This bedroom solves the problem of siblings with dueling tastes; keep it symmetrical and colourful. Photo: John Gruen. Images courtesy of Rizzoli International Publications, Inc.
Look what we spotted over at lmnop! A whole interview with Susan Salk, New York designer and former projects editor of House & Garden, Author of one of our favourite inspirational interior books Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play. Susan has collected over 200 photographs showcasing some of the best kids’ rooms around the world!
This book is available at Little Living $65.
Read the whole article | BUY NOW
Here’s a special treat! You could win this Incy Interiors bed “James” from Little Living! Join in the Easter fun at Little Living for your chance to win this classic white “James” single bed! Valued at $799 this classic bed will see you through childhood and teens, it won’t date and is perfect for a boy or girl. All you have to do is visit our competition page and … tell us in 25 words or less who the bed would be for and why you would like to win it! It’s that simple! Enter Now! Good luck!
For some reason, pallet furniture fascinates me, I love it… and in looking around I suspect I I’m not the only one… maybe it’s the eco factor or the rustic charm or the idea that with just a little inspiration and a couple of pallets you can create a new piece of furniture in the blink of an eye… Also they look just the right width for a daybed, which I would love on the deck. But every time I look in the direction of a pallet just waiting for me to rescue it and turn it into the next iconic furniture design, Steve pips up with a reminder about the unfortunate and undeniable splinter-factor of most pallets. And with 3 smalls at home eager to get in, on and under every piece of furniture in the house, pallet creations move reluctantly to the back burner again for another day. But a girl can plan, and look – there’s no splinters online…
The options are endless...
1. this dreamy daybed overlooking the ocean looks seriously do-able. maybe 4 pallets and a mattress, an old sheet or blanket and a few pillows. You could even cart these outside on sunny weekend days if you couldn’t leave them outside. I’ll have the view too thanks.
2. this coat rack is a cute idea… there is even a how to on this site which has some other great pallet ideas too.
3 & 4. the Christmas tree is fun, any kind of left over wood would work, might be a good project for the kids to do any time of the year! the headboard idea I love as you could leave it bare or cover with some great fabric and just tuck the whole lot behind the bed (no splinters required). Both of these pics are here…
ps. this is the disclaimer part… once you start reading about pallets you come across a couple of things to be aware of… one is the use of chemicals to treat some pallets so you have to be careful where you get them from and how they have been treated. The second is that companies hire and sell and reuse pallets so, although they look lonely on the side of the road, the reality is they are probably waiting to be collected and put to use. So be inspired by pallets but buy them (they are still cheap and cheerful) from a second hand wood yard or industrial sales yard.
You know some weekends you just need to be home to recharge and reconnect with your family. A couple of weeks ago we did just that. Worked in the garden, read the paper (the real, printed, proper paper – not online) picked the tomatoes (finally), baked, pulled out all the toys and rediscovered some old favourites. Well you get the drift. These are some shots from that weekend… sorry a couple are from my iPhone.
Yum yum, all warm and sweet, there’s nothing like home grown tomatoes… Luckily the tomatoes sort of like us this year – because this haul is more by luck than anything else. I always have great intentions, and this year I’ll try harder to say hello to the plants more often…
We often have to photograph the extravagant set ups the kids do before we can pack up for the day…
I also made sourdough bread that day, it took FOREVER and although it looked great, it could have been used for a doorstop. It was terrible! So was the photo actually, sorry about that.
Have a great week! x
ps. I have a few posts to catch up on this week, most especially the trade fair in Sydney this weekend wow super fun! catch a sneak peek of whats coming into store for 2012!! watch this space.
Interview with Meta, winner of our Decorate and Win competition for November. Meta has been so generous with her time and insights and has a gorgeous achievable style based on mixing new and old items, which work to create a lovely sense of warmth in her family home. Here, Mete shares her ideas and inspirations, and some gorgeous images of her family home via her friend Caitln Wilson.
LL: Have you always been interested in interior design?
M: My love for interior design started when I redesigned a flower shop. It was an old Victorian house that I had repainted inside and out. I completely changed the look of it and made it into a women’s and children’s boutique as well. I ran the shop for 5 years and I enjoyed coming up with displays and going to all the gift and apparel shows. Attending these shows, introduced me to all the amazing products out there, especially the children’s toys, clothing, and furniture.
