Last fall we featured a redesign that Nancy did for her son Owen. Well, she’s back with another awesome room makeover… but this time it was for another family with a great story. Here’s her letter:
Hi John and Sherry! A while back, I entered the contest Creating with the Stars hosted by East Coast Creative, and I was teamed up with Kari from U-Create. I had the wonderful opportunity to makeover a space for a couple who have been trying for over ten years to get pregnant. Accepting this may never become a reality, they are in a foster to adopt program and are adopting three siblings. KK is the youngest out of the three and the family will be able to adopt their children in February! I made over one of the couple’s guest bedrooms into a space for KK as part of my entry for the contest. I did not let my elimination in Round 3 stop me from finishing Round 4, and I’m so glad I continued on!
I’m a huge fan of white and black in home decor, but I decided to have some fun and add lots of color and prints! This was such a fun makeover, I didn’t want to leave when it was done.
Originally, I wanted to use fabric on the wall. Namely, Ikea’s black, white, and green bird print that is no longer sold in stores, but I wasn’t aware of that until I went to the store. So I decided to use a projector and six Sharpies instead. I traced some of the pattern on the wall. Instead of copying it exactly the way it was on the yardage, I moved pieces around and traced what I liked where I wanted them to go. It was fairly easy, although it did take a toll on my wrist and shoulder. But the result was completely worth it!
There aren’t too many personal touches in the space yet (I’m one who likes to sew and create things with my hands) but leaving room for that allows KK to add her own personality to the space when she comes home.
Hope you guys enjoy it too! – xo, Nancy
There are tons of pictures of this playful space for KK over on U-Create’s blog, but be sure to also swing by Nancy’s for a full source list and some more details on the $5 “wallpaper” treatment she created. Thanks for sharing such a sweet room (for a very sweet cause) Nancy! And in the “what’s your favorite part?” column, Sherry’s loving the homemade wallpaper and the purple bed while I’m all over those planked walls and the painted ceiling.
Andrea says
I love this so much I did one of those audible gasps when I saw the first makeover picture :-) love everything! We are currently expecting but don’t know the gender yet, so if it is a girl, this is TOTALLY the inspiration room! I could totally continue to gush, but I’ll shut up now :-)
Laura says
I love this room makeover. I think it shows you just what you can do with a small amount of bold colour. I also LOVE the idea of projecting images and tracing them on the wall. That is so clever and creates a nice unique look for the room. Well done. I cant’ wait to try and apply these ideas to my next home bedroom reno!
http://oomphlove.blogspot.ca/search/label/Renovations
Laura says
I love the use of simple pops of colour in this space. I think it goes to show you can do a lot when you keep the big elements basic. I also am drooling over that brilliant stencil idea. What a low cost high impact project!
can’t wait to use some of this inspiration in my next room reno!
http://oomphlove.blogspot.ca/search/label/Renovations
nancy@ owen's olivia says
Thank you! Mandi at Vintage Revivals is a great source of inspiration for me. That lady is super talented!
Ginny @ Goofy Monkeys says
Such a pretty makeover! Good job!
Rene @thedomesticlady says
I love this room makeover, and I love that she says it’s still in progress. It describes every room in my house…it’s always in progress.
Ana says
simple and wonderful!!!!
actually, amazing!
heather says
My favorite part is everything. This is one of my favorite makeovers to date.
nancy@ owen's olivia says
Awe, that is too sweet. Thank you Heather.
Lil says
I love everything about it. So pretty! What a lucky little girl.
Janelle @ Two Cups of Happy says
I cannot get over that mural. It’s personal touches like that wall that up the home-y factor. I’m sure KK will love it!
Ely says
I love the colors and patterns in this room (purple headboard)! They are bold, but they work! I also really love the hand stenciled wall. It turned out wonderfully! I would love to try something like that!
nancy@ owen's olivia says
You should! And if you are not happy with the end result, you can paint over it. My kind of a project! :)
mp says
I’m with you, John — that painted ceiling rocks.
nancy@ owen's olivia says
Thank you mp! Originally, I was going to paint white stars over the gray on the ceiling, but time ran out. That would have added another dimension to the space. It is still one of my favorite grays to date.
Kellie says
I love this! We too are in the foster-to-adopt program, and we just got word this morning that our 17 refugee son will be joining us soon from the Congo! Like Nancy, I am trying to create a space that is welcoming and homey, yet leave it open to personal touches once he arrives.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so sweet Kellie! All the best with everything!
xo
s
nancy@ owen's olivia says
That is so wonderful. Congratulations to you!
