Project School: A Space for Mom and a Space for Kids

North Haledon, NJ

THE STARTING POINT

I grouped these two projects together because they both belong to the same, amazingly wonderful family — dear friends of ours! The first space I helped them with was a spare bedroom they wanted to transform into a home office and cozy reading nook for my friend, Amy.

Some time later (and after adding another little nugget to their family!), Amy and Andrew reached out again — this time to update their upstairs bedrooms into a shared space for their son and daughter that could eventually be used by both girls down the road. The challenge was creating something neutral enough to grow with their family, yet still personalized so each child felt like the space was truly their own.

A bedroom with sloped ceilings, including a bed with a blue comforter, a nightstand with a lamp, a small bookshelf, and a window letting in natural light.
Empty room with sloped ceiling, gray dresser, small black drum set, blue storage bin, and window with blinds.

THE TRANSFORMATION

The first room was such a fun one to design because Amy was ready to take a few risks and trusted my guidance to find that perfect balance of cozy, stylish, and modern — a space that could evolve with their family over the years.

We decided to do something I’d never done before (but had been dying to try!): a wallpapered ceiling. I chose a simple floral print featuring soft black peony outlines — delicate, subtle, and so beautiful overhead. We paired it with a soft neutral wall color and one accent wall painted in an earthy sage green. To finish, I added a velvet mauve mid-century modern chair, and Amy found the most stunning navy blue writing desk. The mix of pattern, color, and texture created the perfect balance.

Next up was the kids’ room! Previously, their daughter’s room had been a soft pink and their son’s a gentle blue. Now that they were sharing, we needed something more neutral — but still full of personality through furnishings and decor.

For the boy’s side, we went with a mix of navy and sage — a combination that felt timeless and perfectly boyish. Since he and his dad are big Yankees fans, we kept the decor simple: a framed print and a few pennants hanging above his desk. A Lego storage area was high on the wishlist, so we incorporated a writing desk and a couple of wall-mounted acrylic bins to create his very own Lego zone.

On the girl’s side, we went full magic. Soft pinks, sparkly butterflies fluttering up the wall, and a sweet little desk area filled with her headbands, decor, and all the tiny treasures she collects. None of the accents were expensive — but together, they felt special and completely her.

A cozy corner of a bedroom with a small black desk, a green chair, a lamp, and a shelf with a small blue trophy. A black and white sports-themed poster and a framed picture hang on the wall. A white bookshelf filled with books is next to the bed, whi
A cozy bedroom corner with a wooden bed, pink bedding, a stuffed animal, and a dresser holding a plant and a round mirror.
A bedroom with a bed covered in a blue quilt, a green plush crocodile toy on it, a dark desk with a gray chair, a picture of a hockey player, a wooden shelf with a trophy and small toy, a stylish desk lamp, and two circular wall-mounted LEGO brick co
A spacious, bright bedroom with sloped ceilings, two beds with pink and green bedding, a wooden dresser, bookshelf, window with a shade, and decorative butterfly wall stickers.
A cozy bedroom with a sloped ceiling, a bed with a wooden frame, dark blue quilt, and stuffed animals. A small desk with a gray chair is against the wall, with a framed picture and a shelf above. The room has light-colored carpet and white walls.
A cozy bedroom with a wooden nightstand holding a potted variegated plant and a decorative oval mirror. The bed has pink bedding and a stuffed doll. In the background, a desk and chair are visible, with butterfly wall decorations.
A white desk with a pink chair, a white and gold desk lamp, a wooden shelf with jewelry, wall art of pink flowers and yellow butterflies, and a beige carpet in a room with a white wall.
A small white desk with a drawer in a room with butterfly and flower wall decor, a pink chair, and a bookshelf with jewelry hanging on it above the desk.
A bedroom with a bed that has a dark blue and green quilt, a stuffed penguin toy on the pillow, a desk with a green chair, two decorative Lego brick circular wall hangings, a small desk lamp, and two blue pennants hanging on the wall.
A bedroom with a pink bedspread, matching pillows, and a teddy bear on the bed. There is a white desk with a pink chair, a framed floral artwork, a shelf with decorations, and butterfly wall decals near the sloped ceiling.
A young girl dancing in a bedroom with a bed, dresser, and window, all decorated in soft pink and neutral tones.
Ceiling light fixture with a woven design in the center of a floral patterned tropical ceiling.
Close-up of a modern side table with a black finish, gold handle, and black legs with gold accents. Next to a light-colored upholstered sofa with gold legs. A white and gold desk lamp and a large leafy green plant are on the table. The setting is in
A cozy corner with a pink armchair, two white ottomans, a tall floor lamp, and two decorative round mirrors on the wall. The room has light-colored walls, a window with a Roman shade, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Wooden flooring is part
A cozy, stylish room with a gray armchair, two small matching ottomans, a floor lamp, and a decorative mirror on the wall, with natural light coming through two windows.

THE REVEAL

The best part of this job will always be seeing my clients’ reactions — and in this case, those smiles and happy tears came from my dear friends and their kids. Their excitement told the whole story: these were now truly their spaces — special, thoughtful, and designed to grow right alongside them.

Designing can take long hours, tough decisions, and plenty of patience, but when it’s for good friends who value the heart behind a well-designed home, it’s absolutely worth it.

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