Kids: Unknown; foster kids expected any day, one or sibling pair ages newborn - 5 years
Location: Nashville, TN
Room Size: 10' x 11'
Martina and her husband Jason were in a unique position when designing the kids' room for their house. They still don't know how many, what gender, and what ages the children they foster will be. While they've had two calls already for placement that haven't come through, they are anxiously anticipating opening their home to some kids who desperately need a loving space of their own--any day now.
Many people have asked the couple whether their decision to foster children is a result of a struggle with infertility. While they haven't yet gotten pregnant, applying to be foster parents was more of a passion with them, rather than a compromise. They feel compelled to help children who are in need of a home, whether or not they currently have biological children of their own.
Taking in foster children, though, presents some difficulties in room planning. The room needs to be ready on a moment's notice, so it must be prepared before the parents know the age(s) and gender(s) of the children. Martina and Jason met the challenge head-on, though, designing a unisex room appropriate for kids ages newborn to 5 years.
Martina's love for a mid-century modern aesthetic led to an eclectic and beautiful room with lots of unique features. The only theme that ties it all together is the aesthetic and a desire for a comfortable, happy place for kids to live.
We asked Martina, graphic designer and writer of My Mid-Century Modern Life, about the process of designing a special room with her husband Jason for their foster children.
How would you describe the look and feel of this room?
Colorful, fun and eclectic. There is a loose color palette of blues and greens but no theme. It's a mix of new, vintage and handmade -- just like the rest of our mid-century modern ranch.
What is your favorite piece or element?
I had been drooling over the blue SOMNAT crib from IKEA for a year before buying it but it hasn't turned out to be my favorite element. I love the little green nightstand. Refinishing it was a labor of love for my kids. Also, the blue guitar is very sentimental. Originally belonging to Jason's mom, it was the guitar he learned to play with and he's now a professional guitarist. He doesn't like displaying it but I think it's great!
What was the biggest challenge in decorating this room?
Creating a place that is fun, soothing and functional for two kids, either gender, with a 5 year age span in 110 square feet. How's that for a challenge! Jason and I love living in a modest size house because it pushes us to be creative with space planning and only keep things we love or use.
What was the best design victory for this bedroom?
Coming up with a solution for an area rug that's machine washable!
Do you have any advice for foster parents preparing a bedroom for kids?
Versatility. Flexibility. Creativity. A kids room should be fun and inspiring but with limited square footage everything needs to have a function, and the more functions, the better. For example, a dresser than can be used as a changing table, a crib that converts to a toddler bed, a twin bed that can be flipped into a loft or bunk.
What suggestions would you make for parents designing a unisex shared room?
Generally avoiding pink and purple seems to be the only restriction for not making a kids' room feel too girly. Let the kids' personal items like a favorite doll or firetruck give their space an identity. And just like with any kids' room, smart storage for toys is essential!
Resources
• IKEA Somnat Crib
• IKEA Ribba Wall Picture Ledges
• IKEA Kura Reversible Bed
• Rug: IKEA Toftbo Bath Rugs
• Petit Collage Animal Alphabet print
• Target twin sheets, lamp shade, curtain (shower curtain repurposed for window)
• Vintage and thrifted nightstand, full length mirror, crib bedding, xylophone, GeeWiz game, yellow lamp, reading chair
• Handmade mobile and throw pillow (by Martina), quilt (wedding gift from a friend)
• MOMA Color Wheel Clock
• French Paper Pop-Tone Monkey poster
• Paint: Sherwin Williams' "Ellie Gray"
Thanks, Martina! Read more about Martina and find out when their foster kids arrive at My Mid-Century Modern Life.
(Images: Martina/My Mid-Century Modern Life)
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beautiful room! those kids will feel right at home. great job and thanks for being foster parents!
As a state worker who works with foster parents and children, I am THRILLED to see this post. The world needs more foster parents like Martina and Jason -- people inspired by passion and care. What a beautiful room and what inspirational soon-to-be parents.
gender neutral but still cheerful and fun...great job :)
Good luck to you both, this is a very cool room.
Aww, what a delightful room?! Whoever these kids are, they will be lucky to have you in their lives. As a former caseworker, this kinda chokes me up. The world definitely needs more people like you guys!
Great post - very inspirational. I love that you are so excited to be foster parents - arbequina has it right above - the world needs more people like you! You will help make a difficult transition much easier! The room is GREAT!
TERRIFIC!!! your kids are going to LOVE it!!!! :)
Awesome post! & Perfect room!
Yay! I love this room and the whole story behind it.
What a great room! You have some lucky children coming your way. Congratulations in advance.
Awesome room. We adopted via foster care and it is a great first choice way to start a family. :)
This room is a happy and love-filled place. Hope the placement goes well. Lucky kids.
I still can't believe you don't have a placement yet. Any day now. I keep checking the blog.
I love this room. The colors, the fact that it has a lot of IKEA but you can't even tell, and also it's just so warm and welcoming for your future foster kids.
Love this so much! So proud of you guys, Martina and Jason!!!
there isn't anything i don't like about this room!
i wish you both luck and lots of happiness
Wonderful--so nice to see how warmly these children will be welcomed.
