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Some design projects we share on the blog hit close to home but the reveal I share in this post is my actual home. For over a decade I have had visions for how I wanted to update every square inch of the dated raised ranch we purchased in 2009. Early on there was my son’s nursery, and now big kid's bedroom, which has gotten a lot of attention with its super makeover. It was the room that inspired me to open YouthfulNest.

This last summer was finally time for a family room remodel – taking it down to the studs and rebuilding it into my vision of Midwest Coastal. This space had become our son’s playroom and occasional hangout for the older kids to get their gaming on. It wasn’t just unattractive, the old carpet was nasty and smelly. There was water damage behind the fireplace built-ins and most certainly mold growing in places we could and couldn’t see. 

I hated being down there myself; it made me depressed. Except I couldn't ignore it since it was the first thing guests in our home saw and more importantly where kids played. It could no longer be ignored. 

This post is sponsored by some of our favorite brands and retailers, but the content and opinions expressed are our own. This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts.

Last March I was introduced to a high energy, high powered mother-to-be Zulay Henao. In our first video consult call I learned a lot about this first-time mother-to-be and her nursery design needs.

First, her name is pronounced like July but with a "Z". She is an actress, co-founder of Modern Muze, a lover of all things boldly feminine, and she knows how to rock a bathrobe. 

I also learned that she and her partner, actor Kevin Connolly, star of Entourage, were expecting a baby girl in August 2021. Her vision for the nursery room was an eclectic one. Bringing together vintage and modern aesthetics, inspired by nature and kissed with glamour. Like I said eclectic style.

This post is sponsored by some of our favorite brands and retailers, but the content and opinions expressed are our own. This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts.

Where do we start with this insanely happy place of a boys' bedroom? It's like no matter where you look there is built in fun even when it comes to the bed situation. We've got bunk beds that look like the most stylish tree houses, a play gym mounted right onto the wall and something literally named a play sofa. So you can just imagine how excited these two little boys were when they saw their new space?​

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Pandemic or no pandemic babies and kids continue to grow and outgrow their rooms. This is why the producer of the hit T.V. show Get Out of My Room, from NBC Universal Kids, turned to YouthfulNest.

The typical formula for a T.V. design makeover show has a designer and crew working with the homeowner in person. Unfortunately, with the new normal of social distancing, this in-person scenario has not been desirable.

Instead, YouthfulNest was welcomed into the New Jersey home through a completely virtual process. The Mann’s family worked with their designer via an initial voice consult call; an online eDesign service and final room walkthrough via Zoom. Two years ago the young Mann sisters had their shared bedroom designed on the show Get Out of My Room. It was bright and bold and the sisters loved it. Then they outgrew it.

This post is sponsored by some of our favorite brands and retailers, but the content and opinions expressed are our own. This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts.

Oh girl, here we go! This fresh, feminine nursery designed for a mom of three boys is so ready for her spotlight. It started with a blank canvas and bloomed into a whimsical space full of flirty fauna in pinks and greens. 

We started following Megan Sullivan on Instagram a couple years ago. She was already following YouthfulNest and we appreciated her likes and comments on our work. When we learned she was pregnant with her fourth child, her first baby girl, we had reach out to her and recommend our eDesign service. 

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​While it may feel overwhelming to commit to learning about what each and every product is made out of, shopping with brands that are committed to safe, nontoxic materials is our favorite #momhack for keeping our little ones and the planet safe.

We are always looking for ways to incorporate nature into children’s rooms and spaces. Whether it’s with bringing actual nature into the room via plants that are beneficial to the air quality or using products that we know are free of chemicals.

While our adult bodies can (sometimes) withstand environmental allergens and chemicals, little bodies are much more susceptible and reactive. Our goal is to help our clients create rooms that are not only beautiful to look at -- but safe and healthy for our sweet little ones. 

As a general rule, we suggest avoiding products containing heavy metals, lead, mercury and cadmium, formaldehyde, phthalates, BPA and BPS, PVC, VOCs, PFAS, flame retardants, boric acid and fragrances. Why do we recommend avoiding these? Because they can affect behavior, disrupt endocrine systems, imbalance hormones, and in some cases are carcinogenic.

Below are some of our favorite go-to retailers and brands committed to creating things that are good for humans and the earth.

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​It’s official, January 2021 is the month Bridgerton took over our Netflix binging and our social media feeds. It turns out this Regency period romance is exactly what we all needed after 200 years in quarantine.

There is so much to love about the show – from Daphne’s gorgeous gowns from the Modiste to the opulent events of the season to well, every scene with Simon Basset. Naturally, we were particularly drawn to the décor. From the Bridgerton family home in London to the Duke’s residence to Lady Danbury’s ballroom – the inspiration is truly endless.

But our favorite room of all (no surprise here) was the nursery at the Duke and Duchess’ newlywed residence. That veiled bassinet, the sun streaming in with an almost heavenly glow, the opulent yet appropriate simplicity. It’s a design dream.