Double up

I grew up in a little two-bedroom house on beautiful maple tree-lined street.  As you can imagine, space was limited, so we as kids always shared a room.  I really loved sharing a room with my younger brother, and have some very fond memories of those childhood years.  Our room was scarce on square footage, but we seemed to love the coziness of being together in close quarters.  Our two little twin beds were situated in an L-shape, which made it very convenient for me to kick my brother's bed during the night when I was afraid.  It was the perfect set up.  For me anyway.  

This got me thinking about shared children's spaces, and maximizing every little square inch that you have available.  A children's space should not only be functional, but also fun, and inviting - a place to create and at the end of the day, a place to rest from a hard day of play.  These shared children's spaces prove that you really can have it all, and do it without skimping on style. 

If you're really short on space, bunk beds are a great option.

Love the contrast between the red and deep turquoise walls in this bunk room

Why not add some curtain panels for a little extra privacy?

This little bunk bed is perfect for a captain and his first mate.

Love this netting in place of the traditional wooden rails.

How can you go wrong with tangerine? After all, it is pantone's color of the year.

 

 For long, narrow spaces, beds can be positioned up against the wall.

These built in beds are so fabulous.  I love the contrast of the deep blue against the white.

A vertical stripe tricks the eye, and gives the illusion of more space.  A set of drawers centered between the beds helps to define and separate the two spaces.

Now this is the ultimate in luxury chic.

The traditional side by side

This shared boys and girls room has always been one of my favorites.  It's very sophisticated, yet casual.

I love the calming sophisticated look of this boys room.

I love these industrial pipe beds on casters, and that vintage yellow lawn chair. 

*for a full image source list go here

Design crush: Liz Caan

Boston based interior designer Liz Caan first caught my eye in Ivy & Piper's October 2011 issue with a darling, and classic little boys room, and I have been hooked ever since. 

 

Her interiors are infused with bold color and pattern, and she often mixes luxury with low cost, creating layered, and lived in spaces.
 

This is where my obession began.  Vertical stripes, and a tufted upholstered bed.  What's not to love?

I love this antique bookshelf used to display important toy collections

High contrast meets in this corner nook with a navy chevron pillow from twinkle living, and vertical wall stripes.

This girls room is playful and pretty with the beautiful turquoise toile wallpaper, and striped window treatments.

More high contrast with a chevron stair carpet, and vintage striped upholstered chair.

The kitchen floors were painted in a red and white checkerboard pattern, and balance out the black and white stripe on the walls.

The black and white mosaic floors in this classic bathroom are truly striking.

Love the sophisticated layers in this master bedroom.

Even the mudroom has high impact.  The beadboard helps break up the black and white stripes, keeping it from becoming too busy.

This room says sophisticated and glamorous to me.  Those plum colored nailhead sofa's against the turquoise walls and diamond carpet?  Come on.

The ultimate in cozy cabin chic. 

This space reminds me of an old barn stable turned classic cabin reading room.  I'm dying over that lucite trunk.

A classic beachy backdrop with bold pattern and color.

Love that little chartreuse dresser from bungalow 5, and the painted stripe floors.

One of these days I will have a powder room with walls covered in chiang mai.

Traditional furnishings get a graphic update in this bedroom.

Love the use of space in this oddly shaped room, the color, and contrast.

Shower curtain panels in Kravet's velvet gate tuxedo fabric?  Yes please.

A sophisticated breakfast nook with a pair of upholstered benches and copper lantern.  Classic fantastic.

 More bungalow 5 goodness, and throw pillows from Jonathan Adler and Alan Campbell.

That quatrefoil window steals the show.

How about that large scale art piece?  Now that's a conversation starter.

Bold color mingles with antiques and flea market finds in this dining room.  Love the simple cushion on top of these little yellow bungalow 5 stools.

Liz's shop front.  It welcomes you right in.

And, inside her shop.  Go bold!

A perfectly styled workspace

And the design genius herself, Liz Caan.  I definitely plan on crushing on her for years to come.

*all images via Liz Caan Interiors, and Ivy & Piper