Rooomy Issue 9

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 Welcome to the Teen issue. It’s great to be back with a new issue of Rooomy, it’s been a long time, but the new site is up and running which is great and now all is well in Rooomy land.

We have great features inside with several returning favourite contributors in Fi Campos, Lisa Mettis and Lissa Roddich; each bringing their wonderful professional advice to bedrooms for teenager along with inspiring designs. I am also thrilled to introduce new contributor and highly experienced interior designer Fleur Ward, I met Fleur last year at Top Drawer in London when she launched her new wallpaper collection, completely designed with teenagers in mind as she was increasingly frustrated with the lack of inspiring products for teen interiors and always found teen rooms the hardest to create for her interiors clients. Fleur talks us through how to future proof your kid’s room so that it can transition into a teen space easily and inexpensively. You can read all her advice on page 46.

We also have a wise word from Life Coach Emma Jeffreys, aka Action Woman on how to approach how to talk to talk to your teenage child about their bedroom, especially if you are concerned about them painting the entire space black. Check out page 84!

You will still find top accessories, wallpaper and Rooomy loves items inside and I hope you enjoy the issue. Don’t forget to send me pics of rooms that you create and good luck keeping your teen happy, alongside you and the rest of your home. Everything inside should make this possible.

Happy decorating Rachel x

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Editor in Chief Rachel Burns Art Director : Elizabeth Barrett Sub Editor : Ann Storr Assistant Editor : Joanna Olney Style Editor : Fi Campos

Brand Consultancy : EB&Co Contributors : Lisa Riddoch, Lisa Mettis, Fleur Ward, David Atkinson, Emma Jeffreys For advertising enquiries, email hello@rooomy.co.uk or call 01732 359488

cover image:

by Mein Feenstaub, see page 70

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Contributors Fi has had a life-long love affair with art, textiles and interiors from a very young age. With 10 years’ experience in Interior Styling, her multidisciplinary creative consultation services range from residential interior styling and home staging, through to commercial and editorial styling for photoshoots, events, exhibitions and retail visual merchandising.

Lisa Riddoch is mum to two gorgeous kids and has multiple skills sets. As well as being an interior designer she is also keen to support other mums in achieving their goals in life and business. Lisa has taken over the Blow It vs Budget feature, thanks Lisa!

Lisa is the director of Born & Bred Studio, offering nonintimidating 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.

Fleur Ward is an Award-Winning Interior Designer based in West London. Originally from Australia, her approach to design is ‘start with the art’ so draws inspiration from her client’s collection or beloved pieces of fabric or wallpaper.

Her frustration with appropriate product for children’s rooms, particularly teens, lead her to design her on collection of wallpaper and accessories.

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Art Pick

Teen Styling

Accessories

Rooomy Loves

Reader Room

Blow It vs Budget

Send in the Pro

Interview

Expert Advice

Walls

Decals

Talk to your Teen

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INPO creates simple pieces of art that have a big impact. Looking for artwork for your teen might be tough, chances are they want to choose their own. However, something simplistic like this Hip Hop print cannot do any harm, it’s monochrome which is safe, and if this is the music they’re into it’s a lovely nod to them of your acceptance.

If Hip Hop is not their music genre of choice then check out the rest of Vickie’s collection she has lots to choose from and every now and then she’ll run a bespoke service so it’s worth following her as a favourite song lyric or family saying turned into a piece of art work is an awesome gift and will get kept for many years to come, it would probably leave home with them You can hear more from Vickie in her interview on page 38, and you can follow her here, I highly recommend you do as she is entertaining, funny, honest, artistic and clearly has a very warm heart.

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FI CAMPOS GIVES US THE LOWDOWN ON HOW T O M A K E A F A N TA S T I C TEEN ROOM...

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T H E SA F E H AV E N Styling rooms for teenagers can be tricky. There are several important factors to consider when kitting out their room, and by involving them at the planning stage, you can help sculpt a space together that’s somewhere to call their own, and is an extension of their identity.

Some of the things to consider when designing for teens are to create a sense of privacy for them, somewhere they can be themselves, a safe haven in which to relax and lounge as well as sleep and work, and an inspirational environment that aids optimism, enthusiasm and relaxation.

D O YO U R H O M E WO R K .

If there’s something a teen is sure to need plenty of, it’s desk space for their all-important study and homework time. Even if it’s not top of their ‘To Do’ list, having a designated area of their own in which to research, study and revise is a great start and is the first step in encouraging them to tackle small tasks at a time.

When it comes to designing their desk area, it’s a good idea to try and create an environment where they feel in control. – A space for them to pin some of their favourite things or study notes to a wall works well. Encourage them to express their study style and personality, and it’s more likely to be somewhere they want to hang out more.

The key piece of furniture for their study station is of course a desk, and teenagers are much more likely to be inspired to do their coursework if they have a cool study space that they’re proud of.

I’ve been taking a look at desks on the market. There really is something for every teen, but deciding which type is all a matter of priority...

