TODDLER HQ

I loved working on this project because it reminded me of my childhood. Growing up, my sister and I would bounce back and forth between two rooms. We’d either have our own rooms or we would share a room and create a playroom in the second room that we would call our clubhouse. In the same hall of those two rooms, we had a shared bathroom just for us and at the end of the hall, there was a door so it was almost like our private headquarters. Well we recently had the opportunity to recreate my childhood on a project we called Toddler HQ. We were mandated to design a shared bedroom for a little boy and girl, along with an adjacent playroom and their very own bathroom. The little girl was transitioning from her crib into a big girl bed, so their parents thought it would be the perfect opportunity to give them a space that they can call their own.

Our goal in the bedroom was to create a gender neutral space that served one purpose; a restful sleep. Based on my experience working with a sleep trainer for my own little ones, I know that this meant a room with very little distractions. A soft palette that’s not drowning in toys and stuffed animals with a disco ball light fixture hanging in the middle. White was the way to go! Our one accent became the wallpaper selected that the children can lose themselves in while dozing off.

The curtain panels were selected in white as well for two reasons, the first is because it was a backdrop for the beds, we did not want to draw attention to the panels and if the kid’s ever decide to split rooms again, the white window coverings are neutral enough for them to do so. No pattern means that they will age gracefully and would work for both a toddler and a pre-teen.

We missed photographing the playroom because, as every parent knows, toddler toys kind of took over the design. In hindsight, it may have been a good thing to capture but in the moment as organized as it was, a little overwhelming with all of the colours of toys.

The bathroom on the other hand was simply serene. We definitely wanted a playful element given it was a kid’s bathroom, but again, something that they can grow into. The penny tiles selected were installed in alternating grey and white horizontal stripes. The large 48” diameter mirror installed above the vanity really opened up the room and added another fun form.

I can attest from past experience that these kids are going to have a blast growing up in their new headquarters!