Nursery Before and After: A Modern “The Little Prince” Makeover

When Brieanne sent us the stunning before-and-after photos of the nursery, we were excited to share the full transformation. Below is the letter she sent, describing the inspiration and approach she and her sister used to create a calm, gender-neutral space for baby Claire.

Last year my sister asked me (her younger sister with an architecture degree) to help her design a nursery for my future — and now completely adorable — niece Claire. Since my sister and brother-in-law might have more children and wanted the room to work for any gender, we focused on a neutral palette and simple, durable choices. We started with bedding from Skip Hop that my sister loved and built a mood board around it. The brief was straightforward: gender neutral, simple, uncluttered, and affordable. Jen (my sister) wanted the room to feel fresh and relaxing, primarily for her own enjoyment since she would spend a lot of time there. I suggested a modern take on The Little Prince, inspired by one of my sister’s favorite childhood stories, and we ran with it. Hope you like the nursery as much as I enjoy your blog! – Brieanne

Here’s what the room looked like before — serving as a half-hearted guest bedroom until the big makeover:

And here it is now, after it was transformed into a gentle, inviting nursery for baby Claire:

Below is a practical resource list from Brieanne outlining the main pieces and personal touches that make the space functional and charming:

Crib and changing unit: Cub Kids collection by NettoCollection, chosen for its compact, modular design that works well in smaller rooms.
Toy box: a treasured hand-me-down from my sister’s own childhood, restored and repurposed to store toys and keepsakes.
Rocking chair: an heirloom from our grandmother that adds sentimental value and a comfortable spot for late-night feedings.
Bedding: Mod Dot by Skip Hop, a neutral dot pattern that anchors the room and coordinates easily with other elements.
Side table: a simple LACK table from Ikea used as a practical surface for books and a nightlight.
Shelf: an Ikea LACK shelf installed at a safe height to display soft toys and small decor items.
Lamp: repurposed from another room, fitted with an Ikea lampshade for a cohesive look and soft lighting.
Mobile: handmade needle-felted birds crafted from red wool, suspended on found sticks collected at our family cabin in Lake Tahoe, assembled on site to add a personal, organic touch.
Mural: painted by me using a projector to scale an image inspired by The Little Prince, creating a focal point that feels whimsical and refined.
Decal: a floral motif decal called “Bloom,” purchased from an independent seller on Etsy and applied to complement the mural and bedding.
Quote: stick-on letters spelling a passage from The Little Prince: “It is just as it is with the flower. If you love a flower that lives on a star, it is sweet to look at the sky at night. All the stars are a-bloom with flowers.” This phrase adds emotional depth and a gentle reminder of wonder and care.

Brieanne and her sister did a thoughtful job balancing function and aesthetics to create a cozy, adaptable room. The mix of new, affordable pieces and meaningful heirlooms makes the nursery feel both modern and deeply personal. The neutral palette, simple furniture, and carefully chosen accents allow the room to grow with the child, while the Little Prince-inspired mural and the sentimental quote provide a storybook quality that invites imagination.

What stands out most are the handmade details — the felted mobile and the painted mural — which transform the space from a typical nursery into a lovingly curated environment. The practical choices, like the compact crib/changer and accessible shelving, ensure the room remains useful and uncluttered as Claire grows. It’s a great example of how modest budgets, creative reuse, and heartfelt design can combine to produce a nursery that feels special without being fussy.

Update: Brieanne mentioned she has a blog where she shares more projects and photos for those interested in additional ideas and process details.