LL:Where did you start with planning the kids rooms?
M: I look to a lot of books, magazines, and blogs for inspiration and then I think about the colors that I want to use. It is also important to incorporate the child’s interests. Sometimes I will start with one piece and work around it. For example, in my daughters room I really wanted to use the unikko marrimekko fabric for her curtains. It’s such a bold pattern. I had to keep the other patterns smaller, and keep one or more of the same colors in the marrimekko fabric.
LL: How long did it take you to put each room together?
M: I am a firm believer in living in your space before you start decorating. It’s important to see how you live in each space and how you want it to function. With each room it has been a gradual process that I keep adding onto like layers. I feel like you can always improve and build on each space as your children grow.
LL: Where did you find all the treasures?
M: I have a love for scouring thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets for unique pieces. Some of my favorite pieces are handed down from family.
LL: Do you have a favourite interior designer whose look you love?
M: I don’t really have one favorite designer. I love the books by Judith Wilson, which is a compilation of many designers. I really enjoy the Jeu de Paume books. Keep in mind these books are in Japanese. I look at them just for the pictures.
LL: Do you have a favourite fabric designer?
M: I use a lot of Orla Kiely patterns. I also love Plastisock, Josef Frank, and Marrimekko.
LL: What is your theory on storage?
M: Children want to be wherever you are so I like to have a small storage of toys in most rooms. For example, In our kitchen we have a play kitchen. When I am fixing dinner it is fun to watch my son pretend to fix dinner as well.
LL: What do you do with all the really unattractive toys the kids acquire?!
M: I keep them hidden in toy boxes or when they’re not looking I throw them away!
LL: Is the rest of your home just as gorgeous as the kids rooms?
M: Thank you! If you would like to see some more of my house here is a link to a feature my friend did on my house. http://caitlinwilsondesign.blogspot.com/2010/09/meretes-modern-home.html
LL: Do you have any hints and tips for parents looking to put together a new look for their children?
M: Have fun! Enjoy what you’re doing and don’t worry too much about making mistakes or having everything match. Pick the things that you absolutely love and make it work.
Valentines Day rolls around every year and I always, without fail am completely unorganised and so do nothing. NOTHING. I will admit that ignoring Valentines Day as a statement against commercial pressure to spend and be involved in retail Valentine cheese has been a great cover for my lack of planning, however this year will be different! I’ve decided to go with the theory that a day set aside to say “I Love You” to the most important people (hubby, kids, Mum, Dad, siblings, friends etc doesn’t have to be romantic lurve) in life might just be a nice idea… we’ve got a week to get sorted so let’s be creative, and avoid the ugly plastic stuff, it just ends up as landfill anyway. So with that, I give you 4 cute and easy ideas (not mine unfortunately, baby steps please folks) and some links for where to find even more inspiration!
Hand Print Messages and cute as a button HEARTS – from a HUGE collection of craft ideas for kids from the inventor of craft Martha Stewart.
Heart – Friendship and other Valentine poems and activities for the kids over at KidSpot
Mmmmmm, these chocolate covered strawberries would be a lovely treat and so easy and fun to make with the kids! Find this recipe and many more Valentine-inspired recipes at the ever fabulous Taste
A few readers have mentioned they would like to enter the Style and Win competition but can’t get a good shot of their room… I have to say I agree – it’s difficult to get a great shot inside so I’ve done some homework and have compiled some general hints. I’m going to try and get some shots this weekend too! Give it a go, it doesn’t have to be perfect and you might win a $100 voucher!
Start with these tips…
Declutter – #1 on the hit list… hide cords, move bins, remove papers and toys you don’t love and other bits and pieces. This makes a huge difference to the end result. Move it all back when you’re done!
Open all windows as much as you can to get as much natural light in as possible and turn on the lights. Try and stand with your back to the main light source
Use a tripod if possible and a wide angle lens if you have one
Rearrange the furniture a little to get a better shot. And add fresh flowers or other items to “style” the shot.
A good time to shoot is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Take photos from different angles and close up of smaller features or items you love.
Do what the pros do and take many different shots of the same room from many different perspectives. Choose the ones you love.
Happy Snapping!
