What is a Youth Bed Anyway and How Do I Choose a Good One?

This a common question for parents who think their child may be ready to move out of the crib. There is no prescribed perfect age to move your child out of their crib, but is more dependent on your child’s readiness, size and capacity to climb out of the crib. One rule of thumb, however – when they can climb out – it is time for a Big Kid bed. If this is your first child, you may not be aware of what comes next. Here is a brief informative discussion on what you need to know and your choices. We also handpicked some great youth beds for you to consider:

There are basically two styles of youth beds to choose from – toddler beds and twin beds.

Toddler Beds – Toddler beds are low to the floor and sized somewhere in between a twin bed and a crib. They are not only the right size for a toddler or young child, but they also come in a wide variety of designs that will almost guarantee that you’ll find just what you’re looking for. Toddler beds have become incredibly popular over that past couple years, which has made them incredibly easy to find and at very reasonable prices. Toddler beds can be great for a while, but will have to be replaced as the child grows. This style of youth bed can be found in sturdy wood or metal designs that will last through multiple children and many years.

Twin Beds – Twin beds can be a great choice, but can be a big jump right out of a crib. Most people are familiar with the basics of a twin bed, but thanks to the overwhelming demand, there have been a number of new and innovative designs put on the market in recent years. You can find everything from a traditional slat poster or sleigh style bed, to a whimsical, colorful masterpiece that your child is sure to love. Loft beds, bunk beds, and captain’s beds are just a few of the other styles you can choose from. Many of them offer such things as: trundles for your overnight guests, extra storage space for your never-ending supply of clothes and toys, or guard rails to prevent children from falling off during the night.

Here are 3 of our best-selling and customer favorite youth beds that you may want to consider. At RosenberryRooms.com we have many choices in all price ranges and are always happy to assist you with your selection.

The Isabella Twin Over Full Bunk Bed by Young America by Stanley is the premier brand of youth furniture for consumers looking for sophisticated style, innovative flexibility and lasting quality. This piece is fun and unique, ensuring an easy and smooth transition to a big kid bed.

Austin Low Loft Bed by Lea Children’s Furniture has boys in mind, featuring a simple, strong and sturdy design. I like this bed as it is reasonably priced and is a space saver with built-in drawers and storage for toys.

The Harmony Espresso Louis Philippe Panel Bed by Young America by Stanley offers a classic style and supreme long-lasting quality.

Shop for more great youth beds at RosenberryRooms.com

Special Feature Pick of the Week – Nature’s Star Crib Mattress!

Nature’s Star Crib Mattress by Moonlight Slumber

One absolute essential that you must purchase for your baby is a quality crib mattress. There are oodles of crib mattresses on the market in all price ranges and in a wide variety of materials and fabrics. With so much choice, I wanted to introduce you to this mattress that is a wonderful value for your money.

Nature’s Star Crib Mattress from Moonlight Slumber is simply the best mattress available for crib, cradle, twin and more. This mattress is PVC/Vinyl free, non-toxic, antimicrobial and hypoallergenic. It’s even earth friendly and hosts health and safety features.

There are so many things I like about this mattress!

– The firm, yet plush, natural cotton padding is super-comfy for baby
– Worried about ‘diaper spills’? Don’t be! The nontoxic, medical grade knit is waterproof, hypoallergenic, and easily cleaned with a damp sponge.
– The mattress has a 6″ deep profile and all-in-one organic cotton coverlet

The price is a moderate $312 – not the cheapest on the market, but well worth the price for this quality mattress for your baby. And at Rosenberry Rooms, there is FREE SHIPPING for this item so that is another great price advantage!

Buy Nature’s Star Crib Mattress by Moonlight Slumber at RosenberryRooms.com

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Pixie Dust Decor – Meet Designer Stacy McCallum

