Archive for 2015
I love birch plywood and natural pine in kids’ rooms interiors. It has associations with purity and simplicity, which seems a natural choice for children’s rooms. Bare wood looks great with any colour, from pastels and brights to more earthy tones. It brings warmth to monochrome schemes, plus it’s is an economical choice for DIY projects. Here are a few examples of kids’ rooms that are all about natural wood.
Polish designers Kutikai are a relatively new children’s furniture brand that make beautiful beds, storage furniture and play tables for children’s rooms in a pure and simple contemporary style. I love the combination with soft dusty pastel accents in this room. The house shaped desk is part of their Roof collection which rides the trend for house shaped furniture for children. More about that later.
In this girl’s bedroom, a bespoke pine bed with plenty of storage underneath takes centre stage. The rug, bamboo furniture, wall desk, storage and light fittings echo the colour in an otherwise white room, bringing warmth to the scheme. It’s accented with soft pastels and I just love the attention to detail. Have you spotted the bamboo curtain pole? Don’t try this with heavier curtains!
A birch plywood storage wall with a cosy reading nook for the kids – what’s not to love? The combination of plywood with industrial concrete makes a beautiful backdrop for more whimsical touches – it’s all about the contrast.
Sometimes all you need are a few small wooden details. These are from kids interiors brand April Eleven.
In this playroom, a plywood panel with storage boxes on the wall frames the play kitchen. Echoing the colour of the linoleum floor, it grounds the individual small pieces that are dotted around the room, binding them together and making it feel like a cosy corner to play in.
This playroom features simple Ikea Ivar pine storage units on the wall. I love the addition of wallpaper on the back to create a small dolls house. In a previous post here you can see how these can be customised further.
And finally, who wouldn’t want a loft playhouse for a cosy retreat. Sign me up!
(images: kutikai, vt wonen, tas-ka, april eleven, mini mocks, ikea, blafre)
This amazing kid’s room belongs to Karl Malte who is six years old. He lives with his sister and parents in an apartment in the Copenhagen district of Vesterbro, Denmark.
Karl Malte’s bedroom was designed by his mum Marie Willumsen, who is a graphic designer and illustrator – the decorations and illustrations were done by her. Check out the wall mural and customisation of the wall hung storage units. I’m rather in awe of the way she has turned simple pine cabinets into something really special.
Marie’s advice for designing kids’ spaces is to create zones: a playing zone with easy acces to toys in see-through boxes, a sleeping zone, and a ‘relax’ zone, where your child can sit with his iPad or listen to stories. This can be a big swing or a beanbag for example – your child will want to hang out there all the time.
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Time to have a chat with Karl Malte now! Tell us Karl Malte…
♥ What is your favourite food? Spaghetti and meat sauce.
♥ What are you into right now? I like to play with Ninjago Ghost from Lego.
♥ Your favourite book? The Vitello books [by Kim Fupz Aakeson].
♥ What is your favourite colour? Red.
♥ Your favourite animal? A monkey.
♥ What do you want to be when you grow up? A ninja.
♥ What do you like best in your room? My swing.
♥ Which is your favourite duvet cover? The one with the Moomin trolls.
♥ Your favourite pyjamas? My Star Wars PJs.
Thank you Karl Malte, it was great to meet you!
(photography by Monica Bach for LilleNord)
I made a small announcement a few weeks ago, but in case you missed it: I’ve been nominated for an Amara Interior Blog award! I am incredibly honoured to be amongst some amazing nominees, and to take them on I’m going to need your vote!
Voting ends in two days’ time (Friday 18th September midnight), so the race is on. If you’d like to support me and my blog, click here to go to Amara’s voting page.
Thank you so much for your support!
Ursula x
PS: Your vote will be entered by Amara in a giveaway for an amazing trip for two to the Amalfi Coast!
With the kids going back to school, it’s time for a round-up of some super stylish children’s desks. These beautiful and practical kids’ desks made my monthly edit for Mr Fox magazine. Find out where to buy them along with some workspace tips by clicking through to Mr Fox here.
