From bed linen to furniture, there’s always something new to discover within the kids’ interior scene. And this month, not only are we bringing you the latest children’s interior finds but we’ve also got a fabulous giveaway. Il Tutto’s bouclé recliner is the perfect addition to any chic nursery space – scroll down to go into the draw.
Ailanto Design: A collaboration between Amanda Ferragamo and the recently profiled Australian interior designer Keeley Green, Ailanto Design is a purveyor of luxury hand-designed wallpaper, fabrics and homewares for children’s rooms. All of the brand’s whimsical designs are hand-drawn by Amanda who draws on her extensive travels and family life in Italy for artistic inspiration.
Ailanto Design Angkor Wat wallpaper in apricot and Broad Not Bored fabric
Ailanto Design Cottontail wallpaper and Stripe Me Skinny fabric
Ailanto Design Woodland Squirrel fabric wallpaper and Stripe Me Skinny fabric
Il Tutto Paige glider recliner chair in vanilla bouclé: Il Tutto’s popular Paige recliner chair is back but this time it’s wrapped in a luxe, on-trend vanilla bouclé fabric. The chair fully reclines, boasts a high backrest and armrests positioned at the correct height for relief while breast or bottle feeding your baby. The chair retails for $889 but scroll down for your chance to win one for your nursery, or even elsewhere in your home if you don’t have a baby (it sure is stylish enough!).
Il Tutto Paige chair
Lorena Canals rugs: Available locally from Momy Decor, the Spanish designer Lorena Canals has been a trendsetter in the children’s home decor market ever since she created the washable rug concept. The range is brimming with fabulous designs that are practical, cosy and lightweight so that you can easily move them around.
Kaarol washable rug, $428.
Tropical Green washable rug, $438
Linen House Kids: The new range of children’s bedding at Linen House is rather fun and many of the designs are reversible meaning you get two looks for the price of one! With something for every child’s room there’s large spots, hearts, bears and bunnies as well as large, bold checks and more.
Rockabye River play mat: Eco-friendly, biodegradable, certified non-toxic, extra thick, durable, easy clean and waterproof this Australian owned and designed range of play mats are also super cute and fully reversible. 200cm x 140cm. $189.95.
Savannah/Outback play mat
Our Journey Home/Reef play mat
Savannah/Outback play mat
The winner was Kate Bowles from VIC.
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…
Designer profile: From expat childhood to high end interiors
Growing up as an expat, Brisbane based interior designer Keeley Green lived in Africa, Papua New Guinea and England which…
With many of our readers in some form of lockdown, we know it presents countless challenges, and particularly for those with children. Whether you’re working from home and trying to homeschool, or simply trying to keep young kids entertained, we’ve done the research and found the most attractive looking indoor toys on the market. And while it might feel like a war zone, it doesn’t need to look like one!
My Nook modular play sofa: Perfect for building a fort, castle, obstacle course or sleepover bed, this Australian made design is perfect for lockdown. Soft, safe and ecologically sound (the foam inserts are sourced from a zero-waste factory), the set features ten individual pieces that zip together and zip apart to create infinite combinations that should keep the kids entertained for hours. From $595.
My Nook play sofa
My Nook play sofa
HipKids grey ball pit with 200 balls: Made from thick foam and covered with silky soft removable and washable jersey material, this ball pit is ideal for indoor play. A stylish alternative to standard issue primary coloured balls, the balls are available in pink, blue, grey and white colour ways. $279.95.
Pikler Play Cube: A cult favourite, this play cube is made from 100 per cent Australian grown timber that is sourced from sustainable forests. Designed for the six month to five year age range, crawlers will like crawling through and around the cube while older kids can climb up and over. $225.
You can add many more pieces to the cube including a ladder and ramp
Target Kid’s concept playhouse pavilion tent: Easy to assemble, and pull apart again, this cosy tent is made for play and rest. The more pillows, blankets, and cuddly toys they can cram in there, the cosier and more fun it becomes! $199.
Balance board Equilibrio: Made from sustainably sourced beechwood, and ideal for developing gross motor skills, this multi-purpose board can be used to strengthen little legs, core muscles, or as a slide, rocker, or bridge. $124.95.
Petite Maison table tent: Another fabulous cubby alternative, this clever design will fit over the dining room table. The tent features a roll-up door with ties for entry into the cubby plus two windows (one with a tie-up curtain). We like this cute Australian themed one. $199.
Petite Maison Australian Bush table tentPetite Maison Petite Shop table tent
Kmart Wooden Work From Home set: If all else fails and they really must be by your side while working, this set could be just the thing to keep them occupied! $13.
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,…
This new children's Chesterfield is rather gorgeous
When Incy Interiors launched a decade ago, the Australian children’s furniture scene was a rather bland and predictable one. Debuting with a range of retro style iron beds and cots, in a delectable range of on-trend colours, the Incy Interiors range soon became a favourite of design-conscious parents across the country – and it’s still going strong after ten years in business.