STORAGE If your teens’ room lacks good storage yet they have a lot of study aids, look out for desks with integrated storage. - Hidden shelving, cubby holes or even built in cupboards make for great homes for all those folders, sketch books and revision guides.

This fabulous industrial style desk from Maisons du monde features fantastic storage for books, folders and stationery, and I love the built in backboard which doubles up as a pin board (without the wall damage), as well as creating a focal point. The black and wood finishing gives it a grown up, sophisticated edge too.

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For something a little more Scandi inspired, I just love the new Edit desk from Little Folks Furniture. With solid beech legs, a sizeable work top and neat cubby holes underneath, for me it’s the perfect fusion between practicality and style. Clean, modern lines and the two tone effect created from the solid Beech legs and easily wipe-able work top make it a simple, Scandinavian design that’s sure to last in the style stakes.

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For compact bedrooms where you still need to steal a bit of space for study, this drop down desk by Made has such a lovely clean look, which can hang on a wall, saving on precious floor space. I also really like the way that when it folds back up again after use, it hides the clutter and the homework away, which can encourage your child to have some all-important down time away from their studies.

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B E D S T H AT H A V E I T A L L For particularly compact teenage bedrooms, it may be a good idea to take a look at a space saving bed for extra storage.

Gone are the days when a bed was just a bed. Multifunctional beds are one of the most popular options when it comes to teenage sleeping solutions, and you can certainly see why.

From beds that make use of the wall space with integrated ladders, through to high beds with built in furniture underneath, these are great grown up beds that your teen can really call their own, with everything they need to hand.

One of the main challenges in shared rooms, can be having enough space for all their stuff.

Storage systems that are secured to the wall can double up as both practical storage and visual space dividers. The nifty Abbeville by the Great Little Trading Company, is the ideal candidate for colour blocking in order to visually split the space; use some of their gorgeous totes in colours that match your scheme, taking one colour for each child. Totes do a brilliant job of hiding away the clutter, whilst pulling a room scheme together through the repetitive use of colour.

This Vox bed available from Cuckooland has a range of storage options which include these wonderful modular, ladder-style clip on shelves. The shelving can host a whole manner of things, including mirrors, storage boxes and hooks, saving on lots of floor space and creating a personalised sanctuary at the same time! It creates a great backdrop as well, which makes sorting their dĂŠcor a breeze as fun wall art can be created with their own belongings.

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For a compact teen bedroom, high sleeper beds with various other furniture pieces underneath can come in infinitely handy when it comes to kitting out a smaller space.

High sleeper or loft beds are the ideal bed for a teenager because they can house so much stuff under them, keeping everything neat and tidy (we can but try!)

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The Little Folks Furniture’s Fargo range is built from sustainably sourced, solid hardwood frames with proper old fashioned jointing

methods, so you just know the set up will last. The brand stocks a range of loft beds with desks underneath, day beds and double beds too, but my favourite combination for compact teen rooms is their high sleeper bed with storage desk and day bed, as it effortlessly combines work and rest space alongside a classic modern look which will fit most interior spaces. Plus, it’s really versatile as the day bed is completely independent from the rest of the bed frame, making it an ideal contender for a guest room at a later stage.

The Parisot Milky mid sleeper bed is a great example of pared back urban design. With a built in raised desk for studies, roomy storage drawers and a mid sleeping platform all in a sleek, minimalistic style, it just oozes the cool vibes that your teen is sure to be looking for.

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LOUNGE ABOUT Extra seating for guests and chill time creates a cosy vibe where space allows, and is a welcome addition to a teen bedroom. Comfy seats such as bean chairs, occasional chairs and even futon chair beds provide them with an inspirational space that isn’t all just about study and sleep.

The Haru single chair bed from Made.com is a stylish lounging chair that doubles up as a spare bed; perfect for sleepovers.

For something a little squishier, and that can be easily moved around their room, try Mikabou for the ultimate in bean seats. This seat with high back and separate foot stool would be just the perch for snuggling into and reading a good book, or gaming till their heart’s content.

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EXPRESS THEMSLEVES When it comes to decorating your teen’s room, they may have changing tastes, so it can often be a good move to keep the walls fairly neutral and add hits of strong colour through their accessories. To create a space that really represents their personality, curate their collections on a gallery wall and make them into a work of art; for example a wall of books, hats or model cars can make for a great feature wall.

Or, if you’re happy to let them go with the flow, let your teen loose with a paint brush and a few pots of colour. Murals are big news at the moment, so why not let them create their very own design? Painted walls may sound daunting, but they can be easily reversed with a lick or two of paint later down the line.

This gorgeous mural by Jen Foxley is an example that she designed and created for a teenage bedroom. I adore her use of colour palette and the design here. – Great not only for teenage bedrooms, but for any other room too!

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LIGHT BULB MOMENTS Cool lighting ideas can help shift a room from children’s bedroom to teen den, almost immediately. This monkey light from Graham & Green is a fun addition to a room and offers mood lighting for a multifunctional space… and who doesn’t love a ‘70s lava lamp?

