Inside Alexandra Elle’s Eco-Inspired Nursery By PB Modern Baby
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Erika Layne
It’s been two-and-a-half years since we last profiled prolific writer and podcaster Alexandra Elle (a.k.a. @alex_elle to her nearly 550,000 devoted Instagram followers). And in that amount of time, so much has happened, including a new rainbow baby via IVF (Ila, 19 months) after a struggle with male factor infertility, and now—surprise!—yet another rainbow baby on the way. And a brand-new home outside of Washington, D.C.!
To celebrate the imminent arrival of her third daughter (Alex is also mom to 11-year-old Charleigh), we partnered with Pottery Barn Modern Baby to outfit Ila and her newborn sister’s shared room with beautiful and sustainable picks—100% organic cotton bedding, a Greenguard Gold Certified brass bassinet, stuffies spun with 100% GOTS certified yarn, and so much more.
Check out Alexandra’s eco-minded Pottery Barn Modern Baby nursery makeover below, as we catch up with the inspiring mother on her decorating philosophy, switch to a greener lifestyle in response to motherhood, and welcoming baby #3.
This post is brought to you by Mother + Pottery Barn Modern Baby
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A look inside Alexandra's beautiful shared space for little Ila, 19 months, and her baby girl on the way. The room features modern, sustainable products from the PB Modern Baby line.
(Other PB Modern Baby favorites of ours not pictured: the Nash Crib and Matching Dresser, Nursery Works Compass Rocker, and 100% Organic Cotton Rainbow Baby Blanket.)
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The centerpiece on the newborn side of the room is this PB Modern Baby brass bassinet, which Alexandra will move to her bedroom during the first few months.
“It’s minimalistic, but gorgeous. I love the metal!" she says. "It works well in our bedroom, too, which is a mix of metal, dark wood, and unique textures."GREENGUARD Gold Certified Brass Bassinet and Mattress Set, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Bashful Striped Fox Rattle Buddy, $19, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Alpaca Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
"Good At Naps" 100% Organic Knit Baby Blanket, $29, PB Modern Baby.
Lorena Canals Washable Trace Rug, $259, PB Modern Baby.
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“I didn’t have a set vision for the nursery. Ila and the new baby will be sharing the room, so I knew I wanted it to be fit for our almost 20-month-old and the younger baby when she transfers from our room at around 6 or 7 months. If I had to use three words to describe my style for the room, I would say: simple, fun, and easygoing.”
Giraffe-Shaped Wicker Basket (Pthalate- and Lead-Free), $119, PB Modern Baby.
GREENGUARD Gold Certified Brass Bassinet and Mattress Set, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Bashful Striped Fox Rattle Buddy, $19, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Alpaca Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
"Good At Naps" 100% Organic Knit Baby Blanket, $29, PB Modern Baby.
Lorena Canals Washable Trace Rug, $259, PB Modern Baby.
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A very excited big-sister-to-be.
Alex wears a dress by Ozma of California and Ila wears an outfit by Wild Wawa.
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“Keep it simple and functional!”
West Elm x PBK Felted Pom-Pom Mobile, $39, PB Modern Baby.
Rainbow Kingdom Wall Art by Minted, $67, PB Modern Baby.
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“The mobile adds a pop of color in the space that my husband and I both love," says Alexandra of the hand-felted 100% wool pom-pom mobile, which was made in Nepal in a Fair Trade Certified facility.
West Elm x PBK Felted Pom-Pom Mobile, $39, PB Modern Baby.
You Are Magic Wall Art by Minted, $114, PB Modern Baby.
Rainbow Kingdom Wall Art by Minted, $67, PB Modern Baby.
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As for the art chosen to hang behind the baby's bassinet, Alexandra says, “We love art in our home! Having beautiful and affirming artwork up on their wall was a must.”
You Are Magic Wall Art by Minted, $114, PB Modern Baby.
Rainbow Kingdom Wall Art by Minted, $67, PB Modern Baby.
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When mama's bump provides a nice boost.
Gold Ledge Mirror, $179, PB Modern Baby.
Giraffe-Shaped Wicker Basket (Pthalate- and Lead-Free), $119, PB Modern Baby.
GREENGUARD Gold Certified Brass Bassinet and Mattress Set, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Stuffies (Using GOTS Certified Yarn), $19-$37, PB Modern Baby.
"Good At Naps" 100% Organic Knit Baby Blanket, $29, PB Modern Baby.
West Elm x PBK Felted Pom-Pom Mobile, $39, PB Modern Baby.
You Are Magic Wall Art by Minted, $114, PB Modern Baby.
Rainbow Kingdom Wall Art by Minted, $67, PB Modern Baby.
Lorena Canals Washable Trace Rug, $259, PB Modern Baby.
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Curious little hands checking out little sister's brand-new stuffies, which were hand-knit at an artisanal women’s collaborative in Peru using GOTS-certified organic cotton yarn with a phthalate-free rattle inside. The organic fiber is hypoallergenic to protect against allergens and create a healthy sleep environment.
