Decorating for young families
Howto decorate a hometo suit wee people is front of mind for Auckland-based interior designer Katie Scott. The Sticks + Stones founder is about to become amumand has just finished decorating a nursery in preparation for bubs. Unsure of the gender, Katie’s opted for green-toned walls. Tongue-and-groove walls are painted in Resene Haven, a dewy grey green, refined and quiet inmood— perfect for a babywho needs to sleep. The wardrobe doors and wall that surrounds are painted in the mid-grey green of Resene Rivergum while the change table and drawers feature Resene Twizel, a terracotta with a hint of burnt orange. Oak furnishings, natural linen and terracotta pots for toy storage complete the picture.
Katie knows well that young families have a lot on their hands when moving into their firsthomeor apartment, and knowing where to start on the decorating front can be a big deal.
Before starting a decorating project, Katie advises the following:
• Keep your goals within reach— don’t take on too much.
• Set a realistic budget. Then start with the things that are going to stay there longterm, like flooring, tiles and window dressings— then you’ll knowhowmuch you have to spend on the fun stuff.
• When choosing which room to start on think of the room with the most impact, for example, the main living area which is the heart of the home. It’s also a good starting point, providing a flow on effect for the rest of the house.
• Don’t go all out before thinking a few months or yearsdown the track. Keep in mind your children won’t be small forever.
• Bear in mind that young ones do test things, so make decisions with durability in mind— but don’t sacrifice your desired look too much. It’s about finding the balance and there are a lot of products that can help, such as washable paint for an easy clean, and removable corner protectors for coffee tables.
• When trying to decide where to start, think paint— it’s a great way to inject style and personality and make your place your own.
Once it’s time to swing into action, start with a room, finish that room and then moveon, Katie suggests. “Otherwise, things can get overwhelming, especially with your children in the mix requiring attention and taking up time you anticipate you have for decorating.
“If it is your firsthomethen you are probably being especially budget conscious so work with what is there. Choose paint colours that will work in with things that are expensive to replace. For example, if you have a timber floor, work around that,” Katie says.
“Resene Sea Fog, with its very neutral tone is a hitamong many— notmany people dislike it. It’s not too warm, not too grey and tends to go with most things.”
For those looking for something ‘very white’, Resene Barely There and Resene Black White are her top suggestions.
“Resene Alabaster and Resene House White are also easy to blend with other colours and are popular choices.”
Living rooms are often the easiest, Katie says, as they are usually one open space comprising kitchen, dining and lounging areas and tend to rely on one cohesive colour scheme with pops of colour introduced through de´cor. Painting up some plant pots or vases is a quick and easy way to incorporate more colour. It doesn’t always need to be bright colours, either.
Bedrooms— especially for the kids— offer the scope to inject different themes as they are dressed to suit individual personalities. Duvet covers, bunting, wall decals, playful furniture and framed artwork, for example, reflect personality and are easy to change out as children age. Bedrooms that take inspiration from favourite picture books or fairytales can also be a hit. Decals are a great idea or even simple murals madewith paint and masking.
Paint becomes a real friend in kids’ spaces because of its ease of application and the change it affords. As a child’s personality develops, his or her room can become more of a reflection of their individuality and tastes, and a different colour paint can go a long way to achieving this. Pairing stripes in bright colours is an excellent way to create a playful vibe. Try Resene Super Duper, Resene Twilight, Resene Yabbadabbadoo and Resene Tutti Frutti together for a cheerful look. Whatever you choose, a child’s bedroom design should be fun and functional— and the options for kid-friendly paint colours is virtually endless.
3 A colour palette for a kid’s bedroom built with neutrals doesn’t have to be boring. Styling by Vanessa Nouwens, photo by Melanie Jenkins.
Wreckthis Picturebook by Keri Smith, Penguinrandom House, $25
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . While I applaud the idea behind this book,
I’m not sure I could actually do it. Wreckthis Picturebook encourages readers to do just that— make use of the book, engage all five senses when reading, make it a loved, well-used book.
The book is a story about, well the book. It doesn’t want to be looked at on a shelf, it wants to be taken outside and read under a tree and fully experienced— sniffed, rubbed, folded, smelt. This is a book for independent readers rather than a bedtime story, challenging the idea of a book. I’m afraid I was brought up in the “take care of your book” mould and being told to fold a page is not going to happen.
— Annkilduff
.