DC Designer Liz Levin’s Kid-friendly, Stylish Home

May 5, 2010 · Comments are closed

When Washington DC-based interior designer, Liz Levin became a new mom she discovered few stylish furniture options that were kid-friendly. As a result, she founded Nesting – an all-in-one resource for contemporary, high performance furnishings specifically selected and designed with children and pets in mind. Yippee!

Liz used her own home as a laboratory and many of her furnishings are from her store’s collection. In the living room, Liz mixes design styles and balances feminine and masculine elements beautifully. The table skirt was made custom by Liz Levin Interiors in Rogers and Goffigon {cream texture} with trim fabric by Schumacher. A fun Lucite waterfall coffee table from CB2 serves as a coffee table {note the rounded corners – kid-friendly!}. Liz sells a higher end version on Liz Levin Nesting. The most striking element in the room however, is the stunning wallpaper by Cole & Son behind the dark chocolate sofa. The colorful print {Fornasetti Collection Frutto Proibito} pulls together the room’s color palette brilliantly. The remaining walls were painted in Benjamin Moore’s Manchester Tan and is a nice contrast to the dark remnant wool wilton area rug.

The Murano glass table lamp and round brass vase add just the right vintage touches and were purchased at Sixteen Fifty-Nine in DC’s Georgetown. The red, pink and white t.v. time chair {“deliciously comfortable” as Liz puts it} is covered in a cutting edge, stain-resistant upholstery fabric that uses Nano-Tex technology and adds a punch of color. Stylish and functional – love this!

Above the living room’s fireplace hangings original artwork by Barbara K. Buer. I love how Liz flanks the fireplace with highs and lows – an antique Chinese garden statue from Qi in Old Town Alexandria, VA and a sweet child’s rocking chair found at a local flea market. The fuchsia nesting chair {Hollywood 2} is also made in high performance fabric, yet has a fashion-forward look. {We need to know how she sold her hubby on the bold, feminine color choice!}

In the dining room, Liz opens up the space visually with a large custom mirror and floor length drapes in a fun brown and white geometric print. The dark wooden dining table was a passed down from a family member and looks amazing with the Design Within Reach white leather chairs Liz scored off of Craig’s List. The drum pendant lighting is by Visual Comfort and is available through the trade.

This fun and colorful space is Liz’s “catch all” room. It serves as a home office, play area and guest room so the design needed to incorporate furnishings that were functional and flowed visually. The striking red and white “Merlin” wallpaper by Albert Hadley {through Hinson/Brunchwig & Fils} was a splurge and sets a playful tone. Liz selected the sleek white Parsons desk from West Elm and paired it with an Ikea chair – both very affordable. A fun red bamboo style floor lamp from Arteriors {available through the trade} helps with needed task lighting and balances the space visually. Artwork stacked above the cherry red file cabinet are finger paintings by her daughter and set in frames from Pottery Barn. I love to see children’s art framed and showcased for all to see.

Keeping within a tight budget, Liz selected the children’s table and chairs from Ikea – can’t bet Ikea prices! Liz hung a whimsical poster that beautifully picks up a yellow and white zigzag accent pillow on the West Elm Storage Bed Frame {pull out draw provides more storage options}.

In the bedroom, Liz covers the bed in dark brown bedding by DKNY. The turquoise and white circle print accent pillows were made custom while bolsters were from West Elm. A sweet Lucite tray table from Alba Interiors Lambertville, NJ is the perfect bedside table. Framed artwork from Liz’s travels to Brazil and Hong Kong are stacked, while a larger “For Like Ever” print hangs above the bed.

Liz mixes styles and adds ethnic touches on a dresser. The vintage turquoise Chinese Foo Dog from Qi in Old Town Alexandria, VA is handsome next to the modern Paris lamp from good old, Target. The rrom’s walls were painted a soothing Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore.

In the baby’s nursery room, Liz keeps it bright and cheery with the walls painted in Farrow & Ball Hound Lemon. She placed a white classic spindle crib from Land of Nod {before many of the crib recalls of this type – please make sure if you are given a crib it has not been recalled} centered between a glider and toy bins. The sweet and sassy curvy side table in white is one of my favorites and is available at Liz Levin Nesting. It is perfect for any room in the house!

Floor length drapes in yellow with a green panel nicely frame the windows. While large, colorful stuffed animals in the green and yellow color palette add to the playfulness of the room’s decor. Liz keeps the amoire and changing table {Land of Nod} neutral white and consistent with the other furnishings in the room.

I am still drooling over the Cole & Son wallpaper in Liz’s living room? What caught your eye?

Be sure to check out Liz’s lovely design portfolio and visit Nesting for kid-friendly furnishings and great design advice.