Remember, the labor of attention and detail you put into your newborn's room?  The time spent figuring out a theme and making sure it all matched the crib bedding.  Your precious baby becomes a toddler and the ducks are still cute and prompting them to quack.  Then Hannah Montana and skateboarding posters are covering up the Pooh borders.  Not only do you have to deal with the fact that they are growing up, but you want to make their bedrooms and play areas reflective of their personalities as well as be consistent with the design theme in your home.

 

Over the past few months we've worked with several clients dealing with this special transformation.  Parents are discovering their kids really want a say in their room decor.  Designing space for different needs in a family becomes a great bonding experience.

 

So how to make it through this 'bonding' without feeling the urge to throw it all out the window?  There are a number of decorative painting applications to help you transform a nursery from gender specific to neutral without taking apart the whole room.  Murals with a realistic genre are a fantastic way to capture your child's imagination while taking them well into their preteens and beyond.

 

What if your kids aren't 'in' to the mural scene?  Try not to get wrapped up in the trends, especially if you are hoping to create a tasteful environment that will last for more than 2-3 years.  In preteen rooms, geometric shapes and metallics are all the rage -- on walls and ceilings.  Bronze, pewter and silvers all illustrate how contemporary meets classic.  Metallic finishes enhance any space, modern or traditional. 

 

Whatever your child's taste or personality, Faux Time Design is on the pulse of the design scene.  Check out other ideas at www.fauxtimedesign.com.