Whether it’s a 5-year-old’s slumber party or teens visiting for summer vacation, it’s nice to have a place just for the kids. A comfy spot to stretch out with ample room for special treasures usually does the trick. Durable materials and lots of built-ins rule, and clever detailing makes these designs fanciful without being childish. Architect Stewart Davis says, “Balance playfulness with function in a space that your kids won’t outgrow.”
Sweet Dreams
The owners don’t have children, but nieces and nephews often visit their coastal Maine home. They kept that in mind during renovations by transforming the attic into a penthouse bunk room. “Kids love snug spaces,” says Rob Whitten, so the architect left sloped rooflines intact and tucked in the berths. Dividing walls between bunks offer privacy while a single shelf gives a place to personalize. Whitewashed floors heighten the summer cottage feel, but Whitten gives the owners full credit for the clever wave elements. “They are marketing design people and knew just how to add a whimsical touch without going over the top.” Builder: Owners; Architect: Whitten + Winkelman Architects, Portland, Maine; Photographer: Brian Vanden Brink.
Sleep Tight
A family of six in a 1,500-square-foot house was a bit tight, but the owners didn’t want to lose the feeling of togetherness. In response, architect Stewart Davis designed a kids’ wing that consists of three basic bedrooms strictly for sleeping. However, the hallway connecting old house with new addition draws a crowd. A lengthy window seat surrounded by builtin shelves and drawers is “long enough that two kids could sprawl out on each side with a board game in the middle,” says Davis. And because the architect’s rule of thumb is “you can’t skimp on the cushion,” the elongated bench works for naps or even a good night’s sleep. Arched details add warmth while the painted wood and stained concrete floors stand up to roughhousing. Builder/Architect: CG&S Design Build, Austin, Texas; Photographer: Greg Hursley.
Rest Easy
Architect and homeowner Cooper Pierce wanted his kids to have a space to play, read, and rest. A large bay window outfitted with a twin-size futon is ideal for slumber parties and a “wall of cabinets keeps the proliferation of stuff at bay,” explains Pierce. With two young ones, Pierce made sure to divide things equally, such as the twin pull-out surfaces for drawing or block building. Pierce wanted the room to be flexible as the kids’ interests changed and to serve the parents in their empty-nester years. “I designed the center cabinets to fit audiovisual equipment when we get to take over the room,” he adds. Builder/Architect: Jones Pierce Architects, Atlanta; Photographer: Thomas Watkins Photography.
