Opposite page: Melanie and Brad Weber, founders of Mother Nursery,
decorated the bedroom of 4-month-old Amara Khan, daughter of Dr. Farah
and Dr. Zafar Khan of Plymouth. This page, left Colorful animals adorably
embellish a custom-made dresser. Below: A custom-crafted, hand-painted
circular crib envelopes an infant like a beautifully cozy nest.
•
BABY
SMARTS
Mother Nursery founders Melanie and
Brad Weber have learned from experts
in several fields about coordinating color
combinations and three-dimensional
designs to create rooms that are corn-
forting but still stimulate brain activity,
aid in development skills and promote
imagination and play. Here, some of their
cognitive-enhancement tips:
• -We encourage parents to use radio
and audiotape sounds rather than a
wind-up mobile that tends to hypnotize
babies or stimulate them, preventing
them from falling asleep," says Brad.
• Infants see black-and-white color
contrasts best, so try to use this combi-
nation in their rooms. Incorporate brightly
colored wall hangings, artwork and ceil-
ing banners and windsocks when they
are older "to capture their attention and
develop the ability to distinguish colors
and shapes," Brad adds. The Webers
also believe it can be advantageous to
rearrange the room occasionally to allow
a different view.
• "Everything in a child's room is a
potential toy or teacher," says Brad. Even
the use of different textures is educa-
tional, and the simple addition of family
photos helps reinforce familiar images.
"And we always like to create a space
for reading to encourage story time and
make a special and comforting place to
curl up," he says.
ahead of time so when we get the call, we are ready to go." In
addition to intercepting obstacles in the ordering, delivering
and setup process, the Webers will also accommodate some
future-parents' needs: If a couple doesn't want to know in
advance if their baby is a boy or girl, for example, plans will
be drawn up for two bedrooms, one for each possibility. Then,
they will contact the mom's doctor to find out which one to
follow through on.
Encouraging parents to play a role in the creation of their
child's room, client meetings include talk of colors, theme,
wall coverings, bedding, furniture, artwork, lighting, flooring,
layout and budget. While Melanie discusses details ranging
from fabric and material allergies and
if the room will eventually be shared
by a sibling, Brad conducts a room
examination, measuring walls, win-
dows and ceiling heights and drawing
a room sketch. Clients pay a one-time
design fee or an hourly rate, with
some items receiving Mother Nursery
discounts.
The company has already gone
national, too: This past June, they
designed a room for now 3-month-
old Bryanna Lester in Hartford,
Conn. With Bryanna's mom, Alisa,
photographing the room and her
dad, Michael, doing the measuring,
Melanie was able to create layouts
with Mother Nursery's three-dimen-
sional computer program. Working
with a piece of Bryanna's bedding
set — purchased from a local Babies
'R' Us — and fabric swatches from a
rocking-chair cushion hand crafted by
Bryanna's grandma — Melanie syn-
chronized room colors, long distance.
"There are so many coordinat-
ing details that just bring the room
together," says Alisa. "Had I done the
room myself, I would have just paint-
ed the walls and thrown some pictures
up. But Mother Nursery designed
flower boxes and three-dimensional
flowers to hang on the wall. The color
contrasts are great and really appeal-
ing to my daughter. I really think that
this nursery will help in her cognitive
development."
With few baby and children's furni-
ture stores in Metro Detroit, Mother
Nursery's extensive access to in-state
and out-of-state manufacturers is a big plus when order-
ing. "We have many more choices than someone just driving
around because customers may also order from our online
store," explains Brad.
In addition to furniture, the Web site offers accessories, like
towels, bibs and diaper bags, and personalized wooden items,
including rocking chairs, name letters and stepping stools, all
in colors and patterns that coordinate to the room.
When the company was first created, Melanie says, "Brad
and I did it all."
Now carpenters, electricians, painters, custom furniture
makers, upholsterers and what Melanie refers to as "all-around