Tag: children’s room

Kids’ room decor ideas: Stylish new art prints

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date February 3, 2021
2 Comments on Kids’ room decor ideas: Stylish new art prints

I don’t know about you but with the school holidays over, I’m super keen to declutter my kids’ rooms and give them a mini-makeover. Beyond the sorting and storage battles, I think a couple of cute new interiors buys could be just the refresh that the rooms need. And there’s nothing that makes a greater impact, per dollar spent, than some fabulous new wall art.

Alphaberts: From the font to the colour palette, we love the nostalgic feel of these gorgeous alphabet prints. Perfect for adding a big splash of colour, you can choose from a couple of purchasing options – either download a file to print yourself or at a printer, or choose to have a hard copy delivered (framed or unframed). From $34.90.

Violet Eyes: The work of artist, commercial illustrator and textile designer Ainslie Fletcher, we’ve been fans of this brand since its inception. From pretty girls’ faces to floral designs, it’s the go-to spot for a whimsical wall art find. From $99.

Violet Eyes creates removable wall decals too

Blond + Noir: While this brand’s range spans rainbows, butterflies and geometric shapes, it’s the Australian animal series that takes our fancy. The brand does a brilliant range of removable wall decals too. From $25.

V. Happy Co: With their use of bright primary colours and fun, retro designs, this new kids’ ‘alphapic’ brand is destined for success. There’s a gorgeous full alphabet poster plus single letter designs and for those after a custom creation, you can order a bespoke name print too. From $90.

Desenio: The perfect site from which to purchase a complete gallery wall set, this brand takes the second guessing and rumination out of the equation. There’s plenty of stylish options for babies, toddlers, tweens and beyond. From $24.95 per print. Sets sold individually.

The ‘Playful Moments’ gallery wall set includes nine complementary prints. $297.55

'Lovely Sleep' gallery wall, $174.70 — ‘Lovely Sleep’ gallery wall, $174.70

Alphapop: With a fascination and love for typography and language, this lovely retro styled print range was created by Michael Wholley and Helen Frank. “As parents of a toddler we love to produce unique prints that educate and delight young minds,” says Helen. From $45.

Alphapop print — The ‘Alphabet Pop’ print

Designing children’s rooms: flexible spaces they won’t outgrow

Mum of two and founder of Incy Interiors Kristy Withers, knows first-hand how quickly children can grow and their tastes can change. While growth spurts can result in overhauling children’s…

Kids wall art: Australian made options for all ages

By Angela Reynolds When it comes to styling bedrooms, the furniture, the floor coverings, the window furnishings, the lighting, the linen, the décor, and the storage solutions, are all key…

Tags affordable art, art, art prints, children's room, children's rooms, interiors, kids room decor, kids rooms, online shopping

House Tours Kids Rooms The Block

The Block series 13 week 3 room reveals: kids’ bedrooms

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 21, 2017
No Comments on The Block series 13 week 3 room reveals: kids’ bedrooms

Last night’s kids’ room reveals were more enjoyable than I expected. Much as I personally, as a mum, enjoy the fun of decorating a children’s room, they don’t always make the best TV. You can’t really showcase the luxury, glam and gadgets you can with, say, a master bedroom. But I was pleasantly surprised with all the great ideas the contestants came up with, as well as how sophisticated most of them looked. And I have to 100% agree with Ronnie and Georgia winning (second week in a row) as there was really nothing to criticise in their gorgeous space. I absolutely loved Sticks and Wombat’s though (what a shame about the wallpaper) and Jason and Sarah did a great job too. Without further a do, here are more photos, judges’ comments and our picks to buy, from first place to last.

FIRST: Ronnie and Georgia

Well, that wallpaper on the ceiling was a fantastic idea, beautifully executed and the judges loved it. Darren said everything about the room was wow and Shaynna said it was a bedroom memories are made of. Neale said they’d gone all out to reflect childhood; 100% whimsy. Shaynna thought the styling was perfect. Darren loved the storage and said the room would suit a child from two to 11 and could be easily reorientated to a teenager room with minor tweaks. Shaynna added it was one of the very best kids’ rooms she’d ever seen. “They’ve thought of everything.” Not surprisingly with comments like these, the couple scored the first perfect 10 of the season.

Our pick to buy: Incy Interiors Eden bed, Pottery Barn Kids tea sandwich set, cotton candy print.

