Name: Lulu (2)
Location: Santa Monica, CA (Ocean Park)
Room Size: 11' x 11'
Souris Hong-Porretta's home is infused with personality, art and a sense of time and place. Her daughter Lulu's room is no different. It's charmingly hip and playful and mature enough to last for years (take out the crib and this room can take Lulu through her teen years). Souris has covered the walls in art (both framed and...in the form of skateboards) - grouping them so harmoniously I'd say is an art in itself.
What was your inspiration in designing this room?
We live in a beachside community called Dogtown; made famous by its influential surf and skate roots and wanted to honor our neighborhood by creating an environment that echoed the outdoors and our community, indoors.
We love art, so it was important for that to be reflected in Lulu's room as well. Our incredibly talented creative cabal gifted her daydream-worthy work that became the foundation of the room.
What was your biggest challenge?
Hanging all the art on the main wall made me crazy because I'm an instant gratification kind-of-person and wanted to see the project done in a day. It took about a year from beginning to end, as we properly framed pieces that trickled in from friends.
I wondered whether the wall was going to be too busy or too much. And how everything was going to look together. With slow planning, a lot of patience, measuring tape, leveler, ladder, hammer and nails, we filled the wall with Tetris-like precision. I'm stoked with the outcome.
What is your favorite part of the room?
It would be obvious to say, the big "oh-wow" wall of art. But the truth is, I really love the 12.5 foot vaulted ceiling with hanging mobiles, kamifusen, Jeff Koons'ish inflatable toys, and dream catchers. I love that these pieces move and make the room feel alive and warm.
What is your proudest DIY project?
We turned the storage boxes in the shelving unit into art canvases for Lulu. She naturally took to drawing on them and when her scribbles get too crazy, we turn the box around so she has a clean workspace to draw on again. While this didn't take any real DIY effort on our part, we were able to make Lulu's storage unit work double duty as a fun activity center too.
I like that we redefined traditional toys (inflatable toys and paper balloons) into something else purposeful. Some of the mobile art wasn't meant for the ceiling, but works well hanging from there.
Do you have any advice for other parents who are just starting on the nursery design process?
It's important that the nursery is functional and not too precious. We chose to fill Lulu's room with items she can grow with and convert as needed.
I recommend mixing high and low for the furniture and mixing adult with kid-friendly art. Pretty much all the artwork Lulu has now can grow with her, for decades to come. And lastly, don't be afraid of color -- lots of it!
SOURCE LIST:
ART
• Adam Wallacavage "Alyona"
• Adrian Tomine "Shortcomings"
•Albert Reyes "She's Gone"
• Alexander Girard "Love Heart" panel
•Amanda Vissell "We Are All Kings"
• Christy Thomas Untitled "Kittens"
• Dave Kinsey "Headspace"
• Deanne Cheuk "Mushroom Girls Virus"
• Edwin Ushiro Untitled "Lizard Man"
• Enjoi Jerry Hsu Cat Collage
• Gary Baseman "Giggle and Pop!" Serigraph
• Gary Baseman "Hint Mint"
• Gary Baseman "La Noche De La Fusion" Letter Press Poster
• Gary Baseman "Lulu"
• Gary Baseman "Pink HotChaChaCha"
• Geoff McFetridge "Fang Frame Pack"
• Hanna-Barbera Studio "Wilma Flinstone" Cel
• James Mattison "A B Sea"
• Jane Mount "Ideal Bookshelf 1, JMM"
• Jim Houser "Stormfront"
• Kozyndan "Atari Godzuki"
• Kozyndan "Fishy Greetings"
• Little Ballerinas (Gift from Souris' Childhood)
• LostArt Untitled "Boy" Photograph
• Mike + Doug Starn "alleverythingthatisyou sno7.1_003"
• Nikki McClure "Surrender"
• Os Gemeos Nike Brazil Invitation
• Paper Culture "Counting Sea Creatures 1 - 9"
• Penny People 13 x 19 Alphabet Print
• Punta Cometa Print (Gift from Mexico)
• Rostarr "Mothers Milk (5,4,3,2,1)"
• Ryan McGinness "Growing Handplants" Skateboard
• Ryan McGinness "Pathetic Lucky Ryan Charms of the Hipster Doofus"
• Sharon Rubin Untitled "Sand Wave"
• Super Rural "For Like Ever"
• Tiffany Bozic "Key"
• Todd St. John "Wave Fade"
• Tony Hawk's Birdhouse Skateboard
• Uglydolls (Handsewn by Sun-Min)
• Uglydolls x Giant Robot - Uglycon II Skate Deck
LIGHTING
• Buddha Buddha Love Light
• Pigeon Light by Ed Carpenter for Thorsten van Elten
• Sticky Lamp by Chris Kabel for Droog
• Sun Jar by Tobias Wong for Suck UK
•The Panto Beam by Verner Panton
DECORATIVE ITEMS
• Flensted Mobile Cheese Mice
• Flensted Mobile Shoal of Fish
• Flor Metadoodle (Sassy Silver) Carpet Tiles
• George Nelson Omar the Owl Clock for Vitra
• Hysteric Glamour Pillow
• "Jeff Koons" inflatable toys
• Kamifusen
• KleinReid vase
• Les Dames (Gift from France)
OTHER
• Lourdes Sanchez Coral Pillow
• Lourdes Sanchez Whales Pillow
• Momeni Lil Mo Hipster in Surf
• Mongolian Dream Catcher (Gift from Mongolia)
• Native American Dream Catcher (Gift from Arizona)
• Tokion x Bathing Ape Pillow
• Upper Playground Joystick Pillow
FURNITURE
• DwellStudio Storage Bins
• Eames Elephant
• Eames Molded Plywood Children's Chair
• Ecotot Book Shelf
• Educo Gourmet Chef Kitchen
• Ikea Expedit Shelving Unit
• Itso Full Size Fabric Bin
• Kalon Studios Hut-Hut Resin Rocker
• Kalon Studios Stump
• Oeuf Sparrow Crib
Thanks Souris and Lulu! Readers, visit them at Tiny Iron Fists ("Because little ones rule.")