Incy Interiors’ iconic rose gold ‘Ellie’ cot
“I definitely underestimated the gap in the market and that first year was insane,” says the brand’s founder Kristy Withers who decided to launch the brand after shopping for a ‘big boy bed’ for her two-year-old son Oscar and being uninspired by the options.
Working in corporate marketing at eBay at the time, and travelling to the US and Europe constantly, Kristy was able to check out all of the amazing children’s furniture products that weren’t available in Australia. “After lots of talking about it, trying to get things made and researching, my husband finally said to me one day ‘for god sake just do it!'” says Kristy.
Incy Interiors’ founder Kristy Withers
That first year of business was so successful that even Kristy’s daughter was waiting in line for one of the brand’s covetable cots. “The year we launched I also had my daughter Polly, and she didn’t have a cot until she was at least six months old because it kept selling out, so I had to keep bumping her to the next shipment!” says Kristy.
The stylish range has since expanded to encompass around 70 products and is available across the globe with distributors in the US and UK and stockists in New Zealand, the UAE, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Kristy’s daughter Polly with a sofa from the new collection
And Kristy manages all of this from her base in Orange, where she resides with her husband and two children on 100 acres of land. “We lead a really simple, easy life in such a beautiful part of the world. Most of my team are based in Sydney so I have a great excuse to get back to the city and get my fix and catch up with my friends. I couldn’t imagine life any other way,” says Kristy.
The new collection features velvet in five lovely shades
As for the brand’s most popular product, it’s no surprise to hear that it’s the rose gold cot. “I don’t think there would have been Incy without our rose gold products. I have lost count of how many beds and cots we have sold. They are definitely our signature piece that are the perfect blend of classic but cool!” says Kristy.
This new children’s Chesterfield is rather gorgeous
And to celebrate Incy’s tenth birthday, the brand has a new range on the horizon too – slated to launch next month and pictured here. Central to the brand’s ethos, Incy believes that kids’ rooms are sacred spaces in which children can showcase their creativity and thus have launched a fully customisable range that speaks to this. With five velvet shades and two gorgeous, aged leathers, the range represents over 1000 exciting design possibilities.
Dark brown aged leather features in the range
“We are so excited about the massive new collection and we also have a new collaboration that I am really excited about, that has been in the works for two years. We have something really exciting happening every month of this year so strap yourselves in for some amazingness from Incy as we hit our second decade!”
Photography: Pablo Viega (shot on location at stylist Steve Cordony’s gorgeous Rosedale Farm)
Covet My Coffee Table: With Kristy Withers from Incy Interiors
While Incy Interiors’ Kristy Withers calls Central NSW her main base (she grew up there and moved her family back there recently), she maintains a small apartment in Sydney that…
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.
The ‘Coco’ and ‘Klim’ Australian art prints are seen here styled with the brand’s removable wall decals
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
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.
The ‘Alphabet Pop’ print
The ‘Times Table’ print is one for the older kids
The ‘Blocks’ 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…
Designing an ideal kid’s bedroom can be a task many fear due to the risk of creating a space that needs constant updating to reflect your child’s age and likes. Whether you are starting from scratch or building on an existing space, it is important to remember that you want to design a room that will grow with your little one. British Paints’ Nick Walsh, has pulled together five top tips for designing a kid’s bedroom that will stand the test of time and show your child’s unique personality.
Keep your main paint colour simple
Creating a base that will stand the test of time is the easiest way to give your child’s newly decorated space longevity. Lighter colours like whites and greys are perfect building blocks for a great bedroom and won’t date over the years.
If your child wants to customise their space, then consider creating a feature wall to inject some fun and personality through colour. When possible, position your feature wall behind the bed to ensure it catches your eye the minute you walk into the room. If you have opted for a warm tone colour for the room’s base, use a complimenting warm tone for a feature wall to make the room feel balanced. Ideally, select a colour that you will be able to add touches of throughout the room in your accessorising.
Opt for multipurpose furniture pieces
When selecting pieces of furniture to add to your freshly painted room, pick pieces that have multiple purposes and will be well-used. For example, a bed with pull-out drawers will not only allow for greater storage space but will also provide a clutter free space where kids can play.
If you have an old piece of furniture that you want to upcycle and add to your kid’s room, give the piece of furniture a light sand before applying one easy coat of British Paint’s Prep 4in1 Water Based. Once your paint is dry, two coats of British Paint’s H2O Enamel Gloss is the best way to keep the piece looking fresh and protect it from its young owner.
Bring the space to life with some art
Wall stickers and murals may look stylish but they can be difficult to remove after a few years, often pulling off paint or causing cracks. Instead, bring the space to life with art and posters that you can easily switch in and out to match your child’s interests. Large poster frames are an ideal and cost-effective way to add a personal touch to your child’s room and will allow for you to effortlessly change the feel of the room by swapping out old artwork for new, more age appropriate pieces.
