Project Cool in Cutler Bay: A Colorful Kids Bedroom Reveal

We absolutely loved working on this project; this sweet family are wonderful clients (we're still collaborating with them on larger renovations!) and the brief itself was so fun to bring to life!

This space actually started out as our client's daughter's playroom/lounge space. During our initial walk-through, however, we realized it would make a better bedroom than the one she was using at the time. Our clients agreed and we made the switch! The goal was to create a magical, age-appropriate bedroom that reflected their daughter's personality, embraced her current interests while also leaving room for growth.

Before photos

When designing children’s rooms, we always approach selections with longevity in mind. Instead of over-theming or leaning into trends, we focus on elevated, versatile pieces that can adapt over time- ensuring the room can evolve, without needing to start again from scratch.

For this project, we started with our little client’s favorite colors- red, white, and black- knowing those preferences might change in the future. To soften the palette, we layered in warm wood tones, woven textures, and cozy fabrics, creating balance and comfort.

One of the room’s biggest design challenges was its nearly 12-foot ceiling paired with hard travertine flooring, both of which risked making the space feel cold or stark- not the ideal vibe for a tween bedroom! To counteract this, we introduced warmth and visual interest with a wall treatment: wallpaper on the ceiling that cascades partway down the walls, meeting a simple panel detail at about 10 feet high. This approach not only brought the scale of the room down to a more comfortable level, but also kept the wallpaper safely out of reach of little hands and art projects etc. Plus, the paneling gives the room future flexibility- it can easily be refreshed with a new coat of paint when it’s time for an update.

"After" photo by Jeanne Canto

The wallpaper itself strikes a beautiful balance- abstract yet structured, playful yet elegant. Its small-scale pattern layers well with other prints, ensuring versatility as the room evolves. To complement it, we painted the paneling in Mountain Peak White by Benjamin Moore, a creamy warm white that ties everything together seamlessly.

The star of the show is the canopy bed. With the room’s soaring ceilings, we knew a tall, architectural piece would help create balance between the lofty height, the paneling, and the lower furniture. This bed does just that. Its clean lines and upholstered headboard in a neutral bouclé fabric give it timeless versatility- able to evolve easily as favorite colors and styles shift over time. For now, we layered it with a red-and-white color-blocked floral quilt and a playful patterned pillow, tying it perfectly into the red, black, and white palette she loves.

Photography by Jeanne Canto

The artwork we selected for above the bed strikes the perfect balance- playful yet sophisticated. Against a rich, almost-emerald backdrop, a deep-red serpent winds across the canvas, its curves adding a sense of rhythm and movement. The bold palette introduces a pop of color, while the jewel tones keep the overall effect refined and cohesive rather than overwhelming. More importantly, snakes were one of her favorite animals, and she loved this piece!

To flank the bed, we selected nightstands in a timeless warm oak, featuring beautiful fluted detailing and pretty brass knobs. Not only do they add texture and warmth, but their two drawers provide plenty of functional storage- always a win! Above, we installed a pair of playful wall sconces, each with a fun red-trimmed shade that nods to the room’s palette without feeling overdone. For practicality, we added the most gorgeous easy-to-reach dimmer switches. Above the bed hangs a whimsical chandelier which resembles a spring time blossom.

Photography by Jeanne Canto

To ground the space, we selected a large hand-loomed wool rug with a subtle top-stitch detail. It not only adds softness to the space but also introduces another gentle layer of pattern, enhancing the room’s depth.

The dresser, with its soft rounded edges, strikes the perfect balance between youthful and elevated. Its black-oiled finish (checking off one of our client’s favorite colors!) ties in beautifully with the bed, and together they add a bold pop of contrast to the room. To meet the request for a spot to display posters, photos, and notes (that could be easily updated as interests change), we mounted a large fabric pin board above the dresser. It creates a personalized, flexible display space while adding another layer of texture to the wall.

Photography by Jeanne Canto

For a final layer of softness, we opted for extra wide blackout curtains on the window wall, in a warm white linen a few shades lighter than the paneling. Curved hotel rods allow you to pull the curtain edges around to meet the walls, minimizing any light leaking through for a perfect nights' sleep.