Tag: kids rooms

Safe nursery design tips: it’s not all about the pretty

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date March 3, 2015
2 Comments on Safe nursery design tips: it’s not all about the pretty

By Adrienne Biscontin

Baby rooms have come a long way from just the cot, change table and nightlight. These days, nurseries are often the most stylish room in the home, with Scandinavian furniture, designer toys, organic bamboo linen, personalised lighting, and interior designers who specialise in putting it all together! Yep, styling nurseries has become a booming industry.

However, having a beautifully styled nursery is one thing, but providing a safe nursery for your baby to sleep, and eventually play in, is entirely another.

Most of the images you’ll come across on my page, Interiors Addict, Pinterest and elsewhere on the web have been styled for the photo; carefully placed items to showcase the products, the style and the furniture you can have in your baby room. It’s not actually how the room should be. Though the trend is now for more pared back nurseries with beautiful art, furnishings and simple details, safety is still as important as it ever was.

We can’t expect stylists to make all their photographs health and safety compliant, but as parents we do have a responsibility to make sure our own real-life nurseries are safe places for our children.

Practically speaking, there are a few dos and don’ts when setting up your nursery:

Location of the cot

There are several factors to consider when placing the cot in your baby’s room. It should not be under or against a window where a baby could easily climb out or push against the window (away from light peeping in will also help them sleep better). It should not be near blinds where cords are hanging, or curtains that could be pulled. There must be good air flow around the cot, so ideally it shouldn’t be in the corner of the room — ensure at least three sides are exposed. Likewise, keep the change table away from windows, and do not rest any frames or heavy items on the change table that the baby could easily pull down. And never leave your baby unattended on the change table.

Around the cot

The Animal Print Shop by Sharon Montrose — Those tassles and cushions look fab but they’re a big safety no-no. Image credit: The Animal Print Shop

Babies sleep a lot (or so you hope!) so it’s crucial that their bassinet or cot is in the safest place for them to sleep. Do not have anything hanging over or on the cot. Lighting, mobiles, garlands, bunting — these all look gorgeous in a baby’s room, but just not over (within reaching distance) or on the cot. Babies will grab things before you know it and anything near the cot just isn’t safe. A securely fasteend mobile a safe distance above a cot, is fine.

On the cot

Do not have any blankets, doonas, wraps or throws hanging over the end or the side of the cot. These are a popular feature in stylists’ images of nurseries, but are there to show the style and products, they are not to be left there for sleeps. Anything hanging over the end of the cot that could fall off, or be pulled off, isn’t safe for your baby. Picture frames should not be leaning against the cot, or resting on the cot against the wall. One small bump and they could easily fall. Soft toys and dolls should be well away from the cot, not resting on the end or the side.

In the cot

Indi Nursery 2 — Perfect for a photoshoot but not for a newborn. Image credit: Vivid Wall Decals

Safe sleeping is the main focus of organisations like SIDS. They state very clearly that pillows, doonas/duvets, soft toys, cot bumpers or lambswools should not be anywhere in, or near the cot. Pillows, cushions and soft toys look lovely in photos, but can be a dangerous suffocation risk if they fall over a baby’s head, or they wriggle up against them. They also affect the air flow within the cot. Cot bumpers (those padded cushions that tie right around the inside of the cot to the cot bars)… forget it! They just restrict air flow and if your baby pulls them down over their head, or wriggles their head up against, or under them, it can be dangerous. The ties are dangerous too, and some are so padded that an older baby could use them as leverage to climb up, then fall out of, the cot.

If you want to use anything around your cot bars to prevent little arms and legs poking out, only use Australian Safety Standard approved AirWraps by The Little Linen Company. They also provide a visual shield if you want to pop your head in to see if your baby’s asleep! This is what I use and they’re great.

Sheepskins have also become common in nursery images with the popularity of Scandi-style interior design, but any lambswool or sheepskin should never be in the cot. Babies will overheat very quickly if they’re left to sleep on a sheepskin. Only use them as rugs on the floor, as throws or on chairs.

Only use bedding that is lightweight, breathable 100% cotton or bamboo. It is better to add more layers of blankets than have one thick, heavy blanket. SIDS recommends against using a PVC-backed mattress protector as they can cause your baby to overheat. I use Bambi 100% cotton mattress protectors and they’re fantastic for protecting my mattresses against spills, vomits and wet nappies.

The cot itself

When purchasing a cot, ensure that it’s compliant with Australian Safety Standards with the correct gap (between 50 and 95 mm) between the cot bars for maximum air flow. This is particularly important if you are using a secondhand cot. If you can, purchase a cot that has all sides exposed, not enclosed ends. Cot mattresses are sold separately, so ensure you have a firm and well-fitting mattress with no gaps between the cot and the mattress. Press your hand firmly down on the mattress then remove it — if you can still see your handprint then the mattress is too soft for a baby to sleep on.

Elsewhere in the nursery

Nightlights or lamps should be kept well away from blinds and curtains, and out of reach of little hands. Keep baby monitors well out of, and off the cot. These days, baby monitors are very sensitive and will pick up any noise from the room if you sit them beside the cot on a table, shelf, bookcase, or any surface safely out of your baby’s reach. Ensure cords are hidden, even taped, well out of sight behind or under furniture. Exposed powerpoints should be blocked with a safety plug (Ikea sell them in bags of 12) and ensure you have a working smoke detector in, or close to, the room.

