Rooomy Magazine | Issue 12 by BB Media Co

EXCLUSIVE HARDWOOD BEDS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE AND SAFELY NURTURE CHILDREN

beds - bunks - mid sleepers - high sleepers - furniture - storage - desks & chairs

www.littlefolksfurniture.co.uk 01985 300588

Editor’s letter Hello, Rooomy comes to another year end with this issue, adios 2020. I could say I won’t miss you, and of course who wants to live through another year of this? But it’s been another year with my girls, watching them grow and play and firsts, riding bikes, dancing, lots of walks in the woods, sharing a room together, movie nights, arts and crafts, baking and general tomfoolery. Yes, there has been the other side too, we don’t live in a Disney movie. But I’m not going to write off an entire year to Covid when I have had lots of great times with them too. I hope you love this Christmas edition of Rooomy, loads of ideas for festive styling and decorating, plus gift ideas in case you are stuck. I’m also fully aware Christmas lasts a month and you might be pondering next year’s decorating projects. With that in mind, inside you’ll find a Reader Room, Nursery Nook, a very chic yet fun teen girls room and another beautiful girls room featuring a ballet barre, - there’s dedication to your art! Thank you so much for your support this year, I hope you are well and doing as well as possible. This will be the last free issue of Rooomy, but if you are reading this you’ll be pleased to hear it will always be free to you, yay! As of January, Rooomy will become a paid-for publication. But for everyone who has got me to this point, your subscription is free for life. Love Rachel x

Editor in Chief Rachel Burns Art Director : Elizabeth Barrett Sub Editor : Ann Storr Assistant Editor : Joanna Olney Style Editor : Chloe Spillett Business Developent : Leisha Larson

Brand Consultancy : EB&Co Contributors : Vicky Kieldsen, Lisa Mettis, and Ursula Wesslening For advertising enquiries, email hello@rooomy.co.uk or call 01732 359488

cover image: Little Stories, Woodland Friends, see page 45

Contributors Chloe is an award winning designer, mum of two. Formerly a psychology teacher, Chloe finally made the move into fulltime design after winning the National Prize for “Styled by Me” judged by Sophie Robinson. Chloe knew she was onto more than a hobby and then she went on to win Grand Designs “Under the Stairs” project with a wonderful playful nook, any child’s dream hang out.

Vicky is an interior designer, stylist and founder of design studio Hello Geronimo which focuses on children’s interiors. Starting out working for large design firms specialising in the design of residential and hotel projects, she then created Hello Geronimo which quickly evolved into a graphic design business focusing on cards, prints and stationery. As well as being a mum to two young boys, she has now brought all of her skills together to create an interior design studio with a difference.

Lisa is the director of Born & Bred Studio, offering non-intimidating design to regular folk. Lisa works with a diverse client range throughout London, designing for the whole home but has a special love for children’s rooms. With a love for vintage and the story behind a piece of furniture she creates a great cross design between old and new.

Ursula is the director of Room to Bloom, an interiors studio dedicated to children’s interiors. Ursula has been on a professional mission to curate the best children’s furniture and accessories for her clients and she believes that every child deserves the most beautiful room in the house, its where so many childhood memories are made.

Art Pick

Christmas Styling

Rooomy Loves

Ballet Room

Accessories

Marloweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mini Mansion

Decs

Gifts Gifts Gifts

Walls

Reader Room 1

Tween

Reader Room 2

Most Loved 2020

This space is usually used to share the wonderful artists that I meet on social media, when I see an awesome print, I save it and find a way to share with you all, either here in the mag or as part of a monthly art feature on the site. However, as I was researching Christmas art it was all very cute but nothing too wow, as ever when hitting a dead-end, I simply changed direction. I started thinking about winter landscapes and seasonal imagery, something that the kids can enjoy for more than December but will look awesome from November to February. Naturally, this gorgeous stag caught my eye. Strong a nd majestical with the soft snow around him, children will think of Christmas time and reindeer’s and the north pole and more than likely want to see one in real life. I know it makes me want to take my girls to see the deer in a town near us, fingers crossed we’ll be able to soon. You can put him in a frame to make a stylish statement or you can simply tac him to the wall for a few months, roll him up in Spring and bring him back out next winter, it’s like rotating toys, they enjoy everything so much more when it feels new or different and hasn’t blended in with their other surroundings.

deck the halls CHLOE SPILLETT GIVES US THE LOWDOWN O N H O W T O S T Y L E F O R C H R I S T M A13 S

The soft twinkling (of fairy lights) is just the ticket to get you in the Christmas spirit and what’s more, they are the perfect night light substitute for little ones during the festive season.

