I. MAKE A SPACE THAT WILL GROW WITH THE CHILD.
Now....
as a Nursery.... (5 years ago)
- On things that cost the most amount of money, stay as true as you can to simple and sophisticated; beds, art, upholstery. Things like picture books, stuffed animals, dolls, trendy or colorful pillows, or throws can all be removed as the child grows and what is left are good quality basics.
- Art doesn't have to be all blue elephants and pink bunnies. Sometimes using something a little sophisticated can last forever. I have "Vogue" prints in my daughter's rooms that were my grandmother's. I loved them as a child. They were in her guest room, where I would sleep when visiting. You can find old magazine covers from Vogue, Vanity Fair, Golf Digest, and other cartoons on condenaststore.com. Other great ideas are Maps, posters or prints that you can frame online and can be found on places like http://www.art.com/)
- A place to sleep.
- A place to draw and be creative
(Baskets or burlap bags as pictured make great places to store and hide toys. It's a quick clean - up solution! Bookshelves are also a great way to stay organized. I like to store books and toys, or even display children's own art. )
- A place to play...
(my kids love these floor cushions, they build tea - parties on them, sit on them when we read books at night, or build forts out of them... )
- A place for lots of storage!
(I use dust skirts to hide bins filled with old clothes or toys)
III. BE CREATIVE AND PERSONALIZE. Reinvent, reuse, Up-cycle.
- Don't buy everything from one place. Mixing old or vintage with new can give a place personality. Shop Vintage stores, flea markets, and antique malls for the fun and unusual!
- Repurpose older items or hand- me downs by adding a new coat of paint, maybe some new hardware, new fabric etc. It's a way to use something that has some sentimental value in a new way. (The rocking chair in my daughter's room was in my husband's room as a child.. The chest of drawers next to the bed was once her Changing table. I purchased it in a thrift store, repainted it and added new hardware from Anthropologie).
- Let them display their handiwork. Frame their Art, display it on a bookshelf, or pin it to a bulletin board. (I like display them on small easels) Having their own art in their room as they grow up will always remind them of their childhood.
- Bulletin boards are a great way to display art, invitations, awards, and photos. Make it personal by covering it in fabric, trimming it in ribbon, and adding their name. All you need is a bulletin board, (mine is from www.potterybarn.com, )a glue gun, staple gun, remnant fabric and trims, and then some wood letters which you can get at any crafts store such as www.michaels.com)
These are the things I have found to be the most important when creating rooms for my client's children or my own. Children will always remember their childhood room. So make it a place they can fuel their imagination, form their personality and display their individuality, without compromising practicality and functionality!
Happy Decorating!
