Designer Kids Rooms That Are Glamorous and Playful

GIVE YOUR KIDS THEIR DREAM BEDROOM AND A SANCTUARY TO GROW INTO.

Minty Fresh Eclectic Girl’s Bedroom - Lisa Gilmore Design

Kids Room Ideas with Luxury Interior Design

Kids' rooms can feel challenging for parents who desire a beautiful, luxurious home. Kids have a lot of belongings and often have plans for their rooms that are the complete opposite of yours.

We polled the team at Lisa Gilmore Design about what kinds of things we wanted in our rooms as kids that our parents wouldn’t let us have: floral wallpaper, a keyboard studio, a teddy bear wall border, lilac purple walls, and a Nintendo® 64.

6 Sophisticated Kids Bedroom Ideas

Our team has designed many families’ homes over the years, and we always enjoy exercising our creative muscles and remembering our younger selves when creating fun kids’ spaces. 

Lisa Gilmore Design - Interior Designer Tampa

Girl's bedroom - Lisa Gilmore Design

Blush and Gold Girl’s Bedroom in Vacation Condo

Our clients wanted their daughters to enjoy going to the family vacation home as much as the adults did. So we created a beautiful room for them to share that included blush and gold geometric wallpaper, a pair of trundle beds for when friends sleep over, fun lighting, and water-inspired art.

Lisa Gilmore Design - Interior Designer Tampa

Boy's Sport Inspired Bedroom

Boy’s Sports-Inspired Bedroom

As you can see, the son of this client loves sports. Many kids want a sports-themed room, but a theme that is too intense can come off as kitschy. We wanted to incorporate his love of sports in an elevated way, so we chose simplified and striking geometrics to create a nice backdrop for visually busy sporting goods items and memorabilia.

Girl’s Romantic Floral Bedroom

The focal point of this girl’s bedroom is the removable wallpaper with a large floral pattern. But don’t miss the gold-accented nightstand and four-poster bed. We paired modern clean lines with more girly, traditional pieces that would age well with a growing 5-year-old. The overall palette was neutral allowing the fun florals to steal the show! And the monogram initials over the bed add the perfect finishing touch to this feminine room.

Lisa Gilmore Design photo.

Toddler Boy’s Vintage Car Bedroom

A classic car fan of any age would love this bed! It certainly made this 3-year-old’s wildest dreams come true. The youthful truck bed required that we be especially thoughtful about the rest of the room’s design. Everything else in this room is transitional and modern, so when he outgrows the truck, the parents can bring in a new bed without having to do an entire room overhaul.

Lisa Gilmore Design photo.

Girl’s Eclectic and Minimalistic Bedroom

This minimalistic and polished bedroom was created for an older teen who was ready for a more sophisticated space. There are several pieces in this room that epitomize luxury. The chandelier has a “floating dandelion” feeling, and the trundle daybed is the perfect chic addition for lounging with friends, sleepovers, or quiet study time. And the rug we added has a vintage appeal that will age well with her as she grows up.

Lisa Gilmore Design photo.

Lisa Gilmore Design - Interior Designer Tampa

Teen Girl's Bedroom with Storage

Teen Girl’s Bedroom with Maximum Storage

This room has a more mature look for a teen girl. She dreams of traveling the world when she is older and has a whimsical personality, so the majestic fabric from Emma Shipley was the perfect addition to this playful yet mature space. 

This teen also has a lot of collectibles, records, crafts, and trophies, so we included built-in storage that would allow her to continuously update and restyle her belongings as her heart desires. The Lisa Gilmore Design team designed the built-in bookcases and worked with a local carpenter to create pieces that were the perfect fit for the space.

Design tips for kid’s and teen’s bedroom

When the Lisa Gilmore Design team designs a kids’ space, there are a few things we keep in mind.

• Make the child a part of the process.
  To create a room that a kid will feel at home in, it’s important to find out their likes and dislikes. Some children may enjoy creating a mood board for their room.

