Rocking Chairs and Gliders for the Nursery and Beyond

Could it be that the nursery is one of the more difficult rooms to design and organize? New parents are so excited about expecting that "they love everything they see," says Pasadena, California, interior designer Amy Peltier. They often find it challenging to edit selections. Also, many new parents turn to nursery shops, which typically carry animal-print and pastel fabrics. But Peltier says she likes "maturing the nursery," which means she frequently chooses adult rugs, drapes, bedding and even furniture like rocking chairs and gliders. Let's start with that all-important chair where you may be spending much of your time.

In addition to her interior design business, Peltier runs an e-design shop, Petit Peltier, focusing on nurseries. But she also speaks from personal experience; she's the mother of a toddler. "I am partial to the Adelaide Rocker, not only because it's the one I have but because it's comfortable, classic and simple," she says.

It's high priced. Generally, the more you spend on the chair, the more choices, Peltier says. This one comes with 59 fabric choices, a dozen finish choices and four nailhead choices. "I can move it to any room in my home after I no longer need it in the nursery," she says.


The Empire Rocker has extreme style, Peltier says. It's classic but leans modern, with its wingback design and tufts.


The drawback is that it comes in only three colors in microsuede. Peltier notes that all three choices are easy to work with and are very neutral.


When I saw this chair, I wanted one for my living room. And, sure enough, before the owners had a baby, it resided elsewhere in their house. They had it converted to a glider and worked into the nursery, says designer Nicole Lanteri.

For those starting from scratch, Lanteri recommends looking for a headrest high enough for both parents to use and armrests that have a comfortable height and shape.

Also, darker fabrics aren't necessarily better. "Milk stains can show more on those and be harder to clean. Leather is great if you like that look and feel," she says.


The rocker in the nursery is definitely a case of "comfort over form," says designer M.J. Lanphier. His advice? "Try it out first."

For this nursery in Los Angeles, Lanphier went shopping with his clients at Bel Bambini. "The clients chose the rocker on the spot, and we picked the fabric together." (Lanphier doesn't know the chair type, but it looks similar to the Luca and also to the Grazia, which is actually a swivel.)


While your choice will be steered by comfort and price, it's nice to think longer term, Peltier says, particularly because of the money you are spending. Wouldn't it be nice to transition the chair into another room? Look at this nursery. The maturing didn't stop at the chair: Take out the crib, and you can almost picture a library in this family's future.


Hathaway Swivel Glider - $999 2 More Great Chairs

Peltier likes this Hathaway Swivel Glider for its size, comfort, price and fabric options. "You just sink into this rocker, yet it is pretty small scale for those with a tighter floor plan," she says. It comes in two stock fabrics and 13 special-order fabrics; you can even choose a slipcover for easy cleaning.


Rockabye Glider Co. Velvet Lara Glider Chair, Steel Gray - $449.99 An inexpensive, nondescript rocker that can sway modern, the Rockabye Glider Co. Velvet Lara Glider Chair is solid, Peltier says. There are only four fabric options, but for those on a budget, this is a great chair.

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