These family-oriented clients want every member of their household to feel fabulous at home, including their two young daughter and son, of course! My goal was to inject each child’s bedroom with personality, character and color, and to make them timeless.The result is modern yet cozy bedrdooms that are a perfect fit for the kiddos from preschool through college. Just update the accents!
Avoid Sibling Rivalry
I thought it was so cute that the young son wanted everything that his older sister had in her bedroom, but I didn’t want the rooms to look exactly alike. Instead, I chose the same furnishings, but in finishes and colors that are so different that each space is unique. No jealousy, just good design!
Plan for the Future
Pillows – like those above – are a great way to add pattern, mixed shapes and textures to any bedroom. As a bonus, it is easy to update the space just by changing out the pillows.
Warm Up Modern Design
My clients’ vision of a sleekly modern home in black and white inspired my design process for this 10,000-square-foot home on a 2.3-acre lot in Naperville, IL. We began the process at the blueprints stage and set goals: to create something memorable, unique, and above all, comfortable and inviting. From my clients’ inspirational photos, I quickly imagined a lively fusion of Miami’s cool-sophisticated vibe and especially, Midwestern warmth.
To make the children’s modernesque bedrooms feel warm and personal, I selected a blue and white palette for the son and a mauve and white palette for the daughter. (Her room photos are below.) Mixed textures and beautiful fabrics amp up the coziness.
Personalize the Study Space
Offering your child a quiet place to study encourages good study habits and improves focus. The open shelving provides limitless options for personalizing and updating this young fellow’s accessories as he progresses from action figures to school trophies, model cars or airplanes and framed photos of friends.
Making it Way Cool
This young man’s parents wanted geometric patterns throughout their home, including their son’s bedroom. The sharp angles and crisp contrast of blue and white energize this space, and are so cool! The curvy lounge chair is super comfortable for reading and imaginative play. Could it be a launching pad? A roller coaster? A race track?
Geometry Meets Interior Design
Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and build some excitement! The glass mosaic wall tiles from Artistic Tile work well with the linear floor tiles because the colors are similar but the scale of each pattern is different – smaller on the walls, larger on the floors. Notice how the smaller tiles on the wall transform into a variety of patterns the more you look at them.
Three Patterns, One Space – So Beautiful!
If two tile patterns are good, are three even better? I think so! The shower floor tile draws on the shades of blue from the accent wall and floor, but in a completely new pattern.
Smart Storage Solutions
Smart storage solutions like shower niches keep our beautiful homes looking neat and organized. No shower products on the floor or awkward shower caddies necessary. Nothing to distract from the lovely design. Throughout my clients’ homes I am always looking for ways to increase the amount and convenience of storage. Sometimes people are amazed at how much additional storage I build in!
Winning a Young Girl’s Heart
How to win a young girl’s heart? Surround her with her favorte color in a yummy variety of shades. This young lady will love her vibrant hide-away for alone time or sleep-overs with friends. As she gets older she will appreciate the off-beat shape of the Kravet side table, the lush headboard and custom pillows more and more. For bonus points, the paper is sourced from sustainable forest resources and printed using non-toxic inks. Style and eco-friendly materials are a win-win.
Creating a Statement Wall
Drawing the eye to one focal point is a great way to make a splash without getting dizzy from too much pattern. This luscious wall covering makes me feel l like I’m floating and weightless, happy and tranquil. The mauve and wine tones inspired the colors of the headboard, bedding and wall paint, giving the space a pulled-together finish.
Painted Ceilings Are Within Reach
Sure, basic white ceilings will always be in style. But sometimes I like to mix things up by painting a ceiling in a coordinating color. Designers often refer to ceilings as the “fifth wall,” which deserve as much attention as the other four. After all, it is equal in size to their total floor space. In this case, I chose a deeper purple for the bedroom ceiling, which wraps the young occupant in warmth and coziness and might inspire dreams of grape jelly and lollipops.
Updating in a Snap
As in her brother’s room, I planned for the future when the sweet young toys of grade school will make way for accessories and memorabila of the pre-teen and teen years. The white desk and chair and subtle mauve wall make a great backdrop for treasures of all colors.
Bring the Bling
These sparkly drawer pulls bring a touch of bling to this grade schooler’s bedroom, plus they are just plain fun! I have been designing children’s bedrooms for years, ever since I was first starting out in the business and had my own children’s bedroom furniture boutique. I learned that when desigining a child’s bedroom it is best to involve the kids – if they’re old enough! What are his or her’s favorite colors? Besides sleeping, what do they like to do in their bedrooms? Read? Draw? Play games? The kids always feel a sense of ownership when they have participated in the process, though moms and dads always get final approval!
Chaise Lounging
Kids love these laid-back lounge chairs as much as adults, and why not? They are a great spot for imaginative play, curling up with a book or laptop or just chilling. They can even be an extra “bed” for a sleepover guest. Plus, a chaise lounge can help define another “zone” in the room, separate from sleeping or studying at the desk.
Just Plum Beautiful
Like stuffed animals, but more sophisticated, throw pillows give kids something small and soft to cuddle up or to lounge on. To keep them interesting, I chose a mix of shapes, colors, patterns and trims. Notice the ball-shaped white pillow? Kids love that one! I gave her brother one in blue. Notice how the trim on the plum-colored pillow echoes the ball shape in miniature.
Why We Love Ombre
Why do people love ombre? I think it’s because the soft gradations in color mimic the natural ombre shadings of the world around us. Think about the sky at sunrise or sunset, a rainbow, or the variations of blue in a lake as it progresses from shallow to deep water. How about the infinite shades of green in nature? Ombre is an organic, familiar pattern that feels natural and comforting. It happens to be very attractive in home décor, too! The ombre wall in this girl’s bathroom is the focal point against the white vanity, trim and grey and white floor tiles.
Contact Me!
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