Celebrity Design Reveal: Tamera Mowry-Housley’s Son’s Nursery

People.com gave us a peek into Tamera Mowry-Housley’s baby boy’s nursery in Napa Valley, but we’re here with the whole room design. Celebrity Nursery Interior Designer Shalena Smith kindly answered some of our questions about her design. Thank you, Shalena!

How do you like to begin your design process?
I like to start by interviewing the parents-to-be. Everyone knows that the nursery is more for mom and dad than it is for the baby. So, I start off by asking them what their dream room would have been as a child. I ask about their hobbies, favorite pastimes, things they enjoy most and soak it all up. I love listening to their story. Designing a nursery is very personal for me. It’s such a special time, and I want the nursery to be a truly magical place for both the parents and baby.

When designing for clients how do you find ways to keep the room personal?
By paying attention to their needs and incorporating their love of life into the nursery. Each client is different, and each client has a special story that can be incorporated into the theme of the room. I think it’s so important to include personal elements, so the nursery doesn’t just feel staged and store bought. It might take a little more creativity, but that’s what I’m here for! For Tamera and Adam, I asked them what their favorite quote was, then my company designed and created a custom canvas to tie their personality into the nursery.

Can you give our readers some tips on blending both parents’ styles and preferences into the perfect room for their little one?
I like to make sure the nursery or child’s room blends with the rest of the house. Shop around at different stores for unique pieces; you don’t have to be confined to baby stores. By blending items, finishes or colors from the rest of the house into the nursery, it will be a room that adds to the rest of the house and won’t stick out like a sore thumb and scream baby Disneyland!

My advice is to have fun and search your heart for what you want the feel of the nursery to be. Make it comfortable and use the colors you love! If you’re into neon colors, then be bold and bright; if you’re in love with white, I dare you! Your nursery is exactly that, your nursery, so there is no wrong, perfect or traditional way to create it when it’s your dream nursery.

What’s your favorite piece/design element in the room?
Funny thing, the piece that I love the most is the American Flag wall hanging that dad, Adam Housley, had in storage. I was able to pull items from boxes that hadn’t been unpacked yet. I love that it completed the nursery and carried the theme of the Vintage Americana look that I was going for. That vintage piece of Adam and Tamera’s, along with the star sconces from Charn & Company that framed the Newport Cottages changing table, really tied everything together. The side of the room with the flag wall hanging is my favorite with the New Arrivals baby blocks.