Shea McGee interview for The National

Shea McGee of ‘Dream Home Makeover’ says storage is key in well-designed homes

Published 9 June 2021 

Available to read online on The National News website. 

    

The Kids room Covered

I am a sucker for a well designed and aesthetically pleasing children's room. I am a marketers dream: send me an image of a great looking piece of kit and I am handing over the cash. I thought I would put together what I am coveting right now in one easy mood board with all the links underneath. 

Top left to right:

Wood play gym: Ebarza

Rattan crown: Tribe Dubai

Woven lions head: Martin & Ella

RuPaul book: The Book Depository

Lion Cushion: Nobodinoz @ Smallable

2nd line left to right:

Stripe towel: Liewood @ Marmarland

Magic banner: Seb & Charlie

Pink sheets: Swedish Linens @ Martin & Ella

Shell baseball cap: Liewood @ Marmarland

Hanging swing: Tiipii @ Tribe Dubai

Bottom line left to right:

Pink scooter: Birdie Kids @ Elli Junior

Kids rainbow poster: StudioLoco @Martin & Ella

Wooden mushrooms: Moon Picnic @ The Kids Collection

Wooden market cart: Hearth & Hand @ Target

Bunny lamp: Rose in April @ Bobby Rabbit

Giant octopus stuffed toy: Bigstuffed @ Smallable

Pink bike: Banwood @ Elli Junior

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

Designer Focus: Ferm Living

A brand that started with just one wallpaper and now caters to your entire home and all your children's needs: ferm LIVING was established in 2005 in Denmark. Created by Trine Andersen after being unable to find a wallpaper that she liked for her child's room, she designed 10 styles booked a trade show and the rest is history! Ferm Living was born and is now stocked around the world. 

"Our biggest ambition is, and has always been, to inspire people to create the kind of space that makes them feel comfortable, that allows them to be themselves in their own home."

With the new Boutique and Showroom in the centre of Copenhagen you can see all the products for yourself, book appointments and have one-on-ones with the creative staff.  You can take it one step further in their Material Library where you can see all the samples and a 3D printed model of what your items would look like. Even though based in Copenhagen they are truly global, creating jobs for artisans around the world while fusing in that Scandinavian design and colour palette. 

"With in depth knowledge and skill, every single ferm LIVING product is made by the dedicated craftsmen with whom we work closely."

Sustainability is at the core of everything ferm LIVING does, with a conscious effort to be green and limit waste while not compromising on aesthetics and design. 20% of the products produced are made with sustainable products, with an ambition to grow this % year on year. 

"We believe that investing in sustainable, responsible practices should also be good business. We’re designing not only for today, but for the future, where sustainable action will become even more vital."

A high end Scandinavian brand with an ethical conscious that produces some of the most iconic interior pieces in homes today. Ferm LIVING and ferm KIDS produce stylish, design orientated items to enhance your space and 'balance the contrasts of life'.

My Top picks:

Ceramic Basket - Medium  

Meridian Table Lamp

  Plant Box Two-Tier

You can buy Ferm LIVING from the following retailers in the UAE:

The Bowery Company

Marmarland

Design-itch

You can follow Ferm LIVING, Ferm LIVING boutique and Ferm LIVING KIDS on instagram

All images are ©ferm LIVING

My Top Five Retailers: Kids Interiors and Toys

Every month I will be writing a top five round up of retailers that I think are great. I am now based in the UAE - and will include local and some stores that offer international shipping with a focus on small independent businesses. 

August is all about the kids, I have covered play kitchens, a great brand and an interior designer...now its my top pick retailers that offer cracking products for your littles. 

Smallable

A complete family store founded in 2008 in Paris, Smallable offers all the top designers for children, adults and your home. This incredibly chic online boutique delivers to 200 countries worldwide, including the UAE (winning)! If you ever find yourself in Paris they have a gorgeous store for you to view before you buy. A great excuse for a trip to Bonne Paris I would say. 

Visit their website here.

Marmarland

This Dubai company is online and has a physical store in Nakheel mall. A great selection of trend driven brands such as Bobo Choses and Liewood - there is interiors, toys, clothing and more. If you are looking for something from a cool European brand then you are sure to find it here. 

Visit their website here. 

The Kids Collection

If you love Maileg, great looking books, and funky board games then this is the shop for you! Based in Dubai this family run business is only a year old and is all about finding fun and interesting products that look great, are ethical and well made. 

Visit their website here.  

This Modern Life

A great British business that ships internationally. Family run, and their instagram is a blend of products and family life. A really mixture of interiors and toys - all suitable for the modern life (funnily enough). I love their wallpaper, and of course their crates - They have a fantastic app to build the colours and see how they look together. How clever is that?!

Visit their website here.

Martin & Ella

I have a few things in my basket waiting to purchase from this Dubai based store. A high end designer feel, with European brands and luxe interiors that make you want to buy right away! Gorgeous earthy tones, textures and fabrics. There is bedding, wall hangings and toys to select you are sure to love it all. 

