Ever since we hinted at the significant changes unfolding in our daughter’s bedroom, following a sneak peek of her new bedding in Episode #69 of our podcast, we’ve been eager to share a comprehensive update. Over the past few months, this special space has undergone a beautiful transformation, featuring a fresh coat of paint and a truly remarkable antique bed, a gem we discovered on Craigslist. This isn’t just a simple refresh; it’s a thoughtful evolution of a room designed to grow with our little girl.
Why Update Her Bedroom? Embracing Growth and Evolving Tastes
The simplest answer to “why update?” is the most profound: kids grow up! What perfectly suits a curious seven-year-old might not resonate with her evolving tastes just a few years down the line. It’s a bittersweet reality for parents – wishing they could stay little forever, yet delighting in their journey of self-discovery. Our goal was to create a bedroom that still felt whimsical and youthful, but also matured gracefully, reflecting her personality without being overly “babyish.” Thankfully, we’re not yet in the era of pop star posters (the 2017 equivalent of New Kids On The Block!), but we know that day is approaching fast!
You might recall the room’s earlier iteration, from when she first transitioned from a crib to a daybed. That was a big milestone, captured in photos when she was just three years old – a nostalgic moment for us.
Later, as she grew, we upgraded to a larger bed and made several adjustments at her request. We even shared a post about these changes over a year ago, noting that we still had a few items on our to-do list, such as finding the perfect headboard. The room was certainly evolving, but it hadn’t quite reached its full potential for her age.
Just a few months after those updates, she expressed that she no longer wanted the canopy. Down it came! With the canopy gone (a feature you can spot around the three-minute mark of our video house tour from last year), the whimsical raindrop wall art started to look a bit out of place. Some even had half-painted lines where the canopy once sat, making a touch-up difficult. While we initially considered simply refreshing them, our discerning client quickly declared them “too babyish.” That sealed the deal. Over the past several months, we’ve been systematically making these small, yet impactful, tweaks. This included a complete repaint of the walls to cover those drops. The process involved a light sanding, a thorough priming, and then two coats of White Heron by Sherwin Williams. The result is perfectly smooth walls that feel completely flat to the touch – a huge relief after the previous texture.
As a somewhat neurotic decorator, I must confess a minor internal struggle: our tiny client has since decided she prefers the purple side of her comforter facing up. While these photos capture the room before that change, I’ve come to realize she’s actually a better decorator than I am! The cooler purple pattern genuinely works so much better with the rug, creating a more harmonious and sophisticated feel. I have no idea why, but her intuition was spot on. While the curtains might still be on the “someday” list for an upgrade, the room as a whole feels significantly more cohesive and finished now, truly reflecting her personality.
It’s truly a remarkable transformation from the room we started with, showcasing just how far thoughtful design and personal touches can go:
The New Bed: A Century of Charm and Smart DIY
Let’s talk about that headboard – the one we’d been searching for over a year! The quest for the perfect piece can be a lengthy one, but the payoff is always worth it. We finally stumbled upon this absolute treasure on Craigslist for just $90. Yes, at 35, I unabashedly refer to old wooden items as “treasures,” and this piece certainly qualifies. It’s a complete bed, featuring robust side rails and a distinctive footboard. The seller informed us it’s approximately 100 years old, and you can still see the original holes in the frame where ropes would have been wound to support an old straw mattress. This rich history adds an incredible layer of character to the room.
For context, comparable new beds with similar spool designs can easily retail for over $1000, like this beautiful option from Wayfair. So, a $90 Craigslist find was an undeniable victory! For those inspired to seek out similar secondhand gems, platforms like Etsy and Chairish are fantastic resources for unique antique and vintage furniture pieces.
While the full bed was a steal, when we initially propped up the footboard, it felt a little too dark and imposing for the room, both visually and physically – we kept bumping into it! However, the footboard is a magnificent piece in its own right, so we have exciting plans to repurpose it as a headboard in our son’s room eventually. It’s not an exact match, but it will be wonderful to see this headboard’s stylistic “sibling” in his space, creating a subtle, cohesive link between their rooms.
Since we only wanted to use the headboard and attach it directly to the wall, we needed a clever solution. We utilized some scrap wood to create a sturdy cleat on the back of the headboard, allowing it to hang independently and securely. We’ve previously demonstrated how to make a headboard cleat, and it’s a fantastic DIY trick for safely mounting heavy items. I adore how this antique piece introduces a sense of history and gravitas to the room, while the charming spool details maintain a playful, inviting feel. When I tuck her in, I probably talk far too much about how cool it is to have a bed that’s 100 years old – a classic mom move, I suppose!
