10 Ways to a Family-Friendly Home
IS THE PITTER-PATTER OF LITTLE FEET DROWNING OUT YOUR SENSE OF CREATIVE STYLE? NO TIME TO FOCUS? SCARED TO MAKE A MOVE LEST
YOUR WEE LITTLE ONES DEMOLISH IT INSTANTLY? GREENWICH INTERIOR DESIGNER STEPHANIE HORTON SHARES 10 TIPS FOR BUILDING A CRAYOLA-PROOF HOME.
1. Prep with paint
Start with a good foundation by painting the interior of your home with premium brand paints. The difference in price won’t break you, and these paints spread and adhere better, require fewer coats and last longer. They are more dirt and stain-resistant, and hold up to repeated cleanings. Since they have more pigments, they tend to be prettier and add depth to a room, changing with the light throughout the day. Go with darker shades on stairwells and high-traffic areas to hide scuffs. Forget wallpaper; stains and tears are hard to patch and patterns are often discontinued. We like Greenwich’s Farrow & Ball paints. They have beautiful, complex colors. Plus, they also carry paints with zero VOC’s (nontoxic) and no harmful ingredients. Their traditional Estate Emulsion wipes off easily, while the Modern Emulsion is completely washable and perfect for high-usage spots. (farrow-ball.com)
2. Use foolproof fabric
Consider using synthetic outdoor fabrics inside. Many companies are now offering extremely chic looking man-made fabrics that bridge the gap between inside and out. While they’re ideal in gardens, poolside, or on the beach and boat, they are also great solutions for playrooms, kitchens and other interior areas subject to hard wear. DeLany & Long Ltd. has a wonderful line of fabrics made from 100 percent Acrylic Draylon, which makes them water-resistant, mildew-resistant and stain-resistant. New technologies are also coming onto the market, expanding your choices even further. Great Plains by Holly Hunt offers a range of fabrics with
Nano-Tex, which repels oil, red wine, soda and more. Spills just stop, bead and roll off. Alternatively, using 100 percent natural fibers such as cotton or linen for slipcovers will allow you to remove and wash them whenever you need. It’s best to prewash the fabric before having slipcovers made to account for any initial shrinkage. Plus, it makes them soft. (delanyandlong.com; hollyhunt.com)
3. Set boundaries
Certain rooms in your house should be off-limits to children. Have at least one toy-free, food-free zone, and teach your children to “only look, don’t touch.” If consistent, you’ll soon establish rules. For younger children, pressure mounted or tension baby gates can help set boundaries, without damaging door frames since they don’t require hardware. We like the Evenflo Crosstown Travel Baby Safety Gate because it is stable and adjustable to different door widths. Gates aren’t just to keep kids out, they also help them build respect for things, and teach them that the house is not a free-for-all. Besides, you deserve one room in your home that isn’t decorated by Fisher-Price. (babygates.com)
4. Find cover in dark color
Use 100 percent wool carpets in darker shades, preferably with a pattern, in playrooms and family rooms. Wool is durable and can be professionally cleaned; sisals and some blended carpets, on the other hand, cannot. A dark-colored rug is quite forgiving since you won’t see the stains from every juice box and crayon your child has dragged across it. Dark patterns are even more forgiving, allowing stains to play hide-and-seek with the rest of the overall pattern. While black floral rugs throughout may not be for you, solid beige will show e-v-e-r-y stain. Mid-brown to dark brown tones are fantastic because they’re good dirt colors and tend to blend with wood floors. Add a check or geometric pattern and then you’re talking really practical.
5. Call Fiber-Seal
Fiber-Seal of Connecticut has offered eco-responsiblefabric protection since 1971. By applying a proprietary solution to any textile in your home (rugs, upholstery, curtains, pillows), the treatment renders the fibers more impenetrable to stains. Their product repels liquids and keeps fibers cleaner longer without changing the look and feel of your existing items. Their service is also unparalleled. They make house calls, leave behind a handy cleaning kit and make free follow-up emergency visits for one year. Determined in the war against stains, Fiber-Seal is a must in combating the aftermath of a busy, kid-filled home.