• Identify the child’s interests and hobbies.
  Knowing whether a kid is interested in reading, music, sports, etc. is key in designing the right room for them. It helps us choose the right decor and storage systems and plan the space’s layout. 

• Understand their storage needs.
  Many kids like to collect things or love toys like legos, Barbies, and action figures that have a lot of pieces. And some children have a large wardrobe. Identifying these things will help us plan accordingly. 

• Use peel-and-stick wallpaper.
  Peel-and-stick wallpaper comes in numerous prints and patterns, so it’s easy to find something that suits every child. And it is easy to remove and replace as the child grows and their interests change.

• Have fun with lighting.
  If the kid’s room doesn’t need a ceiling fan for air circulation, then the options for lighting are endless. There are so many whimsical and playful light fixtures that would pop in a child’s room.

• Create intentional spaces.
  Kids’ bedrooms are usually their main living spaces, so they need to be more than just a place to sleep. Based on the child’s age and lifestyle, we create spaces in the room to study or hang out by adding items like floor cushions, gaming chairs, tents, and window seats.

FAQs

1. How should a kids' room be set up?

When planning children’s bedrooms, be sure to include plenty of areas for storage, play, and sleepover guests. Add decor and color that the child can grow with rather than a theme that the child will be tired of in a year.

2. How can I decorate a bedroom for kids?

The most important tip when decorating a bedroom for kids is to include them in the process. Get their wish list for the room, incorporate their interests and hobbies, and collaborate on a plan for the space. Don’t forget to include areas for storage and to display their collections.

3. What should be in a child’s room?

Other than the basics like a bed, desk, and storage, a child’s room should include special touches like areas to hang out, a place to display their important belongings, beautiful and functional lighting, a cozy rug, and a bookshelf or bookcase. 

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida that provides luxury design services to busy professionals. We are a full-service firm, designing and managing renovations and new home construction projects from consultation to reveal. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners in St. Petersburg,  Clearwater, South Tampa, Hyde Park, and worldwide. 

7 Light Fixtures that Exemplify Luxury

INSTANTLY ENHANCE YOUR HOME DECOR WITH STATEMENT LIGHTING.

White Shells Gold Metal Empire Chandelier - Lisa Gilmore Design

Dazzling House and Room Lighting Inspiration.

Lighting is one of the most effective and easiest ways to add interest and character to a home. For example, have you ever seen George Clooney’s twine-wrapped lanterns or Diane Keaton’s eye-catching inverted lampshades? Gorgeous!

Lighting is also a fantastic way to infuse your personality and style into your home. Lisa Gilmore Design selects home lighting that adds personality whether they are unique design trade creations, custom pieces, antique finds, or heirloom treasures.

Make sure to read until the end where we reveal some key facts for choosing the very best lighting for your home.

7 Stunning Statement Lights

Of the many client homes that we have designed and reenvisioned, these are some of our favorite lighting features.

Crystal Chandelier Remix

The Lisa Gilmore Design team chose a Currey & Co chandelier with earthy, hanging crystals for the dining room. It adds the perfect wow factor to this Caribbean-inspired home in the Snell Isle neighborhood in St. Petersburg. The chandelier’s gold metal design provides a touch of sparkle that coordinates with the lighted discovery boxes on the wine wall.

Brass Banana Leaf Chandelier

The goal for this Gulf Coast condo in Tierra Verde was to create a waterfront boutique hotel-inspired space– something that was artsy and bold without being overwhelming. As Lisa was designing this dining room, she had a vision of brass banana leaves dancing gracefully over the table. When our team couldn’t find anything similar from all of our trade resources, Lisa designed the piece herself and had it fabricated locally. It is a conversation starter for sure.

Vintage Italian Glass Chandelier

The owners of this home in Clearwater, Florida wanted their spaces to have a curated feel rather than a cookie-cutter look that had been sourced from a catalog. The Lisa Gilmore Design team brought that concept to life in the primary suite with a custom braided rug, Pierre Frey embroidered bed frame, and geometric drapery. The pièce de résistance, however, was the feathered chandelier, made of vintage Italian Murano glass from 1960. We imported the chandelier from Italy and had it rewired locally to meet U.S. electrical standards.

