When styling is child’s play

Of all the spaces The Blockheads tackle, the one they all agree is the most fun is a kids’ bedroom.

There’s a lot to consider - it has to be practical and fit in with whatever style has been set through the rest of the house after all – but it’s also the one place where all the whimsical ideas they’ve been keeping up their sleeves can come out to play. 

"Kids' rooms give us the license to be a bit more creative and fun with design,” agrees Jenny Managing Director at Rhino Rhino, whose collection of kids toys, furnishing, accessories and more was a go-to for the Block contestants when it came to kids’ spaces on Block Island.

“You can embrace your inner kid and add a touch of design that is cohesive with the rest of the house to tie it all back in!” Who wouldn’t love that? says Blockhead Mimi, whose fun cloud-filled bedroom won week four of The Block.

“Kid’s rooms are the best because you can let your inner child run wild!” Mimi says. “Kristian and I are such big kids and although we don’t have any of our own yet, I felt most comfortable and passionate about creating this space... it was honestly my favourite week and favourite room.”

“We went for cloud bedheads, rainbows on the wall and floor, toys everywhere and a space for kids to sit and read or draw as well. “I just wanted to make a space where younger people would instantly feel at home.”

There is a serious side as well, she added with the need for storage super important. One of her trundle beds, for example, had been repurposed as under-mattress storage area, with room for toys or clothes. 

“Practicality is definitely important,” Mimi says. The Maison Deux Rainbow rug  that Mimi chose, for example, ties in with her “bedroom in the clouds” theme, but it’s also soft and warm underfoot, perfect for kids to lay down on while they’re reading a book or just chatting with friends. “The rug is definitely that special touch to the floor. It just ties the room together!” she says.

That’s a great example of creating a sense of warmth and fun while still remembering the practical necessities,” Jenny says. “We love the use of high-piled rugs from Dutch brand Maison Deux to create a sense of warmth whilst having fun with design - whether it be more minimalist in the form of stripes or punchy and bold in the form of a hot dog rug!

“Functional yet design-conscious items are also big on the must-haves list - Mr Maria First Light Lamp (which is dimmable and portable), delightful dinosaur Jeroom money banks from Belgian brand Atelier Pierre and of course, gorgeous plush toys from the Bon Ton Toys range which include Miffy, Peanuts, animals from the WWF and more.”

Another point to remember, adds Mimi’s Block bestie Courtney, is to future-proof the room. “Kids grow quickly, so opt for a layout and furniture that can evolve as they do,” Courtney says. “Starting with a neutral base and introduce colours, patterns (like the stripes I used!) and style through easily changeable elements like bedding, wall art, and rugs.”

A perfect example, Jenny adds, is our Maison Deux collection of 100% New Zealand wool blankets. “They’re a beautiful way to make a statement with patterns like checkerboard, stripes and swirls in any room that needs an injection of fun!” she says.

Moveable and changeable, they also allow the room to adapt as their tastes shift, Jenny says.

That’s advice Blockhead Kylie took to heart with the Rhino Rhino Nobodinoz Nevada Kids Teepee tent, a perfect chill-out zone combined with the Maison Deux Rainbow Rug adding another space for little visitors to relax.

The use of Danish brand Nuuroo’s Ola quilted playmat and Moe quilted storage bag was a practical yet stylish use of decor to hide away toys and everyday clutter. “It's all about bringing positive, uplifting energy yet keeping things calm and easy on the eyes,” Jenny says.

“Decluttering using storage tubs and storage baskets like the gorgeous ones from Nuuroo helps to create a sense of order whilst maintaining a design element that is cohesive with the rest of the room. “This helps when the storage baskets come in beautiful prints that match back to other items in the range such as play mats!”

And while the kids are making their choices, don’t forget to make your own. The classic Miffy plush toy Courtney used as a focus for her bed, for example, has instant appeal to any child who walks in… but it’s also a definite nod to Courtney’s own past, she admits. “For me, the Miffy has always been one of those timeless childhood icons,” she says. “I remember being read books with Miffy in them and just loving the cute bunny so getting to use Miffy in a kids’ bedroom on The Block felt like everything had come full circle.”

That nostalgia is super important for bridging different generations, agrees Jenny. “It allows us to tap into our own childhood memories and bring back iconic characters and make them cool again!” she says. “That's why Rhino Rhino's line of nostalgic characters such as Miffy and Snoopy have become so popular in the form of plush toys, money banks, night lights and even blankets and wall rugs!

“We have seen this trend continuing and getting stronger with the likes of fashion, watches and design brands across the world doing the same. “Miffy continues to grow from strength to strength as a design icon that crosses generations, with multiple accounts of families who have handed down their Mr Maria Miffy night light to children in the family, then coming full circle and having the 18-year-old who it was originally bought for, requesting for it for their room again! “It’s no surprise that we continue to see the Miffy trend strong in fashion and design collabs amongst the likes of Mulberry, LeSportsac, Baccarat and Tommy Hilfiger.”

To sum up, says Mimi, remember this has to be a space kids will want to be in and somewhere grown-ups will be happy for them to retreat to… for years! “And a kids room definitely has to be fun!” she says. “That’s the main part!”

You can shop the beautiful range of kids furinture, toys and accessories here.