Be playful in your accessorising of the space
Now that your walls are looking great and you have your new furniture pieces in place, it’s time to make the room feel super homely with some accessories. Rugs, cushions and throws are a great way to add pops of colour to a room, while making it feel cosy. Don’t forget that little ones love texture, so why not incorporate a shaggy rug, fluffy cushion or silky blanket into their space. Aside from soft furnishings, inexpensive touches like battery-operated fairy lights or glow-in-the-dark stars are an easy way to bring a sense of magic to the room and are guaranteed to have them spending hours in their new space.
-Nick Walsh is a Product Manager at British Paints, an Australian paint company that has produced high quality products for more than 80 years.
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This nursery caught our eye this week courtesy of its moody vibe and interesting mix of old and new finds. The creation of stylist Penny Hyams (of The Studio Melbourne), who worked with children’s interior store Hello Little Birdie, gender neutrality and sustainability were key to the brief. “We specialise in incorporating vintage pieces in our shoots as we believe they add personality to a room, and stop them looking too generic,” says Penny.
Sitting atop the wardrobe, that Castle & Things ‘Love’ print is perfection!
Arguably the hero of the room, the cot was a Gumtree find, purchased from someone who had had it in their family for over 100 years. Used by three generations of the one family, the cot presented an ideal upcycling opportunity for Penny who repainted it and purchased a new mattress to go with it. “It was white when we bought it but there were many chips and you could see the history through them. There were several layers of different coloured paint beneath,” says Penny.
The cot bedding and cushions were sourced from Castle & Things and H&M Home
The room’s upcycled wardrobe was purchased on eBay for just $10 before Penny painted it dark grey with a matte black interior – it was originally white. “It has lots of little drawers and racks for displaying treasures. We loved that we could layer things on top of it as well,” says Penny.
Amazingly, the room’s big-ticket items (the cot, wardrobe and old tin case), cost a total of just $160! “We mixed expensive bedding with very affordable items and think this could be an easy project to inspire others,” says Penny.
This room could easily transition to an older child’s room simply by swapping out the cot for a bed
Old meets new aesthetic preferences aside, Penny and her team are passionate about sustainability and its principles underpin their whole ethos. “It’s hugely important to us! We have recently made our studio plastic-free and are working hard toward being carbon neutral in the not too distant future. There are so many vintage design gems out there waiting to be found and we now have quite a good collection of them.”
The ‘Safari’ tufted rug is from Ferm Living
Photography: Sandy Rogulic for The Studio Melbourne | Styling: Penny Hyams and Mel Spurling
“The design brief for the room was pretty simple really – unicorns, mermaids, rainbows with splashes of pink and yellow,” says interior stylist Sarah McMillan of The Cullin Interiors who recently revamped little Bridget Cole’s bedroom on behalf of the Dandelion Wishes Foundation – the charitable organisation that supports the Monash Children’s Hospital.
The room features bedding from Society of Wanderers and Silky Tots Pillow Slips
The face of the hospital, Bridget was born with a rare genetic syndrome that resulted in lengthy stays after she was born, and she still visits the hospital around three times per week as an out-patient. “Bridget, her parents and three siblings are doing it tough. They couldn’t even afford a mattress for Bridget. We wanted to create an amazing wonderland of a room for her,” says Sarah.
The room features a rug from Four Corner Rugs and a Catty Wampus teepee
Based on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, The Cullin Interiors is a chief sponsor of the Dandelion Wishes Foundation and its annual ball, and the team worked hard to secure donations from 23 partners to bring Bridget’s room to life. “Bridget played in her new room for hours while we were installing. Despite such hardship the family are very much cup half-full people,” says Sarah.
Bridget Cole with The Cullin Interiors’ Sheree Cullin and Sarah McMillan on the installation day
“When we approached the Monash Children’s hospital about being a sponsor, we came up with the idea that we would like to transform a room for a child,” says Sarah of how the lovely project came about.
The reading nook features artwork by Secret Weapon Creative an occasional chair by Zillo + Hutch and hanging pots from Capra Designs
The room features stylish wares from Society of Wanderers, Secret Weapon Creative, Zillo + Hutch, Mustard Made, Olli Ella, Catty Wampus and Sealy to name a few. Bridget’s custom rainbow bed was designed by The Cullin Interiors’ sister brand The Cullin Design. “We’ll sponsor the ball every year and we’ve got designers, stylists, artists all wanting to donate to the next room revamp,” says Sarah.
