Children’s Rooms Underneath the Eaves

We are decorating two beach houses this year for young families with children. This leads me to reflect on what makes a great space from a child’s point of view.
 
Two of my favorite rooms that I decorated for children were both located under the eaves of their family’s summer houses. Their hideaway locations, of course, play to the idea of hidden delights, such as tree houses, play houses, and other places of escape.

 
The first is located in the pine paneled attic floor of an 1895 Fire Island beach house. The furnishings are more mid-century in taste, with a George Nelson dresser, wire leg tables and tie-dye bed cover. It feels very much like a private escape at the top of the house.

The other is in a large Federal style house on Nantucket. The design leans toward the Victorian in taste, but the bright sea-green paint on the floor gives the space a light, modern feeling.
 
On the days they stay inside, the group of girls who share the space say they like hearing the summer rain fall on the roofs so closely overhead.

Images from top: Fire Island beach house; Nantucket house, central playroom and one of the small bedrooms; all photos by Jonathan Wallen.