RSS Feed

These are among the tips offered by interior decorators for creating a fresh, fun — even inspiring — playroom for kids.
FOSTER CREATIVITY
“I love bold choices in a playroom,” said Mel Bean, a designer in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In one client’s theater room, for example, “we used a high-contrast carpet as a real show-stopper,” she said. “Another space uses black and white walls and floors as a backdrop for colorful art supplies, chairs, books and paintings.” Yet another playroom she is working on “includes a stunning, green-marble-slabbed wet bar with navy cabinetry, multiple television screens, and something for all ages, from a play kitchen to gaming.”
Los Angeles designer Kate Lester has a similar approach: “Don’t take the space too seriously — have fun with it,” she said. “Wallpaper the whole room, or paint the ceiling.”
Lester favors a light-filled palette and livable furniture. She recently completed a safari-themed play space for a family with 6 and 8 year olds. Papier-mache animal-head sculptures adorn the walls, which are covered in a cool, black-and-white zebra print. Peel-and-stick carpet tiles make for soft lounging, and individual squares can be replaced if they get stained. The vibe is easygoing, yet the aesthetic is chic.
Lester recommends a “high/low” formula: investing in a good built-in storage piece, for example, and then including affordable pieces from Target, IKEA, etc. She likes to buy fun, printable art online, as well.
Bean recently completed a teen-friendly room in Grand Lake, Okla-homa, with multiple bunk beds and a communal gathering space.
Jenny Reimold, a designer and former teacher, likes to create playrooms that contain both imaginative spaces and opportunities for learning. She’ll bring in pieces like an industrial-look storage container with labeled basket liners, so kids can store their reading and writing materials. As in a classroom, she’ll designate areas in a room for art and imaginative play, and include pieces like a wooden lemonade stand.
KEEP THINGS FUNCTIONAL
Hardiness matters when furnishing a playroom.
Lester puts removable floor tiles in almost every kids’ playroom she designs. They’re a durable and affordable alternative to a traditional rug, she said, and “can be laid out in custom designs.” There are also removable vinyl tiles in a variety of patterns; just peel and stick.
She cautions homeowners to think twice about whether things that look cool are actually practical.
“An 8-by-10-inch chalk wall may look cool on Instagram, but how does it work if you have three toddlers and white sofas?” she asks. “Integrating wow-factor that’s also functional is a must.”
Mixed storage is always helpful, with open bins and drawers.
“Rolling bins are great under a window seat — they can be rolled out for play, then filled up with toys and rolled back under the seat,” said designer Jess Cooney of Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
She’s fine with that chalkboard wall, but advises getting chalk pens to avoid dust.
She also recommends performance fabrics, such as indoor/outdoor rugs, in craft areas. “They can be bleached, or hosed off outside,” she said.
For teens and older kids, being plugged in is key. Cooney tries to incorporate connectivity for video, music and gaming in a stylish but practical way, housing all the tech equipment in a closet that little ones can’t get to, and having one universal remote for the TV, so you can control the content.
ROOM TO GROW
Plan for the future use of the space. “Give the room the ability to grow and transition with your children,” said Lester. She suggests “play tables that can turn into homework stations, or pin boards that can display art but also calendars and schedules.”
Wallpaper choices these days include stylized and sophisticated prints that work for kids’ rooms and also any other room in the home.
And consider furniture that kids can grow into too: “A pull-out sofa is great for sleepovers down the road as kids grow,” said Cooney.
While some kid-size furniture can be fun, include normal-size furnishings, like sofas and media units.
“Keep the more expensive pieces in adult-scale,” said Lester. “This will not only make the space feel larger, but you won’t have to replace them as your kids grow. Also, sitting on a mini sofa isn’t fun for anyone over 5.”
Likewise, Cooney prefers neutral colors for key pieces to avoid too young a look in the playroom.
“Being able to change the wall color and throw pillows down the road to transform the space into a teen lounge, without buying all new furniture, is important,” she said.

Bobcat driver T.K. Waldrop of Waldrop Recreation in Alabama, and Chet Kimbrell and Garrison Kincade of Kincade Recreation in Livingston, Texas, work on new playground equipment Wednesday in Morgan City's Lawrence Park. Kimbrell is on the ground and Kincade is guiding the slide from above. They're working to get the playground equipment installed before Labor Day and the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival. The new equipment is part of Morgan City Main Street's Block 27 park improvement program, named for the piece of land donated for the park by Frances Brashear Lawrence in 1876.

