Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Kids Bedroom Makeover.....because I feel UTTERLY lazy and unmotivated to be whitty and clever right now. And also, it's super cute and I never showed the before and afters properly.

What can I say?  I've been a bit BLAH the last two days.  I'm not sure why, but sometimes, that cloud comes a crowdin ove your head and it just is what it is.  However, I have this redonkulous problem of checking everyones blogs and then feeling like I should have something new on mine.  Really, I have a PROBLEM.  The worst part is...I have too many ideas in my head, which then translates into, not writing any of them.  RETARDED!

Anywho, when we found this house, it was of course completely painted in awful not quite white.  I had NO idea what I was going to do for the kids room.  I LOVED Maggies room that i did in the old apartment, but I couldn't transfer that to this because the room was now a boy/girl room.





Really, I loved everything about this room.  The colors that were so not typical little girl, the high chair rail I added, the throw away dresser my sister had in her garage and I painted black.  Even the non matching brown dresser, because it was handmade by Jeres Grandpa.  And I truly LOVE my beautiful black crib.  But, as you can see, it was girl bedding, and I wasn't gonna go add a chair rail in our rental house and it was just time for something new.  Just WHAT that new was, was a mystery to me.  But all things I've decorated are.  I NEVER have an idea what I'm doing.  Some piece will catch my eye, and then I go from there.

So this:



The new house happened to come with a white crib.  I planned on giving it to my Bro., but he ended up not wanting it.  So, I said, "meh, I'll keep it and make it work."  Then I remembered this adorable blanket that my friend Melissa had made for me when she first found out I was pregnant, with a boy.  And there it was....the inspiration for my room.  I was going to paint the room in a deconstructed plaid, to match the blanket.  No one got my vision.  They pretty much thought I was retarded or daft.  But, I knew it could work.  It took 4 different paints and painting times, a lot of tape and A LOT of patience, but I have to say, in the end, it was exactly what I wanted.  Then, I decided that the black dresser would just HAVE to work, and you know what, it does.  Finally, I had my beloved Carson make me some bedskirts and a window valance all out of white muslin. I did all of those for probably 30 bucks, with the ribbon trim included.  I even put blue ribbon around the lamp shade.  All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the turn out.


Became this:



Feel free to disregard the HIDEOUS and pink bed guard there.  However, we thank Gramma Peg, because it has actually saved Maggie a time or 12 from falling out of the bed.  That girl is a mad, crazy sleeper.  Also, hanging on the wall there is her blessing dress.  I think they make great decoration, and don't believe they should be hidden in some box or closet.
Please note my inspiration blanket.  Isn't it so the cutest? I heart Melissa so for making it and picking the cutest fabric ever.  Especially because this is the FIRST thing she ever sewed.  Do you see my wall inspiration now?  See, I'm NOT retarded, or daft.
I painted this bed white.  Total freebee from Auntie Julie.  Thank goodness.  I'm not sure that I'm done with the bedding, but it was at least a start.  I'd like to find some pillows to tie it in, but just haven't seem them yet.  I was happy to be able to reuse many of the elements from Maggies last room, including her name and the green polka dot ribbon.
I also reused the mirrors (there used to be 3 more smaller ones, she broke them) and the flowers, just changing out the red for the blue.  And the stackable boxes were an awesome find the first time around at Home Goods.  I told you, I lurve that place.

The solid blue stripe was a hideous beast to paint, simply for the fact that the cielings in this place are completely crooked.  So, we used a laser level and everything, but low an behold as we rounded this corner by the door, the wall above the cribs blue line was now like six inches higher than the rest.  So, after alot of refiguring, we just eyeballed it and called it good.  Mostly, you don't notice.  But, if you're a crazy perfectionist, don't ever look too closely at anything Ive painted.

So, there you have it. Kid room decorating by yours truly.  And yes Mom, I never intended to have green and blue everywhere, but somehow the bathroom became a much more vibrant version of their room.  Oh well, it works nicely.  Now all I'm missing is something to go over Max's crib and his name.  Any ideas?  I've been stumped on that one for, well, 9 months.