SECOND: Jason and Sarah

Shaynna said it was good they hadn’t pigeon-holed the room to a certain age. Darren thought it was very sophisticated and loved the wallpaper. Neale said it was very child friendly but not childish; really beautiful. And Shyanna said their wallpaperer was a magician (someone introduce him to Sticks and Wombat!). Neale loved the level of restraint without sacrificing the sense of fun. Darren said the Jack and Jill en suite (shared by two bedrooms) was a master stroke of planning.

Our pick to buy: Eurowalls gold zebra wallpaper, giant rhino, Heatherly Design Bailey Bedhead.

THIRD: Sticks and Wombat

This room was all about the fun, but great craftmanship too. Darren was truly like a big kid, and said “this is mad!” and the stuff of many kids’ dreams. Neale said it was like their own private tower. Shaynna was first to notice the wallpapering disaster, although she loved the actual design. Darren said it was a real downer when everything else was “up up up”. Neale said no-one was going to forget the house with the climbing wall though. Too right!

Our pick to buy: Winston the Wombat print, Alessia wallpaper, Kylie the Kangaroo cushion, Sticks Photography wave print.

FOURTH: Josh and Elyse

These guys didn’t have a great week, with Keith and Dan shutting down their site for a time due to their unsafe demolition. Their mezzanine idea paid off though. The judges all agreed they were going for more of a teenager room and Neale said kids would be excited that it feels like a mini apartment. Shaynna and Darren loved the wardrobe too. But that’s where the positives ended. Shaynna hated that the room had been stripped bare of any heritage elements and Neale agreed it could easily be a room in a new build. The judges found the styling a bit underwhelming too. Darren said there was no great contrast and Neale would have liked to have seen a bit of romance or escapism; something to get excited about.

Our pick to buy: Leather bedhead by Heatherly Design Bedheads, west elm rug, Luca linen rectangle cushion.

LAST: Hannah and Clint

The floorplan change and having a sliding glass door to the outside in a children’s room did them no favours in the end. It wasn’t all bad though. Darren immediately loved the playfulness and Shaynna said all the styling choices were very gorgeous. Neale liked that it was very obviously a child’s room but without being sugary sweet. “It’s kind of modern and cool.” Darren said it was well finished and loved the wardrobe (even if the door knob came off in his hand! Oops!). He and Shaynna agreed the room was small and felt a bit squashed. Shaynna said you wouldn’t want a sliding door to a courtyard with kids because it was unsafe. The judges agreed their planning had brought them undone.

Our pick to buy: The Family Love tree bedhead.

The Block latest

Tags children's room, darren plmer, hannah and clint, josh and elyse, judges, judging, kids room, mezzanine, neale whitaker, ronnie and georgia, shaynna blaze, sticks and wombat, the block, wallpaper

Bedrooms Expert Tips Kids Rooms

8 steps to simple nursery style with stylist Eliza Ashe

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date December 20, 2016
No Comments on 8 steps to simple nursery style with stylist Eliza Ashe

Styling: Eliza Ashe | Photography: Seven is Yellow

Somehow, Sydney-based stylist, writer and mum Eliza Ashe makes everything look simple. Perhaps even more impressively, she makes simple look great. In fact, she makes simple look inviting, appealing and stylish. So when she turned to Pottery Barn Kids to style her own baby’s nursery, we knew we were going to love the results.

Simplicity in decorating has become a mantra for so many of us, and with good reason. It might be a cliché, but busy working mums have enough to juggle without feeling confronted with clutter or a cacophony of colours and patterns.

Neutral nurseries built around simplicity aren’t just a solace for mums, they’re also a haven for new bubs and their siblings after a day of learning, play, fun and visual stimuli.

Subscribing to simplicity isn’t easy, and true minimalism isn’t for everyone, but at the very least we can all take a little (olive) leaf out of Eliza’s book and simplify our way to a stylish nursery.

Buy the best-quality and smartest furniture you can. Great storage that will transition well, such as this timeless Reese Dresser with removable changing table topper, will pay big dividends when it’s still housing your child’s t-shirts and PJs well into their adolescence.

Have a place for everything. If there’s no obvious place for it, rethink its existence in the room. This might mean being a little ruthless with unwanted gifts, but it’s usually not hard to donate to someone who’ll appreciate it more than you.

Leave a little space – literally and otherwise – to flourish. It’s natural to want to give your kids everything, but that doesn’t mean overburdening them with too much stuff. A little minimalism can encourage imagination, resourcefulness and creativity. For example, the clean, white surface of this Spindle Play Table and these Bistro Play Chairs invite them to read, build and make-believe.

