How Designer Dina Bandman Turned a Bland Nursery Into An Italian Escape

If there’s something we never get tired of seeing, it’s a great makeover. Whether it’s transforming a retro bathroom into a modern oasis or giving a lackluster bedroom a fresh look, pros perform these design miracles all the time.

To give designers a chance to showcase their favorite makeovers—and to bring you plenty of inspiration for your own home—we’re sharing the best before and afters we’ve seen in our series, Makeover of the Week. Take notes for your next renovation.

"I wanted both baby and parents to feel pampered in this space, so I designed the nursery with a playful sophistication in mind,” says interior designer Dina Bandman. “The goal was to keep it gender-neutral by featuring a soft green and yellow palette—the colors found in the lemon groves on the Amalfi coast in Italy were my inspiration. They allowed me to create an ethereal space that makes you feel like you’re anywhere but in a tiny square of a room.”

Before:

“The room was not very big, approximately 11’ x 11’, so I needed to find ways to make it feel larger. The arched windows were a challenge as they were placed low to the ground and made the room feel even smaller,” says Bandman. “Selecting furnishings of the right scale was also critical to avoid overcrowding the room.”

After:

“I created the illusion of more space and height by hanging the curtains high above the arches to bring the eye up, along with using 2” x 4” lattice to give the ceiling more elevation," notes Bandman. "To prevent visual crowding, I included a clear lucite four poster crib that makes a statement without dominating the room.”

What Changed:

• Color theme: A yellow and pale green color palette evokes a peaceful sense of nature.
• Crib: The modern four-poster lucite crib blends in seamlessly and has a light and airy feel.
• Dresser: A vintage dresser was painted a pale gray to match the tree branches in the wallpaper and then outfitted with new hardware and drawer tassels. 
• Ceiling lamp: A floral metal chandelier in pale yellow takes center stage on the ceiling.
• Ceiling lattice: The lattice ceiling is framed in wide crown molding and works in harmony with the lemon grove garden theme. 
• Wallpaper: Lemon trees, painted on a silk canvas, feature hand-sewn, embroidered sequins. 
• Animals: A mix of stuffed animals—including sheep and a giraffe—are made from super soft Alpaca wool.
• Wall sconces: Yellow-pleated silk wall sconces extend from brass arms and are wrapped in silver glass rings. 
• Chair: The plush armchair was coated with Fiberseal to protect the fabric during feedings. 
• Table: A gold metallic side table is handcrafted in steel and provides a convenient spot to rest baby bottles. 
• Rug: A 100% wool area rug in subtle blue and yellow pastel colors provides a soft cushion for the feet. 
• Curtains: The silk window treatments have a goblet pleat detail and are lined in a pale gray tassel fringe.
• Clothes bar: A brass clothing bar over the changing table displays clothing and complements the wallpaper. 
• Ladder: A decorative white ladder resembles tree branches and provides a place to hang baby blankets.
• Stool: A cow stool is covered in faux fur and adds a whimsical touch to the room.
• Armoire: A gingham-lined armoire provides storage for clothes and accessories and was outfitted with brass rods and draw pulls. 
• Blanket: A camel-colored wool and cashmere Hermès blanket can be draped over the crib or ladder.

Shop the Look:

Hermès Avalon Throw Blanket $1,550.00

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de Gournay Lemon Grove Wallpaper Price Upon Request

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Coleen and Company The Leafy Chandelier $1,850.00

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