It’s the Chinese Year of the Horse—Giddy-up!

The Chinese New Year is celebrated the world over—firecrackers pop and dragons ride through the streets—and with the arrival of the new year comes a new sign of the zodiac. The Chinese zodiac corresponds to years rather than months, and each year is associated with an animal and its attributes. This is the Year of the Horse, and according to Chinese astrology, those born during this year are quick-witted and stylish. Including the horse as a design accessory in the nursery can be a very chic nod to your baby’s birth year!

Let’s start with this adorable classic rocking horse. Giddy-up!

Next out of the stable is this striking Jonathan Adler horse lamp. This is a substantial piece in scale as well as investment—the pricing for this lamp is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum. One way to justify the cost is to remember that this is more than a one-trick pony. He can live beautifully in many different rooms in your home, from the nursery to the big kid’s room to the living room as a stylish side table lamp next to the couch. Jonathan Adler pieces have become a status symbol for the stylish home, much like the right bag, shoes or car define style in other areas of life.

The combination of cool blues, tawny neutrals and rich brick reds in the Leo crib bedding from Serena & Lily really establishes a lovely color palette for a stylish nursery. The look is strong and quiet. I could see this looking sharp with a pale gray or tan wall color.

When tapped to create artwork for NYC interior designer Amy Seminski’s nursery, our goal was for the wall art to tie the two cribs together without feeling too heavy-handed or juvenile. We ended up creating a triptych with pieces that could all work together or in any configuration. The images float on fuzzy-edged squares, softening the graphic nature of a silhouette.

This illustrative equine pillow from Tom Paul would make a strong statement for your Year of the Horse baby, whether you’re expecting a boy or a girl. The neutral colorway of chocolate and white would look just as chic with pink as it would with baby blue or butter yellow.

I always recommend mixing this type of personalization into your design; it makes the space more special and custom-made for the occupant. It’s another way to create a look for your little one that is meaningful, beautiful and smart.