There’s only one thing more fun than decorating your home for Christmas and that’s decorating your kids’ rooms for Christmas. Christmas with children is just the most special and exciting time. Decorating our own home becomes a real family affair and my two girls absolutely love getting involved, but this year we’re going to go all out and let the decor spill over into their own bedrooms. You don’t always have to follow tradition to curate the perfect Christmas look. We’re going to break all the rules, bringing splashes of colour and pops of fun to deck our halls with pure Christmassy joy! Here’s how:

GO WHIMSEY!

Paperchase Decoration 2 for 3

There is a whole wealth of fun kitsch Christmas decorations available which have been dominating ‘on-trend’ Christmas scenes for a while now; we’re talking pineapples, flamingos, dinosaurs and unicorns. Pretty much anything you can imagine, you can

probably find it in Christmas decoration form and the kids are going to be all for it! If your child’s bedroom or playroom is already bright and colourful then these guys are guaranteed to be a big hit.

Oh Yay Studio DIY Pastel Nutcrcakers

M O D I F I C AT I O N S TAT I O N

G E T C R E AT I V E W I T H GARLANDS!

One of the obstacles I face with adorning my own children’s rooms with Christmas cheer is that their current schemes don’t tie in with traditional shades of red and green. So instead we decided that we would just level up and modify decorations in traditional colours to fit in!

There are some fantastic tutorials to help you make some superb banners and garlands. We had lots of fun stringing wooden beads onto thread but you could try making your own timeless classic paper chains or sewing together felt circles to tie in with your colour palette. Just make sure whatever you do, you have lots of fun!

Everyone loves a nutcracker but I’m absolutely gaga over the colour block pastel alternatives. Paint to the colour of your scheme and they’ll be right at home.

Felt-Circle Garland

TWINKLE, TWINKLE! Is it even Christmas if you don’t have fairy lights somewhere in your home??! They feature heavily in ours and with good reason. The soft twinkling is just the ticket to get you in the Christmas spirit and what’s more, they are the perfect night light substitute for little ones during the festive season. It’s making me feel all warm and cosy just thinking about it. (Do make sure if you’re using battery operated lights that they are well out of reach of small children.)

LOOK UP! Don’t forget, the ceiling is the fifth wall and if your walls are already heavily embellished with decor then the ceiling can provide a great canvas for delivering all the grotto vibes. If you’ve never tried making your own paper snowflakes with the kids on a cold and dreary Sunday afternoon then I highly recommend it. If you want to add a little extra panache team with glitzy tinsel fringe and paper stars. So there you have it, my guide to bringing the magic this Christmas. The hardest part will be having to take it all down again in January. Happy Styling! From Chloe. To see more of Chloe’s wonderful work check out her portfolio here Chloe Gets Creative

CHRISTMAS TREES STUDIO ROOF Building your own Christmas tree for the merriest time of the year takes no time at all! In two sizes and with a variety of graphic patterns and colour schemes. Traditional green and red, this is a Christmas classic! As a radiant centrepiece on your table between the most delicious dishes, this tree is every bit as festive as the real thing. With colourful baubles, pinecones and brightly coloured topper. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to prepare the Christmas pudding and turkey to go with it yourself, though. A great craft project for older children as it comes flat packed but is made of sturdy, recycled cardboard.

FESTIVE BANNER H A P P Y S U N D AY S T U D I O I am trying to make all the accessory items that can be packed away in January and unwrapped again the following December with a big smile on your kid’s face, plus they’ll have an instant wow impact when put up for decorating. These banners 100% meet this requirement and what’s better is you can go for traditional colours or choose something that will suit your personal décor palette. All stitched onto organic cotton calico with hardwood dowel top with leather strap for hanging. The beautiful thing about these banners is, as they are made by hand, therefore no 2 are exactly the same. The stitching is visible, the colours may vary slightly depending on what is available and the position of each colour may vary. All of which adds to their charm and makes them a piece to treasure for many years. Standard size is approx 75 x 18cm.

