Create a room for beyond babyhood

One of our favourite interior designers is Melbourne’s Nicole Rosenberg who specialises in creating gorgeous rooms for the littlest people in the house. A few years ago she designed a nursery for a very lucky baby girl. India’s parents have since had Nicole back to transform the nursery into a big girl’s room.

We asked Nicole about her vision for India’s room, and for advice on creating a room that grows with your child.


What was the client’s brief when you did the first design?

Nicole: My client had complete faith in me and let me run with whatever idea I came up with. I fell in love with the gorgeous Moroccan wallpaper from US designer Aimee Wilder and designed the room around that. I loved that the main colour was grey, so then played on the accent colours of pink and orange which are gorgeous colours for a girl of any age.

What changes have been made to transform it into a big girl’s room?

Nicole: The first thing I needed to organise was a big girl’s bed. I ordered a double ensemble and then got busy designing a bedhead to tie in with the wallpaper. I love how the bedhead turned out. The pink was perfect and really pops against the wallpaper and I also love the delicate orange piping. Every princess needs a vanity so I purchased one from IKEA, which is a great buy for any girl’s room. I also purchased two new bedside tables and a gorgeous custom-made art print from Mondocherry in Melbourne.


What do you suggest parents consider when designing a child’s room so that it will have longevity?

Nicole: I think colour is important. Avoid going too babyish with the colour palette, and instead use colours that can grow with your child. I always like to use a little grey as I think that can go from when you are a baby to an adult. Also, in terms of art or prints, you should think about getting as much longevity out of those pieces as possible. Vintage art prints are a great example as they’ve already had a long life.

Pink and orange together isn’t a common choice, but it’s modern and fresh. Why do you think it works?

Nicole: I love this combination – it’s one of my favourites for girls. I think the soft palette of the pink and the pop of the orange is a perfect match. Orange can be a little over-powering so I’ve only used it sparingly in the room and given more attention to the pink which is more calming. It’s great to use a softer colour and a more powerful colour together to give the room some spunk and personality.

You’ve used the wallpaper on the wall as well as the wardrobe doors. What other, less obvious places can people look at for using wallpaper?

Nicole: The ceiling is a fantastic option for wallpaper. You can also use wallpaper on the front of a chest of drawers. These days we have some fantastic removable wallpaper options so wallpaper doesn’t have to be such a big decision. You can have it on the wall for five years and then change it.

What is your favourite piece in the room?

Nicole: My favourite piece in the room would have to be the stunning wallpaper with the gorgeous heart art piece coming a close second.

What is India’s favourite?

Nicole: Her big girl’s bed for sure! She was so happy to jump into it the first night she got it – what girl wouldn’t?