If you would like more information on safely purchasing furniture and setting up your nursery, read the ACCC’s Keeping Baby Safe Guide — it has excellent information on everything you need to protect your baby in the home.

Enjoy your ‘nesting’ time at home when preparing for your baby. Setting up your nursery is such a fun and exciting process, just make sure it’s safe.

— Adrienne Biscontin is a mum of three and blogger at Stylish Bump.

Tags accc keeping baby safe guide, Adrienne Biscontin, baby safe, cot safety, cots, kids room, kids rooms, nurseries, nursery, nursery safety, pregnancy, safe nurseries, safe nursery, sids, sids and kids, stylish bump

Furniture Interviews Kids Rooms

Incy Interiors: the Australian kids interiors success story

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date February 27, 2015
No Comments on Incy Interiors: the Australian kids interiors success story

Here at Interiors Addict we are big fans of Incy Interiors, so much so that Jen chose their Lucy change table in mint to be a feature in her nursery (the big reveal will come once it’s finished, we promise)! And we’re not the only ones. Their cots, in particular, can be seen all over magazines, blogs and Pinterest!

[contextly_sidebar id=”BI8kcZPH2FiUFF4E4DbTUXVNsOlah7cD”]Starting four years ago, Incy Interiors began making designer children’s furniture, before more recently adding adult bedroom furniture to their repertoire. With a new flagship store in Sydney’s Chatswood Chase, the once one-woman show has now grown into a team of 13 and founder Kristy Withers has one person to thank: her son, Oscar.

“Finding the perfect big boy bed for my son Oscar inspired the launch of Incy,” explains Kristy. “I searched and searched for over six months to try to find the perfect brown iron bed. I had seen lots of gorgeous beds overseas and I tried to import them. I also tried to have them made here, as well as buying an old one and re-spraying it, but it was either too expensive or I was worried about the safety.”

So instead, Kristy decided to start from scratch herself, designing and making what would be the first of many beds, the aptly titled Oscar. And while she admits she’ll always have a soft spot for her first creation, nowadays her personal favourite product is the Eden (rose gold) bed, because as Kristy so rightly says: “What girl doesn’t want a gold bed?!”

As a huge fan of metallics, Kristy is glad to see them gaining in popularity. And with a personal redecorating project on the cards, transitioning her daughter’s nursery to a big girl’s room, a peach and rose gold colour palette is currently the frontrunner. “Monochrome and pastels are still going strong but I’m excited to see that metallics, especially copper and rose gold, are making an appearance in the nurseries of some super cool new arrivals.”

For Kristy, nurseries need to tick two boxes: to be a haven for the new arrival, whilst also fitting into the rest of the house. So to make this room a reality, Kristy recommends spending the big bucks on one or two statement pieces and going for more thrifty pieces elsewhere. “The absolute must-buy product is a beautiful cot. Even in the smallest of spaces, a divine cot allows you to create a beautiful space for your little one. If space and budget allow, a good change table and comfortable (but also stylish) chair will make those hours of feeding and changing a lot easier. Then if you have those gorgeous pieces that grab your attention, you can go for more budget savvy items elsewhere.”

For more information.

Tags beds, chatswood chase, cots, design, incy interiors, kids rooms, kristy withers, nurseries

Furniture Homewares Interviews Kids Rooms

Australian nursery ideas: with Rockferry

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date February 26, 2015
No Comments on Australian nursery ideas: with Rockferry

Nurseries have come along way from the baby pink and powder blue rooms of the past. Now they are much more pared back and mature; think gorgeous pastels, metallics, monochrome, timber and concrete pieces. But how do you make sure your child’s room meets these trends us grown ups love the look of, but is still fun and kid-like? After all, the room is for a baby!

“A room that mum, dad and baby all love spending time in would be the perfect nursery to me,” explains Annabelle Adams, founder of Rockferry. “Our brands we stock could transition easily between little girls or little boys rooms — and even be moved into the adult rooms of the house. Our aesthetic is the perfect mix of quirky and classic pieces that are still full of personality.”

Stocking homewares for all ages by Australian and New Zealand designers, at the core of Rockferry is slow design, buying local and moving away from cheaply made, imported products. With a particular interest in supplying goodies for babies and kids, their homewares fit perfectly into current trends.

“Absolutely the trend is a move away from a typical kids room towards a pared back, monochrome or Scandinavian style with pops of colour, bold and often quirky prints and patterns, and clever storage options. Rockferry is focused on adding those accessories that complement a monochrome or Scandinavian base and bring the personality of the room to life.”

When it comes to Annabelle’s dream nursery, she would add personality to the space through gorgeous linens, soft furnishings, storage, lighting and art. And while that may sound like a lot of (expensive) stuff, she has lots of tips on how you can save some cash.

“Be creative! For low-cost art, frame up cute greeting cards or tea towels and display them in a group. For storage, buy some that looks great and you will tick two boxes — points of interest in the room and functionality — meaning you can spend less on purely decorative items. And re-organise often, change up soft furnishings and the position of display items to give the room a fresh look without having to spend a penny!”

