Pippi’s Whimsical Wonderland

Name: Pippi
Location: NSW Australia
Room Size: 172 sq. feet

When I came across the space that Emily had created for her daughter, Pippi, I was instantly smitten by the playful patterns and vibrant colors. Her goal was to create a fun and flamboyant space for her toddler, and I’d say she hit the nail on the head. The room exudes the playfulness and joy of childhood. Read on to learn more about this whimsical wonderland:

How would you describe the look and feel of this room?
The intention was to create a fun and flamboyant sleep and play space for our outrageous Pippi. Filled with fruity colour, toys and soft textiles, it’s a space the kids have already delighted in playing. Whether it be hiding under the bed, making each other cups of tea, whipping up a cake or tucking teddies in for the night, they can often be heard giggling behind the closed door.

What is your favorite piece or element?
The recycled plastic mat provides the perfect ‘shake clean’ soft fall while the wooden mixer and vegetables are the perfect accessories for the $5 kitchen I picked up at a garage sale. My husband, Dave, put the little wooden shelves up at child height to encourage imaginative play.

What was the biggest challenge decorating this room?
Keeping it simple and playful – deciding what not to include.

What do your friends say about the room?
That I should sleep there myself! I tend to agree.

Do you have any advice for parents creating a room for their child?
I recently asked this exact question to Australian stylist Megan Morton and she said the following

1. NEVER let your kid not be part of it (you don’t want to be one of those people!) but never let them totally rule all decisions – a great room is one that is loved by the child and appreciated by the parent.

2. Don’t do chalkboard walls. I did them for my son’s room and didn’t tell him it was chalkable (as I hate chalk dust near heads and pillows). His friends discovered it and he was sad face. Actually maybe do chalk walls only if you like chalk dust and associated extra cleaning.

3. Present daily clothing items on easy to reach hooks – on the wall or behind the door in an encouraging attempt to help them learn how to dress independently.

4. Don’t quash their ability to express themselves – this is a trait I find so wonderful in kids. If they really want to wear it and are passionate let them – the same goes for the room.

5. Present enough storage generally, and be strict about over-filling a room. Nothing is more gluttonous and First World than a room stuffed full with toys that the kids can’t even get to!

If money were no object, what’s your dream source?
I used many of my dream sources in this room. Plenty of bespoke products from Australian creatives. If I could have dropped a cash bomb though, I would have added an art piece or two by my all time favourite Australian artist, Kirra Jamison. That would have been pure magic.

• felt artwork: Empire Lane
  
• paper animals: Little Frenchy
• printed tins and drink bottle: Jimmy Cricket
• pom pom scatter cushion: Lumiere
• bed: Incy Interiors
• floor mat: Kith and Co
• ottoman: Kith and Co
• knitted stanley: Little Pie Street
• side table: Family Love Tree
• kantha: Fossik
• mandala pillow slip: Lumiere
• polka dot pillow slip: Beneath the Sun
• wooden geometric sculptures: Beneath the Sun
• polka dot wall stickers: Look Sugar
• cloud mobile: Milbot and Chooky
• honey comb hanging balls: Poppies for Grace
• white quilt cover: Sheridan
• raw sugar kitchen pillow (speceri): Supertrooper Studio
• knitted apple pillow: Studio Meez
• memory card game: Supertrooper Studio
• lamp made by me: play kitchen from a garage sale
• wooden kitchen accessories: Oliver’s Twisty Tales
• little wooden shelves: urban outfitters
• Stylist: hide and sleep

Thanks, Emily! Readers, see more of Emily at her blog, The Beetle Shack.

(Images: Emily/The Beetle Shack )

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