How to Create a Stylish Tween Bedroom: Week 2 Progress
Sponsored by DesignFiles and Beddys
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8
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Is your teen's room a chaotic mess? We're designing a stylish space that caters to sensory needs and promotes relaxation – follow along for weekly updates as we participate in the One Room Challenge! (Big shoutout to the ORC media sponsor ApartmentTherapy, as well as my sponsors DesignFiles and Beddy’s!) This project is particularly close to my heart because it masterfully blends trendy aesthetics with sensory-friendly features. We're crafting a space that's both stylish and calming for a pre-teen with sensory sensitivities that are similar to Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD.)
Have a listen about my sister’s anxieties about tackling the stripes in our project!
There are several others tackling a teen space for the #ORC, you can check them out here:
Table of Contents
Understanding the Challenge: Balancing Style and Sensory Needs
My Design Process for Creating a Sensory Friendly Teen Bedroom
Project Spotlight: Painting Stripes and Conquering Anxiety
DesignFiles related tutorials created by DesignFiles
Understanding the Challenge: Balancing Style and Sensory Needs
Last week's sneak peek garnered rave reviews about the inviting atmosphere and the calming color palette. But the real challenge lies in seamlessly integrating these elements with features that address Logan's unique sensory needs. Here's a breakdown of our design approach:
Color Therapy: We're weaving a tranquil environment with soothing blues and purples. Pops of color strategically placed in designated areas add visual interest without overwhelming the senses. Learn more about the science behind the colors.
Textured Touches: Soft throws, pillows with diverse textures, and an upholstered headboard provide comfort and much-needed tactile stimulation.
Sound Solutions: To minimize distractions, we're exploring soundproofing materials and incorporating a white noise machine.
Organization is Paramount: Storage solutions will not only reduce clutter but also create a sense of order, promoting a feeling of control for Logan.
Here’s a quick sneak peek:
“We will refresh a space in this charming two-story home in (redacted), NY, to create a functional and space-saving bedroom for a pre-teen with sensory challenges. The modern and futuristic design will seamlessly blend the boy’s interests in sports and a touch of fun and whimsy. Calming colors, textures, and plenty of storage space, will meet the boy’s sensory needs. The bedroom will feature a comfortable bed, storage, a stowaway desk, and a dedicated area for sports paraphernalia.”
Last Week Recap and Questions Answered
Inspirational mood board
Your Feedback Fuels Our Inspiration!
The fantastic comments on week one's post were truly overwhelming! Your enthusiasm and insightful questions further fuel our passion to create a space that Logan will absolutely love. Here are some highlights that resonated with us:
Cozy Vibes & Color Palette: Many of you adored the calming aesthetic, with Michelle specifically praising how it caters to sensory needs.
Sensory-Friendly Design: Readers like Farrah and Dani applauded the organized approach and the thoughtful consideration of SPD.
Sharing SPD Knowledge: We're glad comments from Beth and angelai sparked an interest in learning about SPD.
Balancing Gaming & Calm: Doreen's question about balancing gaming with a calming environment is crucial. A potential solution? A loft bed with a designated desk area underneath. This frees up floor space for a tranquil atmosphere while providing a focused zone for schoolwork (we learned from my sister that Logan will be using the finished basement for gaming, further contributing to the bedroom's tranquility).
A Look Inside My Design Process: Unveiling the Master Plan
As an award-winning interior designer, I follow a meticulous design process to ensure exceptional results for every project. Here's a glimpse into how I brought Logan's dream room to life:
Understanding My Client's Needs:
My journey began with a detailed questionnaire filled out by my sister, followed by a casual interview with Logan himself. This collaborative approach allowed me to understand their vision, preferences, and most importantly, Logan's sensory sensitivities. Check out my design questionnaire here
Design Statement:
Based on the gathered information, I crafted a design statement that serves as a guiding principle throughout the entire design process:
“We will refresh a space in this charming two-story home in (redacted), NY, to create a functional and space-saving bedroom for a pre-teen with sensory challenges. The modern and futuristic design will seamlessly blend the boy's interests in sports and a touch of fun and whimsy. Calming colors, textures, and plenty of storage space will meet the boy's sensory needs. The bedroom will feature a comfortable bed, storage, a stowaway desk, and a dedicated area for sports paraphernalia.”