They’re great for stress busting too; a few minutes watching the bubbles move inside these and exam anxieties will be a thing of the past! So there you have it, my top considerations for teen rooms in a nutshell: 1.

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Plan their study station Consider multifunctional beds for teens in order to make their space work harder Look for additional comfy seating for that all-important down time Let them express their identity (within clear boundaries) Light up the room with some funky mood lighting

Happy styling! x

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PELICAN SHELF - WOODEN DOT These little shelves are great addition to a teen room, they look smart, not at all kid like and offer space to store or display objects such as devices, photo frames, plants, and the Pelican’s construction also conceals two or three hooks (depending on size) on its underside for more organization. Handmade by traditional artisans in Spain’s Tierra de Pinares region, the Pelican is a piece of contemporary design poised to take flight. Available in Walnut and White and in small or medium sizes

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T E D DY L A M P - S U C K U K Is he a bear? Is he a lamp? Whichever way you choose to see him, he’s weirdly wonderful. He’ll win a place in your heart as he sits on your bedside table. The black shade is reflective gold on the inside to enhance Teddy’s golden features. His plump body lets you direct the light as you please, a great edgy twist from kid to teen.

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TOP 3 TEEN PLANTERS Leopard Wall vase - Audenz a W i c ke r B a s ke t Pl a n t e r - F l o r a Fu r n i t u re LED Solar Plant Jar – Dobbies

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I L L U M I N AT E D M I R R O R As seen on the likes of the The X Factor, Britain’s Next Top Model and other reality TV shows.

These mirrors are popular among teens, covering several price points, which every parent wants to hear.

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CUSHIONS FOR TEENS

£19.99, Monica, Yorkshire Fabric Shop

£14, Lady’s Face (They have a Gentleman too), Dunelm

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£18, Elements Geo Blush, Dunelm

£105, Zebra Mirage Velvet Cushion, Avalana

£48, Wild Cats, Wild Hearts Wonder

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NEW TERM, NEW ROOM

by LISA METTIS p h o t o g r a p h e d b y A l e s s a n d r o Te a r

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This was a complete education for me personally and a real eye opener for my future parenting!

The teen room … usually the most concise of briefs. Mainly as the young person knows exactly what they want (sort of). Parents are squirming in the corner with the ‘lets confer later look’ written all over their face.

I often can’t decipher why a teen or even tweens taste is so sophisticated. I really believe its all the ‘stuff’ they are exposed to. From parents, holidays and a constant flow of information and inspiration from social media. Many teens reference the latest eateries or places they have visited in the UK or abroad. It goes without saying, all of our inspiration is communicated via Pinterest and Instagram.

fire and sheepskins (I’m not kidding).

But after asking some probing questions and getting on his level (something his parents could obviously never do…as that would be so uncool) it became clear which direction I should take to please both Finn and his parents.

Where do you like to hang out? What’s your favourite shop? What are your interests. The room was crystal clear in my head. He had a love for the Abercrombie shops. That lead to dark interiors. He was set on a double bed…. hello I’m grown up now mum. Gaming is Finn’s main passion, when not studying, so an area for two monitors was nonnegotiable.

This was a complete education for me personally and a real Finn has a very strong character and eye opener for my future parenting! Finn knew what he wanted. At one point there also needed storage to house school was a suggestion of black walls, an open work and sports equipment.

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Encourage a place to chill and study. Tweens are under so much pressure both socially and academically ‌ a safe place is key.

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What I deciphered from the brief.

Dark blue walls, a large low-level walnut bed to sit at the right level next to the shutters. Some very cool blue-print artwork commissioned on the same colour wood as headboard incorporating Finns interests (sports, lego, gaming, bicycles). Low level lockers for day to day school books and sports kit including fencing and rugby.

I was still in the house for the big reveal…and it must be said I was a little nervous with this cool customer. Early on winters evening, Finn walked into the room with a friend, the neon was on, new cool bedding laid out… initially speechless.. “OMG that light…turned his back looked in my direction ‘thank you this is really amazing…good job.’ I disappeared down the stairs and Finn’s friend lamented on how ‘awesome your A gaming corner with two monitors, room is’…and settled in for a night of corner desk and swivel chair. Bedding gaming and chilling.. and accessories are cool, creative and a fun (grown up) surprise for Finn. And I disappeared into the night and the the icing on the cake was the neon light interiors fairies work was complete which added the ‘cool teen’ hang out for another week…smiling ear to ear. element to the room.

Phheeww!

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T O P F I V E T I P S F O R T E E N S PA C E

Is your child settled into secondary school? If so now’s the time. I have done several kids rooms the year before this transition…and honestly they are like different people a year on. New influences, friendship sets and outlook. And whilst its all a big leap and very grown up…there is an innocence their that needs to be (discretely) acknowledged and embraced as it will be fleeting.

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In terms of the foundations…paint colour and anything built in… think adult. Does this have longevity could it be a guest room.

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Embrace the accessories and the novelty…this is what the teen years are all about.

Think comfort and social. You want your teen to feel like they can bring friends home and hang out (away from you obviously). w5. There is a lot to be learned from our teens.

