Treehouses? Been There, Done That

Libraries: Setting aside a reading area for children is also gaining in popularity. Carol Kurth, an architect in Bedford, N.Y., recently designed a "Story Book Nook" for a client. Located between the parents' bedroom and the child's room, this fantasy library was the perfect spot to ease the transition to bedtime. An overstuffed chair and built-in bookshelves made for a cozy spot to curl up with a book and Mom or Dad.

Art studios: Using vinyl tablecloths on the kitchen table for painting and drawing is strictly old school. The latest arts-and-crafts rooms come fully stocked, with an easel, a table with rolled paper at the end for a never-ending empty canvas, and bins for supplies. "I'm not one to talk. I built a sculpture studio for my son," Kurth says.

The rooms take extra care to have improved lighting, additional storage for supplies, and washable flooring. Ceramic tiles or retro linoleum are trendy choices. The rooms also set aside dedicated gallery areas to showcase the early works of the family artist.

Music rooms: Soundproofed music rooms are gaining in popularity -- and we're not talking about kids stapling egg cartons to the wall. Companies such as LOUD Technologies(LTEC Quote - Cramer on LTEC - Stock Picks) provide products for home studios.

"I had one client whose teenage son was a budding musician, so he built a recording studio in the house. Complete with digital equipment," says Richard Granoff, an architect who works in the Greenwich Conn., and Long Island, N.Y., areas. "We hired an acoustic consultant and an audio/visual consultant for this project."

« Previous Page

1 2 3

Next Page »