b'words: Kelli Raybern pictures: taken by Simon Devitt at Alllum togrow When your children wake up, what do they see? Careful consideration of colour, style and quality can make children\'s bedrooms fun and comfortable now, and adaptable foras they grow their needs and wantsolder. The environment in your children\'s bedrooms can affect Blue relaxes the nervous system - soft shades of blue their sleep and their moods. The look and feel of theirstimulate the body to produce calming chemicals. If you bedrooms can determine their desire to spend quiet timewant to use stronger or darker blues. combine them at play there - that\'stime for you! - and to sharewith a lighter shade or bright accents to stop the room peaceful their personal \'home\' with friends.from closing in. Let\'sstart with colour.PsychologicalresearchindicatesGreen is thelour most strongly associated with natureThe Resene cothat soft.soothingtonesmakeanidealbackground,and can have calming. relaxing effects.KidzColour chart is a great starting while the ever-popular pinks,purples,lime greens andChildren\'s bedroom designer Rachel Sandy, owner ofpoint for decorating Thechildren\'s rooms. reds are great for feature walls and accents. This allowsJunior Room in Sverdale, Auckland, advises judicious use il Remember, wall your child to stamp their personality and preference onoflour in your child\'s room. combining sensible with fun.colours can be easily cothe room without overpowering it.changed as a child "If any colour is too strong, too dominant in the room,grows and tastes According topsychologistDrS Wu,colours canchange. helleyit is going to affect the child," she says."Even if your have physical. emotional and behavioural effects. Brightchild really likes a certain colour. you can use itit without red, for instance, has been shown to raise blood pressure,going overboard." respirationandheart rate.Emotionalandbehavioural effects are less universal, as they are influenced by societyUse bright colours in feature walls and pick up decorative and culture, but in general Dr Wu suggests:themes(thinkfarmyard,fairies.cars.or butterflies) in Red rooms can promote activity. which is probably notlinens, accessories and artwork. ideal \\.vhen you\'re trying to get your child to sleep. Byulf a child\'s room is too childish or too quirky. it has to beSee the online Resene Inspiration Gallery at all means. use it as an accent, but save large doses forreplaced too soon," shesays.uPeople now tend to buywww.resene.co.nz/ play areas elsewhere in the house.one or two themed items, so they can adapt the look ofhomeown/decorating_ inspirations/index.htm Yellow used in small amounts or softer tints is cheerful,the room at a minimal cost."for ideas on how others have redecorated sunny and inviting, and is a popular choice in nurseries.While duvet sets and accent pieces may be selected tochildren\'s bedrooms. Too much really bright yellow. however, can be hard onlast just as long as your child\'s fairy or farmyardphase, the eyes.furnitureshouldendure.Pieceswith a classicstyle,in habitat73'