Dog Days Dream Room

Usually, I’m not one for designing a themed room. I remember begging my mom for a “Powerpuff Girls” bedding set as a kid and she was adamant that choosing fun Powerpuff Girls colors with one or two pieces of branded “Powerpuff Girl” decor was a better way to approach decorating my new tween bedroom.

I didn’t quite understand her point until a few weeks later when I had a sleepover at a friend’s house. Her younger brother’s room was “Jets Football” themed, and let me tell you, it was like walking into a sponsored advertisement: overwhelmingly green and white with Jets logos on the bedding, the wallpaper, the rug… it was almost nauseating and also begged the question “Does this kid REALLY love the Jets, or did his parents make this very limited choice for him?” I say “limited” because this little boy was anxious to decorate or display anything in his room that didn’t go with the “theme”.

Long story short: doing a themed room can be a fun way to create cohesion and express particular facets of one’s interests, but it needs to be done in a way that still allows growth and creativity – especially for children.

When I think about my future children, and the current space we have in our apartment that may one day be a nursery, I aim for three things: gender-neutral, adaptable, and playful.

I was inspired one day while looking through Anthropologie’s 2023 home decor. As a self-proclaimed dog lover, I couldn’t get over the cute illustrated dog blankets, pillows, artwork, and lamps. With a quick search, I also found that Rejuvenation, York Wallcoverings, Neiman Marcus, and West Elm had also joined the trend of offering tasteful and modern dog-centric decor.

Starting with the essentials, I opted for a timeless, modern mid-century, crib and dresser/changing table combo from West Elm, in Acorn. Velvet curtains and a washable, wool rug from West Elm contribute not only to the aesthetics but also to practicality – blackout capabilities and durability, respectively.

For a gender-neutral palette, I leaned on calming mint green and light blues, setting the stage for adaptability as the little one grows.

And to infuse that playful personality, the room is finalized with dog days wallpaper, a brass dog lamp, a cozy dog blanket, and charming dog-themed art. This design doesn’t just create a cohesive space; it leaves the door wide open for future adaptations and the ever-evolving personality of the little one on the way. In “Dog Days Dream Room,” we believe that every space should reflect personal taste while leaving room for the unexpected joys that the future holds.