We ran out of steam (and money) to really do a proper job on the children’s bedrooms and bathrooms. On the plus side, I don’t feel so bad when the kids accidently spill something or (not-so-accidently) put stickers on their furniture. Most of their furniture is either hand-me-downs or Ikea.
My daughter’s bedroom is very girly just like her. The walls started out as totally Farrow and Ball Calamine which just looked sickly with the rest of her belongings. It doesn’t help that I associate Calamine lotion with childhood chickenpox! So, alternate walls were painted Farrow and Ball Skimming Stone and the combination is lovely – sweet yet sophisticated. We used some Ikea fixtures to give Alice, her American Girl doll, it’s own hanging rail in her closet. The curtains are an old Ric Rac Cath Kidston pattern she’s had since her nursery room days. I caved and got her the floral, butterfly shades on her windows. We couldn’t agree on a light fixture for her room because I am hoping she will hopefully grow out of frothy (and expensive) chandeliers. I went with a Plumen energy saving bulb and light fixture covered by a sweet butterfly light shade from Graham and Green in Primrose Hill.
My son’s room reflects his love of vehicles, maps and travel. He is clearly not a minimalist. I had a lot less pushback on his room decor because he is very laid back. Although the room appears blue because of the Southern exposure, the colour is actually Farrow and Ball Parma Gray. He’s been obsessed with the colour orange all his life and so the sliding door to his bathroom is Farrow and Ball Charlotte’s Locks. I did not think an all-orange room would have been that conducive to rest or study. The John Lewis denim curtains are also recycled from his nursery. Hopefully, someday he will use his built-in shelves and desk for something other than displaying Lego.
Their bathroom tiles and shower tray from Elite Tiles and Tiles and Baths direct, bathroom units from Bauhaus and fixtures from Crosswater. I’ve gone with neutral black, white and grey colour schemes which should adapt with them as they get older. No doubt one or both of them will have an all-black Goth or Emo phase coming up in the teenage years. I shudder to think.
What would I like to do different? Lots! I’ve got some ideas but think I should see how their interests develop and, hopefully, we can reach a tasteful compromise.
NYLon Living 