kids` rooms - Kerryn Ramsey

DECORATING FOR KIDS
71
the
of
kids’ rooms
A child’s bedroom that combines colour and fun without
compromising your home’s style? It’s as easy as ABC
photography penny wincer/homes & gardens/ipc+syndication
Words KERrYN RAMSEY
homebeautiful.com.au {novemBER 2009}
71
Aa
is for art. Foster your child's
imagination through art to nurture their
personality. “A child gets enjoyment seeing
their own drawings on the wall because
it reveals their own temperament,” says
children’s furniture designer Keryn Hughes
of In Your Room. Even the most naive artwork
can look stylish if it’s professionally framed,
while hanging three works – with similar
tones or themes – will bring a sense
of cohesion to the display.
Bb
Is for boys. “Before designing
his bedroom, talk to your boy,” says
renowned architect Scott Weston; your
son’s current passions and colours can
serve as inspiration. “Many fads are transient
but if the bones, including good joinery,
are designed well, the bedroom will last
as your son grows,” says Scott. He suggests
incorporating nooks and shelves to store
and display books, trophies and treasures,
which will also serve to add a sense of pride.
“clear boxes of all sizes Are a godsend, particularly
for lego and toys with lots of pieces. kids can see what’s
inside at a glance, instead of emptying everything out”
~ hb art + food director imogene abady – mum of will, six
‘Nöje’ wall
pockets,
$14.99/set
of 3, Ikea.
photography (this page, top left) lisa cohen, (top right) derek swalwell, (Bottom left) john paul urizar, (opposite page) simone stubb
Easi Store plastic boxes
with wheels, $10.95/15L,
$18.95/35L, Howards
Storage World.
This clever cupboard {top left}
features adjustable shelving
and removable hanging rods,
which can be reconfigured
to suit your child's needs.
A climbing wall for kids {top
right} lends a sense of fun
and adventure to this room,
and leads to extra high-level
storage – an innovative use
of dead space. A wall of
cabinets {left} hides clutter,
while a recessed shelf and
desk form a practical and
versatile study space.
Cc
Is for cupboards. An energetic
child’s paraphernalia can cause clutter in
any room. According to interior designer
Dana Tosolini of Concepts Interior Design,
cupboards and wardrobes need to be
fine-tuned, with height-adjustable shelves
and hanging rods. “By hanging double rods,
clothes can be separated to suit the season,
and more clothes will fit inside,” she explains.
Dd
is for desk. “You need to
future-proof a bedroom,” says Scott Weston,
referring to the seamless transformation of
a child’s study into a well-equipped computer
station. “Installing a cable access tray under a
table and a circular hole in the desktop may
seem odd when you have a four-year-old,
but you’ll appreciate it when your child turns
10,” he says. Task lighting and wall-mounted
shelves provide functionality, while a pinboard
is ideal for invitations and certificates.
Ee
is for eBay. Save money,
time and the environment by purchasing
pre-loved items. Whether you’re searching
for clothes, books, sports gear, games
or musical instruments, check out online
markets such as eBay (www.ebay.com.au)
and Kidspot Market (www.kidspot.com.au/
market/market.asp), as well as fossicking
at garage sales and factory outlets.
Ff
is for fun. “Bright, vibrant colours
in a child’s bedroom are definitely conducive
to imagination and provide a sense of fun,”
says Vange Langford of Ikea. Team stimulating
hues with neutral tones, but don't go over
the top on colour – too much will prevent
your child’s room from being a nurturing
and comforting space. Use playful pictures
on shelving and storage boxes to help your
child identify where things are stored so
they don’t lose their favourite items. >
DwellStudio 'Gio'
storage bin in
Aqua (above), $135,
The Infant Boutique.
Storage box/seat
in Red with White
Star, $99.95, Happy
Little Hippos.
Genius
desk, $149,
Domayne.
Child's
desk, toy
box and
stool set
in Red, $580,
Lilly & Lolly.
L’il DaVinci
'Store and
Display'
art cabinet,
$29.95 (US$24.95),
Vat19.com.