AN ENCHANTED BLANKET FORIVOR If there is one item in this feature that I would like to add to my family blanket collection, this absolutely beautiful, quilted blanket would be it! It is made in the softest organic cotton and would make a perfect gift for a new-born. The reversible blanket can be used as a playmat and as they grow into a toddler, enjoyed as a beautifully soft blanket. With the help of adults, they can start to learn the animal sounds, characteristics and actions of the forest creatures on the accompanying Character Cards which come with each blanket. And if your babes are no longer babies then snuggling underneath will be heaven. Each quilted blanket comes in its own organic Forivor suitcase. The suitcase can be used for play, as a first sleepover bag or to wrap up your blanket for future generations. 24Made from organic cotton 318 Thread Count cotton satin with recycled polyester wadding.

TREE LIGHT LITTLE HOUSE SHOP Lighting can make or break a room. No matter how gorgeous your colour palette is, if you light it wrong then it all goes to waste. At Christmas time lighting is all about creating a cosy atmosphere with a touch of magic. These porcelain tree lights certainly bring a touch of wintry magic to a space and are so unassuming they will work with any theme you go for when decorating, making them the perfect addition to your Christmas decorations collection for years and years to come.

CHRISTMAS CHARACTERS JOJO MAMAN A total bargain at £15, kids will love playing with these, great for the table to have a name place leant against them, a decorative scene can be put together. They could be scattered around the house and you can send the kids on a treasure hunt to collect them all. So many play options and they’ll all pack away easily, ready to be taken out and played with for several Christmases to come and even when they’re teens - of course they won’t be played with but the teens will love the nostalgia of seeing them come out again each year, reminding them of all the 25 wonderful playing they did when they were kids.

CHRISTMAS CUSHIONS Inject instant comfort and merriment into your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bedroom with a Christmas cushion. Lot to choose from here, something to bring a touch of tradition, joy or cuteness, and of course you can never have too many cushions right?

Felt Christmas Cushiosn] Twiddliebits

Geoffrey Guinea Pig Wild Whiskers

Chr Wo

ristmas Tree oodland Hill Crafts

How For Christas Sophie Allport

Reinder Cushiosn, Cotton Fox Prints

pre-teen dreams

s...

LISA METTIS FROM BORN AND BRED STUDIO SHARES HOW TO EASE THE STYLE TRANSITION F R O M C H I L D T O A D U LT. . . Photos by Nuala Sharkey

Out with the childhood favourites and in with things that define me as a young lady.

From tween to teen...blink and you miss it. It seems it happens overnight. What’s the saying…“The days are long, but the years are short.”

the tween starts senior school. It’s an emotional process for parents. As there is an element of letting go, “She’s quite naive and still into her soft toys”, hello secondary school, bye-bye soft toys! And No one can pin-point the moment but hello hormones. both parent & child know they’re on the cusp of a change. Confusing for both I think most parents would most definitely parties I expect! take the teddies over the mood swings. Growing pains for both tween and Out with the childhood favourites and in parent. Who thought when you sign up with things that define me as a young lady. to parenting, you’re at the beginning of We know it’s inevitable, especially as a million firsts for you too. (Some more parents, but it definitely accelerates once enjoyable than others).

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely she will outgrow this space ...but she will grow and blossom in it.

So out with the bright colours and bunk beds and in with a cool space to rest & study. A day bed that turns into a double bed for sleepovers or simply spreading out. A cool Scandi colour palette of mint, white and gold.

in life perfectly. It’s unlikely she will outgrow this space ...but she will grow and blossom in it.

A unique space for one of the coolest, unique young ladies I have been fortunate enough to meet. ‘Normal is boring ‘…rules I love this room it’s laid back, cool, to live by. completely unique to the bright young lady who resides here. Its practical on Lisa has worked on kid’s rooms, teen so many levels. There isn’t a ‘theme’ (we rooms and playrooms, check out her don’t do themes)... but there is a look (a portfolio here Born & Bred Studio very chic one!) that reflects Rosie’s timing

letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s de 36

ecorate! V I C KY O F H E L LO G E R O N I M O B R I N G S YO U A N E P I C D E C O R AT I O N S H O P P I N G L I S T. . . 37

With a year that has been full of such enormous change, it’s quite understandable that children may be feeling somewhat confused about how Christmas will look this year. As adults, we can understand all this change more than they can. They don’t get why their Birthday party had to be cancelled, why Halloween was a much quieter affair and where did the fireworks go? But Christmas is a whole new level of change.

