Australian and South Sudanese model Adut Akech has, momentarily, exchanged haute couture for cuddles. She and her husband, Samuel Elkhier, welcomed their first daughter, Imani, in December. Theres nothing I can compare the feeling to, but it is just the most amazing thing Ive ever experienced in my entire life. I just cant imagine what life was like before her, says Akech. The new mom focused on the essentials when designing the space they designated for the baby, embracing a sense of minimalism. I havent really been focusing so much on the material side of things, she explains. Ive found this middle ground where less is more. Thats the world that Im in now.I felt like the babys room needed to be light and airy and just a pretty, peaceful space. When you step in, youre like, ah, says Akech.Photo: Tim HirschmannAnd who wouldnt trust Akechs style instincts, given her experience in fashion? Since she debuted at Yves Saint Laurents Paris Fashion Week show in 2016, she has walked for iconic houses that include Chanel, Prada, and Versace. She has also been featured on numerous Vogue covers and is a global brand ambassador for Este Lauder. Throughout this, she has traveled extensively, drawing design inspiration, particularly, from hotels in Paris and Rome.Crate and Barrels Gustav Marble Floating Shelves house baby items that honor the rooms palettewhich consists of earthy pinks that are feminine but not girly.Photo: Tim HirschmannBabylettos Sunday Power Recliner and Swivel Glider in shearling creates a cozy moment for mother and childas accented with Pierce and Wards Lampshade Pendant and Schoolhouses Cylinder Stone Side Table.Photo: Tim HirschmannThe muse of Karl Lagerfeld and Pier Paolo Piccioli (until recently, Valentinos creative director) was indecisive about where to give birth. She first considered Dubai, UAE, then Adelaide, Australiawhere Akechs family moved when she was a child after fleeing their native Sudan and spending years in a refugee camp in Kenya. In October 2024, Akech and Elkhier finally chose to instead nest in Akechs modern, four-bedroom home in Los Angeles. This meant they had less than two months to finish the baby room before welcoming Imani.Babyletto Sunday Shearling Power Recliner and Swivel GliderSchoolhouse Cylinder Stone Side TableExpeditiously, Akech connected with Babyletto, the Los Angelesbased brand that specializes in furniture for babies and beyond. Babyletto introduced Akech to Studio Keetas Kristina Khersonsky. Collectively, they created a baby room that feels feminine but still fresh. The palette consists of pinksbut earthy pinks. When we started talking about what she was envisioning for her nursery, she didnt necessarily want the tried-and-true baby girl pink nursery. She wanted something more ethereal and feminine. She definitely did want to do something in the pink hue, but not so on the nose, which is why our tones lean a little bit more clay or maybe slightly terra-cotta, Khersonsky shares.From there, Akech and Khersonsky covered the walls in an oversized floral mural wallpaper. We went with this flower theme, but its not an obvious flower in your face. It still has the touches of green and the amazing limewash on the ceiling, which Im so happy we did, says Akech. (The ceiling paint is called Portofino.)