However, if you’re a bit stuck on styling, Rockferry offer a free styling service for customers who are unsure on how to fill a particular space. Proving very popular, Annabelle is also in the process of developing a paid service for more detailed requests, where she’ll create full mood boards and recommend both Rockferry and other products. Watch this space!

Shop online.

Photography by Armelle Habib | Styling by Aimee Tarulli

Tags australian nursery ideas, decorating kids rooms, decorating nurseries, design, homewares, interiors, kids rooms, kids rooms ideas, nurseries, nursery, rockferry

Homewares Interviews Kids Rooms

Australian kids room ideas: with BabyDonkie

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date February 19, 2015
No Comments on Australian kids room ideas: with BabyDonkie

Having three children of her own and 20(!) nieces and nephews, Dong-Maria Le has always had a lot of kids’ presents to buy! Being constantly on the lookout for gorgeous, high quality and stylish pieces, all the gift buying saw her curate quite the collection of unique clothing, accessories, toys and decor; the perfect backdrop for opening up her own business, BabyDonkie.

Launching BabyDonkie while on maternity leave in 2012, Dong-Maria specialises in products for babies and kids. Influenced by colour, all things retro and Scandinavian design, she offers beautiful pieces that won’t break the bank, perfect if you’re styling on a budget. “Changing the style of a kid’s room can be quite affordable by adding cushions, paper storage bags, prints, wall stickers or wooden/felt banners. Many of these can be purchased for around $30-to-50.”

While cheap and cheerful accessories are ideal for styling a kid’s room, Dong-Maria recommends investing in larger pieces, especially those that will grow with your child. “Must-buy products for a kid’s room are the investment pieces; products like a bed, storage (bedside or clothing) and lighting are a must.

“Adding something personal is a beautiful touch, such as a favourite toy or book, or a print or light with their initial on it.”

With Dong-Maria’s favourite trends currently being monochrome with a pop of colour and fun prints like animals, ice cream and fruit in delicious colours, her dream kids room would contain all of this and a lot more! “My dream room is a tidy room! I would love for it to include a reading nook, a corner for pretend play such as a wooden kitchen, a teepee to hide in, beautiful prints and favourite toys on display and lots and lots of storage!”

Shop online.

Photography and Styling by Nicola Brooke

Tags accessories, Australian kids room ideas, BabyDonkie, bedroom, clothing, decor, design, Dong-Maria Le, homewares, interior, kids bedroom, kids room ideas, kids rooms, styling, toys

Homewares Interviews Kids Rooms

Australian nursery ideas: with La De Dah Kids

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date February 2, 2015
No Comments on Australian nursery ideas: with La De Dah Kids

When her son was born with skin allergies, Rebecca Meyer realised how hard it was to find well-designed cotton toys without synthetic yarn. Sparking an idea, she decided to begin La De Dah Kids, an affordable and high quality lifestyle brand, with a penchant for crochet!

“I love everything about crochet as a medium,” says Rebecca. “The colour, texture, strength and practicality. Sometimes when you are limited to one medium the options to be creative are endless. I also love that it is an old traditional craft that can be re-invented time and time again.”

With the majority of La De Dah Kids’ homewares and toys being made from crochet, all their designs are quirky and unusual, and handmade ethically by a team of 180 passionate women in China.

With a style that is a mishmash of everything (there’s a little Scandinavian in there and a little retro!), their products are a perfect addition to any nursery or kids room. They are also ideal for those on a tight budget, with their toys, storage baskets and floor rugs perfect for parents wanting to decorate beautifully without breaking the bank. “You don’t need a huge budget to make an amazing nursery,” explains Rebecca. “Some of my tips are using toys and books as decorative art on open shelves to make a feature. You also don’t need to fill a nursery with bulky storage items; you can use great storage baskets for all the bits and bobs. This way it makes items portable and keeps things organised and practical. Furthermore, I would recommend buying a floor rug that is practical and can grow with your baby.”

Other tips Rebecca has for decorating on a budget include using paint to create a feature wall, repurposing and painting old furniture and investing only in pieces that will last and grow with your child. “Choose items that your child can grow with. Don’t just search kids sections; there are some great adult homewares that look lovely in kids rooms too. Have fun this really can be a fun project! And if your child is old enough include them in the process.”

With La De Dah Kids having just launched their latest collection, all their products perfectly suit the current trends of black and white and pastel nurseries. “This year’s go-to colour combo for a baby’s room is black and white. The classic, back-to-basics colours makes a great unisex base that you can then add pops of colour to as your child grows. Also these years the must have for any little girls room is a soft pastel palette. Think Gelato ice cream of all shades.”

Shop online.

Photography by Eve Wilson | Styling by Paige Anderson

Tags australian nursery ideas, crochet, crochet toys, decorating nurseries, kids rooms, la de dah kids, nurseries, nursery, rebecca meyer

Kids Rooms Styling

Australian nursery ideas: with The Affordable Style Files

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date January 29, 2015
No Comments on Australian nursery ideas: with The Affordable Style Files

With her lifestyle blog and styling business of the same name, The Affordable Style Files, Hong Henwood is passionate about making beautiful interiors a reality for everyone, no matter the budget.

