Skip to Content

In the Nursery with Shawna Gohel

This is our interview series where we bring you the nurseries and kid rooms of successful designers, entrepreneurs and moms. Through this series, our featured guests will divulge some of their design secrets and share stories of how their nurseries came to be.

 

Maharani Weddings, a San Francisco-based website, is a place for Indian brides to dream about their weddings. The editors search the globe to bring their readers the very best in Indian wedding design, ideas and inspiration. Creator Shawna Gohel tells us that Maharani means princess in Hindi, which is exactly how every woman should feel on her wedding day.

Shawna, new mom to baby Alexander, brings a touch of Maharani to everything she does. Whether it’s baking a special cake for her friends or shopping for lenghas (traditional Indian wedding gowns) with her sister-in-law, Shawna believes style should never be compromised. Her newest project, Alexander’s nursery, shows that when it comes to style, Shawna means business!

Gray and Blue Elephant Theme Nursery

Did you bring elements of Indian culture into the nursery?

I chose to do an elephant theme nursery for Alexander since elephants are a symbol of the Hindu God, Ganesh, and are good luck for babies.

What’s your favorite part of the room?

Hands down my favorite detail of the room is the customized Ganesh painting my sister-in-law Rindha made for the nursery. I received the book Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth as a shower present from my dear friend Blair. Blair also gave Alexander my second favorite room item, the elephant rocker.

Elephant Rocker in Elephant Theme Nursery

White Glider in Elephant Theme Nursery

We were thrilled to hear you were a fan of Project Nursery before you started your design process. Did you look to the site for inspiration?

When I first found out I was pregnant, I was on Project Nursery and spent hours and hours looking through every page of the site! I love seeing what other moms do to make their rooms unique for their little ones. There were a handful of rooms that served as my inspiration, like Modern Cherry Blossom Nursery and Roman’s Room, and I tried to create a similar ambiance. From the arrival of the crib to the final finishing details, I had a great experience. It’s the only room that’s always tidy because I love it so much!

Elephant Theme Nursery

Elephant Artwork in Elephant Theme Nursery

What kind of advice can you pass on to parents who are about to design their own nursery?

Designing your nursery is just like planning a wedding! I always tell brides the best way to make their wedding stand out is to infuse their personal details into their day, and that’s exactly what we did with the nursery. The three elephants are the logo from my bridal shower that my lovely friend Saman, of 2Create Designs, made especially for us. Those personal details are what make our nursery feel cheerful and cozy.

Do you know of a fantastic nursery or big kid’s room designed by a successful designer or business owner? Please send a photo of the room to Adrienne@ProjectNursery.com for consideration.

Juanita

Sunday 14th of July 2013

I love the nursery! Amazing job! I was wondering where you get the elephant train with Alexander's name. Would love one for my baby boy nursery, which is Alexander as well. :)

Namaste From Our Little Maharaja, Alexander! | MaharaniWeddings.com

Saturday 11th of May 2013

[...] for a peak inside Alexander’s nursery, follow me to one of my very favorite blogs, Project Nursery.  I was giddy when Pam asked to feature his nursery, and I keep pinching myself to see the room I [...]

PN_Sabrina

Thursday 9th of May 2013

I love the sophisticated way in which you tied in the elephant theme. The theme not only ties into your cultural background but it is on trend and the colors are very chic. Great job!

Shawna

Thursday 9th of May 2013

Thanks Sabrina - that means so much coming from YOU!

Kara

Thursday 9th of May 2013

Absolutely gorgeous! I love, love, love the hand-painted prints. Oh, and I did I mention Alexander is a dream?

Shawna

Thursday 9th of May 2013

Thank you Kara Maasi!

Chantale Proulx

Thursday 9th of May 2013

wow! I like the room...especially the rug...where is it from?

Shawna

Thursday 9th of May 2013

Hi Chantale - the rug is from Flor. They have awesome washable 20 x 20 tiles that fit together. I live in an all boy house - husband, son and dog, so I needed something that could be cleaned easily. I bought a few extra tiles so when someone has an accident on it, I don't have to throw the whole rug out!