Neutral colours and a mountain range mural for a baby’s nursery
We speak to London designer Eris Koutsoudakis about her latest design for a nursery in South Africa; from a changing station to sourcing bespoke furniture locally
When the work on this exquisitely decorated nursery first began, the gender of the imminent arrival wasn’t yet known.
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“We started with something very neutral and timeless,” says designer Eris Koutsoudakis, of Meraki Design, who oversaw the project.
Here’s what she was dealing with.
The project in a nutshell:
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Who lives here: Family expecting a new baby
Designer: Eris Koutsoudakis, of Meraki Design, London
“Once the baby was born – a little boy – we added some dark blue and grey elements and designed a wallpaper of abstract mountains along the back wall,” says Eris.
The joy of that stunning mountain range lies in the fact that whilst adding a subtle and neutral sense of relaxation to the space, it can also be easily re-purposed over the years as the child, and his interests, develop.
The biggest challenge the project faced was distance; with Eris based in London and the property located thousands of miles away in South Africa, it was a tall order to source furniture pieces that would match both the vision and the budget.
With the desire to avoid eating into the budget with shipping costs strong, it was essential to find local artisans who could make bespoke pieces of exceptional quality.
“When purchasing furniture, it’s essential to pick good-quality pieces that will last for years,” Eris tells us.
She says: “It’s impractical to change furniture every couple of years.
“Instead of choosing a baby-changing station, we had the idea to purchase a beautiful chest of drawers that could accommodate the changing station on top, with all the necessary products neatly stored away in the drawers.”
Also essential? Storage. “You would be amazed as to how much ‘stuff’ you can accumulate in the nursery,” says Eris, “it’s really important to have lots of clever storage to keep everything looking neat.”
Another important factor to consider when planning the design, or redesign, of a nursery? “Mastering a design that is both long-lasting and easy to transition as the child grows up,” concludes Eris.
