“The adventures of childhood are the fuel that powers the engine of innovation and creativity.”
Happy back-to-school month to all you Maritimers! September has arrived, and with it comes the sweet freedom from day camps and the dreaded chorus of “I’m bored!” It’s time to swap lazy summer days for a bit of routine but hold onto your backpacks—this also means another year older and another step closer to adulthood! Cue Mamma Mia’s classic “Slipping Through My Fingers.” In the spirit of back-to-school, we’re shining the spotlight on Natalie Owens, the founder of Stil James, as she embarked on the delightful adventure of designing her daughter Georgia James’ big girl room. It’s a super special collaboration that’s not just a happy coincidence—after all, the name “Stil James” is inspired by Natalie’s firstborn, who showed her she could do it all with a baby in tow. Let’s dive into this whimsical journey as we break this bedroom down!
Designing a kid’s room? Now that’s a wild ride! The real challenge? They grow faster than you can say “new wallpaper.” One day they’re into dinosaurs, the next it’s astronauts, and before you know it, you’re being asked for a gaming setup! Everyone’s favorite line? “We want a room that grows with them.” Translation: a space that works for today’s mini-you but can also handle all the curveballs life—and your little one—throws at it. So, where do you even begin? For Natalie, creating her seven-year-old’s dream room was as easy (and heartwarming) as finding that first spark of inspiration. “Our jumping off point was really discussions around what we wanted to chat about when laying together in bed at the end of a school day. A big message I try to push in our house (especially with my girls) is girls helping girls. Elementary/middle school/junior high can be a horrible breeding ground for competition between girlfriends and I wanted us to have wallpaper that we could talk about a deeper message around that. So when I came across Brianna’s wallpaper, I knew that was a good place to start.”
What gravitated Natalie to this wallpaper is so fitting for how the artist, Briana Corr Scott became inspired to create “Unicorns in the Garden.” She shared with us in the winter of 2023 she went through a period of depression due to many factors in her life. She said “as a reward for getting through the hard things, I would sit and fill up my sketchbook. I found myself filling up the pages with ink and watercolour paintings of girls and unicorns in a garden. I was drawing girls caring for themselves and each other…. drawing girls taking care of each other, and also taking alone time for themselves so that they could be better caregivers for their little unicorns. The girls caring for each other in these images represent this appreciation for the female
relationships in my life. I decided to create a repeating pattern by taking all the small images in my notebook and working them into a bigger piece.”
You’ll notice the difference between the original wallpaper and the one used in Georgia’s room is a different colourway:
Briana Corr Scott is a multi-disciplinary artist in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Her work has many mediums from picture books to creating repeating patterns for wallpaper and murals. One of the benefits of working with Briana Scott is the option to explore custom colours which can be found on her website where her wallpaper is exclusively sold: https://brianacorrscott.com/. Natalie said “working with Briana was a dream. I sent her multiple revisions of colorways to try, and when we finally landed on lilac for the built-ins, we really used that as a jumping off point and combined it with warm greens, and burgundies to give it this UK feeling that was still really fun, but easy on the eyes given there’s a lot of different colors happening in there.” Another tricky part of designing kids’ spaces? Letting them have a say. Because, let’s face it, their “brilliant” ideas might not exactly be your cup of tea (or, you know, anything remotely stylish). For Natalie, the real battle came with conversations around colour palette: “She wanted BRIGHT (and I mean bright purple). So the biggest challenge was getting her on side with something a little more of a sophisticated Color palette. It’s still really feminine and feels like her, but it can grow with her instead of us needing to re-paint in two years.” This is a key point we like to chat through with our clients. If you’re comfortable repainting or scrapping the wallpaper after five years go strong with the Hulk green. But if it’s something you want them to appreciate in ten plus years have those conversations and feel comfortable shifting to similar colour hues still within the wheelhouse!
The true focal point of this beautifully designed girl’s bedroom is the millwork, dressed up in Benjamin Moore’s Batik. Built-ins are a fantastic way to enhance any space, but for Natalie, the cost of custom cabinetry was a significant challenge. Still, she could clearly envision her daughter using them all through her school years. In the end, the practicality combined with the long-term design vision made the investment worthwhile.
Storage in kids’ rooms is often seen as a challenge, but for us, it’s an exciting design opportunity. When you step back, the options are endless—and stylish! Built-ins are a game changer. Picture drawers tucked under a charming window seat or bookshelves that bring both function and character to the room. Want to push the boundaries? A custom wardrobe can transform the space into something truly unique. Storage doesn’t have to be a pain point—it can be the star of the show as seen with Georgia’s room!
If you’re thinking something less-permanent baskets are always great or ottomans with open storage:
The third driving force behind this design is all the layers and textures crafted in such a small space, so let’s break it down!
- The bed is a masterpiece from its trendy scalloped shape to it’s sherpa and wood contrast tones… swoon. If you’re as obsessed as we are, check out some similar options here: Wood & Texture – Shape – Shape with a Bonus!
- The stunning vintage-inspired light fixture from the local gem, Bellissimo, adds the perfect touch of charm. Paired with the doorknobs from the original home makes it feel thoughtfully curated.
- The velvet pillows are such a fun accent and it’s a great play on the sherpa bed. The colour screams elevated girl’s room! These are custom pillows, but Anthropologie, Home Sense or Thornbloom always has fun velvet pillow options especially closer to the holiday season!
- The second accent colour in the space is green and brings such warmth to the space. The colour is woven in the textiles throughout the room—seen on the custom bench seat, drapes, and rug—effortlessly bring the room together. Turkish or Persian-inspired rugs are a fantastic choice for a kid’s bedroom—they bring so much character and personality to the space. With their intricate patterns and diverse colorways, they can complement any style. Plus, Etsy is an excellent and budget- friendly resource for finding these timeless pieces!
Find Here : Etsy
Find Here : Etsy
Find Here : Etsy
In conclusion, designing a kids’ bedroom is not just about choosing the right colors or coordinating furniture; it’s an exciting adventure that invites creativity, imagination! Remember, this space is a reflection of your child’s personality and interests—so don’t shy away from incorporating their favorite themes, quirky decorations, or even a dash of whimsy. As you embark on this decorating journey, keep in mind that functionality is key. Think playful storage solutions that double as fun decor and ensure that every nook has a purpose—because let’s face it, no one wants to trip over a stray toy while on a quest for imaginary pirates! Ultimately, the goal is to create a safe, stimulating environment where your little ones can explore their dreams, unleash their creativity, and perhaps even plot some mischievous adventures. So go ahead, channel your inner child, and transform that blank canvas into a vibrant masterpiece where magic happens—because when it comes to kids’ rooms, the sky’s the limit (and maybe some clouds and rainbows too)!
If you’re interested in exploring Briana Corr Scott’s work you can find them locally at
Kept, Inkwell Modern Handmade Boutique, Jennifers of Nova Scotia, the Marmalade Shop,
Made in the Maritimes, Halifax Seed, Woozles, and The Flower Shop.
XO The SJ Team
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