Home & Design April 3, 2013

Carving Out Space

Professional advice
Just as much fun as physical pursuits in the summer is letting the mind run wild—opening a studio door and encouraging little hands to get dirty. Places to create and experiment abound in our area. From dance and yoga experiences to self-led explorations and open studio time, these centers of creativity are a perfect complement to the hustle and bustle of sun-filled days. >>

Jennifer Hoey Smith kids room.

Woven or canvas baskets are great hiding places for miscellaneous toys—and look great too.

 

Whether you live in a home that’s 500 square-feet or 5,000, carving out space for your children—space that they feel is their own and where they feel protected and able to express themselves—is important as they deal with the complexities of growing up.

Jennifer Hoey Smith, local interior designer and mom to four-year-old Sophie and two-year-old Vivian, used built-in drawers and cabinets in Sophie’s room to utilize the small space and provide lots of storage—because a little girl most certainly needs a spot to keep her “dress-up clothes!” Jennifer also recommends under-bed storage, noting that “generally this space just gets dusty or wasted so it’s nice to be able to use it.” Creatively utilizing storage space in a child’s room also adds to its uniqueness and provides endless possibilities for play and “make believe.” Kids need these areas to keep their things orderly and organized, but more importantly, these nooks and crevices create fodder for imaginative play.

Butterfly patterns adorn the roman shades and pillows to reflect Sophie’s personality (and love for butteflies).

 

Besides being mindful of space, creating an area that is filled with images, colors and fabrics that represent your child is another element to building a spot that is special and just for them, but remember to modify the idea so that the child can grow with the space. For example, though a pink room filled with fairies painted on the walls may seem amazing to a six-year-old, she will most likely not feel that way when she’s 13. As Jennifer said about her daughter, “Sophie loves butterflies so I used a butterfly print for her Roman shades, but kept the bedding a mix of solids.”

Making the most of these tips will help you create an extraordinary space for your child that serves as a retreat, a comfortable place to simply relax . . . or a room that can become anything they imagine.

Photos by David Seelig

 

 

This article appears in the Issue of Sun Valley Magazine.