(Images: Souris Hong-Porretta)
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The wall of art is phenomenal! It's an aesthetic way to encourage Lulu's creativity. Way to go Mom!
Sorry but first thing I see is bewbs. Very cool though.
Whoa, what is going on with the psychedelic naked lady pillow in the corner?
I kinda like the fact that they naked lady is there. It'll teach her to be comfortable with her body and sexuality (hopefully).
You mean the same kind of boobs that probably fed her? Eek! Run away! Awesome room!
@POETALL - they probably aren't nearly as awesome as those shown but without photographic evidence we will never know.
Lulu is SO cute!! She is definitely the cutest little thing in her room -and her room is really cute!! Love the idea of all that artwork! What a wonderful way to grow up!
I am an artist, there's nothing wrong with the "boobs" in Lulu's room, this room is awesome.
I take both my kids to the museum all the time... but OMG there are sculptures and paintings of the human body and they have boobs and penis showing OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!
Lulu is adorable and so is her room but what's with all of these Nursery tours. Did I miss something? Why aren't they on AT's kid-focused site. Have the two sites merged? How many nursery tours must we endure? (she says knowing perfectly well that she doesn't have to click on them).
woah, cool kids room! i am in love with that rug!
I want her room and I'm in my 30's! So cool.
Seriously impressive art collection! And it's great to read about another little Lulu- ours is 10 months.
its a little much for a little girls room. it almost looks like a teenage boys room!
Great art Love it. While it may be appropriate as she ages, I can't imagine that would actually happen. Good that mom does it now before LuLu gets her own ideas.
Rug source?
Probably my favorite AT kids room ever. I love its originality -- this is no cookie-cutter room! -- and how it encourages imagination and play. Plus, it's really a room Lulu can grow with - instead of outgrow. Lucky girl.
while the room does have amazing art, it seems like it would be hard to relax and sleep in. and while i am not opposed to nude art(we have several pieces in our house) something about that pillow does seem weird for a child's room.
@jhonas - I recognized the rug as it was one I had considered for my son's nursery.
http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/531-hipster-tidal-wave-round-rug.html
I agree that this room is awesome and not too precious design wise, but it seems like it's so full of all the awesome things we collect through the years that there will never be room for Lulu to add her own stuff.
Also, I have no problem with boobs in art (my baby has this hanging in his room: http://www.buyolympia.com/q/Item=nm35-examine-the-food-chain ) The pillow is disturbing to me and others because it totally has a soft-core vibe going -- not a fine art vibe.
I had to go back through to even see the pillow in question because I was a little freaked out by the Kewpie doll picture. :shudder:
Hey, as long as Lulu and Lulu's mom and dad like it, more power to you. Some fabulous pieces in there and Lulu's personality is definitely coming through too. Cute kid. :)
I really love this room, but I don't think it is apropriate for a bedroom. Maybe a playroom! There is just too much stimulation in a place meant for sleep. And the pillow is kind of "porny"... but whatever. A body is a body.
Great pieces just not all together for my taste. I also agree with another poster..with so many art pieces where will her pieces go? Kids are collectors...mini hoarders. I gotta say he cape rocks! I does have a teen rockin teen vibe. I'd be curious what her actual teen room will look like 14 years from now. I bet it will be out of this world!
This is the coolest room ever. Her parents are surely the coolest too. Lulu will be a well adjusted, intelligent, confident and open minded girl.
Thanks K-Rog.
Amazing. What a lucky girl!
Cute room for the parent. But for the child, there is no restful space. Way too much visual stimulation in every corner. It doesn't seem fair.
That corner! I adore it all, books/art/trinkets. Adopt me.
Love the artwork. Great idea to put it altogether in your child's room.
I think this is a cute room, but it also seems a bit frenetic to me, at the same time as being fun for the little one who lives here. I'd like to see more functional surface space where she can do her coloring and stuff, but it seems like every square inch has something on it.
Other than that, I like all the color and I think it's probably a stimulating and cool place for a kid to grow up.
Those who are bothered by female breasts as depicted in the pillow might want to try to grow up a bit.
WOW! Thanks all for your comments!
I am a scientist who works in the creative industry. Lulu's father is an artist. We like to keep an open mind about what a girl's room is supposed to look and feel like. Cultural differences -- that's cool, we're both foreign born ourselves and take a different view point on boobs or art. The room reflects our community, Dogtown. And our community is important to our family.
We aspire to raise a creative and open-minded daughter and while the aesthetics of Lulu's room may not be for you, she plays a part in where things go and it works for us. I can also assure the worriers that Lulu has no problem resting, playing, or sleeping in the space.
Lastly, I created a source board for those who've asked about where to find the rug, etc: http://pinterest.com/souris/lulu-s-bedroom/
Best of luck building your own rooms and thanks again for your input, it's lovely to meet you all!
This room is a super punch of love! Lulu is ADORABLE! And regarding the topless pillow... I totally approve!
So many comments about this nude pillow I simply had to go check it out. The pillow did not in the least bit bother me and why would it? The parents like it that's pretty much all that matters. Love the room and the artwork! Lil Lulu is adorable! Thanks for sharing!
This is amazing. I hope to have something similar for my son once we move. Such a fun, inspirational space. And such open views. I love that these people are encouraging their daughter to be open-minded!! Heck, I would love to live in a room like this, haha! :)