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Project Focus: Uptown Eclectic Kids’ Playroom

By: Jessica Iwaniec
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Uptown Eclectic - Pembrooke & Ives - Eclectic double desk office space with artistic wallpaper,...
Uptown Eclectic, Photography by Genevieve Garruppo

Design Context

The project is located on New York Citys Upper East Side. When it came to their design choices, the client was bold and adventurous, wanting to incorporate strong colors, textures and patterns into their home. The kids playroom took this directive to become a space for fun and whimsy.

 

Inspiration

We considered how young children tend to play on the floor. For this reason, we didn’t crowd the space with furniture, but instead focused on an open floor plan. We layered the rugs, as we’ve done in other areas throughout the home, to add texture all while making sure the space was play-friendly and comfortable. We also upholstered the desk chairs in plush fabrics to ensure maximum comfort. 

Uptown Eclectic - Pembrooke & Ives - Eclectic double desk office space with artistic wallpaper,...
Uptown Eclectic, Photography by Genevieve Garruppo

DESIGN Challenges

The goal was to balance sophistication with comfort and something that felt kid-friendly. Additionally, the space needed to have flexibility built into it so that when the children no longer share a room, this space can transform into an additional bedroom. The desk with floating shelves was designed to be timeless as the space around it evolves over time.

 

Design Outcome

The client didn’t want the room to feel overpowered by furniture. To make the playroom feel like there was ample space, we utilized the walls and ceilings to incorporate fun design elements. 

The feature chandelier, though sophisticated and modern, is a playful silhouette. The wallpaper by Gracie Studio offers an inspiring adventurous pattern with whimsy and movement that doesn’t speak to a particular age group but instead can continue to be enjoyed as the children grow up.  

Designing Playrooms

We aim to create designs that are timeless and have longevity built into them, so it is better not to fall for trends which tend to date quickly. It is the celebration of a child’s nature to play and explore that is a value here to stay, and creating spaces that encourage comfort and creativity to do so.

There tends to be a desire to create a kids’ space that transitions its focus from child to teenager easily. We are able to achieve this by keeping the space sophisticated in its architectural elements and using child-friendly items, like furniture and carpeting, that can be changed easily or repurposed over time.  

 

Explore the Uptown Eclectic project.


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