Many of whom are incredibly passionate about the environment. A good time to purchase design classics budget permitting. They will clearly be taking them with them when (if they ever) move out!

There is alot to be learnt from our teens. Many of whom are incredibly passionate about the environment. A good time to purchase design classics, budget permitting. They will clearly be taking them with them when (if they ever) move out!

5.

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Inpo Inspo...

ROOOMY INTERVIEW

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RACHEL BURNS SPEAKS TO ONE OF I N S TA G R A M S M O S T L O V E D M U M S , V I C K I E N E AV E O R A S W E A L L K N OW H E R ‘ I N P O ! ( I N N O PA R T I U L A R O R D E R ) A B O U T INTERIORS, ART AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN...

RB - Hey Vickie, you have three social home and we want everyone to teenagers under one roof, how is that feel welcomed and chilled. going?

RB - What was your approach to the VN - Every day is different. I never kid’s rooms when they were younger? quite know what to expect. Mind you Was it all planned and thought about they would probably say the same or was it thrown together? Any about me! princess themed rooms?

RB - I know you have a love of and all things that bring to you and your family. How you describe your interior preference?

colour joy to would style/

VN - We never massively invested in the kid’s rooms when they were younger. I added a bit of personality by switching up the duvet covers. We were having lots of building work when they were younger and there were lots VN - Our interior style is home. I do not of room swaps so we never made too follow trends because we need room much of a mark with them. designs to last. Storage is key in every single room but now we do not have to RB - Liberty’s room is simply awesome. house four million plastic toys we are When did you notice that her room starting to reclaim the house and add was starting to change and that she in design elements. I love to relax in was clearly moving from a kid room, the living rooms and then the kitchen into wanting a more grown up space? is for entertaining. We have a very

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Our interior style is home. I do not follow trends because we need room designs to last.

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VN - Liberty lucked out as she was a young teen at the end of some building work and we moved some walls. We recently changed it again to adapt to her being an actual adult!!! I have an adult?!? How did that even happen. So we lowered the bed. She is forever switching it up but the most recent layout seems to really work for her.

VN - I think I am a bit of both. I love planning out a room and creating a little mood board but also love the ‘let’s just go for it’ approach. That paper is coming down soon or being painted over. We loved it for a while but it is a bit too full on for the room and just needs to quieten down a level.

RB - On a scale of 1-10 how important do RB - I love that she came to you earlier you think a teen’s interior is and why? in the year asking for a room update and you had wallpaper that had been VN – 10/10, it’s hugely important. So previously purchased but not put up, so many emotions, so much change in their you just cracked on with it all. Is this your minds and bodies. So much stress with normal approach to decorating? exams and simply growing up that their

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bedroom needs to feel theirs. They need to feel safe, loved and happy. It is so hard once that bedroom door shuts because as a parent you want to scoop them up and make everything right but then I remember being a teen and being in my room was my time. I feel by working on the rooms together that I am in there somehow even when the door is firmly shut in my face. Sometimes very loudly!!

is not one in Liberty’s room - there will be soon!!!!

RB - If Liberty could have anything in her bedroom what would it be?

VN - More wardrobe space! We have a large chimney stack to contend with in her room so her wardrobe is built around that but the hanging space is small!!

RB - Have you let your kids have a say in RB - What’s your favourite part of her how their room looks? room?

VN - Yes totally. Millie wanted a fish tank underneath her bed and somehow her clever old Dad made it happen. I let them put up posters as long as they use a nice washi tape! They choose their bedding etc. They tend to have an eye for style thankfully.

VN - It has to be the Smeg door. It came to me when I was in New York years ago and a changing room had surf boards as doors and I started to think about what could add a splash of colour as a door.

Smeg then came to mind and we got this door off Ebay for £13. It cost more for delivery but it was so worth it! It still RB - Where are your three favourite places makes me smile. to shop for interiors goodies?

RB - What, if anything, would you do VN - Homesense. I love the fact you never differently? know what you will find. You can never go there for anything specific as they will VN - I would get a roman blind made never have it. Yet go for a “browse” and with blackout material. We will probably the trolley is full! still do this one day. We had the slated La Redoute but obviously only with a code wooden blinds because we could not - does anyone pay full price!!!? afford shutters but they actually let in the So hard to pin it to 3!! I could not be light and boy do teenagers moan about without LoveFrankie who makes the most light!! amazing lampshades and although there

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F L E U R WA R D O F O H H F L E U R , S H A R E S F A M I LY I N S P I R AT I O N AND HOW TO DESIGN TEEN S PA C E T O E N C O U R A G E PRACTICAL USE AND PRIDE

from c h to teen ild ...

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Most people can’t afford to redecorate every few years so it’s important to get it right first-time round.

When asked to think of a teenager’s bedroom, the stereotypical images pop into mind, total mess, smelly socks, and trainers dangling from door frames, pants and Pringles packets on floor. However with a thoughtfully planned out space it will encourage the teen to take pride in their space, keep it tidy and a desire to show it off.