One of my favorite serendipitous details is how the delicate pom-pom trim lining the comforter subtly mirrors the unique spool shapes of the headboard. It’s as if they were destined to be together! We discovered that delightful comforter at HomeGoods, and the adorable llama sheets are a fun find from Target – because, well, llamas! These small, thoughtful pairings truly elevate the room’s design.
The sleek white nightstands, also from Target, were a deliberate choice. I was drawn to their stylish campaign hardware details, the convenient and functional drawer, and, crucially, their crisp white finish. We previously had older, heavier wooden side tables that, when paired with the new wood headboard, made the space feel overly dense. My tip for anyone encountering a similar issue is to introduce white or lighter-colored bedside tables to break up the visual weight. She still cherishes her trusty pink touch lamps, which we acquired over a year ago. As any parent knows, kids adore tapping things on and off – it’s just one step removed from my childhood favorite, The Clapper! It brings me joy to see how she utilizes the drawers for practical treasures, like storing doll clothes and housing a tiny toy mouse.
The captivating abstract art positioned above the bed is another great find from Target. Next to it, the pink quote art is simply a page I carefully tore from a magazine called Flow. It features a profound quote by Haruki Murakami: “If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.” And for good measure, it includes an adorable cat illustration. When I asked her if she wanted me to hang it in the frame, her enthusiastic response was, “Yes, because NOBODY else likes to read BabyMouse comics AND Goosebumps at the same time!” This kid truly knows her mind.
The Perfect Canvas: Paint and Palette Choices
Returning to the walls for a moment, our decision to use Sherwin Williams White Heron came after observing its beautiful effect throughout our beach house. This particular shade is a very soft, warm grey-tan, offering a neutral yet inviting backdrop that feels both modern and comforting. It’s incredibly versatile and plays well with a variety of other colors, making it an ideal choice for a child’s room that needs to adapt over time.
The beauty of White Heron lies in its ability to harmonize with the existing paint scheme. It seamlessly blends with the bright white trim (Benjamin Moore’s Simply White), the soft pink ceiling (Benjamin Moore’s Pink Cadillac), and the bold closet door (Benjamin Moore’s Cinco de Mayo). We jokingly refer to her room as a “muted Neapolitan ice cream bar” now, thanks to that delightful strawberry pink ceiling and vanilla white trim. This cohesive color story creates a sense of flow and intentional design, making the room feel like a well-integrated part of our home’s upstairs living area.
The paint color change was beneficial for several reasons. As much as we liked the previous crisp white, her room often felt somewhat disconnected from the rest of the upstairs, where warmer tan-gray tones dominate the walls. This new, softer hue helps bridge that gap, creating a more unified aesthetic throughout our home. Moreover, her room receives some of the best natural light in the house, making it an ideal candidate for a color that’s less stark and more welcoming. We’ve also noticed how White Heron helps the white elements, such as the crown molding and the lampshade, truly pop against the walls, enhancing their visual impact and adding depth to the space.
Smart Storage & Curated Art: Where Function Meets Style
While the DIY toy and book storage system remained unchanged (a project we completed a few years ago and detailed in our second book), we had a lot of fun refreshing the art around it. This process was a wonderful opportunity to see which cherished items would stay and which would be swapped out for new favorites. Our daughter was particularly insistent on keeping the little silver antlers. These were originally destined for our beach house, but she immediately recognized them as the perfect spot to hang her beloved dreamcatcher keychain. It was a clear demonstration of her innate understanding of both form and function – truly impressive!
This photo always makes me smile because it perfectly captures how the bookcase has charmingly evolved into a sort of miniature playhouse. Part of the room’s “de-babying” process also involved heeding her request to remove the homemade dollhouse that had lived in the closet (a decision I silently mourned behind my laptop!). We managed to sell it via Craigslist to a grandmother who was absolutely thrilled to have it for her grandchildren. While it was sad to see it go, we were happy knowing it would find a new home where it would be loved and played with. It’s oddly reassuring, though, to walk into her room now and find the bookshelves transformed into tiny rooms for her various toys, proving that imagination finds a way.
I also enjoyed incorporating some gold elements into the decor. I absolutely adore those gold Target frames – I’ve probably purchased my body weight in them over the years! I particularly like the layered effect of mixing gold with silver accents, which adds a sophisticated depth to the art wall. You can see this in the silver antlers, the oval mirror I painted years ago for her, and even that charming little silver-spotted dog perched on one of the frames. That dog, incidentally, used to be a drawer knob that cracked and fell off, but he has been lovingly repurposed as a delightful little picture-sitter.
Thoughtful Furnishings: The Dresser and Textiles
The wall opposite the bed continues to feature her beloved old changing-table-turned-dresser. This piece is almost eight years old and still going strong, a testament to choosing quality furniture that can evolve with a child’s needs. Above it hangs that elegant inlay mirror, a piece we all adore for its unique charm. The only recent update here was my decision to spray paint the yard sale moose lamp gold. It was previously white, and I thought a metallic finish would help it stand out more. In this particular picture, however, he looks a bit… unusual. In person, the effect is a softer, hammered gold, but here he truly resembles what I affectionately call a “golden chicken nugget.” It’s a humorous detail that adds personality!
