Vancouver-born designer and decor blogger Christine Dovey purchased her Oakville, Ont. home in 2005. Soon after, she and husband Ian, who works in software sales, launched into a renovation that resulted in smartly redecorated bedrooms for the couple and their four children. Dovey added elegant art and furniture to her baby boy’s nursery so the space is as delightful to her as it is to him. “It’s very serene and calming,” she says. “It’s where I like to read to my son.”
The daybed
“This is by Black Rooster Decor, an online store that now has a bricks-and-mortar location in Toronto. I work with the owner, Nina Ber-Donkor, on a lot of the design projects featured on my blog. I looked a long time for a daybed that fit the proportions of the room and could function as an extra bed if needed. This is where I snuggle with my baby before bedtime. His crib, which you can’t see in the image, is directly opposite.”
The pouf
“It’s white leather and I bought it years ago. It’s moved around with me. I love how it fills empty visual space in a room and gives the kids something soft to play on.”
The cushions
“I added cushions to the daybed for extra comfort and chose a mix of graphic patterns and neutral colours. The whole room is white, cream, grey and black and they go with those colours.”
The artwork
“I got this from one of my favourite online art resources, Citizen Atelier, which is run by Alessandra Salituri out of Montreal. She’s a truly fantastic curator of beautiful artwork. This photograph of flowers is by Ashley Woodson Bailey, an American artist. The image is not overly feminine; it’s more of a moody floral and is suitable for a boy’s room.”
The light fixture
“This Hicks pendant is made by Visual Comfort and I got it through an online retailer based in Ottawa called Shop219.com. I use that site a lot. I like this fixture because it reminds me of the moon; it does not give off a bright light but more of an ambient glow. I like the juxtaposition of its strong, classic shape with the very ornate medallion on the ceiling.”
The sconces
“These are reproductions of lights by Serge Mouille. I also purchased them through Black Rooster. They are very graphic and give off a lot of light for reading.”
The panelling
“We added this to the room as part of the renovation. It was installed by my carpenter, Allen Dawson. I love that it adds architectural interest to the room. It makes the space feel classic.”
The carpet
“It’s from a big-box retailer in the U.S. called Rugs USA. I chose it for its neutrality and its super-soft surface. It’s gentle on my baby’s knees.”