apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Small Kids, Big Color 2009: The Finals!

Congratulations to our finalists! Out of the pool of hundreds of entries received, we posted fifty fantastic, colorful kids rooms. Over the past three weeks, the readers gave their "thumps up" and now, we've got the top nine rooms ready for your perusal and final vote. From joyful brights to gradient stripes to an an amazing mural...

 
 

...we've got a bit of everything including your top choices in the international division, from Canada, Italy and Australia!

Take a look back at our 9 finalists listed below (and shown above)...

  • Finn's Inherited Blue Nursery
  • Henry's Vintage Travel Mural
  • Carter's Punch of Color
  • Baby Cashew's Mix & Match Nursery
  • Ruby Jane's Bright & Cheery Nursery
  • Rosie's Happy & Bright Bedroom
  • Olivia's Modern Pink Nursery
  • Aiden's Robots in Space Bedroom
  • Sadie's Warm & Cozy Bedroom

    and then please give your vote to your favorite overall colorful kids room:

    Voting is for ONE day only - in 24 hours (approx 4:00pm EST on 11/20), we will stop the vote and the top three ranked entries will be our three winners of the prizes from DwellStudio.

    We have a separate final vote for the top 3 International entries. The highest ranked entry based on your vote today in this division will receive a Certificate of Recognition from Ohdeedoh:

    ohcci111909.jpg

  • Lily & Ruby's Rainbow Bright Bedroom
  • Tommaso & Lorenzo's Bright Bedroom
  • Felix & Theodore's Yellow & Black Nursery

    Congrats to all the semifinalists and thanks to all who entered their inspiring, wonderful kids rooms!

  • Tags

    Small Kids, Big Color 2009

    Share

    Comments (92)

    I vote for Sadie's room.

    posted by alexcrothers on November 19th 2009 at 4:33pm
    view alexcrothers's profile

    I'm trying to vote for Felix and Theodore's room but it doesn't seem to be working.

    posted by ClothDiaperFashionista on November 19th 2009 at 4:35pm
    view ClothDiaperFashionista's profile

    Nevermind....I figured it out.

    posted by ClothDiaperFashionista on November 19th 2009 at 4:37pm
    view ClothDiaperFashionista's profile

    Thanks to everyone voting for Aiden's! :)

    posted by mrsdoll on November 19th 2009 at 4:42pm
    view mrsdoll's profile

    R.O.S.I.E!

    posted by jayhwk1 on November 19th 2009 at 4:42pm
    view jayhwk1's profile

    Go Aiden's room!

    posted by MrsKristieAnn on November 19th 2009 at 4:47pm
    view MrsKristieAnn's profile

    aw, baby cashew is the winner by a long shot! it's no contest in my opinion.

    love felix & theodore's for the international finalists.

    posted by doubledutch on November 19th 2009 at 4:55pm
    view doubledutch's profile

    For me it was a tossup between Finn's and Aiden's room. In the end I voted for Finn's room because I can sympathize with inheriting a rental wall color.

    As for international, I went with Felix & Theodore's room.

    posted by alllebasii on November 19th 2009 at 4:56pm
    view alllebasii's profile

    Aiden's room is in a rental too! :P Our landlord lets us paint & do whatever we want though. Our old apartment was bare white walls with no other options and gross carpets. :(

    posted by mrsdoll on November 19th 2009 at 5:02pm
    view mrsdoll's profile

    I like Aiden's room but I voted for Baby Cashew. It vibes more with my personal aesthetic.

    posted by Loki Parker on November 19th 2009 at 5:16pm
    view Loki Parker's profile

    i'm sad that my submission was not included, my son has a wonderful and fun bedroom. maybe next year? but i loved being able to vote and enjoy all of the great entries! what a wonderful contest!

    posted by malcolmsmom on November 19th 2009 at 5:24pm
    view malcolmsmom's profile

    Baby cashew's room is by far the cutest! It looks so cozy and bright, just what a nursery should feel like:)

    posted by krowlan2 on November 19th 2009 at 5:33pm
    view krowlan2's profile

    I am voting for Ruby's room!

    posted by jenthomas3 on November 19th 2009 at 5:40pm
    view jenthomas3's profile

    I think Sadie's room is by far the best one out there. I don't even know any of these kids or their parents, just browsing the web, saw this epic contest and had to get my two cents in here.

