If you consult the Grand Dames Early 20’sm Century interior designbetween them Edith WhartonElsie de Wolfe, Dorothy Draper – all of whom wrote guides that are still helpful today – you won’t find anything in decorating for co-existence, because children weren’t part of the interior then; Instead, they had their own quarters. The closest you get to this is Edith Wharton’s schoolroom address, and her point is that “daily intercourse with poor pictures, trashy ‘ornaments’ and badly designed furniture is, indeed, aptly compared to a mental diet of silly and ungrammatical story-books.”
happily, English country house style – that you both support – will definitely be Wharton-approved, and, keeping dogs and kids at its core, is 100% adaptable to whatever you have in mind, even if you don’t have the luxury of space that enables a separate playroom and kid-free drawing room. Because it’s forgiving, especially if you do Henriette von Stockhausen of VSP Interiors (two teenagers, a dog and a horse) suggest, and err towards color (probably not cream!), pattern, Antiquities “Especially the ones that are already imperfect—the texture and life is already in them so you don’t consider anything else,” and layering. That last one “will cover a multitude of sins,” Henriette points out. “Rugs can be moved over fitted carpets, and rugs and throws can be rotated.” Choose the right rugs, and they are also washable.
That element is particularly relevant because, for young children, Susan Delis (Two teenage boys and a whip) suggested establishing a theoretical plimsoll line. On top of that, you can have exquisite lampshades and blinds that clammy fingers can’t reach, but a £20,000 mattress under the table that you all eat on is a very foolish investment. That said, you still “need to keep the floor clean,” says Susan. “Canine and child plastic things all over the floor are incredibly unpleasant and unsightly to walk on.” This requires a good toy box; One of the most impressive I’ve seen is the Victoria – its sitting room is 19 knees highm A turn-of-the-century needlepoint house in which he can collect everything. An Ottoman Works well with lids too, like that Buchanan Studios (two small children and a dog) designed; They also have a clever loose cover that can be whipped up for evening fun.
