DESIGN CLASS Interior

DESIGN CLASS

With a decade of experience with some of the nation’s top residential firms, interior designer CHAUNCEY BOOTHBY has cultivated an aesthetic that is classic yet contemporary (and often playful!) in feel. We asked the design pro for her best tips on decorating kids spaces and here’s what she had to say.

Paint it.

Paint is a magical thing. A fun wall color can transform a room, but another great solution that creates the perfect amount of whimsy is pairing a white wall with a colorful trim.

It’s a fact. A kids room is not the place to splurge on a costly and impractical rug. Vendors like Wayfair, Safavieh, even Home Depot carry lines of inexpensive area rugs in classic plaids and stripes. Opt for a wool or even an outdoor material to make clean up easier.

Kids are messy.

Curate art.

Invest your time, not your money, in artwork. Etsy is my best resource for children’s art. I’ve spent countless hours lost down the rabbit hole that is Etsy shopping for quirky illustrations, rattan wallhangings, and other fabulous pieces to adorn a child’s wall. And if you can’t find it there, there are many sites where you can print out free botanicals or animal illustrations. Simply purchase a simple, attractive frame, add a double mat with a bit of color and you have yourself a work of art.

Go neutral.

Don’t be afraid of a gender neutral nursery. If you plan on having multiple children, embrace color schemes that can lend themselves to both girl or boy. I love the combination of pale sage green with a sunny yellow. It provides a perfect backdrop to children’s decor. You can switch out small elements for each child without the need to fully redecorate.

Use Roman shades.

They are a simple way to add a bit of color and pattern to a room without making the commitment of curtains. Plus they can be blackout lined to maximum the function in addition to the form.

Make it grow.

My favorite rooms are the ones that were designed in such a manner that they suit both toddler and eventually teen. The larger pieces in the room should have the staying power, but it’s the smaller accessories that can be swapped out for more mature items down the road.