familyroom
THE LITTLES
Adding personality and functionality to your children’s rooms
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accessorize
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few weeks ago, my kids started a petition to move into one room all together. With young girls, I tolerate a decent number of shenanigans; I even expect it. Overnight, signs began appearing all over my home. Opening the fridge to get something to eat, I saw each apple taped with a sign, “Move us into one room!” On my sneakers, on each individual coffee pod, fastened to every single doorknob, was a little sticky note, misspelled and written with the endearing wobbly hand of a new writer. My husband was adamant that creating a bunkhouse environment would lengthen bedtime, shorten sleeping hours, and create upheaval in their routines that we honestly just couldn’t handle right now. He was a 100 percent right, and I couldn’t argue with reason. Except, of course, I did. Like an echo, my thoughts circled: Soon they’ll want privacy; soon they’ll be defined by their individuality; soon, they’ll crave space. But now? Now the alliance in sisterhood is their biggest motivation. Whispering past bedtime hours, thinking we don’t hear; little footsteps pattering from one bed to the next; mismatched clothes shared from each other’s closets: aren’t these the sounds that one day we’ll replay, that playlist titled “Nostalgia”? Of course, my own petition, overflowing with the emotional perspective I have as their mother, followed. Suffice it to say they are all in one room now; and the empty bedroom is now my makeshift home gym. (I didn’t say ulterior motive, did you?) The upside of all of this is that my kids have begun spending more time playing in their bedroom. The stuffed animals normally relegated to the playroom have — surreptitiously, I might add — begun inching their way to the ends of their beds, and the floating shelves that came with the house are strewn with odds and ends that signify the scatterbrained ingeniousness of young ones at play. Often, it is in the smallest moments of our days that we sit back suddenly, realizing: today will never reappear; these ages, this mess, these needs — they are only here now. With that perspective, it becomes more attainable for the current upheaval to morph from stress burden to the weightlessness gratitude affords. Everyone’s lifestyles differ. But with the amount of time currently spent at home, and with our children creating makeshift play spaces every four feet, we wondered: maybe we can actually accept the multipurpose quality of their rooms, and work to make them more of a well-oiled machine, instead of the dumping ground they inevitably become. Here’s to using the chaos of the times to our advantage,
Rivki
RIVKI RABINOWITZ
These pendants are perfectly cheerful for a children’s room. For a unique placement, I would hang them from the ceiling right next to the bed, essentially where a sconce or table lamp would be on a nightstand. FIGG MARS L AMP
$31.52, hipicon.com
For the girly girl in your home, these knobs add that perfect amount of whimsy, while staying true to sophisticated decor. GOLD BOW KNOB
$10, crateandbarrel.com
While I may be girl-focused, I love a well-thought-out boy’s room. This wallpaper is neutral enough to grow with your little ones. I would add a simple washed navy and taupe linen, bronze accents, and potentially a half-wall paneling in russet or clay. TISBURY VINTAGE PL ANES WALLPAPER
$1.88/sq. ft., wayfair.com
Channel English farmhouse with this meadow green headboard. I would take the look full throttle with floral wallpaper and linen, an eyelet bed skirt, lemony yellow baseboards, and a wooden bench at the foot of the bed. CAVAILLON 5 SPINDLES SL AT HEADBOARD
$146.95, wayfair.com
Editor, Family Room
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professional perspective
Princess and the Pea ABCs of Linen: Aesthetics, Bedding, and Comfort
WRITTEN BY SHIRI FELDMAN
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Pillows and Patterns
Comfort First
1 Make sure the pillow you get is the correct size for
ith the bed being the focal point in most bedrooms — the castle in make believe, the classroom when playing school, and the piece of furniture in our homes that screams, “You made it to bedtime!” — it deserves its own time to shine. Whether in accessorizing, purchasing quality linens, or pulling together a total look, there’s a lot more to a child’s bed than just a mattress!
My children all know that I am a huge believer in a comfortable bed, and they can attest to my focus on making sure that besides being aesthetically pleasing, their beds are also super cozy and comfortable. “Cozy,” however, is an adjective that doesn’t include a manual. Here are some of the tips I’ve compiled to break down this multi-step process. The first thing you need to do is select the right mattress, duvet, and pillows. While there’s been much hype over hypoallergenic and alternative duvets, I’m still a classic down-blanket-and-pillow type of girl. After that, I highly recommend buying a good-quality duvet and pillow insert. Not only is this crucial for the comfort of the bed, but it’s also important for getting bedding to lie flat. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen lumpy duvets in the most beautiful and expensive linen sets, ruining the entire look.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a complete shift in how bedrooms look. In the past, people bought an entire bedroom set with all the accoutrements matching. Nowadays, they’re gravitating to a more collected and layered look, extending even to the bedding and linens. Mixing and matching pieces is not just very trendy, but it can also be extremely cost effective. Some important general rules:
the bed. For twin beds I suggest a standard-size sham, at least two per bed plus any additional throw pillows. For full, queen, and king size beds, I recommend a kingsize pillow. Although this is a personal preference, I recommend longer pillows when possible. Besides the look, to me they’re more comfortable to sleep on.
