Architect Talia Braude designs DIY-inspired nursery

Crafty pieces adorn Rians nursery.Photo: Tamara Beckwith

What do architects do when they have kids? Talia Braude was determined to steer clear of the classic baby paraphernalia when she was designing a nursery for her son, Rian, now 8 months old. Braude, of Brooklyn-based Braude Pankiewicz Architects, wanted the room to reflect both her as a designer and as a mom and for it to be a place where shed enjoy hanging out and playing with Rian.

Braude chose a small room (6 feet, 8 inches by 13 feet) over the buildings vestibule and off the living room of the two-bedroom Bedford-Stuyvesant brownstone she has owned for seven years. It had previously been a craft room, a dining room and a bedroom.

She started with the carpet, choosing a soft Angela Adams rug and a happy green color (Hudson Chalkboard Paints Bakery Green) on one of the walls. I felt green, brown and blue was a nice combination. It all kind of came together, she says of the green wall, rug and matching crib sheets.

The furnishings are kept simple: an Ouef crib, classic rocker and white shelving she already owned to store Rians toys. Its all baby, but the space is mine because of the many objects I brought to make it ours. I fleshed it out with a lot of stuff I made. Its kind of DIY meets high-end modern design.

Framed posters featuring the work of Maurice Sendak appear in Rians nursery.Photo: Tamara Beckwith

She chose pieces that tell stories, including framed posters that were a gift from a friend who knew how much Braude loved the curmudgeonly author Maurice Sendak. There are crafts like an embroidered wall hanging made for Rian by his grandmother. Braude splurged on a clock she had been eyeing for years, a George Nelson. Its an item that Rian can have when hes 20, notes the architect, who was born in Johannesburg but has lived in Brooklyn for the past 12 years.

A lot of my work, I dont get to do all the interiors, Braude says. It was fun to be able to do everything and to mix very special pieces with expensive things and make a space that is not too precious.

Posted: February 19, 2014

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Architect Talia Braude designs DIY-inspired nursery