Today I'm excited to bring you tips from the talented ladies of Project Nursery, an amazing blog that aims to provide inspiration to parents who want fun and stylish rooms.
Design enthusiasts and blog authors Melisa Fluhr and Pam Ginocchio sent me some ideas for a mother asking the following vexing question:
We live in a two bedroom apartment where my 3-year-old boy and 5-year-old girl share a room. We currently have a gender neutral theme but my daughter’s Disney Princess collection is taking over the room.
What can I do to restore some balance and make both my son and daughter happy?
Here's what Melisa & Pam have to say:
Due to economic conditions, space constraints, the popularity of multiples or a desire to maintain an urban lifestyle, more families than ever are making sibling shared rooms work.
However, good design to appease both sexes can be a challenge. What to do when he wants Spiderman and she wants Hannah Montana?
1. Coordinate your kids' bedding. Create a sense of unity within the room by using the same bedding designer or similar patterns such as stripes or polka dots in gender specific color combinations.
Or, choose to keep it simple by using solid sheets and comforter covers in complimentary colors. (See the photo from Garnet Hill at right.)
2. Express their space with color. Don’t limit your wall color to gender-neutral green or boring beige just to keep things even. Paint the center wall a neutral tone but add some life to each side of your child’s room with color! Consider bold color combinations such as black and white, pink and orange or yellow and blue.
3. Don’t be afraid to add your child’s personality to the room! Designate areas in the room to accommodate your kid’s favorite theme. Just because they love trains, it doesn’t mean the room has to be over-run by Thomas the Tank Engine. Dedicate a simple message board or corner of the room to showcase their hobbies and personal style. Incorporate vinyl wall decals for inexpensive, temporary décor to keep up with their ever-changing tastes.
Photo at right from Better Homes and Gardens.
Want Melisa & Pam to help you with a room? They create design boards and make recommendations via email. Get more information at their Little Apple Design site.