“I started The Affordable Style Files because I wanted to show people that you can style your home on any budget,” explains Hong. “I use both affordable and secondhand pieces, as well as some designer products, to create looks that make your house a home in accordance with your taste. I love mixing vintage with modern.”

Providing an e-design service, interior styling for the home and styling products for small businesses, mother of two Hong has her children Charlie and Miya to thank for getting her into interior design. “After living in Tokyo, working in a corporate job and working long hours, I decided that it wasn’t for me. I had a baby and things changed! I wanted to do something that would let me stay at home, explore my creative side and also allow me to spend time with my baby. So I decided on interior design and decoration.”

Since then, Hong has gone on to style many gorgeous rooms, but it is her nurseries in particular that have caught our eye. With a style that is a mix of: “Vintage, modern, splashes of Ikea and products that are timeless and never date,” she creates one-of-a-kind baby rooms at affordable prices. Which of course, we love!

So what are Hong’s tips for nursery styling on a budget? “Mixing secondhand pieces that you can paint and make look new again are great for nurseries. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is perfect for these types of projects. I just love a good DIY! I find Ikea have great shelving that is affordable and can make a room stand out. And online marketplaces like Etsy are also a good source for finding little pieces such as cushions, garlands, prints, soft toys and blankets for your little one.”

However, according to Hong, some things are worth splurging on, especially items that will grow with your child like a beautiful lamp, armchair or painting. “I think it’s important that your nursery should be able to be changed into a toddler room without too much fuss and expense.”

With the current nursery trends seeing a strong Nordic influence, alongside pastel colours and modern additions like Miffy lamps, stylish linen and string and floating shelving, Hong’s dream nursery is a mix of this and a little bit of The Affordable Style Files quirk! “I love nurseries to be bright, quirky and most importantly, a space that everything can be used and is comfortable! I would have an amazing armchair, beautiful vintage cot, gorgeous prints and lots of bright pieces. And a colourful armoire filled with beautiful blankets, toys and clothes.”

For more information.

Tags australian nursery ideas, design, hong henwood, interiors, kids rooms, nurseries, nursery, nursery design, nursery ideas, nursery inspiration, nursery interiors, The Affordable Style Files

Furniture Kids Rooms

Best kids’ beds: our top 10

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date January 26, 2015
No Comments on Best kids’ beds: our top 10

Having already had the challenge of narrowing our favourite kids’ bed linen down to 10, we thought the next best thing to do was to find the 10 best kids’ beds! After all, there’s no point having gorgeous linen if you have nothing to put it on. So check out the amazing ones below and get ready for some serious kid envy!

Fenwick Bedhead from Heatherly Design Bedheads: Offering a whole lot of freedom from the comfort of your own home, simply log on, choose your fabric and then tailor the cross stitching to suit. Available in a huge array of fabrics, colours and sizes (single to super king), you can also purchase an upholstered bed to match.

Miller Bed from Incy Interiors: Classic, timeless and coming in the most gorgeous emerald colour, the popular Miller (available in single and king single) is expertly crafted out of sturdy and strong metal. Available in a range of Dulux colours, you can also purchase matching bedroom furniture to create the perfect restful space.

The Pop bed by Hardwick & Cesko: This made to order Tasmanian oak and pine number is currently sold out but due to be available early this year. We love the fun Australian design by David Hardwick, based on paddle pop sticks.

Sleigh Bed from Lilly & Lolly: A real big boy/girl bed, this classic Sleigh Bed features curved sides to create a sense of privacy and comfort. Available in single, king single and double, a trundle comes as an optional extra.

Kalon Caravan Divan Bed from Kido Store: The perfect big kid bed for your toddler, the Kalon Caravan Divan can also transition seamlessly into a couch, so you can have it for years to come! Small in size and low to the ground, there are six colour options.

Madeline Canopy Bed from Pottery Barn Kids: It was my childhood dream to have a four-poster, so I know the Madeline Canopy Bed, with its intricate floral moulding and fluted posts, would have gone down a treat! As an extra, the mattress platform can be raised to accommodate a trundle or lowered to create a comfortable height for small children.

Sunday Bed from Bednest: With its winged sides, the Sunday Bed is the perfect cosy cocoon. In single and king single (with tall and trundle options also available), you can customise the bed thanks to a wide variety of fabrics; from the neutral tones that will stand the test of time to the totally impractical but fun bright colours.

Oeuf Perch Bunk from Out of the Cot: Incredibly versatile, the Oeuf Perch Bunk (in birch or walnut) can be configured as a traditional bunk to save space, an L-shaped bunk to fit into unusual spaces, or alternatively both beds can be separated; so you can set up the top bed in one room (with cupboard, dresser or desk underneath) and the lower bed in another — two rooms done! We love the flexibility of this one, meaning you’ll get use out of both beds for years to come.

Nifty Junior Bed from Ubabub: Starting as a cot, the Nifty converts easily to a junior bed, the perfect next step for a toddler. With its ‘not-so-big’ size and close proximity to the floor, the solid and beautifully designed bed will provide a sense of familiarity and comfort.