If you are not already in love with the phenomenal collection of linens, room decor and baby gifts called Pixie Dust Decor, you will be after reading about its owner and creator, Stacy McCallum. I remember when I was first introduced to the Pixie Dust Decor line a few years ago, when Stacy sent me a sample of her Tuffet Floor Pillow in Pixie Pagoda Lime, and it was love at first sight. It wasn’t just that the oversized, super comfy floor pillow was just the right size and shape for an afternoon reading session on the floor, but the Pagoda Lime fabric was so enchanting and sweet, making this pillow the perfect marriage between style and comfort. With that superb introduction, I decided to learn more about the Pixie Dust Decor line to see if it would be a great fit for Rosenberry Rooms, and I immediately knew that I had stumbled upon a gem. What makes Pixie Dust Decor so unique, in part, is that Stacy designs each and every fabric herself, so you will not find anything similar from any other designer. Her collection embodies a timeless look with a vintage feel, yet the colors are so current and fresh. Her fabric designs really come alive, in that they spark the imagination and inspire emotion. The Pagoda range of colors are so sweet you can almost taste them, and with one glance at the new Chateau Charlotte fabric, you feel as though you have been transported to a scene from the French country side.

Eight weeks ago, I gave birth to my fourth child, a little girl named Cosette. Stacy was so sweet to send Cosette an adorable assortment of gifts from her Chateau Charlotte Collection, including bibs, burp cloths and a blanket. The burp cloths are made with white minky (the softest fabric imaginable) and trimmed with her collection fabrics. The bibs feature Chateau Charlotte signature fabrics backed with minky, as does the blanket. When I opened the box, my first thought was, these are so soft and heavenly I can’t imagine letting Cosette spit up all over them. When I told this to Stacy she said to let her “spit away” because that’s what they are for AND they wash up beautifully. When I received the gift in the mail, my 11 and 7 year old daughters were hovering over the box anxious to see the contents. I thought it was so funny that they were both instantly in love with the fabrics as I was, and begging for ANYTHING adorned with these designs for their own rooms. This really speaks to the reach of Stacy’s designs…they aren’t just for little ones, and will have longevity with your room decor….I am hoping to see some big kids designs in the future!

It’s not surprising that Pixie Dust Décor has been featured in numerous magazines, such as Cookie, Domino and Parents to name a few. The press loves them and so do parents, because with the unique style comes a high quality product proudly made in the USA. I feel that Rosenberry Rooms’ customers deserve the best products on the market today and it is a pleasure to offer the Pixie Dust Décor collection.

I though you all would enjoy learning more about Stacy, the woman behind the designs, and she was kind enough to participate in an interview to share a little bit about herself and her company. Enjoy!

Susie Fougerousse

How would you define the Pixie Dust Décor style philosophy?
I like to call our style philosophy “timeless with a twist”. What that means to me is we have a classic sensibility in our designs (chinoiserie, toiles, stripes etc.) but we add a child-like twist. You will notice that many of the motifs are inspired by childhood. I love the idea of sweet and simple for children. I don’t want them to grow up too fast !

What inspired you to become a designer and start a business?
I love vintage children’s books and I started framing pages when I found books in my grandmother’s house that had damaged covers. As I started decorating with these images I looked to find fabrics that were similar in feel. Since there are a limited amount of vintage fabrics out there we started to design our own. This was an amazing experience. I’m still thrilled every time someone makes a purchase big or small. It means so much that someone out there likes what I have done.

In terms of starting a business, I didn’t really give it a lot of thought. I just started doing it and learned the hard way on a lot of things. However, I wouldn’t have changed how I’ve done it. Since I didn’t know the obstacles that existed I wasn’t afraid to try.

Why did you choose to design for children’s rooms?
Children are where I am at in my life. I have a 6 and a 2 year old and I wanted to be able to provide a product that looks great both out of the package and after it has been through the washer. I have been there as the mom with puke on the bumpers.

What is your favorite part of your daily work … when you reflect on the day, what is most rewarding?
I love creating a new fabric design, picking the colors, tweaking the details, all of these things are not work for me they are just fun. The most rewarding is when one of our best customers gasps in delight if when they see a new design, like you did with Chateau Charlotte, even better is when my 6 year old “loves” a design. Kids are brutally honest so I know I’ve hit the mark if it gets her approval.

Do you have any advice for other working moms?
Trust your gut. You don’t have time to second guess or dilly dally. Your first instinct will put you on the right path.

If you had to pick a favorite design from your collection, what would it be?
Susie!!!! They are all my babies but I do love the Pixie Pagoda design. It was in my head for so long and to see it come to life and get the amazing response that it has been truly rewarding.

What sets Pixie Dust Décor apart from other children’s bedding designers?
I think there is room for all of us in this business but I feel our design aesthetic is really classic and I love that about us. All of our textiles are exclusive to our collection and available by the yard for personal design projects, we love to see what our customers come up with.

