14 Tips for Decorating a Gender Neutral Nursery

BEFORE

Before the remodel, the home left A LOT to be desired -- think boob lighting and icky yellow walls. The double doors shown here are mid-century cool but the entry design is pretty sad and dated. Tina and Shawn truly modernized it and created a sanctuary for the couple and their baby.

AFTER

Their inspiration? "Tulum! Our clients were so excited about this specific area and were inspired by Mexico. They love postmodernism design and they are a bit of a maximalist at heart," says Tina. "We wanted to keep the design pretty neutral so we could balance the design and art."

Here's the entry now -- amazing, right?! The whole house feels serene and tailored while embracing the beautiful LA weather and views. Shawn and Tina used earthy, natural materials to keep it timeless and took advantage of the terraced hillside for planting and lounging with drought-tolerant plants.

Here are 12 ideas I took away from their gorgeous design that I'll be bringing into my own home, or future home!

Home Decor Ideas À La Dacotah Studio

'70s Modern

"We wanted to preserve the older architectural details, which had tons of character and charm and looked beautiful with the newer materials we selected," says Shawn. I'm loving these classic modern sofas in a pop of orange. The OGs were designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset in the 1970s and go for more than $5K but you can find more affordable options inspired by the original. The color scheme here is on point without feeling overly trendy.

"If you are going to play with trends, do it in a way that can be swapped out every so often (e.g., rugs, artwork, accent chairs), rather than going too trendy on the hard materials like countertops, tiles, etc," says Tina. The coffee table they found vintage in Palm Springs and the artwork is designed by pop artist Steve Harrington.

Sculptural Lamps

Lamps can make such an impact in a room. This black table lamp from Jonathan Entler stands out like an art piece, as does this Hem Puffy chair. This Wayfair sculptural table lamp and Article lounge chair have a similar effect at a lower price point. We can't all afford high-end pieces but a few key pieces here and there that we love is also a good investment.

Transitional Flooring

"We used earthy. natural materials, mimicking the Yucatan/Tulum region of Mexico," says Tina. The porcelain kitchen flooring transitions to maple wood flooring throughout the home. I love the lighter natural woods mixed with the stucco and stone, creating unique moments that separate the spaces.

Wishbone Chairs

The first time I saw Hans Wegner's Wishbone Chair (1949) I was smitten. I have two chairs inspired by the original that I splurged on more than a decade ago at HD Buttercup. They are the pieces I still hold on to and always get compliments on — a true test of a classic design that never goes out of style.

Maple Cabinets

There's so much to love here: the durable Taj Mahal Quartzite slab tile, the vertical window that frames the hedges, the clean-lined shelf, and the continuation of maple on the cabinets. "The kitchen cabinets were maple wood and the stain was natural, which was more cost-effective while maintaining that beautiful, natural look," says Tina.

Outdoor Living

I will never not buy or rent a home that doesn't have tons of natural light. I love how the kitchen feels seamless with the outdoors, bringing in tons of light but also making it easier to entertain outdoors. The pendants echo the table lamp in the living room while the rope-backed bar stools are total Tulum vibes.

William Sonoma Cambria stool has a similar aesthetic. This trio pendant by Plato is also a showstopper.

Warm Bedding

I'm slowing phasing out of my blue phase. These mix-and-match organic sheets from Morrow Goods are a warmer upgrade.

Built-In Shelves

Built-in shelves are looking more sleek these days. This curved maple built-in continues the design story in such a stunning way.

Bath Planters

Bring the outdoors in...to your bath. Love this built-in planter for bringing clean-air plants into your self-care haven. The zig-zag tile is also a dreamy effect.

Terrazzo

I'm been obsessed with terrazzo for quite some time and adore how they use it here on the flooring. The speckled colors are just *speechless* and add an unexpected design element to the whole serene aesthetic. Never boring!

Brass

This whole look just slays but I especially love the brass bath towel bar inside the shower, creating more of a spa-like feeling inside. Also a ceramic vase with flowers are especially lovely for you or your guests.