This gorgeous original artwork was donated by Sabina Klein
Like many parents, before I had kids I envisioned a toy area filled with lovely looking wooden toys but sadly, the reality is somewhat different! In fact, sometimes I feel like I’m literally wading in plastic which is why I was rather captivated by the story of the newish children’s furniture brand ecoBirdy whose stylish speckled wares are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic toys sourced from Italian kindergartens and schools. What a fabulous idea!
The lovely ecoBirdy collection
“We found ecoBirdy last year at the Milan fair because they stood out – they had something to say about sustainability but the narrative was so fun and creative,” says Erna Walsh of KFive, the Australian distributor for the Italian brand.
“The ecoBirdy founders Vanessa and Joris told us that the range is the result of two years of very intense research and studying on plastic, plastic toys and their recycling and upcycling. They found out that plastic toys are among the most intensive users of plastic of all consumer goods. Children grow fast and their abilities and interests shift even faster, therefore toys are abandoned,” says Erna of the collection that, while made from recycled plastic waste, can easily be recycled again too.
The gorgeous Charlie chair. Thanks to a speckled look, the pieces are both eye-catching as well as being recognisable products of recycling.
Comprised of four designs, the collection includes a chair, table, unique kiwi bird-shaped storage container and rhino shaped lamp. Taking inspiration from rhinos, the latter piece aims to raise awareness, not only of sustainability, but also of this species’ endangered status.
The manufacturing process includes sorting, cleaning and grinding of old toys to ensure that the end result is clean, safe and free from harmful chemicals. Rounded edges and a smooth surface make the pieces pleasant to touch and easy to clean too which is important for a kids’ brand.
Extending its eco-consciousness even further, the brand also produces an accompanying storybook and school programme that has been designed to introduce youngsters to the circular economy and sustainability.
Italian children recycling their toys for the brand
And unsurprisingly, the brand has collected a swag of awards since its inception. “It’s really made an impact on the international scene winning the Good Design Award, Australian German Design Award and the Henry van de Velde Award which is Belgium’s most important design prize. Its also been exhibited at incredible venues like the V&A Childhood Museum in London, who loved the pieces so much they kept them permanently,” says Erna.
From stylish printed blinds to a lovely Australiana themed nursery range and a preponderance of sloths, the latest children’s interior buys are so much fun!
Sack Me Australiana range: There’s something retro and nostalgic about this nursery range and it definitely recalls May Gibbs for me. Emblazoned with hand illustrated native flora and fauna, the gender neutral collection is comprised of cot and bassinet fitted sheets, security blankets, playmates and swaddles. Any piece would make a fabulous gift to send overseas. From $29.95.
Sack Me’s gorgeous new Australiana range
Australiana fauna fitted sheet, from $39
Australiana fauna playmat, $99
Cam Cam Copenhagen Harlequin wardrobe: A new addition to the stylish Danish brand’s popular Harlequin range, the timeless design has four drawers, four shelves and hanging space too. Built to last, this is perfect for a child in need of stylish storage. $1912.68.
Luxaflex kids print collection: Custom made to order, the latest Luxaflex roller blind range includes vibrant animal block prints and striking motifs in a variety of colourways, available in blockout and translucent opacities. The new prints (‘Jungle’, ‘Zebra’, ‘Elephant’ and ‘Hedgehog’) are perfect for the nursery, bedroom or playroom.
‘Zebra’ print
‘Elephant’ print
“An eye catching pattern such as these can let your blind act as a modern variation of the ‘feature wall’ in a room. This is particularly appealing in children’s rooms where their tastes may change quite rapidly as they grow, as well as rental properties where there may be limitations on the redecorating you can do,” says Luxaflex national marketing manager Jenny Brown.
‘Hedgehog’ print
‘Jungle’ print
The sloth trend: We first reported on the sloth trend at the end of last year and suddenly the slow-paced mammal is proving rather ubiquitous. From framed prints to soft toys and printed bed linen, the sloth is really enjoying its fifteen minutes. Who would have thought?
Adairs is in the midst of a sloth frenzy. Its Smiley Sloth quilt cover set, from $79.99, is a lovely unisex design.
Just in time for the Christmas holidays, IKEA has introduced a new collection of games, activities and associated accessories titled LUSTIGT following the 2017 IKEA Play Report that found 30,000 parents in 12 countries believe play encourages creativity and helps people lead healthier lives.
The new IKEA LUSTIGT play collection
Interestingly, the study also found that games feel a little socially unacceptable in this digital age but IKEA are doing their best to challenge that!
Featuring 20 different games and activities, the LUSTIGT range aims to help early development, logical thinking and promote exercise too. There’s no doubt that play encourages family interaction also – a timely reminder with the holiday season imminent. Here are some of our favourites from the range.
LUSTIGT weaving set, $29.99: A fabulous way to explore hand weaving, this loom comes with four different ribbon colours but you can use any material you want with it. From the literal to the abstract, the creative potential is infinite.
