Remember when mixing and matching patterns was considered a huge no-no? Well it’s time to throw out that philosophy and embrace mixed prints—especially when it comes to decorating! Incorporating lots of different patterns into a room scheme can be sophisticated, which is perfect for older kids, but it’s fun for the young ones as well.

The first thing to remember when mixing prints is to vary the size of the prints. For example, offset large horizontal stripes with smaller vertical ones, or with a small pattern like flowers. Too many large prints will be overwhelming, and they will clash instead of bring the room together. Similarly, too many different small prints will make the room seem busy and won’t be cohesive. Combine large and small, and although the room won’t be symmetrical, it will still be balanced.

Something else to keep in mind is the color scheme you’ll want to use. Using different colors with mixed prints can be done, but it’s important to make sure that they complement each other. If using large blue polka dots, find a smaller print that has hints of blue in it. They don’t have to match completely, but they shouldn’t look out of place next to each other.

Finally, make sure to balance the placement of prints in the room. Don’t concentrate all the prints in one area; utilize the place and spread them out throughout the room. Prints can be used in unexpected places, too, like on the walls and on rugs.

Following these easy guidelines will ensure that mixing prints looks modern and complementary, not tacky or mismatched. Play around with accessories and have fun!

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This season, the hottest trend both on the runway and off is color blocking. Mixing bright, contrasting colors may seem tricky to pull off in a room, but it is much easier than it looks. The most important rule is to embrace boldness, and don’t shy away from using lots of colors.

Color blocking in a room should feature large pieces of solid colors that contrast with each other. Wall paint can also be an integral part of color blocking; painting the wall blue and decorating with some green furniture or room décor can create the contrast that color blocking is loved for.

For beginners or those who don’t want too much color, a monochromatic color-blocking scheme might work best. This is the simplest way to incorporate color blocking into a room because, as its name implies, you only need to choose one vivid color. To incorporate this look into a room, start with a neutral background and decorate with solid splashes of colorful accessories all in the same hue. These touches can be pillows, curtains, wall hangings, and/or rugs.

However, color blocking with more than one color does not have to be flashy or overdone. In fact, the right colors paired together can look more sophisticated than having just one. Learning the color wheel is a great place to start when deciding which colors to use.

Using colors that are close to each other on the color wheel can create an effortless look while still maintaining the contrast that color blocking strives for. Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel should share the same undertones so that they complement each other without looking tacky.

Color blocking should be fun, and if that means breaking the rules, then so be it! Just remember to be creative and use the colors that you like—that’s what decorating is for!

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Susie Grant, Swankie Blankie

This week, we caught up with Susie Grant, founder of Swankie Blankie. Read on to see what she had to say!

Why did you decide to get into the children’s design business?

I decided to get into the children’s design business 11 1/2 years ago when my second daughter was just 3 months old.  After teaching for 9 years, I was looking to start a career that would enable me to stay home with my daughters.  I chose children’s design because I felt there was a real void in that area.

What is your favorite thing about selling room décor for kids?

I love the design aspect of the children’s world.  The decor in a child’s room allows them a personality as well and doesn’t necessarily have to flow with the theme of the rest of the home.

How are your products different from other kids designers’ products? 

I am constantly striving to be different.  Our mission is to find the newest, boldest fabric before it is saturated among other lines.  The colors I look for are so fresh and fun and the textures are amazingly soft and luxurious!  When we see one of our fabrics used by other designers, we know it is time for a change!!

What do you think is the most important aspect of designing for children? 

I learned from my own children, that from an early age, they start to develop there own personal taste for style.  It is so much fun to offer a product line that makes a statement and allows children to embrace the desire to stand out and be different.  I tell my own girls to not blend in, but “blend out”.  That is what we strive to achieve at Swankie Blankie.

What are the advantages of selling products only for children? 

Throughout the recession the last few years, we have found there to be a huge advantage to manufacturing children’s products.  When parents cut back on expenses, it seems they cut back on themselves first, still trying to provide for their children as they once have.  Luckily for us, people are still having babies and as long as we continue to see that happen, there will be a need for baby and children’s products!

Do you have a specific design aesthetic?

I really don’t know what I am going to do from year to year.  I try to look at the market trends while still attempting to produce things that are unusual and different.  Again, color and texture are so important in what I do, so I really just look to see what is available and go with it.  My daughters are 11 and 13 now, and are a huge influence on my design choices.  Both of them have a real eye for design, so some of the heat is taken off my shoulders!  They love to mix and match colors and textures and are great sounding boards for new designs and ideas.  Together, they have recently started their own business designing a line of fashionable headbands.  It is so fun to be able to work together with family to bring a fun, unique, high quality product to the market place!

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Decorating with a nautical theme will make any youngster dream of beaches and sailboats, no matter how cold the weather is outside. Nautical-themed rooms create a carefree environment, so they are perfect for children’s rooms. The perfect haven for a peaceful, relaxing snooze, a nautical room leaves drama and worries at the door. Luckily, transforming a bedroom into a seaside oasis doesn’t have to be a hassle either.

When choosing base and accent colors, keep in mind the child’s age. Babies and younger kids can get away with an all-blue-and-white nautical room, but for older children and teenagers, this can be overwhelming. For a subtler look, paint the walls white or neutral as a base color and stick to blues, reds and stripes for accents. For a nursery, blue walls can be calming and set a good base for white, red, and stripes for accents.

Once a color scheme has been decided, picking out the right accents is a breeze. Blue and white striped bedding pops against white or neutral walls, and these stripes can be matched to striped curtains or rugs as well. For blue walls, bedding with shapes like sailboats or seagulls will strengthen the nautical theme.

Pillows and wall art are a great way to add small touches of nautical in the room. Shades of blue, stripes, and even little touches of red will create a cohesive nautical theme.

Once you decide to take the plunge into a nautical-themed room, keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to go overboard, especially in a nursery. A kid’s room should be lighthearted and fun, so buying a few extra sailboat paintings won’t hurt. All that matters is making sure the room is kid-friendly and fun for your little one. And really, if they’re happy, it’s smooth sailing from there.

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Mike Shabtai, The Rug Market

This week, we caught up with Mike Shabtai, President of The Rug Market.

Why did you decide to get into the design business?

In the early 80s, I noticed that the rug business was missing that flare, and I had a vision to add something unique, but also desired by the consumers.

What is your favorite thing about selling room décor for kids?

Seeing the joy of the consumer or designer after a purchase because they found a product that they thought was not only suitable for their child’s room, but decorative as well. I also enjoy designing the products and seeing my ideas come to fruition once production is complete.

How are your products different from other designers’ products?

We truly focus on what the customer wants as well as what the market is missing. Most rug companies produce a product that is cheaply made and price driven. We remain dedicated to creativity and developing something that will be innovative. Our focus is the product not the sale.

What do you think is the most important aspect of designing for children?

Understanding what the buyer is looking for.

What are the advantages of selling products for children?

The children’s market has two factors that is significantly different from any market. The first is that parents traditionally spend more on their child than themselves. The second is baby/children tend to grow out of things from clothing, fashion, cribs, toys, etc… This equates to constant development of new products during their transition from baby to teen which enables a company the opportunity to grow.

Do you have a specific design aesthetic?

Not necessarily. I just get inspired by multi-facets in this industry and create designs from those ideas.

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