GREENGUARD Gold Certified Brass Bassinet and Mattress Set, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Bashful Striped Fox Rattle Buddy, $19, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Alpaca Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
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“Very important! We do our best to buy and keep items around that are fairtrade, eco-friendly, and sustainable.”
GREENGUARD Gold Certified Brass Bassinet and Mattress Set, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Bashful Striped Fox Rattle Buddy, $19, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Alpaca Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
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“My favorite pieces are the brass mirror and wicker baskets. They are beautiful and functional items that can grow with the girls.”
Woven Prayer Hamper, $119, PB Modern Baby.
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Peek-a-boo! PB Modern Baby's handwoven wicker and rattan hamper utilizes fast-growing natural reeds to create a sturdy, eco-friendly, and extra-large basket perfect for laundry, storing stuffed animals and linens...and for hide-and-go-seek.
Woven Prayer Hamper, $119, PB Modern Baby.
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“No, thank goodness! We purchased the model home in our neighborhood and it was the best choice ever. Everything was painted and all set for us upon moving in. The built-in bookshelf in the nursery is my favorite!”
West Elm x PBK Lush Velvet Baby Quilt, $99, PB Modern Baby.
My First Bean Chair (BPA-, Phthalate-, Lead- and Latex-Free), $99, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Alpaca Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
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Ila's own cozy nook, including her PB Modern Baby velvet bedding, stuffies, and plenty of books.
West Elm x PBK Lush Velvet Baby Quilt (and Pillow), $99, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Bashful Striped Fox Rattle Buddy, $19, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Alpaca Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
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Some of our favorite book titles—including Grace Mothers: Letters To Our Children, Love Is A Truck, Peace Is An Offering, The Book With No Pictures, The Day The Crayons Quit, The Pigeon HAS To Go To School, and other Mo Willems classics—snuggled up with Finn + Emma stuffies from PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Bashful Striped Fox Rattle Buddy, $19, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Alpaca Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
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Ila's new animals are from an exclusive collaboration between PB Modern Baby and Finn + Emma, makers of stylish, sustainably sourced toys that are crafted from organic, non-toxic materials.
Finn + Emma Lil' Rascal The Raccoon Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Alpaca Rattle Buddy, $19, PB Modern Baby.
West Elm x PBK Lush Velvet Baby Quilt (and Pillow), $99, PB Modern Baby.
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- “My dedication to eco-friendly products and intention around living a green lifestyle started 11 years ago when I had my oldest daughter. I did a lot of research on products and wanted to do things differently when she was born. I started changing my eating habits, where I shopped, and my overall mindset when it came to the things I was buying and consuming as a new mom. Being cognizant about the things we ate, put on our skin, and had in our home truly changed our lives for the better.”
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- “My husband and I were not expecting to have children this close together. At all! We needed fertility support to conceive Ila due to challenges with male factor infertility, which I feel no one really talks about. We’d been told that our likelihood of conceiving naturally was slim. We were shocked to have a miracle happen, after all we went through with Ila. This pregnancy was an amazing blessing in so many ways. It also made us laugh because no matter how much we plan, things always tend to do and be what they will without our input.”
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- “Yes! We’d just started the process of planning for baby number three a month before finding out we had naturally conceived. It was a wild surprise! Everyone, including our fertility team, was blown away and so happy for us.”
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A sweet, snuggly, story time.
West Elm x PBK Lush Velvet Baby Quilt (and Pillow), $99, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Alpaca Rattle Buddy, $19, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Lil' Rascal The Raccoon Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Bashful Striped Fox Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
Lorena Canals Washable Trace Rug, $259, PB Modern Baby.
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“I was THRILLED! I love being a girl mom. My husband was happy, too. He’s very outnumbered now and we joke about it often.”
Giraffe-Shaped Wicker Basket, $119, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Big Buddies and Rattles, $19-$37, PB Modern Baby.
GREENGUARD Gold Certified Brass Bassinet and Mattress Set, PB Modern Baby.
"Good At Naps" 100% Organic Knit Baby Blanket, $29, PB Modern Baby.
West Elm x PBK Felted Pom-Pom Mobile, $39, PB Modern Baby.
You Are Magic Wall Art by Minted, $114, PB Modern Baby.
Rainbow Kingdom Wall Art by Minted, $67, PB Modern Baby.
Mongolian Faux-Fur Lamb Rocker, $189, PB Modern Baby.
Lorena Canals Washable Trace Rug, $259, PB Modern Baby.
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“That my children will have one another. I grew up an only child and longed for siblings when I was younger. Having our family grow brings me a lot of joy, even on the hectic days.”
"Good At Naps" 100% Organic Knit Baby Blanket, $29, PB Modern Baby.
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“Since I am a work-from-home mom, having 2 kids under 2 seems daunting. I’m nervous mostly about work/life harmonizing and self-care as a mother of 3. We just hired a nanny, which is amazing! So, I’m taking baby steps to make sure we are all well loved, attended to, and productive.”
