Today’s kid-centric spaces are coming into their own with stylish touches, functional designs and versatile furniture that will stay with them from childhood through their college years.
Stylish and Chic
“This was one of two sisters’ rooms that were designed to make the most of all available light, and provide a timeless style that would ‘grow’ with the girls,” says John Murray, principal at John B. Murray Architect in NYC, of this room in the family’s Manhattan home. That includes the built-in shelving and window seating, with lots of fun touches and pops of turquoise by interior design firm Cullman & Kravis. “The room is remarkably sophisticated for a young girl, and that was rather intentional,” says Murray, “As she ages, the accessories and contents of the shelves can change with her taste, but the classic framework of the room remains constant.”
Happy Hiker
A hike in Canada’s Jacques-Cartier National Park sparked the imagination of the 10-year-old boy who lives in this room—and set the stage for this outdoors-inspired space, which brings together some of his favorite elements: “He loves hiking, camping and animals,” says Fiona Leonard, principal of Darien, CT-based Fiona Leonard Interiors. Along with the twin beds—for sleepovers or a sibling, says Leonard—the room in this Darien, CT, home features a wooden nightstand, an owl lamp and a pair of custom-made mountain pillows, among other natural touches. “This space isn’t too mature or too young. It’s just right,” says Leonard. “The client can hang out in this well-edited space and listen to music with friends or plan a future hike.”
Orange Love
This toddler’s space in the family’s Westport, CT, home was designed by Karen Bow of Karen Bow Interiors in Darien, CT, who played off a palette of blue and orange—and the two-year-old’s affinity for robots—to create the playful room. “To make the space intimate, color blocked floor carpet tiles were used,” says Bow. “They also define specific areas: the orange space is for playing, tan space is for sleeping and the blue space is for reading.” The room also features a custom-made bed, with a trundle underneath, orange wallpaper and fun pillows. One of the coolest parts, though? “The special feature is the string curtain that can be pulled closed to create a magic spaceship bed, equipped with a light installation on the wall for nighttime space navigation,” she says.
City Cool
Inspired by the teenager’s love of pattern and jewel tones, designers Charles Haver and Stewart Skolnick of Haver & Skolnick Architects in Roxbury, CT, created a space that’s chic and stylish, while still being functional. “The old room had a desk, which was never used for homework; the new room has a cozy wing chair, which is perfect for curling up with a laptop,” says Haver. “The old room had a tiny bulletin board overflowing with photos and clippings; the new room has an entire tackable fabric wall.” A custom-made rug anchors the room in this Manhattan duplex, which includes hand-blown glass lamps and drawers custom-fit to house the teen’s jewelry collection.
Feeling Pink
This cheerful bedroom in the family’s West Hampton home in Remsenburg, NY, takes pink to a whole new—and stylish—level. “This room is bright and whimsical, but yet still modern and sophisticated enough for a little girl to grow into,” says designer Denise Davies of D2 Interieurs in Weston, CT. Lots of cool touches bring the space together—from the Allyson Monson art over the bed to the Furbish Studio throw. “These timeless pops of pink are really accents to what is a room with neutral bones,” says Davies, “If she tires of the color, it can be easily changed out by adding new bedding, accessories and lighting, so it is very versatile.”
