Whimsical Mermaid - Mood Board
Many children love the idea that they could transform themselves into mermaids, so the next best thing to becoming Ariel is a whimsical mermaid-inspired bedroom!
This is a great theme if you want all the hallmarks of a girly bedroom without the traditional sugar-pink palette. Keep reading for the inside-track on creating a heavenly haven fit for your own little magical mermaid.
Now, it’s probably worth saying that this is a room-scheme with longevity so you really could make it work for a toddler or a teen (or a 40-something frazzled mama who harbours escapist fantasies of mermaidesque proportions). That’s the great thing about accessorising a room - a subtle tweak here and there can make it age-appropriate without too much financial pain.
Featured prints
I’ve always been a fan of print collections and this trio complement each other well. Obviously, it totally depends on the wall space you need to fill and, of course, your budget – but don’t forget all of Rachael’s prints come in framed, unframed and canvas variations, so you can always get creative with the way you hang them or mix and match sizes too.
The addition of the ‘ice-cream colours’ You are my Sunshine print zhuzhes things up (yes it’s a real word!).
Paint
The soft pastel tones keep this room pretty but relatively neutral. It’s no secret that Rachael is a big fan of Farrow and Ball paints so it may not come as a huge surprise I’m suggesting her go-to accent colour, Wevet, for the wall coverings. This classic is a delicate white with a hint of grey and teams well with creamy blush tones and dusky pinks. Dulux has a couple of near-as-dammit options that won’t set you back quite as much at £17.99 for a litre. Try their Bleached Lichen 4 or Golden Jasmine 3 – the difference is really only noticeable to the trained and professional eye.
I’ve also suggested F&B’s Pink Ground – it’s big on yellowy tones which gives way to a soothing blush, perfect for calm nurseries and bedrooms. It’s a little trickier to find an alternative match for this one.
A great tool to find alternative paint brands is the website below. It shows similar colours and rates them on how different they are, so if Farrow & Ball is out of budget, you may find something else to suit here:
All Things Rattan
Rattan furniture makes a great choice for a baby or kid’s room. The natural rattan gives a light and airy feel and the obvious plus is that it’s eco-friendly, non-toxic and safe too. The Scandi-vibe shows no signs of slowing down and the simple addition of a couple of key pieces of rattan can help to achieve this super-stylish, minimal look with ease. For older kids and teens, it evokes a sense of tropical holidays and coastal retreats – I know it brings back fuzzy feelings of hazy, lazy days from family holidays in the Caribbean for me.
This beautiful image above is by the talented team at @hyebabyshowroom. They have some divine sleep solutions with fabulous ornate detailing, including scalloped headboards and dreamy, leafy circular cots.
Beaumonde’s nautilus shell pendant lights are the perfect addition to the sea-inspired scheme and are available in four sizes from mini through to large.
The defining piece in this room set is the over-sized petal chair from The Rattan Company.
It makes for a real centrepiece but if you’re tight on space you can opt for the kids size which rings in at £114 cheaper and comes in a variety of colours.
Soft Furnishings
So now you’ve got the shell of the room sorted (no pun intended), it’s time for the fun bit.
Who doesn’t love a canopy to create a bit of fairy-tale magic? And this delight from Liewood in Rosa can be found at our faves, www.Scandiborn.co.uk and www.themodernnursery.com. Accessorise cots and beds or create a quiet corner and pile high with comfy cushions (another Pretty in Print weakness).
Talking of which, I am in love with these shell-inspired cushions by Moi Mili at Etsy. They come in a heavenly palette of soft, dusky, pearly pinks and are also available in velvet and linen so you can add definition with texture.
No self-respecting nursery or bedroom would be complete without a blast of bunting and on the shortlist is the sumptuous velvet scalloped shell garland from Moi Mili (to match the cushions above)
or the more trad and perfectly poised Bahia pink flag bunting by Nobodinoz at Scandiborn.
Finishing Touches
Before you can lift the anchor and sail away there are just a couple more touches to add. A barely there, minimal lamp which functions as a table or wall lamp. Opt for opaque or frosted bulbs for a dreamy, subdued lighting.
And finally, a bedtime companion to share all the night-time adventures to come. Meri Meri’s Sophia soft mermaid toy fits the brief perfectly. Her spangly tail and pretty seashell bikini are just darling and she’s made from knitted organic cotton.
So, there you have it. Now you can transport your little ones to faraway lands and catch a little well-earned me-time – that’s if you can steel yourself away from the magic you’ve created.
Enjoy! xx