And with some usual traditions being put on hold for this year, we thought it would be a welcome time to create their own magical winter wonderland at home, in their own bedroom. I’m sure none of us would usually go to great lengths to decorate their children’s rooms for Christmas, because quite frankly doing one room in the house is exhausting enough! But this year, it’s not normal or usual, so let’s be a little bit unusual and go all out for them.

Credits, clockwise from top left : Poodle Tree Topper, Anthropologie; 4ft Wooden Tree, Bombus; Reinder Head, Fiona Walker; Pom Pom Reindeer, Frankly Decor; Feather Crown, For Just One Day, Crackers, Nancy & Betty; Felt Wreath, Maggie & Magpie; Pyjamas, Eleanor Bowmer; Gingerbread House, Paperchase

Allowing your children to be involved with the decorating will build their creativity and they will love to be part of the process. You will need to consider a few things, namely, age, budget and size of room. Some of the bedrooms might be short on space so might not fit their own Christmas tree (like this sustainable and scandi wooden one by Bombus) but may suit a giant Christmas tree wall sticker (Nutmeg Studio do a lovely one).

And if your children share a bedroom, then there may have to be an element of compromise between the siblings. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to stick to a budget here too, as you could very easily get carried away - and you want things to last you for years to come. Invest in a couple of bigger things that will last a long time, like a cool advent calendar and stocking, and then the rest can be smaller touches.

When it comes to the age of the child, a general rule would be that, for the younger ones, I would stick to softer materials like felt and cloth. You don’t want lots of choking hazards around them. Then, as they get a bit older you can be a bit more creative. But bear in mind that, if your child has trouble sleeping, go easy on the decorative side. They will naturally

want to have more say in what is chosen as they grow up. So this is where you can involve them in the decisions, before the time comes when they don’t want your help at all. If space will allow, giving children their own tree for their room will be very memorable for them. It’s perfect for

Credits, clockwise from top left; Neon Star, John Lewis; Pinata, Meri Meri; Advent Calendar, OYOY Living; Bear Model, Studio Roof; PomPom Garland, Felt So Good; Christmas Tree Blanket, Ferm Living; Merry & Bright Banner, House of Hooray; Tree Cushion, Julia Staite; Foliage Decals, Happy Decs; Christmas Bedding, Wayfair; Stocking, Nordic Nest

hanging the decorations that they love and all their Christmas crafts they have made over the years. There are many places to look for some homemade crafts too, that are both creative and fun, and they will really enjoy making their own things to hang around their room. You may find that this is the year when new traditions will be set and they will stay with you for years to come - and how lovely that is!

And finally, word on the snowy street says that our lovely Father Christmas has been practising social distancing too. No one in the North Pole has been infected and all the toys and presents will be totally disinfected before and after they are wrapped and put into his sleigh. Thank goodness Father Christmas is a key worker hey!

LOOK FOR THE MAGIC COTTON CLARA Great mini embroidery kit for any craft loving child, rainbow colours, the palette of 2020 and of course a great mantra “Look for the magic”. Kids take a lot more notice of messages if they’ve created those messages themselves. We can leave great quotes around the house, in the hope that the message will subconsciously sink in their evergrowing minds. But put a needle and thread in their hand and I guarantee the message will be received a lot quicker and more deeply.

COLOURING IN SHOES JEX SHOES Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become a big fan of colouring-in pillow cases, place mats, bags and more. Emily Vigor of Jex Shoes now brings you awesome colour-in trainers! Such a fun idea for children, being able to personalise their trainers and wear them out to show off to all their friends. These trainers are a fantastic way to encourage your kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; creativity and above all enable them to express their ideas to the world, how wonderful. There are 5 different designs with different colour options, laces come in different colours and additional pen sets are available too. The shoe box is even fab to colour in, and it comes with 43 a lovely care booklet which includes a few fab colouring pages too.

