Step Right Up to a Top Model’s Circus-Inspired Nursery
http://www.decor-ideas.org 02/15/2014 07:23 Decor Ideas
You may notice that this nursery has an unconventional shape. That’s because it’s in a turret … in a castle in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, complete with a moat. And if Mama looks familiar, you likely saw her on America’s Next Top Model. Lisa D’Amato was a fan favorite in Cycle 5 and won the all-star title in Cycle 17. Many models stomped down the runway toward judges Tyra Banks, Miss J. and Nigel Barker in Cycle 17, but D’Amato’s fun-loving and wacky personality stood out the most.
To show off D’Amato’s daring style and charisma in the unique castle she shares with her husband, Adam Friedman, interior designer Vanessa De Vargas transformed the room with a modern circus theme, dubbed “Cirque du L.A.” Step right up and take a tour.
Photography by C. Louis Creative
De Vargas knows a cry for help when she hears one. “At Lisa’s baby shower, I asked about her plans for her nursery, and she said, ‘Oh, you know, we’re just getting some stuff off Craigslist, and we’re going to make it comfy.” The designer knew immediately that D’Amato and Friedman needed her help.
AFTER: “I asked her if she had any ideas, and she said, ‘I want a circus!’” De Vargas recalls. A circus big top inspired the red and white striped fabric on the window treatments and floor pillows.
To make the room boyish yet not babyish, De Vargas went with a black, white, gray and red color palette. Three-month-old Daxel went with the same palette for his photo shoot.
Chair: Land of Nod
“I knew we needed to make it a fun vintage modern take on a circus, inspired by some of the great art I found on Etsy,” De Vargas says.
Vintage circus prints like this one informed De Vargas’ vision.
Tucked into a turret, the room is relatively small and cozy. Black may not be the first color one thinks of for a nursery, but with the slight purple tone in the paint and the bright white ceiling and upper walls, it actually makes the room appear larger. “If you’re going to go with black on the walls and you don’t want the room to look dark, balance it out with a lot of bright white,” De Vargas advises.
Friedman actually grew up in the castle that he and D’Amato call home today. “There’s actually a plaque on the door that says ‘Adam,’” De Vargas says. Coincidentally, the room was painted black when he was a boy.
Paint: Valspar; window treatments: ReRack Gals, with fabric by Premier Prints; chair, crib: Land of Nod; light fixtures: Ikea; lion pillow: Etsy; “D” marquee sign: Etsy; elephant cardboard trophy head: Etsy
De Vargas designed the room to grow up with Daxel. The changing table base is a large dresser that will serve him well later on too. A pouf provides climbing practice and will serve as a seat for him when he grows up a little.
She also played off the turret’s round shape by mixing in circles, such as the dots on the changing pad cover and the rings on the drawer pulls.
Changing pad, changing pad cover, dresser: Land of Nod; flooring: Lumber Liquidators
To avoid cutesy baby stuff overload, De Vargas added contemporary and vintage circus prints she found on Etsy. White frames and mats make them stand out against the black walls.
Prints: tent: Etsy, zebra and girl: Etsy, “Elephant Love”: Parima Studio
The throw pillows were placed just for photo styling and immediately removed from the crib afterward for Daxel’s safety. The striped throw pillow fabric is the same as that on the Roman shades.
“D” pillow, zebra pillow: Land of Nod; red striped fabric: Premier Prints
Shelves and baskets corral all of Daxel’s books, toys and tchotchkes.
Oak Park Elementary Bookcase: Land of Nod
Bright white shelves and trimwork create a strong graphic contrast against the black walls.
Right now Daxel’s books, toys and slippers are neatly arranged, but as he ages, he’ll be able to quickly toss things in when he’s picking up.
Stegosaurus plush toy: Etsy
Yes, everyone knows these baskets will never look this neat once Daxel can reach them, and that’s the way it should be. But for now they’re extra nice to look at.
Elephant pillow: Etsy
A cushy shag rug and floor pillows create the comfiness D’Amato and Friedman craved. The floor is now a soft place for sitting, playing and snuggling with Daxel.
Photos: Browse more nurseries and kids’ rooms
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