We’re knee deep in the middle of a bunch o’ projects (in the office, the dining room, and the living room- yeah we’re all over the place), so we thought we’d share the one thing we actually completed in the meantime, which was a little moving (and some obligatory shaking) when it came to Clara’s nursery. Here’s what it looked like mid-chaos (chaos = really bad pics):
Why the furniture shuffle? Well, we arranged it for Clara’s seven month old self (she wasn’t even crawling when we moved in) and now she’s a fifteen month old walking fiend with a lot wider “wingspan” so we had to make some changes to keep her safe slash happy slash sleeping.
The issues:
- an air vent was located near the foot of the crib, and sometimes when the air kicked on in the morning it would wake Clara up early. Which any parent will tell you is a tragedy.
- a few slivers of sunshine landed right in the crib due to slipping out the side of the thick curtains & closed blinds (which also occasionally woke her up at the crack of dawn)
- her taller height/longer reach meant she was getting closer to grabbing the nearby curtains from her crib, which evoked visions of finding her swinging from the rafters in the morning like a happy little monkey
- the bench under the window wasn’t ever something Clara seemed interested in, but we worried when she got older she might try to climb up on it and get out the window (you know, when she enters the Houdini stage)
- the ceramic table lamp on the side table was a lot more pull-downable thanks to our tall & active bean (time for something not-breakable and not-reachable)
Also:
- there are just certain types of people who like to rearrange furniture, and we’re it
Here’s what it looked like before the switch:
So here are the changes I made (John was working and I was on Clara duty, so she loved “helping” me push things or clapping while I did all the work):
- I pushed the crib around the room against every available wall and in every possible configuration and decided that we (Clara and I) liked it best under the high-hanging and securely mounted mobile & floating shelves that used to be over her changing table (bam, no more air vent or stream of sunshine issues – and everything hanging on the wall is a good foot out of Clara’s reach)
- I was sure to pull the crib further away from the curtains so there’s no way Clara’s long arms can grab them from the new location (in some shots they look close but they’re over 2 feet from the crib, and the crib mattress is in the lowest position)
- I played around with a bunch of places for the changing table and eventually settled on the wall full of frames (although some of them hung too low so I tweaked the arrangement so they wouldn’t get kicked mid-diaper-change)
- I moved the chair, ottoman, and side table under the green mirror and added a not-ceramic-or-kid-height floor lamp that’s a lot more bean-safe
- I moved the bench away from under the window and stuck it on the wall with the closet
And since all those bullets are probably as clear as mud, here’s a little sketch for ya:
Now that the rearranging dust has cleared, it’s deffffffinitely nowhere close to perfect. But it’s a huge improvement in the function department (no more safety or early-wake-up worries). And Clara, who has always awoken at 7:30 (at least for the last 5+ months straight) has slept til 8:00 since the switch (two days in a row!). Which is no small miracle. So if the room looked beyond ugly we’d probably leave the furniture right where it is. Haha. Just kidding. Not really.
Anyway, here’s the new setup:
And here are some details that make my sappy mom heart happy:
Of course there are more than a few things we’d still like to do in there (although we’re set on finishing the other projects around the house that we have in progress, so there’s no rush). But here’s the ol’ list:
- get/make a less awkward side table for the chair and ottoman (that’s an already-had-it nightstand from our old guest room that we stuck baskets in to create drawers – and later removed since Clara now
likesdemands easier access) - hang something over the green bench in the corner (I already know what’s gonna go there – and let’s just say I’m feeling ducky about it)
- sew a new pillow cover for the chair (the green pillow under the green mirror is a little “meh” for me – and we have lots of spare fabric from Clara’s photo project
- expand Clara’s frame wall (height and width wise) with even more photos (John’s baby pic had to come down so it didn’t get kicked from the changing pad, and I’m dying to get it back up there out of Clara’s reach along with some other stuff)
- DIY a dollhouse
- make a beanbag for Clara’s closet reading nook
- paint the area under the window with leftover magnetic paint under wall paint so she can have a fun “secret” magnet wall
- add crown molding
- paint the ceiling
There are probably a bunch more things that I’m forgetting. Oh well, one step at a time, right?
Did you guys do any list-making or room rearranging this weekend? Did you do it while your hubby got his laptop on and the baby “helped”? Did you find all sorts of nasty dust bunnies that horrified you behind the furniture? Did your dog whine audibly and try to distract you by bringing in a toy to play with because he was so against the activity?
Psst- See how we made the flower mobile here, refinished Clara’s veneer dresser here, painted and upholstered the bench here, painted the green mirror here, made the curtains here, built the book ledges here, found the capiz shell chandelier here, made the art wall here, painted the walls here, and stamped Clara’s closet here.
Monique says
Love Clara’s room, just adorable. If someone hasn’t already suggested it, blackout curtains or blinds are well worth the expense and will add a blissful hour or two of added sleep before Clara wakes up.
Allison says
Love the new room layout – it seems more purposeful. And that little lounge area in her closet is oh-so-sweet!