CAN DO! A LITTLE CAN DO After an extremely tough year, some childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confidence has been knocked. There are reports that primary school children feel behind in some areas and I can certainly say that secondary school students are feeling the strain. For parents, it is very upsetting if or when you see a change in your child and feel that they are not coping so well. All we can do is remind them weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here, that they are loved and try to help build their resilience. These little tins will be a marvellous tool to help prompt positive thoughts for the day. They help children to focus on what they can do; what they can be certain of rather than focusing on all the unknowns 44 and what ifs. The cards are colourful and creative, sure to get their attention and easy to use.

W O O D E N P L AY S E T S LITTLE STORIES Any of these gorgeous sets will make a wonderful addition to any childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s small world collection, they create a decorating scene on a shelf or window sill; they can be played with indoors, in the garden or at a cafĂŠ. They are perfect for creating mini scenes in a shoe box and watching their brilliant imaginations bring all the character to life.

NEWTON & FRIENDS FERRAR I can’t possibly write a Rooomy Loves feature at Christmas time and not include a cuddly toy. Ferrar bring you a newt, a whale and Sid the crocodile - please tell me they’ve made you smile like they have me. A change from fluffy teddies, they have gorgeous earthy tones and a big dollop of fun. These characters will look great in your child’s room and make for wonderful 46 gits for nieces, nephews and grand kids.

F A M I LY R U L E R REAL RLER CO These rulers are a gift for the whole family. They are a great accessory for the kids room but they will look equally fantastic in the hall or on the landing. I have had my eye on one for ages. You can have them personalised for your family, you can make each child in a different colour and if you move home you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to grieve about the door frame that is home to all the height notches as your child grows. You can simply take this with you where ever you move to, yay!! To make things even better the lovely owner Cindy is offering you lucky readers a 10% 47 discount, just enter code ROOOMY10

PAT R I C I A H O Y N A O F S T U D I O H O Y N A S H A R E S H O W S H E C R E AT E D A B E A U T I F U L Y E T EDGY BEDROOM FOR A BUDDING DANCER

and there shall be da 48

ancing... 49

When it comes to making a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room a dream come true we are on the mission at STUDIO HOYNA. We were delighted to be invited by our clients to design a beautiful bedroom for a very special little lady. The newly converted attic with sloping ceilings may have seemed like a challenge but it was exciting to work with. As always we considered the layout first, deciding where to position pieces of furniture taking into account the ceiling height in the space and making the best use of every inch. In some cases we get a very straightforward brief from our clients, but not always. The homeowners are constantly bombarded with visual inspiration from Instagram and Pinterest these days. With so many options to chose from they often end up confused. I find collaborating on visual boards that the client created before contacting us quite helpful. We have no intention of copying other designers though, instead we discuss what it is that excites them about that particular look and whether it is feasible in existing space. Something that works well in a Victorian building with high ceilings, flooded with light wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t transfer well to a north facing new build.

We like to involve the child from the early stages, no matter how young they are. It is their personal space where they rest, play and get creative therefore they should always have a say. Of course we always take into consideration that the taste of a 6 year old is forever evolving and something they love today might become redundant in few months time. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we pay close attention to their colour preferences, hobbies and interests and draw inspiration from it. We tend to invest in furniture that will withstand the test of time and changing tastes and go for more bold choices with walls, that can be easily repainted or wallpapered in few yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time but give the space the most dramatic transformation. When talking to kids we ask them to show us their favourite colours, and to be more specific we often ask them to show us the crayons they enjoy using most,

because pink is an answer we hear a lot, but the tonal variety of pinks gives you thousands of options and there are endless possibilities of paring it with different colours to avoid that princessy look from the nineties. Ola loves butterflies, dancing, drawing and playing dress-up with her friends, she is a very lively, sweet and cheerful kind of girl, her favourite costumes and accessories played a big part in creating a scheme for this room, as we pulled the colours from them. She also wanted to feel like a princess and we listened. We have sourced a chic, vintage French double bed which we then reupholstered in blush pink. If there is enough space in the room we tend to avoid single beds, its much cosier to snuggle up for that night time story telling, sleepovers or watching movies in bed with siblings.

