Room of the Day: A Tween Bedroom Pulls Off Study Time With Style
Smart, youthful touches adorn this adolescent’s bedroom with plenty of tweenage dreaminess
Jennifer Blaise Kramer
October 12, 2016
Houzz Contributor. Lifestyle Writer + Editor. www.jenniferblaisekramer.com
Houzz Contributor. Lifestyle Writer + Editor. More
To style a bedroom for a creative young tween who loves to read, study and hang out with her friends, designer Lieve Saether had to balance the fun with the functional. Creating hip focal points and smart study areas gave the client a space that is after-school cool, but also helps her get homework done.
Photos by Twist Tours
Bedroom at a Glance
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 238 square feet (22.1 square meters); 17 by 14 feet (5.1 by 4.2 meters)
Designer: Lieve Saether of Turnstyle Design
Saether considered her client’s style and influences and created three zones: one for studying against a quiet wall; one for hanging out, complete with a cool swinging chair that’s anchored to the ceiling; and one for sleeping, which was the starting point for the room’s design.
Cuzco hanging chair: Urban Outfitters
Bedroom at a Glance
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 238 square feet (22.1 square meters); 17 by 14 feet (5.1 by 4.2 meters)
Designer: Lieve Saether of Turnstyle Design
Saether considered her client’s style and influences and created three zones: one for studying against a quiet wall; one for hanging out, complete with a cool swinging chair that’s anchored to the ceiling; and one for sleeping, which was the starting point for the room’s design.
Cuzco hanging chair: Urban Outfitters
Starting with the sleeping area, Saether created a cove-like feeling by positioning the bed against a wall of windows. To do this, she first needed to rip out old, ill-conceived built-ins on that wall to allow access to the bed.
For a statement piece, she selected a sophisticated wood canopy bed frame, hoping this tween could keep it down the line for her first apartment or future home. Then Saether had fun layering in colorful accents, from patterned pillows to hanging paper pompoms.
Next she reworked the walls, adding shiplap to two for texture and brightness and painting another in a contrasting navy — a soft, unexpected neutral.
The shiplap gives the room dimension, highlighting the height and light in this nook. Saether carefully selected each board. “The softness that wood creates and the brightness of the white are a great palette cleanser and keep the room both fresh and mature,” she says.
Farmhouse canopy bed: Pottery Barn; garland: Etsy; Diamond percale sheet set: Design Within Reach; Map of London embroidered pillow: J Brulee
For a statement piece, she selected a sophisticated wood canopy bed frame, hoping this tween could keep it down the line for her first apartment or future home. Then Saether had fun layering in colorful accents, from patterned pillows to hanging paper pompoms.
Next she reworked the walls, adding shiplap to two for texture and brightness and painting another in a contrasting navy — a soft, unexpected neutral.
The shiplap gives the room dimension, highlighting the height and light in this nook. Saether carefully selected each board. “The softness that wood creates and the brightness of the white are a great palette cleanser and keep the room both fresh and mature,” she says.
Farmhouse canopy bed: Pottery Barn; garland: Etsy; Diamond percale sheet set: Design Within Reach; Map of London embroidered pillow: J Brulee
Having the bed right up against the window brings natural light in for lounging and reading in bed. The drapes can be pulled to the sides or closed for privacy.
“We wanted to bring out the best of the space, which has incredibly high ceilings — just under 13 feet — and lovely windows,” Saether says. “Any child needs light and openness, so emphasizing these attributes was important to us. Kids love intimate spaces where they feel they can curl up.”
“We wanted to bring out the best of the space, which has incredibly high ceilings — just under 13 feet — and lovely windows,” Saether says. “Any child needs light and openness, so emphasizing these attributes was important to us. Kids love intimate spaces where they feel they can curl up.”
This antique wooden piece is a desk for a doer, with raised cubbies for storage and plenty of space to study. “This tween is a thinker and a studious young lady,” Saether says. “She now has room to get her homework done, spread out for fun YouTube craft projects, and there is a place for everything and everything has its place.”
Overhead, Saether chose a striking metal pipe statement light, so eye-catching that she hopes it might give this tween a deeper love and appreciation for good design down the road. Blue dressers for clothing and storage blend into the navy patterned wall, letting the more exciting pieces, such as that light fixture and the cool tween-to-teen hanging chair that’s secured to the ceiling, really stand out.
Navy paint: Midnight Navy, Benjamin Moore; pink paint: Nancy’s Blushes, Farrow & Ball, dressers: designer’s own, Metal Pipe pendant: Urban Outfitters
More
See more Rooms of the Day
8 Sibling Bedrooms That Make Sharing Fun
The 15 Most Popular Kids’ Rooms on Houzz So Far in 2016
Navy paint: Midnight Navy, Benjamin Moore; pink paint: Nancy’s Blushes, Farrow & Ball, dressers: designer’s own, Metal Pipe pendant: Urban Outfitters
More
See more Rooms of the Day
8 Sibling Bedrooms That Make Sharing Fun
The 15 Most Popular Kids’ Rooms on Houzz So Far in 2016
Related Stories
Laundry Rooms
Loads of Function in a Classic Black-and-White Laundry Room
By Becky Harris
A designer incorporates expansive storage, a drying rod, a generous sink and a counter for folding
Full Story
Bedrooms
Soothing Whites and Grays Create a Refreshing Master Bedroom
Strategic changes help a California master bedroom go from dark and heavy to light and bright
Full Story
Basements
A Light, Bright Basement Inspired by Midcentury Design
By Becky Harris
Designers create an organic and airy feel in this underground space in Toronto
Full Story
Living Rooms
A Sliding Door Hides the TV in This Attractive Living Room
By Erin Carlyle
See how a designer transforms the barn door concept using walnut veneer and modern styling over a fireplace
Full Story
Before and Afters
100-Year-Old Craftsman Home’s Master Suite Lightens Up
A designer balances architectural preservation with contemporary living in this Northern California remodel
Full Story
Bedrooms
Warm, Minimalist Style for a Master Suite in Oregon
By Becky Harris
Garden views, built-in storage and nods to Japanese design contribute to a calm and beautiful retreat
Full Story
Landscape Design
Relaxed Courtyard Celebrates Indoor-Outdoor Living
Sliding glass walls open up to connect the living spaces in this Southern California retreat
Full Story
Laundry Rooms
A Warm and Bright Laundry Room to Welcome a Family Home
See the inviting vibe a designer created for this renovated Minneapolis room off the garage
Full Story
Kids’ Spaces
Nods to Nature and ‘Star Wars’ in 2 Boys’ Bedrooms and Bath
Bold color, graphic patterns and custom murals create a kids’ zone designed to grow up with brothers in Utah
Full Story
Living Rooms
Sand and Surf Inspire Look of New Great Room With Pacific Views
A designer renovates a coastal California living space to highlight its amazing views and create a chic beach vibe
Full Story
This is a crazy, cool room. Kudos to the designer for giving this young lady a great backdrop for her teenage years. Marvelous division of space, splendid color and well considered purchases that straddle the tween to young adult years. The occupant will most likely tweak the heck out of it (which is one of the best things about a successfully designed room...it's generally made better by all the add-ons and personal touches). And it's always wonderful when a designer looks longer term and adds pieces that can travel to the next stages of life (whether going off to college or to a new living space).
Yes! - certainly wish that the inhabitant further tweaks; super important for them to engage in their space and grow. Completely agree and thank you very much for such an enthusiastic and positive comment; always make me appreciative of what I do!