Vintage Italian Brass Chandelier

Another space in the Clearwater home was a walk-in wine room. Though your eyes may be first drawn to the client’s 300-year-old French doors, don’t miss the vintage Italian chandelier with aged-brass flowers. Lisa found this petite chandelier on an antique sourcing trip in Atlanta and knew it would be the perfect finishing touch for this special wine room!

Whimsical Flush Mount Chandelier

This mid-century home in historic St. Petersburg was not a great match for the homeowners’ bohemian-modern style. This room, their daughter’s bathroom, was designed by LGD Senior Designer Nicole Maldonado. Nicole selected a playful, flush-mount floral chandelier for the space that pops against the dusty rose walls and ceiling.

Heirloom Venetian Chandelier

The owners of this new construction home in St. Petersburg had a few things in mind when we began working on their project. They wanted calming colors and a monochromatic look, and they wanted to incorporate his mother’s heirloom Venetian chandelier. The Lisa Gilmore Design team added it to the primary bedroom for a splash of glamour and history and used modern drapery fabric and bedding in soft tones to make the space feel more contemporary.

Chihuly-Style Lighting in Bold Powder Room

When the Lisa Gilmore Design team met these clients, they were selling their Snell Isle home and moving to a ONE St. Petersburg condominium. The homeowners were looking for a super modern, chic look with traditional undertones. They were thrilled with our design’s bold raspberry color for the study and powder room. The powder room also features this striking Chihuly-inspired blown glass flush mount, which adds the perfect bit of wildness to the modern design. We kept the sconce that is built into the mirror simple, so it wouldn’t compete with all the lovely details in the small powder room.

FAQs

1. What is good lighting for interior design?

Three expert interior design tips for luxury lighting include:

• A mixture of hanging light fixtures and lamps ensures a lovely mix of lighting options. And if you want to take it up a notch, sconces add ambiance and glow. 

• Always request dimmers when working with an electrician. Plus, recessed can lights should be in the middle warmth range of about 2700K to 3000K. These color tones will play nicely with the other light fixtures in your home.

• Don't be afraid to go a little big and grand with your lighting. As a room of thumb, the bottom of your dining room chandelier should be roughly 66 to 68 inches from the floor. 

2. What are the types of lights in home decor?

There are three types of lighting in home decor– ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting provides broad illumination to a space, such as ceiling-mounted lights. Task lighting supplies light to a specific area, such as table lamps or under-cabinet lighting. Accent lighting is used to highlight certain areas or features, such as track lighting or lighting mounted above artwork.

3. What are the different types of lighting in interior design?

There are many different types of lights used in interior design. Some of the most common include chandeliers, recessed lighting, track lighting, pendant lights, table and floor lamps, and sconces.

Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta said, “The most important thing? Perfect lighting at all times.” Though he was referring to fashion, the same can be said for home lighting. Whether it’s through the use of chandeliers, table lamps, lanterns, or wall sconces, the right lighting can take your space from fair to fabulous.

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida that provides luxury design services to busy professionals. We have been named an Architectural Digest Leading Southwest Florida Designer and a Top 25 Design Florida Firm by Design + Decor. Lisa Gilmore Design has also been featured in top design publications such as Florida Design, Aspire Home and Rue Magazine. We serve homeowners in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Hyde Park, South Tampa and worldwide.

Our Love Letter to Tile: A Striking Addition to Any Space

DISCOVER ALTERNATIVES TO CARRARA MARBLE AND PORCELAIN.

Fresh Color Block Modern Kitchen - Lisa Gilmore Design

Lisa Gilmore Design clients want luxurious, curated spaces filled with custom and one-of-a-kind pieces. And, they often think we can achieve that through furnishings.

While that is true, another often overlooked way to inject color, personality, and character into a space is through tile.

The most common types of tile like ceramic and porcelain may not have much personality. And, even Carrara marble has become standard in luxury homes. But, there are several other options such as concrete and hand-painted tile that add glamour and an artisan feel to a space.

