Who’s ready for the enchanting coming-of-age story of a room? Not just any room, but a vibrant space that has gracefully evolved, mirroring the growth and changing personality of its young occupant. It’s a journey of discovery, transformation, and embracing new phases with a whole lot of heart. (*Cue the whimsical soundtrack of a beloved romantic comedy*). If this room were a character, it would undoubtedly be played by someone as adaptable and charming as Reese Witherspoon.
Recent updates to our daughter’s bedroom have sparked a delightful realization: this space has undergone a truly remarkable evolution since we first moved in three years ago. Much like we previously shared the journey of our last house’s master bedroom, we felt it would be equally enjoyable to chronicle the changes here. We are firm believers in the iterative design process – the “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again… and again, and again” philosophy. This approach is particularly effective when tackling the puzzle of how a room should look and, more importantly, how it needs to function. The added dimension of designing for a child who has grown from a three-year-old toddler to a six-year-old “big kid” makes looking back on this evolution especially fun and rewarding.
Let’s take a delightful trip down memory lane, shall we? When we initially purchased our current home, this particular room had a very distinct, albeit dated, character. It featured charmingly periwinkle blue trim that wrapped around the room, contrasting with old, wall-to-wall carpeting. The space certainly had potential, but it was clear it needed a fresh canvas for its future resident.
Before we even unpacked a single box, our renovation efforts began in earnest. Our first significant step was to remove the existing carpet. This immediate change created a cleaner, more open feel, setting the stage for the lighter, airier aesthetic we envisioned.
Next, we tackled the trim. The distinctive periwinkle was replaced by a crisp, bright white. We meticulously sprayed all the baseboards and doors, transforming them with a fresh coat of white paint. This seemingly simple change instantly brightened the room, providing a neutral backdrop for future decorating choices and reflecting our desire for a clean, modern foundation.
The flooring was another crucial element. To complete the foundational overhaul, we installed beautiful hardwood floors. This not only added warmth and character but also ensured a durable, easy-to-clean surface that would stand up to years of playful activity. The decision to go with hardwood throughout the house, including this bedroom, was one of the best we made, offering timeless appeal and a cohesive flow.
On the very day we moved in, the room largely consisted of our existing furniture, placed in a temporary arrangement. It stayed this way for a little while as we settled into our new home. You can even spot some paint overspray on the walls from our swift trim-painting efforts – a charming reminder of the whirlwind of moving and renovations!
Eventually, the room began to truly reflect our daughter’s personality and our evolving design vision. We painted the room a soft, calming white, complemented by a delicate pink ceiling – a subtle touch that added warmth and a playful element. We also made a few quick decor swaps. Initially, we had placed a pink rug, but the afternoon sun was so intensely bright that it bounced off the rug, casting a vibrant hot pink glow throughout the entire room. To mitigate this dazzling effect, we swapped it out for a blue rug we already had on hand, which immediately softened the light. We also experimented with some patterned curtains we owned, simply to see how they would look in the space. This early stage really highlighted the importance of testing design elements in real-world conditions.
The next charming addition was a simple fabric canopy installed gracefully over her daybed. Using readily available store-bought brackets and fabric adorned with a whimsical blue pom-pom fringe along one side, we created a cozy, dreamy nook. This DIY project added a touch of magic and softness, instantly transforming the bed into a special retreat. You can find the full tutorial here.
Following this, we embarked on a more architectural upgrade: installing crown molding. We opted for an “extra beefy” design, which added significant character and definition to the room. Simultaneously, we introduced a bold pop of color with a playful pink closet door. To further inject fun and personality, we adorned one wall with colorful painted raindrops. These whimsical details transformed the room, making it truly unique and reflective of a child’s imagination. You can get the full rundown on paint colors, steps, and techniques for this creative project.
The rug situation saw another change as the navy/teal one, while lovely, always felt a tad too large for the space. We found an excellent replacement in this new rug, which had originally graced our living room. Its lighter color scheme provided a fresh, breezier feel on the floor, especially after we found a large Turkish rug for the living area. This lighter rug inspired another delightful DIY: dyeing the existing curtains a soft pink (more on that detailed process shortly). For about 18 months, the room maintained this charming look, a snapshot of which was even captured for our second book, Lovable Livable Home.