The Daily Review/Bill Decker

Herman Christopher “Jap” Green, 77, a resident and native of Jeanerette, La. passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 6:30 a.m. at Franklin Healthcare Center.
Visitation will be observed on Friday August 9, 2019 from 1 p.m. until memorial services beginning at 2 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home 604 Lovette Street Jeanerette, La. 70544. Burial will follow funeral services in the Heavenly Rest Cemetery in Jeanerette, La.
“Jap,” as he was known by all resided at Franklin Health Care Center in Franklin Louisiana, since 2005.
He was educated through Iberia Parish School, and began employment with Breaux Chevorlet and later spent the remainder of his employment career at Lapeyrouse Motors where he was not only an employee but a member of the Lapeyrouse Motors Family.
Herman Green leaves to cherish his memories: his sister, Mrs. Lawrence (Stella Lewis)-Dennis of St. Louis; his children, Christopher Green, Michael Ray Green, Donald Ray Hensley, Tyrone Hensley, Ronald Lee Hensley, Reginald Hensley, Anita Hensley, Djuan Hensley, Barry Hensley, Macklin Reed and Sarina Reed-Lewis of Franklin; grandchildren; great grandchildren; and nieces, cousins, family and friends who knew and loved “Jap!”
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; brother; sister and a son.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

Staff Report
A Patterson man tried to evade arrest, first by vehicle and then by foot, but was apprehended by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office with the help from Patterson officers, Sheriff Blaise Smith reported in a news release.
—Herman Jamauud But-ler, 31, of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Patterson, was arrested at 11:24 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of failure to pay probation fee and resisting by flight. Butler was also charged with driving on a roadway laned for traffic, driver must be licensed, aggravated flight from officer, resisting arrest or officer, possession of marijuana, possession of crack cocaine and possession of Schedule IV drugs.
Deputies patrolling La. 182 near Sun Road observed a vehicle swerve from one lane to another. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle continued and increased its speed. The vehicle stopped a short time later and the driver began to flee on foot.
He was apprehended with the help of officers with the Patterson Police Department. The driver, identified as Butler, held an active warrant for his arrest and was found in possession of drugs on his person, Smith said. Butler was jailed. No bail has been set.
Smith also reported that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 34 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—Wallace Joseph Williams, 49, of La. 70 in Pierre Part, was arrested at 8:40 p.m. Sunday on two warrants for failure to appear on the charges of possession of hydrocodone, driving while intoxicated, contempt of court, and for charges of possession of Schedule II drugs, driving under suspension, and license plate lights required.
A deputy patrolling the area of La. 70 near Morgan City observed a vehicle with no operable license plate light. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver identified as Williams. The deputy learned that Williams’ license was suspended and he held two active warrants for his arrest. During the stop, drugs were found on Williams. He was jailed with bail set at $5,855.
—Christopher Falcon, 40, of Souvenir Street in Lafa-yette, was arrested at 11:29 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of Schedule II drugs.
A deputy patrolling the area of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista observed a vehicle fail to use its turn signal while making a right turn on U.S. 90. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver and several occupants, one identified as Falcon. During the stop, drugs belonging to Falcon were found. Falcon was transported to a local medical facility due to minor medical issues.
—Daren Quinn Kitchen, 26, of Morrison Avenue in Houma, was arrested at 12:09 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, speeding, and improper lane usage. A deputy transported Kitchen to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center from another jurisdiction on an active warrant. He was released on a $3,300 bond.
—Casey Nicole Francois, 33, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:10 p.m. Monday for driving on roadway laned for traffic, possession of mariju-ana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A deputy patrolling the area of La. 182 near Morgan City observed a vehicle cross the center line into the opposite turning lane when making a turn. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver identified as Francois. During the stop, drugs and drug paraphernalia were located, Smith said. Francois was jailed and released on a summons to appear in court on Nov. 8.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 40 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—Candice Lee Ross, 33, of East Garner Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:57 a.m. Monday on a charge of simple battery.
—Heidi Renee Sams, 40, of Fourth Street in Morgan City was arrested at 9:57 a.m. Monday on a charge of simple battery.
Ross and Sams were in-volved in a fistic encounter with each other in the Mor-gan City Jail. Both were booked with one count of simple battery.
—Casey Nicole Francois, 33, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:18 p.m. Monday on a warrant for a charge of contempt of court. An officer came into contact with Francois on Railroad Avenue. A warrants check revealed an active warrant for her arrest. She was jailed.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported the following arrest:
—Kane Smith, 20, of Maple Street in Morgan City was arrested at 1:01 a.m. Tuesday on charges of license plate light required, possession of a fire arm by a convicted felon, possession of schedule II methamphetamine, posses-sion of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of a legend drug without a prescription. He was jailed with no bond set.
Patterson Police Chief Garett Grogan reported that there were no arrests.