Polka dots and plaid,

Allyson

22 comments:

Cookie Mama said...

Okay I'm still on the bathroom makeover and now I see this post and realize we might have had the same public school education but a crapy education does not determine our talents later in life. I apparently stink at the whole home décor thing which I guess they didn't teach us in school anyway.

Someday you will have to look at the post I did on painting ONE wall in my son’s room. It is still a very bad subject in our house.

p.s. I am in l-o-v-e with both of those rooms and you must have tons of patience, at least when it comes to painting I would have hurt someone by the end of those stripes.

Melissa said...

You've been posting a lot lately! I like it. And I like the bathroom and bedroom. Very cute.

Unknown said...

I love the colors you chose. The room is beautiful! Thanks for stopping by.

LadyCarma said...

You are truly a room artist! I love both rooms but didn't post on the bathroom because I was busy, but just had to add my "awe" today. Thanks for the post. In case you haven't thought of this: recover older, less desirable throw pillows. I have done that a ton. They are really easy to do and cute fabric can make a huge difference. Plus, buying "new" throw pillows can add up. You find the fabric and old pillows and I will sew them for you when I come to town.

Kellie said...

You did a great job bringing both boy and girl colors into the room. Very posh!

Minky Moo said...

Please come over and help me with Max's room. This is adorable!

erin said...

you are a decorating fiend! i love it!

jen said...

I was thinking Max may get a complex f his name's not on the wall too. But I'm with you--kinda stumped on that one. I'll keep thinking.

Greg and Tammy said...

Super cute Allyson! You should become a personal decorator for people. Especially those on a budget! You are impressive. I have Emma's blessing dress hanging in her room as well. She calls it her wedding dress and stares at it longingly.

larainydays said...

I love makeovers because I feel like I accomplished it by just looking at all your hard work! Great job and darling ideas.

Jason and Kate said...

So cute! I tried to comment on the bathroom post but it wouldn't let me. You are truly a great designer. I made a blanket for my SIL with the same fabric.

Jenn C. said...

Again Amazing! My kids have begged me to not have all white walls in our new house so I am looking for inspiration! Please come over and give me any ideas that come!

cheri said...

this room rocks! i wish i were as creative as you :)

maybe you can have the blessing dress preserved and framed...

shuttling in from SITS :)

Holly Lefevre said...

It is wonderful...all of the details and repurposing...a lady after my own heart!

Mel said...

awww I love this post. Your kids' room really is quite cute! That was the first and last thing I've ever sown. hahaha

Anonymous said...

I came across your blog recently from a link on a friend's blog. I enjoy looking at your darling kiddos and love reading your posts. Great job on the decorating/remodel project, too! I am not one of those people who trolls around leaving rude comments on people's blog, but wanted to mention one tiny little thing...I noticed that more than once you referred to things as "retarded" or "retard." I know in today's society people say it with absolutely no intentions to offend anyone with a disability. As a Mom of a child with a disability, I just wanted to mention that I kind of winced a little when I read that word on your blog. Just a little thing, I know, but I often hear people use the term "retarded" in reference to random things without realizing how this might affect parents and families of children with special needs. I totally know you didn't mean anything by it. I'd hate for your regular readers who may have a child or family member who is handi-capable to be hurt by that word. But like I said,otherwise I really enjoy reading your blog. I'm glad I recently ran across it!....LDS Mom to a sweet child with Down Syndrome

Steph said...

Such cute makeovers! Want to come do my baby's room when we finally get a house? :)

Theta Mom said...

I'm impressed - very adorable!

And thanks so mch for visiting Theta Mom!

Jen @ ourfinehouse said...

Great job!! Such a sweet room.

Stopping by from SITS.

Judy@grammyreads.com said...

Wow! I love that. You must be super satisfied with all your hard work! What's next?

Rita Templeton said...

Wow! You have such a sense of style! I love the way you drew inspiration from the blanket. That color combination is gorgeous!

Carrie said...

that is a fabulous room! I'm inspired now to think about my younger daughter's room makeover for when she upgrades from baby room to big girl room :)

Visiting from SITS