Welcome to the reveal of my 8-year-old daughter’s room, and whereas she is determined to be an adolescent it really represents her character, her sparkle, her happiness, and her love of shade. I’m actually crossing my fingers that we’ve got years with many of the items. And y’all it was SO MUCH FUN. I do know I’m extraordinarily fortunate to have a toddler who’s presently actually into what I’m additionally into (design) and which may not at all times be the case, so for now, I’m full-on celebrating this very particular 2-year collaboration and I’ll at all times keep in mind the primary room that we designed TOGETHER. (As a caveat, in case your child doesn’t appear to care, then simply do no matter you need (or don’t), each of my children have actual design and elegance OPINIONS which I completely admire and need to honor so I work intently with them).
My objective was to let her take the lead, understanding that this room wanted to match her character which may be very enjoyable, energetic, colourful, and glad and he or she has OPINIONS about design and shade, which I like. She principally simply loves all the colours – thus the Schumacher Butterly wallpaper we selected (which is the primary factor I’m nervous that she’ll beg to alter as a tween, TBH). I wrote about it some time in the past right here, however one of many greater errors I virtually made was making an attempt to mute the colours and tame it down a bit, fearful that it was going to look simply chaotic and never have longevity. We had been engaged on her dollhouse collectively after I heard her squeals of pleasure for the colours and wallpaper we had been utilizing on it (which had been WILD), and that’s after I let all of it go and mentioned, “okay woman, let’s make this room YOU”. (See under on the backside on what my takeaway from that’s now). Now onto the room!!!
WAIT! You Rearranged!
Okay, so two days earlier than the shoot (and we actually attempt to stick with deadlines lately), I flipped the mattress on the alternative wall and all our issues had been (virtually) solved. It fastened the nightstand debacle as a result of we didn’t have the constraints of the home windows OR the closet door anymore. HOT TIP: Youngsters do NOT like to come back residence to their rooms rearranged, I feel it feels bizarre to them, nevertheless it solely took her a few hours to be on board which I totally understood. As soon as we put the mattress right here we performed with our furnishings once more, the scallop desk labored within the nook. Now, one of many solely issues I don’t love right here is my classic white Saarinen desk (on the correct) merely doesn’t learn sufficient to make it look balanced, however in individual, it’s really advantageous. Possibly in the future I’ll come upon the proper nightstand (possibly not). Anyway, due to all for encouraging the room to flip – IT WORKED.
The Artwork Studio Nook
This nook is my favourite as a result of it’s so useful for her to do arts and crafts, and but so vigorous and enjoyable, stylistically. She desires to be an artist and whereas I don’t want to offer my opinion on how good she is, she is extraordinarily prolific (produces 2-3 items a day), devoted, and passionate and can sit there for hours and draw. I don’t know what I like extra – the bulletin board we made collectively (see this DIY publish), the hanging fringed lamp we purchased collectively on the Monticello Vintage Mall, or simply how we saved the IKEA pedestal desk I’ve had without end and located the correct artwork cart to carry her provides. It took just a few tries to determine methods to prepare the room however on this nook (and with only one hanging mild) it really works so properly.
Outsized Pink Lampshade (classic) | White Tulip Desk | Blue Process Lamp (classic) | Chair (classic) | Corkboard (DIY) | Giant Wooden Paintbrush | Disco Ball
And why sure, that may be a disco ball on the bottom (it’s the place the solar hits the longest within the morning really) and a large paintbrush made by native artist Purl (@total_nonsequitur). We shot on the GLOOMIEST day, with no solar in any respect, so Gretchen used the flashlight on her cellphone to mirror mild on the disco ball, however when there may be solar this can be very dreamy and displays colourful mild (from the window movies) everywhere in the room.
Artwork Cart | Inexperienced Pencil Holder
I LOVE that now the very first thing you see is that classic portray that I purchased from native artwork vendor Fabius Grange. My goodness, it’s simply unbelievable. It pulls in each single shade within the room.