2 When mixing patterns, you never want to mix two
patterns of the same scale . If one pattern has a smaller motif, printed close together, like a small floral, the other pattern should be more widely designed, like a large plaid or stripe. If you decide to be adventurous and mix the fitted sheet and duvet, for example, try to pick two patterns that share similarities in theme. Themes that carry through can be in color, like a pink floral and a pink plaid, or in pattern — a smallscale blue pinstripe paired with a wide, blocked blue
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For twin beds, one or two standard size shams work best, plus any additional throw pillows RHBABYAND CHILD.COM
stripe. The key is staying consistent in ensuring that you’re placing a small pattern with a larger or wider one. Otherwise, the eye won’t know where to rest, and the look will feel cluttered and forced.
3 If you’re into the more monochromatic look, try
mixing different textures of the same color to maintain visual interest. For example, for an all-white cotton or linen look, adding a velvet throw blanket or a chunky knit and some textured pillows creates a layered look while staying true to the neutral aesthetic.
4 Don’t overdo the throw pillows and blankets. A
foolproof method to styling a bed is two shams per bed and a long lumbar pillow. This makes the bed look done without too many extra accessories. I also like mixing shapes, like long, square, and round, instead of using all the same. Remember, it doesn’t have to be symmetrical to be visually pleasing. I then add a separate throw to the last third of the bed. Always make sure that the fringes face the floor.
Shop Right
Here are some of my favorite places to score some great finds on bedding and accessories. > H&M Home and Zara: Both stores have great linen in washed cotton for the softer, not-starchy look. I’ve also found great throws and bathrobes here. > Amara: This is a great place to buy bedding online. It’s mostly high end, but there’s definitely a range.
CYRILLUS.COM
will wear well over time. Good sheets have thread counts that range anywhere from 200 to 800, although you’ll occasionally see numbers over 1,000.)
Use different scales for successful pattern mixing
> Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Home Goods: These stores provide some serious retail therapy for me — I’ve found designer linen on numerous occasions that I was able to use in all different and creative ways. One of the companies I love is Piu Belle. They have the softest bedding imaginable, that casual look that’s not supposed to be too ironed and gets softer after each wash. How can you say no to that? Whichever way you style your children’s bed — multilayered and intentionally haphazard, asymmetrical and patterned, or perhaps not styled at all, remember that comfort will always trump all trends.
Shiri Feldman
heads Shiri Feldman Interior Design, a full-
service design shop located in New York City. Having attended the New
> Amazon and Wayfair: I’ve bought bedding from both of these sites here over the years. It’s definitely hit or miss, but if you look for a high thread count you can usually find some nice things, as well as bedding basics. (In a wide generalization, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it
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York School of Interior Design and graduated from the Jane Packard Floral Design Program, Shiri has experience in high-end floral design, set design, event planning, spacial design, landscape design, multifamily design, and more. She draws inspiration from her experiences and travels in every job she does. Contact her at @shirifeldmaninteriors or www.shirifeldmaninteriors.com.
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DIY Home Improvements
Off the Hook
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WRITTEN BY SHAINY MAIMAN
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY HUDI GREENBERGER
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hile there is no denying that DIY projects are well within my comfort zone, my favorite type of project is one that isn’t too difficult to execute and has actual functionality in my home. The inspiration for these hooks came from all the odds and ends accumulating in my children’s rooms. I figured that if we created fanciful hooks, my kids might be more inclined to hang up their towels or excessive numbers of beaded necklaces! I love that these are so inexpensive to make and that they can be done with the kiddos. And the best part? While many stores are closed nowadays, Lowe’s and Home Depot are open, and that’s where most of this was sourced. Important note: Don’t feel pressured to follow my guidelines to the T; you can create your own hanging hooks using whatever you find in the store or at home, or whatever matches your decor.
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Animal Farm
For the boys’ room I chose to go with animal hooks. To achieve the stained effect on the wood, I used black shoe polish instead of wood stain, saving money and an errand in the process. I used spray paint to paint the animals, but you can use any paint of your choice. Tip: You can even use animals from the toy box that have seen better days!
