Who doesn't love a beautifully-styled magazine shot with everything just so? But when kids are part of the household, the only shelter porn that does it for us is the kind that reflects how we live. That is what we find so appealing in this shot of design firm Lotus Bleu's living room found on Design Sponge.
The room is beautiful - deep red on the walls, windows and sofa, graphic floral patterns on the cushions, lots of natural light. But there is also a large screen TV penned in with a safety gate. There is a kid's table and chairs set and toys organized, but out and on the floor. The low bookshelf holds more toys and the kids' library. All of this yet it still looks great.
Don't get us wrong - we'd love a "bonus room" as a dedicated playroom; however, we think there is something to be said for a shared living space. Parents can chat, read a magazine or watch TV while children are playing in the same room. It provides more opportunity for parent/child interaction. And as shown in this photo of the Lotus Bleu home, it can be pulled off brilliantly. Does your living room also serve as the main play area for your children? Do you like it that way?
(pic via Design Sponge)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Yikes, the kid in the artwork looks like Isaac from "Children of the Corn."
(But I do like the pillows, I guess.)
view mere1975's profile
I love seeing that designer's use babygates in their photoshoots I like that little play table. But I am not a fan of all the red.
view farleece's profile
does anyone know who is the maker of the dollhouse and parking ramp ? I would love to get one for my kids!
view TrixieLich's profile
Way too much red. Seriously - that design firm needs to get this off the net - it is not good advertising.
view kkdm's profile
TrixieLich, I'm pretty sure that parking garage is from Plan Toys. Good luck!
view shenster's profile
How about the table and chairs? Anyone know who makes those?
view anmar's profile
Table and chairs are the Offi Woody Set - see here http://www.offi.com/products/offikids/VCT3018.php?p2c=238
But you'll need to get your cheque book out! $399! crikey.
view Moochiecat's profile
Way too much red and black in combination for me (and I have a red sectional! as well as the same wheelie bug and fire truck in *my* living room as in this picture!).
It feels cluttered and makes me tense...
Since our kids are still quite young, we combine adult and child spaces. We have big low drawers along one wall, and store most toys (except for the 'bug, fire truck and a Plan dollhouse in the drawers). The top of the drawers are a playspace. We also have a kid's table and 2 bright chairs, hiding behind one side of the sectional, where our daughter spends a lot of time drawing.
Our living room feels more calm, probably because we have a lot of white -- although it has a similar sort of sisal-like rug (with a square pattern -- not our choice), and a good bit of red (just almost no black -- I think it is the black that doesn't work for me).
view mschatelaine's profile
I love red and black... but in my opinion, this is not red and black in a good way.... it's more like "when red becomes wrong". Red drapes with red walls? yikes.....
view modern on long island's profile
So cluttered! This space feels unrelaxing and stressful with the red and the gate around the tv and general lack of space or even space for the eyes to rest. Is this really a designer's?
view jewelly's profile
the colors are so stephanie from the sleepover friends book series.
i know someone out there knows what i'm talking about.
view j i's profile
@ j i -- oh yes i do! it's sad actually how frequently I see things that are "so stephanie."
view libbyhunt's profile