The playroom—a place where imagined adventures are boundless and design possibilities are endless. This is a room that is stuffed to the brim with toys, books and games, with pillows, forts and bean bag chairs. You hear laughter, conversations with imaginary friends and, let’s be real, some fighting. Kids read their favorite books here, build castles out of blocks and play house with increasingly realistic baby dolls. They have their escape from the rest of the house, a place where there’s No Grown Ups Allowed.

We at MDG believe there is a handful of non-negotiable essentials for the perfect playroom. Thus, our checklist.

1) A good table. The kiddies need room to color or spread out a puzzle. Some tables have adjustable legs depending on if it will seat a wee tot or a teen.

2) Storage. All these tools for the imagination have to go somewhere.

3) A hiding spot. A tent, a teepee or just plenty of blankets to make a fort of their own.

4) Bright paint or kooky wallpaper. A color scheme you want to try but is maybe too wild for the rest of the house, or wallpaper with scenes from a favorite book.

5) A comfy place to sit. Floor pillows or bean bags are the perfect place to spend a chilly afternoon with a new favorite book.

Contact Marlena here for help with a playroom in your own home.

Photo Reference 1-2

Vision Board 1-2-3-4-5-6

President Obama wears the same color suit every day because it’s one less decision he has to make. He probably doesn’t have to think about if his tie is coordinating with his pocket square, and perhaps his only wardrobe worry is if he accidentally grabs his navy socks to wear with his charcoal suit. Luckily we aren’t all Obama and we have the energy to think about how to incorporate color into our outfits and home.

The thing about color is it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It’s not either frat boy in the South or Lord Voldemort. It can start with a single addition to a wardrobe with a sense of humor, like hot pink shorts with taco emojis all over them. If the home is more your canvas, a dark blue kitchen is an elegant place to start. Add something unexpected to an entryway table with a lamp that’s the same color from base to shade. Toss an orange-striped beach blanket over the back of a leather armchair.

There’s also happily been a bit of a 90’s resurgence and we can see it in the purple, teal, red and goldenrod patterns of socks, a surefire way to draw attention to your sick kicks. While you’re down there, Adidas is re-launching the Gazelle shoe next month, formerly of the streets of ’91. Even better, rumor has it that it’ll be available in 53 color variations. If you’ll be spending some time by the pool, maybe sling a Nixon that looks like a gift from Zack Morris onto the wrist of your sipping hand.

It’s easy to have a blast with color. When in doubt, start small and then work your way up to bold.

Photo Reference 1-2-3-4-5-6-7

marlena design group llc - 100 S. Madison St. Denver, CO. 80209