Book Report: Room for Children

By Marni Elyse Katz
April 14, 2010

Susanna Salk, Connecticut-based interior designer and author of the books Weekend Retreats, a celebration of beautifully appointed second homes, and A Privileged Life: Celebrating WASP Style, an iconic ode to the country club-loving life, has another gorgeously inspirational design book debuting later this month. For Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play, (Rizzoli, April 2010), Salk culled images of every type of kids' space, from nurseries and teen retreats to multi-child bunkers and playrooms in which we’d welcome the chance to hang out. The rooms were shot by the industry’s top photographers and designed by some of our favorite designers, including Kelly Wearstler (who wrote the book’s foreward), Amanda Nisbet, Amy Lau and Sixx Design. You might even recognize the spaces if you’re an ardent follower of shelter mags and design blogs. (Hint: J. Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons’ much-touted dark-walled nursery makes an appearance.)

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Room for Children by Susanna Salk.

Photo Credit: Pieter Estersohn
Room designed by Kim Zimmerman.
Room designed by Sixx Design.
Photo Credit: Joshua McHugh
Room designed by Platt Byard Dovell White Architects and Tracy Bross Design.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Wallen
Room designed by Amy Lau Design.
Photo Credit: Kris Tamburello
Room designed by Barbara Bestor Architecture.
Photo Credit: Bruce Hemming

Every room is unique and fantastic (some fantastical)—nothing like the Disney-riddled spaces of yesteryear. Salk tells us, “Thirty years ago, nobody thought decorating kids’ rooms was worth the investment. Today, we celebrate the style of our children, and realize that they can (should!) have style from the get go.” She continues, “People realize that it’s okay to cross boundaries by using adult furnishings in a child’s room,” and points out that this concept is especially important in either very small spaces or ones that are open and loft-like. In either case, parents would want to maintain a similar style throughout the home, as it would be awkward to completely switch gears to a more traditional baby-type look in the children's area.

Salk finds this especially true with lighting. For example, she says, “It used to be about the little choo choo train lamp, but now people are incorporating grown-up fixtures into kids' rooms.” And she loves it. “It’s so fun. I appreciate stylish accessories in kids’ rooms the same way I do in someone’s living room.” In addition, she notes, light fixtures are elements that have great longevity: They don’t need to be changed out much, so they can remain intact through a room (and child’s) many phases.

Salk is a huge fan of turning up lights—and other stuff—on eBay. She tells us, “It’s so great to have a place like eBay to hunt for that 'wow' piece. What’s better than recycling a vintage piece, and for less money than you’d buy it new?”

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New Silver Table Lamp with Swarovski Crystals (buy it now price, $299)
"Sometimes a girl's just gotta have glam from the get-go! I love that this lamp is adorned with Swarovski crystals, and yet comes at such an amazing price."
South Pacific Floor Lamp in Bamboo (buy it now price, $354)
"Exotic themes are very popular right now, and this bamboo-style floor lamp would be the perfect compliment to a South Pacific decor."
New Bamboo Floor Lamp (buy it now price, $145)
"This would be ideal for a desk lamp on its own, or you could buy a pair to put on bedside tables."
New Arco Castiglio Italian Retro Arc Floor Lamp (buy it now price, $295.50)
"This floor lamp would look amazing in some lucky tween's play space!"
New Contemporary Bamboo Floor Lamp (buy it now price, $45.90)
"I love how masculine this lamp feels. Its distinct shape would bring style to any corner without overwhelming. It's great for a boy's room, no matter his age."
New Barbara Cosgrove Table Lamp in Green or Blue Ceramic (buy it now price, $75)
"A pair of these sweet lamps would look wonderful in boys' or
girls' rooms."
New Set of Two Black Dragon Wall Sconces (buy it now price, $70)
"For the boy (or girl) who wants to take the Harry Potter theme to a whole new level! Or the teen who is channeling a serious goth vibe."
Vintage French Empire Green 9-Arm Chandelier (buy it now price, $530)
"This chandelier would make an older girl's room look ultra-chic, but not too girly. I would use this to bring personality to a large space and to set an elegant, unexpected tone."
1920s Art Deco Tiffin Glass Cockatoo Table Lamp (buy it now price $689.50)
"Very often, lamps strike a cord that's either too serious or too childlike for a child's room. This one is just the right parts playful and elegant."
Vintage Shabby Chic Six-Light Mistletoe and Leaf Chandelier (buy it now price, $799)
"This chandelier has a wonderfully subtle but playful feel to it. It would be perfect for
a nursery in a small space."