If you’ve ever seen a picture-perfect playroom while scrolling social media and wondered how you can create an esthetically pleasing space in your own home that encourages your children to play independently, you’ll be excited to meet Ashley Bernath!
Ashley is the Boston Regional Director for Greenwich Play, a Connecticut-based company that provides family-focused interior design services to parents looking to incorporate style, functionality, and fun into their homes. Keep reading to learn how Ashley got started with Greenwich Play and some of her favorite Boston-area spots for shopping, dining and more!
Where are you from originally and what town do you live in now?
Originally from Saratoga Springs, New York, I moved to Boston “for a year or two,” after college. It’s been 11 years, and I am now happily settled in Natick with my family of 4. I have embraced all things New England, and even rock a Red Sox hat from time to time.
How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
I have two little girls, Charlie and Lucy (Lulu). Charlie is our fearless 2-year-old, and Lulu is our sweet and sensitive 10 month old. They have both required significant medical interventions, and everyday I find new ways to be inspired by their resilience.
What are some of your favorite Boston-area family activities?
With two littles, our family is always looking for kid-friendly adventures. Island Creek Oysters in Duxbury is my favorite place to spend a summer day, as it offers a casual coastal setting that the whole family enjoys. I truly can’t wait for our first fresh air outing of the summer.
We also enjoy visits to the Museum of Science in Boston when we are looking for something a little more stimulating!
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop in the Boston area?
I spend a lot of time on Charles Street in Beacon Hill. My personal favorite right now is Beacon Hill Books and Cafe, which provides the perfect combination of cozy vibes and delicious brunch options.
I also love a visit to Whitney and Winston anytime I need a little pop of joy in my day. It is the most perfectly curated children’s shop, and it brings back the best kind of toy store nostalgia. Both of my girls seem to benefit from my excitement over this super cute baby boutique!
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started with Greenwich Play.
When I discovered Greenwich Play, it truly felt like a fate encounter. Both of my girls have experienced unique health challenges, and they have each required extended hospital stays at different times. As I tried to maintain structure for my family, I began to research ways in which I could adapt my home to meet the needs of my girls, while still maintaining a peaceful environment for my husband and I. As a former teacher, I was fascinated with the science of play, and was thrilled to discover Greenwich Play–I knew immediately that I had found my calling. I reached out to Courtney, the founder of GP, and we connected immediately. She happened to be looking for someone to join their team, and the timing and flexibility was a perfect fit for my family. It was a match made in heaven, and I am incredibly grateful to have stumbled into my dream job with Greenwich Play!
How can Greenwich Play help busy moms?
How can’t we help busy moms?? I truly can’t imagine anything more valuable than a few minutes of peace during the late-afternoon rush. Our goal at Greenwich Play is to develop family functional spaces that allow for open-ended and productive play. By maximizing play opportunities, we hope to promote critical thinking and problem-solving, and reduce overstimulation and challenging behaviors. Personally, finding new homes for our noisy and more distracting toys is one of my favorite experiences, and I know busy moms can relate to that.
It’s a rewarding experience to provide a family with purposeful spaces that allow for more effective parenting. It’s the ultimate gift for a busy mom.
What are some of the most popular services that Greenwich Play offers?
Whether you have questions about selecting appropriate play materials, or you dream of a custom playhouse equipped to support endless hours of open-ended dramatic play–we have knowledge and know-how to make it happen. Our service offers a unique perspective on both interior design and childhood development, which allows us to assess specific family needs, and determine effective design plans. We love to push the limits of play!
How is Greenwich Play different from other interior design firms?
At Greenwich Play, we focus on how a family functions within a room, and then determine new ways to leverage the space to support specific needs. Through our consultation process, we partner with families to identify both key features of a room, and the learning preferences for those that will be using it. From there, we apply our passion for interior design to curate chic and multifunctional spaces that enhance your family’s interactions with your home. We hope to provide families with a beautiful, but also highly functional home. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.
What areas of Massachusetts does Greenwich Play serve?
We are so excited to expand the reach of Greenwich Play to the Boston area! We currently serve the North Shore and South Shore, as well as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties.
How can moms get started working with you?
On our website, Greenwichplay.com, you can easily schedule an on-site consultation to begin a project. I am always available by email at [email protected] to answer any questions about our process! You can also find us on Instagram @greenwich_play if you are interested in samples of our work.We can’t wait to hear from you!
Any tips for balancing work & motherhood?
At the risk of coming off cliche–give yourself grace. It’s been a really challenging lesson for me to learn, but perfection is unattainable, and breaks are necessary. It’s so easy to be swept up in the schedule and routines of toddler life, and I’ve had to be proactive about leaving time for myself to re-energize. Self-care isn’t an option-it is a requirement for me to be successful with my family, and in my job.
What is the best piece of mom advice you ever received?
This one feels almost impossible to answer–I have so many incredible women in my life that have shaped my parenting journey. But the one thing that stands out lately is “trust your gut.” Mom instincts are a real thing, and I’m learning to follow mine. It’s easy to find information to invalidate your thinking, but I’m usually right when it comes to gut feelings about my own children. Don’t underestimate your ability to know your child.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me” time?
If i’m not binging Bravo in the post-bedtime hours, I love to cozy up with a good book. I have to be careful though because once I start, I will ignore most other things until I finish. Recently I have loved anything by Kristin Hannah. I also strongly recommend The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt- I think it’s a must read for parenting in the age of social media.
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This post is sponsored by Greenwich Play.
