A Simple Formula for Mixing Fabrics in Kids Rooms

Hi Design Dazzle Readers! 

It's Autumn Clemons, here to share with you a simple formula to help you in

 designing a fun and unique room for any child!

My favorite children's rooms are ones that have texture and color and reflect the 

personality of the child that lives in it.

But sometimes, people can get stuck knowing where to begin the design of a kids room.

One easy "formula" to use is to start with a "fun" fabric that you know your child will love.

next, add some simple, graphic, child-friendly bedding,

and then mix in two additional patterns, that can be used as accents.

here is an example of how this formula would work in a boy's room:

retro car + truck fabric

cabana striped sheet set 

zig zag fabric

brown multi colored houndstooth

 And, the same formula, applied to a girls room:

summer soiree floral

pink dottie duvet

yellow ikat

pink + orange modern floral

By using this easy formula of mixing in a few fun "adult friendly" graphic patterns with some

 "kid-appealing" patterns, you will be sure to create a unique and whimsical look that will grow with

your child for years to come.

Autumn Clemons is an Interior Designer

living in the Salt Lake City area, and author of the blog design*dump.

Color of the Year 2011: Honeysuckle

I am Ashley, an interior designer and the creator of Simply Designing.  I was already an avid reader of Design Dazzle so I was thrilled to be asked to be a featured contributor!  I am very excited that I get to share my love of design with you!



As an interior designer, one of my areas of expertise is color.  I love color.  Every December, Pantone, the leader in color forecasting, announces the "Color of the Year" for the following year.  This is a color that is forecasted to be a popular color for the upcoming year.  This December they announced that the 2011 Color of the Year is: Honeysuckle!

Honeysuckle

This year, Honeysuckle will be warming up the color pallete!  This beautiful reddish-pink color reminds me of Rasberry Sorbet! Isn't this an amazing color? 



Pink, a tint of red, is associated with feelings of power, strength, energy, joy, passion, and love.  Pink is Powerful!



If you remember in 2010, turquoise was the color of the year and boy did it make waves; popping up in everything from home decor to appliances to clothing.  Honeysuckle is a perfect compliment to turquoise, both in intensity and in hue.  And adding Honeysuckle to our wonderful turquoises couldn't be easier! 

Using Honeysuckle and Turquoise creates a vibrate and exciting room.

This whistful pink room is sure to inspire only the best of dreams.

A pink party is sure to please practically everyone...or at least your little princess. 

This honeysuckle pink bedroom is so delicate and soft.

Honeysuckle and white are a perfect combination for a little girl's room...

Or for a big girl's room.   

Pink floral arrangements make a great accent in your decor. 

This pink cake looks amazing and delicious!

So what do you think?  Are you excited to incorporate honeysuckle into your decor and every day life? 

Ashley Phipps is an Interior Designer

living in the Indianapolis area, and author of the blog Simply Designing.

Designing Kids Rooms Using the Color Wheel: Monochromatic Scheme

In two previous posts, we explored using complimentary and analogous color schemes as inspiration when designing kids rooms.

Another color tool  to use is called a monochromatic scheme. In this scheme, one color is used predominantly, but that color can vary in "tone". "Tone" is the amount of black or white that is added to a basic hue. Basically, it is how dark or light a color is. 

Some examples:

Take a look at the following rooms to see how ONE color is used to create great spaces for kids:

Pink.

( decorpad)

Blue.

(Julian Wass Photgraphy)

Bright Pink.

( House and Home)

Lavender.

( Southern Living )

Grey.

(Paint a Lifestyle)

Red.

(Modecodeign)

Oatmeal.

(Serena and Lily)

Green.

(Modecodeign)

NO matter what color scheme you decide to use for designing your child's room, make sure that it is a space that reflects your child's imagination and is a place they love to be!

 

Interior Design Color Wheel Helps You Harmonize Your Interior Design Projects. 

 

Bazzill 9-Inch Monochromatic Color Wheel 

Autumn Clemons is an Interior Designer

living in the Salt Lake City area, and author of the blog design*dump.