Drawing inspiration from the characters, symbols and spells of Harry Potter, the latest Pottery Barn Kids range, Harry Potter Collections, has landed in Australia. And with its lush velvets, hand-stitched celestial details, deep colours and Christmas decorations it’s sure to be a hit across the globe this festive season.
Hogwarts Express Train Bed, $2699
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Harry Potter franchise and embark on a new chapter with Pottery Barn Kids,” says Jennifer Kellor, president of Pottery Barn Kids of the range that includes furniture, textiles, decorative accessories, entertaining essentials, holiday decor and gifting.
The Harry Potter stockings, $54 each, are perfect for Christmas
Standout items include a life-sized Hogwarts Express Train Bed as well as nursery and kids’ room bedding including a deep red corduroy Patchwork Quilt, Quidditch Shaped Pillow and Hogwarts Crest Pillow.
Quidditch cushion, $59
The other standout look for kids is comprised of dusty blue and cream tones with luminous gold detailing featuring magical, mystical woven creatures. The hand stitched Hedwig Comforter is particularly beautiful – it features Harry Potter’s snowy owl Hedwig against a starry night sky and solid navy fabric on the reverse.
The gorgeous Hedwig Comforter, $279
Owl cushion, $59
The baby offering is rather gorgeous too. I love the Patronus Damask fitted cot sheet with its deep burgundy hue and whimsical illustrations
In news that will excite expecting parents, the brand spanking west elm x Pottery Barn Kids collection launches at the end of this month and it merges west elm’s signature mid-century aesthetic with Pottery Barn Kids’ renowned craftmanship. The stylish range includes affordable nursery furniture, bed linen and accessories.
The West Elm x Pottery Barn Kids collection acorn Mid-Century convertible cot
“This collection brings west elm’s most popular pieces to the nursery with the assurance of Pottery Barn Kids’ quality and rigorously tested safety, GREENGUARD Gold certification and 100 per cent cotton organic bed linen,” says Pottery Barn Kids president Jennifer Kellor of the first-time collaboration for the sister brands.
The West Elm x Pottery Barn Kids collection Audrey cot and change table – the brass and geometric details are divine!
While Pottery Barn Kids is coveted for its classic styling, mid-century lovers will delight in the collaboration. “Together, we recognised the opportunity to better serve our customers who are preparing for their next life stage by combining our skills and knowledge to create a modern nursery collection that is beautiful and sustainably made,” says west elm president Alex Bellos.
West Elm x Pottery Barn Kids Mid-Century convertible cot in acorn
The collaboration is comprised of two distinct and complementary styles – the Mid-Century and Audrey collections. As you’d expect, the Mid-Century range features warm timber finishes and retro angled legs. The Audrey collection is a more glamorous affair and boasts luxe lacquer finishes, brass accents and geometric textures. Aside from good looks, the Audrey is highly functional too – the three drawer change table has a removable change table topper that parents can affix firmly to the back of the dresser and remove as baby grows.
The range will be available online from July 24 and thereafter in selected stores nationally.
I’ve always admired people who could wait to find out the gender of their baby. I’ve had three children and have found out every time – delayed gratification is certainly not my strong point. The nursery design prospects are just too alluring for me, however you can always eschew colour and embrace a neutral palette like this Melbourne family did before they knew they were having a baby boy – their first child, Harvey.
Harvey’s gender neutral nursery features an Olli Ella rug, wallpaper from Magic Wallpaper and prints from Printspace.
“My clients didn’t know if they were having a boy or girl so we designed the room to be gender neutral, with boy or girl elements that could be added later. The clients wanted a very classic, elegant and serene space. It’s a tiny room so we needed to be clever with fitting everything in without making it look too small,” says interior designer Belinda Nihill, creative director of Nest Design Studio.
The gorgeous details – the hand-stitched cushion is from Little Willow Vintage
Working with a Boori cot and change table that the clients had already purchased, Belinda was tasked with selecting all the other items to complement. A tonal mix of cream, grey and white, the space is an elegant and tranquil one.
Belinda’s clients had already purchased the Boori change table and cot
“I think neutral nurseries are, in general, very elegant. They can be timeless and are a great option for parents who aren’t finding out which sex they are having. To have a room that is beautiful as is, and then being able to add some simple boy or girl touches once baby arrives to add some additional design elements to the room is ideal,” says Belinda.
Pottery Barn shelves
One of the room’s hero pieces is the rocking chair that sits in the corner. “I think the beautiful Pottery Barn Kids Chair and shelving really make the room. That little corner, complete with beautiful custom cushion, marble detailing and grey velvet is just perfection,” says Belinda.
This tranquil feeding area is Belinda’s favourite part of the room
Belinda is a big fan of the wallpaper too – a simple, neutral choice, it could potentially see Harvey through to his teenage years. “I love the wallpaper as it’s a design that is really versatile.”
