This teen room is cosy and calm, the perfect retreat for a busy 13 year-old. An effortless vibe that came together by combining practical elements with soft textures and furnishings. With storage solutions being a must-have, this bedroom combines practicality with timeless design.
Mother of two and Director of Plyroom, Elise Heslop has created a sanctuary for her teenage son Sam, using key pieces from their range. We love the simplicity and considered edit that matches her son’s laid-back style.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT SAM AND WHAT HE’S INTO?
“Sam is my 13 year-old who loves music, being outside, playing tennis and soccer. He spends most of his time in the living area of the house, so the bedroom is a space for sleep and study (and escaping us!)”
WHAT WAS THE BRIEF FOR THIS ROOM?
“Sam is very laid back and loves being cosy. The bedroom is at the front of the house near the entrance, so it was important to have a space that is easy to keep tidy. We made sure there was ample storage for things like soccer boots, tennis racquets and his school work.”
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?
“Put simply, Plyroom is a furniture design studio based in Melbourne. We design and make furniture that is intentionally understated so that it sits quietly in your space and works in with your life. I started the business in 2013 after spending a year of getting back to basics in Italy with my family. We started with a small range of furniture made in Italy by some very talented designers, and now work with local manufacturers as well as our long-standing Italian partners.”
WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION? CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ARTWORK IN THE ROOM?
“The room has been an organic process and driven by function. Sam likes being warm and loves hanging out at home. This is why there is a pared back palette with a textured wool rug and pale timber tones that are cosy and natural without being heavy. The artwork is a combination of Sam’s own work over the years and artwork from past travels. He’s very laid back so lets me change things around as long as he gets to share his opinion too. He does have a black framed Dustin Martin photo on the other wall that you can’t see and it’s his pride and joy!”
HOW DID YOU SELECT YOUR COLOUR PALETTE?
“It was kept really neutral as the room doesn’t get a lot of natural light.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURE IN THE ROOM AND WHY?
“I think even though our home is an Edwardian home with traditional features in the front of the house, where Sam’s bedroom is, his room feels down to earth and natural.”
WHICH PLYROOM PIECES YOU HAVE USED AND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEM!
“Sam has the Plyroom King Single Singolo Bed, the large Underbed Drawer, Oh Side Table and Scrivette Desk. The bed, underbed storage and side table are made by our Italian partners, Totem Italia and Villa Home Collection, who we distribute in Australia. The Scrivette is our locally designed and made desk.”
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
“One wall is all built-in wardrobe space and the other side is a window (and an awkward shape), so there isn’t a lot of wall space. Fitting a desk and a bed in the room with some open storage was a challenge. If the built-ins weren’t already in the room, I’d have put his desk and some additional open storage on the wall with the cupboards to free up the floor space a bit, but that’s not a project we’ll be undertaking any time soon!”
WHAT IS YOUR OVERALL FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THIS SPACE?
“I love how cosy and calm it feels. When he’s doing his homework, I love lying on the bed for a quick distraction to ask about his day.”
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS?
QUICK FIRE Q’S
(Instagram) Fave scroll stopper: @meghan_plowman
(Design Style) Less is more or more is more: Less is definitely more
(Netflix) Can’t switch off: Loving “Physical” at the moment. Rose Byrne is amazing.
(Motherhood) Defining parenting moment: “I’m muddling along like everyone else! Every stage brings its own set of challenges. It’s nice to be able to look back on when they were little, so take the photo, write the funny thing down because 10 years later it’s hard to remember it all and it will always be absolute gold that will make you smile.”
(Mindfulness) Quote that best sums you up: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
GET THE LOOK
Bed – Singolo King Single and Underbed Drawer / Plyroom, Side Table – Oh Side Table / Plyroom, Desk – Scrivette / Plyroom, Wool Rug – Hali, Bed Linen – In Bed Store, Throw – Alpaca Throw Rug in Stripe / In Bed Store, Art – Ringpools / Antoinette Fewerda, Cushion – Simpatico / Eadie Lifestyle
Photography: Bianca Virtue
Designer / Stylist: Elise Heslop @plyroom
Check out this post for more teen rooms!