I’ve designed a number of kid’s rooms over the years and I’ve always had the forethought to imagine the room in 5 years’ time when the child has outgrown Frozen. Most people can’t afford to redecorate every few years so it’s important to get it right first-time round. With great design, the room can evolve from a toddler to teen zone with just accessories.

My son was 6 when we moved into our current house and I had a clear idea of the design of his room. The space allowed for a ‘small double’ bunk bed to be built against the wall which would sleep 4 kids (2 up 2 down) the top doubled as a cool cubby housing all the stuffed toys.

Whilst the kids have grown, we can still sleep 2 kids and more gather on for chats around an iPad... I’m a huge fan of the bunk - if budget can allow then a bespoke piece of joinery that’s designed for the room is best.

Having spent the first 6 years of his life standing on Lego I wanted a play/desk area in the centre of the room that he could move around and not have to pack up at the end of each day. That was always soul destroying asking him to collapse whatever he’d built because my living room needed to be magazine ready.

White storage cubes from IKEA with adjustable shelves are perfect for this. 6 back to back create a wonderful work table that keeps it all off the floor and loads of storage within for books etc . At 12 Lego is still relevant and these units still look good in the room.

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Metal cabinets and lockers are great alternatives to wardrobes and floating shelves/hooks allow things to be displayed and changed up easily.

Brick wallpaper is a firm favourite as it gives a masculine industrial vibe that can be softened or played up, whilst being fairly neutral. Is it real exposed brick is it not?

Murals and decals are also a great way of adding personality to a room. We had SpiderMan on one wall for 6 years and my son was reluctant to let Spidey go but i popped my wallpaper over him recently - I needed content. So now my son lives with ‘Wired for Sound’ one of my designs aimed at teens. Its headphones, cassettes and skateboards are a throwback to my childhood and yet so relevant now. The Bright Blue in it allowed me to refresh the bunk bed in the same colour and it now looks like a new room.

Metal cabinets and lockers are great alternatives to wardrobes and floating shelves/ hooks allow things to be displayed and changed up easily. Market finds can also add some individuality to a room. I love these old printers’ trays to store my sons Lego people. Cork floor tiles are also wonderful for allowing your child to display their achievements, certificates, photos of friends etc.

If your teen does homework in their room then a designated zone is helpful. A well-lit desk and storage for their books etc. will create an organised welcoming space.

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For Grand Designs Live I came up with the idea of the ‘Console Cave’ for the Under the Stairs Project. The awkward triangular space under the stairs that is usually a WC or coat rack.. If you’re child likes gaming then creating a space for this will make you incredibly popular depending on which camp you’re in regarding TV’s PC’s in bedrooms.

Colour changeable LED strips can be stuck around the TV or Monitor and a comfy chair... Your mini Dan TDM’S will be thrilled.

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Embrace a theme. This teen was quite bohemian and this scheme showed her personality. She was keen for a red room so we compromised and painted one wall.

The side walls remained white ensuring the room felt wider than it was and allowed us to use pattern on the curtains and bedspread. There was a large terrarium at the end of the bed (not seen) with her pet lizard in it.

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Maps and Murals are a great way of adding interest and slipping some education into the scheme.

Wooden furniture for boys can add a masculine grown up feel whilst adding texture.

Industrial lighting is a personal favorite but find it works particularly well in boys rooms A feature wall that adds Colour, fun, interest and allows the child to grow without redecorating too often.

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T E E N B R E AT H E Being a teen has NEVR been easy, we remember what it was like still, right? But working with teens now, it’s clear all the same dramas still apply, social awareness, exam pressure, self-image and the rest. And as we know the last decade has made it a whole lot harder for them, and us parents with the explosion of social media. I won’t list all the downsides, there are simply too many, in a nutshell, their brains are not developed enough to cope with social media, so how do we help? Enter Teen Breathe, a magazine jam packed with ideas, articles and tips to help your teen explore how to pay attention to everything they do, because being curious and staying positive can bring out the very best. A person who’s comfortable and proud in their own skin, is open to ideas and follows their dreams. It’s a bi-monthly publication and you can get your subscription here.

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M E G A B O O M 3 - U LT I M AT E E A R S Music, the key to most teenagers’ hearts. For decades teens have been plugged into Walkman’s, discmans, iPods and now it’s wireless headphones. I wanted to find a gadget that means they can share their music with their friends, maybe even family or at least just listen in the solace of their room, without having to put headphones in or on. I came across this great find from Ultimate Ears. Their Megaboom 3 is a Bluetooth speaker balancing features, sound quality and value better than any of its rivals, with an impressive 20-hour battery life and the ability to stereo pair and daisy chain with other UE speakers. Perfect for solo enjoyment or creating more of a party! Oh, and it’s water proof and comes in 8 colour options!

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SECRETE PILLOW - SECRETE PROJECTS Whether we like it or not, friendships become number one priority for teens.

