Welcome to the reveal of my 8-year-old daughter’s room, and whereas she is determined to be a young person it actually represents her character, her sparkle, her happiness, and her love of shade. I’m actually crossing my fingers that we’ve got years with a lot of the items. And y’all it was SO MUCH FUN. I do know I’m extraordinarily fortunate to have a baby who’s at the moment actually into what I’m additionally into (design) and that may not all the time be the case, so for now, I’m full-on celebrating this very particular 2-year collaboration and I’ll all the time 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 recognize 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 could be very enjoyable, energetic, colourful, and pleased and she or he has OPINIONS about design and shade, which I really 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 nearly 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 today), I flipped the mattress on the alternative wall and all our issues had been (nearly) 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: Children do NOT like to come back dwelling to their rooms rearranged, I feel it feels bizarre to them, however it solely took her a few hours to be on board which I absolutely 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 appropriate) merely doesn’t learn sufficient to make it look balanced, however in individual, it’s really positive. Possibly in the future I’ll bump into the right 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 needs 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 really like extra – the bulletin board we made collectively (see this DIY submit), the hanging fringed lamp we purchased collectively on the Monticello Vintage Mall, or simply how we saved the IKEA pedestal desk I’ve had perpetually and located the appropriate artwork cart to carry her provides. It took a number of tries to determine the right way 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 Activity Lamp (classic) | Chair (classic) | Corkboard (DIY) | Massive Wooden Paintbrush | Disco Ball
And why sure, that’s 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 telephone 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 bought the artwork cart from Mattress Tub and Past. It took me FOREVER to search out one that may sneak underneath 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 youngsters take a watercolor class after college in the future per week and so they LOVE it. Sometimes we don’t enable portray up right here (carpet and all) however I’d put down a washable rug and let her paint with washable watercolor (I bought these watercolor pencils for her for Christmas so I’m curious if this may make it much less harmful). I’d love to alter the wheels on the cart to one thing much less office-y however I in all probability received’t at this level 🙂 I’ve had the desk chair perpetually (classic Paul McCobb) and I purchased the blue activity lamp on Fb Market once we first moved right here for $60.
Wallpaper | Trim Shade | Door Shade | Desk (classic) | Desk Paint Shade | Mushroom Stool ({custom} upholstery with classic quilt) | Gold Lamp | Sconces (classic) | Artwork | Mattress (classic) | Quilt + Sham Set | Tassel Lumbar Pillow | Arch Pillow | Yellow Throw | White Facet Desk (classic) | Yellow Activity Lamp (classic + related)
Now for the opposite aspect of the room…TBH that is my least favourite shot as a result of the aspect desk simply doesn’t present up!! Once more, in individual, it regarded positive however right here there’s a clear imbalance and it drives me nuts. So I’d change the desk, however I needed you to point out how the room was laid out (additionally good mattress pillow styling, Emily, so messy). I imply, I might simply paint that classic tulip desk, I’ve had it perpetually and shape-wise it’s an amazing distinction to the blue scallop desk…TBD.
Desk (classic) | Desk Paint Shade | 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 choices that Birdie and I didn’t agree on (she needed a brilliant teal or a purple). I pulled rank and mentioned that if she didn’t prefer it we might repaint it collectively after the shoot, however I must do what’s finest for the entire room and this darker shade would floor the nook and I feel she would adore it extra long run. She got here dwelling from college and liked it.
You might be in all probability 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 among 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 so 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 just a little 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 protecting this rickety mattress till we have to improve).
The sconces although…I’ve been hoarding these for some time, not sure 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 one way or the other she’s the winner of those Seventies Italian beauties. They’re unbelievable.
The desk/desk is one among two locations the place she retains all her “stuff” and she or he’s collected the porcelain swans whereas antiquing with me. And like I mentioned, I’ve had that Saarinen aspect desk and the yellow lamp perpetually – 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 simple Decorview shades (and the way insulating they’re) was not one thing we might hand over, however I didn’t love how they regarded on the high 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 absolutely useful, after all, however what I LOVE is that they act as a valance and really conceal the insulation shades beneath, so we go away them up for probably the most half! For the reason that glass is unique (and subsequently very skinny) we preserve the “undershades” closed a lot of the day within the winter to not waste warmth. I simply love how the Romans made the room look so completed whereas protecting it wanting cozy and trendy.
Chair (classic) | Spherical Pillow | Wicker Ottoman (classic)
On the alternative aspect 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 really 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 Shade
Now for the opposite aspect 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 manner, 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 in opposition to the wall so I needed to warn you).
Cabinets | Cabinets Paint Shade
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 wish to play a brand new sport known as “If I might snap my fingers” which is an train on what I’d change if I might, 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) however 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. In that case I’ll rent somebody to do them each. And sure, I wish 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 totally different nightstand to steadiness out the blue desk, however once more, would probably be one thing classic I bump into (and sadly the wicker-skirted desk is just too extensive and excessive).
Hear, it was not with out some fashion/determination bumps alongside the way in which. We didn’t agree on every little thing and we had a number of conversations about complaining (and entitlement, my kryptonite) however we landed in a great place – aka “No I can’t purchase the $13 purple and lime inexperienced polyester cover with LED lights you discovered through Pinterest, however sure, after all, you should use your individual cash to purchase what you need after the picture shoot that’s for our household enterprise and I’ll fortunately show you how to:)” In fact now it’s all finished she loves it a lot and I get to listen to her telling her associates 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 in the YouTube video with me (the place she proceeded to inform her associates 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 a substitute 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 finest 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 (like the window movies), ensuring that any main investments have longevity or flexibility. And you’ll all the time do what I shamelessly do and bribe her with buying cash and a doughnut to go classic buying with me, the place we discovered so many cute issues in her room.
Don’t neglect to look at the long-form YouTube video! Under is a enjoyable brief model (Simply await the brief advert to play:))
Bed room Assets:
Wallpaper: Schumacher
Carpet: Stark
Door Shade: SW 6239 Upward
Trim Shade: SW 7006 Further White
Home windows: Classic
Colourful Window Movie: See this submit
Roman Shades: Twopages
Insulated Blinds: Decorview
Switchplates: Rejuvenation
Classic Desk Paint Shade: SW 6230 Rainstorm
Mushroom Stool Upholstery: ADF Upholstery
Gold Desk Lamp: Schoolhouse
Cabinets Paint Shade: SW 9059 Silken Peacock
Wall Mirror: Mattress Tub & Past
Massive Wood Paintbrush: Purl Samoheyl
Mattress: Classic
Bench: Mattress Tub & Past
White Facet Desk: Classic
Sconces: Classic
Artwork Desk: IKEA
Artwork Card: Mattress Tub & Past
Wooden Chair: Classic
*Design by Emily and Elliot Henderson (and ARCIFORM)
**Images by Kaitlin Inexperienced