THE PROBLEMA couple wanted to transform an uninspiring space into a whimsical bedroom for their 1-year-old daughter, but in a style that would continue to suit and inspire her as she grew up.
THE SOLUTIONDesigner Candice Olson chose "investment" furniture designed to grow with the child's needs, and avoided classic toddler motifs -- like bunnies or trains -- that children soon outgrow.
HOW IT HAPPENED• Olson painted the room a soft, neutral ivory. The drapery fabric, a rich paisley print in pink, green, linen and white, was her inspiration for the space and her jumping-off point for the room's color palette. If you want longevity in a child's room, Olson advises picking fabrics that are traditionally "adult," but in colors that create a playful, fanciful mood.
• The space was mapped out into three areas in the room that all flow together -- a sleeping area, a storage area and a play area. Instead of a crib soon to be outgrown, Olson chose a double bed with a custom-designed, button-tufted headboard flanked by two matching, white bedside tables.
• Colorful pillows are piled atop gingham and polka-dot bedding. The paisley-patterned drapes define the windows flanking the bed, with blinds installed for light control and privacy. A silk/wool shag rug provides a soft place for toddlers to play.
• A study area along one wall has a freestanding bookcase/desk combination built to adult scale so she'll be able to use it well into her teenage years.
• A pink-and-white polka-dotted settee at the foot of the bed faces a play area with miniature table and chairs. These scaled-down versions of traditional furniture are the only "kiddie" size pieces that will need to be replaced as she grows up.
BEST TRICK
While most of the room is ageless, Olson introduced whimsy with a playful chandelier, fanciful wallpaper behind the shelves, and a passage from "Alice in Wonderland," which winds in large, concentric circles around a central medallion on the ceiling.
