Mini palaces

It is always a dilemma when decorating children’s rooms deciding whether to be very sensible and pick furnishings that will grow up with them or to indulge them (or more honestly yourself) with some of the delightful products available for your little princes and princesses. I have to confess, I have erred more on the side of indulgence in this article – it seems some things are just too cute to resist.

 

Wallpaper is a great way to make a statement and there are loads of adorable options to choose from. Two winners for me are the new Up A Tree wallpaper from Jane Churchill (left) and Cactus Cowboy from Rockett St George.

 

 

 

 

 

Harlequin have some great fabrics for kids and I like Pick N Mix featuring a range of handbags and shoes and Reggie Robot featuring both girl and boy robots, as far as I can tell.

Storage is always vital in a child’s room and I think this open storage from Aspace offers a practical solution that can be adapted as needs change.

For smaller rooms, this high sleeper from Feather and Black is a great solution. A full size single bed, a desk and storage all in one and looks great too.

Bedding makes a bold statement and is also more practical that plain white. This gingham bedding from The White Company comes in five colours including blue and red and you can also buy the adorable long stripy PJs although only in kids sizes sadly.

A place to take the wait off your feet is as important in children’s rooms as it is in your own room. Beanbags are good solution and I love this colourful version from Aspace. Alternatively this mini armchair from The Dormy House looks great and can be upholstered in any of their fabrics, or you can supply your own.

Helping to keep the night demons away, these cute night lights from Graham and Green are a lovely night time companion giving off a soft glow in the room – I just don’t know how you are going to pick which to have.

Designers Guild has loads of great rugs for children, all in their trademark vibrant colours. I think this world map rug is lovely for boys or girls.

So whether your little one is an actual prince or princess, or a mere wannabe, make their rooms into mini palaces and they feel like they are king of the world.

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Born with style – Designing a chic nursery

Guest post by Kate Wood of Manon Interiors

 

Decorating a nursery can be a real challenge. It’s important to find a scheme to keep both kids and parents happy with without going down the route of twee childish patterns and colours.  So we asked Kate Wood from Manon Interiors to put together her top nursery picks.

Kate explains “When I became pregnant and the time came to decorate my son’s room the only thing I knew for sure was that I wasn’t really a fan of the themed duvet/wallpaper/rug scene that the high street seems to want most nurseries to look like nowadays and how on earth I was going to get the cot I had fallen in love with in Paris home without my husband noticing.”

“Hardly taxing I know but add to that the fact that we were paying two mortgages at the time, running a busy shop and it had to be done quickly and on budget and I became somewhat of an expert at getting that casual chic look I love so much for a nursery too. To be honest, most of my nursery finds were items that I would happily have in any area of the house. Our bunny lamp seems to move from kitchen to office to Wilfies room regularly and I have long been a fan of Dandy Star’s graphic  prints (above).”

 

“I started as you would every other room in the house and chose a shade of paint that both Wilfie and I could live with. Initially I opted for Farrow and Ball’s Powder Blue but have recently graduated to Downpipe on one wall (above) and Clunch on the others as I found the blue a bit cold…and my son went crayon crazy one afternoon so it was time!”

“I truly believe that you don’t have to spend lots of  money on items that your children will quickly grow out of. This is where IKEA is indispensable and you can find some classic nursery staples there that may well see them through to University.”

 

“Sprinkle the rest of the room generously with bunting (Bought or homemade), a colourful print (like the Marcus Walter print above) and cute bedside lamp and you are on your way to a stylish nursery that will look individual to you and your home and, more importantly, that your child will love. A trip to Columbia Road in East london will prove a goldmine for children’s accessories as they have some great independent shops there. The flowers are worth it alone but I would also recommend Bob + Blossom for bits and bobs.”

Image credits:

Manon Interiors  www.manoninteriors.co.uk

Marcus Walters www.marcuswalters.co.uk

Dandy Star www.dandystar.com

Farrow and Ball www.farrow-ball.com

Bob and Blossom www.bobandblossom.co.uk

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