A Kids’ Bedroom That Invites Exploration
The San Francisco showcase room features a sand dune castle to crawl inside, gym rings and an interactive elephant mask
The 3D elephant mask has a technology component: The designer hid a projector beneath the bunkbed, which projects images onto the elephant head. As shown in this image, the bright spots on the wooden mask are the projection.
Sand dune castle: Seeking an alternative to the tepees populating many kids’ rooms these days, Hope-Kennedy found inspiration in images of sand hills and termite mounds from a friend’s safari. She had the castle custom made. Each layer of the design is an individual sheet of plywood. During the designer showcase, she noticed that babies tended to crawl in and stay inside.
Ceiling decor: Hope-Kennedy wanted the wooden gym rings to feel as though they were coming out of the tree canopy, so she installed live greenery and air plant display. Had the room been a permanent design (and not just for the showcase), she would have hung permanent root balls with plants attached, she says.
The sprawling light fixture is composed of ribbons and sways when there is a breeze.
Ceiling light: Petite Friture
The sprawling light fixture is composed of ribbons and sways when there is a breeze.
Ceiling light: Petite Friture
Beds: Hope-Kennedy had the beds custom-built from maple wood. She wanted the suspended bed to feel reminiscent of a tree fort. The upper bed has rails that screw into the walls, and the bed is bolted on two sides. The ladder also provides structural support.
Window treatment: The window treatments are rolled up and attached with leather straps. “I wanted it to feel like you were in a tent,” Hope-Kennedy says.
Rug: “It’s kind of my giraffe,” Hope-Kennedy says. She worked with Kyle Bunting to get the coloring just how she wanted it.
Rug: Kyle Bunting; beds: made by Benjamin Radutiu, Studio 81/69; window treatment fabric: Zak + Fox
Window treatment: The window treatments are rolled up and attached with leather straps. “I wanted it to feel like you were in a tent,” Hope-Kennedy says.
Rug: “It’s kind of my giraffe,” Hope-Kennedy says. She worked with Kyle Bunting to get the coloring just how she wanted it.
Rug: Kyle Bunting; beds: made by Benjamin Radutiu, Studio 81/69; window treatment fabric: Zak + Fox
Wall shelves: The angular wall shelves are actually several trapezoid-shaped units arranged into this angular configuration. “You can put them together however you like,” Hope-Kennedy says.
Silver trunks: Big Daddy’s Antiques; stool: Baboo; shelves: Lago
Silver trunks: Big Daddy’s Antiques; stool: Baboo; shelves: Lago
Seating area: Hope-Kennedy found the stools then had the table custom designed to mimic the shape of the stool base.
Stools: Kalon Studios
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Bedroom at a Glance
Location: San Francisco, California
Size: 225 square feet (20.9 square meters)
Designer: Sherry Hope-Kennedy of Studio SHK
The backstory: Designer Sherry Hope-Kennedy designed this kids’ room as part of the 2017 San Francisco Decorator Showcase (see the full showcase home) around an exploration theme with details that represent an African safari.
Wall treatment: Wallpaper from Calico sets the tone for the room. “The ombre is spectacular and reminded me of an African sunset,” Hope-Kennedy says. Artist Cody Blocker painted silhouettes of African safari animals onto the wall.
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