Do you have any news that you would like to share, perhaps about upcoming designs or introductions to your line?
We are excited to introduce our new boys collection, yet to be named. It will be out 4/1 and I love it. We have a park scene and coordinating stripes in the collection and it is darling. We really needed to make some additions for the boys!

Now…Just for Fun

Favorite Food – sushi
Favorite TV Show – toss up The Hills or Gossip Girl (so embarassing!!)
Favorite Movie – Lately, The Duchess Always, Sabrina
Favorite Weekend Activity – Coffee from our favorite spot and not rushing about
Favorite Band - Sugarland

Amazing Serena & Lily Gliders

As if Serena and Lily didn’t amaze us enough with their children’s bedding lines, they had to go and create additional décor items for the complete look: lamps, rugs, pillows, and yes, even paint. Now most companies would stop there, but for Serena and Lily, they had to truly amaze us and capture us yet again with a line of gliders. Yes, gliders – the ideal and essential piece of furniture that EVERY nursery should have.

Moms spend as much time as their little bundles of joy in the nursery that they so carefully and creatively pieced together. That is why a glider (and ottoman) is the one piece that truly is just for mom: nighttime feedings and diaper changes; the many nights when baby is sick and wants only to be held; daytime reading with all the classic first books, not to mention the other “voluntary” moments a mother (and father) spend with their little one peacefully gazing at their incredible beauty and perfection. Without a glider, a nursery is basically incomplete, and for that reason Serena and Lily wisely extended their line to include these comfy, practical and stylish furniture pieces.

Of course, each one coordinates with their bedding sets and other decorative pieces, however even if you have a completely decorated nursery unrelated to Serena and Lily the possibilities are definitely still there. The color combinations they offer are still timeless and classic although incredibly unique allowing you to choose your own special combination of fabric and piping in two fabulous styles of gliders: Ashbury and Hayes. The Hayes has a slightly lower back and rounded armrests but other than that, their construction is the same. Each glider is custom made once it is ordered, making the quality far superior than many others you will find on the market today. Meant to last for many years, Serena and Lily gliders are stylish, durable and such a treat for mom and dad while adding to the overall décor of baby’s nursery.

Check out all these great Serena and Lily gliders that can be found on RosenberryRooms.com along with a couple of my personal favorites listed below. Once you see all the beautiful fabric combinations that they offer, you will become a fan of everything Serena and Lily…it’s almost impossible to resist!

Serena and Lily Rex Glider
Serena and Lily Wren Glider
Serena and Lily Charlotte Glider

Kids Decor on A Budget

It is no secret that we are all holding on to our dollars a little bit tighter these days. Everything we read seems to be advice on how to save money, cut corners and shop smart, so how does this all play into shopping for your kids? Instead of thinking that you should no longer spend money (which is actually considered the incorrect way to handle a tight budget) you just have to change the way you spend it.

When it comes to kids furniture like cribs, beds, desks, and other essential décor pieces, you have to look for items that will serve multiple purposes and have flexibility for use a few years down the road. Gone are the days of buying a custom carriage bed for your toddler that she will inevitably grow out of or not like in a few years. Now we look for the quality pieces of furniture that can be used throughout childhood and into the tween and even teen years. A convertible crib will grow with your child and many of the bedroom pieces convert as well, from changing table to dresser by simply removing the changing tray. For a bed, looking at a simple frame and color will allow you to get more life out of your furniture pieces and possibly even pass them on to another child or use in a guestroom if needed. That may sound boring, but you can always customize by focusing on changing out the bedding at different stages even if just the sheets, because a little bit of change for a child goes a long way. Along with this, you should be sure to really shop for what fits your family, not what everyone seems to be buying. For example, we have two girls, so for us to buy a bedroom set that is very feminine and “girly” makes sense because we know that we will definitely get plenty of use out of each piece. However, if you have a girl and a boy, it makes sense to go with a more “gender neutral” set that can be passed from one child to the next. The only ones who will ever know are mom and dad, and if in the end it saves you a few hundred dollars, I say it’s well worth it. Even décor can be looked at in a slightly different way in order to save a buck. I wrote before about how far memo, chalk, and corkboards have come…these are now beautiful pieces of customizable décor that are also useful in your child’s daily routine, so you have essentially made your dollar go further.

