Make and decorate a child’s bedroom with May Gibbs

There is a timeless quality to the bush fantasy worlds of beloved Australian illustrator and storyteller May Gibbs (1877-1969) that has sparked the imaginations of children for generations.

Now, her iconic Gumnuts and other Bush Babies have leapt from the pages of her books into a new range of designs that provide the perfect inspiration for decorating a child's bedroom.

Here are some pointers to help you on your May Gibbs creative adventure:

Bed linens and fabrics

As the centrepiece of any kids' bedroom, making over the bed with a May Gibbs quilt cover set and fitted sheet is the easiest way to miraculously evoke her legacy. But you can better integrate the designs into the overall bedroom décor by picking out accents from the bedding and then incorporating them into other elements of the room.

For example, framing sections of the fabric designs and hanging them on the wall, creating soft toys of Australian animals from the fabrics or covering cushions for chairs or play corners helps sprinkle the magic of May Gibbs right across a child's bedroom.

Each May Gibbs design is gentle and soothing in its colour palette so you may like to select one colour (i.e. a sky powder blue or eucalyptus green) and then paint a feature wall to match and produce further harmony between your new bedding design and the room itself.

Home furnishings

The May Gibbs design range offers endless opportunities for you to create your own unique furniture designs, not just in the children's bedrooms but in other areas of the home too.

The May Gibbs fabric designs are intricate and fanciful but not overwhelming - only upon close inspection do the flora and fauna and May Gibbs characters reveal themselves like hidden treasures. Make a feature of these designs in rooms by using them to upholster chairs and other seating such as ottomans, create curtains and drapes, and even transform tired lampshades into something fresh and new.

Continue the themes of May Gibbs' work across other furnishings, like side tables that resemble gumnuts, or accessorise with Australian native flowers in vases.

Ribbons and transfers

Given May Gibbs' illustrations are so delicate and intricate, it makes sense to include them in the little details of your child's bedroom.

Ribbons and transfers can be easily used to give life and character to storage boxes, stationery, schoolbooks, coat hooks, desks and anything else that begs for some trimming. Consider using ribbons to add a bit of interest to the edging of plain denim jackets and other items of clothing (for young or old!) or you could even come up with your personal interpretation of May Gibbs' work by using the transfers to create your own greeting cards.

These ribbons and transfers are also a great way to incorporate some May Gibbs styling into you and your child's life without having to break the budget.

Organic Homespun quilt

For the craftier among us, the May Gibbs fabric range offers an exciting opportunity to create a beautiful organic homespun quilt.

This quilt can be constructed from a variety of May Gibbs fabrics to create a patchwork of stunning May Gibbs illustrations - the ultimate gift for a new baby or young family member that could be handed down as an heirloom for many years to come.

Download the free May Gibbs Quilt project sheet.

With such limitless decorating potential, the May Gibbs design selection will not only bring a smile to any child's face, but it also respectfully honours the heritage of this very special Australian artist. It comes Snugglepot and Cuddlepie approved!

Shop the full May Gibbs range.

May Gibbs © The Northcott Society and Cerebral Palsy Alliance 2021