When I design [...]]]> Designing a bedroom for a child is always dependent upon the age of that child. So you are not re-designing that room every 2-3 years, you need to keep “trendy” items portable (as in accessories and artwork) and concentrate on furniture and other major items that will grow with your child.

When I design a bedroom for a child, I consider 4 main areas:
1. safety – avoid anything that is sharp or is a choking hazard
2. comfort – quality bedding should not be overlooked
3. function – activities performed in the room must be considered; includes space planning, lighting, and even the color of the room
4. style – where a child can express themselves (within reason)

So, keeping these 4 major areas in mind, following is what you need to consider when designing bedrooms for children.

1. Talk to a child. Ask about favorite colors, hobbies, favorite music, movies, TV shows, what they like to do when hanging out with friends, etc.
2. Consider the temperament of the child when choosing paint colors. For example, do not choose red or bright colors for children with ADHD or those who are highly excitable.
3. Consider any special needs or limitations.
4. Look for items of interest or a hobby? For example, trophies or a doll collection, baseball cards or musical instruments. These all give clues for the future design of the space.
5. Once you have a good idea of what a child likes, you can start designing the room. I consider the following elements in the room:
a. Wall, ceiling and trim colors
b. Windows
c. Lighting
d. Floors
e. Closets
f. Furniture
g. Art/Accessories

6. Some additional things to consider:
a. Paint low ceilings white.
b. Paint walls an eggshell or satin finish for easy cleaning; paint trim in a semi-gloss finish (high gloss should only be used if the design requires a very contemporary finish); paint ceilings in a flat latex finish.
c. Design safe window treatments (no dangling chord pulls in small children’s rooms as these present a choking hazard). Blinds may be ordered with special safety pulls. Some children like black-out materials. Avoid long or puddled draperies. They collect dust and are not easy to keep clean.
d. Lighting should include general illumination; task lighting for reading or doing homework; and accent lighting, to highlight any artwork or to add some interest or excitement to a room. Lighting inside a closet is also helpful.
e. Floors should be easy to clean and maintain. Hardwood or laminate flooring are good choices, and are preferable for children with asthma or allergies. A decorative rug can be placed in the room to add some softness and sound control. If you prefer wall-to-wall carpet, it should be durable (nylon, for example), and have stain-inhibiting qualities (Stainmaster).
f. Children’s closets must be functional. One hanging bar, up high will not work in a child’s room. They need to be organized. Consider separating the closet into two sections. Section one should have a double bar design to accommodate twice the clothes in half the space. Install shelves in section two, to store clothes that won’t fit in a dresser or other items that require storage.
g. Furniture must fit the space without making it look cramped. Choose furniture that has a lot of storage, if designing for smaller spaces. Beds, for example, come with storage drawers on the bottom. Some even have drawers plus a trundle-bed option, or bookcase headboards. Consider adding under-shelf lighting to bookcase headboards to add much needed reading light. Furniture should have rounded corners, for safety.
h. Art and accessories give the room personality. If a child has created a picture, photo or piece of art, I highlight that object by putting it in a special place in the room. For framed artwork, like pictures and posters, consider using Plexiglas rather than real glass. Plexiglas costs less, is lighter and safer. I like placing shelves or bookcases on walls, especially in small rooms. Collections can be displayed on walls, leaving floors clean and uncluttered.
i. Bedding is so important, and is often overlooked. There are sheets, pillows, mattresses, mattress covers, blankets, comforters that will help anyone, including children, get restful and restorative sleep. The mattress must be comfortable, so have the child lie on several. Purchase a waterproof mattress cover if the child wets the bed.
j. Always consider a child’s specific needs when selecting sheets, pillows and blankets. Children that are usually cold have different needs than children that sweat. I use a line of bedding not offered in stores – Private Quarters, because they have the selection I need. Bamboo will wick moisture away from the skin. Microfiber fleece will keep a person warm. Cotton is always a good choice.
k. If a reading chair is placed in the room, let the child sit in several and choose the most comfortable.
7. Have fun. Let the child help you. If a child wants to create an art piece or wants to help pick out some fabrics and colors, let them. Limit choices, or you will never finish the room. If you give child choices, one of them might just be to keep their new room clean.

There are 4 main items that I consider when designing a child’s bedroom: 1) safety; 2) comfort; 3) function; 4) style.

“Safety First”: This is the first thing I say to my grandson when we begin to cross [...]]]> If you are having a difficult time designing a bedroom for your youngster, read on……

There are 4 main items that I consider when designing a child’s bedroom: 1) safety; 2) comfort; 3) function; 4) style.