Concept Board Magic:
To translate the design statement into a visual representation, I created a concept board using DesignFiles, my design software of choice (DesignFiles, in their tutorials, refer to this as a mood board, we just have different terms but they are the same thing.) This visual tool allowed myself and my sister to see how all the design elements would work together and easily make revisions based on their feedback.
Bringing the Vision to Life: A Futuristic Athlete's Haven
This week, we delve deeper into the project, and the results are starting to take shape! Let's delve into the intricacies of this meticulously crafted bedroom concept, designed specifically for our pre-teen athlete/gamer with sensory sensitivities:
We will refresh a space in this charming two-story home in Hamburg, NY, to create a functional and space-saving bedroom for a pre-teen with sensory challenges. The modern and futuristic design will seamlessly blend the boy's interests in sports and a touch of fun and whimsy. Calming colors, textures, and plenty of storage space, will meet the boy's sensory needs. The bedroom will feature a comfortable bed, storage, a stowaway desk, and a dedicated area for sports paraphernalia.
FUTURISTIC ATHLETE
Delve into the intricacies of this meticulously crafted bedroom concept, tailored for a pre-teen athlete/gamer. Immerse yourself in a symphony of hues, where the tranquil blues and serene purples intertwine, harmonizing effortlessly within this space adorned with the essence of nature. Natural materials, carefully selected to evoke a sense of grounding, combine with purposeful furnishings to fashion an efficient, inviting haven of utmost comfort.
Enveloping the room, the navy blue and purple color palette embraces tranquility, extending a gentle invitation to serenity. Meanwhile, the presence of wood and cotton elements imparts a soothing warmth, embracing one with a cozy hug reminiscent of the comforts of home.
Within this thoughtfully curated domain, functional furnishings take center stage, offering a respite for the boy as he navigates the complexities of his world. Carefully designed for both comfort and practicality, they provide a sanctuary for relaxation, an oasis where he can unwind and immerse himself in the joy of video games.
The cumulative effect of this meticulous design transcends mere aesthetics, engendering a profound sense of harmony and tranquility. It engulfs the young occupant, fostering an environment that nurtures his well-being. This space effortlessly intertwines the realms of functionality and visual allure, creating an idyllic fusion that embraces both the senses and the soul.
Those with SP prefer natural materials such as wood and cotton. At the same time, purples and lighter blue accents invoke fantasy and a tranquil mindset. The effect effortlessly intertwines the realms of functionality and visual allure, creating an idyllic fusion that embraces both the senses and the soul.
Color Palette: The color palette embraces tranquility, extending a gentle invitation to serenity.
Style: #Futuristic
Era: #Modern
Theme: #Athletic
Let your pre-teen athlete/gamer revel in this serene haven, designed with his comfort and well-being in mind. A tranquil, navy and purple palette envelops the room, embracing him with a cozy hug of natural wood and cotton elements. Carefully chosen furnishings balance practicality and relaxation, providing a sanctuary for leisurely activities, such as gaming. Here, the tranquil blues and serene purples of nature come together to create a realm of harmony and tranquility, one that nurtures the soul. This sophisticated yet inviting bedroom aims to delight the senses and bring unparalleled comfort.
A Symphony of Hues: The color palette embodies tranquility, extending a gentle invitation to serenity. Envision tranquil blues and serene purples harmoniously intertwined, adorning a space infused with the essence of nature.
Certain textures can feel annoying to someone with sensory sensitivities. Logan is very excited to sleep in a cocoon environment with a hypnotic minky lining that is sure to keep him warm and cozy during the harsh winter blizzards in their town.
A floor plan is essential to making sure that the furniture fits, and that there is good traffic flow, and a functional space.
The main tool that I use to translate my clients’ dreams into reality is through the platform DesignFiles. Since 2019, I’ve been using DesignFiles with all of my clients, and it’s easy-to-use and easy-to-navigate website saves me a lot of time during the design phase as well as procurement.
