In the Toddler Room with Lauren Behfarin

We stepped into Lauren Behfarin’s son’s woodland nursery last spring, and now we get a chance to see her daughter’s equally beautiful toddler room. After working in store design for companies like Michael Kors and Alice + Olivia, Lauren knows a thing or two about what looks good. She’s now focusing on her own design firm, concentrating on playful and safe spaces for kids. All we know is little Gemma is one lucky little lady to grow up in this gorgeous space. Thank you, Lauren, for once again letting us into your lovely home!

What inspired your room design?
I designed the entire room around the Schumacher Birds and Butterflies wallpaper because it is colorful and fanciful, just like my daughter. I wanted to incorporate color in other parts of the room without competing with the vibrant paper, so I kept the rug and walls neutral and added pops in the crib and window seat.

Leaning Bookcase

What was your favorite part of the process? And what do you love the most about the finished design?
I really wanted the room to reflect my daughter’s personality now, while also being able to grow with her in the future. I included the teepee and formed a reading nook to add spaces for her to be creative. I just adore how peaceful the room feels and how I can just picture her growing up in there.

Wallpaper | Cubby Shelf | Numbered Bins | Hamper

Designing a toddler room is different than a nursery because you know your little resident’s personality better. Anything special you included this time around? 
I actually did something that turned out to be one of my better decisions. I took out as much furniture as possible, leaving more open space to play and including more movable furniture. As she grows we will have to add things like a play kitchen, a toddler bed and a dress-up area. And then a couple years after that she will need a desk and a place to display art or a hobby. The ability to continuously adapt this room to her growing personality while always having those birds and butterflies in the background seems really fun to me.

Mirrored Dresser | Art | Bunny Bank

Do you have any words of advice for other designers and parents?
Have fun with your kids spaces. Keep it lighthearted, playful and open.

Crib with Custom Panel

images by Charlie Juliet Photography