Photography by Rett Peek
Mara Lamb Malcolm, designer and co-owner of Lamb Interiors, was recently contacted by a west Little Rock, Ark., family to update the look of several rooms in their home, one room at a time.
First on the list, changing the family’s 15-year-old daughter’s bedroom from a tween/teen décor to a design befitting a young adult.
“This room had a really vibrant, funky color scheme, which was fine for a younger child; however, this teen now desires a calmer, more mature color palette, a room that was pretty yet serene,” Malcolm said.
Tips:
Be cool. Start with a neutral color for the walls. The right color can create a soothing, spa-like haven, which is ideal in a bedroom. This also allows you to easily redecorate, should your tastes change.
Don’t dumb it down. Using quality furniture and original pieces of art in a teen’s room is a great opportunity to introduce them to exceptional elements. And remember quality doesn’t necessarily mean expensive.
Mix it up. Speaking of expense … consider spending a bit more for foundational pieces, and accessorizing with less expensive items. Malcolm said, “For instance, the chairs in this room are family heirlooms and we’ve added fun and trendy items — such as these inexpensive mirrors from a local department store — without compromising the overall design.”
Lighten up. Light fixtures finish the room. The pendant Malcolm used in this room is larger than the norm; however, the size of the room accommodates it, and it really adds to the space, achieving both functionality and style.
Reflect on it. Be certain the client’s personality is reflected through the design. This room has classic lines and the color — yellow, purple and shades of blue — is injected through the bedding, art, accent pillows and flowers.
Resource List:
At Home Décor Superstore
11801 Chenal Pkwy.
Little Rock, AR 72211
athome.com
Cynthia East Fabrics
1523 Rebsamen Park Road
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 663-0460
cynthiaeastfabrics.com
Lamb’s Interior Design
(501) 813-0202
lambsinteriordesign.com
TEC Electric
9221 Maumelle Blvd.
North Little Rock, AR 72113
(501) 758-5483
tecelectric.com