Kellie says
AND last night we got a 4 month old girl. AND still expecting the 17-year-old.
*screeching brakes, u-turn*
Lindsay says
Love both the planked wall and the grey ceiling, it’s so neutral and stylish.
Nancy says
I love the strung-together-shells hanging along the top and down the sides of the closet door trim. That’s my favorite part. Although there is lots else to love!
nancy@ owen's olivia says
Haha! I love that garland too! I purchased a flower puncher from Michael’s Crafts and used paint chip samples. Then I strung them on a piece of yarn.
Nancy says
I love the strung-together-shells (?) hanging along the top and down the sides of the door trim. That’s my favorite part. Although there is lots else to love!
Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says
WOW… the first thing I noticed was how the ceiling and floor seemed to not meet and made the walls look 12 feet tall!! Love how she used the white planking and darker ceiling for that effect. Goes to show you shouldn’t be afraid of going dark on the ceiling. This is one lucky little girl!!
Casey says
I love this space so much I want it for my bedroom! So neutral and bold at the same time, very classic with a fun flair! I’m in love
Kate says
I love that chair. I want to steal it. And sit in it. Too bad it really wouldn’t fit in at my house!
Crystal says
Lovely, lovely room!!!! I love it all from the bird “wallpaper” to the planked walls to the painted ceilings that makes the room look 4ft taller. Oh and the purple bed and the textiles!!
Mrs. A says
I remember seeing this somewhere – through a link on Apartment Therapy or one of my other favorite blogs. :)
This room is simply wonderful – sweet, inviting, and not so overdone that a little girl can’t put her personal touches on the room. What a lovely and loving room for her to join her new family (and to welcome her siblings into – although there might be tussles about how many can sit in the comfy chair).
Nancy – will you be designing a room for KK’s siblings? If so, I would love to see it!!
nancy@ owen's olivia says
Thank you Mrs. A! As of yet, no. But if that opportunity ever becomes available, I will jump on board quickly! :)
Marcy says
Is it weird that this made me cry? Congratulations to the new family!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, that’s not weird, it’s so sweet.
xo
s
Maryjane Carley says
I was just wondering if anyone could tell me where to get a projector at a reasonable price? I would love to do some things like this on my own walls. What an inspiration! Love it!
YoungHouseLove says
I’ve heard of people renting or borrowing one from a local school/college. Anyone else have tips for Maryjane?
xo
s
nancy@ owen's olivia says
I was lucky enough to use the home owner’s projector. I have heard of local libraries renting them out.
Shelby says
My sister-in-law found hers at Goodwill for cheap. Did an adorable pattern on my niece’s wall. You never know what a thrift store will turn up!
Stephanie says
So cute! One of my favorite Reader Redesigns of a kids space!
Megan says
My favorite part is the adoption back-story! What a wonderful thing to help that child feel loved and welcome in her new home. This made my day. Thank you!
Laura says
This is incredible! Love the idea of homemade “wallpaper”—those results are definitely worth a sore wrist. I love how it’s primarily white, but so layered with texture that it feels rich and full in the room, not sterile like so many people think of white as being.
Angel says
Holy Happy Accident! The sharpie wall is the best part (thought I love it all). How lucky they were out of fabric!!!
Cathy says
Love all of this… curious though if the Sharpie or otherwise other permanent marker would be hard to cover when *gasp* the day comes to paint over it… In the meantime, maybe KK will use it as a coloring book. :)
YoungHouseLove says
I think primer like Kilz should block that and then it could be repainted someday!
xo
s
nancy@ owen's olivia says
I actually found out by accident that the fat sharpie marker stains the wall. :/ You can see that in the photo above where it’s pink underneath the black images, whereas the regular Sharpie size marker doesn’t do that. Weird, I know. BUT I did find out that painting over it was really easy. No primer needed, although it may cut it down to one coat, but I did have to use a few coats (3?) to get it back to white.
And yes! The home owner said she wanted give KK a few colors to fill in a few spots if she wanted.
