Earlier this month we took the whole family (dog included) up to Brooklyn for a few days to put the space together that we’ve been designing for this year’s Real Simple Idea House over the last several months.
There’s a lot to explain—if you missed our podcast episode or Instagram stories, we’ll catch you up here and share the nearly finished room. We’ll outline what still needs to be completed before the magazine photoshoot, describe a few last-minute curveballs that actually improved the space, and explain what happens to everything once the idea house project wraps. Spoiler: it’s a lot, so buckle up.
This is the second year Real Simple has transformed a Brooklyn home into an Idea House, assigning each room to a different designer—often a mix of interior designers, bloggers, and design personalities—and photographing the finished rooms for the magazine (this house will appear in their October issue). We were honored and excited when they asked us to design a room this year. They assigned us the “multipurpose room,” envisioned as a guest room with a twin bed that also includes a small kids’ area. That brief felt perfect for us because we love multi-function spaces that balance adult and child needs—even if the family is hypothetical for the project.
Since March we worked remotely with the Real Simple editors: they shared photos, measurements, and floor plans, and we sent back mood boards, floor plans, and product selections. Everything needed editorial approval so the rooms felt cohesive throughout the house and no two spaces were too similar. That made the design process an interesting puzzle to solve from afar.
Once the ordered items arrived, we spent one marathon day installing everything and dealing with a few inevitable last-minute challenges. We didn’t finish absolutely everything—the long white curtains were back-ordered and will be installed later, which will soften the industrial back wall—but the room was about 95% complete in these photos. The Real Simple team will take everything to 100% before the photographer arrives.
Yes, those are our son’s feet sticking out of the bed in one photo and our daughter tucked in under a blanket. We made the trip a family affair so the kids could see the process and so we could visit friends and family in the area. They loved helping and offering opinions—our daughter even sketched ideas on her little magnetic drawing tablet—and both kids served as “quality control” to test the beanbag and rug. It was a fun take-your-kids-to-work adventure.
Multipurpose rooms vary in how much they prioritize one function over another. Sometimes a space is 95% playroom with a futon for rare overnight guests; other times it’s primarily a guest room with a small play area. Real Simple’s brief asked for a room that reads mostly as a guest room any adult would want to sleep in, while still offering a small kids’ area with a mix of hidden storage (bins, baskets, drawers) and some items on display. We landed on roughly 75% guest room and 25% playroom for this space—choose whatever split makes sense for your home.
The design started with a daybed I’d loved for years, so when the brief specified a single bed, I was thrilled. Daybeds are great because they function as both a bed for guests and a couch during playtime. We balanced guest and kid needs with a large side table, books and magazines for visitors, a reading lamp, and large lidded storage baskets for toys and supplies. The mix keeps the space useful for both purposes.
The wallpaper ended up being a bit of a happy accident. Our initial pick had a playful pattern that felt perfect for kids and adults alike, but the editors worried it might skew too much toward playroom territory. We selected a more neutral palm print instead, which reads subtle and grown-up while still feeling fresh. I still adore the original pattern, and it would be a fun choice for a dedicated kids’ room.
We all fell for a big stuffed octopus in the room—there’s something about a slightly dopey plush that steals your heart—and the kids loved it too. Some pillows hadn’t arrived yet, so we used spare towels to fill a bolster for the shoot—photo styling magic. The large print from Juniper Print Shop was an ideal color and scale match for the space and appealed equally to kids and adults.
A table or desk for crafts and games was essential. Wall space was limited, so we chose a drop-leaf round table that can fold down when needed and two lightweight chairs that can be moved to any side. Flexible furniture makes a small multifunction room much more usable. We can’t wait to see this spot by the windows once the white flowy curtains are installed—they’ll soften the industrial window frame and transform the look.
The room has two matching closets beside the window, which was perfect: one closet is for guests (clothes, suitcase) and the other for kids’ storage (games, books, art supplies). We removed the sliding doors on the kids’ side to create an open, accessible, and attractive storage nook—on display but organized. Hiding everything behind closed doors can encourage shoving mess out of sight; an open-but-organized approach keeps toys accessible and tidy. A stenciled dresser and some baskets help keep things contained and attractive.
Open and closed storage together make cleanup easier: when every item has a logical place, kids can put things away automatically. We use concealed cabinets for less attractive or bulkier items and open shelving to display toys and books that look good and invite use. The same concept applies in our bonus room at home, where concealed cabinets store games and guest bedding while open shelves add playful, functional display.
Our biggest hiccup was shelving: the original colorful shelves were backordered and we didn’t learn about it in time to reorder. Being in the room that day made it clear the wall needed some warm wood tones to balance the daybed and other wood elements, so the delay turned out to be a blessing. We found in-stock wood-tone LISABO shelves at a nearby Ikea and had them by lunchtime. The neutral shelves still look lively once styled with toys and books, and a loose color-coding approach made the display pop without taking forever.
Hanging the shelves took longer than expected because of cinderblock walls, but styling them was quick—about nine minutes. Open shelves are flexible and evolve over time; they don’t need to look perfect every day. Put items you like to look at on display and hide the rest in drawers or baskets. It’s a simple, maintainable system.
The shelves themselves exceeded expectations: solid, easy to hang (aside from masonry work), and a lovely blonde wood tone that feels casual and elevated. We paired them with a dresser and large floor baskets for concealed toy storage, and—full disclosure—the kids loved the beanbag so much we’re considering getting one for our own house.
We saw several other near-complete rooms in the Idea House and loved getting to know fellow designers in person. It was great to finally meet collaborators we’d only known online and spend a fun day together. One friend even captured a photo of John and me that perfectly sums up married life.
After the photos are taken for Real Simple, the house is sold and the furniture is auctioned off for charity. I love that the pieces find new homes and the project benefits people in need. They haven’t named this year’s beneficiary yet, but I’ll share details when they do.
Thanks, Real Simple—this was real fun. #MomJokes4Days
P.S. We’ve enjoyed designing rooms for good causes in the past, including a special room makeover for a local family, a teacher’s lounge for a school, and three kids’ bedroom makeovers.
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