Huckleberry Bed from Bedtime: Made from reclaimed pine, no two beds are the same. Ideal for the rough and tumble of a child’s room, this bed will be all the better, not the worse, for wear! Available in single and king single, there is a wide range of matching accessories, including trundles, bedside tables and bed guards.

We hope you found this list useful. Please let us know which beds you’d add!

Tags bednest, beds, design, Heatherly Design Bedheads, incy interiors, interiors, kids bedrooms, kids beds, kids rooms, lilly & lolly, pottery barn kids

Homewares Kids Rooms

Australian kids room ideas: with Talo Interiors

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date January 20, 2015
1 Comment on Australian kids room ideas: with Talo Interiors

Knee deep in nappies with their second babies, Katie Davies and Eliza Prideaux were inspired to start their e-boutique, Talo Interiors. New babies and a new business? These girls sure aren’t shy of a challenge!

“We were having trouble finding beautiful interiors for our own kids’ bedrooms,” explains Eliza. “There are so many amazing designers from all over the world and we wanted to curate all the things we loved in the one place.”

Launched in late 2013, the online shop specialises in unique, designer products for kids bedrooms and playrooms. Sourced from a combination of trade fairs, social media, trawling online and designers approaching them, they all fit the Talo Interiors style of minimalism, natural materials, a splash of colour and high quality designs.

Late last year, Talo Interiors also released their first range of products designed by them; a line of quilt sets created in collaboration with Melbourne artist Pip Compton. “We never anticipated just how much time is involved in this process,” says Eliza. “It was long and filled with lots of new learnings, but it was all worth it in the end because we’re delighted with the result!”

Coming in beautiful greys and yellows, the quilts, like most of the Talo Interiors’ products, are in line with the current trends in kids rooms. “The biggest trends we are seeing right now are monochrome – anything black and white. A splash of metallic – think gold, silver, copper. Anything and everything superhero. And beautiful pastel colours – particularly mints and dusty pinks.”

With prices starting from as low as $15, getting on-trend pieces doesn’t have to blow the budget. Just remember to keep it simple, have a minimal amount of furniture and have those key pieces in neutral colours. “You don’t need a lot of pieces to create a beautiful room,” explains Eliza. “Key furniture items and bedding should be in neutral colours, then add personality to your room using wall stickers, prints and cushions. These are easy and affordable ways to give your room a fresh new look. Any leftover money is best spent on stylish storage – perfect for organisation and keeping those unsightly toys and trinkets out of sight!”

Shop online.

Styling by Sami Johnson | Photography by Tony Owczarek

Tags Australian kids room ideas, decorating kids rooms, Eliza Prideaux, Katie Davies, kids bedding, kids room, kids room ideas, kids rooms, playrooms, talo interiors

Bedrooms Kids Rooms

Nursery décor: it’s all for the parents, not the baby!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date January 15, 2015
1 Comment on Nursery décor: it’s all for the parents, not the baby!

Photo: Bramwell Designs. Styling by Simone Barter, photography by Elisabeth Harvey

(And that’s okay!)

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, as I start pulling together design ideas for our unborn child’s nursery. It’s a deliciously self-indulgent pass time really. Kids’ rooms are really good fun and can be beautiful, cute, dreamy, whimsical, soothing and many more lovely adjectives. But will baby benefit? Not so much. It’s all about the parents. And when I say parents, I mostly mean the mums (not to say some dads aren’t also interested in the wallpaper choices for their newborn!).

Will the baby care about that carefully chosen wall art with cute inspirational quotes or the wallpaper pattern, the carefully picked colour scheme, decorative accents or coordinating linen? Um, no. They just want a comfortable cot mattress, a dark, quiet room at the correct temperature and someone to attend to their every cry. It will be months before they can work out what’s going on with that designer mobile hanging above them or are even capable of clearly seeing it. It’s even more ironic and amusing when you consider many people’s babies won’t even sleep in these perfectly prepared sanctuaries for months after their arrival as they snooze in the bassinet in your room first!

I have my eye on the Pottery Barn Kids Emerson cot in navy

[contextly_sidebar id=”nws14UnUCJXyFjutsJctadpSyObAKS5j”]

No, nursery décor is definitely all about the parents!

And there’s absolutely nothing wrong in that if you ask me. As I prepare to spend many hours in that room feeding my child, damn straight I want a comfortable chair and some pretty things to look at. And practically, yes, I need sufficient storage for all those nappies, clothes and seemingly endless baby paraphernalia.

And designing kids’ rooms is so much fun, it really is (I remember interior designer Greg Natale once telling me the very same thing). It’s nothing like designing a grown up room. And, especially when it’s your first, working on it really adds to the anticipation and excitement.

A child's room by interior designer Greg Natale — A child’s room by interior designer Greg Natale

Of course, later on, when your child’s a bit older, they’ll appreciate the bright/soothing colours and interesting textures you’ve lovingly chosen for their room. But you can bet your bottom dollar it will be something garish and plastic which keeps their attention longest. Or, like my friend’s baby girl Audrey, it will be the energy rating sticker on the fridge which they can’t stop looking at!

In a future post, we’ll talk about the practical and safety elements of designing a nursery (no, you can’t have the cot under the window, even if it looks better there, damn it!). Later on, as it comes together, I’ll be sharing the work in progress that is Baby Interiors Addict’s nursery too. Watch this space!

