roomplanners magazine - July/August 2011

roomplanners JULY-AUGUST 2011

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colors for kids

perfect paint picks for a back-to-school room makeover

Nickelodeon inspires a fun, fresh approach to kid’s décor… including a collection devoted to fans of

SpongeBob!

making the most of your

other bedrooms

this month...

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COMING OF AGE Changing lifestyles cast a spotlight on changing bedroom needs.

OUT OF CHARACTER! Nickelodeon and Lea Furniture broke the kid’s furniture mold with two fresh collections.

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on the cover If you’ve been waiting for inspiration to tackle your kid’s room makeover, wait no longer. A creative collaboration between Nickelodeon and Lea Furniture offers some fresh and flexible ideas to get your creative juices flowing… and your kid’s room done before school starts!

Editor-in-Chief Loreen Epp Food writer Wendi Hiebert Contributing writer Dominique Waters Find us online at: WEB SITE

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12 16 SpongeBob Surf Club

casual, beach-y and laid-back

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Nick Teen

cool, urban and current.

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COLORS KIDS Four popular color palettes make pairing kid’s furniture with paint colors easy!

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http://blog.roomplanners.com All written information herein is copyright ©2011 Room Planners Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from Room Planners Incorporated.

movie set design

from our blog remodeling

what should I spend?

American kitchen and bath remodelers recently let us in on consumer spending on kitchen and bathrooms remodels in 2010.

Venice beckons...

Recently released on DVD, The Tourist (GK Films / Columbia Pictures, 2010) is worth a see for its handsome views of Venice.

The movie set design includes views of the Hotel Danieli’s dramatic lobby, a breath-taking hotel suite on the grand canal and an elegant ballroom scene. Jon Hutman, Production Designer, was intent on revealing the beauty of Venice through the film. Along with elegant palazzo backdrops, the city’s terracotta brick color and contrasting green-blue of the water and blue of the sky created the palette of the film. READ MORE.

For kitchen remodels, the most popular budget (for 28% of us) was between $20,000 and $35,000; but 13% of us spent under $10,000; 9% more than $70,000.

For bathroom remodels, the most popular budget (for 38% of us) was under $10,000; but 5% spent more than $70,000.

healthy home

Hemingway on healthy homes Actress, restaurateur and author Mariel Hemingway, was at the National Kitchen & Bath Show recently to speak about healthy food and homes. Her message? Slow down and be more present in your own home. “It’s important to make careful decisions about your home,” she told us, “and to know what's right for you.”

Hemingway believes that being conscious about the healing power of food and home decor "is powerful enough to change your life." READ MORE. www.roomplanners.com JULY AUGUST 2011 3

style trends

modern softens If the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair in NYC is any indication, modern style is embracing the organic... with reclaimed woods and rustic, open grain woods being applied to substantial forms.

This organic look may seem to hearken back to the 1970's, but today's natural take on modern rooms is more sophisticated... sharing the stage with textured silk or linen, mirrored or steel finishes, both polished and rustic. READ MORE.

bathroom design

zen-style bathing

hotel design

just like home

An Asian-inspired bathroom received top honors from the National Kitchen & Bath Association this year.

The clients, raised in Japan, wanted to incorporate Japanese family-style bathing, which often takes place outside. Interior designer Holly Rickert placed a sculptural Japanese-style tub in front of picture windows that open. Space was borrowed from a neighboring room to create a walkin shower and water closet. READ MORE.

Following the trend to make hotels more 'like home', the Inn at Lambertville in New Jersey recently partnered with Ethan Allen to remodel their 42 suites.

Six design styles were chosen after Ethan Allen's Contract Division spent a week exploring the surrounding Lambertville Station's architecture, history, bed-and-breakfast culture and picturesque setting along the banks of the Delaware river.

Neutral colors, grasscloth-like walls and distinctive wood finishes were used to create an oasis of calm, giving a facelift to, but honoring, the hotel’s existing traditional architecture. READ MORE.

