Mwah, hah, hah. Picture me laughing like a cartoon villain while rubbing my hands together maniacally. That’s sort of how I feel when I get to the “finishing touches” part of a room. Home stretch bay-bay!
Remember how the middle makes no sense? Well, this weekend I think we rounded a corner thanks to a few small tie-things-together updates (you know, between all the board & batten we’re furiously installing/caulking/painting for Wednesday’s big reveal). So let’s take a look-see, shall we?
As you can see, we finally got a new sheet set for the daybed (just a basic navy blue 100% cotton set from Target for a twin bed) to replace the worn and faded old tan fitted sheet that has lived on this daybed for almost six years since we got it. We also grabbed a cushy mattress pad while we were at it, just to make the bed Clara-ready whenever she wants to officially move in (she’s still happy to sleep in her crib so we’re following her lead).
Oh and we ended up rotating the rug the other way (don’t know what took us so long!) when we finally realized that we got more dots out of it that way (lots of them were hiding under the daybed when it was the other direction). We liked the idea of walking in and seeing a gradient from the door, which is why we originally put it the other way, but we realized (duh!) that there’s actually a gradient on both sides, so seeing a gradient + dots when you walk in = even more fun.
Among the other small changes, you might notice that we finally added the storage baskets for toys & books that were on our list (in those little corners on either side of the daybed). They involved a little “customization” – which made for a fun afternoon project. They’re the same $25 baskets we’ve had from Target all over the house (you’ve seen them here and randomly in the background on Instagram)…
… and I decided to add a playful band of white along the bottom. I just thought some light paint could brighten them up so the corners where they’ll live won’t look all dark and shadowy. All I did was use a garbage bag to tape off the tops of each one and some Frog Tape to hold the bag down so we’d have a nice clean line.
A few coats of Rustoleum Universal spray paint later (it has built-in primer and a trigger finger thing to pull, so it’s my favorite)…
… and these guys were looking pretty spiffy. The funny thing is that I wondered if any of the spray would pass through the cracks of the basket when it was upside down and get on the inside, but it didn’t at all, so it was a really easy project (no pouring a gallon of paint into a giant plastic bin and manually dipping the baskets or anything like that).
The one to the right of the daybed is full of toys and stuffed animals and games and puzzles, while the one on the left of the daybed is full of her favorite books.
It’s nice to add some function to those formerly unoccupied corners on either side of the bed.
And I like that the layout is flexible enough to replace the baskets with nightstands if we’d rather go that route when she’s old enough for an alarm clock or a cup of water by the bed.
As for the added art project that you caught a peek at here, we’re back with the details for everyone that asked.
You might remember that we bought those red dominoes and old scrabble letters that spell “love” at a secondhand store in Austin called Uncommon Objects (more on that here) and I specifically had Clara’s big girl room in mind when I did, since they perfectly echoed the colors going on in here and I knew I could make them into some easy yet meaningful art. See, 143 is pager code for I love you (it’s the number of letters in each word) so that’s why the dominoes are doubles of 1, 4, and 3. And of course the scrabble letters that spell out love above them hammer it home: we have no shortage of love for the bean.
When it came to actually framing them, I grabbed an old Ikea frame that we already had (are you sensing that we have a stack of unused frames lying around at all times? because we do) and removed the glass frame in front. This was my alternative to running out and buying a shadowbox, since I thought everything would look just as cute in a glass-less frame and you know we love using what we have.
Another fun little project was one that I got to do with Clara to add a little personalization over the Peruvian poncho that we framed above her play kitchen.
We had a grand old time painting this wooden wall plaque that says her name together (which was homemade by an insanely talented and generous reader from one of our signings- how amazing is that?!). When I asked her what colors she wanted to paint it, it was no surprise when she said red (red & pink have been her two favorite colors for a while now) so we got some red craft paint out.