I received the artwork cart from Mattress Bathtub and Past. It took me FOREVER to search out one that might sneak beneath the desk that didn’t appear to be a kitchen utility cart. This one is extra fitted to paints, however we had been capable of take out a shelf and put in crafting instruments. Each of our children take a watercolor class after college in the future every week they usually LOVE it. Sometimes we don’t enable portray up right here (carpet and all) however I would put down a washable rug and let her paint with washable watercolor (I received these watercolor pencils for her for Christmas so I’m curious if this may make it much less harmful). I might love to alter the wheels on the cart to one thing much less office-y however I most likely gained’t at this level 🙂 I’ve had the desk chair without end (classic Paul McCobb) and I purchased the blue process lamp on Fb Market after we first moved right here for $60.
Wallpaper | Trim Coloration | Door Coloration | Desk (classic) | Desk Paint Coloration | Mushroom Stool ({custom} upholstery with classic quilt) | Gold Lamp | Sconces (classic) | Artwork | Mattress (classic) | Cover + Sham Set | Tassel Lumbar Pillow | Arch Pillow | Yellow Throw | White Aspect Desk (classic) | Yellow Process Lamp (classic + comparable)
Now for the opposite facet of the room…TBH that is my least favourite shot as a result of the facet desk simply doesn’t present up!! Once more, in individual, it seemed advantageous however right here there’s a clear imbalance and it drives me nuts. So I would change the desk, however I wished you to point out how the room was laid out (additionally good mattress pillow styling, Emily, so messy). I imply, I may simply paint that classic tulip desk, I’ve had it without end and shape-wise it’s an ideal distinction to the blue scallop desk…TBD.
Desk (classic) | Desk Paint Coloration | Mushroom Stool ({custom} upholstery with classic quilt)
However this classic scalloped desk is SO CUTE now. I purchased this additionally on Fb Market and it was awaiting its second. Properly, right here it’s. We painted it the week of the shoot this tremendous darkish blue/inexperienced known as Rainstorm by Sherwin–Williams and it turned out PERFECT. This was one of many selections that Birdie and I didn’t agree on (she wished a shiny teal or a purple). I pulled rank and mentioned that if she didn’t prefer it we may repaint it collectively after the shoot, however I must do what’s greatest for the entire room and this darker shade would floor the nook and I feel she would find it irresistible extra long run. She got here residence from college and cherished it.
You’re most likely staring on the CUTEST mushroom stool EVER. I purchased the classic quilt from Store Wilma (a neighborhood superior classic vendor) and had ADF Upholstery make it into one in every of her signature mushroom stools. The children combat over this stool (Charlie makes use of it for his drum set) so I need to discover one other quilt and make one other one in order that they every have their very own as a result of my goodness they’re excellent. Farmhouse, however make it playful.
Storage Bench | Patterned Throw Blanket (unavailable)
The storage bench has her costumes and provides a bit of little bit of softness to the bedframe (which I nonetheless need to change out for one thing extra easy, trendy, and upholstered however she actually doesn’t need to so at this level I feel we’re preserving this rickety mattress till we have to improve).
The sconces although…I’ve been hoarding these for some time, uncertain the place they need to go. And whereas they’re far too fancy for an 8-year-old’s room, they’re excellent in right here so in some way she’s the winner of those Nineteen Seventies Italian beauties. They’re unbelievable.
The desk/desk is one in every of two locations the place she retains all her “stuff” and he or she’s collected the porcelain swans whereas antiquing with me. And like I mentioned, I’ve had that Saarinen facet desk and the yellow lamp without end – each classic.
Did You Change The Window Shades?
Colourful Window Movie | Brass Switchplate | Window Shades
You would possibly discover that the window shades have modified. The operate of the straightforward Decorview shades (and the way insulating they’re) was not one thing we may surrender, however I didn’t love how they seemed on the prime of the classic diamond home windows. So I reached out to Twopages as a result of I used to be actually impressed with the shades in our household room, and inside weeks these custom-sized and lined white Roman shades arrived. I designed them to be totally useful, in fact, however what I LOVE is that they act as a valance and really conceal the insulation shades beneath, so we depart them up for probably the most half! For the reason that glass is authentic (and due to this fact very skinny) we preserve the “undershades” closed many of the day within the winter to not waste warmth. I simply love how the Romans made the room look so completed whereas preserving it wanting cozy and trendy.
Chair (classic) | Spherical Pillow | Wicker Ottoman (classic)
On the alternative facet of the room (subsequent to the portray) I put my second classic Swedish chair (that no 8-year-old deserves however right here we’re) and it’s excellent. I’ll find yourself stealing it if it really works in a extra distinguished room (the opposite one works completely in our visitor room) however the scale works so properly and I like the way it pulls from the pink within the wallpaper, but is a bit deeper and richer in a great way.
