Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 13, 1990 TAG: 9005140361
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DORIS DALE PAYSOUR LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If so, get down to child level and take a look around, suggests Antonio Torrice of San Francisco, one of the leaders in the field of children's environmental design.
"Children are more apt to keep their work and play areas neat when those areas are accessible to them," said Torrice, who visited the recent International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C. "Lower yourself to child height and you can tell what's out of reach or out of sight."
His theories are the focus of his book, "In My Room: Designing For and With Children," (Fawcett Columbine, $22.95), co-written with design journalist Ro Logrippo. The two are partners in Living & Learning Environments, a firm specialized in design for people with special needs, including the physically challenged and seniors.
The book has the endorsement of Dr. Lee Salk, clinical psychologist at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, who calls it "an enormous contribution to the mental health of children and the strengthening of family life."
Torrice's line of youth furniture, "In My Room," done for ETC (Environmental Teenage Concepts), is making its market debut. ETC is a new division of Youth Craft.
In their rooms, whether shared or not, youngsters need to be able to recreate their fantasies, not mom's and dad's, Torrice said in a telephone interview.
"If children invest time creating their environment, I know from experience they'll invest time there and energy in its upkeep. Moreover, they'll experience the wonderment of active participation in a world that too often relegates them to a passive role, particularly in front of the television."
By giving children - even toddlers - the chance to contribute to their surroundings, they develop their own interests and a valuable sense of self-esteem.
Torrice gained recognition after appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," ABC's "Good Morning America," and "Home" shows and on NBC's "Today." The book even made it into an episode of "thirty-something."
The most important principles in designing for a child, he says, are:
Choice - "allowing a child to define his desires for a dream world he will inhabit."
Color - "drawing out the special part of the rainbow in which the child wishes to surround himself." If the colors horrify Mom and Dad, remember, "Children outgrow color choice." If a child can't decide what color he wants, pick white.
Convertibility - "designing with adaptibility in mind so that a space can grow up, too, as the child stretches toward adulthood. You can change scenery without changing the furniture."
Building a room on a theme like Mickey Mouse or a Star Wars is sure failure, he says. " The child will love it for about 30 days. But you can't afford to change it."
His solution: localize a theme in one part of the room, such as in a section of wallpaper. One type of wallpaper has a backing similar to stick-up notepaper to change at will."
Today's popular car-bed is a short-term item, he warns. Also, for safety's sake, he says to avoid waterbeds, immovable trampolines, and bunk beds too near the ceiling.
If space is limited, make the closet a room in a room. "Removing a door to allow space for a makeup center, a puppet theater or a reading loft costs little time and money. These and many other closet renovations can be done as do-it-yourself projects with limited resources."
He also suggests turning doors into artistic centers with clip boards hung with drawing paper.
As the child grows, replace the nooks with more grown-up items like storage containers or built-in cubicles. He advises parents not to force children to cling to objects outgrown, like too-small chairs.
When youngsters share a room, defining sleep areas is most important, Torrice says. "Localize colors in the area nearest each child. Address mental areas, too, with room dividers, curtains like those in hospital rooms and loft areas."
by CNB