Builder Boy is proud to have completed this unique courtroom-style classroom at Irvine University College of Law in Cerritos, California. We applied a maple panel veneer to the main and side walls, custom-manufactured a four-person juror box with a stadium step and created a judicial panel table with a closed front desk to replicate an actual courtroom for students to study in. Photo credits: Elizabeth Tontz

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!

Inspiration for a transitional bedroom remodel in Minneapolis

Builder Boy is proud to have completed this unique courtroom-style classroom at Irvine University College of Law in Cerritos, California. We applied a maple panel veneer to the main and side walls, custom-manufactured a four-person juror box with a stadium step and created a judicial panel table with a closed front desk to replicate an actual courtroom for students to study in. Photo credits: Elizabeth Tontz

This home office is designed to have invisible shelves above the desk .
Example of a small classic freestanding desk study room design in New York

Perkins Eastman designed a new 55,000 sf dining destination that serves as the focal point for uniting and reinvigorating the South Village neighborhood of the UNC Charlotte campus. The new building serves as a dynamic gathering space for students to eat and socialize. The Lower Level is a full Market Place Dining Facility while the Upper Level incorporates Neighborhood Lounges for students to gather, socialize, study and enjoy the views of Davis Lake. The Spark Modern Fire 3 Sided Vu-Thru Fire Ribbons were used to divide the upper level into neighborhoods to create more intimate spaces. The fireplaces have wide \"hearths\" that can also be used for seating. The surrounds use contemporary earth tone horizontally banded tiles with gypsum board surrounds in bright energizing colors. The fireplaces added warmth (both literally and figuratively) to a dynamic space with direct connections to the beautiful wooded site. The project was awarded three out of four Green Globes by the U.S. Green Building Initiative's Green Globe Rating system demonstrating excellent progress in achieving eco-efficiency results through current best practices in energy and environmental design. Model: Fire Ribbon Vent Free 3 ft Architect: Brad Crotts - Perkins Eastman Architect Website: www.perkinseastman.com Designer: Katherine Darling - Perkins Eastman Designer Website: www.perkinseastman.com Photographer: Sarah Mechling - Perkins Eastman Photographer Website: www.perkinseastman.com

Inspiration for a contemporary bedroom remodel in Cedar Rapids

A family requested a creative solution for unique moveable study and lounge areas for their school aged kids. The solution was the design of 2 rolling cushioned seats with multiple accessories. The rolling seats are 6 feet in diameter and combine an upholstered cushion, adjustable desk, LED lighting, rear whiteboard, locking blocks and superior craftsmanship to supply the family with an eye-catching piece. The seats have become a favorite location for the kids to attend online classes, view social media, play games, and is always an excellent spot for reading a book.

Example of a transitional bedroom design in Minneapolis

Inspiration for a contemporary bedroom remodel in Cedar Rapids

Trendy bedroom photo in Cedar Rapids

The Science of Light and Learning To understand the relationship between lighting and learning, it’s critical to grasp the concept of correlated colour temperature (CCT). CCT refers to the warmth or coolness of light, measured in Kelvin (K). Lower CCTs (around 3000K) provide a warm, cosy atmosphere, while higher CCTs (5000K or above) emit a cool, daylight-like glow. Studies have shown that cool white light, which mimics natural daylight, can increase alertness and mood, contributing to improved cognitive performance. LED lighting, with its ability to produce this desired CCT, makes an ideal choice for educational settings. LED Lighting: Brightening the Future of Education Energy Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness One of the main advantages of LED lighting is its energy efficiency. Traditional lighting solutions like fluorescent and incandescent bulbs consume much more energy to produce the same amount of light as LEDs, which is not only environmentally harmful but also financially costly. Switching to LED lights can result in substantial cost savings for schools, enabling them to redirect funds to other critical areas of education. Durability and Longevity LED lights are renowned for their durability and longevity. They have a significantly longer lifespan compared to conventional lights, which means less frequent replacement and reduced maintenance costs. This durability also minimises disruptions caused by light failure, providing a consistent, well-lit learning environment. Improved Visibility and Reduced Eye Strain With their superior colour rendering index (CRI), LED lights render colours more accurately, leading to improved visibility. This is particularly beneficial in educational settings, where activities often require distinguishing fine details and colours. LED lights also emit less glare than traditional lighting solutions, reducing eye strain and fatigue. This can lead to better concentration and increased comfort for both students and teachers. Incorporating LED Lighting in Classrooms: Practical Considerations When transitioning to LED lighting in classrooms, a few key factors need to be taken into account. Firstly, the lighting design should ensure an even distribution of light, preventing shadowy or overly bright spots that could distract or discomfort students. Secondly, the integration of dimming capabilities can provide flexibility, allowing educators to adjust the lighting level based on the task at hand. Finally, lighting controls can be used to take advantage of natural light, automatically dimming or turning off the LEDs when sufficient daylight is present. Conclusion: The Bright Promise of LED Lighting in Education As education systems continue to evolve, it’s imperative to keep sight of the physical factors that significantly impact learning, one of which is lighting. LED technology, with its myriad benefits, offers an innovative and effective way to enhance the quality of lighting in classrooms. By prioritising investments in such improvements, we can take a significant step towards creating an optimised learning environment that nurtures the educational success of future generations.

Trendy bedroom photo in Austin

Photography by Deb Scannell
Example of a danish open concept light wood floor living room design in Charlotte with no tv and a ribbon fireplace

Example of a southwest bedroom design in Houston

Transitional bedroom photo in Minneapolis

Example of an eclectic bedroom design in Austin

Bedroom - eclectic bedroom idea in Cedar Rapids

In true fairytale fashion, this unfinished room over the garage was transformed to this stunning in-home school room. Built-in desks configured from KraftMaid cabinets provide an individual workspace for the teacher (mom!) and students. The group activity area with table and bench seating serves as an area for arts and crafts. The comfortable sofa is the perfect place to curl up with a book.