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COMPLIMENTS OF ASPENHOME FURNITURE

COMING of

AGE Sometimes a bedroom needs to be so much more than a bedroom.

aspenhome® Cambridge

With stalled job and housing markets bringing more adults together under one roof… more home buyers opting for smaller, smarter homes... and more aging baby boomers downsizing, we’re shifting the way we think about our bedrooms.

LIVING TOGETHER The American dream of owning a home may have taken a beating recently, but we don’t love our homes any less.

Today’s baby boomer plans to live at home as long as possible.

Apparently, so do their children; 85% of college grads moved home in 2010! When asked about the future, many grown kids expect it may be the other way around, with their parents living under their roof.

Turning a kid’s bedroom into an adult retreat, or a house into two homes (with in-law suite or guest room addition) are becoming popular reasons to remodel. This new (actually, very old) idea of housing three generations under one roof has some significant

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP, LEFT : aspenhome®

Cambridge (eggshell)

aspenhome®

Cross Country (saddle brown)

aspenhome®

Cambridge (eggshell) entertainment chest.

advantages: financial security, care for aging parents and more adults to care for young children.

DOWNSIZING Condos and apartments are also in demand, as aging boomers look to downsize, or families opt to rent rather than own.

STARTING OUT Over 77 million Millennials (a.k.a. 20-somethings) are entering their first apartment and first-house years... with needs that don’t quite resemble their parent’s at their age.

THE NEW HOME Home builders are already responding to these market shifts with more flexible home designs. Most new homes are smaller than the McMansions of the past, with priority given to larger public spaces. (Floor plans with open views between kitchen, living and dining rooms help a small home look and live bigger.) Areas for privacy, though, may be more limited, requiring the bedroom to double as a place for worktime or quiet-time alone.

Smaller homes don’t have to sacrifice style or function, but they do suggest we look at our

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homes in a new way, giving as much consideration to rooms that houses the privacyconscious teen, college grad or aging parent, as we do the master bedroom.

MOVING INTO A SMALL APARTMENT OR MULTIGENERATION HOME MAY SQUEEZE OUR SPACE, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE CRAMP OUR STYLE, says Bryan Edwards, VP Sales with aspenhome® in Phoenix, AZ. According to Edwards, the company’s firsthome furniture collections, designed for smaller bedrooms are growing in popularity.

Efficiency, multi-function and embedded technology are a big part of the reason why, he

explains. “Furniture that makes it easy to relax, work and stay plugged-in is a must for the textmessaging Millennial who grew up on computers and digital media.” But it’s also important to people who work from home, Facebook-moms or grandparents that wants to stay in touch from their vacation condo, he adds.

Edwards suggests that today’s furniture needs may not fit strict master bedroom or kids’ room labels. “In many ways, our other bedrooms may work harder than our master bedroom … perhaps doubling as an office or offering a place to escape the large communal spaces in today’s open floor plans.

COMPLIMENTS OF ASPENHOME FURNITURE

A small space needs a big vision!

Plan the perfect multi-use bedroom, whatever its size, using these proven techniques!

ASSESS YOUR NEEDS Think about other bedrooms as the multi-use spaces they’ll inevitably become. Start by listing everything each room is used for, besides sleep.

THINK MULTI-PURPOSE Now think about the needed furniture. Since the space may be small, get creative about how you might use one item two ways: a bed with storage, a night stand that’s also a bookshelf...

KEEP IT SIMPLE

smart

other-bedroom

ideas

Choose a simple, timeless design for furniture and décor. (This isn’t the place for a big wow factor!)

Simple, designs are most versatile in the long run; they’ll also appeal to a variety of guests and make the room look bigger.

from the pros Use cool colors.

Eliminate clutter!

Keep a low profile.

It’s amazing how well this works!

Cool blue or green wall colors (with a clear, airy quality) appear to recede. They also mimic the outdoors where there are no walls!