If there’s a serious point to make in this post it’s that while gorgeous nurseries are fun and enjoyable to decorate, what babies really need most is love, care and attention. And nappies. And milk. Lots of that.

Find all our kids room latest in this section.

Tags children rooms, cot, greg natale, interiors, kids room decor, kids rooms, nursery design, nursery ideas, pottery barn kids

Kids Rooms Styling

Australian kids room ideas: with Young Folk

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date January 14, 2015
1 Comment on Australian kids room ideas: with Young Folk

“Children’s rooms are much more refined these days and not overly ‘kiddified’ but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fun and unique space,” says Melissa Lee, founder of Young Folk. “Have a bit of fun with colours, patterns and themes for your kids’ rooms and break the rules. It is a kid’s room after all!”

As the owner of Young Folk, an on-trend children’s interior decor and styling company, Melissa is well versed in what makes an enviable kid’s room. Housing an online selection of quality homewares and accessories exclusively for children, she also offers a range of styling services including e-design styling, on-site styling and a baby shower and nursery design registry.

Having previously worked as a prop stylist for TV and magazines, an interior stylist for residential sales and a visual merchandiser for retail, styling has long been in Melissa’s blood. However it wasn’t until her son was born that the whole world of children’s decor opened up and immediately she was hooked!

With her finger constantly on the pulse of what’s hot in kids rooms, Melissa pinpoints Scandinavian design, geometrics, metallics, washed denim and cactus prints as current trends. “I am seeing a lot of Scandi influences in kids rooms which is a new take on the monochrome look. Think grids and angled patterns still with the classic black, white and greys but also a touch of metallic, especially copper. Cactus prints are also popping up everywhere in children’s trends, both fashion and interiors, and work really well with washed denim for that beachy, relaxed look.”

Other trends include a shift to one-off, hand-made products made from natural materials: “Thinks lots of natural woods and natural fibre rugs in soft washy colour tones. As well as the use of unique pieces such as beautiful hand weaved wall hangings, which give a room a completely individual feel, different to what you see everywhere else.” Another trend she’s seeing is for positive affirmations, “but in a cool way”, such as wooden or acrylic laser cut plaques, wall flags, letter bunting and light boxes.

While all of this may sound a little pricey, Melissa is quick to point out that designing a kid’s room with a small budget doesn’t have to be the be all and end all! “When styling a kid’s room on a budget, make your money go further. Definitely consider at least one versatile furniture product for the room. Children grow incredibly fast and you will be buying a lot more than just room decor and furniture in the next few years so spend on quality items that will last.” Melissa’s other cost-saving tips include using your child’s toys as decor, adding a fresh coat of paint or wall decals and investing in only the heirloom pieces.

However, for Melissa what it comes down to is just having fun; being brave, trying something new and most importantly, making it a project that you and your child can do together if they’re old enough.

For more about Young Folk visit their website.

Styling by Melissa Lee | Photography by Richard Lee

Tags Australian kids room ideas, decorating kids rooms, kids room, kids room ideas, kids room trends, kids rooms, melissa lee, young folk

Bedrooms Competitions Kids Rooms

Win a bedroom set for your little one from Cotton On KIDS

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date January 6, 2015
No Comments on Win a bedroom set for your little one from Cotton On KIDS

Cotton On KIDS’ latest room range – their third stylish, fun and affordable bed linen and accessories collection – is possibly their best yet, and we have a set to give away to one lucky reader’s kid!

The collection, available now online and in selected stores, includes bed linen in a range of fresh and colourful prints and an abundance of new bedroom décor and accessories. Customers will be spoiled for choice with reversible quilt covers, matching sheet sets, decorative cushions, as well as timber wall hooks, plywood shadow boxes and cloud- shaped chalkboard wall decals.

Little girls will be delighted by pastel hues, polka dots and watermelon cushions, while boys can steer the ship of their bedroom design with nautical-themed cushions, bold prints and bright block colours. Or you could mix it all up and be less gender typical! In fact, all styles are designed to be mixed and matched, with items from the third collection mixing in perfectly with the first and second ranges, allowing kids and parents to re-create any bedroom and style it their way.

“The aim of the collection was to steer away from traditional girl and boy bedding options to ensure it was a combination of bright colours, fun patterns and most importantly, a collection that kids and parents will both love,” said Cotton On KIDS general manager, Natalie McLean.

The 100 percent cotton bed linen capsule is available in a range of designs suitable for single, double and queen size beds, ensuring everyone in the house, including toddlers, teens and even the big kids, can have fun revamping their bedroom.

Shop online.

WIN

We have a room set to give away including:

1 x Sweet spot doona cover

1 x Pop musk fitted sheet

1 x Sweet stop pillow case

1 x Midnight black pillow case

1 x Mike Monkey.

To enter, please complete the form below by 5pm on Sunday 11 January 2015.

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Bedrooms Kids Rooms

The latest kid’s bed from BedNest with Sunday Collector

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date December 17, 2014
No Comments on The latest kid’s bed from BedNest with Sunday Collector

Not many under-threes have a bed named after them, but little Sunday, daughter of fellow blogger Briar Stanley of Sunday Collector, does! Brings a whole new meaning to the concept of a big girl bed!

