Friday Room Reveal: Eco Nursery for Three by Marsh & Clark

It seems like a lot of the eco-friendly rooms I receive or come across are nurseries, and that’s no surprise. It stands to reason that if you were going to make any room in your home greener, it would be the one where your precious babies will be living and sleeping. And this particular nursery is a special one. Marsh & Clark Design transformed this third-floor attic bedroom into a soothing, sustainable nursery for the 2010 San Francisco Decorator Showcase. And to make it extra special, the room is designed for not one, but THREE precious little ones.

A baby’s room ought to be the happiest place in the house – doubly (triply so) when it’s a room for triplets, said Chiya Ewald, of Marsh & Clark. We wanted to go beyond the deluge of duckies and primary colors to create a beautiful and innovative room that that appeals to modern parents’ aesthetics and sensibilities.

The nursery features three matching, handmade cribs that were built by local craftsman Rob Taboada. They are made of Machiche, an FSC-certified hardwood, and Medite, a formaldehyde-free, FSC-certified recycled fiberboard, and finished with a zero-VOC, water-based white lacquer. To further reduce off-gassing, the designers used non-toxic paints and selected organic or natural fibers for bedding, carpets and window treatments and all the other soft furnishings.

And while the room is large by most standards, we have to remember that it is built for three. The designers solve this problem with several elements that serve double-duty. Wall mirrors, which are hung to reflect light and enlarge the space, also fold down to reveal changing tables, and hidden benches in the dormers provide additional storage. And lit from inside, the perforated constellation on the front of each bench is designed to become a soft, yet sophisticated nightlight.

So, what do you think of the room? It’s not often you see a nursery designed for triplets. Overall, I think the room is soft and soothing, but more importantly, a safe eco-friendly space. I’d love to hear your thoughts!