Before & After: A Playroom Even an Adult Could Love

I am swimming in projects over at the Teal & Lime house. My garage and my dining table are proof that I have lots of great projects in the works, but nothing quite ready to share yet. Instead, today I am going to share some amazing work of one of my clients.

Kersten asked me to create a custom mood board for her dedicated playroom.  Although, it is a kid-zone, Kersten wanted an attractive space since it is visible from most rooms on the main floor. She also wanted some staples in the space that could eventually transition to an office when the kids outgrow the playroom.

Here is the mood board I created for a sun-soaked playroom:

The after pictures are stunning. Kersten executed the spirit of the mood board perfectly. And, I might add, her interior photography is beautiful.

Here is what Kristen has to say about her online decorating experience:

When I got my mood boards, they were completely outside of my comfort zone.  Mixing the smoky blue with red — I was not so sure!  I went ahead and started my shopping.

Jackie, you were fantastic with which to work.  You listened to what I wanted, graciously answered a multitude of questions, and created a beautiful end product.  We have worked with designers in the past and quickly learned that a budget is a guideline that is meant to be forgotten.  (i.e. coming up with a plan that once you incorporate labor, tax, shipping, and fees is double the amount stated… it happened TWICE!)  You were extremely respectful of budgets – both time and money.  I value that to no end.

So many of your suggestions came together in a way I couldn’t see they would.  The custom artwork is beautiful and something we will treasure forever.  And the smoky blue… AMAZING!

My first priority in this space was toy storage. Just because it is a dedicated play space doesn’t mean it needs to be covered in toys. Two small bookshelves flanking the kitchen entrance provide plenty of storage.  The book shelves which hold most the clutter of the room are hiding just out of view when looking into the room from the kitchen.

Kersten wrote:

After putting the book cases together, I said to my husband, “We’ve lived here for 3 years and I never once thought of doing that!”  I love that when the toys are put away they are completely out of the sight lines from either adjoining room.

Every kid space needs adult seating. This is one thing I always recommend for hosting great play dates. For Kersten’s playroom I recommended two leather slipper chairs which are great for adults, but also easy seats for kids to get in and out of. The red drum table is the perfect spot for a few current reads or a place to set a drink.

Kersten was admittedly skeptical about the mix of red and smokey blue for the space. She loves neutral and red accents, but was unsure about the blue. With the right shades you can mix any colors together. In this case the soft smokey blue provides visual relief from the bold reds.

For kid-friendly seating, Kersten followed my tutorial to make easy, boxy floor cushions. Love the fabrics she chose.

Now, this a playroom even an adult could love!!! What used to be a kid-only zone, can now double as a sophisticated sitting room. The rug, bookshelves, and slipper chairs will all easily make the transition to an office space someday.

Note:  Out of respect to my clients, I share completed mood board designs and after images, but I do not share the source information.  I hope you find the mood boards and after pictures inspiring.

Have a space you need help with?

As you can see from Kersten’s room transformation, my mood boards are like a visual shopping list for your perfect room.  I take all the guesswork out, so you can do the fun part.  To get a jumpstart on your room, order a custom mood board.