This lamp from Kelly B. Rightsell provides a bedside friend for children.It’s been said that accessories can make the outfit. That special pair of earrings, a scarf tied just so — these things can help pull a look together.
The same goes for room accessories — they help to round out a look for a room, and juvenile rooms are no exception.
This fall, dusty pastels and muted primaries continue to be popular color choices, and pink is always a favorite.
Brian Rightsell of Kelly B. Rightsell Designs said he’s seen a growth in clean, simple pieces.
Kelly Neal Mariotti, president of Green Frog Art, said lamps have been very strong lately, and artwork, which she said was hit hard when the economy first dropped, has “picked back up with something of a vengeance.”
A feeling of nostalgia still seems to permeate the country, and that carries over into youth accessories. Americana looks are strong with patriotism taking center stage over the last year.
Mariotti said that vintage and distressed looks have been particularly popular, an opinion echoed by Steffan Craig, marketing manager for Berkeley, California-based Timeworks. Craig said Timeworks’ vintage-themed Tinplate Toys line is their best seller.
“There’s a nostalgia to it that’s recognizable to a lot of people,” said Craig.
Timeless illustrations from Lewis Carrol’s “Alice in Wonderland” grace this mirror, clock and frame, part of a collection of vintage Alice in Wonderland-themed accessories by Timeworks.Themes continue to be important, especially as parents strive to decorate a child’s room with a particular look.
Joy Phillips, president of Creative Images, said she’s seen the lodge look — a look that’s been popular in adult rooms for some time now — grow in popularity for kids.
“Juvenile rooms tend to lag behind adults a year or two,” she said. “I think people incorporate colors into the main part of the home first, and then maybe they’re more comfortable putting them in a child’s room.”
Phillips also said that complementary pieces sell especially well, particularly multiple pieces from the same artist.
For tween and teen girls, themes become especially important. Surfing and Hawaiian themes have gained in popularity recently, and funky animal prints are still doing well.
“We all struggle with (the tween) category,” said Phillips, “so it’s great when something clicks.”
