For Nadine Ferber, co-owner of zen-chic nail salon tenoverten, impeccable design sense is in her DNA. At just 26 she opened the beloved boutique Mick Margo, which quickly became a go-to shopping destination for discerning women looking to discover new designers while also stocking up on hard-to-find favorites. Now, she's doing the same thing for manis and pedis as she did for boutique shopping: she and partner Adair Llyinsky have turned something ordinary into a memorable experience. The second you walk into either one of their Manhattan salons—filled with custom furniture and rustic antique touches—a feeling of calm instantly washes over you. The same can be said for the TriBeCa loft she shares with her toddler daughter and restaurateur husband, Matt Abramcyk (former owner of the infamous Beatrice Inn and current owner of Tiny’s and Super Linda). With a new baby on the way, an impending move to a larger apartment, and a third outpost of tenoverten in the works, life is busier than ever. Despite her hectic schedule, Nadine admits that motherhood has given her the ultimate clarity: “As a mom I've learned to become more selfless and yet feel more true to myself than ever.”

Zoe Lee, seventeen months, January 2013

1. "The crease on Zoe Lee's wrists

2. My bathtub

3. Chamomile Tea

4. Watching my husband make my daughter have a fit of belly laughs

5. Eating with the family at my husband's restaurant Tiny's and the Bar Upstairs

6. Dance Parties at home

7. Trips to the Green Market

8. Annual Ferber Cayman Islands Trip

9. My custom Solange Azagury-Partridge ring that says Zoe Lee

10. My business"

BDDW dining table, Astier de Villatte pitcher

"No one tells you how difficult being a first time mom can really be. Perhaps it is taboo to say, but it can be very isolating at times until you get comfortable with the new role you play in your child's life."

On Zoe Lee: Caramel Baby & Child dress and leggings

Eames chair and ottoman

"This is a custom Zoe Lee 'Love Me' painting by our dear friend, artist Curtis Kulig [his iconic Love Me campaign can be found all over New York City]."

"I didn't realize how important date nights with my husband would be until I had my daughter. Now I have a standing babysitter on Saturday nights so that we can have alone time."

An old elevator door leads to Nadine's walk-in closet

"In terms of sleep training, I became a drill sergeant and followed the sleep advice of Dr. Gina Ford from her book, Contented Baby. I put my daughter in her crib from week two, in pitch black, and she has been an incredible sleeper ever since (knock on wood). I had friends who recommended I read the book and I gravitated toward it since it gave the day some structure when Zoe Lee was a newborn. Yes, I would wake up my sleeping baby!"

Oeuf Sparrow crib, custom curtains made with fabric from Joe's Fabrics, vintage wallpaper and sconces

"Two weeks before Zoe Lee was born, we decided to go out of town and have a contractor come and install the wallpaper in her room while we were away. When we got back, I noticed that they didn't trim the paper, they just layed it side by side. I was so upset and thought it was ruined. I even went out and bought new rolls of paper and was planning to redo it—I wanted it to be perfect. But then I realized it was a life lesson—you can't control everything and it's never going to be perfect—so we just left it on purpose. It's a good reminder not to sweat the small stuff."

"I keep some pretty rigid rules for Zoe Lee only because I believe very strongly that she is happier with more structure."

Astier de Villatte bowl

"I desperately want my daughter to have familiar faces in her daily life, consisting of our family and friends, but there never seems to be enough time to fit it all in."

On Nadine: Current/Elliot top, Acne jeans

Restoration Hardware couch and ottoman, rug brought back from a trip to Morocco

"As a mom, I've learned to become more selfless and yet feel more true to myself than ever. Kids feel when you are 100% in the moment with them and that feeling is like nothing else I have ever experienced in my life."

Margiela dress

"I got pregnant for the second time when Zoe Lee was only 10 months old so I didn't have much time to get back into proper shape. But between running after her and nursing, I managed to shed the baby weight eventually. I'm sure it will be harder the second time around but I intend to try Barry's Bootcamp after the baby arrives. My friend Matt promised to drag me there even if I am kicking and screaming."

collection of vintage bracelets found at various flea markets

"I love walking with Zoe Lee on the cobblestone streets in our historic neighborhood. I feel such a strong sense of community in such an enormous city."

Makie coat and gloves

"She likes to draw on the walls with crayons—not my favorite past time to say the least, but they are washable so no harm done in the end."

"My sister brought back this doll from the South of France."

"Watching how happy my daughter can make her grandparents makes me so proud. It rejuvenates them in the most wonderful way possible."

Zoe Lee sitting on her changing table, which is cleverly built in to her bedroom closet."

"I've learned to get rid of the guilt when I'm not with Zoe Lee as it only makes me less focused at work. I really try to separate the two so that when I am with my daughter I am focused on her 100% and leave work behind. Of course the second I put her down at 7:00 p.m. each night I run to answer emails on my computer, but I try not to ever be on the computer or iPhone in front of her."

"My go-to pregnancy uniform: Anything from Rick Owens Lilies collection and Jimmy Choo flat motorcycle boots."

Nadine wearing a color called Carmine  from her tenoverten collection.

Astier de Villatte mug

"With the second baby, I'm going to try not to be as stressed about the little things."

"I have become a complete natural freak as I'm more aware than ever of the effects of chemicals on my daughter and my growing belly. This has made me really tone down my beauty regiment, making it easier and faster to get ready each day. I use Rahua hair products which are amazing and with no chemicals (so safe to use through pregnancy and nursing). Since I don't have time to take showers in the morning I take one at night, washing my hair and then applying Rahua Finishing Treatment to the ends. Then I put my hair up so it has body when I wake up in the morning and I don't have to expose my hair to the heat from a hairdryer daily either. I also love Soapwalla deodorant, which is the most incredible all natural deodorant, Kahina 100% Organic Argan Oil, and all Tata Harper Skincare. And for makeup I keep it super simple with Josie Maran Argan Color Stick, Shiseido Eyelash Curler and RMS Lip Shine."

"My collection of art, given to me as gifts from my husband throughout the 15 years we've known each other, is one of the most meaningful things in my life."

Todd Hido photogrpah

"Since becoming a mom, my style has definitely become more about comfort. No fuss!"

"The biggest lesson I've learned so far is that it's okay to ask for help and I don't have to do everything for my daughter on my own."

Nadine's recipe for Shepard's pie