A kid’s room is truly multifunctional, it’s not only a bedroom that is cosy and restful, it’s a playroom that allows them to be creative, happy and free. Going with little Ola’s current interest in ballet, we’ve installed a large reflective acrylic mirror- a safer alternative to a heavy glass one, with a barre for her to practice those pointes and pliés. Wsurrounded it with funky strip lighting from Creative Cables. Clever storage solutions are the key to a tidy room. In this project we have designed a built in wardrobe, added a wall behind the bed which would otherwise be an idle space and built storage for books. We have also installed some colourful shelves for displaying objects of interest and used a big woven laundry basket which is perfect for chucking the toys in. The gorgeous meadow mural is from Rebel Walls we love using them in our projects, super easy to install and incredibly effective. To make the room feel cosy and welcoming we layered it with textures, the big shaggy rug, velvet bedspread with pom poms and super cute cushions that made Ola’s eyes sparkle when she saw them for the first time. All that excitement and happiness fills our heart with joy and fuels us with creativity. At Edinburgh Interior Design Studio Hoyna our mission is to create spaces that are comfortable, memorable and inspiring for the people who live in them and we truly believe that good design should be accessible and experienced through your whole life, not when you get the keys to your first apartment. See the Studio Hoyna website for more inspirational interior design ideas

home sweet home URSULA WESSELINGH SHARES MARLOWEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEDROOM WITH ROOOMY R E A D E R S F E AT U R I N G A B E D T H AT D O U B L E S A S A P E R F E C T H I D E O U T.

MARLOWE’S BEDROOM Marlowe’s room used to be a featureless guest bedroom, and my brief was to turn it into a gorgeous room for a four year old girl. At the top of the wish list were a special bed and a den. As the room was too small to fit both, I found a house shaped bed that could double up as a den. We painted it to fit with the rest of the scheme, and accessorised it with faux flowers, fairy lights and pretty bedding to create a cosy, playful nook. A plain blue-green rug grounds the bed and provides a soft play area. I created a tonal green scheme that flowed well with the rest of my client’s home and worked with the room’s light conditions. A bold floral wallpaper backs the bed, creating focus and adding a touch of romance. Taking a cue from the warmer tones in the wallpaper, I accented the room with blush and dusty pinks.

The feature wallpaper provided enough drama, so I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to over-decorate the other walls.

The existing wardrobe worked perfectly in the scheme, so we matched its colour to paint the bed. To create extra storage for books and toys, I added shelves and vintage style crates on castors in the alcove. The feature wallpaper provided enough drama, so I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to over-decorate the other walls. I kept it simple with a swan bust and hooks on the wall opposite the bed. Next to the bed I installed three lovely prints by Mrs Mighetto with all the right colours to pull the scheme together. Marlowe was over the moon with her new room, and her brother and sister were so impressed they wanted their rooms updated too! For me the room was a dream to work on. My client has amazing taste and trusted me completely to create something beautiful: the ideal ingredients for a successful collaboration.

SOURCES Bed & stool: Flexa via Nubie Wallpaper: Sandberg Posters & bird: Mrs Mighetto Swan bust: Fiona Walker Cat night light, soft toys, cloud cushion: Scandiborn Bedlinen: Garbo & Friends Star cushions & floral cushion: Molly Meg Baskets: Olli Ella

Baskets: Olli Ella

gifts under £10

Draw With Rob Rob Biddulph, £6.99

Small Rainbow Kit Cotton Clara, £8.95

Toy Choc Box PlayInChoc, £2.95

Grow Your Own Bug Eating Plant, Beecycle, £8

Gallop Rufus, Butler Seder, £9.99

Conversation Book Think 2 Speak, £6.95 Buy One Donate One

Happy Memory Box, From Lucy, £9.95

A Hug From Mummy Pin Clara & Macy, £8.50

LED Disco Bath Light Oliver Bonas, £10

gifts under £25

Dream Bid Kit Cotton Clara, £15.95

Worls Map Table Cloth Eat Sleep Doodle, £22.95

Interactive, Glow In The Dark, Pillow Case, Illuminated Apparell, £15.95

Word Dominoes, Whirligig, £23.99

London Cty Scape Timberkits, £22.95

Personalised Bracelet Making Kit, Cotton Twist, £17.95

Dixi Triceratops Steiff, £25

Water Based Spray Paints MTN, £21.50

Harry Potter Sweatshirts M&S, £18

R O O O M Y WA L L S

C H R I ST M A S WA L L S Decals are often hailed as the ultimate wall solution for families who either rent, or just know that their children are going to change their minds and that wallpaper is too much a design commitment, not to mention all the effort of getting it up on the wall. They are also a wonderful solution for when we want to bring something special but not permanent into a small personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s space. With this in mind Rooomy brings you Top 5 Decal Festive Designs that can be put anywhere and then put back on their backing roll until next year and the one after that, until the kids change their minds and want something different.

