Play Rooms

A play room helps keep the rest of your home, including your child’s bedroom, free of toys.

Many parents choose to dedicate one room in the home as a child’s playroom.  This is a great way to keep the clutter of toys to a minimum.  It also lets you maintain the child’s bedroom as a place to rest and spend quiet time.  In other words, a play room helps keep the rest of your home, including your child’s bedroom, free of toys.

Design by Wynne Taylor Ford
Design by Wynne Taylor Ford
By Sara Bederman Design
By Sara Bederman Design

Because the primary purpose of a playroom is to give a child a place to have fun inside, the room should be whimsical and inviting.  Think vibrant color, ample light, and plenty of space to move around.  The playroom must have enough room for little bodies to burn off excess energy.  It should include plenty of storage for toys, books, and craft supplies.  The nature of a playroom means fabrics should be durable and easy to clean.  Adding furnishings that are comfortable for parents as well as kids makes the playroom a spot where the whole family can have fun together.

Whimsical playroom design by Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design LLC.
Whimsical playroom design by Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design LLC.
Playroom by Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design LLC.
Playroom by Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design LLC.

As kids get older, the nature of playtime changes.  A playroom that grows with your child is ideal.  Storage needs may change from places for toys to places for video games and board games.  Older kids prefer to socialize rather than just play, so the playroom will eventually become more of a hangout room.  Plan ahead for an entertainment system that easily transitions from movie time for toddlers to gaming time for teens.  When choosing a location for the playroom, keep in mind you’ll want a balance between supervision and privacy.  You should be able to hear your child playing without having to hover around the playroom.

By Robeson Design
By Robeson Design
Design by Oliver Burns
Design by Oliver Burns

What would your ideal playroom look like?

 

Exercise Space

Your exercise room can have a decorative element and still be highly functional.

When choosing an area of the home to use as exercise space, so many people go with a basement room.  I much prefer the idea of getting out of the basement and into a more engaging, inviting part of the home.

A great home gym.  Image via Zillow.
A great home gym. Image via Zillow.
Bright, open gym.  From Patio Cubee.
Bright, open gym. From Patio Cubee.
Gym desgined by Ilse Crawford.
Gym desgined by Ilse Crawford.

An exercise space should be an environment with plenty of light, not a sheet rock box.  If you plan for an an exercise room ahead of time, when building or remodeling, you can curate an area that’s derivative of the rest of the home.  Your exercise room can have a decorative element and still be highly functional.

Nice mix of materials in this exercise space.  From Elle Decor.
Nice mix of materials in this exercise space. From Elle Decor.
Work out with a view! From BilInterior.
Work out with a view! From BilInterior.
A contemporary home gym by Atelier AM.
A contemporary home gym by Atelier AM.

Stepping into a great space makes you feel motivated and inspired.  Being healthy and fit is all about feeling good.  A great exercise space enhances that experience.  Rather than retreat to a forgotten room, create a workout area that you always wan

Exercise in a space you enjoy! From Architectural Digest.
Exercise in a space you enjoy! From Architectural Digest.
Minimalist design makes the most of the scenery.  From Architectural Digest.
Minimalist design makes the most of the scenery. From Architectural Digest.

 

 

Swings

Few things evoke the carefree feelings of childhood like a swing.

Few things evoke the carefree feelings of childhood like a swing.  There’s something about kicking up your feet and defying gravity that brings out your inner child.  Even gently rocking back and forth on a swing can be so relaxing.  There are some great ways to incorporate a swing into your home, inside or out.

Indoor swing by Studio 80 Interior Design.
Indoor swing by Studio 80 Interior Design.
Design by Kelly Hoppen
Design by Kelly Hoppen
Open space with swing designed by Alexander Gorlin.
Open space with swing designed by Alexander Gorlin.
Swing table designed by Christopher Duffy
Swing table designed by Christopher Duffy

Not all swings are playthings.  I love the idea of a big swing as a piece of outdoor furniture.  With comfortable, weather proof cushions, an outdoor swing is a great alternative to a traditional chaise or your typical porch swing.

Photo by Lorne Bridgman
Photo by Lorne Bridgman

erin martin design 2

Indoor swings can take so many forms.  You really can take this idea and adapt to almost any interior, modern or rustic.  With a cozy throw or a custom pillow, a swing becomes the perfect spot to relax.

Design by Stephen Samuelson.
Design by Stephen Samuelson.
By Erin Martin Design
By Erin Martin Design
Swing chair by Broste Copenhagen
Swing chair by Broste Copenhagen
Photo by Paula Arcklin
Photo by Paula Arcklin

What kind of swing would you love to have in your home?

 

Cover photo via RedAgape Blog

 

 

Bold and Graphic Tile

For a truly customized look, you simply can’t go wrong with tile.

For a truly customized look, you simply can’t go wrong with tile.  When tiling, you can really splurge on something special.  Whether you go with stone, glass, ceramic, cement, or porcelain, tile allows for so much creativity.  The choices today for stunning tiles are nearly endless, but I really love the idea of using bold, graphic tiles for an unforgettable look.

Metal Etched Copper Tile Bar
Metal Etched Copper from Tile Bar
cle watermark tile
Watermark Tile from Cle
Porcelanosa Lines Safary White
Lines in Safary White from Porcelanosa

I like tiles with big geometric patterns.  Great tiles aren’t just for the floor.  Tile makes a fantastic backdrop in nearly any room — it doesn’t have to remain in the bathroom.  Bold tiles can be used to create accents customized with a range of different colors.  The possibilities are endless!  A custom tile design can really evoke someone’s personality — playful, colorful, and vibrant.

Deco Petite Mosaic from Ann Sacks.
Deco Petite Mosaic from Ann Sacks.
barbie kennedy 1
From Barbie Kennedy
Cosmos Nero Tile Bar
Cosmos in Nero from Tile Bar

Some of my favorite patterns have a Marrakech or Turkish kind of feeling to them.  Many have Moorish-inspired patterns that evoke a history even when updated with colors for today.

Kitchen design by Amy Aidinis Hirsch LLC
Kitchen design by Amy Aidinis Hirsch LLC
cle tile
From Cle Tile
Akdo Kiki Tile
Akdo Kiki Tile

laV Restaurant and Wine Bar, Austin, TX

Located in Austin, Texas, laV Restaurant and Wine Bar is a beautiful place.

Located in Austin, Texas, laV Restaurant and Wine Bar is a beautiful place.  Designed by McAlpine Tankersley Architecture and interior designer Susan Ferrier, laV epitomizes the concept of sophisticated dining.

laV Austin TX 8Owners Ralph and Lisa Eads had a vision for laV centered around the idea of creating distinct rooms within the restaurant — casual outdoor dining, energetic wine bar, sophisticated lounge, welcoming dining room, and an elegant private wine room.  The overall atmosphere is warm and captivating.

laV Austin TX 9laV Austin TX 2laV Austin TX 5

The architecture and the grand scale of LaV are beautiful but intimate, like a home.  I love the tufting and the height of the banquettes.  The haziness to murals creates a European flair, but mixed with an industrial vibe.  The atmosphere is so sultry — I feel like I could stay there for hours.  I love how they mix traditional lanterns with clusters of glass globes for a kind of yin and yang effect that works so well.   There’s such a calming palette with tones of moss and taupe.  It reminds me of wanting to be home.

laV Austin TX 7laV Austin TX 6laV Austin TX 4laV Austin TX 3

You can learn more about laV on their website or find them on Facebook.