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The question
We just bought our first home and we want to transition our one-year-old from a crib in our bedroom to a bedroom of his own. Do you have any style tips on creating a cozy and inviting bedroom space for a wee boy?
The answer
It's so important to have your own time as a couple and, in fact, I encourage young parents to put a bed or pull-out sofa in the nursery to retreat to on especially bad nights. Right now, you'll also need a change table,a comfy chair, an ottoman, a reading lamp and an area carpet that is both soft (for falls) and dark (for spills).
While the furniture will evolve – from crib to bed and from toy chest to study desk – the lighting doesn't have to: Install a cool ceiling fixture, a pair of wall sconces and two spotlights for reading. As for the palette, I prefer a colour scheme that children can grow into, rather than decorating in a juvenile fashion. For a boy's room, try crisp, bold stripes in shades of blue and white with soft beige accents. This will work until his early teen years (when he'll start to register his own preferences). If blue and white with beige doesn't work for you, try beige with blue and white: It's all in the execution. Ultimately, what will make your wee boy's room inviting and cozy is the love he's shown when he's in it.
Follow architect and interior designer Dee Dee Taylor Eustace on Twitter: @ddtaylordd. Have a design dilemma? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.