Thank you to everyone who entered the Photo competition in November; you are certainly a stylish and creative bunch! Here is the winning room tour. I’m sure you will agree that the attention to detail is amazing. Congratulations to Meta, who entered two of her children’s bedrooms in the November competition.
This is four year old Henrik’s room. Meta’s inspiration behind the decorating… “because children are so carefree and colorful I wanted the room to reflect that. I like lots of color and pattern and I think it is ok to not have everything match,” (we agree!) “…my son loves anything to do with pirates and vikings and their ships this is why I chose the nautical wallpaper. The art and accessories are pieces we’ve loved and collected throughout the years. We read every night so it was important that his room have a comfy and big enough seating for all four of us. I wanted his room to be a fun cozy space for him to want to sleep and play in.”
We love the use of the patterned wallpaper and having the toys on display makes them easy to access and to put away! The pops of red and yellow against the blue and white pull all the different styles together, creating a cheerful and fun space. Thanks for sharing Meta, and enjoy your shopping voucher!
for more information on how you can enter our Style and Win Monthly competition visit Style & Win or email us!
For those interested in colours and trends: hot off the official Pantone website, the 2012 Colour Of The Year has been announced!
In 2011 Honeysuckle gave us verve and vigour and in 2012 we apparently love Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, which continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward…
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Institute talks about the choice for 2012:
Over the past several years, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and consumers alike… Energize interior spaces with Tangerine Tango patterned home accessories. Pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue add spice to any room. Or incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances and personal electronics for an unexpected pop of color. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Tangerine Tango for a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, entryway or hallway.
To read the official announcement from Pantone.
WHERE AND HOW…
If you are brave and don’t mind a splash of colour a tangerine wall (or room!) might be just the ticket… but if you are colour-commitment adverse ( like me who changes things around too often to justify painting a whole wall or room), you might just like a bold splash here and there.
Look for smaller accessories and key pieces of furniture which will give you pops of your favourite bold colours against a more neutral base. Bold colours work well with statement furniture shapes and designs like some of the chairs below.
This tangerine works well with some shades of green, blue and brown and looks completely fabulous with white and black. It’s a good colour for kids as it can work well in the rest of the house and it won’t become “daggy” as the kids get bigger like some baby blues and pinks.
a. TOLIX stool, $119.Industrial style, various colours available.
b. Playsam xbus in red $134. classic gift, beautifully crafted
c. A replica of the iconic Eames DSW chair in child’s size. $49.
d. Plush 3D Playway Rug. $159.95
e. Euro Aarnio Style – childs ball chair $449
f. Framed art for boys $89 various designs, sizes and styles available.
g. Lilo childrens chair, available in 8 colours $185
h. Allerhand mini rucksack $42
Thanks to the wonderful team at LMNOP for this great write up!
You could spend hours trawling the net for your kids’ rooms. Or you could just stop by Little Living. With a freshly revamped selection of furnishings and interiors, it’s the easiest and most stylish way to style a child’s room from floor to ceiling and everything in between.
a. Room for Children, (Rizzoli) by Susan Salk, A$65.
b. bObles Tumbling Animal Furniture, from A$119.
c. Eames DSR style chair – child size, A$49.
d. Jemima cot, Incy Interiors, A$1,099.
e. Elephant bookends, Zid Zid, A$110.
f. Apartment Therapy’s Big Book of Small Cool Spaces,
(Clarkson Potter) by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, A$49.95.
g. Traffic Play Rug, A$250.
h. Sophia Cot, Incy Interiors, A$599.
i. Helipanes Storage Tub, A$49.95.
j. Playsam Car, A$118.
k. Customised World Map, A$45.
Little Living sources their stock from all over the world, so coveted European brands like bObles sit side by side with homegrown talents like Incy Interiors. If you’re stuck for ideas, you can always take a look at their suggestions or make a Wish List for stuff you want to keep in mind. Keep your eye out for downloads and info sheets on planning and designing spaces for children, coming soon.
Become Little Living’s Stylist of the Month
Once you’ve created your interior masterpiece, Little Living wants to see the results. Send them a snap and you could win $100 Little Living gift voucher. There’s one every month, so get your swatches out and start designing.
Visit Little Living for details on how to enter.