(image: room to bloom)
I was interviewed by Kin magazine, an in-store publication from nursery brand Mamas & Papas, about children’s interior design. I really enjoyed enjoyed their questions, Kin put some real thought into them – and the same can be said about the rest of the magazine. You can pick up a free copy at Mamas & Papas in-store, or you can read more about why I design for children, plus lots of tips in the online magazine here.
PS: the cover of issue no.4 is a Liberty print to signal the collaboration between Mamas & Papas and Liberty London which launches in-store on 7th September: gorgeous Liberty prints galore on children’s clothing and interiors accessories!
(images: kin magazine)
This sweet bedroom and play area belong to Livia, who is 2 years old. She lives with her mum and dad in the small town of Vianen in the Netherlands. Livia is going to become a big sister in February and will be moving to a big girl room soon!
Livia’s current bedroom and play space were styled by her mum Kirsten, who works as a teaching assistant in a daycare centre for children aged 0-4 years. She loves styling her home, and is forever changing the interior around to try out new things. You can take a peek at the family’s home on Instagram here. Kirsten’s advice for decorating kids’ spaces is to be a little bit brave, for example with eye catching wallpaper, to give the room a personal touch.
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Let’s find out more about Livia now! Tell us Livia,
♥ What is your favourite food? Spaghetti.
♥ What are you into right now? My baby dolls and books, I love books!
♥ Your favourite book? The Gruffalo.
♥ What is your favourite colour? I don’t have a favourite colour yet.
♥ Your favourite animal? A cat. We have a cat at home, I love her!
♥ What do you like best in your room? My locker cabinet with books. It has keys which I hide 🙂
♥ Which is your favourite duvet cover? The one with the hearts, it’s going to go on my new big bed!
Thank you Livia, it was lovely to meet you!
(photography by Kirsten)
I’m really excited to have been nominated for the Amara Interior Blog Awards 2015. But now I need your votes! If you like Room to Bloom I’d be super grateful if you voted for my blog by clicking here. Thank you!!!
Summer has returned to London, so what better way to find some shade than with a teepee or play tent? I’ve picked some of my favourites for Mr Fox magazine – find out where to buy these beauties over on the Mr Fox website here.
(image: room to bloom)
Have you come across these before? Tooth fairy doors. I would have loved to discover one in my room when I was little, but alas, in my family tooth fairies didn’t exist. Whilst looking if I could source one of these little secret doors for a new project, I came across the image above on Kate’s Creative Space, accompanied by a lovely DIY. I’m off to order some of that miniature hardware now. If you’re not up for crafting one yourself, you can buy one ready to go here.
(images: kate’s creative space)
This beautiful kids’ room is shared by Beau, who is ten, and his brother Pepijn who is five years old. The family lives in a city apartment in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The boys’ bedroom was styled by their mum Irene, who is a Dutch artist and stylist (you can see Irene’s paintings here). The room is characterised by high ceilings and natural wood flooring and is complemented by an eclectic mix of simple, timber furniture and vintage details in a reduced palette. Irene’s advice is to keep rein of the design yourself, but use the children’s belongings to style their space. That way you create a happy place that’s easy on the eye.
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Let’s have a chat with Beau now! Tell us Beau,
♥ What is your favourite food? Pizza.
♥ What are you into right now? Playing outside and sports.
♥ What is your favourite colour? Blue.
♥ Your favourite animal? Sheep.
♥ And your favourite book? Donald Duck.
♥ What do you want to be when you grow up? Basketball player.
♥ What do you like best in your room? Chilling and reading on my bed with lots of cushions.
♥ Which is your favourite duvet cover? The blue linen one.
♥ Your favourite pyjamas? Jogging pants and a T-shirt – or the Goat-Milk ones which are super soft!
Thank you Beau, it was great to meet you!
(photography by Birgitta Wolfgang | Sisters Agency, styling by Irene de Klerk Wolters)
