10 Things That Make This 10-Year-Old’s Bedroom Cooler Than Yours

published May 9, 2016
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(Image credit: Submitted by Kathryn Hawkes )

It’s rare for a room to be calming and invigorating at the same time, but this bedroom is pulling off the feat. Busy patterns mix with lazy ones. Soft textures contrast with sleek surfaces. Sophistication meets playful. And it’s a bedroom that belongs to a 10-year-old girl!

This project came to us through our reader submission forms. An interior stylist and e-design enthusiast—Kathryn Hawkes—took this 10-year-old’s room to the next level. But it’s bursting with inspiring ideas that would look great in anyone’s bedroom.

(Image credit: Natelee Cocks )
(Image credit: Natelee Cocks )

From Kathryn:

The makeover was a surprise birthday gift for a sweet ten year old from her mum and dad. Mum sent me a video of the moment she revealed the room. Safe to say, it was one of those delightfully emotional moments. There were tears. The good kind. And for me, it was so rewarding to see the joy on her face.

Kelsey is approaching her teen years and her mum wanted to give her a room that would grow with her as she enters this next phase of adolescence. The brief was to create a space that was feminine and fresh without being too “girly.” Pink was on the wish list but it had to be in small doses, so we decided to contrast blush and dusty pink tones with shades of grey and black.

(Image credit: Natelee Cocks )
(Image credit: Natelee Cocks )
pièce de résistance in this room is the black spotted wallpaper from
Chasing Paper—a favourite new find. A few gold accents added in here and there gives the room a sophisticated and more grown up feel.


One stipulation for the room design was to have a reading/relaxing corner, which we created with a beautiful linen canopy from
Numero 74. A sheepskin and some cushions on the floor inside make for a comfy and cozy spot.
(Image credit: Natelee Cocks )
(Image credit: Natelee Cocks )
(Image credit: Natelee Cocks )
HEMNES day bed provides storage as well as extra bed space for sleepovers–and when it’s not being slept in, it’s a gorgeous sofa dressed with lots of soft feather cushions, mostly from H&M Home. We changed the knobs on the drawers to simple gold ones to give this well known furniture piece a more refined look.


Above the bed, we created a small gallery of prints which reflected two of this young lady’s passions—animals and fashion. A last-minute addition that we just love was her name cutout in bamboo from an exciting new local company, The Party, who also custom made the feather garland strung around the top of the canopy. The rug in this room was handwoven by artisans in India! The white wire chair from one of Dubai’s new online stores, Ebarza, is a favourite of mine—as is the adorable ‘Geomingo’ print from another local store, Miniterior.


We had such fun putting this room together and we hope its young occupant will enjoy many happy days in her new space.
(Image credit: Natelee Cocks )

10 terrific design details that I totally want to steal:

1. Playful pattern

The tiny black and white polka dot wallpaper + a gray and cream geometric rug make for amazing pattern contrast.

2. Contrast

The black overhead lighting contrasts with the bright white room, too.

3. Texture

The level of texture mixing on the bed is on point.

4. Styling

Choosing a daybed and styling it more like a sofa makes this room feel less like a bedroom and more like a lounge. (Studio apartment dwellers, take note.)

5. Layering

Keeping the decor in front of the wallpaper accent wall simple is a smart choice. But adding in a few accessories creates a sophisticated, layered feel.

6. A cozy corner

This boho-inspired corner canopy hideaway is an amazing little spot and I want one.

7. Smart furniture placement

Using a small side table as a nightstand is not a new idea. But here, it makes the place feel grown up because of its placement next to a bed that is styled to look like a sofa. (Again, studio apartment dwellers, this could work in your space!)

8. The cutest little cat tray

It could be used as a catch-all for loose change or for jewelry.

9. Smart art

You can represent things you love in a sleek, sophisticated way when you make them minimal, like the artsy black and white half horse portrait.

10. Circular support

The circular support holding up the pale pink hanging bare-bulb light fixture is subtle yet exciting.

Thank you Kathryn Hawkes!

You can see more photos of this room and get more resources on her blog post. You can also follow Kathryn on Instagram for more inspiring images. Thank you also to Natelee Cocks for capturing the space beautifully.


Get impressed and inspired by this teen’s room, too:

→ And be sure to submit your own home, favorite room or professional residential design project!