I got in on the fun too (mostly I did the harder-to-reach corners and smoothed things out a little while she went to town on everything else). It only took about fifteen minutes (and one coat of paint, which surprised me) but she talked about it the rest of the day. So we definitely will be doing more crafts like this together. I loved just focusing on something fun with her. And you know I love to see her rock a paintbrush…
It’s cool that as this room has evolved, Clara has gradually grown to have more things to do in her big girl room – between her play-kitchen corner, the fun games and toys in her closet…
… the toy and book baskets we just added, and the hooks on the wall that hold her hair clips/headbands/necklaces.
But one of her favorite things is still fake-sleeping in her big girl bed. Cutest thing ever. Seriously, come over and see it firsthand. It involves fake snoring.
Oh and how can I forget her other favorite spot. Her little tea-party table. There’s always someone chowing down there (from a doll to a stuffed animal). Sometimes there are even tiny plastic animal meetings where twelve or so of them congregate on the table. And I love the pop of bright color that the red chair-backs add. Not that the various stuffed & plastic animals seem to notice them.
Today it looks like Clara’s cute penguin dressed as a chihuahua (more on him here) is having a nice nutritional breakfast of eggs, cookies, and ketchup. You know, the usual.
Oh and when it comes to adding those navy sheets, they definitely look sweet with the heart pillow on top (a Joss & Main find a little while back) and Clara still loves gazing up at her birdcages (and the cool shadows they make at night), so we’re glad that we went with those guys to fill that bare wall-space instead of just bringing in more framed art. Once she has proven that she doesn’t want to swing around on them like a monkey (so far so good) we might add some fun toys or faux birds or butterflies down the line, but for now we don’t want to entice her to try to scale the wall. Haha!
Speaking of some other not-framed art, we’ve all been having a lot of fun with the flash card shelves over the dresser. As you can probably tell, we’ve switched out some of the cards for other fun and random objects that Clara likes to look at. And since she has a bunch of flash cards down at her disposal in her toy basket, it’s nice to have some shelving that’s out of her reach for adding more “delicate things” to the mix – like metallic prints of a rhino and an aardvark that we got from a local art fair along with a few cool pop-art Clara prints that a reader named Jenna sweetly gave to us during one of our tour stops. I’d love to add some of Clara’s own art work up here too…
We also brought a few more of Clara’s favorite toys in here from her nursery (like her wooden stacking tree and her lettered blocks). Since the red bowl on her desk is lightweight and made of metal I love that it’s not breakable like a ceramic bowl would be – so it has worked really well for bringing the blocks down to the floor whenever we want to play with them (sometimes not having all of her toys on the floor somehow makes them more enticing to her). The bowl’s actually from Ikea a while back and I just spray painted it bright red (it was white originally).
So there you go. A few baskets I painted, a name plaque for the wall that Clara helped me with, new sheets for the bed, some homemade domino art, and more toys/games/books in the room. It’s really starting to feel like a room instead of a “room in progress.” Although we still have a few last things on the ol’ to-do list:
paint the room(more on that here)cut down our old den side table to make a play table(more on that here)bring in a dresser (we’d love to find something secondhand)(more on that here)
make/hang some curtains(more on that here)
add a rug(more on that here)
make a frame collage full of animals Clara loves, and even some Clara art(more on that here)paint the backs of the chairs along with her play table(more on that here)hang our postcard ledges and fill them with favorite flashcards(more on that here)install a new light fixture(more on that here)hang a few 3D objects that we have in mind for wall decor (how’s that for cryptic?)(more on that here)
turn the junked up closet into an actual clothes closet/reading nook(more on that here)get a new set of sheets for the daybed (most likely in navy) along with a cushy mattress padadd accessories like more toys, storage bins, personalized art, etc- refinish or paint Clara’s new dresser (which we got here)
- add crown molding (along with tackling the other un-crown-molding-ed bedrooms on this side of the house)
- paint the closet and the ceiling a fun color (maybe soft coral or blue?)