Asymmetry

I love the organic effect of this brass mirror and clay pendants — as Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi said, "There are no sharp corners in nature." West Elm has a similar mirror design you can shop, too.

Unique Baby Names for Girls 

• Aria — All we can think about is, "Here comes Queen Aria," whenever we see this name. Similar to Arielle's name from The Little Mermaid, Aria is synonymous with something melodic.
  
• Iris — Just like the iris of your eye, this name means your daughter will more than likely have a bright and colorful personality!
• Maia — Instead of the traditional spelling of Mya, this name has Latin roots and means "great."
• Ayla — Your daughter will have sturdy characteristics thanks to her Hebrew name!
• Asha — Let your little girl's name remind you that there's much to be hopeful about.
• Naomi — Take a cue from famed model Naomi Campbell and let your daughter's name introduce her beauty to the world.

Gender-Neutral Unique Baby Names

• Campbell — This Scottish name means "beautiful field" so we're sure it means your son's being will be full of beautiful traits and perspectives .
• Reese — There's a reason why Reese Witherspoon has such a enthralling personality. Her name means "passion" and "enthusiasm."
• Greer — We can hear Beyoncé's song "Protector" playing when we say this name because it means "guardian."
• Lennon — There's a reason the world was so drawn to John Lennon's name. Lennon means "dear one" and we know that's how you'll feel about your newborn!
• Sterling — "Twinkle, Twinkle little star" has nothing on the name Sterling. On second thought, it could serve as your baby's unofficial theme song.

Unique Baby Names For Your Son

• Lennox — Trade the 'n' in Lennon for an X to get this Scottish name. It rolls off the tongue, making it easier for others to pronounce.
• Adler — Your little eagle is sure to soar high under your watchful eye.
• Rowan — Have a cute baby that was born with a head full of red hair? Name him Rowan which means "little Red one." While you're at it, check out these lucky Irish baby names for more ideas!
• Banks — If you feel drawn to water during your pregnancy, there's a good chance there's a reason why. Banks translates to "edge of the river."
• Rigg —Whether you choose this as your baby's first or middle name, it'll be easy for others to remember it!

Rory Gilmore Would Love "I Hate It Here" By Taylor Swift...

"I Hate It Here" totally showcases Taylor Swift's ability to express raw emotions, and it also perfectly captures Rory Gilmore's struggles during certain periods of her life. The lyrics reflect frustration and dissatisfaction we can all feel sometimes (I know I've definitely felt them), and while Rory and Taylor's dreams in and of themselves are different, they both want to leave their small towns to achieve them. Whether it's feeling overwhelmed by expectations or facing setbacks in her career in Gilmore Girls season 5, Rory has moments throughout the series where she feels a bit trapped.

But even more than the physical meaning of the song is the imaginary one. Taylor sings about creating worlds in her mind and diving into books to escape the mundane. Rory reads more than any fictional character I've ever seen before because she also craves that escapism! The lyrics of "I Hate It Here" resonate with Rory when she wants to live different lives, and it encapsulates the moments when she struggles or questions her decisions — relatable!

...And She'd Feel Attacked By "The Bolter" By Taylor Swift

TBH, I'm half convinced "The Bolter" is referencing Amy March (after all, Amy has been "reviled" by readers for hundreds of years, and she "almost drowned...in frigid water" like Taylor sings), which is just another literary reference Rory would pick up on.

In "The Bolter," Taylor Swift captures the essence of a woman constantly seeking adventure and change, just like Rory Gilmore, and it's all about the idea of a restless spirit. While the lyrics can be taken from a hypothetical standpoint (feeling trapped by relationships or other people's expectations), we can also talk about it literally considering Rory physically runs away from Jess.

Rory might desire love, but the idea of it also scares her — two facts that don't cancel each other out! Just like Taylor Swift, I think Rory's thrilled by the idea of escape simply because she's so risk averse in other areas of her life. Once again, I say, relatable!!

"The Bolter" and "I Hate It Here" are both incredibly engaging songs because they highlight just how complex we are as humans — both in the ways we relate to ourselves and other people. And they're just two Taylor Swift songs Rory would definitely add to her playlist.