Stockists,
page 220
homebeautiful.com.au {novembER 2009}
73
Celebrate your child's
individuality by putting their
interests and personality on
display. A quirky mirror {top
left} offsets the chequered
chair. Wicker baskets {top
right} hold knick-knacks in
this storage unit while on
top, a whimsical vignette
of fairies and figurines is
on show. Custom-designed
joinery {left} allows the
artful display of a child's
favourite toys while instilling
in them a sense of pride.
Love, Monster and Sunshine
height charts, $28 each, Kideko.
Gg
Daily Notes book, $19.95,
Felt A5 journal, $29.95, both Kikki.K.
Red star drawer knob, $12.95,
My First Room. Red & white spot drawer
handle, $16.95, Little People's Linen.
Stockists, page 220
74 {novemBER 2009} homebeautiful.com.au
is for girls. “Girls develop
their sense of identity and confidence
through role play as well as seeing
themselves in a mirror,” says Vange
Langford of Ikea. A wall-mounted mirror is
a space-saving solution while a stand-alone
mirror unit, such as Ikea’s Minnen, can be
placed on a study or dresser. A set of
drawers is essential for storing any girl's
treasures; Scott Weston suggests felt-lined
drawers for jewellery and accessories, and
– for the teens – another drawer in laminate
with separate compartments for makeup.
Hh
is for height chart.
A height chart on a bedroom wall shows
children how tall they’ve grown – a reason
for any child to puff out their chest! For
parents, it's a nostalgic way to record their
child's growth. Try Kideko's colourful height
chart (left) or the Jungle Land height chart
from Cocoon Couture, which comes with
wooden pegs so your kids can track their
heights without scribbling on the wall.
Ii
is for individuality. Let your
children have some input into how their
bedroom is decorated. “Ask your child
what colour they like; this could become
a paint colour, an accent or a furniture
piece,” says Keryn Hughes of In Your
Room. Find out what kind of room your
child imagines, show them pictures in
magazines and discuss other friends’
rooms. A little firm guidance won’t go
astray, since it’s hard for a child to realise
that what they want won't necessarily
translate to an appropriate kids' zone.
photography (this page, top left) michael wee, (top right) craig wall, (Bottom left) nicky ryan, (opposite page) paul costello/living etc/IPC+syndication
Cloud mirror,
$75/50cm, Lightly.
Jj
is for journals. For tweens and
teens, there’s nothing more cathartic than
writing in their own journal. It encourages
self-expression and can improve writing skills.
With bold graphics and quality stock, journals
are available from Corban & Blair and Kikki.K,
while handmade stationery for kids to pen
their thoughts upon is available online
from Poppies For Grace and Etsy.
Kk
is for KNOBS. For a quick and
easy update, look to drawer knobs. Knobs are
a simple yet effective way to go from young
to grown-up; try nautical-inspired for kids and
toddlers and crystal knobs for young ladies.
Knobs are also a great way to update vintage
furniture. Prices start at $8 for a drawer knob
– check out the range at Little People's Linen.
Ll
“ask your child
what colour they like;
this could become a paint
colour, an accent or a
furniture piece" ~ keryn
hughes, in your room
is for library. Books stimulate
creativity, so it’s important to have shelving
in the bedroom. Siroccohome’s Wave shelf
can store a bevy of books and knick-knacks.
To save space, use a wall-mounted shelf,
such as the Spin wall shelf from Freedom,
which can be placed above the bed, keeping
favourite tomes close at hand. Bookends
or an index are essential – try the sweet
Plus D animal index from Top3 By Design. >
Mm
Is for music. An MP3
player is a dream for both music-loving kids
and storage-sensitive parents. Apple's tiny
iPod Nano has room for up to 4000 songs
and can be complemented by a range of
small but powerful speakers that sit on
a bedside table or desk. For younger ones,
explore literary pursuits with a varied
selection of well-loved fables online.
Lit2Go allows you to download free
children’s stories and poems onto an MP3
player with works by authors such as Lewis
Carroll, Beatrix Potter and Robert Louis
Stevenson. Visit http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go.
Nn
Is for night lights.
A child’s room ideally needs three types
of lighting – ambient light, which fills the
whole room; task lighting to brighten
a particular area; and accent lighting for
a novelty touch. “It’s lovely having a soft
night lamp as it makes a room feel cosy
and safe at night,” says Melissa Chen,
co-owner and designer of Mill & Mia.
