Every nursery should be designed with a sense of whimsy. This is a room in which to dream -- for baby and parents.

Babies' first sights and sounds away from their Mommy will begin here, the first space they'll explore on their own.

This nurturing space is a joy to decorate -- it awakens the child in all of us, and perhaps as you choose all the components -- colours, carpet, furniture, and lighting -- you'll discover your child's first room is more about you.

Design a baby's room so it nurtures you as much as your child. You'll be spending a lot of time there, too.

You can begin planning in many ways. Start with a theme or a mood when thinking about colours, and work from there.

Although we think of primary colours for children's rooms, they are not always best. Red, yellow and blue are strong and full of energy.

The colours in the nursery shown are more complex -- shades of apricot, grey-blue and frosted green create a cheerful mood with quiet undertones. Nothing jars, nothing screams for attention, yet the space is filled with colour and interest.

Wainscotting adds traditional character and warmth. By dividing the walls with beadboard, you have the option of playing with many complementary colour and pattern combinations.

Wallpaper is more costly than paint, but you require less when papering only the upper portion. (Always prepare the walls with wallpaper primer before hanging the paper so that it will be easy to remove when the time comes.)

If you can splurge on only one item, it should be the crib. Look for a crib that converts from a standard-size baby crib to a toddler's bed, day bed and a full-size bed. Safety and solid construction are priorities. Railings come in many styles, from traditional to contemporary.

Another versatile nursery piece is a change table that converts to a bedside table. The right height for changing your baby is easy on the back, and storage drawers keep diapers and clothing at your fingertips.

One more practical consideration is the window covering. Cordless blackout blinds or curtains can be a mom's best friend. Install them so that the fabric extends to the outer edge of the window frame. Look for complementary fabric and wallpaper combinations.

Now about the whimsical bit. How about a chandelier? It's trendy and fascinating for baby to gaze at. In fact, ceilings in a nursery can be a great source of delight. Paint a cloudy day sky or a starry night sky.

In the nursery shown, a mobile of oversized butterflies flutters gently over the crib, and a few have landed on the lampshade. Mount a few shelves (not too high) to display favourite books, and knick-knacks.

These and framed photos will personalize the space and make it a cherished home for you and your baby.

This column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. E-mail questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.