Which means parties must be attended, staying away will happen a lot more and sleepovers at home may increase too. In the spirit of supporting this development and not wanting to be scrambling around for extra bedding when they bring all their friends’ round at last minute, then these secrete pillow will become your ally. They look great, with loads of colour options, they provide a cushion all year round and in emergencies roll out into a much-needed blanket! Having a couple of these dotted around the home will be a saviour when there’s an extra 5 bodies to provide. They just won’t help with food consumption, sorry, all I can suggest is a spare loaf in the freezer, toast makes most peeps happy!

The best part is, you’ll be supporting an incredible project in India, allowing women who face social and economic challenges to make their own money I a safe environment whilst receiving training, material and support from Secrete Projects, currently working across six Indian states.

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M E M O R Y B O X F R A M E - B O O M C R E AT I O N S LT D A great gift for your teen or their friend or the niece or nephew that you just don’t know what to get for their birthday. They can keep all their precious memories and souvenirs in this amazing wall mounted scrap book! The unique top loading frame allows you to store all your keepsakes in one safe place. A unique gift for Birthdays, travel, tickets stubs and programmes!

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P O S T I T N O T E S - E M I LY B R O O K S Stationary! There is so much awesome stationary about, but these sticky notes by Emily Brooks jumped out at me because of their mini calls to action; You Got This, Love This Idea and Don’t Forget. A phrase we hear more and more is that our brains are like an internet browser, too many tabs open. Organisation is key and its great if they can learn young! I love the bright positive colours and illustrations with a more mature touch as opposed to your standard one-dimensional emoji icon, they’re cute, but our teens want a bit more.

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MAKING SPACE FOR YOU

B O RN & B RE D S T U D I O I N T E R I O R D E S I G N F O R C O O L FA M I L I E S & L I T T L E P E O P L E WWW.BORNANDBREDSTUDIO.COM

BORN &

B RE D 61 STUDIO

art attack and the teenage space D A V I D AT K I N S O N F R O M S H O P A A R D V A R K TA L K S T E E N R O O M S A N D W A L L A R T. . .

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T E E N S N E E D T H E I R O W N S PA C E A teenager’s bedroom serves a number of different purposes. There’s the most obvious like sleeping and spending some time alone but there is also tackling their mountain of homework and hanging out with their friends and family members.

As there are many different roles, you need to make sure their room is right for all of these activities. It may seem stressful but following just a few rules, you can work with your child to create a perfect bedroom that shows off their individuality and is completely functional.An

OPEN DIALOGUE IS KEY When it comes to updating your teenager’s space, communicating with them is the most important aspect. Letting them have an opinion and even help choose different parts of the room can help them feel more responsible, making them more likely to use and enjoy their personal space.

If they’re getting toward the mid-teens, you can let them take a lead on the planning. Get them to share inspiration from social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to really gauge what kind of room they’d like.

If your child isn’t interested in getting involved in the decisions, out of courtesy, check your ideas with them to help keep them happy. We all know how teenagers can be, so do your best to avoid their wrath.

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C R E AT E A P L A N Decorating can be exciting but before you run out and start spending money on paint and furniture, you need to create a plan.

Start by setting a budget of how much you can afford and ideally how much the project is going to cost you. Plan how you’ll keep track of the budget to help prevent overspending.

Set out if you’re going to have a theme or at least the colour scheme.

Then, do some online browsing to get a sense of what fits into their room. Planning will help you stay on point with the style and make sure everything is tied together.

U T I L I S E T H E S PA C E Y O U H A V E Like with the majority of decorating, space will be one of the biggest limiting factors when it comes to renovating your teen’s room. That’s why it’s crucial you utilise the space you have available, especially as children’s spaces are generally the smallest in your home.

Multifunctional furniture will help you make the most of the area you have available giving you storage as well as functionality. A day bed, cabin bed or ottoman are just a few helpful pieces that are perfect for smaller rooms, serving more than on function.

Teenagers aren’t necessarily the neatest of people so maximising storage will encourage them to keep everything tidied away and out of sight.

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A D D I N YO U R T E E N ’ S P E R S O N A L I T Y Don’t forget to add in a splash of your child’s personality when you decorate their room. Use their hobbies and interests in whatever way you can. Art, photos, accessories such as bedding and even using something to do with a hobby like a guitar or a skateboard will make for completely unique decor. A perfect way to do this is with wall decals, the selection available from Icon Wall Stickers is immense and you will definitely find something that your teen will be thrilled to with.

This will help them feel at home in their room and ensure they enjoy the look. They’ll be more comfortable showing their space off to friends and it will give them a sense of pride. Your open dialogue with your child will help with this stage, giving them a voice to share with you what they want to use.

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C R E AT E A W O R K S PA C E T H AT S U I T S T H E M Homework is going to quickly become a large part of your teenager’s life, if it’s not already. That means, they need a place to sit down and focus on it, away from any distractions. The perfect place for this is in their bedroom.

You may think that a desk is ideal, but if they’re not the type to work on a desk, it will likely become a dumping ground rather than a useful workspace. Choose something that’s right for the individual. A small desk, a window seat with space for a laptop, even a bookshelf with a comfy space to sit beside. Anywhere they can get their head down and use the tools they need like a laptop or notepad.

