This extraordinary bedroom belongs to Willa who is nearly nine years old. She lives with her parents Freddie and Ben and three cats, one of whom has three legs (the cat not the parents). They share a 16th century timber framed barn in the Essex countryside, which Ben converted into a family home, studio and workshops. The conversion  of the barn was filmed for Grand Designs which you can watch here and here to see more of their spectacular house.

Willa’s parents are both creatives. Freddie is an artist (she knits blood-soaked gloves and murderer’s houses) and senior tutor in Textiles at the Royal College of Art in London. Ben is an artist, sculptor, project manager, blacksmith, builder, forester, farmer, janitor and Grand Designer. These are their tips for designing your child’s bedroom:

1. Remember that your child won’t stay young forever. Design and decorate the space so that it can grow and change as your child does.

2. Use things that your child has made, their toys and collections. It is their room after all.

3. Always buy your child a good, adult sized mattress and bed as you will end up sleeping in it a lot!

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Now let’s find out a bit more about Willa! Tell us Willa…

♥ What is your favourite food? Spaghetti Bolognese

♥ What is your favourite colour? Mint green

♥ What is your favourite animal? Chihuahua

♥ Your favourite book? I’m reading Dork Diaries.

♥  Dresses and skirts or trousers? Skirt and leggings.

♥ What would you take to a desert island? My bed, my daddy made it for me.

♥ Which  part of the world you like to visit one day? New York

♥ What do you want to be when you grow up? I don’t know yet.

♥ What is your favourite thing in your room? My book shelf full of books and toys books.

♥ What do you like doing in your room? Playing with my dolls and dolls houses.

♥ Is there anything else you want to tell us about your room? My Daddy built our house, my whole bedroom and my bed. I have a round bathroom, my daddy built that too.

Thank you Willa, it was great to meet you!

(images: James Brittain)