In this New Orleans home, a children’s room pulls directly from the city’s architectural history.

Designed by B. Noelle Design, the shared space reimagines a classic Treme double shotgun house, creating two distinct sleeping areas for a brother and sister within a single room. It’s a clear design move, but it doesn’t feel overly literal.

Instead, the reference shows up through structure, layout, and how the space is divided, giving each child their own zone without losing the connection between them.

The Details

• Hometown: Washington, D.C.
• Currently: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Home Type: House
• Size: Approximately 3,800–4,000 square feet
• Status: Own
• Beds: 4
• Baths: 3

The room is anchored by two built-in sleeping alcoves, each framed by an opening bearing the children’s name above the entrance, which immediately sets the tone. The shapes reference traditional architecture, with bright shades of green, turquoise, and purple making it look whimsical and current. Inside the alcoves, the details shift slightly.

One side feels softer, with layered pillows, playful textures, and small moments like framed art and patterned bedding that make the space feel personal without being overdone. The other side brings in warmer tones, with rust-colored textiles and a slightly more grounded palette. The balance works because neither side tries to do too much. They’re distinct, but still part of the same conversation.

Beyond the sleeping areas, the rest of the room opens up into a shared play space.

A neutral rug stretches across the floor, grounding the room while still keeping it active. This play area gives the kids a place to gather, draw, or spend time together, while storage baskets keep everything contained without disrupting the visual flow. There’s a sense that every part of the room has been considered in terms of how it will actually be used, not just how it looks.

Walls, trim, and architectural details are fully saturated, which gives the room its energy, but the furniture and textiles pull things back just enough to keep it livable. It’s a strong example of color drenching done in a way that still feels functional, especially in a room that needs to evolve as the kids grow.

Most of the furniture in the space was either built or repurposed, which adds to that sense of cohesion. Nothing feels like it was dropped in to fill a gap. The pieces relate to each other through material, scale, and placement, which is what keeps the room from feeling chaotic, even with the bold color choices.

What stands out most is how clearly the space connects back to New Orleans.

The reference to Treme architecture grounds the room in something specific, and that specificity makes the design feel intentional rather than themed. It reflects the approach behind B. Noelle Design — spaces that are expressive, functional, and tied to the people and place they’re created for.

“The cultural fabric of New Orleans is like no other,” the designer shares. “Now we’ve been able to surround these two little ones with that same creativity, love, and adventurous spirit.” That idea comes through in how the room functions day to day.

It’s built to hold two kids, their routines, and everything that comes with sharing a space, but it doesn’t feel crowded or overly managed. The layout is clear, the design choices are confident, and the room leaves enough flexibility to grow over time.

It’s a children’s room, but it’s also a strong example of what happens when design starts with how people actually live.