The sophisticated safari nursery was designed for my daughter, Quinn, who is now 6 months old. I planned it while I was pregnant, and had fun with various options for furniture, fabrics and special items—all plotted on design boards and Pinterest and brought to life with the help of my husband, mother and sister.

We live in the city of Chicago, so space is at a premium—so we wanted the room to be playful and fun, yet make the most of the room with key pieces and elements we’d be happy to look at for a few years.

The color palette was intentionally gender neutral featuring orange, brown and white as the bold color combination. A blend of new and refinished furniture, bought and custom/DIY pieces, fun patterns and unexpected details add to the overall effect. With a touch of glitz in the sparkly chandelier, a tad of whimsy with the hanging paper lanterns, and a bit of personalization, the room feels just right for our playful and fun little girl.