playbook
Reflections, valuable insights, hand-picked product recommendations, and so much more, all aimed at enhancing the everyday homes of families!
purposeful design
Purposeful design leads to purposeful play, making all the difference in your child's developmental journey.
When a playroom has an intentional allocation of space, a child can seamlessly transition from one activity to another.
Each area has a purpose: the cozy playhouse, the climber, the art table waiting for the next masterpiece—the expectations are clear.
Providing a child with a functional space empowers them to engage deeply in play that fosters cognitive, emotional, and physical growth.
At Greenwich Play, we happen to think the space should look good, too!
making sense of the world
Imagine your child in a fun, supportive environment where they can organize their thoughts, gain independence, and make sense of their world.
✨️We call that a purposeful play space.✨️
We know that behavior is better when children have access to a space at home that is thoughtfully and intentionally designed just for them.
We're on a mission to create these spaces in as many homes as possible. It doesn't have to be huge, elaborate, or out of this world. It simply has to be created purposefully for the child using it.
The Greenwich Play approach to design is to create something that works for a family’s specific needs and the space they have. Ultimately, our primary focus is on meeting the needs of our youngest clients: your child!
a new school year
A new school year means a new set of extra-curricular activities. But wait! Before adding that additional art class, hear me out.
From sports to music and art, it's easy to get swept up in ensuring our children have every opportunity to participate in developmentally supportive experiences.
But, in this rush to organize and plan, we sometimes overlook a critical element of childhood: ✨️free time for unstructured play.✨️
Children spend their entire day being directed while at school, from following classroom rules to adhering to set schedules.
After all this structure, children need moments free to decide how to spend their time.
✨️This is where play comes in—particularly the child-led kind, without the boundaries of adult expectations.✨️
So, as we map out the weeks and months ahead, let’s not forget the value of providing an inviting space for our children to play freely.
Having a designated area in the home where your child can be in charge of their activities can be incredibly liberating for them after a day of being told what to do and where to go.
Undoubtedly, extracurricular activities enrich our children's lives, but balance is essential. Let’s ensure that in addition to lessons and practices, we also carve out time for our kids to be kids.
Let’s Talk about maker spaces
Let's talk about maker spaces🎨 An inspiring, organized crafts and project area fosters creativity, problem-solving, and self-directed learning, all skills essential for success in the classroom and beyond.
Having all the tools and materials at their fingertips empowers children to explore new ideas, test their limits, and think critically. The back-to-school season is the perfect time to set up a dedicated maker space at home!
Whether for art projects, science experiments, or just creative play, a well-designed maker space gives children the freedom to build, invent, and imagine without limits.
These maker spaces we designed are a perfect blend of organization and inspiration. Everything has a place, and there’s plenty of room for big ideas. With the correct setup, your child's imagination can soar while honing critical skills for the school year ahead!
Which one is your favorite?
grow with your family
The last question of our general intake form asks, "Is there anything else you would like us to know about your family or your space?"
And, nine times out of ten, the respondent says, "I just want a space that will grow with my child."
Our approach to play space design is to lay a foundation that can easily transition with your child as they grow and develop new skills and interests, leaving you with a space that will ✨️grow with your family.✨️
understanding family needs
Understanding your family's unique needs and the space you have to use is essential for us to successfully execute a purposeful playroom.
This is why we don't offer "pre-packaged" services.
Greenwich Play is a bespoke play space design firm.
We combine research, experience, and unique resources to create thoughtfully and intentionally designed playrooms that are specific to your family's needs and space.
Yes, you can find a clickable shopping list of materials needed to set up a playroom with a simple Google search. And there is no shortage of momfluencers, interior designers, and organizational experts sharing tips and guidance on playrooms.
The problem is that most of these resources lack expert knowledge about how interior design impacts development in early childhood and they don't take the time to truly understand your space and how your family uses it.
We do✨️
To learn more about what we do and how we do it, visit the link in our bio.
Let us help you build the stage
Are you tired of your living room being transformed into an airplane one minute and a bustling bakery the next?
While pretend play is a critical component of your child's development, it doesn't have to happen in every room of the house.
Let us help you build the stage (literally and figuratively) to support your child's infinite development, and give you back the rest of your home.
it’s all in the details
It's all in the details✨️
The details provide access.
The details spark creativity.
The details create a sense of ownership.
The details are the difference between a child succeeding and failing.
The details matter. Swipe to see how it started 🤭
commercial play
Like almost everything, children develop the skills to play as they mature. They go from mastering play independently to playing by sharing space to learning to play with others.
Children go through stages of play.
Our approach to commercial play spaces considers these stages of play and the range of children who will come through the doors. We want everyone who comes to play to find purpose in the space, and that is no small feat!