The charming laundry basket is an estate sale find, adding another touch of vintage character. The curtains are simple Ikea panels that I custom-dyed a light pink many years ago. They’re likely the next item on our upgrade list for this room. While pretty, their lightweight fabric makes them prone to looking disheveled, as if they’ve been constantly buffeted by a daily tornado. We’ll be looking for something with more body and perhaps better light-blocking capabilities in the future.
The new paint color has been a fantastic change for numerous reasons, beyond just covering the raindrops. As mentioned before, the previous super crisp white made her room feel somewhat disconnected from the rest of the upstairs, which features warmer tan-gray tones. The White Heron creates a seamless transition. Furthermore, this room enjoys the best natural light in the entire house, making it perfectly suited for a color that’s less stark and more welcoming. We also love how the warmer tone helps the various white elements – such as the crown molding and the lampshade below – pop beautifully off the walls, adding definition and brightness to the space. And once again, for your viewing pleasure: the chicken nugget moose!
The Closet Transformation: A Nook for Creativity and Growth
As I touched upon earlier, even the closet received a thoughtful update. With the homemade dollhouse no longer being used (still a little teary-eyed about that!), we approached our daughter directly and asked what she envisioned for that newly freed space. Her request was simple and sweet: a dedicated spot for drawing and writing. This was a perfect alignment with my long-term vision; I had always thought a vanity would eventually make sense in there as she got older. So, I love that this current setup functions beautifully as a creative nook and can effortlessly transition into a “getting-ready” space for her in the future. I imagine someday she’ll need a larger, more traditional desk, which might eventually take the place of her current bookcase.
We sourced the compact vanity from Ikea, as its modest size was perfect for fitting neatly into the closet nook. You might remember when we “wallpapered” that back wall with fabric years ago – it still provides a lovely pop of pattern and texture. To complete the setup, we simply brought in one of our spare dining room chairs, which had been stored in the attic since we upgraded to upholstered end chairs for our dining room. It’s always satisfying to find new purpose for existing items, making the most of what you already have.
The Ikea desk/vanity is ingeniously designed: one side features a flip-up top, revealing hidden storage perfect for stashing pencils, markers, and other supplies, while the other half has a conventional drawer ideal for tucking away papers and small treasures. I’m still not entirely sure about Ikea’s inexplicable decision to make the inside of the vanity a vibrant, almost blood-red color, but surprisingly, it actually works quite well within this space, adding an unexpected playful element.
It might seem like overkill to have three distinct drawing and writing surfaces in our house, considering their desks in our main office and the bonus room. However, each one gets ample use, and this particular nook is wonderful because it’s exclusively hers. It provides her with a quiet, private space where she can focus on her creative projects, especially in the mornings before her brother wakes up. This dedicated “zone” fosters independence and provides a calm retreat tailored to her needs.
Get The Look: Recreate This Updated Girl’s Bedroom
For those looking to recreate similar elements in their own homes, here’s a handy “get-the-look” mood board with all our sources in one convenient place. We’ve diligently hunted down similar items for the pieces that were thrifted or have since been discontinued, ensuring you can achieve a comparable aesthetic:
1. Walls (SW White Heron) / 2. Trim (BM Simply White) / 3. Ceiling (BM Pink Cadillac) / 4. Door (BM Cinco de Mayo) / 5. Touch Lamp / 6. Bedside Table / 7. Faux Plant / 8. Woven Pot / 9. Windsor Chair / 10. Vanity / 11. White Pouf / 12. Faux Antlers / 13. Abstract Print / 14. Toy Storage / 15. Colorful Print / 16. Antique Wooden Spool Bed / 17. Inlay Mirror / 18. Midcentury Dresser / 19. Throw Pillow / 20. Llama Sheets / 21. Rug / 22. Bedding Set
This bedroom journey is far from over. I’m certain it’s not the last evolution this room will see. At some point, she’ll likely need a dresser with deeper drawers; what once perfectly held onesies and diapers is now feeling maxed out with sweatshirts and skinny jeans. And in a few years, I can easily envision that beloved bookcase being swapped out for a full-sized desk, giving her more space to spread out for homework and projects. Who knows when those current curtains will finally get an upgrade? Will it be before or after the Nick Jonas posters (or whoever the current teen heartthrob is at the time) inevitably go up? Everyone says it, but it truly is profound how fast they grow up – *sniffle*.
Psst – Eager to see more kids’ room updates and DIY projects? Explore dozens of tutorials from our archives for inspiration!
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