    Sadie's room depicts the fun, yet curious spirit of a young child. The wall color choice being blue is where the common person may scratch their head and say.. but she's a girl.. yes.. good point.. but that's where the stark contrast of pinks and reds come into play to re-assure the femininity and playfulness of the color blue when being the backdrop for a nice amount of pinks, reds, yellows, etc.

    The other contestants sure did put on a good show, but c'mon, let's be honest, better luck next year!

    posted by AshyLarry on November 19th 2009 at 5:41pm
    view AshyLarry's profile

    sorry aiden! you were my second choice.
    i just can't get over henry's mural.

    posted by k8theriver on November 19th 2009 at 5:41pm
    view k8theriver's profile

    It's all about Ruby Jane for me - loving that nursery!

    posted by melaniejoy on November 19th 2009 at 6:03pm
    view melaniejoy's profile

    I LOVE Ruby Jane's room. Being a professional interior designer, I completely think that that room is leaps and bounds above the rest! Such a beautiful job!

    posted by phpalmer88 on November 19th 2009 at 6:06pm
    view phpalmer88's profile

    I agree with AshyLarry and vote for Sadie's room. That blue is awesome and makes the pinks and reds pop!

    posted by mikemccarney on November 19th 2009 at 6:14pm
    view mikemccarney's profile

    i love felix and theodore's room

    posted by cheekypoet on November 19th 2009 at 6:18pm
    view cheekypoet's profile

    I think Ruby Jane's room is awesome! It gets my vote.

    posted by kendrale on November 19th 2009 at 6:18pm
    view kendrale's profile

    Henry you rock!!! Your room is awesome. I hope your room wins!!!

    posted by dancetchr68 on November 19th 2009 at 6:41pm
    view dancetchr68's profile

    Aiden's room!!!!!!

    posted by sugabee on November 19th 2009 at 6:42pm
    view sugabee's profile

    sadie got my vote this time but my second choice was carters room! i am still amazed at the color in a white room .

    posted by jackied302 on November 19th 2009 at 6:50pm
    view jackied302's profile

    I am voting for OLIVIA'S pink MODERN ROOM! From what I've read ALL the items are handmade and how cool is that? The walls are so unusual and fun and the black and white artwork really captures the baby's attention. You get twice as much bang for your buck - adorable and stimulating as well! Any baby or little girl that I know would LOVE this room!

    posted by mrsportable on November 19th 2009 at 7:09pm
    view mrsportable's profile

    Go Katie and Olivia! Love, love, love the room! I've seen it in person and it's even more beautiful than the pictures!

    posted by shanicherie on November 19th 2009 at 7:20pm
    view shanicherie's profile

    Finn's room makes me smile.
    Finn's is it.

    posted by mommaD on November 19th 2009 at 7:38pm
    view mommaD's profile

    Henry has a great mural, but his room lacks warmth. I vote for Finn's room, warm and bright, great for a little guy!

    posted by cs4928 on November 19th 2009 at 7:48pm
    view cs4928's profile

    thanks for the votes for baby cashew's nursery! good luck to all the entries!

    the handmade, eclectic little space is still waiting for our very overdue baby. this contest is a great distraction! :)

    posted by annalea on November 19th 2009 at 8:02pm
    view annalea's profile

    Wonderful & worthy finalists! Great job, all:) Henry & Rosie, I wish I could vote for BOTH of you. Can we have a girl's room category and a boy's room category?!

    posted by SQ on November 19th 2009 at 8:11pm
    view SQ's profile

    Wish I was Henry - I'd sleep quite well and never argue about naptime.

    posted by pattim on November 19th 2009 at 8:20pm
    view pattim's profile

    Oh Henry, you got the greatest room.