Visit their website here. 

There are lots of children websites that offer international shipping, but these are the ones I personally buy from and think are fantastic. Go on...treat yourself (I mean your littles) 

All images are from the named stores instagram accounts.

Designer Focus: OYOY LIVING DESIGN

OYOY Mini has been a firm favourite of mine for kids products for years. I personally have a few of their amazing pieces and wanted to show you what they have to offer. Founded in 2012 by Danish designer Lotte Fynboe the brand offers a mixture of classic Danish design and fun, quirky dream like pieces that not only look stylish but have a practical use. 

THE NAME AND BRAND OYOY // The name is inspired by the OY letters, which since 1929 have been the signature on all Danish airplanes. Regardless of where in the world the planes may be located, the sense of belonging to Denmark is significant. At OYOY Living Design we are also proud of our roots and the letters OY are to indicate our Danish heritage.

From oyoylivingdesign.com

The great thing about OYOY is that even though the Mini collection is for the little people in your life, the whole concept is to offer an aesthetically beautiful and functional piece that can be used in any area of the home and not look out of place. For example their new Arca furniture range offers a children's chair/stool that can also be used as a side table in a bedroom. These clever designs make OYOY so versatile. 

Their rainbow wall hanging is one piece that has done the rounds on instagram for a few years now, I am guilty of owning one too. The muted colours, rough texture and grand size fit with the current movement in ethical and super stylish interiors for children. Gone are the days of pink plastic for girls and blue everything for boys. This Danish brand has got miniature rattan sets for kids, characters that are in gorgeous earthy tones and not your glittery nonsense seen too often as an offering for children's rooms. 

I own a few pieces from OYOY, and you will see them dotted about on my instagram page. Here are my top pieces on my personal 'gotta have it list':

The mushroom storage

What is cuter than a themed wicker basket? Nothing!!! Super cute design, large storage space and practical for toys, linen, shoes you name it! Part of their AW 2020 collection and coming to a store near you soon! 

The lion rug

Well this design has been around for a while and is still on my wish list. Great for adding a pop of colour and is gender neutral for those that don't know what they are having yet. A smily Lion that can convert a room from drab to fab, ideal for a playroom or bedroom.  A super soft floor covering for a reading nook or between twin beds. 

Inka mini

With the popularity of the ceramic Inka collection for us adults, OYOY cleverly created a silicon version that is so stylish you could eat from it yourself! Great colours, no breakages and an ideal gift: winner. 

See the full collection on OYOY Living Design's website.

OYOY can be purchased from a number of retailers online and in store. A full list of suppliers can be found on the OYOY website. 

All images are from the OYOY website. 

Top five play kitchens for your littles

I love how kids toys have become such stylish pieces for your little persons space and one of the key items for a playroom design is a pretend kitchen. I have picked my top five play kitchens for your little ones to enjoy making cookies and pies and they look good too, no plastic fantastic here!

Retro Kitchen Collection - Pottery Barn Kids

Retro Kitchen

This 50's style kitchen gives me all the feels! I LOVE it, the units are all separate so you can divide the cost of the set amongst friends and family if you are going for the full look. If your space is tight then just opt for the cooker or sink unit - utter flexibility. A retro feel, very substantial and not gender specific which is also great as too many are pink and frilly. 

Available from Pottery Barn

Mamamemo Kitchen Sink Toy at Centrepoint

Tabletop kitchen

This is a great little unit if you are short on space; maybe you need something to take to a friends house  or have at the grandparents when you come for a visit. A simple and sleek design that can go under the bed or in the cupboard when it's tidy up time. Space saving and a fun toy while looking great...yes please! 

Available from Centrepoint

Sebra at Marmarland

Stylish Kitchen

I actually have this unit in an older colour way so I am slightly biased when I say it is super stylish and looks great in the playroom. Easy to assemble, makes a statement with the curved wood and its Mid-Century style legs. A great piece for adding a 'designer' feel to the room, plus they reissue this design in a new colour-way each season so it deffo stands the test of time! 

Sebra kitchen unit available from Marmarland

Ikea Duktig kitchen : Ikea Hack kitchen images from Pinterest

A classic 

This list would not be complete without the classic Ikea kitchen. Seen on Pinterest with many hacks, ideas and upgrades this unit is affordable with that classic Scandi style charm. Keep it as it is or go to town turning it into a work of art with paint, tiles and even rattan inserts. A great simple kitchen that will last the test of time. 

Available from Ikea 

Check out Pinterest from up-cycle ideas

The mini kitchen from Kids Concept

The mini kitchen

This cracking little mini kitchen from Kids Concept is foldable so can be collapsed down with the pots and tools stored inside. It makes taking it anywhere easy-peezy; another great one if you are traveling or want to keep it in your car for trips to grandparents. A super cute retro design and a neutral colour palette make this mini kitchen ideal for any playroom decor. It also comes with the accessories pictured so it is complete and ready to use the moment it arrives. A great gift, perfect compact size and you get a lot for the money!

Available for international shipping with Smallable.