Inspiration is dynamic, so make displays easy to change. The Collector’s Shelves by Pottery Barn Kids are named such for a reason: they let you show off and swap around your collections whenever the whim strikes you.

Let colour come and go. Soft, neutral shades are the most restful and conducive to peaceful sleep. Conveniently, neutral also means gender-neutral, making it a great choice for shared rooms. Avoiding a strong colour scheme also allows you to easily adapt the room as your child grows and develops their own tastes.

Size things just for them. The more accessible and easy you make it for your little one to interact in their own room, the better. After all, that’s what good design is about: consideration. The Madison 4-Shelf Bookrack is a case in point. Instead of a bookshelf jammed with spines that little fingers can’t get to, this bookrack is thoughtfully designed to encourage children to choose, read and put back their books, which then become part of the room’s decor. What could be better than that?

Make room for the authentic. Incorporate one-of-a-kind pieces that have a story, whether they’re from your own childhood, or shells from your last beach holiday, or a pretty postcard from friends. The humblest – and most unexpected – of objects can teach, enthral and nourish your kids’ minds. An olive tree in the nursery? Why not!

Have less. By having only what you really love, and really use, you’ll save time on cleaning, tidying, searching and sorting. It’s simple, really.

Love Eliza’s simple nursery style? Shop the look at potterybarnkids.com.au.

Found out more about Eliza Ashe.

Tags bedroom, children's room, eliza ashe, kids room, nursery, nursery decor, nursery style, pottery barn kids, reese dresser, stylist

Designers Kids Rooms Styling

Nursery basics: How to design a beautiful baby’s room

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date September 19, 2016

By Belinda Nihill

When it comes to a baby’s room, there are a few items that I recommend all rooms have if possible. Space and budget doesn’t always allow for everything, but it will definitely make life easier if you have a few basic necessities.

A place to sleep

This one’s fairly obvious, don’t you think? Cot, cradle, bassinette, it doesn’t really matter. Just be sure to remember that Australian safety standards are fairly strict and that vintage beds might not measure up. There are so many choices though – rectangle cots, oval cots, cots with sides that drop, cots that turn into junior beds. There are moses baskets, little bassinets, hanging beds and hammocks plus beds on wheels, beds on stands, beds that will join yours and beds that will grow with your baby. The list is endless. So choose one that suits your lifestyle and also one that you just adore!

A place for changing bottoms

Just like beds, the variety of change tables are never ending. I’ve made use of both traditional change tables and change mats on top of a set of drawers with my children and both have their advantages and disadvantages. I think change tables are important – they will save your back (especially if you have a heavy bub!) and they are also great for added storage in a room. The best choice is one that will fit with the space and the theme of the room.

A space for storing clothes

We aren’t all lucky enough to have built in robes so it’s great to consider cupboards, drawers and shelves when it comes to finding a home for your baby’s important things.

A place for showing off special things

Along the way we often find beautiful items, or perhaps they are gifted, and it just doesn’t seem right to hide them away in a cupboard Choosing and displaying those special pieces is definitely a bit of an art form and one way to ensure you have them showcased correctly is to make sure you have the right shelving or display units.

A place to sit and feed

This is a big one and many people underestimate the importance of a great feeding chair. I really splurged when I had my youngest baby and I really wish I had done that with baby number one! You spend a lot of time feeding and snuggling with your baby in those early months – especially in the middle of the night. Having a good quality chair to sit in (and sometimes nap in) is a fabulous investment!

Beyond these items, it really comes down to personal style and taste and really, the sky is the limit!

This is an excerpt from Belinda’s new book Beautiful Babies’ Rooms which is available to purchase now at Nest Design Studio.

Tags children's interior design, children's room, children's rooms, kids rooms, Nest Design Studio

Bedrooms Furniture Homewares Kids Rooms

Spring into summer with the new Forty Winks bedroom collection

Post author By admin
Post date September 13, 2016
No Comments on Spring into summer with the new Forty Winks bedroom collection

7 tips for setting up your nursery by decorator Briar Stanley

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 23, 2016
No Comments on 7 tips for setting up your nursery by decorator Briar Stanley

Photography by Jacqui Turk

Welcoming a new baby into your life (and your home) is an exciting experience, especially if it’s the first time. Having a beautiful and practical nursery space ready for your new arrival – whether it’s a whole room or an unused nook – makes the process a little easier for both yourself and bub. Need a little styling inspiration? Interior decorator, blogger and mum of two Briar Stanley of Sunday Collector recently created a dream-worthy nursery for her new son Rafferty with a little help from Pottery Barn Kids. See her baby-licious nursery below, plus seven tips to help you design yours.