(fiberseal.com)
6. Lean on antiques
Try to be less preoccupied with perfect interiors. Scratches and chips are okay —they add to the patina. The best interiors look lived-in and are slightly worn, avoiding that sterile decorator look. Rooms don’t work if everything looks just-out-of-the-box. Having at least one old thing in every room helps give an evolved appearance. Your furniture doesn’t have to be museum-quality, but there’s no substitute for something with a little age. Besides, buying antiques is the ultimate recycling effort, and since they already have a timeworn appeal, you’ll worry less about every new nick and scratch. They might even help you relax. These pieces have been around a lot longer than you have, so chances are you really can’t wreck them.
7. Embrace white
We all know what early mornings and late nights are like in the master bedroom of parents with kids: Anything from toothpaste to orange juice can end up between the sheets. Still, go with white bedding. It’s low maintenance, and can be washed in the machine at home, with bleach when necessary. It’s a clean look, and you won’t have to worry about it fading or getting dingy. There are so many beautiful white bed covers, pillowcases, sheets and shams on the market. Lynnens is a great local resource, as they stock a wide variety of high-quality basics. We love the Sferra Celeste 406 thread-count percale sheets, which are crisp and feel amazing. The Traditions Matelassé Ivone Coverlet is 100% Egyptian cotton with a simple diamond pattern and looks great anywhere. A white down duvet is also machine washable; just put it in the dryer with tennis balls to keep it fluffy. Choose a beautiful wood bed or upholstered headboard, but keep the bedding simple. (lynnens.com)
8. Be patient and buy what lasts
As the old adage goes, “Buy the best and cry once.” Furniture is expensive, and prices only go up, so start investing in good pieces now. A few impact pieces can transform a room so you’ll never regret the splurge. Buy what you truly love, and you’ll have a place for it no matter where you go. High-quality upholstery is also a good investment; comfort is paramount. Do your research, enlist friends, family or a decorator for help. Don’t buy the first thing you see. Every empty space in your house is an opportunity; take your time. If you’re on a budget, make a goal of investing in one good piece of furniture every year—the best piece you can afford—instead of frittering away money through the year on throwaway accessories. Get the furniture. It will be around a lot longer than that must-have “it” handbag.
9. Layer with textiles
Interesting textiles are a small way to pack a big punch, so treat yourself to a few pillows or throws for your home. Antique fabrics and special textiles add an element of history and craftsmanship, which takes a room to the next level. Just this little dose of visual appeal can translate to immeasurable character. It’s like jewelry for the sofa. If your inclination is for the exotic, try Indian paisley, Turkish embroidery or ikat, animal patterns or fur. If you’re more traditional, use handprinted English florals, French linen, Japanese silk or Italian-cut velvet. These fabrics conjure up images and transport you. Hunt for indigenous textiles as souvenirs on vacation. Shop clothing stores or your own closet for inspiration: Interior design often imitates fashion. In any case, there is no simpler way to transform a beige sofa than a few yards of spectacular fabric. You can always remove or store them in a safe place before kids’ visits.
10. Spend with smarts
Forgive the anti-mom sentiment, but don’t spend a lot on kids’ rooms. The bottom line: Your money is better invested elsewhere. Their styles and tastes change throughout the years, if old enough to care at all, and their things get demo’d anyway. Keep it light, simple and modern. The toys and clutter of everyday living add tons of color. Get a good storage system or invest in built-in cabinetry with bookshelves and line them with baskets or brightly colored bins. An architectural addition like custom millwork always adds value to your home and makes the room feel bigger. Skip pricey furniture, window treatments and forego the rugs, as these can be a primary cause of allergens, or use a small sheepskin area rug. Kids love the tactile nature and it’s machine washable.*