playbook
Reflections, valuable insights, hand-picked product recommendations, and so much more, all aimed at enhancing the everyday homes of families!
Parisian outdoor cafe
With just a few essential elements, we were able to convert the corner of a basement into a magical Parisian outdoor cafe, ultimately setting the stage for meaningful play experiences to transpire✨️
seamless clean up
Imagine a world where children purposefully play with their materials and then seamlessly clean up✨️
It exists. We're building it.
custom builds
Struggling to devise a witty caption. Honestly, the transformation speaks for itself. . . s w i p e✨️
rainy days will never be the same
On rainy days,
frigid days,
blistering hot days,
and all the days in between...
...You will never regret investing in your play space at home.
felt fun
When paint and wallpaper seem too much of a commitment, we almost always suggest a felt wall, like this one we designed from @feltrightproducts.
Felt tiles are DIY, cost-effective, and non permanent. They can truly bring life and color to any room. They also provide sound-dampening and are the perfect place to pin pictures, artwork, schedules, etc.
Swipe to see some of our favorite creations from past projects! Which one is your favorite?
less screens
This week, a @nytimes article rightfully declared: "If we want to start getting kids offline, we need to give them better places to go instead."
Oh, heyyyyy 👋🏻! This is quite literally our job. We're on a mission to create places where kids can go and have meaningful, developmentally supportive experiences.
With March Madness in full swing, there is no better time to showcase this basement basketball court, which is so much more than it appears.
It's a space that helps children develop their gross motor and communication skills. It's a space that fosters social connections and teamwork, something deeply lacking in the increasing world of tablets.
It's also a perfect venue for playdates and family gatherings with kids and adults if we do say so ourselves!
Basically, this space is the epitome of a place kids could go instead of turning to tech.
We need more of this at home, less screens. We're on a mission👊🏻
aesthetics vs. functionality
Balancing aesthetics and functionality is tricky, but it may be the most important consideration when designing a playroom (aside from safety).
To do it successfully requires a deep understanding of the practical and psychological aspects of family dynamics, child development, and interior design.
The good news is, we've got all that and more! It's what makes @greenwich_play and our offering so unique.
We have a new website where you can learn about our services, see how we work, and view our entire portfolio!
Click the link in our bio to head there now ⤴️⤴️
inspiring but achievable
Ever have those moments while scrolling where you're like, "Jeez, that place is amazing!" But then, you snap back to reality and understand that you can never achieve a space like that for a million different reasons.
It's a fleeting moment, but it means something to me, especially in an increasingly AI-driven world.
I strive to create a space online that not only appears inspiring but also achievable.
Certainly, some of our projects are more complex, but we try to design spaces that can be realistically recreated, utilizing fundamental developmental and design principles.
How are we doing? Is there something you want to see more of? Let us know in the comments ⤵️⤵️
supportive spaces
The number one question from parents who invest in one of our playrooms:
✋🏻What happens to the space when my child stops playing?
I always have the same response:
✨️Our goal is to lay the foundation for all purposeful experiences, regardless of age or stage of life.
This means:
✔️Children feel confident selecting and using their materials.
✔️The task at hand organically transpires and doesn't require adult intervention.
✔️Clean-up is easy.
Whether you're talking about building with blocks or doing homework, your child will always require a supportive space at home.
If you ask us, there is no more important space in the home to invest in than the one your children use most.
all time-favorite
I've got a blank space, baby...
Swipe to see this transformation!
It's one of our all-time favorites, for one of our all-time favorites 🥰
goodby nanny, hello playroom
A significant transformation to get you going this morning...
This family said goodbye to their live-in nanny of several years and was left with massive space and no idea what to do with it.
That's where we thrive✨️
It wasn't about the amount of stuff we brought in; it was about the intention of the design, and the result was a safe, supportive, inspiring space for these boys to learn and grow in for many years to come.
Swipe to see how it started ➡️
gross motor skills
Incorporating gross motor activities into your child's daily play is critical and something we focus on in almost all our spaces.
Gross motor skills involve using large muscle groups to perform movements such as crawling, walking, jumping, and climbing.
These activities are pivotal for physical development, enhancing muscle strength, coordination, and balance.
They also play a significant role in cognitive and social-emotional growth. There are research-tested benefits linking physical activity to improved concentration, memory, and academic performance.
Our go-to for gross motor play is the @brainrichkids gym pictured here, accessorized with a swing, @target crash pads, and the always versatile @riwi_buildit!
dream boat
I am proud to stand alongside these incredible women (and some not pictured). Each of us brings our own light, but together, we're a blazing fire 🔥🔥 .
Here's to the strength, wisdom, and grace of women — may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them✨️
eva’s basement playroom
We loved working with @thehappilyeva on her basement playroom transformation!
She trusted us to deliver something special, and we took the time to understand her family and their needs and wants.
The result is a beautiful, supportive space all three of her children can enjoy.
You can read more about our process and see all the stunning images in Eva's blog post, linked in our bio.
Where there is trust, there is pure magic✨️
incorporating mirrors
A well-placed mirror can transform simple play into an opportunity for learning and growth.
When children interact with their reflections, it helps them understand emotions. They can see how internal feelings change their facial expressions, which is vital for emotional intelligence and empathy.
By watching themselves in a mirror, children also better understand their body's position in space, enhancing their spatial awareness and coordination. This is particularly important for gross motor development.
While traditional designers turn to mirrors because they multiply light and make the space feel larger, we use mirrors so that children can explore their expressions and movements in a safe, engaging environment.
Incorporating mirrors into our playrooms transcends aesthetics; it's a strategic choice supporting early childhood development.
couch-climber combo
The couch-climber combo is a favorite in our play space arsenal. It provides comfortable seating and extends your child's gross motor activity at the same time.
Comfortably hang as your child builds physical strength, enhances problem-solving skills, and boosts confidence, all while keeping your home's aesthetic intact.
Why choose between chic decor and supportive play when you simply don't have to?!
giving your child ownership
Did you know that children’s brains are wired for rapid visual processing? Before they master language, they rely on visual cues to understand their environment.
To play with intention, your child first needs to understand where things belong, and visuals tap directly into the innate language of a child’s brain, ultimately giving them ownership of their space.
When you provide children with a space at home that is thoughtfully and intentionally created just for them, they are given the opportunity to explore their ideas and practice skills they are developing purposefully.
So when we say the success of the playroom lies entirely on the label, we mean it✨️
perspective is everything
Perspective is everything.
And when your child has a space designed specifically for their unique (and changing!) needs, it allows them to reflect on their ideas and experiences.
It provides perspective.
setting up for success
Environment impacts performance. I bet many of you reading this right now spent hours (days?) rearranging your workspace to achieve your definition of "greatness."
In the way a properly conceptualized workspace sets you up for success, a purposeful playroom reinforces the skills critical for healthy development.
Our core philosophy hinges on the playroom being one of the most critical areas of a home, and we believe it should be treated as such.
When you provide a child with a space at home that is thoughtfully and intentionally created just for them, they are given the opportunity to explore their ideas and practice skills they are developing purposefully.