She suggests using the same fabric as
the bedlinen for cushions or lampshades
to create decorative accents.
76 {novemBER 2009} homebeautiful.com.au
Scary Monster
lights, $49.95
each, Cradle
Rock.
photography (opposite page & this page, top right) maree homer, (top left) georgie cole, (Bottom left) mark scott/ideal home/ipc+syndication
Ikaboo 'Bunny'
night light,
$45, Infancy.
Like-a-bike mountain
bike in Red, $369,
Kido Store.
A child's bedroom should
be a sanctuary in which
they can relax and have
fun. Get creative and paint
a tree {top left} to hang
their artworks upon, or
be innovative and install a
padded tunnel {top right}.
Designed by Dana Tosolini,
this tunnel is a child-only
thoroughfare. You can also
indulge your crafty side by
making decorative bunting
{left}; match the fabric to
the room's colour scheme
for a cohesive look.
Oo
Is for outdoor gear.
As children grow, their toys and sporting gear
expand as well. While a garage is a necessity
for bikes and skateboards, hooks and coat
racks will keep gear packed away indoors. The
latest outdoor gear won’t look out of place in
open-plan areas; the Like-A-Bike from Kido
Store will even help your little speed racer
develop motor skills and balance.
Pp
is for playtimE. A rumpus
room or teenage retreat appeals to any child
but if there’s not enough space or your
children share a room, consider a ‘secret
corner’. Designed by Dana Tosolini, this
custom-made wardrobe (pictured, top
right) includes an upholstered tunnel
between the family room and her children's
bedroom to encourage them to explore.
“There was never enough room to keep toys
packed away, so I bought coloured boxes
from a $2 store to keep everything sorted,”
she says. “It actually encourages the kids
to sort and arrange all their collections.”
Qq
is for quiet time. Clinical
psychologist Amanda Symboluk says
it’s important that a child’s room isn’t too
bright and busy. “Soothing colours, minimal
activity and a cooler temperature in a room
will help your child relax,” she explains.
At night, children have to overcome anxiety
about the dark. “Hang up pictures that
include a story," says Amanda. "If children
wake during the night, they can look at the
pictures and recall the story – it works
as a self-soothing technique.” >
Bermuda 'Beach Sounds' speaker
box with radio in Red & Cream,
$49.95, Sunnylife.
Beanbag in Pink with White Star, $99.95,
Happy Little Hippos. Stockists, page 220
Rr
Is for rugs and Carpets.
Durable flooring is essential in a child’s
bedroom. “When children are little,
you’re often on the floor with them so
you want to be comfortable,” says Melissa
Chen of Mill & Mia. “I like wool carpet or a
big area rug because it makes the bedroom
cosy.” Look for hard-wearing loop piles in
wool, nylon and wool-nylon mixes. An ideal
choice, Redbook Carpets have developed
stain-resistant carpets that combat the
effects of sticky fingers and dirty shoes.
Ss
Is for sleepovers. When kids
forge friendships, they love having fun
sleepovers and slumber parties. If your
child’s bedroom is too small for an extra
bed, a trundle is a great space-saving
solution, as is an inflatable bed – consider
the Aerobed range. Layering is key when
78 {novemBER 2009} homebeautiful.com.au
selecting bedlinen or mixing and matching
pillowcases, sheets and throws – try Mill &
Mia's 'Kaleidoscope' or Interfab's Ardor Kids
bedlinen ranges. To evoke a camping feel,
a sleeping bag, a torch and even a mini tent
or teepee can create an indoor adventure.
Tt
Is for tidy. A combination of
open shelving, cupboards and a wardrobe
system (pictured, above right) will prevent
clutter and give your child easy access to
favourite toys and books. According to
Melissa, if there are so many toys that they
can’t be packed away, it’s time to cull. She
suggests using storage drawers under the
bed to minimise the mess. Ikea’s Trofast
range offers various storage solutions, with
shallow boxes ideal for toy cars and Lego
pieces, and deep boxes which are best for
bulkier items like soft toys and robots. >
Alaska single bed with trundle,
from $849, Forty Winks.