“Safety First”: This is the first thing I say to my grandson when we begin to cross a street or a busy parking lot. It is so important if you have a relationship with a child. Some ideas to make the room safe are:
1. No dangling chords from blinds or shades – children have been known to choke on these chords. Most companies now have a housing for the chords so they are not visible.
2. Furniture should have rounded corners – no sharp edges.

Comfort: A child who sleeps comfortably, getting restful and restorative sleep, will perform better during the daytime. All bedding, including the mattress, pillows, mattress pads, sheets, blankets, etc., must be comfortable. I use products from Private Quarters whenever and wherever I can and select those that will work best for each individual child. For example, children who sweat need different sheets than those who are always cold. Comfort is extra important for children with special needs, or those with allergies and other health issues. Consider all of the child’s needs so you can design a room that the child wants to be in and is comfortable in.

Function: I consider storage, bed height, size of furniture, anything that will make the room function properly for a child. If the child studies in the bedroom, a desk is a requirement. Lighting will also improve function. General and task lighting are most important. Closets are usually not very functional in children’s rooms. I create closets that store items in half the space and use the other half to build shelves for children to store anything from clothes to toys in. Function is even more important in the bedrooms of seriously-ill or special-needs children. Depending on the condition and any equipment needed, storage and spacial requirements may be different. If space is at a premium, in addition to building out into a space, you will need to build up, using available wall space.

Style: This is the fun part. It is the expression of each individual child in terms of their interests, passions, dreams and desires. It encompasses color, the design of window treatments and bedspreads, the style of the furniture, and brings the room to life for that child. Let the child be your guide. If you talk a child with respect, they will reveal their true personality, and this will translate into a bedroom that makes them happy and reflects their personal style.

See me on Fox TV Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 8:45 a.m. for more tips on decorating for children.

Best,
Lauren Smith

I Can’t help with the first resolution, but the second is something I can help you with.

As an interior designer, I [...]]]> Everyone I know makes New Year’s resolutions. Among the top 10 are (1) a promise to lose weight and exercise; and (2) a commitment to removing clutter and organize their home and/or office.

I Can’t help with the first resolution, but the second is something I can help you with.

As an interior designer, I come in contact with clients who have spaces that are messy, unorganized, and difficult to design for. Until the clutter is cleared, it is difficult to imagine what a space will look like when you put new colors, fabrics, furniture and accessories in it. What about that new floor? You won’t be able to envision what it will look like if you can’t find it due to the mess on top of it. What about window treatments? They are difficult to envision when that desk by the window is covered with laptops, printers and papers, blocking out all of the sunshine. And, it is nearly impossible to measure a space when you have no place to set a tape measure without stumbling on the obstacle course in the room.

The most difficult part of organizing is just to get started. Following are some tips that you can use to help de-clutter and reorganize your space. I like to start with 3 extra-large boxes or heavy-duty garbage bags. Label the first one “garbage”; the second one “sell”, the third “give away”. This first step is the hardest for people who hoard. You know who you are, right? You can’t throw away anything. You second guess everything. Let me tell you how to manage this. You need to ask yourself the question; “have I used this item in the last year?” If the answer to that is “no”, get rid of it! Even if the item is something you forgot about and seeing it again makes you think you might want to use it, the truth is, if you have not actively sought it out, you probably won’t use it this year either. If you wore a size 6 in your 20s and now you wear a size 10, the chances of your getting back into that size 6 are slim to none. Even if you do, the item of clothing will most likely be out of style.

Many of us form emotional attachments to things. For example, you may form an attachment to your grandmother’s sofa. You just can’t part with it, even if you have no room for it and you don’t actually sit in it. Instead of keeping them, take pictures of objects you don’t want to forget and put them in a scrapbook. The picture will take up less space, will provide you with a memento, and the real object may enrich the life of someone else if you decide to sell it or give it away.

Once you clean out the clutter, organize what’s left behind. For example, clothing can be organized by season, object and color. If you can’t afford a custom closet, there are stores that sell hanging shelves, shoe racks, hanging belt and tie racks, and other moveable storage pieces to organize your closets nicely and inexpensively. If cleaning out an office, think about going paperless. Create computer documents and store them electronically. Or, invest is a file cabinet to keep confidential files in. Get in the habit of opening your mail over the garbage can. Now I’m not advocating throwing away your bills, I’m suggesting that you get rid of junk mail. Don’t let it pile up and let it be mixed in with the important stuff. If you take a minute to do this each day, you will be surprised at just how much paper you can eliminate. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that “I might just need this sometime in the future”. If you need something, you can always search for it online to get it when you actually need it.

The bottom line…..don’t form emotional attachments to your stuff. If you need it and use it, then keep it. If not, let someone else have it, if the items are in good condition. If not, throw them away!

