Avery’s Room: Growing Into Sound
Avery’s room was designed as more than a child’s bedroom—it is a space intended to evolve with him. Though only three years old at the time of creation, the design anticipates his growth, both physically and creatively. Music, a central force in his father’s life, became the conceptual foundation for the room, shaping an environment that reflects both legacy and possibility.
The back wall serves as a dynamic focal point. Constructed as a removable panel, it features embossed wallpaper that was whitewashed to soften the texture while maintaining depth. Behind the bed, a custom graffiti mural—painted by hand—draws directly from the room’s color palette and Avery’s bedspread, grounding the space in a cohesive visual language.
The bed itself becomes an interactive centerpiece through integrated LED lighting that responds to sound. The lights pulse and shift in rhythm with the music, transforming the bed into a sensory experience and reinforcing the room’s immersive, music-driven concept.
Upon entering the room, the viewer is immediately met with an album-inspired sculptural installation designed to create an explosion of energy. This element begins on the wall, extends into the window, and continues upward onto the ceiling, transforming the architecture into a continuous, immersive composition.
Material and surface treatments throughout the room were carefully considered to balance visual intensity. The dresser top, for example, was reworked using predominantly black-and-white imagery with restrained use of color, intentionally minimizing competition with the blacklight poster above. It was then sealed with an epoxy pour, providing a durable, high-gloss finish. This approach was echoed in other elements throughout the room, helping to establish a clear visual hierarchy while maintaining cohesion.
The toy chest was reupholstered in black embossed vinyl and customized with simulated speaker fronts. Knobs were rendered as stickers—an intentional decision based on Avery’s age—allowing for interaction without risk. Had the space been designed for an older child, functional hardware would have been incorporated.
Two wall-mounted guitars further reinforce the musical theme. Both are fully playable children’s instruments. The acoustic guitar was decoupaged with music posters, stickers, and CD artwork, then sealed with multiple layers of polyurethane and finished with an epoxy pour, creating a durable, high-gloss surface. The full-size electric guitar was stripped and refinished in an eroded green paint that fluoresces under blacklight, enhancing the room’s transformation in different lighting conditions.
Custom window treatments were color-matched to the trim and valance, creating clean, rectangular forms that visually anchor the walls. Traditional record crates inspired storage elements; wood was stained using a natural solution of steel wool and vinegar, eliminating toxic chemicals while achieving a rich, aged finish. Once cured, all surfaces were sealed, resulting in a safe, odor-free environment.
Additional custom pieces include a nightstand repurposed from a tom-tom drum, finished to match the guitar, and a playful lighting fixture constructed from a blue plastic trumpet mounted on a clear base for stability. A checkerboard rug unifies the room, reinforcing the rhythm and movement present throughout the design.
From concept through fabrication and installation, the project spanned four months. The result is a layered, immersive environment that balances playfulness with intention—an adaptable space where Avery can grow, explore, and ultimately find his own rhythm.
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