When it comes to birthdays and holidays, instead of buying toys that will inevitably get thrown into the pile with all the other “favorites” from years prior, what if you use these days as an opportunity to decorate as well? For instance, hanging wall letters would be such a sweet gift to give your little girl, and she will love them because it is so personal and truly a gift that no one else has. A custom toy box for a little boy is wonderful because it allows him to store all his favorite things in one place and again, is not what every other child has. Plus, the added bonus of storage and the organization that comes with it are great for mom and dad! Why not use these gift-giving days to purchase things that your child may really need: a new bedroom set, new or updated bedding, a fun and decorative clock or bookends? Then, each time your child studies or jumps into bed for the night, they will be reminded of how much fun they had on their special day.

Even though your budget may be a little tighter, and your spending a little less often than it used to be, there is still plenty of opportunity to decorate for your kids and give them both fun and essential pieces that they need. I am including some of the best “multi purpose” pieces and gift ideas that can be found on RosenberryRooms.com to further inspire you. By being a little more creative you will shop smarter and in the end actually save a buck or two.

Cameron Convertible Crib
Jane Dresser and Changing Table
Toy Bin
Dottie Daisy Wall Letters
Solar System Growth Chart
Woody Wagon Clock
Gracie Bedding Set

5 Great Gifts for Mom this Mother’s Day!

What makes Mother’s Day such a treasured and special day? If you are a mom, then you know it’s because its the one day of the year that everyone else thinks about what Mom does all year long for them. It is a 1 day a year reminder that Mom is a person, too, and deserves to be recognized for all that she does. Here I have selected 5 amazing products that Mom will be sure to love this Mother’s Day. They are high-quality (no skimping for Mom on this day!), ultra-cute, and guaranteed to please the woman that does so much:

1. X2 Diaper Bag in Red & Black by Babymel – baby gear doesn’t get much better than this!

2. JJ Cole Collections Travel Pod Set – Cocoa Tree – a Mommy Must-Have!

3. Market Sling in Grass – Marigold by Serena & Lily

4. Our Family Picture Frame – Don’t forget to actually insert a great picture of her family for Mom! This will be treasured, trust me.

5. Red Yoko Nursing Cover by Peanut Shell

Shop for more great gift for Mom this Mother’s Day at RosenberryRooms.com

Special Feature of the Week – Pink Cocoa Bedding by Babylicious

This week I have found the best baby bedding for you. It’s the Pink Cocoa Bedding Bundle by Babylicious and it is hip, adorable, cozy, and sheik for the modern baby!

Babylicious is one of the trendiest baby gear companies around. The collections have modern designs – from groovy dots to circus stripes, from real-as-life animals to luxurious embroidery.

I like that this stylish bedding set comes in a 4-piece set that includes: bumper pad, fitted sheet, quilt & crib skirt. So you don’t have to find and match each piece, Babylicious has done all that work for you. If you want to add-on to the bedding ensemble, no problem, Babylicious has coordinating accessories that will make your baby’s bedroom unique, fun and hip!

Read more about the Pink Cocoa Bedding Bundle by Babylicious

Shop for more great nursery and bedding products at RosenberryRooms.com

Childrens’ Desks that Store Treasured Memories

I recently came across this article about childrens’ desks that strummed my heart chords. Like most people, I think of childrens’ bedroom furniture as a necessary staple to a child’s room along with bedding, drawers and carpeting. A child’s desk is merely a decorative piece of furniture with the primary purpose of storing things and providing a comfortable place to do homework. I never quite thought of my child’s desk as storing much, much more, like memories for both parents and children. Please take a moment to read this story – I promise it will fill your heart with warmth:

Now that my daughter is no longer a baby, I recently started packing up her baby things to donate or throw away. This is a tough task for moms as we tend to grow attached to our children’s baby things, envisioning memories inside stuffed bears and hearing the whisper of bedtime songs in their nursery bedding. After hours of sorting, packing and remembering, I sat down at my daughter’s toddler desk. This was an item that would never be given or thrown away. This was my old desk that my own mother lovingly stored and saved until I had a daughter of my own.
When my mother brought it to us, dusty from being kept in storage for many years, I recall she had said the strangest thing, “The best gifts keeping giving…long after the thank you is said.” It was a curious thing to say and she uttered the words with a little half smile that seemed almost cryptic. I don’t think I had ever seen my mother with quite that expression before. I didn’t understand her curious words or her smile at the time. With my own daughter calling for my attention, already banging the desk drawers opened and closed and the new baby screaming for a bottle, I certainly didn’t have time to contemplate the meaning of anything.
Now, feeling slightly lightheaded with emotion, I sat down at my daughter’s desk. It had seemed gargantuan for her when it first entered her room and now it could barely hold her. I felt the sturdy, solid construction as I perched on the tiny white chair. I ran my fingertips over the top of the desk, still smooth despite hours and years of story writing, coloring and painting. As my fingers moved over the surface I remembered the nights I would kneel beside Emma, helping her form her letters. Memories of hand-crafted birthday cards jumped into my head, giant “I love you, Mommy!” words written by her little hand. Suddenly, I couldn’t bear that my little girl was too big for this desk. Where had the years gone? I couldn’t imagine not peeking into her room and seeing her perched at this desk, head bent and brow furled in concentration, curls bouncing, her smile glowing.
I don’t know how it happened, but tears were suddenly pooling out of my eyes.
This is silly, get yourself together, I told myself. But, I wouldn’t listen to my own reasoning.
That’s how my own mother found me – a grown woman sitting at a toddler desk crying for no reason at all except that her little girl was all-too-soon a big girl.
“What are you doing?” my mother asked me.
“Nothing, just…thinking.”
My mother said nothing, somehow always knowing when no words were needed.
“Remember when Emma made Granddad that card when he was in the hospital?”
My mother entered the room and placed a gently hand on my shoulder, “Sure, she wrote ‘Get better soon, mom won’t give me any candy.”
My mother’s voice was low and soft, soothing, “Many good memories here at this desk. I remember watching you learn your alphabet. How your eyes would light up when you would spell a word right for the first time!”
My mother brushed her fingers across the smooth wood where I had just touched moments before, “I remember picking out this desk for you. It was more than we could afford, but I just knew it was perfect for you.”
There was a heavy silence in the room, both my mother and I contemplating our own memories.
“The best gifts are those that keep on giving…long after the thank you is said,” my mother said.
And suddenly, like a thunderbolt to my brain, I understood. After all those years, I finally got it. This desk, this simple piece of furniture housed more than just pens and markers and crayons. It contained my thoughts and dreams and secrets from when I was a little girl. They were all there, engrained in the wood forever, now enjoined with the hopes and loves of my own little girl. The best gifts do keep on giving, year after year, generation after generation. Quality, meaningful gifts like this little girl’s desk that my own mother selected lovingly for me so many years ago.
The best gifts keep on giving…long after the thank you is said.
“Thank you, Mom. For everything.”
She issued me another cryptic smile. Just then Emma stormed into the room, finding all her baby toys boxed up.
“What are you going to do with my old desk, Mom?” she asked me, her blue eyes full of the dreams that she had already dreamed and someday would live.
“Keep it, of course.”
“What for?” she asked.
“For somebody very special. The best gifts keep on giving.”

To find beautiful childrens’ furniture for your child’s bedroom to start making your own treasured memories, please visit www.RosenberryRooms.com for the largest selection of quality childrens’ furniture available.

Special Feature PICK of the WEEK – Where in the World Play Carpet!

This week’s pick is something that is not always your first thought when you think of decorating your child’s bedroom, but it a crucial component – floor carpets. Even if your child’s bedroom has boring or worn carpeting and you are not ready to invest in tearing everything out and replacing it, you can spice up the entire room with this simple addition.

I love this Where in the World Play Carpet by Learning Carpets. It’s myriad of bright colors will compliment nearly any room color scheme. And best of all, it is educational as well as super-comfy for kids to play on.

Learning Carpets play carpets are the highest quality available and allow children to discover their own creativity, individuality and power of imagination, while having lots of fun.

This play carpet is non-toxic and non-allergenic and at 36″ x 80″, an ideal size to brighten a room and provide hours of play.

I picked this item for this week’s Pick of the Week also because of the great price. You get all this fun and quality for only $60. Go play!

Buy or read more about Where in the World Play Carpet at RosenberryRooms.com

Shop for more great childrens’ furniture and bedroom products at RosenberryRooms.com