DwellStudio 'Gio' large
floor rug in Aqua, $990,
The Infant Boutique.
Stockists, page 220
photography (top left) lisa cohen, (top right) john downs, (Bottom right) derek swalwell
A rug instantly makes a space more
inviting for a child and a trundle
bed {right} is so convenient for
last-minute sleepovers.
Consider all the design possibilities for a child's space. Classic design, like this bentwood chair,
will always be in vogue, while a collection of art and decorative details featuring similar accent
colours expresses personality. Using this colour principle, an awkward corner {opposite, top left}
has been transformed with a lively mural, while this space-saving solution {opposite, top right}
transforms the living space into a TV room as well as a home office.
Leander bed in Whitewash,
$1759, Kido Store.
Uu
photography (this page, top left) kate gadsby, (top right) ray main, (opposite page) jason busch
is for unity. A kid’s bedroom
contains many disparate elements, but there
are design tricks that can bring harmony to
any space. “I don’t believe in bombarding
children with colour,” explains interior
designer Dana Tosolini. Keep the main colour
palette neutral, then add accent hues using
cushions, bedlinen or a bedhead. “It’s easy
to change in a couple of years when your
child grows out of it,” she adds. Pick a theme
such as 'nautical' or 'nature' and select key
pieces to add a playful tone.
Vv
Is for versatility. Children’s
furniture can be a big financial outlay but
adaptation can save you money. Extendable
beds, a table that doubles as computer
station and wardrobes with adjustable
shelving mean that no space – and cost – is
wasted. Keep an eye out for Leander (top
right) and Stokke at Kido Store, with designs
that adapt to a child's growth. With the
conversion kit, Oeuf's Sparrow cot can be
converted from a cot into a toddler's bed,
while Stokke's Care table doubles as a chic
change table and shelving unit.
Ww
is for wallpaper
and wall decals. Wallpaper is a must
for a child’s bedroom, adding playful patterns
and graphics. Porter’s Paints ‘Little Porter’s’
range includes the mystical Stars wallpaper;
as an alternative, architect Scott Weston is
enamoured with De Gournay’s cheeky ‘Deco
Monkeys’ wallpaper and Dana Tosolini loves
Chivasso’s Next collection 'Victory Flags'
wallpaper, available from Unique Fabrics.
For an inexpensive and removable option,
try Little Chipipi’s ‘Moveables’ wall sticker
sets, or check out Interior In Style’s range.
Xx
is for Xbox. When a child
receives their first game console, whether
it’s an Xbox, PlayStation or Wii, it’s important
to choose games with a balance of difficulty
and fun factor. A power surge protector is
essential, as well as HDMI cables, which
provide high-quality graphics and surround
sound – check out the Monster Cables range
at Harvey Norman. To hide cables, consider
taping them together to make one thick
cable or buying an entertainment unit with a
faux back. For a creative solution, try Woofy
(bottom right), a dog ornament that hides
cables in its belly, from De De Ce Plus.
Moveables 'Butterfly Patch' wall
stickers, $84.95/set of 42, Little Chipipi.
Yy
is for young at heart.
While a sense of order and the judicious use
of colour are important in a child’s bedroom,
it’s also necessary to let kids stamp their own
personality. After years of helping her kids
create ‘masterpieces’ from modelling wax and
crayons, Keryn Hughes of In Your Room found
that her children’s arty bedrooms had
become, to them, havens. “I think all children
are creative and it’s worth encouraging them
at home,” says the designer. “You might be
concerned about the aesthetics of a bedroom
but at the end of the day, they are kids!”
Eeboo 'Alphabet Cards' wall art,
$59.95, Infancy.
Zz
is for zoning. Think about
the different activities in your child's life
and build a sleep zone, a homework zone
and a play zone into the room. “I recently
renovated a boy’s bedroom,” says Scott
Weston. “It wasn’t a big space – 2.7 metres by
4.5 metres – but I managed to fit a king single
bed with a trundle as well as drawers at one
end which double as a bedhead, a wardrobe,
a toy cupboard, built-in bench with storage,
and a desk with a bookcase and pinboard.”
Woofy cable concealer in White,
$249.50, De De Ce Plus.
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