Briar recently designed this nursery for her son Rafferty.

1. Create your foundation

Designing a nursery from scratch can be overwhelming, but keep in mind a newborn baby doesn’t require too much in the first few months of his or her life. Briar suggests starting with the basics. “Begin with a cot or bassinet, a changing table and a comfortable nursing chair – if space permits!” Choose high-quality pieces that will stand the test of time and also consider designs that can be converted as your child grows, such as the Reese Cot from Pottery Barn Kids.

2. The right light

Having the right amount of light in a nursery (both natural and task) can make all the difference to your baby’s sleeping patterns. Blackout curtains help to control natural light and to encourage sleep during the day, while sheer curtains are perfect for filtering light during awake and play time. “I also recommend buying a night light – they’re perfect for middle-of-the-night feeds and settling, and my four-year-old daughter now uses one in her room for a more comforting light to sleep with,” Briar says.

3. Storage is key

Creating a beautiful nursery is an exciting process, but don’t forget that it should also be super-functional. Ample drawers or cupboards are essential for storing nappies, swaddles, burp cloths and clothes, and for keeping clutter at bay. “Toy chests and baskets or buckets are really handy, too, as they are built for the child’s height, making access to all their ‘treasures’ easy,” Briar explains. “And a dual-purpose unit such as a changing table with drawers is ideal for storing everything you need at arm’s length.”

4. Changing station

A well-stocked changing table is a nursery must-have. “I always have my changing table stocked with the following: baby wipes, a good nappy cream, a big stack of nappies that don’t leak (seriously, you can go through about 10 a day with a newborn), nappy disposable bags, a pile of burp cloths (the terry towelling nappies are good for this), baby massage oil, a digital thermometer and hand sanitiser. I like to be organised so I’m not having to look for things for too long – babies don’t happily wait when under duress!” Briar says.

5. Natural materials

A newborn’s skin can be highly sensitive, so consider buying swaddles, stroller blankets and bed linen made from natural materials. Briar chose the Linen Nursery Quilt from Pottery Barn Kids; linen breathes better and helps to keep babies warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Think about what you’re comfortable wearing or sleeping in, and the same will apply to them!

6. Temperature control

Babies can’t manage their body temperature as easily as adults, so it’s important to make sure your nursery is the right temperature. Keep a room thermometer (which you can purchase from your local chemist) close to the cot. Anywhere between 16°C and 20°C is a good temperature, but 18°C is ideal. “Also ensure your baby is dressed right for the season,” Briar adds. “It’s always handy to check the back of their neck for their temperature, or refer to a digital thermometer if you’re unsure.”

7. Finishing touches

Putting the finishing touches to your nursery comes down to personal taste, but the finer details can really come together once you get to know your baby a little better. If you’re not finding out the sex, start with fairly neutral colours and furniture choices – think crisp whites and light greys – then you can add things like wall decorations as you go along. “It’s also nice to consider unexpected hues like peach, olive green, canary yellow, charcoal grey or navy,” suggests Briar.

Shop Briar’s nursery style

1 Linen Nursery Quilt in Grey. 2 Nursery Animal Bath Wrap in Grey Elephant. 3 Kendall Dresser in Simply White. 4 Reese Convertible Cot in Simply White. 5 Sabrina Nappy Caddy in Simply White. 6 Cloud & Star Cot Mobile. 7 Lamb Plush Toy. 8 Modern Tufted Wingback Rocker in Linen Blend Grey. 9 Gallery Frames in White. 10 Rugby Rug in Grey/White.

Tags briar stanley, children's room, cot, kids room, nurdery, pottery barn kids, rafferty, sunday, sunday collector

Homewares Kids Rooms Styling

The Little Pop Up Shop kid’s store reopens in Melbourne

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date July 19, 2016
No Comments on The Little Pop Up Shop kid’s store reopens in Melbourne

If you’re in the market for gorgeous children’s wares and you like to shop local, look no further than The Little Pop Up Shop in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton. Loyal readers may be familiar with the last incarnation of the store, and the latest version is a collaboration between the children’s décor brand Sprout and Sparrow and the children’s interior styling company Hello Little Birdie.

“This time we have brought in over 20 online brands to give them the opportunity to test the ‘bricks and mortar’ waters themselves. We have a beautifully curated collection of children’s decor, toys, homewares and accessories,” says the shop owner Adi Stevens. With a view to stocking a different array of brands each quarter, the mix of stock should always remain fresh and interesting.