As I stated above, you’re going to see slight design adjustments from one board to another depending on what stage we were in when the board was created.
A Multi-Sensory Experience: The cumulative effect of this meticulous design transcends mere aesthetics, engendering a profound sense of harmony and tranquility. It engulfs the young occupant, fostering an environment that nurtures his well-being. This space effortlessly intertwines the realms of functionality and visual allure, creating an idyllic fusion that embraces both the senses and the soul.
Functional Furnishings: Within this thoughtfully curated domain, functional furnishings take center stage, offering a haven for Logan as he navigates his world. Each piece is meticulously chosen for both comfort and practicality, creating a sanctuary for relaxation and enjoyment of video games. This presentation board was created about 10 months ago, and we have had several changes to it in the meantime, as feedback is received, or products go out-of-stock.
Project Spotlight: Painting Stripes and Conquering Anxiety
This week's highlight is the reveal of the painted stripes in Logan's room! Check out the video at the top of this post to see the finished product. The design calls for the stripes to encompass the entire room. As you'll see in the video, the doors haven't been painted yet – they will also be a calming navy blue.
This project brings to light a common hurdle many DIY enthusiasts face: project anxiety. Since I live over an hour away from my sister, I couldn't offer much hands-on help. She tackled the painting bit by bit while juggling a full-time job and chauffeuring Logan to his sports practices and matches. It's no surprise this project caused some anxiety, a feeling many can relate to when embarking on DIY endeavors.
Here's a big shoutout to my sister! She didn't hesitate when I presented the initial design, even though she hadn't painted stripes before. (Confession time: I'm a terrible painter myself, and essential tremors make it impossible for me these days.) While the video reveals some areas requiring touch-ups, for a first attempt, she did a fantastic job!
Elevation of the bedroom demonstrating the placement of the stripes on the wall.
Painting Tips and Resources
We understand that conquering a project like painting stripes can feel daunting. To empower you, here are some helpful resources:
Sherwin Williams Painting Stripes Tutorial: This video provides a step-by-step guide on painting stripes on your walls:
Other work we completed this week
Project List and Current Progress for April 3 - 9
Here's a breakdown of our progress for this week, along with a sneak peek of what's to come in the following weeks:
Completed This Week:
Ordered custom printed headboard fabric!
Ordered campaign style hardware and knobs. (Knobs have been delivered.)
Delivered custom footballs and colorful basketballs to my sister's home. (These add another layer of excitement to the design!)
Partially Completed:
The loft bed has been ordered, delivered, but not yet installed. It is scheduled for April 20th with my husband volunteering to help us assemble it.
Two headboards which will create a corner daybed style headboard were delivered, and will be installed the same day as the bed, after we reupholster it with the custom printed fabric.
Unboxing the Fun: Custom Footballs Add a Personal Touch
This week wasn't just about paint! We also celebrated a fun milestone with the unboxing of surprise custom-made footballs for Logan, designed through Etsy. These footballs and the basketballs also shown in the video will be mounted on the wall of Logan’s room.
Who Am I? An Introduction to Julie Ann, founder Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
Last week I mainly introduced my nephew, celebrating his 13th birthday at the end of this eight weeks, whom the room makeover is going to benefit, and how my design focuses on his sensory sensitivities.
A bit about me:
Perhaps it’s time to tell you a bit about myself. I studied interior design at Michigan State University because I wanted to make beautiful spaces, inspired by an interior designer character that was on one of the soap operas in the 80's.
The focus at MSU was on functional spaces, and I was honored that one of my student projects was published in the trade magazine Interior Design, based on Universal Design principles. After graduating, I started working in the industry right away.
Fast forward to 2019, I decided to take the plunge and open my own firm. My reason d'etre is to share my talents and education with others to help enhance their lives.
I'm honored to have my clients trust me with their homes, relying on my creative vision, attention to detail, and ability to translate their needs and preferences into stunning transformations.