Angela-Rose says
You guys are following in my footsteps lately…first painting windows and now ripping up old stair carpet. We went one step further (after the fun of tearing up the dusty carpet and padding, prying up the tack strip & painstakingly removing all bazillion staples w/my amazing 14 yr old daughter’s help!) and tore out the whole staircase (two actually as we did the basement staircase also!)…and then awesome husband got to build two new wonderfully straight (as opposed to awkward & turned) staircases. Summer of ’13 was a wild ride around here! ????
Angela-Rose says
No idea how I managed to comment on the wrong post! Oops!
YoungHouseLove says
No worries!
xo
s
Katie says
I know you will give your standard answer of “we’ve always used this formula/this is what got us here….” but Ive been really disappointed in your content lately. Reader Redesigns AND reader dilemmas?! and where did weekly crafty go? That last what? 4 weeks…. I understand you are busy but I mean, so is everyone. I am just wondering if you are not treating the blog as #1 anymore? (I really ask that, I am not trying to be a Debbie downer or rain on your parade. Ive just been a faithful reader since “This Young House”- I could understand that natural progression of you moving on to bigger and better..) The one “DIY” post you posted this morning left us hanging… no runner reveal?!
YoungHouseLove says
I’m sorry you feel that way Katie! Weekly crafty is on Thursdays now (we did that last week too!) so that’s coming up for you tomorrow! For the last 3 yrs of doing this full time, our average has been sharing 2 projects a week – both big and small – so we’ve always had other posts in the mix (like Reader Redesigns, Design Dilemmas, Budget Blooms, Window Shopping, random family updates, etc). Those two projects a week aren’t always reveals (our kitchen makeovers are usually shared over 100+ posts and even upholstering a headboard was two posts) so sometimes an area like a stairway that requires many steps might be broken up into a few posts as we go. Today’s prep process took 10 hrs, but if it had taken 3 we could have completed the project and posted about it today – that’s just not always how the DIY cookie crumbles. For years we’ve heard from people who say they wish we moved slower since it makes them feel bad and others who say we should move faster to be more entertaining. From our end, it feels like we’ve been doing a ton of projects lately (last week we shared 3, so that’s more than our average, even with a Reader Dilemma & Reader Redesign in there) and this week we’ll be sharing 3 as well (it’s only Wednesday). I know it’s probably impossible to change your mind, but if you scroll through our archives from 2011 (when we were both full time bloggers) it’s amazing what we posted about then: mushrooms in the yard, a video of Clara playing on the floor, weird dreams, etc.
xo
s
Alison says
Your comment just made me almost cry. I was reading through the comments on this room post (and I usually don’t read through comments) and yours is so negative amongst all the rave reviews. I feel lucky to read every post Sherry and John take time to create for us. We don’t pay them and they don’t owe us anything, they can do whatever they really want on their blog and you’re right – it has worked for them. I hope you take the time to look at what Sherry said they have done lately because they have been showing us great things even though they are busy and she is pregnant.
S&J I wish you the best and LOVE every post. every. dang. one :)
xo Ali
Steph Nelson says
Being such a regular reader Katie, you might remember that when they moved into this house a post was made about how the blog was going to change some. Sherry mentioned that they were going to move at a slower pace and incorporate other content into the blog.
Melissa says
Oh please! No one can politely give their honest opinion without fan girls just jumping down their necks!!!! No, we don’t pay them, but do you have any idea how much they make off of this blog?! It is not crazy to expect some better content. UGH.
Paula M. says
A mix of content is fine by me. Big, time-consuming projects (the veranda) and smaller afternoon crafts. I also like the guest posts from other readers who have their own projects (love the one posted today about the room makeover for the foster child), and I welcome the house crashes, too. And let’s not forget that blog content is FREE, so, really, what’s to complain about?
Personally, I don’t know how John and Sherry manage to get all the home projects and blogging done that they DO churn out, especially given that they read all the blog comments, have other professional commitments and are the parents of one young child and they have another one on the way. Just thinking about all they do makes me tired and I’m not even the one who’s pregnant.
Caroline says
Are one of you no longer blogging? You mentioned in your reply to Katie that in 2011 you were both full-time bloggers. Has that changed?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we’re both still blogging, I just meant that that those old posts I linked to weren’t from back when we just did this as a hobby, they were also from when this was our job. Hope that makes sense!
xo,
s
Jenny says
What an amazing room! I love the zebra head and the black and white lampshade, and how they play together against the solid colors in the room. And of course that “wallpaper” treatment, which is awesome and amazing. Such a great room!!