“We opened our doors last month and we have signed up each of our current brands for three months with a view to getting some new brands on board for the next three-month period beginning in September. Some of our current brands will stay but we’re looking forward to getting some lovely new brands in as well to keep the shop interesting for our customers and to provide exposure for as many wonderful small businesses as we can,” says owner Adi who has been overwhelmed by the interest from brands wishing to come on board.

Situated within the kid-friendly Brighton café Tucci Brown, Melbournites (or visitors!) can browse the shops’ goods while waiting for a coffee. “We like to think the pop up is shopping heaven for mums. With a focus on kid’s interiors, we also stock quality toys, homewares and accessories and we even have a little area set up for kids to draw and play with some of the gorgeous toys we stock,” says Adi.

Photography: Rachel Winton & Spurlo Style Photography

Click here for more.

Tags children's decor, children's homewares, children's room, children's rooms, kids rooms, melbourne, the little pop up shop

Bedrooms Expert Tips Kids Rooms

How to: make a children’s teepee for under $30!

Post author By Kathryn Bamford
Post date May 7, 2015
6 Comments on How to: make a children’s teepee for under $30!

Am I the only adult out there to be so excited by teepees? Seriously, where were these when I was a kid?! These days, going by Pinterest and Instagram, teepees are a staple for any nursery or kids room. So it was only a matter of time before we had a DIY go at Interiors Addict!

Step 1: Pick up Supplies

Supplies:

4x dowel rods (120cm each)
Tablecloth/ fabric (120cm x 365cm)
Rope (1 metre)

Tools:

Drill + 6.5mm drill bit
Sandpaper
Needle
Cotton

If you are wanting to make a teepee on the cheap and avoid shelling out on fabric, I raided my grandmother’s linen closet and found a plethora of options. You can really use anything; bed sheets, quilt covers, curtains, the options are endless. In my case, I opted for a lace table cloth number which worked perfectly and eliminated me needing to learn how to sew. I do like a little boho vibe, so lace it was!

Step 2: Drill rope holes

Sand down dowel rods and any rough edges with a piece of sandpaper. Make a small mark on each dowel around 10cm from the top and mark with an x. Carefully drill one hole in each dowel. If you aren’t confident with power tools, ask someone to help you.

Step 3: Framing

Thread the rope through all the holes (it’s easier if you wrap some sticky tape around the end of the rope to help it fit through the holes). Once the rope is threaded through, tie a knot firmly then wrap the rope around a few more times. Establish equal spacing between the dowels to make your teepee even on all sides. Once you have equal spacing, wrap the rope around a few more times and tie a secure knot.

Step 4: Sewing!

Drape the fabric around the outside of the structure. Once you’re happy with how it sits, begin sewing. I wrapped the fabric around each pole and sewed up the inside of the pole through the holes already in the lace so you can’t see any of the stitching. Sew up the inside of all four posts to ensure the fabric is secure.

Step 5: Style away

Set up your teepee wherever you chose and get styling! Our friends at Cotton On Kids were kind enough to lend us some of my favourite products from their latest range to help out.

If DIY isn’t your thing and you’re after a teepee Etsy has your back with a heap of choices.

–Kathryn Bamford is our girl on the ground in Melbourne; you can follow her DIY & design adventures on Instagram @thedesignrookie.

Tags children's room, cotton on kids, craft, diy, how-to, kids room, make, nurseries, nursery, play, teepee, tent, tutorial

Bedrooms

5 top tips for designing children’s bedrooms

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date March 16, 2013
2 Comments on 5 top tips for designing children’s bedrooms

Interior designer Kelle Howard-Dean of Habitat and Beyond Kids shares these great ideas.

1. I love to create interiors that last, so when designing a space for ‘tweens’ there’s a fine line between something that’s too grown up and a space that they will quickly outgrow. One way to achieve a space that will last the distance is to use more mature, geometric patterns for fabrics and keep the wall finishes soft. Typography prints and art are a great way to add colour into the room, and they can easily be changed up over the years.

2. Instead of using standard nursery furniture, one way of adding some uniqueness to the room is to think outside the box. This whitewashed buffet has great storage and is the perfect piece to use as a change table. You may already have some great pieces in your home that would lend themselves perfectly to your nursery or children’s room with some simple modifications.

3. I love to have a talking point in each room I design, whether it’s a striking wallpaper or a unique idea that makes the room special. This driftwood ‘hanging wardrobe’ was so easy to make, and is the perfect spot to display your gorgeous baby clothes.

Tags children's bedrooms, children's room, habitat and beyond, interiors, nurseries, nursery