Just When You Think this Playroom Can’t Get Any Cuter, You Spot the Art Nook

Riley is a cute five-year-old boy who is the pride of his parents’ eyes. He loves all things Star Wars and superheroes and can spend hours and hours drawing. His parents wanted a playroom that would cater to all of his loves now but would also grow along with him. Riley’s dad, in particular, really wanted a space where he and Riley could hang out, watch movies and just be boys.

The room had crisp white wainscoting, so we decided on some dramatic dark walls to create a cozy space. We added a fun sectional sofa for movie night. No playroom is complete without storage, so we purchased some shelving and striped canvas bins to keep the shelves organized and fun.

The coffee table we used is rustic, so it’s perfect for putting feet on and playing a fun game of Hungry Hungry Hippos. Two gray ottomans, for added seating, invite friends to play along.

The room had two closets, and we thought it would be such a fun idea for Riley to have one transformed into a little art nook. We added some cool reclaimed barn wood that our contractor picked up and Dad loved. Turns out, the barn wood was an old fence from Kentucky, freighted all the way to Arizona! Dad loves anything with a story, so it was the perfect backdrop. We added a desk with an art display overhead, using wires stretched between eye hooks. To attach the art, we just used small silver binder clips that you can purchase at your local store.

Out of view, we added two shelves for storage so that the desk can stay neat and tidy. Two stools invite Dad or a friend to join in on the creativity.

The room has turned out to be Riley’s favorite room. Usually when he gets home from school, he lets his parents know he his headed there to work on his art. We are thrilled that he loves the space as much as we do, and we are hoping for a “Riley Original” soon!

Photography by John Woodcock