Condo solarium can double as child’s bedroom
Floor- to- ceiling drapery panels will do the trick, but skip the cutesy stuff
Hi Sam: I have an 800- square- foot condo with one bedroom — and a twoyearold! I am in need of privacy.
I have made a bedroom for my daughter in the solarium, which is off the living space. I would like to make it private from the living room ( as there are glass sliding doors that separate the living room and solarium). We need new window treatments and would like to get something that looks nice, is inexpensive and will block out light.
Last challenge: I need to figure out a bed for my daughter as she can get out of the crib and I am at a loss. Thank you, Colleen Kidney Dear Colleen: You definitely need floor- toceiling drapery panels to cover the sliding glass doors separating the solarium and the living room. Steer clear of kiddie patterns and stick to a solid colour or adult- kidfriendly pattern.
To cover the doors completely, you’ll need at least four panels. To calculate how many panels you will need, measure the width of the sliding doors and windows, and purchase panels that are double that width. As well, you will need to have two panels sewn together to create reversible drapes so that when you’re in the living room, you’re not looking at the lining of your daughter’s drapes. You could do a kid- friendly pattern on the solarium side and a solid linen on the living room side, but be sure to have the drapes blackout lined so that you don’t see kiddie patterns on sunny days.
Mount the drapery rods as close as you can to the ceiling in the solarium. Keep the window treatments in the solarium simple. Levelor has roller shades in soft whites and woven patterns that can be blackout- lined to block the sunlight.
Hunter Douglas carries a roller shade that also provides insulation from drafts. The shades are worth the investment, but are not cheap.
When it comes to decorating, shop for furniture and bedding that will grow with your daughter. Serena and Lily carries a wide range of bedding from baby to adult as well as furniture. But I love that Serena and Lily has amazing decorating inspiration on their website. In the photo ( left), the classic white headboard with nail head detail is like a chameleon and would work in a room decorated with plaid, stripes or florals. The yellow bedding can be accessorized with teddy bears or pillows to work for a four- year- old or a 40- year- old. I secretly covet the bedding.
If you want to amp up colour in your daughter’s room, hang art that echoes the colours of the bedding and consider painting a fauxchair rail like the S& L decorators.
Sam