9 Interior Design Projects Showcasing Stunning Tile

Take a look at these Lisa Gilmore Design projects that feature show-stopping tile.

Geometric Marble Backsplash

This luxury condo kitchen features a custom marble geometric backsplash in a classic monochromatic color scheme.

Concrete Pool Deck

This backyard features a pool deck with a neutral tile underfoot. For the stair risers and outdoor kitchen backsplash, we incorporated a wonderful, hand-crafted concrete tile in a fun pattern, again adding visual interest - but not overpowering the space. We also incorporated this tile on the stair risers to the entry of the home, so it is a continuous thread throughout the property.

Arto Tile Outdoor Kitchen - Lisa Gilmore Design

Custom Home Snell Isle - Interiors by Lisa Gilmore Design

Patterned Tile Floor

The tile in this primary bath adds a pop of glam that the room needed to go from good to magazine worthy. Who needs rugs in a bathroom when you have this beautiful pattern throughout?!

Modern Terrazzo Kitchen

The backsplash for this waterfront vacation condo features a modern terrazzo that brings the kitchen to life.

Hand-crafted Relief Tile

For this client’s backsplash, we chose hand-crafted relief molds on terracotta that pop against the modern appliances and cabinetry. This creates so much visual interest while remaining calm and monochromatic.

Black & White Terrazzo Floor

This luxury condo is filled with lots of pattern and color, however, we wanted the kitchen to be a bit more calm but still interesting. This kitchen’s backsplash features tile with an irregular dot pattern for an understated modern look. It balances wonderfully with the two-tone kitchen cabinets and the busy terrazzo we installed on the floor. 

Hand Painted Tabarka Tile

This walk-in wine room features layers and layers of history, from the 300-year-old doors found in Paris to the antique chandelier and footstool. We complimented all of these worn-with-love items with a beautiful back wall of hand-painted tile. It’s the perfect backdrop for beloved glassware and objects.

Patterned Terracotta Tile

Hand-painted terracotta tile adds a splash of color to this white kitchen and makes the cabinet hardware pop.

Floral Marble Bathroom

This home renovation didn’t miss the opportunity for a wow factor. This floral backdrop is made of stunning waterjet cut marble, creating a calm and relaxing motif for this primary bathroom. 

These nine projects feature just a few of the many ways tile can be used to add personality, character, and color to a space. It’s elements like these, paired with custom furnishings and vintage pieces that create curated, luxurious spaces that are the embodiment of liveable glamour.

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Modern to Traditional Living Room Makeover

One of the biggest benefits of building a home is being able to choose everything– from the crown molding to the flooring and everything in between.

But people who desire a home with character or one in an established neighborhood usually buy a pre-owned home. While pre-owned homes have many advantages, it’s common for buyers to get a home that doesn’t exactly fit their style.

Think wall-to-wall carpet, dark wood paneling, popcorn ceilings, and pastel bathrooms. 

And, though our client’s newly purchased home wasn’t outdated, it still didn’t fit her traditional and elegant style. 

One room the Lisa Gilmore Design team re-envisioned was the formal living room.

Formal living room before

Before, the room was a bit too modern with a crystal chandelier, light coastal blue walls, and dark wood flooring. 

Formal living room before renovation

To make the room feel more timeless, we chose a palette of softened primary colors mixed with neutrals. The gorgeous, classic chinoiserie wallpaper creates a feeling of being at one with nature, while delicate ornaments featuring birds and rabbits embody life.

We were also able to reuse the homeowner’s side chairs and reupholster them in a light, cream fabric.

Lisa Gilmore Design | Native House Photography

Our goal for the entire home renovation was to add warmth and luxury to the space, while ensuring it was still inviting at the same time. You can read more about the whole project at Homes and Gardens.

But if you are unable to completely renovate a room, there are still ways to inject your style into a room. Consider small investments such as changing the lighting, painting the walls or furniture, replacing the window treatments, or adding accessories like rugs, art, and decorative accents.

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.