Lee Ann says
What a heart-warming story! And, of course, I LOVE the room. I’m sure this little girl is going to think she’s stepped into a Wonderland.
Could they adopt me, too? :D Seriously, this is so touching because there are so many children in foster care who would love to find a home. Something tells me this will have a very happy ending. <3
Rebecca says
This room is wonderful. I can’t imagine how much kk will love it!
Hannah says
Oh this is so lovely! It has such a great ‘feel’ to it. Well done Nancy!
Martha says
That room is beautiful! I love the dedication to a design. I’ve never thought you could put an area rug on top of wall-to-wall carpeting, but it looks so great against the neutral. Thanks for sharing!
Krista says
I couldn’t help but wonder – will the other two children they are adopting get room makeovers like this? I wouldn’t want them to feel left out!
nancy@ owen's olivia says
I know! Me too!! :) Since they were budgeting (and time was constrained by the contest), I think they felt it was better to choose the girl and one room over the two boys. I would love to decorate for the boys though! Maybe one day!
Vanessa W says
My first reaction when I scrolled to the first picture was to mutter “o. m. g. wow” at my desk. This room is absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful thing for Nancy to do!! KK is one lucky girl to get to move into such a beautiful and welcoming space!
Steph Nelson says
LOVE this room!! I don’t usually comment on reader redesign posts but this one requires a “Way to Go” shoutout! :)
Love the planked walls, painted ceiling and that rug!!
katiedid says
So cute! And what a great cause! Pssst! West Elm is now selling wood planking in all sorts of finishes/colors . Just peel and stick. Cool.
YoungHouseLove says
So cool!
xo
s
nancy@ owen's olivia says
No way! That’s awesome to hear!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
So pretty! What a great room!
Marie says
That room is PERFECT!!! What a wonderful gift for KK! A new room and a new family full of love. And Sherry! I’m so sorry you have to field such hurtful comments…I don’t know how you do it and not burst out in tears every day! I thought it was a beautiful post and a special room totally worthy of its place to shine on your blog! Maybe your teenage obsession said it best….
“Behind every sucessful person lies a pack of haters” ? Eminem
So keep doing what you’re doing!
Amanda says
I absolutely loved this makeover and I don’t think in a million years anyone would ever want to paint over those gorgeous walls, however I do want to share my experience with sharpies. The sharpie will forever bleed through new coats of paint, no matter how many times you try to paint over it. I am assuming primer will resolve that, however I have not tried this yet.
Michaels sells really great acrylic paint pens that might be a better solution than the sharpie.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah I bet it would come right through regular paint! I think a stainblocking primer like Kilz is the key (I hear it’s what they use in old abandoned houses with spray painted walls).
xo
s
Erika K says
I love this room! I can’t decide if the like the pink bed, the wall art, the rug, or the Cabbage Patch dolls the best (I still have my old ones and they will go to my daughter some day, I’m sure). I love seeing posts like this, thanks for sharing.
Lorendia says
Thanks for this wonderful and beautiful post! Great timing, its National Adoption Month and so it was wonderful to see an adoptive family being recognized in such a beautiful way.
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet!
xo
s
Diana says
My favorites are the planked wall, the painted wall, and the darker ceiling. Oh my…so many good ideas in there!
Jennie says
What a pretty room and a great cause … Thank you for sharing it!
nancy@ owen's olivia says
Thank you to all the YHL readers who have commented so far. I still think YHL readers are some of the best blog readers out there. Thank you to YHL for featuring the room. And a special thank you to Mandi Gubler from http://www.vintagerevivals.com for being an inspiration to the DIY community. You all are the best! The family is doing well, and they will officially have the kids for good early next year.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks for sharing your awesome room Nancy! That KK is a lucky gal!
xo
s
Chelley / AisForAdelaide says
Love the makeover! There’s so much to be said about clean lines and brisk white walls!
Katie B. says
Love the blog and love the posts! You guys are doing great job:) Sherry hope your nausea is lessening & you start feeling better soon.
Absolutely love this room!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Katie! I had a rough tummy today, but the pukiness stopped around this time with Clara so I’m hoping it’s one of those “last hurrah” things and then it’ll fade away. Positive thinking!
xo
s
Holly says
Wow – what an amazing room transformation! Such a fresh, clean & modern new space.
Julia @ Cuckoo4Design says
Oh wow! So fun! Love the wall treatment.