Hope you guys have enjoyed seeing this room come together day by day over the course of a month or two, just like we tackled Clara’s nursery back in the day. Ah memories. And as much as I loved her little nursery in our first house (it was always my favorite place to be) I think her big girl room is my favorite spot in our current house, so I’m glad it’s not just a first-love thing with kids rooms (I thought maybe I’d never feel the same excitement as I did that first time). Turns out it’s fun every time. Haha!
What did you guys do this weekend? Anyone else working on board & batten? We can’t wait to reveal the full monty on Wednesday!
Peg says
I LOVE your blog. With that said, I’m unsubscribing from the emails and have added you to my favorites list instead. For whatever reason, all the emails were a day or 2 behind…
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we’ve always kept the email subscription set so that it delivers at the end of the day (that way you don’t get two emails flooding your inbox on the days when we post twice – we figure it’s much less annoying to bundle them as one email at the end of the day). Hope that explains it!
xo
s
Jessica says
Spray painting the baskets is a great idea! I recently purchased a couple of these baskets for my son’s toys (he’s 7 months) so I’m not quite ready to alter them, but it’s a great idea to tuck away for the future!
Ian says
Great stuff, I think all kids should be able to choose the colour of their bedrooms.
Although teenagers might need to choose from a prior ‘approved palate’, after all, black is such a pig to paint out once they fly the nest lol!
New to the blog after seeing you on the BBC, your energy levels are mind boggling :-)
Stay well
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Ian! So glad you found us :)
xo
s
Nicole says
Michael’s has mini birdcages in your color scheme…..might be cute for Clara’s doll house!
YoungHouseLove says
Ahh, so cute!
xo
s
Katherine says
So, Clara’s room seems to contain a LOT of spray painted items and it sounds like you just bought a mattress pad from Target. I don’t remember the details on the daybed mattress, but I’m guessing it’s not organic like Clara’s mattress and your current mattress. Are you no longer concerned about off-gassing chemicals and VOCs, especially in a kid’s room with items she’ll be using a lot (the cradle/chair/baskets etc)?
The rug looks a lot better to me this way but I still don’t feel like it matches the bedspread. Also, the navy sheet looks so out of place in that room! It doesn’t match the curtains or the shade. Have you tried white or pink sheets to pull in the color from the rug?
YoungHouseLove says
Great questions! The mattress pad is actually from Buy Buy Baby & it’s organic. We opted out of an organic mattress since we’ve had this daybed for almost 6 yrs, so my understanding is that new mattresses off-gas a lot but years later they’re done. Whew! As for the spray painted items, we let them air out in the sun (which speeds off-gassing) and leave them in the sealed off sunroom for a while (also to keep fumes out). Only when they no longer have an odor do I bring them in. Since Clara won’t be sleeping on ’em every night (and she no longer sucks on things or puts them in her mouth) we think they’ll work well. And we can seal anything that still has an odor with Safecoat Acrylacq (which is a low-VOC, non-toxic alternative to poly that pros use to seal in bad things like lead). We used it with her train board for example.
When it comes to the daybed sheets, we love the navy (they balance out the navy up high in the light and in the curtains by bringing some of the color down lower in the room). But white or pink sheets might work for someone else! Lot’s of ways to skin that cat ;)
xo
s
Alisha says
Love it! Where did you get her cover?
YoungHouseLove says
It was from Joss & Main a little while back!
xo
s
heyruthie says
THANK YOU for switching the rug! I was that crazy posted from a few weeks ago who was BEGGING you to do it. I’m breathing such a huge sigh of relief when I see this room now. I’m so silly. The room looks fab.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah, sorry it took us so long!
xo
s
Stephanie says
Oh yes! I’ll admit at first I wasn’t too fond of the room, it was too- blah… It’s awesome how the little things really bring it all together! Great room!
Rachel says
I love that you’re playing with color, especially in a “big girl” room. I think I might be one of the few that isn’t quite feeling it, though. I love the pink, red, and grey, but the navy is not doing it for me. Sorry guys!
