Masterchef’s Emelia Jackson shares her baby’s gorgeous nursery and her top newborn essentials
"Addie is a dreamboat and I am absolutely obsessed with her."
She won the MasterChef: Back To Win crown in 2020 and, one year on, Emelia Jackson and her partner Craig Gersbach welcomed their first child, a baby girl.
After whipping up a stunning nursery for Addie (short for Adelyn), Bounty Parents caught up with the cake queen to talk motherhood and to steal some nursery styling tips.
Emelia was crowned the MasterChef: Back To Win champion in 2020 and placed third in the sixth season of MasterChef back in 2014.
Addie’s nursery is gorgeous! Was it set up before your daughter arrived?
No it wasn’t! We moved house when I was 37 weeks pregnant and I had her two weeks later, so I was in full unpacking mode. She stayed in our room in a bassinet for the first 4 months so I set up her nursery slowly over that time.
What style were you going for with the nursery – did it turn out exactly how you imagined it?
I didn’t really have an image in my head but I had a few things that I had to make work – my partner’s old dresser, which was white and timber and was going to double as our change table. And the wallpaper in her room is very bold, so I had to keep everything else white neutral to tie all of the themes together. I love her nursery now, it’s such a calm place.
Don’t feel presssured to have the nursery completed before bub arrives, Emelia set up Addie’s nursery while she was a newborn.
What’s your advice to other parents setting up a nursery?
Take your time with it! While it’s exciting to get it all organised before you have your baby, they won’t live in their rooms for a couple of months at least so you have time.
What do you love about being a mum?
I won’t lie; I love absolutely everything about being a mum. It’s an incredible hard and relentless job, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever achieved. Addie is a dreamboat and I am absolutely obsessed with her.
What have you found most challenging about parenthood?
The sleep! No one can prepare you for sleep deprivation. But Addie was also a terrible day time sleeper at the start, so that was a massive challenge for me – so many hours spent rocking her to sleep in a dark room! She’s settled in beautifully now – almost nine months old and a sleeping machine.
Emelia’s top picks for the baby’s nursery
1. I loved our bedside bassinet – “A bassinet next to my bed was a lifesaver as it meant not having to get up and go far in the middle of the night to feed her.”
2. Opt for long-lasting products – “They grow so quickly so I try to buy things that she can use for a few years. The playmat from House, for example, will be with her for a long time – we may have even used it for picnics once or twice ourselves!”
3. Simple is best – “Babies are really easily overstimulated, so I like to keep the room quite neutral filled with natural fibres and things that won’t overwhelm her senses. Add a jungle gym from Motherworld and a rocking horse from Kidstuff for a little flair.”
A play mat is great for tummy time and a jungle gym will keep bub entertained.
4. Never visit a new mum without bringing a meal – “My number one top tip – frozen lasagne, soup or just a loaf of bread is so appreciated in those delicate first few weeks.”
5. Make sure bub is comfy tummy time – “I layered a linen play mat with a plush sheepskin one from Ugg Express. It’s important to me that she’s comfortable, especially during tummy time, which she naturally hates.”
6. Don’t gift newborn-sized clothes to a new mum – “She’ll already have loads and babies grow so fast. Always go for a bigger size and think of the season that will match the baby’s age when buying.”
To shop Emelia’s nursery essentials, jump on Westfield Direct for Click and Collect or home delivery.