BedNest founder Nicky line says: “It’s called the Sunday bed after Briar’s divine daughter and Briar and I designed it together to create the perfect bed to last from toddler to teenager. Can you imagine being a muse at 2.5 years old?!”

The 10 best places to buy Australian kid’s linen online

It costs from $1,299 and is available is a wide variety of fabric options. The legs can be changed for taller ones as the child grows.

Pictured here with Cultiver linen. Shop online.

Tags bednest, blogger, briar stanley, collaboration, kid's bed, kids rooms, nicky line, sunday, sunday collector, teenager, todder, upholstered bed

Bedrooms Furniture Homewares Kids Rooms

Incy Interiors bring cool kids’ bedrooms to Sydney

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date November 21, 2014
No Comments on Incy Interiors bring cool kids’ bedrooms to Sydney

Creator of cult cots Incy Interiors, have opened an exciting new store in Sydney’s Chatswood Chase. If you’re looking for inspiration for a cool nursery or kids’ room, look no further!

Bathurst based since launching three years ago, Incy interiors, which has seen huge popularity and growth, is expanding to the big city. Their products are now stocked in more than 120 stores across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, as well as online.

Founder and director Kristy Withers said its Sydney store opening was the next logical step: “We have received great support from our customers since we opened our Bathurst store in 2012, but were constantly asked if we had a Sydney presence. We’re really excited to welcome existing Sydney customers and also introduce ourselves to a new pool of Incy fans.

The 10 best places to buy Aussie kids’ line online.

“Many customers still prefer to buy from a traditional bricks-and-mortar store. They like to touch and feel a product before they buy it, especially if it’s for their child.”

The new store is beautifully styled and full-to-the-brim with its award-winning furniture ranges. The timeless pieces include cots, beds, bookcases, change tables, dressers and side tables. Queen-sized designs (so kids don’t have all the fun) and the much-lauded Megan Morton limited edition beds are also available in store.

As well as Incy’s own full range, there’s an extensive selection of premium Australian brands including Kip & Co, Blacklist Studio, Armadillo, Down to the Woods, Aura, Ladedah Kids, Kate & Kate, Love Mae, and Seedling.

Incy Interiors, Shop 219, Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre, 345 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW.

Open seven days.

Tags armadillo & co, blacklist studio, cots, down to the woods, incy interiors, kate & kate, kids bedrooms, kids decor, kids rooms, kip & co, kristy withers, ladedah kids, love mae, megan morton, nursery, seedling

Homewares Kids Rooms

Goosebumps: vibrant, bold kids’ linen that packs a punch

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date November 14, 2014
No Comments on Goosebumps: vibrant, bold kids’ linen that packs a punch

“What I like most about designing for kids is that there are no rules,” explains Inga Rodd, founder of new bedding brand, Goosebumps. “Kids love fun and colour and that is what Goosebumps is all about!”

Looking at her debut range, It’s A Jungle Out There, it’s clear to see that fun and colour are at the forefront of Inga’s designs. Vibrant, bold and packing a punch, all products are unisex, reversible and sold as separates, an important decision that allows for the kids to become the designers. “I wanted to create a fun bedroom experience for kids where they could mix and match any pieces to create their own style, individuality and personality,” says Inga. “It’s about breaking all the rules and mixing and switching it up to create a wild and wonderful experience for your little monkeys.”

Having kids herself, Inga has spent the last three years staying at home looking after her twin boys. Yet with a background in retail, wholesale and fashion and a keen eye for design and colour, her mind soon began ticking, with the idea of Goosebumps reaching fruition earlier this year.

Now with her Spring/Summer debut range receiving such great reviews, Inga has gone straight back to creating, having just completed designing her next collection, which excitingly will also include an adults range. “Hopefully the big people will now get a chance to play with colour in their bedrooms,” explains Inga. “We’ve had such a great response from all our customers that it felt like a natural progression to move into adults bedding.”

With a release date set for early next year, the future looks bright for Goosebumps and I can’t wait to get a first glimpse of the adults range. Watch this space!

Tags bed linen, bedding, goosebumps, inga rodd, kids, kids bedding, kids rooms, reversible bedding, unisex, unisex kids bedding

Bedrooms Kids Rooms

Fun photographic kids linen from Dreamers Inc

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date October 21, 2014
No Comments on Fun photographic kids linen from Dreamers Inc

Another day, another great new kids linen brand! We can barely keep up but we’re loving it!

Established in 2013, Dreamers Inc. is a family affair created by sisters-in-law and designers Nina & Karin Altman. Their diverse expertise and backgrounds in textiles and fashion were the perfect start to a modern day kids’ label. Combining the latest trends in fashion and interior design, while keeping a traditional high quality linen standard and throwing ultra modern technology into the mix, dreamers Inc. was born.

From bed linen to decorative cushions, Dreamer Inc. has it well and truly covered. Focusing on high-end quality with high street prices, the collection offers bed sheets for single beds ($169) and cots ($69); pillowcases ($39) and decorative cushions ($59). Fresh and contemporary, all the designs have been inspired by Nordic elements, with graphic design that will help modernise a nursery or even add a touch of fun to a bright living room or a quirky master bedroom.

