Caxton magazines staffThese spaces are cool enough for the kids and stylish enough to keep you happy
Budget makeover
As the mother of teenage triplets, self-confessed bargain hunter, Cape decorator Christine Bence knows all about getting creative with what you already have. When her 14-year-old son’s bedroom needed a makeover, she mixed leftover paint until she got the charcoal shade she wanted. He had outgrown his vintage desk, so she dismantled it and then wall-mounted the top. The remaining parts were used as shelving above his bed, and above his desk, vintage crates were wall-mounted to provide pigeonhole storage. The bed on castors is another of Christine’s clever inventions and features bolster cushions made from leftover fabrics. Placed divan-style against the wall, the bed doubles up as a sofa where the kids watch DVDs. All other items are from vintage shops or flea markets.
Splashes of colour
In this bedroom, a white palette provides a minimalist backdrop for the many polka dots. “My starting point for this graphic, girly room was the striking Magis Flare table by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders,” explains Anien Bell from Greenscene Interiors. As a fun element, Anien added a Magis polka-dot stool that lights up when sat on. Red accents in the form of scatter cushions, a blanket and a retro chair put a modern spin on the classic black and white look. As the teen goes into her 20s, the basic white palette can be updated by simply changing the accessories.
Extra sleep-over space
Offset by bright fuchsia paint, a floral wallpaper steals the show in this eclectically glamorous teenager’s bedroom designed by Michele Throssell Interiors. The vintage bed brings in a touch of romance and, together with the striking Olaf Hajek print, helps to keep the look sophisticated. Paired with gold and white side tables the floor cushions in a trendy zigzag print and the hot pink pouffe create a flexible seating solution – a great idea for any space where a multitude of teens are likely to drop in and hang out. For friends who stay over, there’s a sleeping loft that’s accessed by the ladder beside the desk, which also doubles up as a storage rack for shoes and clothes when it’s not in use.
Unisex entertainment area
Shared by four siblings of different ages and sexes, this TV room has an unusual round shape. To make the most of its interesting architecture, interior decorator Desmond Archibald designed a sectional sofa that hugs the curve of the wall and provides ample seating. For the upholstery, he opted for a selection of patterned and plain fabrics in bright colours that appeal to both boys and girls. He then brought in an organic element with the woven finishes on the coffee table and pendant lights, both of which reinforce the circular theme.
Playful and practical
Filled with hard-wearing furnishings and grounded by a funky astro turf carpet, this boy’s bedroom strikes the perfect balance between practical and playful. Designed by Bruce Fyfe and Associates, the scheme was inspired by an oversized map of Africa, which creates a feature on one wall, with jaunty stripes on the others. As storage is key to keeping clutter under control, the bunk bed – which can accommodate up to three friends for sleepovers – has drawers in its base, the desk was chosen for its built-in pigeonholes and the cool bucket stools boast ‘secret’ compartments beneath their seats. Additional storage units were mounted on the pinboard panels beside each bed, which have been given a coat of blackboard paint to allow the tween to indulge in some chalk ‘graffiti’ as well as display his posters and photos.
