Mila's Amazing Musical Nursery

by Jan

Mila's amazing musical nursery is so refreshing that it reminded me of lyrics in a song that I love,"Make lemonade taste like a sunny day". It's only fitting that the decor is musical and brings to mind one of the Dave Matthews Band's songs. You see, Mila's mom and dad are big fans and Alex enjoys playing many instruments making a room filled with music a natural choice.

Alex and Jackie wanted their shared love of music to be reflected in Mila's room but after finding themselves feeling a little overwhelmed by the project they asked decorator, Jenika Kurtz for assistance. They were confident that Jenika, whom they knew through a close friend, would do a great job. With this being their first baby, they wanted to do it right but didn't want a stranger telling them how to decorate their baby's room. This was the perfect partnership!

Jenika confesses that she was a little frightened of designing a baby's room based on Dave Matthews Band art but quickly found the perfect spot for the series of posters that feature five musical instruments played by the band's members, perfect for the neutral theme that she was asked to create.


Her experience in nursery decor led her to refer to the preferred style in the rest of the family's home for inspiration. Taking note that Alex and Jackie love color and clean, contemporary lines as much as music; she carried the look and feel into Mila's musical nursery theme. The results are a small room with a large personality that is cozy and inviting as well as functional.


This mobile was always a part of the plans for Mila's nursery as well as the band posters and the contemporary oval crib (crib skirt selected by Jenika, made by Mila's grandparents).

With these items in mind, the decorator went to work. The presentation was completed in a couple of weeks and approved immediately. Everything was purchased and installed within two to three months' time which is impressive considering that Alex did the painting, built the crib and re-finished the antique dresser, etc. Proof that inspiration pieces are big timesavers as well as crucial to a winning design.




As is often the case with interesting rooms, Mila's amazing musical nursery features many personal touches of the unexpected far beyond the artwork. Just when we might be tempted to put a "modern" label on this project what do we spy but a vintage dresser that Alex painted a fun color called "Spicy Banana Pepper" and repurposed as a changing table! Fun!

Many of the decorations in Mila's musical nursery theme, including the musical instruments collected from her parents' travels around the world, are one-of-a-kind but a list of the more readily available furnishings and decorative items follows.


•Nursery Rocking Chair: Alto Rocker by Monte

•Pouf: CB2

•Striped Nursery Rug: Crate & Barrel

•Crib: Sleepi Crib from Giggle

•Bookcase: Ikea

•Floor Lamp: Kulla Ikea

•Musical Instrument Baby Mobile: Custom made

•Nursery Drapes and Hardware: West Elm

Thanks to Alex and Jackie for allowing us to tour Mila's nursery and to Jenika for sharing her baby nursery ideas.

Images courtesy of Jessica Comingore Photography.