Ask The Expert | Harriet from Lola & Masey Children's Interiors
''What three wallpapers would you choose for longevity, with a nod to autumnal mood?''
We asked interior designer Harriet from Lola & Masey children's interiors to share her top three wallpaper picks that combine timeless appeal with a cosy seasonal feel. Because while trends come and go, great design should evolve with your space, not against it.
''Wallpaper is one of the foundations of a room, an element that if you turned the space upside down, would still remain. Therefore these foundational parts of the room are things we don't want to be changing too often.
Ideally, it should have the flexibility to work even if the room’s function evolves over time, a careful balance between aesthetics and longevity.
Looking ahead to Autumn 2025, we’re drawn to cosy, retro-inspired palettes that blend warmth and sophistication. Think earthy tones, rich browns, and rusts, paired with refined neutrals while colours like deep greens and blues will continue to be seen. With that in mind, here are three nursery and children’s room schemes we’ve created for Autumn 2025''
1. A Whimsical Autumn-Inspired Bedroom
This mood board is all about creating a whimsical yet timeless space that feels just as charming for a toddler as it does for a tween. The floral wallpaper is the heart of the design, soft, playful and age-neutral, it sets a magical backdrop that can grow with your child. We’ve drawn on its autumnal tones by introducing accents in a deep burgundy, using Earthborn Clay Paints, my trusted choice for children’s rooms thanks to their eco-friendly, breathable and virtually VOC-free finish. Safe, sustainable and beautiful, exactly what you want for a growing child’s space.
We always choose furniture to last through every stage: solid, high-quality pieces that are durable enough for daily play but classic enough to never feel outgrown. For that first big milestone, moving from cot to a “big girl” bed, this scheme offers a perfect balance:
practical, cozy and completely “roll-out-of-bed” proof. To add warmth and texture, I’ve layered in natural materials. The rattan rug, sourced from layered interior is a favourite, not only does it bring depth and luxury to the room, but it’s also wonderfully forgiving (hiding those inevitable little spills and scuffs). Subtle curves make an appearance throughout this scheme which is not only more child friendly but softens a
room visually, from the pedant light to house nine art work which we’ve paired with soft
striped textiles, playful shapes and tactile finishes. The space feels inviting, comforting and stylish all at once.
2. Striped in softness with Earthy Elegance
Tonal scheme feels rich but calming and versatile. Inspired by the tones we will see emerging as the seasons shift, it’s a palette that feels warm, grounding and incredibly versatile. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of this look coming through in Autumn 2025.
The Munks and Me wallpaper was an instant must-use. Stripes are a true classic in my
opinion, but I love how this wavy interpretation softens the look, complementing the shapes and patterns within the rest of the scheme. Because the wallpaper is a little bolder, I’ve balanced it with traditional panelling and used it at half height for this room scheme. Timelessness is always the aim for our children’s interiors, so the foundation pieces here are high-quality and classic: the solid wood bobbin bed by Chelsea textiles and Oka wardrobe, beautifully elevated with wallpaper insets for a bespoke touch. For character and personality, I’ve layered in more playful, trend and statement touches like this amazing studio ashby starburst pendant and vintage finds like the side table, lamp and artwork all from studio ham alongside tactile upholstery that feels cozy but enduring.
This scheme also showcases how gender-neutral design doesn’t have to be beige and boring, but warm, stylish and still impactful! It’s a room that grows with your child, has a good foundation and can be adapted effortlessly over the years, that’s the beauty of investing in quality, timeless design, you get longevity without compromising on personality, something we always strive to do!
3. Cocooned in Calm: A Classic Check Nursery or Heritage Hues: A Traditional Autumnal Nursery
A classic check is one of those patterns that may ebb and flow with trends, but it
never truly goes out of style. Its versatility allows it to slot seamlessly into a wide variety of schemes, always bringing a touch of tradition with it. My pick is this blue check wallpaper, it feels fresh yet calming, and when paired with rich autumnal browns, the colours complement one another beautifully. It’s easy on the eye and not overstimulating!
Here, we’ve used the soft check pattern as the main backdrop in this nursery, painting the woodwork and ceiling around it in LICK’s supreme Blue 17 ( a must for durable
children’s paint!) . This helps to emphasis the wallpaper as well as ground it in the space, almost like giving it a frame
One of my favourite elements in children’s rooms is a canopy, used here to create height and a focal point above the bed. With tie-backs for practicality and safety, they bring a cocooning effect that children absolutely love.
To keep the balance, I’ve played with shape and pattern: soft stripes against the curves of this stunning Kas Kopengahen cot and lampshades by lights and lamps and Alfred Newell to provide the right amount of interest without overwhelming the scheme.
Natural wooden furniture brings warmth and functionality, pairing beautifully with the autumnal browns while grounding the room in timeless, natural materials, something we always try to incorporate in children's rooms. The artwork here has been kept simple but intentional, enough to break up the checkered walls, without clashing with the wallpaper or overpowering the room, this is the last thing you want for a nursery scheme! The result is a nursery that feels soft, calming and layered, with just the right amount of interest built on a foundation of future proof wallpaper, furniture and accessories!
Thank you Harriet for these mood boards, your insight has been invaluable!
To make creating your dream kids’ space even easier, Lola & Masey are offering Munks and Me customers 10% off their full design packages. Their packages are thoughtfully designed, starting with an idea consultation from just £199, making it simple to bring your vision to life.
If you’ve ever wanted to work with a designer to create a magical, functional, and timeless space for your little ones, get in touch with Harriet to book your consultation.