Yo u w i l l n eed: > wooden board for the base (mine was 4x24 inches) > shoe polish, spray paint, or wood stain
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Stain the wooden board by spray-painting it or using a small amount of shoe polish.
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Using the razor, cut the animals right behind the front legs. If you want to, you can cut the front legs off as well.
> plastic, wooden, or metal animals > razor or sharp knife > spray paint (I used gold) > strong glue such as Liquid Nails or Gorilla Glue > plaque-hanging hardware
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Spray-paint all the animals. You might need a few coats to get them fully covered.
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When the animals are dry, measure where you’d like them to go on the board and then glue them on using Liquid Nails or Gorilla Glue. Let the glue dry according to package directions.
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Once the glue is dry, attach the hanging hardware to the back and you’re done!
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DIY Home Improvements Somewhere Over the Rainbow In the girls’ room, we went with rainbows. Instead of a wooden board, I used a floor tile that I picked up at Lowe’s for a cleaner, more updated look. I glued drawer knobs to the backs of the rainbows, let them dry, and then attached the decorated knobs to the tile. I used rainbows from a cute necklace I found in the dollar store, but you can use any wooden shape or flat item that you love. Tip: Look for flat drawer knobs so your decor element will attach securely.
You will ne e d : > wooden board or floor tile (mine was 4x12 inches) > drawer knobs > plastic or wooden rainbows or any other decorative item of your choice > strong glue such as Liquid Nails or Gorilla Glue > plaque-hanging hardware
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Measure where you’d like the hooks to be.
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Glue the drawer knobs onto the back center of your decor items. Let the glue dry according to package directions.
Once the glue is dry, attach the hanging hardware to the back and you’re done!
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Glue the knobs to the designated marks on the tile and let dry.
There are infinite amounts of DIYs that often appear intimidating, as well as endless accessories to add some charm to your kids’ rooms. Combining those two into a project that feels accessible yet elevated is the ultimate coup. Happy hanging!
Shainy Maiman
is a content creator and
stylist. She utilizes her artistic leaning by teaching art and decor in girls’ schools and summer camps, as well as creating artful fruit arrangements and watermelon carvings for sale. She can be reached via Mishpacha.
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organize
Simplifized Jr. TEXT BY
RUTHIE LEVY
Practical concepts to organize the children’s room
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hhhh... The bedroom. A haven, a quiet room to relax, a place for each person to call their own... Wait, that’s not what it’s like in your home? Read on to find solutions and systems that you can incorporate to create a more blissful space in your children’s rooms.
Scenario 1: Guestroom Double-up
Setting Shaina Socialstein, age 16, Solution Set up the drawers as temloves having her own room, her space, and her privacy. However, all that comes to an end every few weeks when the Socialsteins host guests. Sometimes it’s Shaina’s grandparents, other times it’s extended family members or even complete strangers needing lodging for a simchah. Each time, Shaina is ousted from her room and schleps along all her personal items. Her jewelry shelf becomes a mess, as everything is pushed aside to make room for sheitel heads and whatnot. “I even have to empty out some drawers so our guests have space for their things!” Shaina complains.
Challenge
To make it easier for Shaina to remove her essentials from her room and put it all back again neatly. In addition, we’d like to create an empty shelf for guests’ wigs and personal items, and to give a home to all guest-related toiletries so it’s not a scramble to set up the room each time.
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porary/permanent homes for Shaina’s belongings. How do we do that?
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Place containers inside the drawers to make for easy removal. They can then be laid out in a different room until Shaina’s room is available again. Then, 1-2-3, place the bins back into their designated drawers.
A lidded jewelry organizer (Amazon, $13.99) allows Shaina to keep her jewelry on the shelf, and if need be close the organizer and carry it along to her temporary quarters or just push it to the corner of the shelf.
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Fill a guest box (mDesign, $15.99) with travel toiletries and place inside a decorative basket along with hand towels and bottles of water. Keep this basket on top of Shaina’s closet until it’s needed.
IKE A .COM
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Scenario 2: Short on Space
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Setting The Farsquished family has been living in close
quarters for eight years and has grown into a family of six. With four children sharing one bedroom (a bunk bed, a crib, and a half high-riser), everyone is feeling the lack of space and the subsequent mess. On top of that, the family plans on moving to a more spacious home soon and doesn’t want to invest on expensive space-saving solutions. “We just want it to be functional! Oh, and on a budget too…” says Mrs. F.
