The Newly Opened Sod Room is an Eco-Conscious Playroom for Children in Downtown Chicago
by Kristine Lofgren, 03/10/13
Sod Room is brand new to the play space scene, having just opened its doors in downtown Chicago this week. Conceptualized by Chicago public school teacher Cynthia Valenciana and her husband, the couple dreamed up Sod Room as the answer to the severe lack of communal, eco-minded play areas in their neck of the woods, the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago. Sod Room is exquisitely and playfully designed by interior designer Jen Talbot. Talbot's whimsical style can be seen all over the Windy City, but her work on Sod Room takes things to a whole new level. The environmentally friendly playroom cleverly blends green design with play and learning, and it's easy on the eyes and the environment. Take a tour of Sod Room through our image gallery to see all of the creative ways Talbot repurposed materials -- from a peg board made using leftover wine corks from local restaurants, which she painted to add color, to floral wall decor crafted out of recycled Trader Joe's bags, and a cubby storage area was made out of recycled milk crates. We're green with envy that our hometown doesn't have a Sod Room too!
Talbot used some of the tradition eco-options to create the space, including low VOC paint, cork flooring and reclaimed wood, but she didn’t stop there. The Sod Room also includes a recycled cork peg board, a front desk made out of repurposed textbooks and a storage space made out of milk cartons. A felt vine-covered swing and chandelier makes the space feel like a fairyland.
The Sod Room also has a shopping area for adults, which includes organic, fair-trade and recycled items for children and adults. And while the children are playing, adults can take workshops or classes to learn more about eco-friendly parenting. We think it is the perfect mix of green and gorgeous.
via Daily Candy
images © Amy Braswell and Lizzie Schiffman
