In the Toddler Room with Brianna Heiligenthal

You may know Brianna Heiligenthal better as @burtsbrisplease where you can spot her beautiful home, her darling toddler Leo, who is often photographed snoozing with their pet cat, and just her life as a busy stay-at-home mom. Brianna loves taking pictures and rearranging her home. Leo’s becoming a big brother in December (congrats, Heilgenthal family!), giving Brianna an opportunity to do a little rearranging in his room to make the space toddler friendly and leave room to adjust for little bro when he moves in.

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler RoomRug

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler RoomShelf

What inspired your room design?
We were really inspired by non-traditional kids rooms. We didn’t want the classic blue or pink walls. We wanted it to be obvious that it was a space for a young person but in a unique way. It feels like a mid-century modern room with whimsy, and we love it.

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler RoomCanvas Map Banner | ABC Bin

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler RoomABC Chart

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler RoomShelf Brackets | Robot Monkeys

What was your favorite part of the process? And what do you love the most about the finished design?
I loved everything about the process. Once the wallpaper and the tent were in, we really got a feel for how we wanted it to turn out. One of the things I love most about the room is that we were able to incorporate pieces that have meaning or a story behind them, like my husband’s old Fisher-Price barn and the orange phone I found at the house my mom bought years before Leo was even a thought.

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler RoomWallpaper

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler Room
Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler Room

Designing a toddler room is different than a nursery because you know your little resident’s personality better. Anything special you included for Leo this time around?
When we transitioned his room from a nursery to a toddler room, we chose pieces that we felt would suit him as a toddler and (hopefully) as a teenager. His nursery also doubled as the playroom, and as he became more mobile, the toy situation got out of control and it made the room less restful than we hoped it would be. By minimizing the number of toys that were in his room, it created a calmer space that was fun for both play and sleep.

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler RoomDresser | Personalized Flag Bunting

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler RoomNatural Market Basket

Congrats on your pregnancy! Will the new baby be sharing a room with Leo or do you have plans for a new nursery?
Thank you! The new baby will be sharing a room with Leo, and we are hoping to integrate the nursery aspect without disrupting the look and feel of the room right now. We purposely designed it to be gender neutral and fun for both boys and girls because we knew that he would probably share with his future sibling!

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler RoomRocking Horse

Bri Heiligenthal Mid-Century Modern Toddler RoomMini Robot Horses

Photography by Stephanie Sanchez and Brianna Heiligenthal

Beth

Beth

Beth, Project Nursery’s Editor, lives in Upstate New York with her husband and their two sons and daughter. Beth is a work-from-home mom who loves writing, crafting and all things kid design.

Comments

  1. LeosLovelyTreasures

    June 27, 2016

    Bri! I am so glad you are featured on PN! I’ve been so happy to watch you grow in the last few years along with your family! Congrats on the feature! – Sara

  2. Amy

    September 12, 2016

    Love this room! I am wondering where the bedding is from? Thanks!

  3. Nicole

    December 3, 2016

    Looks to me like her room was totally inspired by mama watters, just like the rest of her home is. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking your inspiration from someone else who’s style you admire but credit should be given for the inspiration.

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