Houzz Tour: A Family-Friendly Mid-Century Home

by Erika Ward

It isn’t often that you find a designer who is happy to cater to a 3-year old but won’t leave your home looking like a romper room. Designing with kids in mind takes careful planning for durability, function, and overall style. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Dallas-based interior designer and mother Beth Dotolo about the reintroduction of her firm, Pulp Design Studios, her penchant for designing spectacular spaces, and this trendy Mid-Century Modern home featured on her firm’s home page. She generously provided the source of many items featured in the entertaining areas of the home, as well as great tips and advice for decorating stylish kid-friendly spaces. Let’s take a look.

The essence of comfortability and style, this loving room is an excellent example of how to decorate with kids in mind. Homeowners splurged on this fashion-forward Missoni rug, and for good reason. Its high quality and kaleidoscope of colors offers a range of direction for the room’s palette, and its dark, zigzag pattern hides a multitude of sins (and stains). The rooms furnishings are plush, low-scale and beautiful.

The olive Bertoia chair with its deep bucket seat is a favorite spot for the homeowner’s child.

The fireplace divides the living room and playroom, giving parents and kids a bit of breathing room while providing open access to both spaces.

A ceramic pup stands guard on the hearth — a sweet compromise for a little one who desires a dog … and a relief to the cat resting on the ottoman.

Custom pillows in velvet add luxury for adults; texture and color for kids.

Inspired by the blues and silver in the slate countertop, this trellis wallpaper by Osborne and Little was the saving grace for a modest powder room.

What came first, the art or the chair? Who knows? But I adore the repeat of the heart silhouette. The painting is a limited Jim Dine watercolor. Don’t fret, you can purchase a reprint online.

This child-sized table and chair set carries the same mid-century design as the rest of the furnishings in the house. The just my size credenza is the perfect piece for toy storage.

Decorating tip:
When you have large windows and amazing views, consider camouflaging your window treatments. These white roller shades virtually disappear into the wall, allowing the outdoors to take center stage.

Bright idea: Old factory light bulbs take on a sculptural quality when mounted on a wood pedestal.

Beth’s tips for decorating kid-friendly spaces:

1. Use what you have: A display of photography and humanity is a remarkable focal point here. The photographs, shot by the homeowner, are of children from around the world. The fun rug was moved from the living room into the playroom.

2. Avoid sharp corners: The worry-free mango wood stools can be used as a side table and are great for additional seating in the living room.

3. Bring furnishings to their level:This chic armless sofa offers easy accessibility for little ones.

4. Keep it attractive: Kids love velvet and zany zigzag patterns. These pillows by Jonathan Adler gives clues that this playroom is the epicenter of fun.