Handmade Neverland Nursery

A Subtle and Modern Twist on a Classic Theme

Alexandra and Ariel Rolon could not have predicted the time their son, Gabriel, would be born, but they clearly picked the right nursery theme. In the movie Peter Pan, Peter and the Darling children fly through the London sky and land on the minute hand of Big Ben. Under their weight, the hand drops from 8:04 to 8:15 p.m., the exact time Gabriel Rolon was born. 

When the Rolons designed their third child’s Peter Pan-inspired nursery, they knew they wanted a subtle and timeless look. To accomplish this modern take on a classic theme, they chose a light, neutral color palette and added personal, handcrafted touches throughout the space. 

This creative couple worked together to make the signpost that features locations from the story. They added three notches to each sign to represent the three Rolon children: big sisters Jasmin and Leena and baby brother Gabriel.

The couple also made the floating shelf, which features a lantern repurposed from their wedding. Alexandra added handmade silhouettes to the lantern and to a clock that once hung in Ariel’s childhood home. A crocheted alligator, vial of pixie dust, Peter Pan hat and replica of the book add whimsical flair to the space.

The rustic backdrop to the crib was once headboard when the room functioned as a guest room. The couple liked the way it complemented other nautical nuances throughout the space. The banner above the crib, handmade by Alexandra, complements the arrows in the bedding. The stripes in the window valance and toy bin were inspired by the stripes worn by characters in the story.

The light furniture stands out against a backdrop of cool gray walls framed by bold gray trim. The result is a serene and peaceful space that will transition effortlessly as Gabriel grows older, although as Peter Pan would say, “Even though you want to try to, never grow up!”