Both of These Boys' Rooms Are Black and White, But That's Where the Similarities End

PublishedJun 13, 2022 1:27 PM EDT

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OK but hear me out—black and white typically isn't the first color combo you think of for a kid's room, but when interior designer Hilary Matt started planning spaces for her two young sons—Jones (4) and Miller (2)—in her Manhattan apartment, it was the only way to go. "I don't really design babyish rooms," explains Matt, and honestly? Embracing New York City's signature palette plus adult-worthy furnishings is a surefire recipe for not-your-average preschooler hideaways.

But don't get it twisted—these spaces are far from serious. Case in point: the Andy Warhol banana prints, the black lacquer basketball hoop, and the lightning bolt mirror in Jones's room; on the bed, an Hermès coverlet plays off Justice League superhero sheets (because why not?). "I like a room to grow with a child, so to me this decor makes sense—it lasts longer," says Matt. And she's right—when Jones graduated from a crib to the custom daybed that now fills the space, all it took was a simple furniture swap. "Everything else stayed exactly the same," Matt points out. Love that kind of longevity.

Though Jones and Miller weren't exactly part of the design process—"They got what they got, but they like it!" says their stylish mom with a laugh—it's pretty clear they're loving the sophisticated canvas that'll easily evolve as their tastes change. Ahead, Matt shares how she put a contemporary spin on their rooms while making sure they were anything but flat.

Since big brother Jones got the larger bedroom, Matt had to be "minimalist" about what she put in Miller's tiny space. She ultimately went with a crib, a bear-shaped armchair for late-night feedings and cuddles, and a custom dresser. But as a compromise, Jones's room doubles as a play area complete with wheelie toy bins and Lego storage boxes, which Matt sourced to tie in with the monochromatic aesthetic. There's even a seating area for two, with a tray-topped ottoman and vintage chairs that Matt had reupholstered in a coordinating checked fabric. "I know I can have them re-covered and use them elsewhere if ever we move," she explains. Now that's thinking ahead.

"There's never enough storage in the city," attests Matt. Her solution in Jones's room? An upholstered bed with a pull-out drawer. It looks like it might house a trundle for sleepovers, but it's actually stuffed to the brim with sweaters, spare blankets, and puzzles. And the fabric (a wipeable polyester blend that sounds way less luxe than it actually looks) can totally withstand the wear and tear of small hands, obviously. Practical AND pretty? Sign me up.

Working within such a tight color scheme, Matt differentiated the rooms with wall art: Jones's white walls are decked out with splodgy decals by Kerri Rosenthal, while Miller's are clad in geometric wallpaper (which is also removable, so he can ditch it whenever he gets tired of it—genius). Textured and natural elements, like Miller's wood crib and the mattress-quilted Hey artwork by Stephanie Patton above it, keep the room from feeling stark. Another way Matt brought in personality and color? Accessories based on the boys' interests. In Miller's room, that means Mickey Mouse figurines. She indulged Jones's love for the New York Yankees with baseball paraphernalia. "These low-commitment touches make it more fun and young," says Matt. And honestly, who said black and white were boring? Clearly not these rooms.

Olivia Lidbury is a freelance writer based in the U.K. She has been regularly contributing to Domino since 2021, pitching charming British houses, whimsical apartments and must-see vacation stays. Olivia also regularly writes for a number of national U.K. titles such asThe TimesandThe Sunday Times Stylemagazine. She lives just outside of London in Kent.

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