The founders of the Picky Parents brand, Michaela Karásek Čejková and her husband Adam Karásek, at Designblok 2023. Photo: Michaela Karásek Čejková.
Picky Parents is a Czech brand specialising in the design and furnishing of children’s bedrooms. It was founded by the married couple Michaela and Adam Karásek, who are well known for their work in Czech design and art. Michaela Karásek Čejková is a respected photographer and artist who specialises in fine art photography and collage. Adam Karásek is the founder of the NANOVO brand, which specialises in the restoration of furniture and art objects.
The brand was born out of a need to find creative and original solutions for furnishing children’s bedrooms that would be not only aesthetically appealing, but also functional and safe. They strive to create an environment that fosters children’s imagination and creativity, whilst bridging the gap between the adult world and the world of children.
An original screen from the 1960s, whose panels were redesigned by one of the most prominent Czech illustrators, Barbora Idesová. Photo: Michaela Karásek Čejková.
Picky Parents products are manufactured in collaboration with Czech designers and artists, ensuring their high quality and originality. The range includes a wide variety of items, from furniture and lighting to decorations and toys, all designed to appeal to children of various age groups.
The brand’s aim is to give parents and children the opportunity to create a bedroom that will grow with the child and adapt to their changing needs and tastes.
A haven for rest and play
A child’s bedroom should be a safe haven where children can feel comfortable and develop their creativity. Michaela and Adam Karáskovi emphasise the importance of an environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and stimulating. A teepee or small tent can serve as the ideal corner for relaxing or reading.
A children’s school desk from around the 1950s has been painted in pastel colours inspired by the film *Pippi Longstocking*. The seat with footrest is adjustable to suit the child’s height (left). A shelf that was originally used in the kitchen – probably for spice jars – has been repurposed as a shelf for the child’s bedroom. Photo: Michaela Karásek Čejková.
Design that grows with the child
A child’s bedroom furnishings should be flexible to suit the child’s changing needs and tastes. Investing in high-quality furniture that will ‘grow’ with the child is key. Picky Parents design furniture to be modifiable and easily adaptable to different age stages. Examples include a convertible bed or a height-adjustable desk.
Creating a creative environment
According to the Karáseks, it is important for a child’s bedroom to stimulate imagination and creativity. Colourful walls, original decorations or themed elements such as glowing stars on the ceiling can transform an ordinary room into a magical place. Picky Parents collaborate with Czech designers to create unique elements that give the room character and originality. As Michaela herself says “…these days, children’s items are produced in cream and earthy colours. And when I watch my children and their friends, I get the feeling that they want everything to be colourful and fun. So my husband and I decided we’d do the complete opposite: that a child’s interior should be one that helps children develop, is colourful, and encourages them to want to develop themselves.”
The Jurkovič 1 shelf in a beautiful turquoise colour has already found its way into the children’s room (left). Artistically designed photo frames referencing the film hits *The Neverending Story* and *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*. Photo: Michaela Karásek Čejková.
A space for play and learning
A child’s bedroom should be multifunctional – serving not only as a place to rest, but also encouraging play and learning. Creating a play area that is visually separate from the study area helps children distinguish between playtime and homework time. Picky Parents recommend arranging these spaces so that they are both inspiring and practical. If your child loves a particular activity such as surfing, playing a musical instrument or perhaps drawing, adapt the room to support this hobby. For example, hanging hooks for surfboards or soundproof walls for young musicians can be a big plus.
Distinctive style and flexibility
Emphasis is also placed on the importance of a distinctive style that reflects the child’s personality. The space should be neutral enough to be easily adapted to the child’s current interests and preferences. The use of interchangeable decorations, such as magnetic boards or drawing boards, offers children the chance to express themselves and easily change the look of their room to suit their current interests.
We hope these tips will help you create the perfect children’s bedroom and that, for example, the upcoming Children’s Day will be truly special for your children, thanks to a fresh new look for their little kingdom. You can find more information about Picky Parents’ products and philosophy here.
