Photo by Alexandra DeFurio. Aidan is a 12-year-old girl who lives with her father half of the time. Her parents are divorced and her father wanted his daughter to be at home in his new bachelor house. He wanted her to feel “understood” and validated as a girl entering into her teen years. The room therefore is sophisticated, yet still young and innocent. It may have “grown up” attributes such as chic English paisley wallpaper by Osborne and Little and a sassy “Like Forever” poster, but it is still comfortable enough to hang out on the flokati rug or on the vintage revamped chair. Aidan was very involved in providing the design inspiration for the room. She had asked for a “beachy” feel and as design professionals know, what takes over in the creative process is the ideas evolve and many either are weeded out or enhanced. It was our job as designers to introduce to Aidan a world beyond Pottery Barn Kids. We incorporated her love of the ocean with a custom, mixed Benjamin Moore paint color in a beautiful turquoise blue. The turquoise color is echoed in the tufted buttons on the custom headboard and trim around the linen roman shades on the window. Aidan wanted a hangout room for her friends. We provided extra seating by adding a vintage revamped chair accessorized with a Jonathan Adler needle point “Love” pillow and a Moroccan pouf from Shabby chic. The desk from West Elm from their Parson’s collection expresses a grown up feel accompanied with the Saarinen Tulip chair. It’s easier for Aidan to do her homework when she feels organized and clutter free. Organization was a big factor is redesigning the room. We had to work around mementos that soon-to-be teenagers collect by the truckloads. A custom bulletin board above the desk is a great place to tack party invitations and notes from friends. Also, the small Moda dresser from Room and Board stores books, magazines and makeup stored in baskets from the Container Store. Aidan loves her room. It is bright and cheerful, yet cheeky and fun. It has a touch of sass and a “beachy” feel. This room will grow with her until she leaves for college and then comes back as a guest. Thanks to her father who wanted her to feel special, she is able to spend half her time in a room that reflects who she is.