5 Trends to Love for the Nursery

GUEST POST:  A warm welcome to Priscila from Little Miss Heirlooms (rediscovered vintage fun for your little one). Priscila recently started her fabulous blog and has quite a following. About her blog: "At Little Miss Heirlooms we strive to provide authentic vintage pieces that can be easily incorporated into a child's living space. We encourage thinking "outside the box" when decorating a nursery, toddlers room or playroom in order to make a child's space as whimsical and magical as possible!"









Hi Everyone! This is Priscila from Little Miss Heirlooms! I am super excited to share 5 trends I'm loving for decorating your child's space!

Image via Decorpad

Adding a sheepskin rug or throw can transform a nursery space  and make it look and feel so comfy! Using sheepskin is an accessory many designers like to use because  it adds a soft texture to a room which is so appropriate for a nursery. My favorite sheepskin throw can be found here via Ikea. For only $40 you can get a quality and beautiful sheepskin rug which can be used as a throw also!

Images Left to Right: Teepee and map room, Globes on the shelf, map blocks

Maps are such a fun items to us in a nursery, room or playroom because they come in so many different sizes, shapes and colors and you can find them relatively cheap! You can frame maps on the wall as cheap art, decoupage them on a favorite stool or chair or even make a one of a kind lampshade from a vintage map via this tutorial.

Images: Nursery, Monster

Teach your kids that monsters aren't scary by adding one of these super cute "ugly dolls" to their space. Yes, they are really called "ugly dolls." Maybe because they are so ugly they are cute? :)

Images from Left to Right: Turquoise Room, Elephant Embroidery Hoop, Embroidery Hoop Ceiling

Watch out Grandma, the old craft of embroidering isn't just yours anymore! Have you seen this trend pop up everywhere? You can get embroidery hoops at any thrift store for next to nothing and personalize your child's space with them. My favorite DIY project using the embroidery hoops is this butterfly mobile DIY!

Images From Left to Right: Pink Wallpaper Wall, Red Circus Wallpaper , Black and White Wallpaper

Wallpaper can make such a huge statement in a room! This is my favorite trend right now for the nursery or your child's space because there are so many patterns to choose from. Whether you like more of a modern look or vintage there is wallpaper to match all tastes! I am planning on wallpapering my son's room as I turn his nursery into a "big" boys room!



What are the trends you love right now for decorating? What are the trends you wish would just go away?

Colorful Birthday Cakes

{Eat Your Words}

{On The Dot -- this cake calls for plain and peanut m&m's; since many children have peanut allergies, consider making this cake with plain candies only. It will look just as nice!}

{Garden Delight}

I love these adorable birthday cakes. Not only are they colorful, but they're also easy to make. So go ahead, impress your friends! With fun ingredients such as fruit chews, frosted cookies, candy canes, and pretzels, these cakes are sure to put a smile on any child's face!

{Little Drummer Cake}

{Bake A Barnyard}

You can see more of pictures and find recipes at parents.com.
By Kelly Porter, Featured Contributor

Design a Kids Bathroom

Designing a Bathroom for Kids

Bathrooms are often the forgotten space when it comes to decorating your home. Your family may not always think about the amount of time spent in the children’s bathroom but this area is such an integral part of your child’s early years. Here are some simple bathroom solutions to keep in mind and you will not need to spend much time or money to create a fun and inviting design:

A bright paint on the walls, a playful shower curtain with coordinating towels and rug and a few fun pieces of artwork and accessories will make the room and instant attraction.

Replace exciting towels rack with a peg board or wall hooks so the child can reach their own towel or robes.

Removable appliqués make for fun artwork or wall borders that can be easily removed as the child gets older and tastes change.

Purchase a colorful step stool that the kids can reach the sink for teeth brushing and washing hands.

Monogrammed towels and accessories will let the kids know that the bathroom has been designed with them in mind.

If your home has a family bathroom, then storage may be a problem in the bathroom with the kid’s products and the adult’s products intermixing. Adult grooming products should be stored out of reach and electrical outlets covered to keep the kids safe.

Whether your children have their own space or share the bathroom with the family, the bathroom should be a fun, safe place for the whole family to enjoy.

Design Dazzle Contributor - Kristin DeMarco.