Customise Cookie-cutter furniture

Published April. 27th 2021

Available to view online at The National News

Kids room sharing

How to plan for children sharing a room is a tricky one dependant on their age. We started the girls in separate rooms until the youngest was two, now they are in together and loving life. It started with a bed and crib and now they are both in beds and we stagger their bedtime so they go to sleep without much fuss. I have complied my top pieces that I love in twinning bedrooms:

our girls room

Beds: 

I am in love with wicker beds, I brought one with us from the UK from La Redoute and the other we bought from The Attic in Dubai. They can be made into daybeds/sofas if you decide at a later stage to swap to bunk beds. There are a few different styles you can buy but I decided to go with the entire thing made from rattan rather than woven cane sides and headboards, I just prefer the aesthetic. Tribe in Dubai also do some amazing styles and sizes that could work for you. 

Tribe Dubai

Rugs:

The Queen of children's rugs is Lorena Canals - totally machine washable making them ideal for playrooms and kids rooms. Super lightweight and ideal to throw into the machine when the inevitable spill happens. I had some space between their bed and went for the OYOY lion rug from Marmarland and on the other side have an OYOY runner that has a little road which is also machine washable. Its all about practicalities with kids! 

Lorena Canals Rug from Martin & Ella & OYOY road runner 

Decoration:

I like to have gallery walls and fun things on the walls in the kids room. Things to stimulate their little minds. I got a great print by Mushie from The Kids Collection about feelings that is in the centre of their beds, and some Emma Bridgewater heads that they each chose from Tribe. Its about making it fun and quirky for them. 

Our children's room

Lighting:

They have their Miffy lamp that is on a dimmer which I adore. I would love one of the sitting Joseph bunnies from Rose in April to go on their bookcase. Super cute and adds some light and personality. I made the mistake of having a gorgeous Abigail Adhern dog lamp in their room and it got smashed so now I keep it non breakable and the dimmer helps as they like to fall asleep with the light on and we turn it off later in the evening. 

Rose in April Joseph Lamp

Storage:

Baskets, cabinets and bookcases, I have all of the above!  I use crates inside the wardrobes that are by Aykasa from The Kids Collection, the cabinet below is from Tribe and I have a small rattan bookcase that is from Bonton in Pairs. You cannot have enough storage! I have baskets from Ikea, fabric storage from Nobodinoz: it all is used and super handy for keeping everything from toys to hair ties in place. I ways go one stage further and use my label maker to keep it in order (yes I am that person).

Cabinet from Tribe, small suitcase Olliella and fruit baskets Ferm Living

I will be creating a wish list for kids on my next blog with all the items I am coveting for the littles. 

All images copyright to the owners created

My wishlist mood board part 2

I thought I would do a follow up with my most recent mood board that I am working my way through! Some pieces I have already purchased, others I am working towards. I am always tempted to look at the highstreet for the 'inspired' items that are similar to the high end however, a lot of these pieces are classics, limited editions or re-issued from the 50s,60s and beyond. It is an investment in something that I will keep (hopefully) for a long time. So my mantra is 'buy well, not cheap' - that doesn't mean blow all your money. Just buy the best you can afford. 

Click the pink link below to take you directly to the item:

Top left to right:

Grey & black chair: Trento chair available at Soul & Tables

Pedestal side table: Lato from &Tradition - available at Designitch

Palm Beach book: Assouline available at The Bowery Company

Black dining table: Fritz Hansen 'Caramite' (limited edition re-issue)

Brown portable lamp: &tradition available at Finnish Design Shop

Middle left to right:

Square coffee table: from &Tradition - Fly table available at Designitch

large floor mirror: 'Sienna' Custom No.9

Small black portable lamp: Hay design available at Finnish Design Shop

Curved desk lamp:  Fritz Hansen 'Kaiser Idell' available at Designitch

Wooden vases: Bound No.82

Black large bowl: Pottery Barn

Black Bird: Norman Copenhagen 'shorebird' available at Skandium

Painting:  Aure available at The Poster Club

Bottom left to right:

Lady statue: Vera at Abigail Adhern

Sand bowl: 101CPH available at The Bowery Company

Black and wicker chair: Wood Culture

Gourd baskets: Bound No.82

Wall Light: DCW éditions - Mantis wall light available at Finnish Design Shop

This is my round up of all the lovely things I am LOVING right now. Some pieces I am lucky enough to own, others I have clients whom adore this style and I get to work with them and others I am working towards owning! 

All Images copyright to the designer. Other stores stock these items, these are just who I would choose to buy them through.