Ok, you’ve heard this one before, but it bears repeating… less stuff keeps us organized, clears our head and expands the perceived size of our rooms.

Skip poster beds or footboards taller than the mattress. Low furniture at the center of room opens views around the room, making the space look airier.

Expose the baseboard. Use the walls.

Use a dark floor.

It’s a little-known, but easy way to expand the look of a room. From the door, make sure you can see the baseboard on the far wall… even just a few inches of it.

Opt for a darker, rather than lighter floor. It’ll appear to recede, making the room look bigger. Or add a dark area rug on top of your carpeted or hardwood floor.

Walls are as valuable as floors in a small room. Utilize every square inch by choosing tall, rather than wide, furniture, hanging wall shelves or adding hooks.

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COMPLIMENTS OF ASPENHOME

smart, compact, stylish making the most of your other bedrooms Need to remodel a bedroom for teens, grads, visitors or aging parents? Or for multiple uses? Check out these ideas for a stylish, hard-working private space.

SMART STANDS Nightstands are indispensable, especially if they’re wellequipped! This one hides a plug-in for re-charging portable electronics. aspenhome® Bayfield nightstand

A PLACE TO SIT A place to read or put on shoes adds hotel-style comfort. In a small bedroom, place a talllegged dining chair in the corner, or with a desk. aspenhome® Tamarind side chair

ALL-IN-ONE...

It’s not just a concept for printer and fax machines; all-in-one furniture let’s you store, work and entertain all at the same time. This tall, rather than wide, design also conserves floor space. aspenhome® Reede’s Landing desk chest

SLEEP + STORAGE Choose a bed with drawers tucked into the side rails or footboard. (A bed on legs is more elegant and smallerlooking than one that runs right to the floor.) aspenhome® Lincoln Park storage bed

HIDE THE CLUTTER With a pull-out laptop surface, storage drawers and printer station, this multi-use cabinet hides away clutter in a bedroom that doubles as a home office. aspenhome® Tamarind server credenza

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RIGHT-SIZED SLEEP LIGHTWEIGHT LIGHTING Choose a lamp with clean or contemporary lines. A narrow, tall, straight or small shade is ideal. Good rule of thumb in a small space? The darker the lamp, the smaller it should be.

Lamps Plus® Swing Arm Desk Lamp, 41243-23750

When it comes to bed size, a few inches can make all the difference. Choose a full-sized (rather than queen-sized) bed to save space… or a full-sized (rather than twin-sized) bed to take a kid’s room to full adult status! aspenhome® Tamarind bed

STORAGE + ENTERTAINMENT Skip the cheesy TV cart in favor of one with a luxurious hotel room feel. This one does double (triple?) duty with a shelf for components, a drawer that pulls open to reveal a laptop work area (with power and HDMI cables!) and a drawer for clothes or paperwork. aspenhome®, Bayfield, LIV 360 Entertainment Chest

A CHESSER! Is it a dresser or a chest?

Actually, neither. And both.

This clever hybrid cabinet, with as much height as width, provides plenty of storage without using valuable floor space. Just add mirror or TV above! aspenhome® Cambridge chesser & mirror

ROOM TO WORK This slim, 48” workanywhere desk is perfect for hard-working bedrooms! aspenhome® Centennial e-desk www.roomplanners.com JULY-AUGUST 2011 9

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out of

character!

Who better than your kid’s favorite friends to inspire some cool ideas for their room?

We sat down with Rachel Leber - Nickelodeon's Sr. Director of Home Furnishings - to find out how their collaboration with Lea Furniture broke the kids’ furniture mold… and birthed two room collections that rock! www.roomplanners.com JULY-AUGUST 2011 11

SpongeBob Surf

Club

A casual collection with a beach-y vibe... for Sponge Bob fans of any age

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Why would an entertainment empire enter the furniture market?

What makes a Nickelodeon fan unique?