Quick question: we have the same crib and I cannot find teething rails to fit – I noticed that you have some for Clara in the top photos that look like they are segment? Where did you find them and do the work well? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Those were from Toys R Us (probably also at Babies R Us) and they work really well for us. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Laura says
With all this moving and shaking, how did you handle baby proofing? Our daughter is almost 6mos and I’m terrified to have big plushy foam pieces covering all of our furniture! I noticed that you haas some clear plastic strips on top of clara’s crib…what else have you done to help clara explore the house safely?
YoungHouseLove says
We just babyproof as we go (since every baby is different and gets into different types of trouble- haha). We anchored heavy objects like leaning mirrors and bookcases and filing cabinets, we put outlet covers all over the house, and we added plexi-glass to low hanging frames that were within her reach and secured them to the wall so she couldn’t pull them off. Other than that we haven’t put foam corners on anything since Clara was a late crawler and walker (she’s a very deliberate little girl, so she basically waited until she had the skills to master those activities and then did them without much wobbling or stumbling). So far so good, but every day she changes so we’re prepared to readjust and add safety stuff whenever necessary!
xo,
s
Laura Bellamy says
Here is an idea you may like. My sister has made several doll houses. The cutest idea was a bookcase (or even a cabinet with a door.) Each shelf was a room (or two if it is wide) It is up off the floor and easily acccessible. She used cork (decorated with colored markers and varnished) for flooring, scrapebook paper for the wallpaper and she made her own little furniture from blocks of scrape lumber (quite durable) It was soooo cute.
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Thanks for the tips!
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
I come from a long line of re-arrangers. My great-grandfather liked to say that he would never come home and go to bed in the dark, because the bed was never in the same place! Clara’s room is so sweet!
Heather says
It looks lovely! Sophisticated & modern. I like the mobiles(are they mobiles?) over the crib. Tres’ pretty.
I’m working on my ten-year-old’s room. It’s not so easy creating a room that will work for the tween through teenage years. How I miss those baby days! :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! Yes, those are little mobiles I made with wire and a big faux hydrangea flower from Micahels.
xo,
s
Rae says
Clara’s so smart for her age! You guys have done such a great job with her! :)
MichelleLG says
hey s, i’m sure you guys have answered this at some point, but where did you find the little cube ipod doc on Clara’s changing table. i am coveting it. ;o)
thanks!
m
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
It was actually a shower gift from my mom, and she got it off of Amazon. Here’s a link to it: http://www.amazon.com/iHome-Color-Changing-Speaker-System-Subwoofer/dp/B001NJ0PBG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313508423&sr=8-1
-John
MichelleLG says
whoops, never mind. i found it here: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/05/on-your-mark-get-set/
hhehee, guess that’s what the ol’ search function is for. :o)
Kate says
My dad built my sister & I a dollhouse 28 years ago. The address over the door is 1983 (the year he built it), I love that little detail. My dad agreed to pass the dollhouse down to his first grand-daughter (he currently has three grand-sons).
YoungHouseLove says
That’s such a cute detail! We should do that too!
xo,
s
Brandi says
TALK TO ME!
Amanda says
I’m sure you’ve seen this play house, http://pinterest.com/pin/58081592/ but it’s so cute I couldn’t not share it with you! Very modern, and lots of room to but wallpaper, paint and furniture!
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!
xo,
s
Brandan WH says
I really like the changes you’ve made to the room. It looks MUCH bigger than before. Maybe creating photography, but I’ll give you props! Enjoy decorating!
Shereen says
For even more time to sleep in the morning, you could lower the shelves that are over the crib so that she can reach them and add little toys and books that would be safe for her to play with alone. That way she can just wake up and grab them!
And on the dollhouse note, have you seen this DIY? It’s kind of awesome. http://www.nicegirlnotes.com/dollhouse
YoungHouseLove says
What an adorable dollhouse! Thanks for the link!
xo,
s
Corrie says
What toy does that fabric tape measure come from? I thought it might be from one of the Melissa & Doug sets, but I can’t seem to find it. I’m sure you’ve mentioned it before, but of course, I can’t seem to find that post either. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s actually from an Ikea set for $6 (it also has a fabric hammer, saw, and tool belt).
xo,
s
Lauren says
Such a little reader! What word book is that? I’m always looking for new ones.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s called Slide & Seek Colors. I think it’s on amazon (we got it as a gift from my mom).