Now, let’s pivot our attention to the other side of the room, which also has its own unique story of transformation. Initially, this area was home to our daughter’s crib, as she continued to sleep there for the first several months after we moved in. We had actually anticipated her transitioning to a “big kid bed” much earlier, even having a daybed ready for her in our previous home. However, she pleasantly surprised us all by happily staying in her crib until she was three and a half years old! This served as a great reminder that children often dictate the pace of their own developmental milestones, including sleep transitions.
Once the crib was no longer needed, we strategically moved her dresser into this newly opened space. This particular dresser holds a special place in our hearts, as it’s a piece we lovingly refinished to serve as a changing table in her original nursery in our first home. It has truly stood the test of time, serving her exceptionally well throughout all six years of her life and transitioning seamlessly from a nursery essential to a functional bedroom piece. We have high hopes that this sturdy, well-built furniture will continue to be a staple in her room even when she enters her teenage years – a true testament to the value of durable, classic pieces!
It’s worth mentioning that this wall also served a temporary, creative purpose as a demonstration surface for a unique stenciling project. This detailed DIY was proudly featured in our second book. While we absolutely loved the intricate pattern and how it turned out, we realized it didn’t quite harmonize with the playful raindrops adorning the opposite wall. In a true spirit of child-led design, we let Clara cast her vote. She decisively chose to keep the raindrops, so the beautiful stencils, though admired, were eventually painted over, proving that sometimes even the best design ideas yield to a child’s preference.
In its current iteration, this wall presents a more refined yet still playful aesthetic. The reliable dresser remains a central fixture, now beautifully complemented by the new, lighter rug and a charming lampshade update. For this, I gave an old white lampshade a fresh look using a soft watercolor technique. I simply wet the fabric completely with a paintbrush before lightly brushing on some light blue fabric paint, creating a subtle, artistic effect. To add a final touch of delight, we incorporated a fun pink mirror – a piece that Clara and I were both instantly enamored with and simply couldn’t pass up. This combination of practicality and whimsy truly defines the space now.
For a clearer perspective, let’s observe the evolution of this particular wall as seen from the doorway. It offers a wonderful visual timeline of growth and adaptation. It begins with the initial setup featuring the crib, a symbol of her early years in this home.
…then transitions to the more functional arrangement with the dresser, marking a shift in her needs as she outgrew the crib.
…and finally, we arrive at its current state, several years later, adorned with all our carefully considered “tweakity-tweak-tweaks.” (On a delightful side note: how utterly charming is the doll bunk bed we crafted last Christmas? It’s truly hilarious to observe the various items that find their way tucked into it each night, ranging from toy trucks and original drawings to paper towel tubes with expressive faces drawn on them. It’s a sweet testament to her boundless imagination!)
The other primary wall in the room, located next to the main door, also experienced its own gradual and significant transformation. Once the dresser found its new home on the wall previously occupied by the crib, this area became a dedicated zone for play and imagination. It proudly housed her beloved play kitchen and accompanying refrigerator, fostering countless hours of creative play and make-believe culinary adventures.
This play space eventually received a thoughtful upgrade, enhancing both its functionality and aesthetic appeal. We adorned the wall with charming art pieces, practical shelves for display and organization, and a mirror. These additions not only made the area more engaging for play but also integrated it more cohesively into the overall design of the room, creating a true “wall of fun” that spurred creativity.
As our daughter’s need for books and toy storage naturally grew with her, we implemented a clever and custom solution. We utilized a sturdy mudroom bench as a base and constructed a grid of cubbies directly on top of it. This ingenious storage system was another featured project in our second book, showcasing practical yet stylish organization. The drawers are perfect for housing dolls and their clothes, while the baskets overflow with Legos, ready for building adventures. The open shelves on top provide accessible storage for her growing collection of books and various other beloved playthings, keeping the room tidy while encouraging independent play.
And finally, one of the most recent and significant changes has been the transition to a full-sized bed. This upgrade was actually initiated by our daughter herself, a clear sign of her growing independence and evolving needs. If we’re being completely honest, we were initially a little resistant to the idea of swapping out the bed – it’s funny how even chronic room-tweakers like us can sometimes fear change! We delve much deeper into the reasons we eventually came around to it, and the valuable design lesson it taught us, in this week’s podcast episode (#5: The Rug Crime We Didn’t Realize We Were Committing). You can listen to this insightful discussion on iTunes, Google Play, or Stitcher. And for those new to podcasts, this post offers a straightforward guide to getting started – they’re easy and free!
