“A gentle balance between play and calm”

About the project

This project started with a clear intention: transforming an existing guest room / home office into a kids room that feels welcoming, but not overly childish. The family wanted a space that could grow with their child, a room that feels playful yet calm, contemporary yet warm.

We worked in a hybrid way, combining an online consultation with a face-to-face meeting. This allowed us to explore ideas together at a distance, and then translate them into concrete choices within the space itself.

The goal was not to reinvent the room entirely, but to give it a new identity, one that fits naturally within the architecture of the home.

From the start, the conversation focused on how to soften the room without losing its existing character: the raw concrete ceiling above, the warmth of the wooden floor below, and the need for a space that invites rest, play, and imagination without visual overload.

The scope

Turning a guest room into a kids room

The existing room functioned as a guest room and home office. The challenge was to reframe it into a child’s room without erasing its calm, neutral base. Instead of introducing many small decorative elements, we focused on one strong gesture that could redefine the atmosphere of the space.

Instead of introducing many small decorative elements, we focused on one strong gesture that could redefine the atmosphere of the space.

The intention was to create a room that feels welcoming and personal, but still grounded and timeless, a space that doesn’t feel “too young” too quickly, and can evolve as the child grows.

Wallpaper as a focal point

The wallpaper became the main lead in the room. With the concrete ceiling and the wooden floor as strong architectural elements, it naturally acted as a visual bridge between the two. Rather than covering the entire room, I treated the wallpaper almost like a painting, choosing to apply it on only one wall and add some corresponding color on the side wall. 

This decision allowed the room to breathe. The graphic brings rhythm, softness, and narrative into the space, while the remaining walls keep the overall atmosphere calm and open.

Graphic language (soft contrast)

When selecting the wallpaper, it was important to find a graphic that could speak both to the architecture and to the child. Subtle grey tones echo the concrete ceiling, grounding the composition. At the same time, gentler colour accents introduce warmth and playfulness enough to feel child-friendly, without becoming visually overwhelming.

The result is a layered balance: expressive, but not loud. Playful, yet calm.

A room that grows with the child

The final space feels contemporary, welcoming, and soft. It invites play, reading, and daydreaming, while remaining a restful environment. By limiting the number of strong gestures and letting one element take the lead, the room gains clarity and calm.

This project is a good example of how small, thoughtful interventions can reshape a space without overdesigning it.

The room now has its own identity, one that supports everyday life and leaves room for future layers to be added over time.