Actress Maya Erskine’s nursery is cozy central—and actually an ode to her childhood

About the project:

Two became three: After a headline-making pregnancy announcement, PEN15 star Maya Erskine and partner This Is Us actor Michael Angarano welcomed baby Leon in May. To get ready, our Design Crew helped the parents-to-be create a nurturing nursery space with plenty of room to grow. “I wanted to keep it clean and cozy with pops of color so it wouldn’t feel cold,” says Maya.

On the design vision:

The goal? Keeping things light, airy and “as calming as possible,” says Dallas Wagman, lead designer from West Elm Burbank. He sourced natural woods and light upholstery for soothing tones and a dark wood changing table for contrast.

On choosing a theme:

While Maya didn’t consciously commit to a decor theme, she gravitated toward a riot of stuffed animals and playful animal accents. “I guess it’s a bit of a safari!”

“I stayed very neutral so they can easily evolve the space as the baby grows.”

—Dallas Wagman, design lead

On their three guiding principles:

In lieu of a theme, three big ideas led Maya’s and Dallas’s choices:

■ Texture: Dallas created a rich tactile mix to inspire Leon as he grows—nubby, soft-to-the-touch knits, wool rugs and baskets. “Babies are very curious and love stimulation,” he says.

■ Color: “Stay away from the stereotypical gendered blues, pinks and pastels,” Dallas says. “Instead, pick colors that make you smile.”

■ Furniture placement: “Leave enough space so you can move easily and they have room to play and explore as they grow.”

On picking a palette:

Dallas opted for a calming foundation of neutrals with bold, energizing pops of color. “This allows your child to figure out what they like without you forcing your own favorite colors on them.”

On working with Design Crew:

An admittedly “really indecisive person,” Maya leaned on Dallas to source furniture and validate her hunches. “It was amazing to have someone with a great eye help me pick things and assure me, so I didn’t have to worry about anything.”

On the unexpected MVP:

“I didn’t think it was necessary to have a chair to feed, but I use this rocker every night,” says Maya. “It’s the last place we’re with him before bed and the first when he wakes up—my favorite times of the day.”

On her design lessons learned:

“Don’t worry so much about cohesion—just get things you love,” Maya says. “Keep it simple and don’t go too wild because your baby will outgrow it.”

On design do’s & don’ts:

“Go with what feels right to you,” says Dallas. “The only ‘don’t’ is not to wait until the last minute. Create your nursery space before life gets in the way.”

On personal touches:

Maya brought in family heirlooms, vintage finds and toys from her own childhood for a result that’s anything but cookie-cutter. “It adds character,” says Dallas.