children's bedrooms Archives - The Curated House

Decorating a Nursery with Groupings of Original Art

I must apologize for not posting this last week as I’d promised. Real life got all kinds of “real” and…well…you know what they say about best laid plans. But it’s Monday morning, the sun is shining, and there is a fresh and happy week ahead of us! What better way to start that week than with some inspiration on how to use original art in your nursery design?

The lovely Patricia from Art Interiors sent me some wonderful inspiration images showcasing pieces from their gallery installed in children’s rooms, and let’s just say I’m in l-o-v-e. I know I might sound like a broken record here, but I really do believe in carving out room in your decorating budget for original art whenever and wherever you can. Original art has the ability to transform a space from pedestrian and boring to personal and dynamic in a way that little else can. Just feast your eyes on these inspiring spaces and you’ll see what I mean!

This first nursery {above} feels quiet, sophisticated and perhaps a little bit quirky; whereas this second children’s room {below} feels bold and fun and unexpected.

This little girl’s room {below} is all kinds of charming, and the solo piece that greets you as you enter suggests she will grow up into a very interesting and sophisticated lady.

I’m totally crazy for the grouping in this sweet baby girl’s nursery {above}. The diversity and juxtaposition of the pieces creates such an interesting sense of story, and the pieces they have collected can easily be built upon and rearranged over time.

Is it just me, or does the art totally make these spaces come alive?

Not only did Patricia send over some inspiration of art groupings that have already been installed in children’s rooms, but she also kindly pulled together three fresh groupings for us – all created with a baby boy’s nursery in mind – to get the creative juices flowing using pieces that are currently available at The Festival of The Smalls.

Grouping Number One {above} is a delightful mix of hip and fresh with a healthy dose of vintage throw-back for good measure. I particularly love the hockey player by Patrick Lajoie {left} and the hipster playing with the viewfinder by Kelly Grace {top right}.

Grouping Number Two is given a more modern edge with the photograph by Emilie Rondeau {left}. My favourite piece in this grouping is the cyclist by Sara Caracristi {bottom left}, but I love the play of colour and texture that keeps the eye moving and engaged amongst all the pieces in this dynamic grouping.

Grouping Number Three {above} is really a marriage of the first two. Anybody remember Marigold? Oh my goodness that takes me back! And the vintage Fisher Price record player {top right by Kelly Grace} was seriously one of my all-time favourite toys when I was a kid! The abstract colour-blocked piece by Richard Herman is fresh and lends a modern edge to the nostalgic vibe of some of the other pieces.

Today’s visual design lesson really builds upon last week’s 3 Tips For Buying Original Art: buy what you love; start small and build over time; and be open to diversity! As you can see from the groupings above, an interesting mix will add energy and intrigue to a space in refreshingly unexpected ways. And remember what we learned from the gents at Madcap Cottage? Gallery groupings are totally where it’s at.

Can’t wait to get working on my groupings for Project Debonaire Young Sir and Project Nursery. Goodness, I have so much to do! But believe you me, the art groupings are already floating around in my head like happy little dreams. Just have to get the spaces ready so I have fresh walls on which to hang the art!

Wishing you a happy Monday, brimming with inspiration and fresh perspective.

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|November 18th, 2013|0 Comments

Design Find | Sian Zeng | Linens, Art + Decorative Cushions

You may remember back in October I posted about a brilliant woman and her ingenious line of magnetic wallpapers. The UK-based Sian Zeng absolutely wowed me with her sense of unfettered imagination and wonder, and she’s done it again.

I’m thrilled to be able to share the news that Sian has expanded her product line. Building upon the enchanting characters in her wallpaper collection, Zeng has developed a delightful collection of children’s bed linens, wall art and decorative cushions that are unstoppably charming.

BED LINENS

Can’t you just imagine the bedtime stories that would emerge from nightly snuggles under these imaginative bed linens? Tiny fingers tracing the buildings and flowers, walking like characters from one scene to the next. It’s the stuff childhood memories and sweet, sweet dreams are made of.

DECORATIVE CUSHIONS

This flying pig is officially on my wish list for the nursery. I mean, come on! Anything is possible when pigs fly!

And the frog prince and princess? To me they are the makings of a modern-day fairytale where no one needs to turn back into anything because they already are just as they should be…oh, how I would love telling that story!

WALL ART

Sian Zeng‘s entire collection is available here. The only hard part will be choosing which characters should be featured each night in your child’s fairytale bedtime routine!

Thank you so much for such imagination-expanding inspiration, Sian. You’re my kind of girl.

// In all the excitement of announcing my pregnancy last Thursday, I forgot to announce the winner of the Sweet Paper Crafts giveaway! Congratulations Nicole! Please email me at sarah@thecuratedhouse.com with your mailing address so the lovely folks at Chronicle Books can get that off to you! //

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|July 23rd, 2013|2 Comments

What’s Upstairs at ELTE? | Children’s Department

If you’ve been to ELTE recently, you’ll know they’ve been undergoing some major renovations. The transformation began with the second floor, which was originally opened as the updated Sale Room {a flea market of sorts filled with one-offs, returns, slightly damaged pieces and lots of great finds}. Following the second floor’s reinvention, the natural light that floods this space now shines on 3 separate and equally beautiful departments – The Children’s Department, The Linens Department and The Bed Department. Today, a few photos of some of my favourite pieces from the Children’s Department.

I simply adore the delicate, slightly retro feel to these channel-stitched quilted pieces. And who wouldn’t want to snuggle up with that sweet, sketched cat? Purrr.

These animal decals come in a roll and easily transform plain walls into a sweet dream safari.

Character stories abound in the form of stuffed creatures ready to share whispered secrets from their new little humans.

I love the sweet and somewhat French quality to these bird cage lights below. I’m particularly fond of the way the fine wire “caging” frames a filament Edison bulb, offering simple warmth and charm.

Hideouts and campouts and sleepovers galore! Just imagine the stories that might be told inside this sweet canvas tee-pee.

Oh, Pooh. We’ll always be friends, won’t we?

“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.” – A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

In keeping with ELTE’s thoughtfully complete retailing, they have included a rug department specific to children on the upper level for true head-to-toe design of charming bedrooms and playrooms.