The prints are lovingly sourced and developed in their Melbourne design studio. The digital printing technique used captures the finer details to create a life-like version of the image. Children will be nagging for nap so they can visit their cosy beds. From Pink Dove to Dragon Fly, Goldfish, Green Budgie and Green Beetle, your child will surely find a friend to fall in love with!

The front of a Dreamers Inc. pillow features a single animal motif on a fresh white background, whilst the back of the pillowcases show multiple images. Made from 100% combed cotton (400 count tread), Dreamers Inc. use natural substrates and breathable fibres. Machine washable, the bed sheets are set to stand the test of time and stay as vibrant as the day they were bought.

The Dreamers Inc. girls love packaging and they went all out to design some that reflects the high quality of their products while keeping merchandising in mind. Tidy and compact zip-up bags made from 100% cotton canvas showcase matching prints and have been created to re-purpose and re-love!

Now taking pre-orders for delivery early next month.

Tags bed, bedroom, dreamers inc, kids rooms, linen, manchester, photographic

Bedrooms Kids Rooms

Kip & Co for babies’ cots!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date October 20, 2014
No Comments on Kip & Co for babies’ cots!

Kip & Co designers Hayley, Kate and Alex have brought their signature bright, bold colourways and prints to the nursery, giving in to the demand they’ve experienced since launching their much loved bedding label.

The first Kip & Co TINY collection is comprised of six designs in fitted cot sheets and three baby blankets. Three of the sheet sets feature a print collaboration with super cool kidswear label Munster Kids: Munster Leopard, Munster Mash and Munster Camo.

“We wanted to be challenge what traditional ‘baby bedding’ looked like,” the girls said. “Pastels and whites have dominated this market for such a long time and we felt that if older kids were really into their bright bedding, then we couldn’t see a reason why vibrant colours and cool prints wouldn’t work in a nursery as well.”

What do you think? Would you go for a brighter, bolder more fun nursery scheme or do you prefer calm, muted neutrals and pastels?

Shop online.

Tags baby, baby blankets, bed, bed linen, bedroom, children's rooms, cot, fitted cot fits, kids, kids decor, kids rooms, kip & co, leopard, munster kids, nursery

Homewares Kids Rooms

Cotton On KIDS are back with a second linen and bedroom range!

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 9, 2014
9 Comments on Cotton On KIDS are back with a second linen and bedroom range!

After a hugely successful initial collection earlier this year, Cotton On KIDS are back with a second linen and bedroom range. It’s wonderful and just quietly, I’m a little excited that the linen goes up to queen size!

Due to hit stores and online in late September, one half of the design duo behind Cotton On KIDS, Sarah Lawrence, says customers can expect to see a range of fresh new styles including soft pastels, polkadots and tassels for girls and bright block colours, bold zigzags and stripes for boys.

“The new collection houses a fabulous range of bed linen including colourful sprinkle sheets and loads of fun new cushions that will look equally as fabulous with the first range as they do with other styles in this new drop,” explains Sarah. “We have also focused more on bedroom decor in this collection with geometric-print lanterns, tulle-covered fairy lights, statement garlands and brightly coloured wall stickers in all shapes and sizes.”

Designed to be mixed and matched, the range aims to inspire kids and parents to re-create their bedrooms and turn them into a sanctuary where they can sleep, dream, play and have fun. The 100 percent cotton linen range is available in a variety of designs suitable for single, double and queen size beds, ensuring everyone in the house including toddlers, teens, and even the big kids (me!) can have fun revamping their bedrooms with fun, bright and on-trend styles.

Prices start at $6.95 for a wall sticker pack through to $69.95 for a queen doona cover, making it an affordable option for growing families.

Tags bedding, cotton on, cotton on kids, design, interiors, kids bedding, kids linen, kids rooms

Kids Rooms

Incy Interiors and Kip & Co collaborate on a fun kids’ line

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date July 23, 2014

Incy Interiors and Kip & Co are two companies who pride themselves on designing products to make interiors unique, playful and anything but traditional. When I found out that they were collaborating on a line of kids’ beds and cots I was extremely excited to see what they had in store, and they didn’t disappoint!

Vibrant and stylish, these unisex kids’ beds ($699) and cots ($999) are made with multi-coloured panels and come in a range of combinations, anything from melon yellow to magenta and rose.

Available from September, Incy Interiors founder Kristy Withers believes this collaboration is a match made in heaven: “I’ve always loved the colourful combinations and unique designs the Kip & Co girls come up with and it’s really exciting to have their input into this exclusive range.”

Kip & Co co-founder Kate Heppell agrees: “Collaborating with Incy Interiors was a natural extension for us. This collaboration proves that the fun shouldn’t stop with just the bedding. We were able to create beds that blend great design, colour and a hint of playfulness, perfect for those cheeky kids.”

The range will be available for purchase online and word on the street is that Incy Interiors are opening a store in Sydney’s Chatswood Chase next month, so you may just be able to pop in and grab them there yourself. Watch this space…

Tags beds, colourful, cots, furniture, incy interiors, kids furniture, kids rooms, kip & co, single beds, unisex beds