Perhaps once you de-clutter your home, you can then begin to work on that waistline! Happy New Year!

For those of you who are not familiar with the IRN, it is a professional network of decorators who design spaces using what a client already has in their home or office, [...]]]> Greetings from beautiful Sarasota, Florida. I attended my annual Interior Redecorators Network (IRN)conference this week. The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota was the perfect venue.

For those of you who are not familiar with the IRN, it is a professional network of decorators who design spaces using what a client already has in their home or office, including furniture, art, and accessories, and incorporates these items in the re-design of the space to make it more functional and aesthetically pleasing. This year, the IRN celebrated its 15-year anniversary. There are IRN re-decorators all over the country, as well as in Sydney, Australia and Ontario, Canada, and we are adding more members all of the time. To find a re-decorator in your area, go to www.interiorredecorators.com for a complete directory.

Some of the services IRN re-decorators provide are:

Interior refinement: one-day decorating, using what you have;
Resale Ready: which you might know as home staging, getting a home ready to sell;
Full Interior Design services;
Shopping
Green, or Eco-friendly design
Downsizing and Senior Transition Services
Holiday decorating and more…..

Check us out.

Happy decorating.

I had a message on my blog that said, in response to my previous posting,  that my blog triggered their mom to tell them to clean their room.  WOW!  I did not expect that response.  However, I did respond that I would post some ideas for cleaning up clutter and then organizing what’s left.

Yes  No

X     X     1. Are electrical extension cords in good condition?

X     X     2. Are electrical extension cords kept from being stretched across

heavily traveled areas of your home?

X     X     3. Are unused [...]]]> Home Safety Checklist

From the Easter Seals Organization, following is their Home Safety Checklist, I wanted to share with you:

Yes  No

X     X     1. Are electrical extension cords in good condition?

X     X     2. Are electrical extension cords kept from being stretched across

heavily traveled areas of your home?

X     X     3. Are unused electrical outlets covered or locked?

X     X     4. Are electrical outlets checked regularly for overloading?

X     X     5. Do you now how to turn off gas and electricity in emergencies?

X     X     6.  Are proper size fuses used for replacement rather than substitutes?

X     X     7.  Are floor surfaces nonskid?

X     X     8.  Are all floor coverings fastened down?

X     X     9.  Are fireplaces screened and protected?

X     X    10. Are open flames, like candles, kept away from walls and curtains?

X     X    11. Do you have smoke detectors in your home; have you checked

batteries lately?

X     X    12. Is an approved fire extinguisher kept on each floor?

X     X    13. Do you have emergency phone numbers, policy, fire, doctor,

utilities, handy near the phone?

X     X    14. Is a study stepladder available for climbing?

X     X    15. Do interior doors, like closets and bathrooms, have safety-

release locks that allow them to be opened from either side?

X     X    16. If there are small children in your home,are open windows

securely screened?

X     X    17. Is lead-free paint used on all objects accessible to children?

X     X    18. Are firearms unloaded and locked up?

I’m sure you can think of even more. for example, check batteries  in carbon-monoxide and radon detectors, and security systems, if available.  There are also wireless security-systems available.  Check out Guardian Alarm.

Always check to make sure ovens and cook tops are off before going to bed or leaving home.  And, if you smoke, don’t smoke in bed.  Make sure all flames are extinguished completely before going to sleep.

Use and store household chemicals properly, in ventilated areas, away from children and pets.  Use eco-friendly cleaning products that are safe for people, pets and the planet.  I like the Shaklee brand.  Use products, like paints and sealants, that don’t contain harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

I also did Google searches for “home safety checklists” and found a lot of helpful information.  One that I thought was very good was a create your own personalized checklist from the Home Safety Council.   You answer 7 simple questions, and the site will generate a checklist just for you.

http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_checklistgenerator_w001.asp

I also liked the checklist provided by Real Simple:

http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/home-safety-checklist-00000000000945/index.html

Be happy, be safe.

We (me and my long-suffering family) are delighted with the results, and wish to share with you our [...]]]> Kitchen Renovation Results

Welcome to Part 2 of Kitchen Renovations, Joys and Pitfalls, using my own kitchen as the subject.  The dust has cleared, the house is clean and organized and life is now much less chaotic.

We (me and my long-suffering family) are delighted with the results, and wish to share with you our adventure.  In our last newsletter, I covered the difference between needing and wanting a new kitchen. Renovating your kitchen takes planning which includes determining a reasonable budget, creating a design with a professional interior designer who understands space planning and how your kitchen will be used, taking into account what you need and want within the limits of what you can afford.  Then, hiring the best contractors for your project.