It’s been a while since I’ve done a dedicated children’s interior round-up but with so many fabulous new finds for little ones, I thought it rude not to share.
Violet Eyes prints: Nailing that gorgeous whimsical child-like vibe, Violet Eyes’ new range is even better than the last and all of the designs feature Liberty of London floral prints. From $15.
Al+Em jumbo pin board in grey: The perfect place to display their latest creations, this pin board works as a constantly evolving gallery display. $304.95.
Aimee Wilder star tiger print wallpaper: I LOVE this for a little boy’s room but it’s available in pink and plenty of other fabulous colour ways too. $252 per roll.
Olala night light: I have bought battery operated night lights in the past and never will again – who wants to replace batteries on the daily?! These French cuties emit 12 hours of light and recharge on a wireless base. Little ones can carry them to the toilet at night too. $55 (for one) or $89 (for three).
Snurk single quilt cover set (ballerina): From a soccer player to an astronaut, mermaid, princess and ballerina, these photographic print quilt covers are lots of fun. $125.
Paper Provision prints: I love these minimalist children’s prints (the bespoke monogram ones in particular) and they are compatible with IKEA frames too. From $24.95.
“The design brief for this room came from Scarlett who was two years old at the time and all she wanted was pink! That was the biggest and most important request which is typical for very girly girls,” says interior stylist Kristina Van Rooyen of All is Pretty who created this beautiful space for her daughter.
The bed is from IKEA and the dollhouse is from Pottery Barn
Now three years old, Scarlett likes the grey walls – a design choice that Kristina made to future-proof the space. “I wanted a neutral base for the room so it could grow with my little girl or be easily converted into a guest room later. The hits of colour would come from the toys and the fabrics. That way, I could easily change the vibe of the room without turning it inside out. At the beginning, she wasn’t particularly happy with the grey walls, but once all the pink furniture and details start coming in, she got more excited about her ‘big girl’ room,” says Kristina.
The gorgeous Incy Interiors velvet lounge is the perfect reading spot
While the pink tones certainly stand out, it’s hard to look past the statement removable wallpaper – a monochrome oversized peony print from ColorRay Decor. “I’ve always loved wallpaper as you have a great choice of colours, patterns and textures – so many possibilities. For me, wallpaper is like art for your wall, so it was important to choose something that I really loved and hopefully my little girl would too,” says Kristina who transformed the room in one day with her husband. “It gave it a totally new look and feel. The big romantic peonies in black and white bring that wow effect when you walk into the room,” says Kristina.
Kristina and Scarlett
The room also does a good job of mixing budget pieces with higher end finds – the bed is from IKEA while the children’s lounge is a velvet stunner from our beloved Incy Interiors. The canopy, from Miss n Master, is another of the room’s highlights – the piece was chosen for its whimsical feel. “The other thing that was very important in creating this room was to achieve some element of magic, something that really sparks imagination. So just next to our beautiful canopy where Scarlett loves to play, hide and read we put on the wall little fairy doors with a little mailbox and we write letters to fairies and imagine what they are doing when we’re sleeping,” says Kristina.
A close-up of the wallpaper and fairy door
“My favourite part of the project was finding the design that would fit my daughter’s personality and to work with whatever else was going on in the house. That was my challenge and now that the room is finished I can say both of us are really happy with the outcome,” says Kristina.
The cute timber wall-hung desk is from IKEA and the velvet ottoman is a Temple & Webster find
Deciding how to decorate your little darling’s bedroom is almost as difficult as writing a birth plan and pretending you’ll stick to it. With so many novelty items and lines of licensed merchandise on the market, it’s easy to become a nervous wreck at the mere thought of decking out a nursery or rumpus room.
Well, take a deep breath and start taking notes while you’re at it because Julie Ramsay, founder of linen brand Bedtonic, has shared her top styling tips to create soothing spaces that are sure to whisk your wee ones off to lullaby land.
First of all, don’t follow fashion. Trends are not your friends in this department.
“Choose classic, gender-neutral colour schemes and a few high quality furnishings that will stand the test of time. It will save you money and headaches in the future, trust me,” Julie says.
“As I’m sure you know, today’s obsession with Dora the Explorer is likely to be replaced with Peppa Pig tomorrow – and your closets will soon overflow with all the matching merchandise you spent big on. By all means, buy your children the toys and accessories they love, but make sure they’re not permanent fixtures that are problematic or expensive to update.”
According to Julie, linen is proving popular with parents who want bedding that will feel good against their children’s skin, survive myriad washing machine cycles and co-ordinate perfectly with any colour scheme. “Linen is quite magical in that it keeps kids warm in winter and cool in summer,” she says. “It also envelopes your body, making your littles feel safe and secure. It’s a fabulous fabric to tuck tiny tikes into each night.”
