With a whole new array of recycled materials and non-toxic paints, earth-conscious children’s furniture & products have soared to a new level aesthetically. Many of my clients are young families, and they’re looking for something fun and fresh, and eco-friendly. Modern is also an “environmentally friendly mindset/lifestyle”, not just a look. I love to mix lots of accessories, vintage items, and modern pieces. It’s great to see what clients have, and often give things a new recycled life.

When it comes to decorating kid’s room for today’s modern eco-conscious family, here are a few of my favorite, easy decorating tips:

• Spend on staples: Invest in the best quality basics you can afford. Finely well-constructed pieces like beds, dressers, storage units and desks can be used for a lifetime so choose classic lines. Look for expandable and multi-use items –cribs that convert into beds, bookcases to desks, elongating legs on outgrown play tables, as a few examples. Many eco-friendly pieces are crafted from sustainable woods such as bamboo, birch and finished with water-based paints. While the wood gives pieces a traditional feel, the clean, architectural shapes and form keeps it modern. When you’re ready for a “new room”, you just simply have to change accessories, color schemes and/or fabrics and linens.

• Get Painting: This is your quickest, most dramatic, and least expensive design tool with the most impact. A fresh, new color on the walls, ceiling and furniture can completely change the feel of a space. Popular color trends are rich earth tones and vibrant jewel tones. Low-VOC or natural paint is the healthiest choices. Textured finishes add a fun design element. • Fabrics/Bedding - Organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and natural wool are several green options for fabrics and mattresses. Simple, geometric, and slightly funky/retro are favorite pattern choices for today’s children’s rooms.

• Flooring - Carpet tiles are an eco-friendly option, since they can be used as an area rug and the tiles can be individually cleaned when necessary. These are especially great in playrooms. If you prefer wall-to-wall carpet, go with one made of natural fibers such as wool, cotton, hemp or jute.

• Find your inner artist: If you can’t find the perfect piece of artwork, make it yourself. Find pictures of a modern piece you love and use the colors to make your own abstract pieces on large canvases and some acrylic paints. It’s not difficult to do.
If you want to go green you can start with little changes; recycle furniture or accent pieces around your house & give them a new life with color, trim, new knobs, etc. Think creatively! Think unexpected things in unexpected places! Think fun! Design with kids in mind…. And create “fabulousness, function & fun!"




DEBBIE HOBAR
Debbie Hobar, a modern mom of 2, is a designer and owner of The Velvet Frog, She is also a leading expert who has earned accolades for her polished-meets-practical design concepts for infant to teen living environments. www.thevelvetfrog.com and www.whatshot4kidsnow.com (703) 753-0474.