To accompany the new full-sized bed, we also introduced some fresh bedside elements. We added new side tables and charming pink touch lamps. Both were quickly acquired during a speedy 20-minute dash through Target, all in hopes of surprising her with the new setup before she returned home from school one day last month. The surprise was a resounding success! She absolutely adores tapping them on every morning to greet the day and gently tapping them off at bedtime with a simple flick of her wrist, a little ritual that adds to her sense of independence.
Oh, and circling back to those lovely curtains! They started as simple, plain white Ikea curtains. To achieve that perfect, soft pink hue, I transformed them using a careful dyeing process. I filled our bathtub with water and added only half of the powder from one packet of Petal Pink RIT dye. All four curtain panels were then immersed and allowed to soak for approximately five minutes. The key was using only half a packet of dye with such a large volume of water for all four panels, which resulted in a beautiful, light “whisper pink” tone. This delicate shade harmonizes wonderfully with the soft pink ceiling and the crisp white walls, creating an inviting atmosphere that’s not too bold, but still incredibly cute and playful. To enhance their charm, we hung a delightful $6.99 strand of birds on one side. We also opted for chunky white wood curtain rods (sourced from either Home Depot or Lowe’s, I can’t quite recall), replacing the previous dark bronze rods which felt a bit heavy for the updated aesthetic. This thoughtful change further brightened the space and reinforced its light, airy feel.
At the foot of the bed, you’ll find the white pouf and the blue pouf, two versatile pieces that seem to migrate around our house, always finding a useful spot. Here, they serve a special purpose: providing a convenient step for Teddy and Burger, our beloved furry companions, to hop up for snuggle time with their favorite little human (you can spot them in the picture above, if you look closely!). For those curious about other delightful items in the room, the sweet pink bunny print on the wall (also visible above), similar pillows, curtains, and bedding are linked for your convenience.
That functional basket you can observe in the photo below, positioned gracefully next to the bookcase, serves as her hamper. It was a lucky find from HomeGoods a while back, proving that practical items can also contribute to a room’s charm.
As for the art adorning the walls, we have truly enjoyed curating a collection of colorful prints and inspiring quotes to fill the space above the bookcase. Highlights include the heartwarming “You Are So Loved” print by the incredibly talented Katie Daisy. There’s also that truly awesome Dorothy print, a unique piece we acquired through Society6, created by a friend of ours using dazzling sequins – it’s a real conversation starter! Just out of frame, but equally cherished, is a super cute print that beautifully declares, “Though She Be But Little She Is Fierce,” which we purchased on Etsy. Each piece adds a layer of joy and encouragement to her personal sanctuary.
Oh, and notice that ingenious “sun thing” plugged into the wall right next to her hamper, visible in the picture above? It’s truly one of the most brilliant inventions for young children! This clever device glows blue, like a serene moon, signaling that it’s time to settle down for sleep. Then, at a pre-programmed time each morning, it magically transforms to glow yellow, like a cheerful sun. We’ve taught her that the yellow light is her signal that it’s perfectly okay to get up and begin her day playing quietly in her room. We purchased ours on Amazon a few years ago and while the exact model is no longer available, here’s something similar that offers the same fantastic functionality.
So, there you have it – the delightful coming-of-age tale of a little girl’s bedroom. We are pretty confident that it will continue to evolve and adapt as she grows, just as she does. Looking ahead, I’m already envisioning adding a sweet little vanity and a mirror to the back of her closet door someday, perhaps when she finally outgrows her dollhouse (*sob*). It’s a bittersweet thought, but exciting to imagine the next chapter of this ever-changing space.
And speaking of future enhancements, I’m already eyeing that expansive wall behind her bed, contemplating the addition of a stylish headboard. It would be a wonderful little touch to anchor the bed and add another layer of sophistication to the room. (Below is a quick, rough Photoshop rendering to help visualize the concept).
Psst- If you’re seeking specific paint color information or details on where we sourced various items in our house, this dedicated page is packed with all the details you need, including direct links to many of the exact products and decor pieces we’ve purchased. Happy decorating!
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