Welcome to the reveal of my 8-year-old daughter’s room, and whereas she is determined to be a young person it really represents her persona, her sparkle, her happiness, and her love of shade and I’m actually crossing my fingers that we have now 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 presently 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 magnificence OPINIONS which I completely recognize and wish to honor so I work intently with them).

My aim was to let her take the lead, understanding that this room wanted to match her persona which may be very enjoyable, energetic, colourful, and pleased and he or she has OPINIONS about design and shade, which I like. She largely simply loves all the colours – thus the Schumacher Butterly wallpaper we selected (which is the principle 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 larger 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 have been engaged on her dollhouse collectively once I heard her squeals of pleasure for the colours and wallpaper we have been utilizing on it (which have been WILD), and that’s once I let all of it go and stated, “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 follow deadlines lately), I flipped the mattress on the alternative wall and all our issues have been (nearly) solved. It fastened the nightstand debacle as a result of we didn’t have the restrictions of the home windows OR the closet door anymore. HOT TIP: Youngsters do NOT like to return dwelling to their rooms rearranged, I feel it feels bizarre to them, but it surely solely took her a few hours to be on board and 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 Saarinen desk (on the fitting) merely doesn’t learn sufficient to make it look balanced, however in individual, it’s truly superb. Perhaps someday I’ll come upon 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 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 stored the IKEA pedestal desk I’ve had eternally and located the fitting artwork cart to carry her provides. It took a number of tries to determine find out how to prepare the room however on this nook (and with only one hanging mild) it really works so effectively.

Outsized Pink Lampshade (classic) | White Tulip Desk | Blue Job Lamp (classic) | Chair (classic) | Corkboard (DIY) | Giant 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 truly) 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 replicate mild on the disco ball, however when there may be solar this can be very dreamy and displays colourful mild (from the window movies) all around 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 unimaginable. It pulls in each single shade within the room.

I obtained the artwork cart from Mattress Tub and Past which took me FOREVER to seek out one that might sneak below the desk that didn’t seem like a kitchen utility cart. This one is extra fitted to paints, however we have been capable of take out a shelf and put in crafting instruments. Each of our youngsters take a watercolor class after college someday every week they usually LOVE it. Usually we don’t permit portray up right here (carpet and all) however I would put down a washable rug and let her paint with washable watercolor (I obtained these watercolor pencils for her for Christmas so I’m curious if this might make it much less harmful). I’d love to alter the wheels on the cart to one thing much less office-y however I most likely received’t at this level 🙂 I’ve had the desk chair eternally (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 Job Lamp (classic + comparable)

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 seemed superb however right here there’s a clear imbalance and it drives me nuts. So I would change the desk, however I wished you to indicate 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 eternally and shape-wise it’s an excellent 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 selections that Birdie and I didn’t agree on (she wished a shiny teal or a purple). I pulled rank and stated that if she didn’t prefer it we may repaint it collectively after the shoot, however I have to do what’s finest for the entire room and this darker shade would floor the nook and I feel she would like it extra long run. She got here dwelling from college and beloved it.

You’re most likely staring on the CUTEST mushroom stool EVER. I purchased the classic quilt from Store Wilma (an area superior classic vendor) and had ADF Upholstery make it into considered one of her signature mushroom stools. The children struggle over this stool (Charlie makes use of it for his drum set) so I wish 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 good. Farmhouse, however make it playful.

Storage Bench | Throw Blanket (unavailable)

The storage bench has her costumes and provides a bit little bit of softness to the bedframe (which I nonetheless wish to change out for one thing extra easy, trendy, and upholstered however she actually doesn’t wish to so at this level I feel we’re holding 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 good in right here so by some means she’s the winner of those Nineteen Seventies Italian beauties. They’re unimaginable.

The desk is considered one of two locations the place she retains all her “stuff” and he or she collected the porcelain swans whereas antiquing with me. I’ve had that Saarinen aspect desk and the yellow lamp eternally – each classic.

Did You Change The Window Shades?

Colourful Window Movie | Brass Switchplate | Window Shades

You may 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 may hand over, however I didn’t love how they seemed 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, in fact, however what I LOVE is that they act as a valance and really cover the insulation shades beneath, so we go away them up for essentially the most half! For the reason that glass is unique (and subsequently very skinny) we maintain the “undershades” closed a lot of the day within the winter to not waste warmth. I simply love how these made the room look so completed whereas holding it trying 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 good. 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 effectively 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 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 needed to truly take off the brackets 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 towards the wall so I wished to warn you).

Cabinets | Cabinets Paint Shade

I’m obsessed along with her little clay sculptures and that portray she product of Oscar and Buttercup (along with her COVID nanny who was an unimaginable 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’d change if I may, clearly, simply snap my fingers. For this room, I actually wish to add crown molding. We tried a DIY that absolutely failed the week earlier than the shoot (I’ll present you in a bit) but it surely simply feels unfinished. We’re engaged on Charlie’s room in 2024 so I wish to wait till we all know for certain if need it in there and 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. Perhaps I’ll discover a totally different nightstand to stability out the blue desk, however once more, would probably be one thing classic I come upon (and sadly the wicker-skirted desk is just too large and excessive).

Pay attention, it was not with out some fashion/resolution bumps alongside the best way. 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 by way of Pinterest, however sure, in fact, you should utilize your personal cash to purchase what you need after the picture shoot that’s for our household enterprise and I’ll fortunately aid you :)”  After all now it’s all achieved 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 within the YouTube video with me (the place she proceeded to inform her associates she’s on YouTube, and I used to be legit mortified that folks thought that I’m encouraging my 8-year-old previous have a YouTube channel! I’m not!!).

Designing together with your children as a substitute of FOR your children may be difficult and I’m very fortunate that this was straightforward for me to problem (this was my dream room once 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 specific themselves within the decrease stakes items (just 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 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 (Watch a brief enjoyable teaser under after the advert performs)!

Bed room Assets:
Wallpaper: Schumacher
Carpet: Stark
Door Shade: SW 6239 Upward
Trim Shade: SW 7006 Additional White
Home windows: Classic
Colourful Window Movie: See this publish
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
Giant Picket 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