Alex Proba, founder of StudioPROBA, has transformed a room in her Forest Park, Oregon home into a vibrant playroom for her daughter, Emi, born in 2025. The three-story residence, known as the Skybox, is situated within one of Portland’s largest wildlife sanctuaries, featuring expansive 17-foot-tall windows that look out onto the surrounding forest. While the home's overall aesthetic remains understated, with muted tones accented by touches of pink, orange, and chartreuse, the playroom stands out as a lively space where creativity and color take center stage.
Ms. Proba, 40, whose multidisciplinary design work typically embraces bold and vibrant colors, initially designed the home with restraint. However, following Emi’s birth, she reimagined her office into a playful area that encourages unrestricted exploration and expression. The space remains a work in progress, but elements such as a hand-knotted rug designed by Ms. Proba soon became a natural play surface. Drawing on the floor-to-ceiling windows with dry-erase markers is encouraged, and new child-sized furniture from House of Roro has been introduced to give Emi a dedicated seating area.
"This is a room in transition until she can make it hers, but everything is supposed to be open in it," Ms. Proba said. She emphasized the intention behind the room: creating a space where Emi can engage freely, whether drawing, painting, or playing without concern for messes or damage to the furnishings.
A key feature of the room is a colorful modular storage system from the Montana brand, which Ms. Proba first admired during the pandemic while designing her home office. Since Montana’s products were initially unavailable through U.S. retailers, she commissioned custom units for the space, but the investment proved worthwhile. The Danish system now organizes toys from TOYTO and contributes to the room's playful and personalized atmosphere. With Montana’s increased availability in the U.S., this design choice reflects Ms. Proba’s commitment to combining aesthetic appeal with functionality.
Among the playroom’s furnishings is a green Mags sofa by HAY, acquired from Design Within Reach. Ms. Proba described the green hue as a neutral, drawing inspiration from the natural environment surrounding her home. The modular sofa serves as a grounding element amid the colorful space and was recently moved into the primary bedroom to function as a feeding chair before returning to the playroom. The sofa often becomes a resting spot for Emi’s stuffed animals, blocks, and handmade wool pillows designed by Ms. Proba herself.
Art also plays a significant role in the room’s character. A paper collage mural by artist Megan Ladd decorates one wall with images inspired by Emi’s favorite motifs, including whales, berries, and poppy flowers. Ms. Proba envisions the mural evolving over time as Emi grows, with the artist and family encouraging Emi to contribute to the artwork herself.
The playroom exemplifies a thoughtful balance of design and practicality, fostering an environment where a young child can explore, create, and develop while surrounded by vibrant, personalized details that reflect her mother’s creative vision.