Amber Matthews
Amber Matthews is the CEO of Modern Nursery, a specialty retailer of non-toxic furniture, gear, and décor for nurseries and kids' rooms. She purchased the company in 2019 and has since led its transformation into one of the most transparency-focused retailers in the juvenile products category — making Modern Nursery the first retailer in the industry to let families shop by certifications including GREENGUARD Gold, GOTS Certified Organic, OEKO-TEX, PFAS-Free, No Added Formaldehyde, Fire Retardant Free, and more.
Amber's approach to product curation is investigative. She personally vets every brand carried on the site, researching material sourcing, finishes, and manufacturing practices — and has walked away from profitable vendor relationships when a product line didn't meet her standards for chemical safety. That same rigor led to her 2026 published investigation into hidden fire retardants in leading car seat brands, which documented exposures most parents don't realize they're bringing home.
Her expertise in non-toxic living is self-taught and deeply sourced. It grew out of a commitment she shares with her husband Brian to raise their three children in a home free of added flame retardants, harsh chemical finishes, avoidable EMFs, and processed food — a philosophy the family extends into unschooling/homeschooling, screen-free living, and a Waldorf/Montessori-aligned approach to child-rearing that emphasizes prepared environments, self-directed exploration, real tools over plastic toys, whole foods, and unstructured outdoor play.
Before taking over Modern Nursery, Amber spent nearly two decades in interior design and real estate. She began working at 17, selling home décor door-to-door, and chose to skip college in favor of building a career on direct experience. By age 30 she had assembled a portfolio of rental properties recognized for their distinctive design — bringing a modern aesthetic into traditional homes, a sensibility she now applies to the brands she curates for families building their own spaces.
Areas of Expertise
- Non-toxic and chemical-safe juvenile products
- Nursery and kids' room design
- Montessori-aligned home environments
- Chemical transparency in the baby products industry
- Independent specialty retail
Amber Matthews
Areas of Expertise
- Non-toxic and chemical-safe juvenile products
- Nursery and kids' room design
- Montessori-aligned home environments
- Chemical transparency in the baby products industry
- Independent specialty retail