CA N DY CA N E S : H A P PY WA L L S One of the three top times of the year when kids know that sweets are a 100% guarantee, alongside Easter and Halloween. We can debate their sweet ranking another time. Happy Walls have designed a perfect new decal with two great options, gold candy canes that feature little stars or, for a truly Scandi style, the same candy canes in red with little love hearts to compliment beautifully.

R O O O M Y WA L L S

HOHOHO DECAL FOLKS An understated classic, the best part about this decal is that it can go in a bedroom for any age 0-16. It will work perfectly, and it makes me think of Bruce Springsteen’s classic performance of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, when one of the band starts Ho-Ho-Ho’ing and Bruce cracks up on stage.

R O O O M Y WA L L S

ROBIN K AY L E I G H J A N E D E S I G N If nature is your big love - I know I love any Christmas card with a robin on the front and ideally a lifelike one, not a cartoon; well, if that sounds a bit like you too, then these robins are going to make a gorgeous addition to your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bedroom. They are cute, fun, playful and the detail is perfect. Your kids can have a lot of fun find finding little homes for each of them, dotted around their bedroom. And you can choose for your little robins to come with or without a little Christmas hat.

R O O O M Y WA L L S

TREES AND BANNER I C O N WA L L ST I C K E R S You might have a very modern home or you may feel that Christmas trees need to look real and at least be 3D. If thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the case then these geometric shapes are a fun alternative way to bring some Christmas style to your kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; walls. And the best part about this design is that is comes in 8 different sizes ranging from 59x30cm to 238x120cm. So you can have a tiny decal above their bed, door or window, or make a massive statement across a bedroom wall.

R O O O M Y WA L L S

R E D CA N DY Christmas for kids is all about fun, fun, fun. Bring some festive cheer into their bedroom without the pain of having to clear up spiny needles, with this bold and brightly coloured large fabric Christmas Tree Wall Sticker! Christmas is over almost as soon as it begins, which isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a problem for this particular piece of festive wall dĂŠcor. Just unpeel it from the wall and store it safely for next year! It is supplied in 6 separate sections, making application as easy as you like. Each of the sections has slightly different patterning, colouration and style, making this Christmas wall decor a highly attractive and artistic addition to your home during Yuletide.

a new baby, a new space...

2ND TIME ROOOMY READER, EMILIE SHARES HER NURSERY NOOK PERFECT F O R T H E N E W A D D I T I O N .81 ..

I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a whole nursery to decorate but that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to stop me creating a special little space for our latest addition.

With the impending arrival of our third baby and the realisation that we are running out of bedrooms, came the idea of a “nursery nook”. We’d previously had a crib in our bedroom for our first two children, but this time we needed somewhere to change him as well as some practical storage for his things. I didn’t have a whole nursery to decorate but that wasn’t going to stop me creating a special little space for our latest addition.

When I am decorating I tend to take inspiration from one or two pieces I particularly love, and then build a rough scheme around those. In this case I fell head over heels for this huge lion head! I

had also been seeing lots of rattan framed mirrors which I thought would be great to incorporate. I then went about curating a little space based around these natural materials and colours, bringing in some deeper tones for a little warmth and interest. The accordion peg rail (I think that’s what they’re called) provides an easy way of displaying items of clothing, toys etc to help bring the scheme together without the need to paint any walls (we didn’t want to redecorate our whole bedroom!). I particularly like this element of the space as it can be easily switched around whenever I fancy a refresh.

The mobile over the bed was handmade by yours truly on our living room floor when I was about 30 weeks pregnant! I was on the hunt for a mobile that fitted in with my theme and had seen a couple of designs online, but nothing that matched what I had in my head. So I decided to make it myself. I ordered the hanger from an Etsy seller then added beads and wooden monstera leaves that I had also purchased online; I am really happy with how it looks.

too imposing in this small space. I also like the fact that it’s open so I can organise things into nice baskets and crates. It’s also super versatile and can be changed around easily depending on what I need access to or what I want on show.