Speak to your teenager about choosing whatever setup they would prefer as this will help to encourage them to actually use it.

C R E AT E S PA C E T O R E L A X As well as a place to work, an area to chill out is ideal for separating work and relaxation for your child. This could just be for them or with a couple of friends. Incorporate a simple seating area such as beanbags, a futon or small foldout sofa. Give them things for their downtime like books, their favourite tech etc. This will give them a space to hang out other than sitting on their bed to help to leave it just for sleeping. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, just a small and comfortable space for them to hang out.

Keep in mind that a teenager’s bedroom shouldn’t be changed too permanently. A lot of children move away to university when they hit eighteen, spending only the holidays and the odd weekend back in the family home. Make sure you can convert their space into a functional adult room when the time comes.

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ROOOMY GET THE LOOK

L I S A R I D D O C H TA K E S U S O N A T O U R O F A N I D E A L W O R K S PA C E F O R Y O U R T E E N A N D S H O W S U S H O W T O R E C R E AT E T H E L O O K For this issue I’ve focused on designing a teen workspace. At this age there is a lot of work that needs to be done at home, so it goes without saying that teenagers need a purposeful work area. It doesn’t have to be in their bedroom either, for example if you have a quiet corner in the dining room maybe this would suit you better.

It’s always a great idea to get your teens involved in the design and let them have fun personalising their workspace. I’ve put together a scandi design for a teenage girl who’s inspired by travel as you can see in the artwork. I have kept the furniture neutral and added colour with artwork and accessories, you could easily change the colour scheme and personalise your teens desk space by changing the artwork and picking out a few accessories that colour coordinate.

The accessory that got me really excited is the wall planner. It’s designed specifically for the academic year and not only is it a great wall feature, it’s also super useful. My kids are too young for this now but I would use it to help plan and organise their time and so I’m kept in the loop too! The budget option is a digital download so you can either print it at home or in the past I’ve emailed the file to the printers, of course if it’s easier go with the blow it option and have the planner sent to you.

Have fun designing!

Lisa is an Interior Designer and and founder of Content & Coffee in Bristol To see more of her work visit www.mumdoesdesign.com Inspiration for this feature was taken from this study space created by Mein Feenstaub

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£85, Jerry Chair, Habitat

£45.90, Paris Travel Poster by Henry Rivers, Desenio

£35, Edna Lamp, Made.com

£250, Carter Desk John Lewis & Partners

£226.80 for 6, “U” Bookshelves, Tee Books

£6 each, Storage Basket, Hay

£76.99, Delicate Desk Lamp, Wayfair

£66, Mesh Wall Storage, House Doctor

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£12.50, Academic Wallplanner, Doodlelove

£89.95, Not on the High Street

£29.14, 20x30cm set of 4 Henry Rivers Prints, Amazon

£15, Jacobsbyn, Ikea

£2.49 each, 4.5Ltr Basket, The Range

£17.99, Phot Mesh, Amazon

£39, Linear Table Lamp, Cult Furniture £72.95, Retro Desk, Hartleys Direct

£33, Jamie Tulip Chair, PN Home

£8.25, Academic Wallplanner, Creative Fix Design

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Wallpaper is a big design commitment, but this may be the last time you redecorate their bedroom before they leave home. Teens are much surer of themselves and what they like, more often than not it will be the opposite of your taste as they are desperate to be their own independent self in every which way possible. Try and give them control over the space whist offering these great designs as ideas, even if you’re not so keen yourself.

EXCUSE ME WHILE I KISS THE SKY MIND THE GAP I don’t usually include two designs from the same company in the same feature but when I came across this I loved the colour palette and then the name of the design sealed the deal, excuse me while I kiss the sky instantly brings Jimi Hendrix to mind which takes the coolness ratings sky high and an executive decision was made, it had to be included.

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R O O O M Y WA L L S

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CENTURY ELEMENTS MIND THE GAP Whilst researching wallpaper that wasn’t too kid like but also not too grown up, I was beaming from ear to ear when I found this beaut from Mine The Gap. I’m actually struggling to find the words to convey what I think, but the feeling of positivity and love for this design is strong. The constant change in shapes and the bold colours that are fun and not too vibrant, I’m confident this design will provide a really positive and creative space for teenagers to study and hang out in.

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R O O O M Y WA L L S

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LITTLE TREES MISS PRINT Monochrome is always a stylish choice and the feel of nature with smooth design is a great choice for a maturing teens style. If monochrome is not to your liking, fear not it comes in 19! Yes 19 colour ways. You could pick 2 or more colours, to up the creative levels. Let them choose and give them some autonomy over their own space, they’ll really appreciate it, even if they don’t say so.

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R O O O M Y WA L L S

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WILD FLOWER STRIPE GRAHAM & BROWN Stripes will make the room feel taller, which is always a bonus outcome. The ombre effect is popular and sets a softer tone, if coral is not the desired colour palette then you can choose from the eight other colours including ink, plum and teal. Meaning this design will work for any gender.

