There’s an old Frankie Avalon song from the 1950′s called From Bobby Socks to Stockings. The song is about a girl trading her toys for boys. Here’s the YouTube video – good for a laugh or two). The tune many be a tad bit out of date, but I think the thought still applies. When a girl (now a tween) gets to be about 12, she wants her room to reflect that change in her life when she’s beginning to mature and dream about perhaps kissing Justin Beiber. Which poses the question: what designer thought it appropriate for a teen to go from playing with Barbies to dancing at a strip club?

I’m assuming the dance pole is on the other side of the room, but you know it’s there. According to the designer, a teenager’s life “is the most delicate period…” And, “… one of the best ways to kick start that would be to decorate her bedroom with a romantic touch.” A touch? Excuse me, I’d say the Hammer of Thor was used here. I see lots of pink but other than some B’s and a toss pillow I don’t see any Barbie.  Perhaps a “Cherry”. Or a “Raven”.  Let’s make it rain.

Question time! How does this reflect the, ahem, most delicate period of a teen girl’s life. Losing her virginity upstairs?  Let’s hope there are some condoms in that vanity.

Rule #1: Your color scheme and sense of style should end at a teenager’s bedroom door.

Teenagers are busy finding themselves – a very important thing that is too often overlooked. They often express their ever-changing sense of who they are through decoration. ¬†One day, they’re in love with the Jonas Brothers and their images cover the walls. Just as you’re learning the difference between Kevin and Joe, your daughter is rolling your eyes at you. The Jonas Brothers are so last week! ¬†Taylor Swift has taken over.

The image, above, is a good example. It looks terrific. But what will you do when your daughter decided she hates lilac next year?

If you’re a house-proud parent (and who isn’t), the best thing to do is sit on your hands, grin and bear it. Let your teens’ imaginations and identity searching run wild in the bedroom decor and, most likely, they won’t be running wild in the street. (At least I hope not!)

Rule #2: Set some ground rules and create a budget together.

When I was a teen I repainted my bedroom five times. To keep yourself from going mental and broke, set some ground rules before the arguing starts. Are black walls out or in? Can they paint the furniture? Try to think of things they can’t do, but also things they can. Write up a list together. If there’s something that’s not on the list, have them ask before they paint.

It’s a good idea, depending on the age of your teen, to give them a budget and let them do the shopping. A lesson in budgeting and planning for future change is always in style. Goodwill, Craig’s List and Freecycle are great places to find furniture and accessories at rock bottom prices. Challenge your teens to think outside the Pottery Barn box.

Rule#3: Place color on things that can be changed out easily.

Painting the walls a new color is really inexpensive – as long as he’s doing the work himself.¬† However, new furniture every other week is probably out. Remind your kids that they might not want blood red walls next year (you know they’ll roll their eyes at your total stupidity and develop amnesia next year).

Put the color and the trends on the walls and the accessories. They’re less expensive to change.

Jennifer’s Tips

• Let your teen decorate their own environment
• Set ground rules
• Create a budget – add a little extra for each year
• Use walls and accessories for trends
• Shop thrift shops for cool stuff and things that can be painted.
• If you think your teen as gone a too wild, just close the door when company comes snooping.

Need some more ideas? Here are some of my previous posts on the topic.

• Teen Rooms
• Avoiding Themes
• Design Dilemma for a Pre-Teen

images: PBTeen, Momoy, Top Home Pic

Rule #3 Exp

The customizable crib on the left is the AJ Crib by ducduc (about $1,400 at Dimples Baby). Seth sleeps here. He’s been redeeming Diet Coke cans to buy you a Chevy Volt. The car hasn’t been released, so he still has time to save.

The Natart Paris Crib ($709 from The Pepper Kids) has French flair. Little Fifi has been selling handmade onesies on eBay since birth to buy you a vintage Citroen ID19.

Which baby is yours?

you can buy it from my friend, Joe over at Mezzanine. I was admiring some of Context’s other furniture at his shop last weekend. They remind me of jigsaw puzzles.

These stickers are a great way to decorate a room quickly – especially a teenager’s room, where one’s style vision can change weekly. These Paul Frank stickers are a particular favorite of mine.

Wall Candy stickers are super easy to apply. You peel off the back and slap it on, if you don‚Äôt like what you did, you take it off and do it again. They don’t damage your paint or any surface and you can keep throwing them up and taking them down.

Groovy.

Kids deserve a little fun, don’t they? Whether you’re designing for a school, a day care, or a health care facility, a child’s life is improved when someone makes the extra effort for them. No one appreciates something that’s special like a child.

Unfortunately, they’re not sold in retail stores -but only to the trade. Hey, you can always shoot me an email for prices, etc.,on this line.

My point is to get those creative ideas flowing. Skip the Disney characters and create your own vision.

This looks like fun. I like the philosophy that children should have basic things to play with. Like tunnels, blocks, and other such nondescript things. Children get a chance to actually use their imaginations to turn those blocks and a tunnel with a door into a submarine, or a time tunnel.

It also looks like a great place to take an after-Thanksgiving dinner nap.

These are from the Wetlands Collection from Amenity. Cute! You’ll find them over at Design Public.

I found these at