While there is much debate from psychologists about the definition of play, experts agree that the immediate and long-term effects of amusement yield both personal and relational benefits regardless of age. Outcomes may include a reduction in stress with some arguing it can lead to an improved ability for unconventional thought as well as advanced problem solving skills. But what are the implications on space-making and how can jollification be facilitated? Interior designer Claire Hung’s approach to this kid-friendly townhome in Brooklyn, New York, provides a case study for imbuing space with joy while avoiding an aesthetic that is elementary.
Situated along the historic tree-lined streets of its charming neighborhood, the Park Slope residence belongs to a couple who works in the entertainment industry – a music executive and her husband, a filmmaker and academic – along with their two young daughters. The duo requested a fun, colorful design featuring smart solutions adaptable to growing children and changing tastes. What’s more, the metaphorical playground is a 3-story new build with roughly 2,060 square feet of living area and an additional 540 square feet of yard. Programming includes a kitchen and dining room, a variety of media, entertainment, and play rooms, a primary suite, and two bedrooms for the children.
The structure sloughs off its previously drab, builder-grade aesthetic for walls awash in a soft off-white hue with muted undertones akin to buttercream. This neutral backdrop provides the perfect canvas for various color schemes entertaining the owners’ every passing fancy for fresh artwork on a regular basis. It also reconciles a desire for color with the request to preserve relatively permanent wall finishes as wall hanging and tabletop items can be easily swapped out. “How the family grows in the space was indeed a consideration for the design of the home,” Hung says.
Adorned in an extensive collection of film, music, and literature, custom maple millwork spans nearly the entire back wall of the kitchen-adjacent living space only to be punctuated by an elegant arched niche. Deep blue chairs at the dining table provide some maritime flair and when set against the warm, light woods, create a pared back Bohemian chicness. Additionally, a stunning custom Berber rug in aqua fills the lounge area in the main space, providing more opportunities for fun pops of orange and red from their collections to complement their blue focal point. The children’s playroom and additional media room make great use of shelving, serving as both display space for current interests and storage for personal belongings – all in a kaleidoscopic showcase.
Though big, bulky, and eclectic, colorful shapes are tempered enough in the children’s bedrooms to be whimsical while still showing a level of restraint and forward-thinking maturity. Lighting fixtures follow suit with geometric silhouettes that are simple yet sleek. The material language and scale only shifts upon entering the primary bedroom where woods are much moodier and colors much more reserved.
Due to the family’s proneness to asthma, Hung sourced bright, allergy-friendly furnishings to sprinkle throughout every level like layers of Funfetti. And nearly all of the products selected are Greenguard or Clean Air certified. Upholstery is equally thoughtful, utilizing fabrics that can hide stains and withstand heavy traffic while allowing for more colorful home accessories to come forward.
Recontextualizing what it means to be a “fun house,” every member can gravitate toward their attraction – including the designer herself. “The second floor living space sparks the most joy for me,” Hung points out. “With its long wall of millwork and the arched niche in between, along with the colorful and warm tones that fill the space, it truly is a space where this family of four gets to make some very fun & beloved memories together.”
To explore more of the designer’s portfolio visit clairehung.design.
Photography by Seth Caplan.
