Design Reveal: A Colorful Playroom

New York City is famous for not offering much space, but you’d be surprised by how easily an unused basement can turn into a wonderland. Here the client gave us their basement to convert into a playroom for their three children—and all their friends. The only challenge we faced was the lack of natural light.

We changed the space by adding wallpaper, painting the walls and shelves and adding new carpets. In a few cases, we reused shelving they already owned, giving them a new coat of paint and a bright new lease on life. We brought in a variety of seating elements and furniture types to suit whatever mood the children are in on any given day.

Our starting point was this unique and colorful robot wallpaper. We chose something whimsical to bring both a sense of fun and vibrant color to the space.

We found the perfect play table from a school supply store—its height can be adjusted easily, so it can grow with the children and also be a comfortable place for the parents to sit when they are coloring with their children. The table allows for bins underneath for storage, making it functional on multiple levels. The bright colored chairs we used enlivened the neutral table.

Our advice? Keep it simple and most importantly, keep it fun; playrooms are about expressing creativity and letting go. With elements like a chalkboard wall, we created spaces for the children to add the final—and ever-changing—touches to the design of their spaces.

 

My Tiny Nest

My Tiny Nest

Alessia and Julie successfully combined their diverse backgrounds and styles to create unique, personalized spaces for their clients. Julie likes clean, fluid lines while Alessia goes for fun colors.

Comments

  1. Mari

    April 9, 2012

    Looks great! LOVE all the color!

  2. Indiana

    April 9, 2012

    I love the robot pillows! I am doing a robot nursery for my son…any ideas where I can get these :)

  3. My Tiny Nest

    April 9, 2012

    Hi Indiana,

    The robot pillows are from Ferm Living.

    You can find them directly on their website: http://www.ferm-living.com/mr-small-robot/

    or on All Modern: http://www.allmodern.com/ferm-LIVING-Mr.-Robot-Pillow-75-FRM1216.html

    Thank you

    Alessia&Julie

    Indiana,

  4. Melisa

    April 9, 2012

    Amazing color combo and loads of fun! Great work ladies.

  5. Zen

    April 10, 2012

    Bright, colorful and exciting! I love the green-colored ladder-type shelf. I have one in white, and now I am considering repainting it. And the Lalaloopsy dolls are a cute and fun addition to the shelf. These dolls always come in wonderful colors.

  6. Paint Colors

    April 10, 2012

    It always amazes me what a punch of color can do to a dull or dark space. The playroom looks fantastic! Sure the kids love it and the best part is the colors work for both girls and boys.

  7. Mignon Ayala

    April 10, 2012

    Where are those great chairs from? I am so in love with those!!!

  8. julie & alessia

    April 11, 2012

    Mignon, we are so glad you like them – they are the Calligaris Ice Plastic Chairs – we ordered them form All Modern – http://www.allmodern.com

  9. My Tiny Nest

    April 11, 2012

    They are the Calligaris Ice Plastic Chairs – we ordered them form All Modern – http://www.allmodern.com

  10. Rebecca

    April 12, 2012

    You are totally making me want to change my playroom!! (: Darling!!

  11. Aneta

    April 12, 2012

    Great playroom ! I love the colors and a very inviting table :) , and of course big bean bags are a must to have for any fun playroom :) Great choices .

  12. MapleSyrup

    April 28, 2012

    I think the colors in this room is enough to get the kids in the mood for play. I love the little touches, especially thinking of storage bins under the table. But are those dolls Lalaloopsy dolls? If they are, better get them away from the kids. My granddaughter has one and she loved it to bits, but the plastic head is just too heavy! I gave her a nasty bump that lasted for a week :(

  13. ToddlerRemedies

    April 29, 2012

    Hi Alessia and Julie: Thanks for the tip on the robot pillows. I am thinking of adding them to my son’s room :)

  14. Cynthia

    June 18, 2012

    Hi there !
    I love the colors of the walls, we’re can I get them?
    Thanks
    Cynthia

  15. Erin

    June 20, 2012

    Great space. Where are the locker inspired bins from?

  16. Raelyn W

    March 28, 2013

    I love the green ladder shelf. Where did you find it? I am only able to find black and white models online.

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