Custom library bookshelves, a hidden bookcase door and multiple arched doorways transform this previously boring suburban basement into an intriguing retreat for this homeowner.

Children’s waiting room interior design project at Princeton University. I was beyond thrilled when contacted by a team of scientists ( psychologists and neurologists ) at Princeton University. This group of professors and graduate students from the Turk-Brown Laboratory are conducting research on the infant’s brain by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (or fMRI), to see how they learn, remember and think. My job was to turn a tiny 7’x10′ windowless study room into an inviting but not too “clinical” waiting room for the mothers or fathers and siblings of the babies being studied. We needed to ensure a comfortable place for parents to rock and feed their babies while waiting their turn to go back to the laboratory, as well as a place to change the babies if needed. We wanted to stock some shelves with good books and while the room looks complete, we’re still sourcing something interactive to mount to the wall to help entertain toddlers who want something more active than reading or building blocks. Since there are no windows, I wanted to bring the outdoors inside. Princeton University‘s colors are orange, gray and black and the history behind those colors is very interesting. It seems there are a lot of squirrels on campus and these colors were selected for the three colors of squirrels often seem scampering around the university grounds. The orange squirrels are now extinct, but the gray and black squirrels are abundant, as I found when touring the campus with my son on installation day. Therefore we wanted to reflect this history in the room and decided to paint silhouettes of squirrels in these three colors throughout the room. While the ceilings are 10′ high in this tiny room, they’re very drab and boring. Given that it’s a drop ceiling, we can’t paint it a fun color as I typically do in my nurseries and kids’ rooms. To distract from the ugly ceiling, I contacted My Custom Creation through their Etsy shop and commissioned them to create a custom butterfly mobile to suspend from the ceiling to create a swath of butterflies moving across the room. Their customer service was impeccable and the end product was exactly what we wanted! The flooring in the space was simply coated concrete so I decided to use Flor carpet tiles to give it warmth and a grass-like appeal. These tiles are super easy to install and can easily be removed without any residual on the floor. I’ll be using them more often for sure! See more photos of our commercial interior design job below and contact us if you need a unique space designed for children. We don’t just design nurseries and bedrooms! We’re game for anything!

Custom library bookshelves, a hidden bookcase door and multiple arched doorways transform this previously boring suburban basement into an intriguing retreat for this homeowner.

Working with this couple for almost a decade has been so rewarding and fun! We recently updated their living area, master bath, guest bath and created a craft room in their former game room. The living area is classic and timeless, reflecting the homeowner's elevated level of taste, along with selective pops of color! The master bath exudes elegance with a spa-like soaking tub with sexy lines, a generous shower, and rich marbles in a unique rug pattern on the floor and backsplash. This timeless look will never get boring! The upstairs craft room was created for the optimal place for the homeowner to paint and create art with her grandchildren. The repurposed quarter-sawn wood top was hand selected and the table and cabinetry were custom designed and built to hold all of her essentials. Natural light from the sky light and windows keep this room always bright. The guest bath off of the craft area takes a twist on classic black and white, interpreted in a whimsical manner to keep things fun!

Custom library bookshelves, a hidden bookcase door and multiple arched doorways transform this previously boring suburban basement into an intriguing retreat for this homeowner.

This beautiful home in Prairie Village, Kan., now has four areas for these homeowners to practice their short game! © SYNLawn artificial grass - all rights reserved.

Custom library bookshelves, a hidden bookcase door and multiple arched doorways transform this previously boring suburban basement into an intriguing retreat for this homeowner.

Custom library bookshelves, a hidden bookcase door and multiple arched doorways transform this previously boring suburban basement into an intriguing retreat for this homeowner.

Mid-sized transitional master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile and gray floor wet room photo in DC Metro with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

Custom library bookshelves, a hidden bookcase door and multiple arched doorways transform this previously boring suburban basement into an intriguing retreat for this homeowner.

Custom library bookshelves, a hidden bookcase door and multiple arched doorways transform this previously boring suburban basement into an intriguing retreat for this homeowner.

Custom library bookshelves, a hidden bookcase door and multiple arched doorways transform this previously boring suburban basement into an intriguing retreat for this homeowner.

Life gets busy with a family of 5 and 3 dogs. My first impression was the room was dark and their sectional was huge. My clients' thoughts on the space when we first met, "it's blah and boring". Not anymore! I designed a space that has personality, high performance fabric and seating for everyone. Timeless cozy new sofas plank each side of the room. Contemporary eye-catching fabric covers a new recliner for dad. Fun poufs add fun seating for table side game playing. Spacious furniture placement allows for 3 dogs to be close to their family. It was such a pleasure to design this family room for this fun and busy family.

Working with this couple for almost a decade has been so rewarding and fun! We recently updated their living area, master bath, guest bath and created a craft room in their former game room. The living area is classic and timeless, reflecting the homeowner's elevated level of taste, along with selective pops of color! The master bath exudes elegance with a spa-like soaking tub with sexy lines, a generous shower, and rich marbles in a unique rug pattern on the floor and backsplash. This timeless look will never get boring! The upstairs craft room was created for the optimal place for the homeowner to paint and create art with her grandchildren. The repurposed quarter-sawn wood top was hand selected and the table and cabinetry were custom designed and built to hold all of her essentials. Natural light from the sky light and windows keep this room always bright. The guest bath off of the craft area takes a twist on classic black and white, interpreted in a whimsical manner to keep things fun!

Custom library bookshelves, a hidden bookcase door and multiple arched doorways transform this previously boring suburban basement into an intriguing retreat for this homeowner.

Blue cabinets and palm wallpaper make the laundry room anything but boring!
Trendy laundry room photo in San Diego

Working with this couple for almost a decade has been so rewarding and fun! We recently updated their living area, master bath, guest bath and created a craft room in their former game room. The living area is classic and timeless, reflecting the homeowner's elevated level of taste, along with selective pops of color! The master bath exudes elegance with a spa-like soaking tub with sexy lines, a generous shower, and rich marbles in a unique rug pattern on the floor and backsplash. This timeless look will never get boring! The upstairs craft room was created for the optimal place for the homeowner to paint and create art with her grandchildren. The repurposed quarter-sawn wood top was hand selected and the table and cabinetry were custom designed and built to hold all of her essentials. Natural light from the sky light and windows keep this room always bright. The guest bath off of the craft area takes a twist on classic black and white, interpreted in a whimsical manner to keep things fun!

Life gets busy with a family of 5 and 3 dogs. My first impression was the room was dark and their sectional was huge. My clients' thoughts on the space when we first met, "it's blah and boring". Not anymore! I designed a space that has personality, high performance fabric and seating for everyone. Timeless cozy new sofas plank each side of the room. Contemporary eye-catching fabric covers a new recliner for dad. Fun poufs add fun seating for table side game playing. Spacious furniture placement allows for 3 dogs to be close to their family. It was such a pleasure to design this family room for this fun and busy family.

Custom library bookshelves, a hidden bookcase door and multiple arched doorways transform this previously boring suburban basement into an intriguing retreat for this homeowner.