YoungHouseLove says
No worries at all! As long as we like it (and most of all, Clara likes it) we’re happy! I’m sure 50 moms & dads would make 50 different choices in their own kids rooms – and that’s the fun part :)
xo
s
Raffaella says
Hi!
I just had to send you this link for a dresser refinishing I found….When I saw it I thought of the one in Clara’s room, as it looks very similar in structure/shape:
http://wraysist3rs.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-red-dresser.html
It has even been refinished in one of Clara’s favourite colour! :-)
Though I love your dresser even in his “un-refinished” state (and yes I am looking around for a similar one for my house! ;-) ) I just thought you’d like to see this to help with your decisions!
Love your blog!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for sharing the link. It’s beautiful!
-John
Mary says
Clara’s room is really coming together–so cute! Do tell–where did you find the (faux?) leather pouf? Been searching but don’t want to spend $$$ that most are going for. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
This one’s from Joss & Main (I see them on there a lot so hold out for a good price since it seems to fluctuate).
xo
s
Lauren says
I’m loving her room!! I just saw baskets at Target that were partially painted like this. Didn’t catch the price, but I’m sure yours were cheaper and look just as good.
Maybe I missed it in one of your posts, but whatever happened to the poster you bought from Ikea for Clara’s big girl room (shown in this post)? https://www.younghouselove.com/2012/08/window-shopping-ikeas-new-stuff/
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny I was just looking at that today. There’s a bare wall in her nursery (funny how the walls in her big girl room filled up faster than the room she’s been in for years!) so it might end up in there!
xo
s
Ashley Brown says
Aww yay! So glad to see the little origami rhino! So glad you & Clara like him. :) He fits right in on that shelf!
YoungHouseLove says
LOVE him Ashley! He’s amazing!
xo
s
Erin says
Where did you guys get the pouf? I’ve been looking for an affordable but good quality option and would love to know your source. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s from Joss & Main a while back (wait for a sale since their prices seem to go up and down – they have them at HomeGoods too sometimes).
xo
s
Rachel A says
Where did Clara’s white tea party table come from? Was that a homemade or a bought and refinished piece? I’m looking for a table for my daughter and that is exactly what I’m looking for. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
That was actually a side table from Target that we got around 5 years ago and then topped with a larger wood “round” (from Lowe’s) to make the top bigger, and then we cut it down to be the right height for her chairs. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Helen says
It’s really nice, and not too grownuppy which I see a lot in kid rooms on design blogs. Minimal, happy, not too kiddy-gender-specific, flexible!
Kelsey Niese says
I absolutely love Clara’s big girl room. While I was watching Home by Novogratz I came across this room..
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=VnzQJXCgHYHqeM&tbnid=HB_BMsb9d_dtJM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hgtv.ca%2Fblog%2Fdiscuss-home-by-novogratz-episodes-7-and-8%2F&ei=1JBZUc_RO6iLywGii4CoDA&bvm=bv.44442042,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNFn2i0X11Y6D7E2GMLxfAsp9CDyew&ust=1364910672361366
(scroll down to baby room in pink)
It reminded me a lot of Clara’s. I was wondering if you found the Novogratz as inspiration? Would you describe their style similar to yours?
YoungHouseLove says
Such a cute room! We’ve never seen it but it’s definitely inspiring! We love their style, although I’d name Sarah Richardson as my biggest influence (her bright pops of color = my jam). We met the Novogratz at a book event and they were amazing. So friendly!
xo
s
Alanna says
Sherry,
Found this link today:
How To: Make Animal Stir-Sticks
http://www.curbly.com/users/diy-maven/posts/14865-how-to-make-animal-stir-sticks
Given your love of ceramic animals, these little humdingers seemed to fit the bill for an entire ceramic “Animal House”. Enjoy.
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo
s
Rebecca says
I was wondering where you got Clara’s daybed? I’m sorry if that’s already been asked, I can’t seem to find it!