Rachel: Our fans are passionate. They’ve grown up with our characters and they love, love, love them. Especially our SpongeBob fans. They really encompass the whole personality of Sponge Bob... being happy and living that way in their everyday lives.

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Rachel: It was a natural progression – and a great way for us to create something new and different.

When we originally considered the idea, we talked about the fact that that moms want more functionality in their kids rooms. We knew we had to deliver on that, with high-end quality pieces that would last through the life of their children at home - and with pieces that would stay suitable as the age of the children changed.

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The SpongeBob collection looks subtle; not the bright colors we might expect?

How did you come up with the designs? Was it a collaborative effort with Lea? Rachel: Yes, and it was a really great experience. Lea brought a real understanding of kid’s furniture and a great quality tradition. We brought our knowledge of kids! We had lots and lots of meetings – down in North Carolina and up here in New York. Our creative teams were constantly going back and forth discussing what we wanted, and needed, to deliver.

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Rachel: We wanted to provide a sophisticated look for our older Sponge Bob customer. So the collection incorporates his character, but yes, it is more subtle. It has longevity and will grow with the child. Plus it has a coolness factor.

When it comes to Sponge Bob products, we’ve sold men’s boxers, square toilet seats and baby bottles. We really say the age range for him is two to ninety-nine... plus!

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“Nickelodeon fans are passionate, especially our Sponge Bob fans. They encompass his whole personality... being happy and living that way everyday.”

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Do you have a favorite piece in the collection?

Rachel: I love the entire Sponge Bob collection! But there’s one dresser… the top of it slides over to one side, creating a desk space.

All the electronic hookups are in this hidden space under the dresser top. Very cool!

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Teen Nick A hip collection with a city vibe: for contemporary tastes and cool gatherings.

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What do kids want in their rooms? Or from their rooms?

Rachel: That really hasn’t changed a lot over the years. They want their rooms to be their own space; a place that speaks to them. So if their friends come over... or to their parents, it’s who they are. Their room is What role do their electronics play? a space that they own, or feel like they own. It’s their self identity.

Rachel: Obviously, electronics are a big part of their everyday lives. So both their laptop and their desk are important. We thought long and hard about where they needed to go, and what needed to go with them. We didn’t just add an outlet box; there are hidden places that open up, with capabilities for setting up TV’s and radios. And all that functionality happens behind the scenes, so it doesn’t take away from the furniture.

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“We wanted kids and moms to get involved and say... I want something different... my child is his or her own person and we want to configure the furniture our own way.�

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The beds are fun; some look like more like a sofa, rather than just another headboard!

Do you have a favorite piece in this collection?

Rachel: There are some very cool chairs in this collection. We actually stole a few from Lea and have them here in our office! Everyone loves them! I especially love the all-yellow rocker.

Rachel: Lea really broke the mold with these lines. They brought something new and different that we were really excited about. Furniture for kids had been exactly that: a bed with a headboard, sometimes a footboard and a standard dresser. We sat down and said what makes sense for kids? How can we open the doors for kids and moms to get involved and say, I want something different‌ my child is his or her own person... we want to configure the furniture our own way.

Where can our readers find the collections?

Rachel: At www.nickelodeonrooms.com All the collections are there and they can leaf through the catalog pages. They can also see them on Lea Furniture’s web site at www.leafurniture.com - and find an authorized retailer in their area.

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color kids!

Get more info about our complete RoomColors system, including paint color numbers, on our web site.

Four perfect color palettes for a perfect kid’s room makeover... before school starts!

RoomColors

Pick the color palette that suits the ambiance you want in your kids’ room. Colors in each palette will work together, or alone!

modern

energetic

youthful uncluttered

fresh elegant

feminine

fancy dr

pretty

Lea Furniture, Emma’s Treasures

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Interior Color-Style System

$9.95

country

rugged

woodsy simple

Lea Furniture, Deer Run

rustic global

adventurous wild free-spirited

bohemian

Lea Furniture, Sponge Bob Surf Club