Wall Mirror | Jane Denton Wall Artwork | Cabinets | Cabinets Paint Coloration
Now for the opposite facet of the room – we hung these cute scallop cabinets (that we painted Silken Peacock by Sherwin-Wiliams) to show all her treasures, books, and artwork. We really needed to take off the brackets from the cabinets and screw them into the wall as a result of they hung off the wall in a slanted method, FYI, however as soon as up, they’re sturdy and so cute (I really feel prefer it’s a design flaw and for $80 every ought to sit flush towards the wall so I wished to warn you).
Cabinets | Cabinets Paint Coloration
I’m obsessed together with her little clay sculptures and that portray she product of Oscar and Buttercup (together with her COVID nanny who was an unbelievable artist).
What Do I Need To Add/Change?
I prefer to play a brand new sport known as “If I may snap my fingers” which is an train on what I might change if I may, clearly, simply snap my fingers. For this room, I actually need to add crown molding. We tried a DIY that completely failed the week earlier than the shoot (I’ll present you in a bit) nevertheless it simply feels unfinished. We’re engaged on Charlie’s room in 2024 so I need to wait till we all know for certain if I would like it in there too. If that’s the case I’ll rent somebody to do them each. And sure, I want to simplify the mattress to assist the room look extra like the remainder of the home, however I’m in no hurry anymore. Possibly I’ll discover a completely different nightstand to steadiness out the blue desk, however once more, would doubtless be one thing classic I come upon (and sadly the wicker-skirted desk is simply too vast and excessive).
Pay attention, it was not with out some model/choice bumps alongside the best way. We didn’t agree on all the things and we had just a few conversations about complaining (and entitlement, my kryptonite) however we landed in a superb place – aka “No I cannot purchase the $13 purple and lime inexperienced polyester cover with LED lights you discovered through Pinterest, however sure, in fact, you should use your individual cash to purchase what you need after the photograph shoot that’s for our household enterprise and I’ll fortunately assist you:)” In fact now it’s all completed she loves it a lot and I get to listen to her telling her pals how she made the bulletin board and selected all the colours (selective reminiscence, I def needed to tweak them when she wasn’t noticing). And after a lot begging, I even let her be within the YouTube video with me (the place she proceeded to inform her pals she’s on YouTube. I used to be legit mortified that individuals thought that I’m encouraging my 8-year-old previous to have a YouTube channel! I’m not!!).
Designing WITH your children as an alternative of FOR your children might be difficult and I’m very fortunate that this was simple for me to problem (this was my dream room after I was a child). My greatest recommendation is to restrict the alternatives, don’t allow them to store on-line by themselves – even on Pinterest, and allow them to categorical themselves within the decrease stakes items (just like the window movies), ensuring that any main investments have longevity or flexibility. And you’ll at all times do what I shamelessly do and bribe her with procuring cash and a doughnut to go classic procuring with me, the place we discovered so many cute issues in her room.
Don’t neglect to observe the long-form YouTube video! Beneath is a enjoyable quick model (Simply look ahead to the quick advert to play:))
Bed room Sources:
Wallpaper: Schumacher
Carpet: Stark
Door Coloration: SW 6239 Upward
Trim Coloration: SW 7006 Additional White
Home windows: Classic
Colourful Window Movie: See this publish
Roman Shades: Twopages
Insulated Blinds: Decorview
Switchplates: Rejuvenation
Classic Desk Paint Coloration: SW 6230 Rainstorm
Mushroom Stool Upholstery: ADF Upholstery
Gold Desk Lamp: Schoolhouse
Cabinets Paint Coloration: SW 9059 Silken Peacock
Wall Mirror: Mattress Bathtub & Past
Giant Picket Paintbrush: Purl Samoheyl
Mattress: Classic
Bench: Mattress Bathtub & Past
White Aspect Desk: Classic
Sconces: Classic
Artwork Desk: IKEA
Artwork Card: Mattress Bathtub & Past
Wooden Chair: Classic
*Design by Emily and Elliot Henderson (and ARCIFORM)
**Images by Kaitlin Inexperienced