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Play-Space Secrets for All-Ages Homes
Don't let a generation gap put holes in your interior design. These tips from family-friendly businesses can give your rooms all-ages appeal
Whenever I'm having brunch at Bumble café in Los Altos, California, I always feel like I've left home for, well, another home. Bumble is part restaurant, part playroom and an all-around fantastic place to relax, eat and put your feet up while your kids frolic in the indoor playroom, which also has an outdoor porch area. The cottage that houses Bumble has quite a lineage: A hundred years ago, it was the home of the town librarian; it was then turned into a children's bookstore and most recently an antique shop. "It had one small bathroom and no proper kitchen of any sort, so turning it into a restaurant that met ADA requirements was quite a challenge," says Mary Heffernan, owner and founder of Bumble.
I feel the same hospitable embrace at Seesaw in San Francisco. The light, airy and distinctly Nordic-inspired spot holds classes, storytimes and family-oriented support groups. "Our space makes it apparent that Seesaw is for kids and grownups alike," says Sabrina Gabel, child psychologist and co-owner of Seesaw. "What makes it warm and social is its small size, the light wood floors and natural light. You're forced to rub elbows with other families. Kids start playing with other kids they've just met, and parents start setting up playdates."
Gabel and Heffernan share their tips below on how to make your home's shared spaces feel just as cozy as theirs without losing functionality and aesthetic appeal.
I feel the same hospitable embrace at Seesaw in San Francisco. The light, airy and distinctly Nordic-inspired spot holds classes, storytimes and family-oriented support groups. "Our space makes it apparent that Seesaw is for kids and grownups alike," says Sabrina Gabel, child psychologist and co-owner of Seesaw. "What makes it warm and social is its small size, the light wood floors and natural light. You're forced to rub elbows with other families. Kids start playing with other kids they've just met, and parents start setting up playdates."
Gabel and Heffernan share their tips below on how to make your home's shared spaces feel just as cozy as theirs without losing functionality and aesthetic appeal.
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| 1. Grownup taste can appeal to kids. "I wanted Bumble's interiors to reflect what we are: a sanctuary where adults can relax and a place where kids feel welcome," says Heffernan. Interior designer Christian Brennan helped Heffernan refine her gray, yellow, white, and black color palette, which reflects — you guessed it — a bumblebee theme. Scared of incorporating gray into your home? Interior designer Martha O'Hara says gray doesn't have to mean austere. "When used correctly, cool tones like gray and silver can be inviting and comfortable," she explains. Add a modern splash of yellow for a living room that's a fun take on traditional and friendly to young and old alike. |
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| Bumble, located in a rustic cottage, welcomes families of all ages to relax over lunch or afternoon tea while the kids play in the playroom, much like how families gather and play at home. "I love the authentic feel and homey environment of our location," says Heffernan. "We've managed to operate a commercial space without losing the coziness of being inside someone's home." |
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2. Go for classic and enduring designs. "Of course, our décor has to be simple and playful, but beyond that we really stuck with classic, enduring design — particularly Danish design," says Seesaw's Gabel.
3. Showcase only things that you love. "We only have one shelf for items for sale, and all of these items are things that we love or we use at home or at Seesaw. We display things that are usually hand-crafted and simple but are very pleasing to the eye for both adults and children," says Gabel.
3. Showcase only things that you love. "We only have one shelf for items for sale, and all of these items are things that we love or we use at home or at Seesaw. We display things that are usually hand-crafted and simple but are very pleasing to the eye for both adults and children," says Gabel.
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| 4. Pay attention to light sources. Pictured here over Seesaw's community table are PH 5 lamps, which are ubiquitous in Denmark and chosen by Gabel to enhance the sense of community and closeness. Gabel says, "Seesaw has really high ceilings, and recessed and track lighting from such a height would cast lots of hard shadows below, making things feel a bit gloomy. The PH 5 lamps go well with the community table." |
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| 5. Embrace the outdoors. Bumble's exterior evokes the feeling of being in a lodge. "We have beautiful redwoods on the property. We have one growing right out of the patio, so we wanted to embrace the natural elements in our design," says Heffernan. Large umbrellas over most tables on the patio shield little shoulders and noses from the sun. |
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| 6. Keep the kids entertained within sight. One of Bumble's appealing features is the playroom, which is separated from the dining area by a large aquarium. "Our bright and sunny children's room is open for kids to play in and to engage with our creative staff, all while parents relax and eat in the main dining area," says Heffernan. |
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7. Keep the flow. "Our architect suggested the barn door, and I'm so happy with it because there's a nice exchange between the main area and the classroom. When there's a class, instructors or therapists can just slide the door shut. We never want the space to feel like an enclosed clinic or office — it's modeled after a cozy apartment, where family members go in and out of various rooms," says Gabel.
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| 8. Show the space's character. The original floors of Bumble were patched together and made of soft wood. "We sanded down the floor to the last sand — we won't be able to do it again — and we stained it a shade of gray to match our gray and yellow motif. I love that we kept the original floors because although they show their wear and tear, they definitely add a lot of character," says Heffernan. More: The Family Home: Living Rooms You Can Live In More Living Space: Making Room for Family |
Comments
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Hooray for Bumbles! That gray-stained floor is beautiful. Love the scale of the entry, looks like you're coming into a tiny cottage, but surprise, you're not. But you really had me at the room with all the couches facing the aquariums, and not at TV in sight. Wonderful!
15 months ago · Like
marmarmish Personally, I thought all the couches facing the aquarium was awkward. Sitting on one couch looking at the back of another??? In this room, no-one is facing eachother... The aquarium is uber-cool tho!
15 months ago · Like
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Thomas Gremillion Properties L.L.C. Certainly the aluminum chairs are a hot look, but it'll also assure a short dinner.
14 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on March 7, 2012.
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