Great designs for kids rooms
December 1, 2008
With the new year approaching, thoughts will be turning to redecorating . This week were focusing on kids bedrooms and spoke to Mandy, a designer from London to get some inside tips.
Tell us a bit about a recent project you've worked on?
We have recently completed a fantastic playroom for three girls (twins aged 3 and a 5 year old). They wanted a 'fairy' inspired theme and lots of pink. The family had just moved into the new build house and everywhere was a sea of magnolia. Their mother wanted to turn the room into a fabulous space, so we were commissioned to do the interior design and the wallcoverings.
Rather than go down the traditional 'fairy' mural route, we came up with 'manga' style fairies dressed in Abba inspired clothing and then encrusted the mural, spanning 30 metres across two walls, with diamanté gems. The theme was "Fairy-Tale Ball" and we had the fairies flying off to a fabulous castle in the clouds and being transported in carriages studded with gems drawn by unicorns. We turned the room into a 'loft style' apartment and zoned the room into a TV area with fabulous Designers Guild sofa, a kitchen with wooden units, a stage with LED colour changing lights and a desk and seating area.
What are the most important things to consider when decorating a kids bedroom?
Creating an environment that is exciting, stimulating and fun that will last for a number of years. We always design our murals to have a life span of at least five years and include a mixture of design elements, both current to the child's age and with the future in mind. Give them space to move around the room by including good storage. It is also helpful to consider your child's 'eye level' - the world looks different from their perspective, so have their exciting things to hand and more importantly, things you don't want them to touch out of harms way.
What are your favorite current trends?
A strong, contemporary look with a retro twist. For example, clean lines for the bed and furniture in white lacquer or oak, the wonderful Componibili Module bedside units by Anna Castelli Ferrieri and a fabulous wallcovering design on a focal wall. Colour is very important for children and taking colours from the wallpaper for bedding and soft furnishings will complete the look.
What is your current favorite product for kids bedrooms on the market?
Without exception, the Verner Panton children's chair. A design classic for a reason - exquisitely designed, robust and functional and with a wonderful array of colours.
Have you got any advice for parents thinking of doing a "DIY job"?
Children deserve good, inspiring, thought provoking modern design. We should strive to spark their imagination and creativity and give them rooms to remember. Try to avoid 'licensed' cliché's - we get asked to design murals based on 'licensed' characters all the time but we steer clear of it. They date, and children very quickly move on to the next 'latest' thing. Instead, design something with your child - let your imaginations run riot and mix unexpected things together. That's what we do all the time... and it's great fun!
Click on Launch gallery above to view some great designs !
To see more of mandys work log on to http://funkylittledarlings.co.uk
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