Meet The Maker: Kids Designer, Marieke Bruins

15 February 2022

Meet The Maker: Kids Designer, Marieke Bruins

Julia Canella | Inspiration | 15 February 2022

A creative chat with Marieke, our Linen House Kids designer.

Tell us about your brief for our latest kids collection.

With all that's been happening in the world, whether the pandemic, environmental issues, politics or social imbalances, I want to believe that the next generation has a bright future to look forward to.

Bright Days Ahead is a collection about being brave: a new sense of resilience and relentless optimism. Encouraging creativity, seeing beauty in the imperfections, social awareness, and making the claim "we are here”.

From where do you draw your inspiration?

Truly everywhere and anywhere! I look at fashion, artists, illustrators, books, and exhibitions.

I like to bring together a melting pot of inspirations to create original twists on traditional themes. For example, for our Tales and Scales design, I took inspiration from collage cutouts and outback Australia.

What is your main focus when designing for kids?

There are a few. Firstly, each design must tell a story – there must always be elements of wonder and magic. I want every kid to be excited by what they're putting on their bed!

Secondly, colour truly makes or breaks a design, and can really be the hero. A lot of time and care is dedicated to getting the colour palette to not only sit perfectly together as a range, but also to sit alongside our adult ranges too.

And thirdly, but most importantly – fun! A bit of extra magic, play or humour make for the best bedroom designs.

How does this brand, Linen House Kids, differ from our previous children's brand, Hiccups?

A new era has arrived with Linen House Kids. This range is fashion-forward in colour, styling and its themes. There's a modern twist to every bed, with elevated materials and fabrications.

There'll be no more fighting for when they want to sleep, or crying to get into their parents’ beds – our kids quilt cover sets help to create a space every child will love. We cater to all bedroom styles for kids, big and small.

Further, we've moved into a time where gender-specific designs are less relevant. A child can be proud of who they are – they have the freedom to be what they want to be, no matter their interests.

Your favourite aspect about designing for kids?

A child’s bedroom is their sanctuary, and usually the first place they call their own – I know how much I used to take pride in my bedroom as a kid.

I like to imagine the joy that a child gets from having a quilt cover that encompasses their creativity and sense of wonder. Something that they can play on, sleep under, and build a world that is their own.