DAN'S PAPERS, March 13, 2009 Page 53 www.danshamptons.com
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By Susan Galardi
Involving Kids in the Decor – or Not “But Mommy! I said I wanted a PURPLE AND BLACK STRIPED ROOM!” Well, that’s what you get when you involve your child in your interior design scheme. There are several schools of thought on designing children’s rooms. Some believe that children have no business in the business of design, other than being allowed to display a few – a FEW – stuffed animals and toys. Other parents believe the opposite: It’s the kid’s one chance to let it all out, to have control in their otherwise controlled lives. And there’s the middle ground – doing the high design without child involvement, but letting the child pick the garish Little Mermaid or Transformer bedspread. Salvatore Campitello, owner of East End interiors in St. James, is, surprisingly, on the side of the child. “We feel children should express themselves through color,” he said. “In fact, that’s the first question that we ask them.” Campitello believes in separation of church and state when it comes to adult’s vs. child’s space. “The design of the child’s room can be as different as it needs to be,” he said. “It’s extremely important for the child’s room to have its own identity – even if it doesn’t reflect the rest of the interiors.” Once you resolve yourself to allow the child to be
involved, there are other issues to address in designing a children’s rooms, which usually have to be multitasking spaces. (We’re talking school aged kids here. Babies/toddlers and teenagers are another issue.) “You have to establish separate spaces for sleep, play and school work, storage,” said Campitello. “Age is also a factor – you don’t want to have to redo everything every couple years. We make sure that the design is something the child can grow into.”
For example, you might want to go right for the full size bed instead of a twin if you have an idea your child will be tall. According to folklore, doubling a child’s height when he’s 2 1/2 will give you his height as an adult. By that measurement, our son will be 6’ 2” – highly likely, so we went right from crib to full size bed for him (it’s also nicer for 40+ parents who prefer the comfort of a bed rather than a hard chair when putting junior to sleep). A recent design by Rosalba Campitello, the principal designer at East End Interiors, went that route. Planned for a 6-year-old boy, the room features a big cozy bed. Beyond that, the child and designer worked together on other elements. “He chose a deep red color for the walls and a car theme,” said Campitello. “Rosalba worked the color scheme and created a ledge detail to display the collection of cars. In this case, we carried over strong elements from the rest of the home, like distressed wood furniture and wainscoting. The fact that it was for a boy made it easier to continue the rustic style of the house.” It’s great when a plan comes together. But if the child ends up with a design that is, shall we say, very personal, I offer this suggestion to aesthetically challenged parents: Just close the door…
Kid’s Calendar FRIDAY, MARCH 13 BASKETBALL, SOCCER, BALLET, TAP, DODGE BALL - At SYS in Southampton, kids programs continue daily with sports, dance and fun. Contact SYS for info at 631-287-1511. SATURDAY, MARCH 14 MAD SCIENCE AT CMEE- CMEE, Bridgehampton offers “Mad Science.” Two sessions, 10-11 am for grades K-2 and 11:20 am to 12:20 pm for grades 3-5. For fun, hands on activities with a different scientific theme each week. Call 631-537-8250. CHILDREN’S ART WORKSHOP – At the Boots Lamb Education Center, Guild Hall, 158 Main Street, East Hampton. Enjoy a Children’s Saturday Morning Winter Art Workshops with Artist Linda Capello; four sessions for $20/$18 members, $5 per single session/$3 members. For more information about the children’s art workshops, or to reserve a space, call Danielle at 631-324-0806, ext. 22. KIDSTREET- Bay Street Theatre: Family Film Series, Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. New and classic films on the big screen, perfect for kids of all ages. March 14: “Dr. Doolittle.” The doors will open at 10:30 am, movies begin at 11 am and all tickets are $7. LIL COWPOKES PONY CLUB – Every Sat. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for ages 3 and up. Learn about animals and how to ride a pony. Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue, 93 Merchants Path, Southampton. 631-537-7335. RECORD A CD – Saturdays thru 3/14 from 2 to 4 p.m. Children 8 – 16 will learn to make an album. Fee is $225 for residents, $250 for non-residents. 62 Red Creek Road, Hampton Bays, call 631-728-8585 to register. QUOGUE LIBRARY STORYTIME - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join children of all ages for story time, literacy games, puzzles and more. Located at 90 Quogue Street, Quogue. 631-653-4224. KIDS ROCK CAMP- Saturdays thru 3/14 from 12 to 2 pm. Kids ages 8-16 will form thier own bands, get group lessons and perform 2 live concerts. Fee is $195 for residents, $220 for non-residents. Southampton Parks and Recreation, 62 Red Creek Road, Hampton Bays. Call 631-728-8585 SUNDAY, MARCH 15 BASKETBALL, SOCCER, BALLET, TAP, DODGE BALL- At SYS in Southampton, kids programs continue daily with sports, dance and fun. Contact SYS for info at 631-287-1511. MONDAY, MARCH 16
3 DAY KARATE CAMP – Karate training with Helene Ely. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at SYS in Southampton. Other kids classes include basketball and soccer. 516-903-1446. QUOGUE LIBRARY – Pajama Storytime for children ages 2 – 5 years old. Wear your favorite pjs and bring your favorite stuffed animal. Begins at 6 p.m. Call 631-653-4224. TUESDAY, MARCH 17 QUOGUE LIBRARY – Hands on Music, children ages 4 1/2 and under are invited the first Tues of every month to join Dara Linthwaite for singing, playing the guitar, and entertaining your children with puppets and musical instruments. Starts at 1:30 p.m., registration is required, call 631-653-4224. QUOGUE LIBRARY STORYTIME - See March 14
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 BASKETBALL, SOCCER, BALLET, TAP, DODGE BALL- At SYS in Southampton, kids programs continue daily with sports, dance and fun. Contact SYS for info at 631-287-1511.
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