Heartbreak in the past has taught me the importance of trust and integrity in relationships, shaping my approach to both personal and professional interactions. I am committed to fostering positive and authentic connections with my clients, colleagues, and community, guided by honesty, empathy, and respect.
Despite my health challenges of fibromyalgia, insomnia, and chronic migraines, the obstacles that I have overcome in launching my business give me a new appreciation for all small business owners. I am proud of my determination, resilience, and adaptability.
When my sister mentioned that she was going to makeover her son's room, I jumped at the opportunity to lend my skills to this project, focusing on how I could improve his life with sensory sensitivities. I go into detail how this goes into play of the design in Week One.
Read more about me
Recent Projects
Here are some previous concept boards that I have created with DesignFiles, our sponsor, for recent projects. Check out more in my portfolio.
Conclusion: A Room Taking Shape, Anticipation Builds
This week has been a whirlwind of progress on Logan's room makeover! We saw the reveal of the painted stripes, a project my sister bravely tackled despite her initial anxiety. It's a testament to her dedication to creating this special space for Logan.
We also checked in on the design process, including the selection of calming colors and sensory-friendly furniture. The arrival of the custom footballs and the newly ordered decor items adds another layer of excitement!
Be sure to check out the other participants of the One Room Challenge Week 1 and Week 2.
Coming Next: Week 3 Focuses On
Illuminating Details: We'll delve into the lighting choices we've made to create a comfortable and functional environment.
The Power of Partnership: Discover why Beddy's became a perfect sponsor for this project, and how their zippered bedding solutions will benefit Logan.
Engaging with You: We'll share a summary of the insightful feedback we've received from readers like you.
Follow:
The Power of Community: Together We Can Make a Difference
This project isn't just about creating a stylish and functional bedroom for Logan; it's about raising awareness about Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). We've been so touched by the outpouring of support and questions about SPD in the comments.
Here are some resources you might find helpful to learn more about SPD:
The SPD Star Institute: https://sensoryhealth.org/
Understood.org: https://www.understood.org/
Raising Children Network: https://raisingchildren.net.au/
By working together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding world for people of all abilities.
In the Meantime, until next week:
Pin It on Pinterest (Blended Decor Blog)!
Save your favorite design ideas and inspiration for future projects. You can also create mood boards inspired by Logan's room and share them with us! Let's get creative together!
Follow our journey!
Subscribe to the Blended Decor Blog! Be the first to know when new blog posts are published, ensuring you never miss a week of Logan's room makeover adventure. You'll also receive exclusive design tips and tricks delivered straight to your inbox.
Week One: April 3
Week Two: April 10
Week Three: April 17
Week Four: April 24
Week Five: May 1
Week Six: May 8
Week Seven: May 15
Week Eight: May 22 The Big Reveal! Let’s party!!!
Share your thoughts!
Here are some questions we'd love to hear your thoughts on:
Do you have any questions about sensory-friendly design or the design choices we're making for Logan's room?
Have you incorporated any sensory-friendly features into your living spaces? If so, we'd love to hear about them!
What design challenges are you currently facing?
Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome. Leave a comment below.
Reach out on social media – we love hearing from you!
We love connecting with you on social media! Whether you're leaving a comment below, sharing your thoughts on Instagram (@julie_ann_rachelle), or pinning your favorite design ideas on Pinterest, your interaction fuels our passion for creating beautiful and functional spaces.
See you next week for another exciting installment of Logan's futuristic sensory escape!
Stay up-to-date on Logan's room makeover by following my blog posts at the Blended Decor Blog by subscribing and follow social media updates on Instagram.
Week One: April 3
Week Two: April 10
Week Three: April 17
Week Four: April 24
Week Five: May 1
Week Six: May 8
Week Seven: May 15
Week Eight: May 22 The Big Reveal! Let’s party!!!
Looking for the comment section?
Please join the conversation, I’d love to hear your ideas and feedback! This post is an ongoing conversation, and we value your unique perspective. Share your thoughts, questions, or even personal experiences with creating sensory-friendly spaces.
My apologies, on Squarespace I am not able to insert the comment section where I want. It is always above the footer.
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