sky. A trio of familiar faces (with new Baby Deer Little Darling taking center stage) watch over a DwellStudio crib, while a ceramic pendant light by Jonathan Adler allows it all to shine. 

(Photos by Joe Schmelzer for The Animal Print Shop)

It’s a problem we’ve encountered on repeat: every time we set out to design a nursery, we look high and low to find accent pillows that are sophisticated, yet mixed with a bit of sweetness and whimsy. We figured we weren’t the only ones, so today we’re sharing a few standouts from our search, which include pinwheels and polka dots, mushrooms and mountains, spunky stripes and forest friends. Here’s to sweet dreaming.

“I don’t think a donkey is everyone’s first choice when it comes to creating a nursery,” says Priscila Barros, creator of Babiekins Magazine and mother to 7-month-old Cruz, whose white and gold bedroom features a custom-made clothing rack, polka dot sheets, and our very own Donkey print. “Most people might go for a softer, ‘cuter’ animal like a baby chick or a lamb – but there was just something that I loved about this donkey.”

So what was it, exactly, that drew Priscila to our pal? “When I was a little girl, I used to pass the cutest donkey while helping clean stalls on my dad’s ranch. It had bright yellow teeth, a strange patch of hair on his forehead, and a loud, screechy voice. So maybe, in a way, the donkey print reminds me of a special time in my childhood. It also reminds me to be patient and kind (like the donkey I knew) – things I hope Cruz grows up to be.”  

The nursery’s array of textiles – a sheepskin throw here, personality-packed pillows by Colette Bream there – add warmth and a wink; the patterned ceiling brings depth. “The triangles are gold decals put up by our interior designer Amy Fjeldsted. She mapped out the whole ceiling so it wouldn’t be crooked, and put each up by hand. Cruz loves to stare up at the shapes,” Priscila says. “Actually, when we started the design process, I only had a few concrete elements in mind – knew I wanted some sort of design on the ceiling, and I knew that I wanted that donkey. That was about it!” 

We’re thrilled he’s found such a loving home – thank you to Priscila and Cruz for sharing this room with us! Photos by Angelina Lopez.

What better addition to a room decorated with elephant print wallpaper than our very own (and much beloved) Baby Elephant? In this stunning New York City nursery decorated by interior design team Sissy + Marley, animals take center stage against a modern palette filled with soothing neutrals. “Our client fell in love with our Baby Elephant Walk wallpaper and the Animal Print Shop prints – she knew she wanted to work the room around these two key elements,” the designers report.

“We also love the leather hippo, and the Jonathan Adler zebra rug – they bring a playful element to the space,” they say. Add to that a sweeping view of NYC’s Central Park, and you’ve got a nursery fit for a little prince.

Nursery design by Sissy + Marley. 

Earlier this month, we featured a nursery designed by Amanda Moore, one half of the creative team behind the Australian-based boys’ line, Hunter Baby. Today, we’re thrilled to share a peek into a second Hunter Baby space, this one belonging to six-month-old Eliza Rose.

Eliza’s mother, Holly Kent, is Amanda Moore’s business partner and co-founder of Hunter Baby. The two shared common goals in designing their children’s nurseries. “The vibe I wanted to create was one of tranquility,” Holly says. “Eliza has a very active and cheeky personality, so her bedroom works magically in calming her down before it’s time for sleep. Eliza is the energetic Yin; her nursery is the calming Yang.”

A muted color scheme and lots of natural light contribute to the quietude; eight Little Darlings above the crib add charm. “My favorite details are those prints, of course, and the crystal chandelier, which casts beautiful light throughout the room at all times of day. What I particularly like is the morning light it reflects on the animal prints when I first enter Eliza’s room every day.”

“When my husband and I walk into her room after she’s woken from a nap,” she continues, “we often find Eliza ‘talking’ to her Little Darlings prints! I swear she’s telling them a story.”

Perhaps it’s a sign she takes after her mother: “I’m a chatterbox,” says Holly. “After becoming mothers, Hunter Baby has provided a great platform for Amanda and me to be creative, meet other moms, and also to discuss the challenges of parenthood.”

We’re big fans. Thanks so much for sharing your spaces, Holly, Eliza, Amanda, and Freddie. 

“My baby Freddie is an old soul,” says Amanda Moore. “He’s super chill and a really happy baby. His room is very calm, which totally reflects his nature.” With a soothing palette of grays, whites, and yellow, the four-month-old’s nursery is a space perfect for play during the day, and peaceful respite at night. A collection of animal friends add to its happy atmosphere: an owl and a hippo stand guard on a charming white credenza; a group of plush creatures congregates atop wicker baskets. To round out the menagerie, eight Little Darlings flank the nursery window.

“The Little Darlings prints are stand-outs,” says Amanda. “They’re so classic – beautiful, sweet, and timeless. I arranged the prints in two groups of four because I love the symmetry and was able to have four on either side of the window. I used simple white frames to the let the animals be the main feature.”

Other highlights? “I love the Scrabble nursery rhyme piece, which I made myself, and the classic yellow ride-on car, which is perfect for a little boy.”

Amanda should know: as co-owner of Hunter Baby – a clothing line for baby boys based out of Australia – she’s something of an expert. Having noticed a lack of stylish, well-made items for her son, she and business partner Holly Kent (whose daughter’s nursery tour will appear on the blog next month) decided to take action. Soon, the two busy mothers found themselves with another baby: their business. Through it all, though, they’ve kept their sanity – as the pair write on their website, “We love the chaos.”

Thank goodness for calming hideaways to come home to. Everyone – even old souls – needs their naps.

Stay tuned for the second Hunter Baby nursery tour, coming soon!

When it came to choosing which Little Darling prints would be featured in their daughter Charlotte’s nursery, Crystal and Chris Cho followed, shall we say, their animal instincts. “I chose the prints for Charlotte’s room based on which ones my husband and I thought were the cutest – we’re kind of led by cute.”

Over a year later, 16-month-old Charlotte is now old enough to recognize the Little Darlings’ appeal herself. “She’s obsessed with animals, especially all varieties of cats,” Crystal says. “She points to the prints and we will often go through and name each one for her. She pays attention with great interest. On occasion, she’ll kiss the lion cub with a big ‘mwah!'”

Lamb, Lion Cub, Duckling, Baby Giraffe, and Baby Monkey watch over little Charlotte as she plays, sharing the room with handmade paper flowers, furniture by Oeuf, Room & Board, and Ikea; and a book wall featuring an assortment of classics and newer favorites. “It was important to me that the room would grow with Charlotte and never feel too babyish, or too grown-up,” Crystal explains. “When I look back at the process, it was all a balancing act. I didn’t want it to be too anything – not too feminine, not too masculine, not too loud, not too soft.” 

In the end, the room – dressed in soft shades of gray, pink, yellow, and white – befits a little girl whose name denotes exuberance and love. “Her middle name is Korean,” says Crystal. “Her grandfather chose it, as is tradition in our culture. It means ‘beautiful blessing.’ It suits her to a tee.”

Indeed.

Photography by Jenny Sherouse.