Lindsay's "Kid Friendly, Adult Approved" Room Room for Color Contest
Via: apartmentherapy
Name: Lindsay
- Location: Pflugerville, TX
- Division: Cool
- Inspiration for my palette: I wanted to create a space for my children that would spark their imagination yet be a place that adults could enjoy, too. I used typical "kid" colors of red and blue, but adjusted the hues in such a way that they come across more stylish than basic primary colors.
- Colors used in my room Teal blue, charcoal gray, fire engine red, crisp white.
- Tips for using color successfully Variations within the same color family keep a room from looking flat.
This looks like a room designed by an adult to look like it is for children. Sadly the adult doesn't remember what it is like to be a child. Specifically:
- There is not a chair at a table in the room to sit in to draw or paint or write stories or assemble a model or even set a big atlas on to look at the pictures. Indeed, there is no child-appropriate chair in the room - or surface above the rug to play at for that matter.
- There is no toy bin/basket/box from which to chaotically pull out the next toy and throw back the last one. But that probably doesn't matter since many of the toys best suited for the youngest players are situated like objets d'arte on the highest shelves out of reach of children. Whee.
- There is a sign that says "FUN" in a room that looks like you need to use coasters and can't eat on the sofa (and since there is no table and chairs, I guess there is no snacking in here) and don't even think about making home-made slime and trying to play with it in here. What is FUN for a child about this space?
- The rugs look like low pile rather than the soft plush that is so comfortable to lie on while playing or reading.
- About the only thing in this room that is truly child-friendly is the television directly across from the sofa. But there again, someone has art directed a few more objets right in front of the screen and IR receiver which will make it hard to change channels. And the TV is up high and far back on a credenza which makes it impossible to watch while lying on the uncomfortable rug (a favorite viewing spot for the kid I was and the kids I know). Plus, at least for me, TV defeats the objective of a space for children if you really want to "spark their imagination".
- A bonsai? Really? What kid wants a diminutive plant in a breakable planter in their FUN space?
- A table lamp? Breakable but hard to move or adjust if we want to get better light on the model we're building/bugs we're pulling the legs off/Balinese shadow puppets we're re-enacting Little Women with.
- The sofa is fine - I only hope the cushions come off so that the kids can build a fort so they can have a truly kid-friendly space.
Stripes and a "FUN" sign don't make a space fun or childlike. Easy access to good media, interesting toys, pine cones, hamsters and jars of marbles do. Having a place to sit down that is just the right height for a child does. Having surfaces that can be abused, spilled on, experimented with, and generally mistreated without fear of messing up an adult's design scheme do.
This room looks art-directed and soulless.
It depends on the age of the kids, but I'm not totally sure about that Ikea Helmer. Cute and convenient, but if little kids are running around, those are some sharp metal corners.