Growing Families, Evolving Spaces
Many decisions, much fatigue
I recently met a family for a consultation in their new home, where they are raising a toddler, a pup, and will soon welcome their second human child. As we entered what will become the post-nursery bedroom (first for big brother and eventually for both brothers), my thoughtful client revealed a hang-up that keeps her mind spinning. She expressed, “I just don’t know what to do about beds…some people say that I should get a full size bed, so that it’s easier to rest beside my child when he needs nighttime support. But I think I’d like two twin beds so the boys can each have their own, and maybe I could just rest in the other twin bed while it’s empty.”
I responded with a little insight into my own home. I shared that my 4-year-old has had several different bed setups so far (including a toddler bed, a twin floor bed, and a lofted bed we took down once we became uncomfortable with baby sister climbing up and running on it far sooner than we’d anticipated)… What’s worked best for our family in the ever-evolving stages of infancy, toddlerhood, and sisterhood has looked quite different from one phase to the next. So we’ve embraced finding low-cost, temporary solutions for the bed — without ever sacrificing a cohesive, complete look. We can both 1) design a look that’ll age well and source furnishings to boot, and 2) embrace the possibility that small changes might make the most of our evolving spaces over time. The very best design for a space is one that looks good and feels good. Beauty and function, hand in hand.
Permission to evolve as you grow
So, my advice for my client’s decision-fatigue dilemma? Think of it as a short-term decision. Choose whatever bed best suits your needs in this phase of life, and change it whenever you wish! You might consider a low-investment option, such as finding a secondhand bedframe that suits the design. Or there might be a multi-functional/modular solution that could tackle more phases than one, such as a twin trundle bed. What works best for one family might not look the same as what works best for another family. (Or, heck, for the same child one year from now!) Sometimes you simply can’t predict what needs are around the corner, or how much of a fearless monkey the new little human might be! Permission to change your mind and your home: Granted.
The very best design for a space is one that looks good and feels good. Beauty and function, hand in hand.
A solid start
When you have a complete, cohesive design plan in place, making small changes over time becomes more manageable (and enjoyable!). We’re not after permanence when it comes to the interiors of living, breathing family homes. Instead, it’s my goal to provide my clients with a complete, cohesive look and to empower my clients to use their designer-curated plans as a launch-pad throughout all the phases of life to come.
This is one of the things I love most about my business structure: I provide you with your complete set of design deliverables, so that you can use it as guide from this point forward. Use your design concept as reference for colors, patterns, textures, silhouettes, and finishes when you pull together your new reading nook. Thinking of expanding your modular sofa? Use your floor plan to consider the space, flow of traffic, and suitable dimensions.
When you have a complete, cohesive design plan in place as a baseline, it becomes easier to make simple changes necessary as you go about your lives. And don’t fret — any time you wish for more direct support with your changing needs over time, I’m only a click away!
