Inspire Me!: Big-Boy Rooms

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Big-Boy Rooms

Aside from my recent detour to all the new finds of Market, my focus lately has been on children's rooms. I am currently working with several moms to transition their nurseries to big boy and girl rooms. There are so many directions to take in making this change that it can be overwhelming. I always like to have photos of inspiration at my finger tips to show clients what can be done in an effort to define their goals. Luckily, I have files and files on hand in anticipation of such projects.

Here are some of my favorites for big-boy rooms.

Alessandra Branca's book, New Classic Interiors.

Twin beds are always my preference in children's rooms. There are so many things you can do with them. This photo is from Alessandra Branca's book, New Classic Interiors. I love the canopies, toile wall paper, and striped fabric. A wonderful throwback to Mary Poppins.

Another inspiration from Alessandra Branca's book New Classic Interiors. This English look is timeless. Notice the shades on the floor lamps are made to look like drums. And the sconces are tin Napoleonic hats!


From Margaret Russell's book Style and Substance (one of my favorites!)

Every child seems to love bunk beds. And for those lucky kids that get to share a room, they are perfect space savers. The design team of Nathan Egan Interiors helped a New York City family save a bit of space all while adding entertainment with the bunk bed puppet theater!

From Style and Substance

This little boy's room is decorated with a extra large size world map by Hammacher Schlemmer. This is also a great way to disguise boring closet doors, as well as learn geography! I wish I had one of these when I was growing up.

From Style and Substance

This nursery can definitely grow with the little boy. The wall paper is a photograph taken by the little boys father, photographer Pieter Estersohn, while in India. I love the antique rug and light.

Domino, the book of decorating

This urban cowboy themed room by decorator, Vesta Fort, is a fun mix of vintage items. The cowboy curtains set the stage for the old west decor. I like the unexpected zebra headboards, the dark wood floors, and vintage twin beds.

At the end of the day, there are lots of possibilities for your little man. Make it a fun project -- use your imagination, factor in his interests and let be inspired!

About vanCollier

Established in 1995, vanCollier began as an antique and interior design firm. With backgrounds in art history, fine arts and decorative arts, vanCollier marries old world elegance with contemporary design. The married couple behind this firm-on-the-rise is Beth and Chris Collier, who work together on their wide range of projects domestically and abroad. Their philosophy: Use traditional influences to create sophisticated and approachable environments. Says Beth, "Rooms should be masculine and feminine while conveying both traditional and eccentric details."

To contact Beth, email her at vancollier@suddenlink.net

About Eatman's Carpets and Interiors

Eatman's Carpets and Interiors is my family's business. My grandfather, Bill Eatman, opened its doors in 1957 in Downtown Raleigh as a design studio/upholstery workroom selling high end fabrics, wool carpeting, and wallpaper. My father, Woody Eatman, the current president, followed in his father's footsteps joining the family business after school. Years later, with her Design degree in hand, my mother was hired as a designer by Eatman's. My Dad and my Mom fell in love and married. Over time, Eatman's became a innovator in the world of flooring creating computer systems specifically for the industry as well as adding to the business a supply and installation divisions. Fast-forwarding through my arrival and my sister's, the business is now a hybrid of the past and the present. We continue to be a leading supplier of carpets residentially and commercially, and we continue to expand into the world of interior design with new fabric, furniture and lighting lines. But more than all that, it is where our family hangs its hat. It is, in every sense of the word, a labor of great love.