Mention the centuries-old English proverb about children being seen and not heard, and child development experts everywhere are likely to raise their eyebrows or gasp. After all, modern childrearing theories purport that children should be encouraged to express their ideas and emotions while parents celebrate the evidence of their budding personalities. But what if your modern baby will be growing up in a home that is centuries old? Might a roomful of whimsical, imaginative baby gear interfere with traditional home décor or the quaint stylings of a historical structure?

Actually, a mix of the new and the old is a happy marriage, designers say, and may even be one of the easiest things you’ll face as a parent.

The first step? Forget the gendered, primary-color-laden, themed rooms you’ve seen in home décor catalogs and Sunday circulars. Your newborn will look right at home in a sophisticated space that integrates seamlessly with the rest of the house. “The idea is to make it more of a long-term space for the child,” says Sharon McCormick, an East Coast designer and a spokesperson for the American Society of Interior Designers. “In the past you saw whole rooms done in Mickey Mouse or Dora the Explorer — we’re not doing that anymore.”

McCormick, who lives in a 277-year-old, center-chimney-style colonial, has experience merging modern sensibilities with historic architecture. She recommends a pared-down palette of one color, such as green, purple, yellow or orange, accented with white or off-white. It’s a combination, she says, that keeps things sophisticated and can be expanded or changed as the child grows and discovers his own taste.

Jessica Troiano, owner of a baby lifestyle boutique called Piccolini, also believes that simple, neutral colors are a much better choice for the long term. “I always suggest that parents not get too carried away with themes and keep it simple,” she advises. “A great way to implement a theme, if one is desired, is through peel and stick removable appliqués available from Wallcandy Arts and Blik.”

For color schemes, Troiana recommends painting a neutral color on all walls and “adding punch” with an accent wall. It’s a strategy, she notes, that makes for easier transitions, say, if baby number two is a different gender or when it’t time to change the decor to accommodate an older child’s tastes.” When it comes to fabric, McCormick suggests patterned styles like checks, florals or stripes in subdued colors, but says another good option is an old-fashioned graphic print, such as toile de Jouy, in a vibrant, vamped-up color like purple.

Howard Katzoff has watched top nursery trends for more than 25 years as the president of USA Baby in Cherry Hill,N.J., and says kids these days are as sophisticated as mom and dad — or at least their rooms are. “The cutesy theme is not in vogue,” he says. “The trend is moving toward geometrics, the modern, the more contemporary designs.”

There is a fine line between novel and novelty, and the objective is to stay on the side that breeds refinement. Nurseries can still convey newness and childhood whimsy but without garish colors or cartoon characters. Katzoff believes that many consumers are steering away from bold, busy bedding and using classic, plain linens because they pair well with any wall color or theme. One popular trend entails the use of wood elements to reflect the style of furniture throughout the home to create a nursery as an extension of the rest of the home’s décor.

Designers caution that window fabrics should be chosen more for function than form. “Sheer fabrics look nice, but they don’t have much function in a baby’s room,” McCormick explains. “It’s best to select window treatments that can obscure a blackout lining so the child can sleep longer.”

Antique furnishings take the look a step further, but it’s wise to consider the long-term use of each piece. Colorful, antique light fixtures and chandeliers add visual interest — for you and for baby — but valuable armoires and dressers might be too delicate to remain with the child as he matures. If antique furniture is used, McCormick recommends a distressed finish to hide the inevitable signs of use. If your antiques are too valuable or too few, purchasing vintage-inspired furniture is always an option.

Fortunately, modern parents devising traditional nurseries have a greater number of options than parents had centuries ago.