Boy Nursery: Xavier’s Forest Retreat.
“Xavier is the happiest, smiliest, most gorgeous little boy,” says Melissa Barling of her toddler son, before adding: “Of course, I’m biased. Designing his nursery was a dream.”
It was, indeed, in more ways than one. Xavier’s nursery, outfitted in a forest animal theme, is the inaugural project for WINTER*DAISY, a business founded by Melissa that specializes in children’s interior design. “WINTER*DAISY’s aesthetic is serene and modern,” she says. “And it consistently draws inspiration from nature and the outdoors.”
Appropriately, Xavier’s cheerfully-colored quarters feature a menagerie of wooden animals perched above the changing table; an assortment of children’s books, with titles including In My Jungle and This Moose Belongs to Me; and four framed Little Darlings: Baby Deer, Wolf Pup, Baby Fox, and Bear Cub. “Xavier absolutely adores animals,” says his mother. “I originally had different art for the wall above the armchair but when I received Baby Fox and Baby Bear in the mail, I had to go back and get two more — I was so blown away by the quality of the images. The room really wouldn’t be complete without them.”
“Xavier loves his little forest friends,” she continues. “He’s always putting his arms up for me to pick him up for a closer look. He points and says, ‘Beah’ for Bear, and ‘Dee’ for Deer with a big smile on his face. His twin sisters keep asking when they are going to get baby animals in their room, too.”
“WINTER*DAISY was an idea that evolved over time and is now becoming a reality,” Melissa says. “I’m so excited for what’s to come.” But when all’s said and done, the completion of Xavier’s nursery signifies more than just the beginnings of a business — it’s resulted in what Melissa refers to as “a dreamy space for reading, playing, and peaceful sleep.” It’s also where treasured memories are made. “I love spending time in here with Xavier and his sisters. We sit together, we read,” she says, “just taking in the space.”