YoungHouseLove says
No worries, it’s from West Elm about 6 years ago. It was a wedding present from John’s God mother :)
xo
s
MIRANDA WILLIAMS says
Just curious on how you plan on “dressing” Clara’s daybed? We are looking at getting a daybed for our toddler when she transitions out of her crib and I found a bedding set with duvet cover that I love but not sure how that would work with the daybed. Are you planning on adding a comforter at all or just sticking with the quilt & pillows?
YoungHouseLove says
Right now she just sleeps with a little blanket, so I think the quilt will do for a while and then I’ll add something thicker (like a duvet) if she gets older and wants one :)
xo
s
Tonia says
Who makes and where did you purchase the pink, red, gray and white quilt?
Love the whole room.
YoungHouseLove says
It was on Joss & Main and the tag says “Happy Habitat” – hope it helps!
xo
s
Wendy says
Lovely, lovely!! You guys are so talented!! You probably have this info somewhere, but I couldn’t find it. Can you please let me know where you got the day bed? It’s fabulous!!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s from West Elm about 6 years ago :)
xo
s
Hannah says
So cute! I’m scheming my bedroom redo ;)Where did you find that floor pouf thing?! I’ve seen them everywhere, but I don’t know where to find them! I’m also leaning towards a hot pink as my main color! It’s called Dragon Fruit by Sherwin Williams :) Anyways, it looks fantastic!!
Hannah says
And when I said I’ve seen them every where… I meant people using them in bedrooms…I have not found them for sale. haha
YoungHouseLove says
Ours was from Joss & Main. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Leah says
Love all the details – I somehow missed this post when you first wrote it, but caught it today thanks to the link in today’s post…anyway…where did you get the elephant and giraff wall hooks? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Those are from Anthropologie from a friend of ours. So pretty, right?!
xo
s
Jessica says
Hi Sherry,
What type of mattress do you use for the daybed? I’m thinking of buying a daybed from West Elm, and I need to buy a twin mattress for it. It says on the West Elm website that the daybed fits “a standard twin mattress”, so I’m guessing any regular twin mattress sold by most mattress stores should fit? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we just have an old twin mattress on ours and use a fitted sheet and it’s good to go!
xo
s
Jessica says
Thanks so much Sherry! I appreciate your response :) Enjoy the weekend!
Emilie R says
Love the entire room!!! And the daybed is adorable… Where did you get it??? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s from West Elm about 7 years ago. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Kelly says
Hi Sherry!
I love the room and hopefully by now Clara is enjoying it full time. We have 15 month old twins and I love getting ideas from your blog and in fact just ordered your book. I know I’m a little late but we’ve had other things going on the last few years! I’m finally getting things updated around here and figuring out what works for our family. We are neat people and keeping things in order with twins has been important to us. I’m all over some baskets and whatever else to keep things in their place. One question on painting these baskets. Did you use flat or satin? It looks flat but I just wanted to be sure.
Also could you tell me how old Clara was when you did the play kitchen and dollhouse. I think it was 2 and 3 but again wanted to ask. I’m always researching what the next step is for them and don’t want to jump the gun too soon on things. This often leads to a big list of things I want to do like yesterday and stressing the hubby out with growing his honey do list. :)
Y’all are just adorable and thank you for all the inspiration! Hope Teddy is all settled in. Our twins were born 6 weeks early in January 2013 after a difficult pregnancy and bedrest starting at 21 weeks and 4 trips to the hospital. They came home middle of March. We didn’t make it out of the house again to anything other than the doctor until July. I’m amazed at all you are able to do with a 4 year old and a newborn. I’m finally feeling like our house is a home thanks to you.
Sorry for the long comment!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet Kelly! Congrats on the twins! For the baskets it was just acrylic paint in whatever finishes we had (I think some was flat and the metallic stuff was satin). As for the kitchen and the dollhouse, she still plays with both and she’s 4! I think a great range would be 2+ for them. Hope it helps!
xo
s