Stacks of European pillows with ruffled pillowslips work well whether they’re propped up on a bed or used as scatter cushions during play dates. Linen’s durability means it will withstand all the wear and tear that any wee beastie can throw at it, making it a sound investment. It’s also stain resistant and quick to line dry, which is a godsend for those who are in the throes of toilet training.
Since linen lasts for years, consider pairing vintage sheets with new purchases to create eclectic looks. Your fitted and top sheets don’t have to match. In fact, beds can look even more inviting when covered in complementary colour combinations.
People who prefer to sleep straight under their doona covers without top sheets can still get plenty of use out of their spare flat sheets. Using them as table cloths, customising them into curtains (with a few strategically placed holes and some curtain rings) or cleverly draping them to create tents and tepees are all wonderful ways to put this versatile fabric to good use.
“Children love using sheets to create secret hideaways within the safety of their own rooms,” Julie says. “Linen also makes a great canvas. If you really want to be a cool parent, let your child personalise their space by giving them a sheet to paint or decorate with stickers, pictures, pompoms, buttons, bunting and bling of their choosing.”
Julie made a conscious effort to let her daughter, Mollie, explore her creative freedom in her own bedroom. “It’s important not to be too precious about your child’s room. Most of the furniture in Mollie’s bedroom has come from secondhand shops and verge pick-ups, but we’ve resurfaced it and let Mollie paint or repurpose it in ways that inspire her,” Julie says. “It was our priority to give our child an imaginative space that was uniquely hers and functional as well as good-looking.”
These days, layering multiple shades of her mum’s linen on the bed is one of Mollie’s favourite decorating techniques. Bedtonic’s children’s collection currently includes winter white and white and navy ticking stripe sheets. This summer, their kids’ collection will extend to reversible duvets with a move into pure linen for babies, including sheet sets, swaddle wraps and bespoke linen blankets with contrasting stitching for a touch of whimsy.
“The blanket looks gorgeous when combined with either of the children’s sheet sets,” Julie says. “It can also double as a picnic blanket, making it perfect for hosting teddy bear picnics and tea parties.”
As most of you know, we moved house a few months ago and shortly afterwards, headed to the UK for a month. So we decided it wasn’t worth reassembling Seb’s cot and that we would start his room from scratch as a “big boy room” with a single bed and try our luck.
Now, who better to collaborate with on this important room than my favourites, Pottery Barn Kids? When they asked if I’d like to work with them on Seb’s room, I couldn’t have said yes fast enough! Luckily, I was really clear what I wanted for him from the get-go: a timeless, classic, calm, comfortable space, loosely themed around his favourite things: anything transport! While I agree that kid’s rooms should be fun and about the kids, he is lucky enough to have his own playroom which is chock full of primary colours, toys, plastic and fun! So the idea for the bedroom was for it to be very calm and sleep-inducing (he has never excelled in the sleep department, much to our disappointment!). It was to be unashamedly low on toys and big on books! The other major factor was that this room could easily transition with him as he got older, with solid big ticket items which weren’t too babyish.
I am absolutely thrilled with what we created together and Seb transitioned to being in a bed amazingly well (okay, maybe because he was already jetlagged from our UK trip, but I’ll take it!). While he does all his playing in the playroom still, he loves choosing books for bedtime from his Madison Bookrack Tower. If you ask me, all kids should have one of this style of bookcase where the covers are facing out. It makes reading and choosing books so much more appealing, especially when they’re down at their level. Just make sure you anchor them, and any furniture for that matter, to the wall. Pottery Barn Kids furniture comes with anti-tip kits.
The starting point for the room was Haymes Greyology 4. I originally picked a green paint colour without first testing it on the walls (don’t do this, people!) and it turned out to be a “lime crime” so we swiftly changed that to this gorgeous grey, which we have in most of the rest of the house. We have also carpeted all our bedrooms in a nice mid grey and installed plantation shutters.
We went for grey for the main furniture items because it’s a bit different to white but still very timeless and the bedside, bed and dresser would look just as appropriate in a teenage boy’s room. They’re all from the Elliott range.
We picked the Elliott bed for many reasons. Firstly, it has two height settings, so while he’s little it can be lower and therefore easier for him to hop in and out on his own (which he does). Second, on the higher setting, you can put a trundle underneath (perfect for sleepovers when he is older). And third, it’s just a really lovely classic shape that will again look perfectly fine in an older kid’s bedroom. The quality of this furniture pretty much wowed me and it’s made of solid timber and MDF with traditional carpentry techniques. It’s better than what we have in our own bedroom, I think! The dresser and bedside come fully assembled and the bed is straightforward to put together (although you can pay extra for Pottery Barn Kids to do this for you when they deliver). I read up on mattresses and the importance of kids having something supportive while their little bodies are still growing. We chose the Sealy Posturepedic Dusk from Forty Winks in medium firmness.
We bought this Moomin print for our future child while on honeymoon in Tokyo before we were even pregnant or planning to be!
