A Warm Scandinavian-Inspired Nursery
Project Location: Linlithgow
Service: Full Design
Property Type: Victorian Home
Rooms Designed: Nursery
Style: Warm Scandinavian
Completed: June 2025
Photographer: Kate Allamby
Designing a nursery is always a meaningful project, but this space carries particular significance as it sits within the personal home of Studio Heim’s design director, Kate Allamby. Acting as both client and designer, the brief was to transform a former library into a calm and nurturing space for a new baby while maintaining the thoughtful, Scandinavian-influenced aesthetic that runs throughout the rest of the Victorian home.
The room previously held a cocooning atmosphere, with a deep grey-green colourwash that worked beautifully for its former use as a library. However, the darker palette felt too heavy for a nursery, and the space required a complete shift in tone and purpose. As the baby’s gender was unknown during the design process, the room was envisioned as a neutral environment - warm, soft, and timeless.
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Design Approach
The proportions of the room presented an immediate design challenge. Measuring approximately two metres by four metres, the space is both narrow and compact, requiring careful planning to ensure it could comfortably accommodate essential furniture and storage. Babies, as many parents quickly discover, come with an abundance of belongings, making storage an essential consideration from the outset.
The design process began with careful consideration of the layout. With the original wall shelving from the former library retained, there were limited placement options for the main furniture pieces. Ultimately, positioning the armchair as the focal point of the room proved to be the most successful solution. When entering the nursery, the eye is drawn first to this comfortable seating area rather than directly to the cot, creating a softer and more welcoming first impression. The furniture then follows a gentle linear arrangement along one side of the room, allowing the narrow proportions to feel intentional rather than restrictive.
Warmth was central to the design concept. The room is west-facing, receiving beautiful golden light in the afternoon while feeling cooler in the mornings. To balance this, a palette of warm tones was introduced throughout the space. The walls are painted in Naptime by Coat Paints - a fitting name for a nursery - while the woodwork and ceiling are finished in Gwen, a soft buttery yellow that wraps the room in warmth.
“The aim was to create a nursery that felt warm, calm and quietly beautiful - a space designed for everyday moments, from early mornings to peaceful afternoons.”
Key Features
Painting the ceiling in colour was a particularly important decision. With relatively high ceilings for such a small room, the darker tone creates a cocooning effect that makes the space feel more intimate and comforting without the need for darker wall colours.
Texture also plays an important role in softening the room. The existing cream carpet was retained, having been installed only two years prior, and layered rugs were introduced both to protect the flooring and to add further warmth and visual interest. One of the most charming additions is a small jute bear rug, which adds a playful note while remaining consistent with the natural material palette.
The nursery is styled with light wood furniture, linen curtains, and tactile accessories that reflect Studio Heim’s Scandinavian-inspired design sensibility. Neutral storage bags, soft textiles, and layered materials create a calm and practical environment that feels both thoughtful and effortless.
Among the many design details, one element holds particular sentimental value. Draped across the armchair is an old sheepskin rug brought back from New Zealand by Kate’s parents before she was born. Photographs exist of Kate as a baby lying on that very rug, making its presence in her daughter’s nursery a quietly meaningful moment of continuity across generations.
Final Thoughts
Today, the nursery feels exactly as it was intended - warm, calm, and deeply inviting. It is a space used every day, filled with soft light, layered textures, and thoughtful design decisions that prioritise both beauty and practicality. Walking past the room, the warm tones, comfortable chair, and soft curtains create an immediate sense of comfort, offering a peaceful retreat within the family home.
Interested in a similar transformation?
If you’re dreaming of a home that feels calm, considered and deeply personal, we’d love to hear about your space. Our design services are tailored to your lifestyle, your home and your pace - guiding you from first ideas through to a finished sanctuary.