My First Bean Chair (BPA-, Phthalate-, Lead- and Latex-Free), $99, PB Modern Baby.
Giraffe-Shaped Wicker Basket (Pthalate- and Lead-Free), $119, PB Modern Baby.
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Ila in her personal-sized seating. “It’s so cute to see Ila plop down in her own little chair. She loves it and it’s perfect for bedtime story reading," says Alexandra.
My First Bean Chair (BPA-, Phthalate-, Lead- and Latex-Free), $99, PB Modern Baby.
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“Ila loves stuffed animals and books. The baskets are beautiful and perfect for her favorite little things.”
Giraffe-Shaped Wicker Basket (Pthalate- and Lead-Free), $119, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Alpaca Rattle Buddy, $19, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Lil' Rascal The Raccoon Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
Finn + Emma Traveling Bashful Striped Fox Big Buddy, $37, PB Modern Baby.
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The most adorable ride-on toy!
Mongolian Faux-Fur Lamb Rocker, $189, PB Modern Baby.
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“Everyone is beyond excited and ready for her arrival in a couple short weeks!”
Mongolian Faux-Fur Lamb Rocker, $189, PB Modern Baby.
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- “I am so much more aware and patient. Self-awareness is huge! I don’t take raising daughters lightly. I’m glad that I’ve been able to grow as an individual and as a mother over the past 11 years. Time is a phenomenal teacher.”
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- “Lately, it means slowing down, being present, and breathing. I just finished my new book that’s set to debut in 2020, so I’ve taken a break from writing to rest my mind and hands. Giving myself boundaries to honor in work and life has been helpful, too.”
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A beautiful mommy-and-me moment. “Anything brass wins we me over," says Alexandra of her new mirror. "I love the contrast the mirror adds to the space.”
Gold Ledge Mirror, $179, PB Modern Baby.
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- “Be you, love you. Always, all ways. That’s the mantra for everything. Comparison, especially on a platform that could be gone in a blink, is nothing but a distraction.”
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- “Watching Chef’s Table. Reading Never Tell by Lisa Gardner. Eating grilled cheese with smoked gouda and blackberry jam. Drinking lots of ice water. Listening to the Ear Hustle podcast. Talking with my close friends about how I want my first 40 days postpartum to look and feel.”
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“They haven’t! I had Char when I was 18. I was unpartnered and relied heavily on my parents to help me co-parent her. When my husband came into our lives, things changed for the better. There was a new sense of community and belonging. It was beautiful seeing him as a father figure. So, when we conceived Ila, our lives became even more full and so did our closeness. Having a partner to lean on and love through every ebb and flow of pregnancy rooted me in gratitude. I was very sick with this pregnancy and Ryan was so awesome caring for the girls when I was too nauseous and fatigued to stand up. Needless to say, each pregnancy has been different and life changing in their own unique way.”
Gold Ledge Mirror, $179, PB Modern Baby.
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“All of my births have been without issue, thankfully. Ila was delivered by a midwife in a hospital, which I loved. The same midwife is delivering the new baby, too, in the same setting, which is exciting for us! I don’t have a birth plan, really. I trust my midwifery team and the nursing staff tenfold. I’ll be sharing my preferences, but for the most part, I’m going with the flow.”
Gold Ledge Mirror, $179, PB Modern Baby.
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“Don’t be ashamed if you or your partner needs fertility support. Get to know your body and theirs. In our case, my husband was scared to go to the doctor. But once he did, and we got to the root of the issue, things were less tense and more relaxed. It can be scary and intimidating, for sure. But love yourself and each other through it.”
My First Bean Chair, $99, PB Modern Baby.
Giraffe-Shaped Wicker Basket, $119, PB Modern Baby.
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“Eminence Organics, Farmacy Beauty, Primary deodorant, and Herbivore products are always in rotation.”
Metal Prism Diaper Caddy, $49, PB Modern Baby.
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“My new book, After the Rain, debuts Fall 2020 via Chronicle Books. My latest offerings are Neon Soul (poetry collection) and Today I Affirm: A Journal that Nurtures Self-Care. All of my other books and journals can be found at alexelle.com/books or in stores. So far, I’ll be teaching 2 weekend writing retreats next summer, one at 1440 Multiversity in Scotts Valley, California (May 2020) and the other in Bayfield, WI (July 2020) at Wild Rice Retreat Center.”
Metal Prism Diaper Caddy, $49, PB Modern Baby.
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Fore more on Alexandra Elle and her growing family, be sure to follow her on AlexElle.com and Instagram.
For more on the sustainably minded PB Modern Baby collection featured here, head over to PBModernBaby.com.
Want to see another PB Modern Baby x Mother nursery makeover? Check out the beautiful space of California mother-of-two Amy Soderlind, designed after a heartbreaking fire.
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