Challenge To maximize space in the room and allow Mrs.
F. to easily access and maintain clothing and hair accessories that come along with four girls under the age of seven, and to satisfy the girls who want their “prizes” visible.
Solution The Farsquisheds must sort through every-
thing in the bedroom and eliminate anything that is not in current use, such as out-of-season and between-sizes clothing and extraneous toys that can be stored elsewhere in the home. Once anything that’s remaining is deemed necessary, there are a few space-saving solutions that can realistically reshape the bedroom.
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Replace the half high-riser with a Släkt bed, which comes with under-bed storage (IKEA, $279) for an easy way to maximize the floor space. Designate those drawers for items the girls can access on their own such as pajamas and T-shirts (that’ll empty out dresser drawers and create instant organization). Then bring the new bed along to the new home! Double hanging space with an adjustable closet hanging rod (Amazon, $14.97). Since the children’s clothing is still small, the space below it can easily be utilized. Contain those beloved knickknacks and odds and ends. By choosing one size basket per child, preferably one with a lid, we create a limit of how much can be kept. These baskets can be kept on the floor of the closet. “Yay! We can reach our prizes!” say the four Farsquished children. A sectional basket (Amazon, $13.99) on top of the dresser is perfect for hair accessories. Decorative, organized, and only Mommy can reach it!
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Scenario 3: Playroom Run Amok
Setting Shmueli Shpieler, age seven,
spends all afternoon long in the basement, building, crafting, and playing games. He also has his own toys, like Lego and stuffed animals, that he likes to keep separate in his room. With monkeys on the windowsill, elephants on top of the dresser, and cars littering the carpet, his room has begun to resemble a playroom more than a bedroom! Poor Shmueli. “Nothing like stepping on loose Lego pieces at seven a.m.!” he complains.
Challenge To create homes for Lego and stuffed animals so Shmueli’s room can function as a bedroom and a neat place to continue playing.
Solution Sort Lego into sets, stack
the instruction manuals, and collect all the stuffed animals from every corner of the room, making sure to check under the bed and on top of the closet — you never know where a stray lion may be lurking.
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L oose Lego pieces and manuals are best stored in underbed storage containers (nothing too deep!), making that perfect piece a lot easier to find (Homz, $49.98).
Place a free-standing ottoman with storage at the foot of the bed (Amazon, $43). Shmueli can keep only as many stuffed animals that can fit. One or two favorites should be put on his bed.
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Lego sets that are at least partly built should be set on a large tray (make your own for $10 with Lego peel-and-stock base plate from Walmart), which can be placed on the dresser or a closet shelf when not in use and brought out again when Shmueli is ready to play.
Whether you can relate to the Farsquisheds, the Socialsteins, or to little Shmueli Shpieler — or to the Lamdanicks (who are overrun with seforim) or the Purchasebergers (shop till they drop!), there is always a way to create a peaceful bedroom haven while maintaining that functional space required. Happy Simplifizing!
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Ruthie Levy
of Simplifized LLC has been organizing homes in New
York and New Jersey since 2013. Her combination of practicality and eye Brand Book J U LYhelped 2 0 1 8 hundreds of clients create and maintain organized for aesthetics has homes. She currently specializes in training new organizers into this rewarding and enjoyable field of work while continuing to work with private clients. Ruthie can be reached @Simplifized or 732-339-3971.
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the interior of design THE DRE A M TE E N
Rely on small accessories to curate a total look in the room. Here, a bold print adds in playfulness. HONEYMOON HOTEL OOH L A L A ART PRINT
An updated and less serious version of the traditional iron bed merges youth and sophistication.
urbanoutfitters.com
ARIA METAL BED
urbanoutfitters.com
The tree and birdie on this charming table lamp are a nod back to the floral and fauna wallpaper. LIL A BRONZED TREE AND BIRD TABLE L AMP
overstock.com
This feminine wallpaper is the canvas of the room and sets the tone for the neutral furniture. FERN TOILE
wallpaperdirect.com
The Process Creative
Inspired by the magic and mayhem of the teen closest to my heart (hello, daughter o’ mine), here is a mood board for a bedroom that depicts the allencompassing spirit of teenagers. A mesh of chic and chill, whimsy and wit, it’s sprinkled with doses of sweet sophistication, not unlike our “almost adults.”
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Grounding colors and materials are a necessity in a room like this, balancing the sweetness of the floral wall. CARSON CARRINGTON BJAEVERSKOV NIGHTSTAND
overstock.com AMELIA DESK
urbanoutfitters.com
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