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