Design for kids - creating a whimsical children's room
Designing a children's room to maximize whimsy and playfulness
While I don’t have a kid, I have spent a LOT of time thinking about how I’d design a children’s room. The room you have as a kid is important for so many reasons, and should be a space that allows creativity and play to run wild. As per most thing’s I design, I tend to mix traditional pieces with unique pieces, and source antique statement pieces. A kids room would be no different!
However, kids are notorious for breaking things, so sourcing more fragile vintage items isn’t practical for larger furniture pieces. Because of this, I would opt for new, high quality pieces for the larger/more functional pieces like beds and tables.
House of Roro
When it comes to children's furniture, nobody does it as well as House of Roro. This small (but growing) brand was founded by a mom and focuses on well-crafted, playful furniture that blends seamlessly into everyday life. No plastic, no excess—just simple, beautiful pieces made for children.
Oeuf is another great children's furniture brand, making high quality and functional pieces made to last. They also sell the the world’s chicest stuffed animal (Le Rhino, HERE) which comes wearing a set of white linen pajamas.
Whimsical Decorations
To add whimsy and personality, I am obsessed with the idea of a silk canopy. This could be placed over floor pillows, a bed, or a table and chairs for an extra touch of magic. The Silk Canopies by Cassaaro HERE are PERFECT in every way.
If I have a girl, there WILL be sterling silver tea parties with sets like this one HERE or HERE and antique china sets like the tea cups & saucers HERE.
I will ABSOLUTELY be ordering a vintage rocking horse (hand-carved from wood of course). Some of my best finds were on Chairish HERE and HERE. I also like this pair of forged iron brutalist rocking horses HERE or this unique MCM rocking horse HERE if you're looking for something less traditional. For a lower price point, Ebay has some really great options as well.
Wall Murals / Wallpaper is a MUST for a kids room. Two of my favorite wallpaper finds are the one pictured on the left HERE (an homage to Ludwig Bemelman, the creator of the classic Madeline children’s books) and on the right is this one HERE.
For decorative accessories to put on display, I love the idea of an Antique Silver Hair Brush like this one on Chairish HERE. More options from Ebay are HERE and HERE. A pricier yet stunning option is this set HERE from Scully & Scully. The perfume bottle HERE is stunning, but there are tons of lower priced vintage options available (and equally as beautiful) HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE. A notable standout is this insanely beautiful Art Deco, German perfume bottle HERE from the 1930's.
For wall art, I would frame a print by my favorite cartoon artist, Peter Arno, such as this iconic one for sale HERE titled "She got it by going 'br-r-r-r' in front of Bergdorf's". Peter Arno was an American cartoonist for The New Yorker, and I have been obsessed with his work for years. His cartoons are perfect for adding whimsy to a kids room. I would also get one of his hardcover books from Ebay (HERE or HERE) as both decoration and entertainment.
Bonus find
Picture this: In your daughter's room, hung on the door of a vintage wooden armoire is this Hermes Linen children's robe that you found HERE on The Real Real for only $200. Is it necessary? Not at all. Is it a must? Yes of course.
That’s all for today, but I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on children’s room design and if you know of any good brands or places to source from!
XX,
Presley