From Routine to Ritual: Designing Children’s Rooms with Purpose and Style
Designing a children’s room that feels both playful and purposeful is no small feat—but Charmspring has made it feel effortless. We sat down with Jennie Monness, co-founder of the innovative child development brand, to learn how the Springboard transforms daily routines into moments of calm, confidence, and creativity. Rooted in early childhood education and designed with an eye for style, Charmspring’s products aren’t just tools for kids—they’re pieces families actually want in their homes. From magnetic tiles to hand-drawn illustrations, Jennie shares how thoughtful design, storytelling, and a touch of artistry can turn everyday routines into rituals, making family life smoother—and more beautiful—one day at a time.
What inspired the creation of Charmspring?
Charmspring is a child development brand with a mission to make family life more manageable and fun by helping kids understand their world and routines. As moms to five kids under seven, we were all looking for something to help our children feel more secure throughout the day. We understood that when our kids knew what to expect, they felt calmer and more cooperative. Instead of feeling blindsided, they could anticipate and even look forward to what was coming next.
When we couldn’t find a product that helped our kids make sense of their day, we started making our own with construction paper, crayons, and photos. It didn’t take long to realize that other families were searching for the same kind of tool. That’s when we partnered to create Charmspring!
Can you share the story behind the development of the Springboard and how your background in early childhood education influenced its creation?
The Springboard was created to help young children move through their routines with more confidence and independence. My co-founder, Allie, and I both have backgrounds in early childhood education, and we saw firsthand how powerful visual schedules can be in helping children feel secure, capable, and engaged in their day. We wanted to bring that same sense of clarity into family life.
At home, we found that routines could easily become a source of stress—even though we knew how important they were for development. With guidance from developmental psychologists, we designed the Springboard to break routines into clear, manageable steps, support skills like sequencing and emotional regulation, and make everyday transitions feel smoother. It’s a tool grounded in research, but designed to feel approachable and beautiful in a family’s daily life.
What role does storytelling play in your design process?
Storytelling is woven into the heart of our design process. The idea for the Springboard began with the DIY versions we created at home. That lived experience shaped everything that followed. As we brought the Springboard to life, we thought deeply about how families actually use these tools in the flow of real life. That’s what led to features like magnetic tiles, flexible layouts, and eventually custom tile options. We’re always thinking about how our designs can meet families where they are to best support every detail of their days.
The Springboard is such a thoughtful, multi-use piece. How did design and functionality come together in its creation?
From the start, we set out to make the Springboard both deeply functional and genuinely beautiful. We know a child’s environment plays a big role in how they feel and engage, so we wanted to create something that supports development while blending naturally into family life. Whether it’s in a playroom, bedroom, or shared space, the Springboard is designed to be something families are proud to use and happy to see each day.
It’s also intentionally interactive. Children don’t just look at the Springboard; they use it. Moving the magnetic tiles helps them build their day in a tactile, hands-on way that supports independence and ownership.
How did you approach making the Springboard both kid-friendly and sophisticated enough to fit seamlessly into a stylish, grown-up room?
Our goal was to create a product that supports child development and also feels like a piece of art. We made it engaging for kids with magnetic pieces they can touch and move, while keeping the design clean and beautiful, so it fits and enhances any space. We obsessed over every detail, including the hand-done illustrations by Rebecca Clarke on each tile, which bring warmth and artistry to the Springboard and make it feel like a true part of the home, not just a kid's product.
Color and material choices seem so important in the Springboard’s design—can you talk about how you settled on the palette and finishes?
We were intentional about every material and color choice. The Springboard is made from high-quality, durable materials that are built to last. It's something families can use for over a decade as their child grows. When choosing the color palette, we thought about what we’d want to see in our own homes. It needed to feel playful and inviting for kids, but also elevated enough to blend seamlessly into a thoughtfully designed space.
How do you envision the Springboard evolving with a child over time—and how does its aesthetic support that longevity?
The Springboard is designed to grow with a child from birth through age twelve and beyond. It supports skill building at every stage of development—from early sequencing and emotional regulation in toddlerhood to greater independence and time management as kids get older. We’ve created a wide range of activity tiles for every age, so they can be easily swapped in and out as routines shift and schedules change. Its clean, timeless aesthetic also means it continues to feel at home in your space, even as your child grows.
How do you hope the Springboard influences the way parents think about designing their children’s rooms—not just as play spaces but as thoughtfully curated environments?
We believe that spaces are powerful catalysts for play, learning, and development. It’s not about having a perfectly styled room or endless toys—it’s about what happens when a child has access to meaningful materials in a space designed with purpose. We hope the Springboard inspires families to add even more intention to their children’s environments, recognizing how much the setup of a space can support skills like independence, focus, and emotional regulation.
Whether it’s making materials more accessible, reflecting a child’s developmental stage, or limiting the number of toys, small changes can make a big difference. The Springboard adds an intentional, developmentally supportive tool to any space.
What impact do you hope Charmspring and the Springboard will have on the way families experience daily routines and design their homes?
We hope Charmspring helps families move through their days with more ease, connection, and confidence. Daily routines can be a powerful source of comfort and stability, especially for children, and we want to help families experience them that way. The Springboard was created to take the guesswork and stress out of everyday moments, giving kids a sense of ownership and helping parents feel more supported. Our hope is that it brings a little more clarity and a lot more joy to family life. We also hope it encourages families to think about how their spaces can support skill building and to choose fewer, better products that are both beautiful and built to last.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give parents looking to create a beautiful, functional space for their children?
A beautiful, functional space is one that supports your child’s growth and independence while feeling calm, inviting, and easy to navigate. Choose fewer, high-quality items that serve a purpose and spark engagement. When everything has a role, the space naturally becomes more intentional, more manageable, and more meaningful for both you and your child.
*Fenimore Lane may earn a small commission from affiliate links—thank you for supporting us!