    posted by altoidhenry on November 19th 2009 at 8:46pm
    view altoidhenry's profile

    what a wonderful bedroom

    posted by altoidhenry on November 19th 2009 at 8:48pm
    view altoidhenry's profile

    Thank you to ohdeedoh and dwell for such a fun contest! Thank you to all the gracious voters as well. I feel so blessed to be involved and included and to have so many great inspirational rooms to check out because of this contest. What a grand treasure chest of ideas and color and creativity! My friends have loved looking at all the great ideas from the different rooms as they've come to vote.

    posted by megalega on November 19th 2009 at 8:59pm
    view megalega's profile

    Aiden's room hands down. I want to be a kid again just so I just stay there. Lol

    posted by tashnicole on November 19th 2009 at 9:15pm
    view tashnicole's profile

    Ruby Jane's room is the best!

    posted by jandscrown on November 19th 2009 at 9:22pm
    view jandscrown's profile

    Olivia's Room is darling!

    posted by nunya on November 19th 2009 at 9:24pm
    view nunya's profile

    Great job to everyone!!!!I voted for Aiden's room, I love the clean modern look of it. :-)

    posted by brenda_679 on November 19th 2009 at 9:26pm
    view brenda_679's profile

    Sadie's room is the BEST.....she is one lucky little lady!!!

    posted by susannataylor on November 19th 2009 at 9:44pm
    view susannataylor's profile

    THE COLOR SCHEME FOR OLIVIA'S ROOM IS A UNIQUE USE OF COLORS....AND I LIKE THE USE OF BLACK AND WHITE PAINTINGS THROUGHOUT.I HAVE HEARD THAT THE USE OF BLACK AND WHITE PATTERNS STIMULATES INFANTS BRAIN CAPACITY AND CREATIVITY

    posted by rbecca1 on November 19th 2009 at 9:56pm
    view rbecca1's profile

    It takes a great designer to know one, and I am voting for Ruby Jane's nursery! In that room are many new and clever ideas you can accomplish without hiring a professional muralist or contractor. The color combination is happy and delicious. I'd love to wake up in that room! Thank you Ruby Jane for showing us we can all have great design at our fingertips!

    posted by nurse75 on November 19th 2009 at 10:02pm
    view nurse75's profile

    I absolutely love Lily & Ruby's Rainbow Bright Bedroom!
    I love the canvas above the bed!

    posted by sunnysidemom on November 19th 2009 at 10:37pm
    view sunnysidemom's profile

    Olivia´s room made it to the final 10!!! Congratulations, now that I have all ten rooms to compare, my vote is for Olivia´s. Using the hand made art on black and white colors on the walls and mobile is a marvelous idea, this room is thought out for the baby and her brain patterns at this important developmental stage. Good lucK!!!

    posted by Yolanda01 on November 19th 2009 at 10:41pm
    view Yolanda01's profile

    Baby Cashew's Room all the way!
    Go Annie.

    posted by cristine14 on November 19th 2009 at 10:46pm
    view cristine14's profile

    Aiden's room all the way!!Mostly because its so creative I want to turn 6 again and live in it myself :P lol

    posted by Cinda on November 19th 2009 at 10:55pm
    view Cinda's profile

    The colors used by Henry's muralist match the colors of nature that surround the house. There is a gacefull flow of color and nature from wall to window to wall. What a great room for young Henry to grow up in!

    posted by Tommyflew on November 19th 2009 at 10:59pm
    view Tommyflew's profile

    good luck katie

    posted by marioneta on November 19th 2009 at 11:06pm
    view marioneta's profile

    I love Little Ruby Jane's room. So precious.

    posted by adf26 on November 19th 2009 at 11:17pm
    view adf26's profile

    Aiden's robot theme is the best one.

    posted by girlinterrupted on November 19th 2009 at 11:45pm
    view girlinterrupted's profile