We are now 2 months into having our new little person and this space is working really well for us. I like having everything close to hand in the storage baskets and it’s great having somewhere in our room I opted for a changing basket rather than to change him rather than giving myself a traditional mat, again to tie in with the back ache doing it on the bed. natural theme. It’s not the comfiest but I tend to use large folded muslin to pad it I would say that if you only have a small out a little for baby. In terms of storage space for a baby don’t be put off – you we opted for the Ikea changing station can still be creative and design something which was cost effective and doesn’t feel that works for you and your family.

when two tur

rn thirteen...

SECOND TIME ROOOMY READER, AMTHAL S H A R E S H E R T W I N DAU G H T E R S â&#x20AC;&#x2122; N E W B E D R O O M F O R T H E I R 1 3 T H B I R T H D AY For my twin daughtersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 13th birthday, I promised them a full, grown-up revamp of their bedroom. Anah and Amelia share a room but had outgrown the turquoise coloured walls and free-standing cupboards. The girls wanted space to display their collection of jewellery and accessories, but also needed a mirror and dressing area of their own. Anah and Amelia had chosen their favourite colour - turquoise - to decorate the room with when they were 10. As they shared a wardrobe, I invested in more space to give them room for their own

clothes and accessories. However, this meant we never had enough space for a separate dressing area at the time. For the new design, the plan was to go neutral. Anah liked the idea of plain, white walls and was obsessed with ivy string lights - apparently every You Tuber has these! Amelia, always one to be super organised with her things, really wanted a space to get dressed and a mirror. We decided on off-white walls, (Dulux White Mist was chosen after testing so many white shades) with black and gold accessories and plenty of green foliage.

The main inspiration for the look of the room developed when we found the dressing table: after searching everywhere for a ladder shelf, we finally decided to go with a simple, desk-style table to keep the room as spacious as possible. We chose the Telford by Very.co.uk and after some online shopping on Jysk.co.uk, we discovered a shelf with light wood and black metal that Anah chose these. Whilst shopping at Jysk, we realised they had so many furnishings, and as a bonus, they also had a sale on! Then ensued days of trawling the JYSK website for accessories to complete the look. We chose the Aksfrytle rug, fell in love with the on-trend oval shaped Sortland mirror and opted for lots of really great value storage trays and baskets. The rust-coloured cushions, in cord and boucle fabrics, were also from Jysk, and the perfect colour! It had to be Desenio for a few, aesthetic looking prints as the main feature on the walls was the girls’ noticeboards. Amelia liked the ‘Golden Leaves’ print and Anah chose Golden Aquarelle Leaves for her wall. The ivy string lights were a bargain buy from Ebay, bought to hang around the shelf as well as on both walls above the bed.

Anah really liked the mustard velvet colour of her cushion, and we also chose a few high-quality storage baskets in black and gold. Once the room was ready, the final finishing touches we chose were two throws to match the cushions, and these black and natural storage baskets from Dunelm for extra storage! The final task was the beds. When I had started to buy accessories for the roomI realised the beds wouldn’t look quite right. So I decided they needed to be sprayed black to fit the look. I was really pleased with the result although it wasn’t an easy process!

My main tip to create a well-organised teen space is to sort through all the accessories before you buy storage solutions, and try to buy storage that is suitable for each type of item - e.g. make-up, hair accessories, trinkets, stationary, jewellery etc. By planning ahead and making a list of everything we needed to store, we managed to find a place for everything but still maintain a spacious room. The grown-up feel of the room came from introducing a dedicated dressing area and the wall shelves also keep the clutter away and organised. I have to admit, the ivy string lights looked really pretty in the end - even if I wasn’t With so many great value deals on 100% sold on this idea to begin with! It accessories from Jysk, we could afford adds a touch of green to the room and to splash out on a few things from H&M. enhances the fresh, natural feel.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO OUR M A I L I N G L I S T, A N D F O L L O W R O O O M Y. C O . U K O N S O C I A L CHANNELS FOR: • • • •

D A I LY K I D S ’ I N T E R I O R S NEWS AND PRODUCTS S T Y L E I N S P I R AT I O N COMPETITIONS AND MORE...