I will show you the results, tell you about my experience with the project, and identify some DOs and DON”Ts to help keep your sanity during any renovation project.

Thank you for allowing me to share the adventure with you.
It was not difficult to imagine what, in 3 short months, would be a total transformation.

How To Survive The Renovation

First, keep your eye on the prize.  Here is what we started with:

Kitchen Before

It was not difficult to imagine what, in 3 short months, would be a total transformation.

Kitchen After

Second, you must plan ahead how you will live during a renovation. In our case, we had a small kitchenette in the basement with a fridge, microwave and sink.  We stored kitchen items in boxes, keeping our most used items within easy reach. We put plastic sheeting around doors, with a zippered section around one door that allowed us easy access to and from the renovation site. This minimized some of the dust and dirt.  We protected our existing wood floors with a product called Thermo Ply, which looks like cardboard and is actually used as an external wall sheathing. It worked great as protection for our hardwood floors and was relatively inexpensive.

Third, we understood the chaos was temporary. We planned for some delays and were not sidelined because of them.  Anticipating some possible problems can help you to be prepared.  Being proactive, rather than reactive, is the key.  I dusted furniture and swept floors often, so dirt and dust would not accumulate throughout our home.

Fourth, hiring the best, experienced contractors was a large part of having a relatively stress-free renovation experience.  For example, our drywall contractor knew exactly how to apply the mud to the new walls to minimize sanding and, therefore, dust.  In fact, he didn’t even have to sand, because the application was so smooth.  Our electrician and plumber understood exactly what we wanted, had helpful suggestions and followed up on everything that was promised.  We had the best cabinet maker and painters involved on the project.  We did our research!

Renovation Dos and Don’ts

DO:

• Accept that contractors are people too. They have good and bad days, problems with materials and suppliers and if a project is delayed a bit, it’s normal and not necessarily anyone’s fault.
• Understand that your house will be in a state of chaos for a bit.  It will get dirty and dusty so cleaning and dusting every day stops dirt and dust from accumulating.
• Make a plan as to where you will store things and how you will live during the renovation.  This will stop the frustration of not being able to find things.
• Plan renovations in the spring or summer when you can be outside more.  Also, if the kitchen is being renovated, you have the option of grilling outside.
• Understand that projects sometimes come in over budget.  It’s what we call “mission creep”.  So, if budget is important to you, scale back a bit so in the event you need to spend more money (unexpected repairs or replacements come up) you will not run out of money.
• Maintain a sense of humor. It will get you through even the toughest home renovation project.  I know I’m still smiling.

DON’T:

• Don’t expect everything to run smoothly all the time. There are too many variables. Let professionals manage the project to keep things on track.
• Don’t be inflexible. Work with contractors and vendors to work out mutually agreeable schedules, shipment times, etc.
• Don’t put household items in places that are inaccessible.  If the toilet paper is in a box and that box is behind a large piece of furniture that can’t be moved, that could be problematic. Planning ahead is key.
• Don’t worry, be happy. Surviving a renovation is much easier than other things; for example, giving birth.  With the renovation, the labor is easier and in both cases, a beautiful creation emerges.  Don’t overreact to circumstances.  No one is bleeding, your family is still intact, and there has not been any life-altering event that you can’t survive.
• Don’t try renovating yourself, unless you have the necessary skills.  You wouldn’t take out your own appendix, so please hire professionals to do the renovations.

Again, planning how you will live during the renovation is just as important as the renovation itself.   In our case, with the exception of one slight shipping delay, the project was completed without traumatizing me or my family, my marriage is still intact, and the one son still living at home may decide to stick around awhile because the house looks great!  Think I’ll renovate his bedroom next!

More Photos

Kitchen After 2

Kitchen Before 2

Kitchen After 3

Volunteers create fantasy bedrooms for seriously-ill children. They find kids that need them the most by working closely with the University of Michigan Health System’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit.

The children chosen are [...]]]> The Suite Dreams Project is funded through the General Sports Foundation.

Volunteers create fantasy bedrooms for seriously-ill children. They find kids that need them the most by working closely with the University of Michigan Health System’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit.

The children chosen are often confined to their bedrooms most of the time. All have serious or long-term illnesses, and a few face struggles with terminal disease, but most have a good chance of recovery. The Suite Dreams Project teams commonly help children with cancer, cystic fibrosis, cardiac and pulmonary diseases.

Cooper’s Room

Cooper was the child whose room we were going to re-design.  Here are some BEFORE photos.

Cooper's Room Before

 

Here is Before Facing the Window

Here is the room transformed!

Another view of the room After it was redecorated

Here is Cooper’s room AFTERAnother view of the room After it was redecorated