Speaking as the mom of four young kids, I have a couple of cautionary statements. #1, you might want to reconsider the guitar. It'll be hard for the kids to view it as merely wall art--they're going to want to play with it. And kids that age will end up breaking it. It's just kind of setting up an bad situation which is avoidable, IMO. #2, that monkey poster might scare them, I know to adults it just looks like a cool vintagey poster, but little kids can get freaked out by something that doesn't look warm and friendly, especially something with eyes. Just FWIW.
But I love the room aside from those minor details! It's gorgeous, and I wish you lots of luck with your little ones!
I'd like to get the Kura bed but don't want blue either. I see you've been able to change the color (looks great, btw) ... can you share how you did it? Thanks!
Thanks for all the kind words! We've had our first little kiddo with us for 5 days (a little girl about 1.5 years old) and she seems to love it all so far! And we love her! We feel very blessed to have this chance to love her, even if it's just for a short time.
@chana we did have another friend warn us about the guitar being a temptation and little girl has taken an interest in it (though it's too high for her to reach or get to on her own right now.) She seems to love the monkey poster. @prairiegirlindc I used white contact paper. Cheap, easy to clean. Works for me! It's a little opaque but that doesn't bother me.
What a perfect space! I love this room. Best wishes to you and your family.
This is awesome! We are slowly building a room for our future child/children- hoping to adopt 1 or 2 kids from foster care. It's been a challenge trying to plan for the unknown!
Thanks for sharing something a little less traditional OhDeeDoh, and congrats Martina & Jason on your first placement!
Heartwarming, all of it.
Love it!!! I too started this exact journey two years ago and have since fostered 5 beautiful boys!! My husband and I had more fun setting the rooms up and changing them as the ages did. I love you guys for fostering AND being so invested in those lucky children's bedroom!!! Well done you!!!
BTW, we are in the process of adopting our first placement!! So, good luck to you! It is a wonderful and difficult struggle, but the most amazing thing you'll ever do with your life!!
WOW this is awesome. Love every single bit of it - all of the thought, care, and time put into a special room for kids who desperately need to feel special. You will be great foster parents, indeed!
Applause all around. My husband and I are currently looking for a baby to adopt and have begun to prepare a room, but with a bit of guilt. It seems so strange to prepare for what is right now a hypothetical child. It seems like such a distant future. It is such an encouragement to see someone in the foster/adoption realm preparing ahead of time. Makes me feel not so crazy. Let's see more O.D.D.
This is absolutely beautiful, inviting room. What a fun yet peaceful place for children who desperately need a comfort zone. Thank you for being so generous with your home and your love!
I love this post. It is heartwarming and inspiring to read about people who are willing to open up their hearts and home to kids in need. And congrats on the little girl, she is blessed!
It's kind hearted people like you who make the world a better place, corny but true. What a lovely room and I'm sure any child would be happy to have parents like you.
Wow! This room is so special. I LOVE the shower curtains (we have one..on the shower!) as regular curtains. Wish I would have thought of that!
You are inspiring indeed. This room makes me go ahead and take on the challenge. Seems like any child would be happy in this, as it would tell them how they are really wanted.
A beautiful room from a couple who are going to be fantastic foster parents. Here's hoping you get a placement soon!
There is SO much to love about this room, but I do want to second Chana's concerns about the guitar (are you going to be okay if that family/sentimental piece gets broken?) and the monkey print. I'm an adult, yet I'd find it very difficult to be comfortable around that print: Creeps. Me. Out.
I am pretty sure my two boys (who happen to be adopted through foster care) would get a huge kick out of the monkey print. I like it & think lots of kids would. Plus, I am pretty sure if any kid said they were scared of it you would know how to handle it.
Personally I think all children's rooms should be gender-neutral, so I like that about this room.
Professionally (as a social worker) I think it's great that you've put so much thought and love into the room, and please make a little scrapbook for the child with photos and information about the time she was with you, as many foster children have no record of their lives when they were little.
Thank you soooo much for this post! My husband and I will be officially licensed for foster care in less than a month now, and we are in pretty much the exact same situation (infant to 5 years, and no kids of our own yet).
Thank you for the inspiration, this room is amazing!
Beautiful room! Absolutely perfect!
LOVE your design style! mid century modern is the best! such a happy place full of love!
this is a beautiful room! on the Kura bed, we have that and the panels can be blue or white depending on which way you flip them. We just flipped all ours to white.... so we didn't even need contact paper. Not sure if that has changed?
Love the room. But think the title should be different...imminent seems like a word with negative connotation and this room (and it's inhabitants) are ANYTHING but that! I like your style and love your willingness to share your love with kiddos that need it. I hope the space continues to help fulfill your foster child (and future children's) needs!
What perfect timing! I'm in foster parent training now and I have intentionally NOT decorated so that the children can help make the room their own, but this is so wonderful exactly as it is!
I am so inspired by what you are doing! I work in the court system and it makes me have hope to see people like you taking in children who need extra love and attention. Kudos! I really love the book shelves you used in the room...can you tell me where you purchased them? Thanks!!
I know this is an old post...but does anyone know the source of the fabric on the chair and pillow? Thanks!
I'm getting all choked up seeing this. Beautiful room and you two are amazing to opening your hearts and lives to children in need. Inspiring in so many ways.
I have a foster brother. We are all grown up now and he's one of my favorite people ever. Good luck to you and your family.
i love what they did cuz i remember them making the post about omg WHAT TO DO!!! a foster family i know went with a forest theme which totally worked, whimsy and manly. i loved it!
So beautiful! Great work!