    Good luck Ruby! Congrats on making the finals :)

    posted by sleepingbeauty37 on November 19th 2009 at 11:54pm
    view sleepingbeauty37's profile

    I vote for Lily and Ruby's room!

    posted by jacquelinefish on November 20th 2009 at 12:11am
    view jacquelinefish's profile

    YEAH FOR CASHEW's nursery

    posted by sonyalynn on November 20th 2009 at 12:25am
    view sonyalynn's profile

    me too, i vote for lily & ruby's room!

    posted by cj123 on November 20th 2009 at 12:29am
    view cj123's profile

    I love all the details in Aidens room

    posted by kbaltz on November 20th 2009 at 1:41am
    view kbaltz's profile

    Rosie's room by a mile! I agree that Henry's mural is lovely but not warm or childlike.

    The contest was so fun, I picked up a lot of good ideas. Can't wait to enter next year!

    posted by TheLittlestChicken on November 20th 2009 at 1:41am
    view TheLittlestChicken's profile

    Aiden's room has my vote!

    posted by issummerlove on November 20th 2009 at 3:08am
    view issummerlove's profile

    sadie. done.

    posted by robynf on November 20th 2009 at 6:21am
    view robynf's profile

    I love Henry's room. The mural is amazing. One talented Mom. Bet Henry is a happy little boy playing in there. Can't imagine it looking that neat all the time. Let's scatter some of those toys in the floor.

    posted by bdonlin2 on November 20th 2009 at 6:52am
    view bdonlin2's profile

    I think Aiden's room is the best. Look at all the toy's he can play with! I didn't see hardly anything in the other rooms. And the lights on the bed! How is there any competition? Haha great rooms though, wish I had these rooms when I was a kid. Great job everybody.

    posted by Jeffrey01 on November 20th 2009 at 7:07am
    view Jeffrey01's profile

    I vote for Henry!

    posted by 99jaz on November 20th 2009 at 7:54am
    view 99jaz's profile

    Ruby Jane's room rocks!

    posted by callitidwell7 on November 20th 2009 at 9:17am
    view callitidwell7's profile

    Trying to vote for Sadie's room (my clear choice) but after hitting the button nothing happens. Please count my vote!

    posted by bobbigglesworth on November 20th 2009 at 9:24am
    view bobbigglesworth's profile

    I'm rolling with Sadie. Love the "blue" on the walls; warm indeed.

    posted by MHBunting on November 20th 2009 at 9:43am
    view MHBunting's profile

    Henry's room is the most original. LOVE IT!

    posted by tish on November 20th 2009 at 9:53am
    view tish's profile

    sadie

    posted by rubyfoo on November 20th 2009 at 9:58am
    view rubyfoo's profile

    i really love all the little details in aidens room, the lights, the robot hangers, the textures even, beautiful. my kids would have a blast in that room!

    posted by ruby007 on November 20th 2009 at 10:14am
    view ruby007's profile

    Baby Cashew's room has my vote! Love love love the eclectic colors and design!

    posted by libbyjane1 on November 20th 2009 at 10:18am
    view libbyjane1's profile

    aidens mom clearly had a plan before she started the room - i love it!

    posted by iheartu on November 20th 2009 at 10:57am
    view iheartu's profile

    They certainly don't make voting easy for the finals--poor to no directions, too round about. This time I couldn't even get to the Thumbs Up sign, and when I tried before my vote wouldn't register. Is answering the survey the same as voting?

    PLEASE NOTE,I VOTE FOR SADIE'S ROOM, HANDS DOWN.

    posted by lonhinchey on November 20th 2009 at 11:00am
    view lonhinchey's profile

    I voted for ROSIE'S room! It was no contest for me. It's just so bright and cheery and age appropriate - love the yellow with turquoise and excellent use of wallpaper, patterns, textures, and architectural elements. And after finding the mama's blog and learning that so many of the elements were repurposed and DIY - makes me love it that much more. A unique and happy space for a lucky little girl!

    posted by velouria on November 20th 2009 at 11:18am
    view velouria's profile

    Love it!