With a clear allocation of space, appropriate materials, and thoughtful organization, children of differing ages and abilities can successfully use this playroom.
And, it looks cute, too✨️
making great use of spaces
Well, that's one way to make an entrance🤸🏻
This basement play space had an extensive and awkward wall upon first entering it, so we did what we do best:
Make great use of it✨️
invest in laying the foundation
Do you hesitate to invest in something for your child because you fear they'll outgrow it? Same.
But, some things are worth the investment; a purposeful play space at home is one of them.
The benefits of a purposeful play space?
• Help connect a child to unique learning patterns and interests.
• Avoid overstimulation, inappropriate materials, and confusing organization.
• Support cooperative play, sharing, negotiating, and resolving conflicts.
• Improve difficult behaviors.
• Provide the opportunity for a child to organize thoughts with intention.
• Help develop autonomy.
... and so much more.
Our approach to play space design is to lay a foundation that can easily transition with your child as they grow and develop new skills and interests, leaving your family with a space that works now and for ✨️many years to come.✨️
Invest in laying the foundation.
now is the time
📣 Listen up! I know you don't want to hear this, but we're about halfway through summer, and those cold, wet, dark days are not too far away...
We're not saying this to dim your summer glow!
We just want you to know that ✨️now✨️ is the time to contact us to start your playroom project, not when the snow starts to fall.
The link in our bio allows you to schedule an on-site consultation (Boston, Greenwich) or a virtual consultation (anywhere in the world!).
We can't wait to transform your space into a purposeful playroom that will grow with your child, encourage independence, and give you back the rest of your house!
adult seating
Adult seating in a playroom might not be the first thing that comes to mind when designing a space primarily used by children. However, we value the importance of adult seating and its critical functions in our designs.
Being comfortable in a child's space allows for better supervision. It allows caregivers to watch children without hovering, ensuring they are safe and appropriately using materials.
Whether reading a book, assisting with crafts, or simply being present, comfortable seating can make or break a grownup's playroom experience.
Children often play for extended periods, and having comfortable seating for adults can make that time more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Bottom line: Adult seating is an imperative component of creating a space that facilitates relationship-building, learning, and growth in play. It isn't merely a convenience; it can be a critical design aspect that fosters a safe, interactive, and enjoyable environment for children AND adults.
back to the roots
I remember the first time I walked into a Threes/Fours classroom. It was at a preschool on the Upper East Side in New York City, and I was a student teacher. I’m not sure what I expected, but upon entering the space, I remember feeling completely underwhelmed.
It was all so basic, labeled, and uncomplicated.
The furniture was small. The walls were empty, waiting for masterpieces to be made.
You knew where to get messy, where to build, where to sit crisscross applesauce, where to get paper and crayons, and where to put them back.
It was all right there, intentional, every bit.
I spent that school year witnessing children successfully use the space independently to explore, collaborate, play, and grow.
And quickly realized that my impression of being underwhelmed was that I had no appreciation for how much research, development, compassion, and expertise went into creating that classroom, all on a budget.
You might even say it was inspiring.
independence day
Independence Day at Greenwich Play is hopefully every day if we do our job right!
As an early childhood expert, I understand that when a room is designed with a specific child in mind, they aren’t consumed by overstimulation, inappropriate materials, or confusing organization.
Instead, they connect to their unique learning patterns and interests through independent play.
This means children feel confident and comfortable selecting their own materials and activities, can put things away, and can clean up after themselves (when age-appropriate).
At the end of the day, our goal is to design play spaces that encourage unwavering independence, where children are empowered to participate in the planning and executing of their play.
the dessert list
Let me tell you a little story about The Dessert List.
In our home, everyone automatically starts dinner off on The Dessert List. This means, at the end of the meal, my children get dessert. Great, right?
Well, certain things can happen over the course of the meal that can kick them off the list real fast.
Think not eating enough dinner, not sitting nicely, saying something inappropriate…. These things will get them off faster than they can say, “ice cream.”
But, the best thing about The Dessert List is that there’s always a chance to make it back on before the meal is over. There’s always a chance to turn it around.
This approach to dinner etiquette and rewards works for our family. It puts the control entirely in the hands of my children, and let me tell you, there’s nothing they want more than to be on that list at the end of dinner🍦
Give it a try, let me know how it goes!
Our residential team
Spotlight on our incredible Residential Team in Greenwich: Meet Pati, Jackie, and Olga!
Talented, hilarious, hard-working, stunning (inside and out), just the greatest people on earth and truly what make our projects so special✨️
I pinch myself every single day that these women choose to spend their time at Greenwich Play.
basement reno
For this family, there is life before the playroom existed and life after the playroom existed. Safe to say, things got a whole lot better✨️