Meet Rebecca Simon, the Creative Founder at Maison Ellie, which is a Toronto-based interiors studio specializing in creating beautiful and functional spaces for the little ones in your life.
Rebecca’s bright and natural aesthetic is layered with texture and eclectic flare. She designs rooms that are both approachable and functional for the little one using it, while equally stylish and beautiful for the whole family to enjoy.
We got to chat with Rebecca to learn how she keeps her children’s toys organized, what a few of her favourite décor stores are, her journey to becoming a designer, and what some of the current trends are for nurseries and kid’s rooms.
TPS: How many toys do you think kids really need?
Rebecca: Ah, such a good question! If it were up to children, they would say “as many as possible!” However, I think this all depends on how the child plays. Some kids with shorter attention spans need a large variety of toys to keep them occupied, while others are happy exploring a few staple items at any given time. That said, my approach with toys is that less is usually more. And even more importantly, organizing them in an easily accessible way will encourage more autonomous play.
TPS fact: What is autonomous play? The opportunity for a child to independently discover, grow, touch, feel and interact with their toys.
TPS: Do you like having toys stored in rooms throughout the home or simply having one room dedicated to play?
Rebecca: I think it’s tough to assume that toys will only stay in one dedicated room, so try having two or three areas where kids can explore and play with toys, with each space having separate purposes. For example, we like to use our basement playroom as the main play space where most of the toys can be stored, and where messes can be made without immediately feeling the need to clean them up (out of sight, out of mind for the win)! We then have a small storage unit off of the kitchen that the kids use mainly in the mornings and evenings while we’re prepping meals. They use this space to do crafts, puzzles, play with dolls, cars, and animals. I like having a little area where they can play in closer proximity to us. Lastly, we keep just a few keepsake toys they can play with calmly in their bedrooms, like dolls, blocks, collectibles, and books.
TPS: What are some chic looking ways to store toys?
Rebecca: Bins, bins, and bins! These will be your best friend and always help to keep things tidy. It’s also easy to get the kids to help clean-up with bins because they can learn to organize their toys categorically. I love a good bin with a lid too; lids easily cover up all of the toys! You can also use small modern chests or doll houses to organize keepsake toys in any living space. This keeps things looking aesthetically pleasing!
TPS: Do you ever rotate toys throughout different seasons to keep your children interested?
Rebecca: We do try to rotate out toys when we can because toys can build up so quickly! But, their interests also change quickly, so rotating toys tends to happen organically. It’s nice to sort through things every once in a while, and we like to donate used toys to our daycare, school or share with friends once I feel they aren’t being utilized enough.
TPS: If a home doesn’t have a dedicated area for toys, what are some unique ways of incorporating toys in an aesthetically design-focused way?
Rebecca: If you have the space, look for a console or storage unit with doors that isn’t necessarily made for kid’s storage. Like a dining room sideboard or TV unit.
The BESTA system from IKEA is great and comes in so many colours and configurations. This way, the unit blends into your living area and can hide lots of books and toys. The TROFAST toy storage series from IKEA (shown here) is the perfect option for a small inexpensive storage solution that works anywhere in the house, with easy pull-out drawers that can be taken out and moved around if needed.
TPS: Have you always been a designer? What’s your journey looked like?
Rebecca: Though I’ve always had a fond passion and natural talent for interior design, I only decided to channel my creativity into this new exciting career of mine last year, after the birth of my second child. I had so much fun planning and preparing both my children’s rooms and felt that there was a gap in the market for designers specializing solely in kid’s spaces. I had spent the greater part of my prior 10-year advertising career focused on the home furnishing industry, and always loved being on set, and watching designers and stylists bring rooms to life.
Often times, you can find me restyling the shelves in my children’s rooms when I’m tidying things up, because I love styling THAT much. This first year in business has been such a thrill with many highs and lows, but I am so happy to be able to create thoughtful and beautiful spaces for little ones. I’ve definitely found my calling, as they say!
TPS: What is the most common design service you provide to clients?
Rebecca: I think it would be my online design package. Many moms and parents like being somewhat involved in the process but just don’t have the ability to put products together in a cohesive way to bring their vision of the space to life. This package allows me to design the entire room for them, while they jump in to order products and set up the room themselves. This is also the ideal package for anyone who lives outside of Toronto; it allows me to work with clients from just about anywhere, as everything is handled online!
TPS: What décor schemes and colours are currently on trend for kid’s rooms and nurseries?
Rebecca: Wallpaper has always been a bit of a commitment for most people, but I think now (more than ever) it’s become a trend in kid’s spaces and people are taking the plunge! Especially when it comes to kid’s rooms where it’s so important to add in some character. I am also seeing a surge in more modern rooms with calming earth tones, like amber, ochre, wood tones, sage greens, etc., this is always such a soothing palette for both nurseries and playrooms alike. 
TPS: What are your favourite stores for children’s décor and furniture?
Rebecca: There are so many! I often incorporate items in children’s rooms that aren’t from traditional kid’s stores, because this helps bring a sense of maturity to each space I design. So, a light fixture may come from CB2 or I may include a gorgeous rug from West Elm.
When it comes to small storage I love Pehr Designs, they offer countless canvas bin sizes that store just about anything in a fun variety of prints & styles. They also have beautiful textiles, mobiles and cushions that work so well to tie together an entire space.
IKEA is a no brainer when it comes to organization, with so many baskets and storage bin options. They also carry a wide range of picture ledges which are perfect for any book gallery wall!
For furniture and decor, I always love what Crate & Kids, Pottery Barn Kids, and Smallable offer. And for the local Toronto parent, West Coast Kids is a wonderful one-stop shop that offers everything from furniture to decor!
THANK YOU Rebecca for all these wonderful tips and inspiration! Excuse us while we snap some pictures of our little ones rooms and email you for help.
*Links in this post are not sponsored.
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