Wild Child
Photo Credit: The Beautiful Mess
NAME:
Susan McBarnet & Cassie Albergotti
CATEGORY:
Playroom Design
WEBSITE:
INSTAGRAM:
@playwildchild
BASED IN:
Westport (Susan) & Dallas, TX (Cassie)
BEAUTIFYING SPACES SINCE:
2021
About
Cassie Albergotti and Susan McBarnet are the co-founders of Wild Child, a playroom design studio built on the belief that thoughtful, well-designed spaces can transform the way families live. With combined backgrounds in interior design, branding, and strategy, they bring a rare blend of creativity, clarity, and expertise to every project.
Wild Child was born from firsthand experience: both founders saw how an intentionally designed play space could shift their own children’s behavior, boost happiness and independence, and turn their homes into the neighborhood’s favorite gathering spot.
Today, Cassie and Susan create imaginative, developmentally informed playrooms that help families prioritize play in ways that feel joyful, modern, and completely tailored to real life. Harnessing the power of play, Wild Child helps children build the skills, confidence, and independence they need to thrive - at home, in the classroom, and well beyond.
“We understand the beauty and challenge of raising kids with unlimited energy and boundless curiosity. As parents, we’ve learned the impact of taking a research informed approach to playroom design. It allows us to create intentionally designed spaces to transform how your child plays.”
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Interior Design - Design/Build
Interior Design - Design/Decor
Playroom Design
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Fairfield County
Westchester County
Hamptons
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Scandinavian
California Chic
Coastal
Boho / Eclectic
Contemporary
Transitional
Playful
To discover your unique style, visit our DP Style Guide.
Photo Credit: 1-6: Julia D’Agostino; 7-15: The Beautiful Mess; Taylor Stading: 16-17; Owl Iris: 18-20
Q&A
What motivates you to go to work everyday designing playrooms?
Cassie and I get to put smiles on kids’ faces every day, and that never gets old. Wild Child playrooms genuinely change families’ lives. Kids who once begged for screens are now choosing to play, and parents tell us their home has suddenly become the place all the neighborhood kids want to be. We also love the design challenge these spaces bring. Playrooms are often quirky, overlooked rooms with low ceilings, odd nooks, or just a plain white box with toys pushed against the walls, and kids deserve better than that. Turning those forgotten spaces into rooms that are beautifully designed, thoughtfully planned, and truly loved is the kind of work that keeps us inspired every single day. We love what we do because we’ve seen firsthand how giving kids the ability to play the Wild Child way not only brightens moods and lifts spirits but also supports emotional regulation and builds the physical strength they need to thrive.
Can you describe your e-design services?
Cassie and I created our e-design service after mastering our traditional full-service design process, because we wanted families everywhere to experience the magic of a Wild Child playroom at a more accessible price point. It’s a personal, collaborative approach conducted over Zoom, where we get to know our clients’ families, their kids, their ages, interests, and how they want the space to feel. From there, we deliver a custom design package with a detailed floor plan, elevations, photorealistic 3D renderings, a clickable curated shopping list, and clear setup guidance with tips and tricks for contractors. It’s the perfect fit for families who want a thoughtfully designed playroom and prefer to implement it on their own timeline.
Can you talk about the types of budgets/investments and project scopes you work with?
Cassie and I work across a wide range of playroom scopes, from simple gross motor layouts to full-scale, fully furnished rooms, and we partner not only with families directly but also with builders and interior designers who want a dedicated playroom specialist on their team. Because every space and family is different, budgets vary, but there are three main components to any project: our design fee, the products that go into the room, and the labor and materials needed for installation. For e-design clients, the investment typically starts at around $10,000 all in for a custom Wild Child playroom and the key play elements. For larger full-service projects, where our team manages everything from concept to final installation, total investments can range from $20,000 to $60,000 depending on the complexity and finishing of the space. No matter the scope, our goal is to bring our expertise, creativity, and thoughtful design approach to every family who wants a truly exceptional playroom.
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