    posted by ctk0101 on November 20th 2009 at 11:32am
    view ctk0101's profile

    Carter's Room!

    posted by peargie on November 20th 2009 at 12:01pm
    view peargie's profile

    My vote is for Olivia's Modern Pink Nursery!

    posted by sbrogers on November 20th 2009 at 12:04pm
    view sbrogers's profile

    SADIE is my vote!

    posted by daggermouth on November 20th 2009 at 12:07pm
    view daggermouth's profile

    Ruby all the way!

    posted by Workingfulltimewith2 on November 20th 2009 at 12:10pm
    view Workingfulltimewith2's profile

    Hoorah for Finn's room! A vibrant palette with wonderful visual punch from great complimenting patterns in the fabrics used here. Love the salvaged metal drawer unit too-industructable!

    posted by jennygray1 on November 20th 2009 at 12:22pm
    view jennygray1's profile

    jeg elsker aidens!

    posted by danserai on November 20th 2009 at 12:30pm
    view danserai's profile

    Ruby Jane has the custest room I've EVER seen!!! I hope she wins!!!

    posted by Chelsbulk on November 20th 2009 at 12:55pm
    view Chelsbulk's profile

    Go Ruby, Go!!!

    posted by Jeaner9 on November 20th 2009 at 1:32pm
    view Jeaner9's profile

    I vote Baby Cashew!

    posted by jme777 on November 20th 2009 at 1:49pm
    view jme777's profile

    Aiden's room rock

    posted by tnguyen on November 20th 2009 at 2:36pm
    view tnguyen's profile

    Such a hard choice between Henry's room and baby Cashew's room... i finally picked Henry's, but it was a tough call. Wish there was an option to pick a runner-up!

    posted by sbeamish on November 20th 2009 at 2:48pm
    view sbeamish's profile

    Sadie's Room is extra cozy

    posted by Jmelina on November 20th 2009 at 2:50pm
    view Jmelina's profile

    I'm voting for you Annalea Hart and baby Cashew!

    posted by lady0peace on November 20th 2009 at 2:56pm
    view lady0peace's profile

    Henry's Room! I wish I could sleep there, or get his mom to paint my bedroom!

    posted by mkmcg72 on November 20th 2009 at 2:58pm
    view mkmcg72's profile

    I think Aiden's Room should win! The top room right now is a great painted room, but it isn't childlike to me at all.

    posted by underscorelife on November 20th 2009 at 3:14pm
    view underscorelife's profile

    I kind of agree, underscore. The other ones are absolutely gorgeous and definitely an inspiration! Aiden's room is for an older boy and I definitely think it's unique and suitable! The story that her boy wants to be a robot engineer melts my heart!

    posted by okimmy on November 20th 2009 at 3:20pm
    view okimmy's profile

    I love Sadie's room, but I also love Henry's. The murals are gorgeous and it reminds me of Up.

    posted by reginaregina on November 20th 2009 at 3:32pm
    view reginaregina's profile

    Finn's room is the awesomest. Hands down.

    posted by Lazerbeak on November 20th 2009 at 3:50pm
    view Lazerbeak's profile

    still loving OLIVIA's room the best! these entires could all only be cuter if the little mugs were in them too. i hope they are all enjoying their lovely baby suites!

    posted by dje1 on November 20th 2009 at 4:03pm
    view dje1's profile

    Baby Cashew!!!! The best hand-made details. Super cute.

    posted by MuchAdo330 on November 20th 2009 at 4:09pm
    view MuchAdo330's profile

    where's the international division? hello... canada?

    posted by isledeluv on November 20th 2009 at 4:13pm
    view isledeluv's profile

    Too bad, I thought the voting was through tonight, I missed voting!
    I would have voted Rosie's or Sadie's. I think the speak about color the most although Henry's travel room is my favorite room.
    Congratulations to all the entries - they are fabulous and creative rooms that really inspire and brought a smile to my face!

    posted by anapanda on November 20th 2009 at 5:33pm
    view anapanda's profile