Onto the more fun stuff, the ride-on train went down a storm and is rarely in the bedroom but rather being tripped over elsewhere in the house! Damian is totally jealous and wishes he’d had one when he was a kid. Months later, Seb still comments on his “toot-toot sheets” (Organic Train Sheet Set) which we combined with more neutral linen like the gorgeous Vintage Yarn Dye Reversible Quilt (which I may yet steal for myself!).
Don’t expect toddlers to smile in photoshoots when it’s past their nap time…
You can never have too many Anywhere Chairs (out of shot) to sit on (this is his second). I recommend them to everyone with kids. the Collector’s Shelves are a great way to display favourite books and toys and add colour and interest. We now change them around regularly. And another favourite piece is the the Rowan Lamp (it comes in brass or nickel) which is a first of its kind in that it also has a nightlight in the base. We also put a super cool neon ‘Sebastian’ light on the wall from Neon Poodle which sadly arrived after the photoshoot. It’s a real wow piece.
The whole process of putting this room together was so fun. Pottery Barn Kids interior designer Ebony Quaid was an awesome help; so passionate about her job. From putting together a concept board based on my wants to providing advice and helping style the finished space, it was great working with her.
Jen with PBK’s Ebony Quaid
Since the shoot, we have unpacked properly and added a lot more art and accessories to this room but it is still a very calm and simple space. I’m thinking about doing one wall with wallpaper. What do you think?
Did you know Pottery Barn Kids offer free design services to all their customers (not just bloggers like me!)? Here’s a little video of Ebony and I discussing the room:
Do you have a little one (or one on the way) whose room needs a makeover? One lucky person will win a $1000 voucher to spend on whatever they like at Pottery Barn Kids!
Simply fill out the form below or pick one up in store. Entries close at 11.59pm AEST on 31 August 2017.
You could perhaps trace it back to the birth of Etsy but there’s no doubt that crafting has enjoyed a monumental rise over the last decade, paving the way for once-forgotten arts such as patchwork quilting to emerge with a new, on-trend aesthetic. Eschewing the intricate design and ‘more is more’ approach of traditional quilting, Alphabet Monkey stands out in the marketplace for its modern take on the ancient art.
Alphabet Monkey’s Nicole Nicol and her daughter with her mother Denise Griffiths
“I think the essence of a quilt and especially a patchwork quilt is a feeling of being special – through history they are traditionally made by a family member for special occasions and I think it’s important to keep that handmade touch. All our current ranges feature hand cut and hand stitched felt motifs,” says Alphabet Monkey’s Nicole Nicol who produces the range together with an ethical sewing studio in Bali. “I love the creative process so some of the items such as our teether and custom name cushions are made here in my own studio.”
A trained interior designer, Nicole worked as a visual merchandiser at Domayne before having children and learning to sew. But it was the birth of her son that inspired her to create her own range of quilts and launch Alphabet Monkey. “My mum thought the sewing gene had skipped me. I only learnt to use a sewing machine after having my son in 2010, to make baby quilts and cushions to fulfil my creative need. I was ready for a change from my previous job and started Alphabet Monkey soon after,].”
She attributes her technical skills to her mother, Denise Griffiths. “Mum’s highly intricate art quilts in bold colours and textures have won prizes and been exhibited all over the world. She taught me everything I know about sewing and encouraged a creative entrepreneurial spirit, however I think my background in interiors allowed me to experiment and create more freely,” says Nicole.
The range also features bunting, cushions and more
Denise works as a contractor to her daughter, helping to finish quilt bindings and sew patches together. “It gives her pocket money for her many overseas trips and she also looks after the shipping or sewing urgent orders when I’m away. And now that I have a daughter I think it’s really special to see her and my mum at the sewing machine together. I don’t think the sewing gene will skip her,” says Nicole.
Nicole also has a particular interest in creating stylish interior options for boys, an interest that was piqued after the birth of her son. “Everyone was saying how hard it was to find choices for boys back then but it’s interesting to see how much the market has changed since 2010. There was never the same variety as there was for girls. Also, the market was looking for less traditional approaches to boys’ fashion and bedding with monochrome starting its rise.” Nicole who has introduced her first girls’ range this year but intends to primarily target the boys/unisex market.
Another aspect that sets the range apart is its exclusive fabrics, made in small-batch runs in Indonesia. “I was always frustrated that I couldn’t find what I had in mind, there were hardly any options to get your own designs printed back then and they were expensive. After a holiday to Bali, I had heard about a lot of Aussies getting products produced in low quantities and thought I’d see if I could get some of my own fabrics printed. I found someone who could assist me with production so I was very excited to be able to create our own unique patterns and prints to offer something truly our own.” Nicole who works exclusively with ethical, environmentally-conscious manufacturers.
Hand stitched felt motifs feature throughout the range