xo,
s
Roeshel says
She is so adorable and I love the new arrangement. I re-arrange furniture/etc. every time I clean. It’s sort of a reward. My husband is usually unaware until he goes to sit and it makes the cat crazy! ;)
Kate says
I love the set up! So nice and light and workable. Can I ask where you found the punchy blue changing pad cover? I love it!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s an organic cover from diapers.com (we also got our organic teal sheet from there too). I think the color is called “mineral.” Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Virginia says
I am so amazed by Clara every time you post a video. I have read your birth story so many times, and I can’t imagine what a terrifying, devastating experience it was. What a blessing to see her develop so well and show her intelligence and skills more and more every day. I know you must be aware of how different her life could have been with so many birth complications, but she is truly a miracle. Your family is a beautiful and blessed bunch. I am so happy for you :)
Gwenalyn says
Yes I rearranged both of my kids’ rooms this weekend! Must have been in the air! http://randomrantingsofaramblingredhead.blogspot.com/2011/08/room-change-up.html
As far as DIYing a doll house, my dad built mine when I was 10 (I think) and my amazing grandmother made all of the furniture inside it using plastic canvas and yarn. It was the coolest thing! No one I knew had anything like it. Not to mention my Barbie’s loved it – and when the market was good they sold it to my beanie babies. ;)
When I was 12 I started using Sculpey Clay and made my own accessories. A few of them included; coffee mugs, plates, vases, crowns (my beanie babies were royalty) clay animals, hot dogs… I could go on and on! I had shoe-box’s full of the stuff. Even then I was rearranging furniture and changing out accessories!
Here’s a link showing what plastic canvas can do.
http://www.karenwiant.com/design_detail_pages/Victorian_Doll_House.html
I want to clarify that my dollhouse was made out of plywood, but it had the same layout as this house. It was about 36″ wide by 24″ tall and 16″ deep.
I’m going to be picking the house up from my parents in the next couple of months, I can’t wait to set it up in my daughter’s room. Hopefully she will be as excited as I was! I wish I had pictures to show you because it was so cool!
What I’m trying to say is: DIYing a dollhouse is a great idea and Clara will love it! Having a gift that’s made especially for you is the best feeling ever when you’re a kid (or an adult). :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that the beanie babies were royalty!
xo,
s
Faith says
love Love LOVE it! Unfortunately, we are house sitting for my parents while they work out of state, so we can’t make any permanent changes (boo… because you guys have given me so many neat ideas!). I give myself the redecorating thrill by shuffling furniture around, and I rearranged my son’s bedroom a couple of weeks ago. He loves helping me push things around the room! This last time his happy little four year old heart was tickled beyond words when we found one of his beloved trains that had gone awol (under the bed). Our French Bulldog got in on the action too, by jumping on and off the bed while we pushed it around. Can’t wait for my parents to come back to KS so we can get outta here and I can start using all of the ideas I’ve bookmarked on your blog!
Bridgette says
I wanted to reach through the video and clap my hands and nibble on her cheeks. She is so smart and that is awesome that you can see her looking at all the pictures and then that “lightbulllb” moment when she see’s it. I love kids.
We also rearrange our furniture. We like to do it about three times a year, it gives a us a feeling of a makeover with no money spent.
Barbara says
Work is getting in the way of my younghouselove reading so I am a little behind, and if you have already addressed this somewhere please forgive. But…Clara’s blue fan, did you buy it like that, did you spray paint it? I love the way it matches the changing table cover, it’s fantastic! Do tell!
YoungHouseLove says
That was actually from target.com a while back (but we’ve seen them on amazon.com too- it’s called a Deco Breeze fan in “Sky”). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Barbara says
Sa-weet! Thank you so much x
Teresa says
Hey! Someone may have already asked this, but that book in the video, can I get some info? My LO loves to read, and I have been looking for a book like that(albeit not looking hard).
Love the arrangement and all of the clever little touches in her room! She has many years of fun room “changes” ahead of her I am sure!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s called Slide & Seek Colors (I think it’s on amazon.com). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Liz @ the cabbage patch says
Stoooooppppp putting up such awesome stuff that makes me want to run out to the local hardware store :( :( :( (and makes my wonderful boyfriend shake his head in dismay as I get excited about yet another “I wanna do this!” project :P)
Cris says
I just love her room! It’s really cute! And Clara is just too adorable! :)
Jessica says
i’m sorry if its been discussed, but the floral globes above her changing table are fabulous! so whimsical and fresh! where can i find these, or is this a DIY??
XO.J
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s a link for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/03/nursery-progress-makin-a-mobile/
We had so much fun DIYing them!
xo,
s
Kim says
Was flipping through a magazine and saw the pictures of Clara’s room and loved the crib. Where did you find a simple looking crib – we’re having trouble finding something reasonable with clean lines!
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s the whole crib hunting adventure for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/02/nursery-progress-crib-notes/
xo,
s
Brooke says
I apologize for the following partially-related (and delayed) question.
When you moved, did you have to take apart Clara’s crib, or were you able to keep it assembled as it moved to the new house?
My son has a very similar crib, and we’re moving next month. I’ve read that it’s not particularly recommended to take apart and resassemble cribs for safety/sturdiness reasons. We know that the crib is just barely too large to fit out of his nursery room door, so we’re contemplating taking the door off the hinges rather than disassembling the crib. We’re unsure, however, if we’ll have trouble moving it into the new house in one piece.
I was just wondering if you happened to run into a similar problem during your move.
Thanks!
(P.S. I always love all of the Clara-related posts and videos!)
YoungHouseLove says
We disassembled it and put it back together. It’s still going great and is just as sturdy! Hope it helps!
xo,
s