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AMBIENCE GALERIE Maybe your teen likes the idea of a rustic, edgy space, resembling a loft apartment or similar. Exposed brick wallpaper is a good option, but it’s been used a lot and maybe they want a similar style with added colour. The Ambience range from Galerie offers designs with great texture and eight colour options plus a complimentary second design if you don’t want to overwhelm the space with one repeat design the plain style will offer a perfect break, why have one design when you can have two? If you want to get creative you can mix and match colours too.

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ACTION WOMAN, EMMA JEFFFREYS, N E G O T I AT I O N S K I L L S C O M E I N T O T H E I R O W N W I T H T E E N A G E R S . H E R E ’ S H O W T O TA C K L E T H E B E D R O O M B AT T L E . . .

Growing up is tough. Exploring individuality and establishing independence are both a huge part of it. Combine that with the psychological importance of a teenager having a space to call their own and suddenly the conversation over their bedroom becomes an uber important one.

Many parents struggle with choices that deviate from the style of the rest of the house. The introduction of a dark colour in an otherwise neutral space. Or glitz and chintz in a minimalist space. And yet if you are dictating the style then you are still exerting your preferences onto them at a time when they need to explore their own. What really matters is that the values of the household/ family are upheld in this space. So if promoting drug use or violence would not be tolerated as a family then it’s a no to posters that do the same.

That said it is understandable that you might not love the idea of a whole room being painted black. This is when you

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need to express your views clearly and then ask your child to tell you more about theirs, encouraging them to think creatively around their options too. For example “I’d rather you didn’t paint your whole room black because it makes the house feel too dark. Is there another colour you’d be happy with or perhaps you could just paint one wall black? Do you have any other ideas?”

Pinterest is a great way to support and encourage their creativity and ideas whilst also adding your own. Building a board together can encourage discussion and finding solutions so that you get to a final style that you are both happy with (or can at least live with!).

Perspective is perhaps the most useful tool here as a parent. At the end of the day there is a door you can shut, paint you can one day paint over and helping your teenager express themselves is a gift you can give them on their way to adulthood.

...express your views clearly and then ask your child to tell you more about theirs, encouraging them to think creatively...

Image Credit - dailydreamdecor.com

M A K E P E AC E N OT WA R

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A M T H A L K A R I M S H A R E S H O W S H E C R E AT E D A MIAMI CHIC VIBE FOR HER FIFTEEN YEAR OLD DAU GT E R TO R E V I S E A N D C I L L I N

miami baby

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For my daughter’s 15th birthday we decided she needed a bedroom style update. Her current bedroom was painted pink all over with turquoise accessories and there was no desk so we decided it had to become more grown-up and also accommodate a study space. Alisha’s bedroom is the smallest in our 3 bedroom semi-detached 1930s house - it’s almost a box room just slightly narrower.

For the design, Alisha still really wanted pastel colours and also said she loved rose gold. So we decided on all white walls and a theme that would incorporate pastels and rose gold subtly in the artwork and accessories only. With artwork always

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being my main inspiration for room décor and Desenio my most favourite (!) online store - we began looking for the perfect print to encapsulate the look she wanted.

I found this beautiful palm tree poster print which inspired me to create the mood board with colours and motifs for a relaxed, Miami beach look.

We decided on white furniture and shelving for a clean, airy feel and then touches of blush pink and turquoise. For a more grown up feel and to add interest, I decided to introduce pattern and texture using marble and terrazzo and completed this with rose gold finishing touches.

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We decided on white furniture and shelving for a clean, airy feel and then touches of blush pink and turquoise.

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We wanted to make the most of the wall space for storage. We used picture ledge shelves from JYSK to display accessories and artwork and added a large run of shelves along the entire top of the room to store study books out of the way. Alisha’s desk was white gloss with a tempered glass top and we bought a matching mirror so that the desk could double as a dressing table.

candles and palm leave candle holder were from JYSK - the perfect place to shop for chic but budget dĂŠcor touches.

The rose gold noticeboard was from BHS online but you can buy similar on Amazon.

Storage was the most important thing for the new room as we wanted all the clutter and accessories to be neatly stored away in such as small space, so the overhead shelving all the way around the entire The artwork and quotation posters were room and the Malm dressing table with a must for me - of course - from Desenio. hideaway drawer storage was perfect. co.uk . The faux palm leaf, terrazzo vase, We also used under-bed wheeled storage

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boxes for everything else. Finally, to complete the room we added the Tanner table lamp from Dunelm. We finished with blush pink, plain bedding from La Redoute.

The shelves also allow her to display all her little treasures, mementos, souvenirs from holidays and concerts etc. Keeping all the books and practical items out of the way on overhead shelves and under the bed allows more space for the nicer My main tips for a cool teen space would things to be on display. be to think about clever storage ideas because no matter how much storage you Finally, the white walls make the room think you have teenagers always seem to feel spacious - even though it isn’t - and inherit even more things! The noticeboard keeping colour to the smaller touches allows my daughter to display her concert makes it feel more of a grown-up look. tickets, photos of her with her friends - all her best memories.

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