new room

Ok, this is bound to be a long post because there was much that went into this big room change.  Its nice because it feels more appropriate for a five year old and ,though everything was done on a tight budget, we are so happy with the results. She helped pick out the paint and then I took it from there. I knew that a desk would be good and that I wanted to use a hoarded piece of Amy Butler fabric for the bulk of the fabric. So here is the before:

Blue walls (dirty blue walls!) and my Grandma's bed.  She has a habit of snuggling right up to the wood and it was getting cloudy spots so I knew I wanted to make some sort of slipcover for the bedframe.  There isn't a photo here, but she had the grossest off white sheer curtains that we had knotted at the bottom to shorten them. Not pretty. When we moved into this house there was so much to do that a lot of little things (and many big things )got put on hold. So here is the new bed with cover and a pillow I made:

The slipcover fabric was $1.12 per yard so that was a good deal. The appliqued butterfly is the Amny Butler fabric I had been hoarding. I love this print! Here is a detail: The canopy was a post Christmas bargain find at the Disney Store. She had been asking for something like that. At first I struggled with it's tackiness but when you turn out the lights at night and look up, its all sparkly with tiny glitter. And you know she loves it. Here is a photo of my first log cabin pillow that I put on her bed: That horse fabric in the center is one of my all time favorites. I made she and her cousin skirts out of that  (in pink and blue) last year for her cousin's birthday. And some of the other fabric is from her last year's birthday present. I love the whole log cabin idea when you can use little scraps of sentimental things. I can see how this is addicting! So onto the thrifted furniture finds. I found a desk at an estate sale for $20 and a chair at Salvation Army for $10. Check out this chair: It had such a cute shape, was sturdy and the right price. But it was gross! I pulled off four layers of fabric, (musty stinky fabric)a layer of batting, and a heap of straw from the seat. Then I took the plain wood and covered it with new batting and fabric and this is how it turned out: Wow! I was so happy with how the desk and chair turned out. They are the perfect size. The only thing was I had to track down the right size handle for the desk. It is old and the handles have different sized centers now. But I found them on ebay for $1.20 each, so not too bad. So here is the corner of the room all finished:I love the little butterflies hanging from the light. They were just some cheap o box of feather butterflies that I , you guessed it, put glitter on. Which takes me to my favorite thing- the bulletin board.  I found this frame for $4 at the Senior Center Rummage Sale. I almost passed it up (!) Its big and sturdy and in pretty good shape I painted it two colors (the light purple dry brushed over the blue to bring out the details), cut a piece of foamcore to fit and stuck self adhesive cork over that. Then I put my fabric on by stapling it to the back. Then I glued vintage millinery flowers to thumbtacks. I love how it turned out. Cheaply made and just cute. Can you believe I almost passed up that frame? Here is a detail:

Here is the wicker chair with the embroidery made into a pillow: More of that Amy Butler... And one more photo: That big sparkly M is from Joanns- painted and covered in glitter. I do love glitter. I have to say that I love this room but it makes me so aware that we could use the same attention on our room! But now I have to start gearing up to do her brothers in August. If you made it this far, thanks for checking it all out!

Comments

[strikkelise]

It's wonderful! I can't wait to show Princess. We're about to decorate a new room for her, I bet she'll have some requests after seeing this. Your sewing and embroidery looks great.

[Lynne]

It's so wonderful! I want to come for a sleep over! Beautifully done, Mo...she must feel like a little princess!

[macati]

hi!
very good work you did, yes, indeed!!!
:)
manela

[vickie]

oh...my...god...this is my first comment by the way...now let me just ohhhh and ahhhhh, how adorable. You are so creative. Thanks for the inspiration. I'm going to be doing my daughter's room soon and I got all kinds of ideas from you. the chair and frame are sooo sweet....with just a little work from mom. Wow...amazing! I adore the glittery m.

so cute

i know, gushing....just gushing.....

[Tami]

What a fantastic and sweet room for a little girl. And how resourceful you were to paint thrifted treasures for it too. (Actually I think that you end up getting better quality furniture that way.)I would have loved the twinkle lights when I was a kid too. :-)

[Sonya]

That is the best present! There is something about that age, they really love having their own space, place to hang their hat. All of the before and after photos are really amazing, showing all the choice, work and care you put into it. What a lovely room for your daughter - no cookie-cutter Pottery Barn Kids for her.

[Abby]

The room turned out great. I love the log cabin pillow and the chair. That Amy Butler fabric just makes the room.

[Amy]

It's so awesome. What a lucky little girl!

[Lori]

So cute!!! I bet M is thrilled! I love all the Amy Butler fabric details. The chair was a total score!!!!!! The transformation is wonderful. I need to get Elsie's room clean long enough to take some pictures and post.
Lori

[kristin]

what a transformation!! love the before and after pics. that chair!! that bed!! that frame!! that bedroom!!! all of it is wonderful...well done! :)

[Maija]

Mo! You made your little girl's room into a piece of heaven!! She must be so thrilled! I am really impressed with all the work you did, and how you found the beauty in such old things!!

[Jo]

Gosh it looks amazing, I bet your daughter is delighted.I like the butterflies on the ceiling and the pin board is lovely too.

[Alex]

You've done an awesome job on this room!
Love the chair.

[Amy]

Another wow on the room redo - that was a wonderful clinic on girling up a room creatively using old stuff. Great job. That pastel log cabin is the girliest thing I've ever seen I think (in a good way) - Hmmm, I'm now hankering to change up Bea's room, thanks a lot. ;-)

[tamara]

What a beautiful job you did on the bedroom makeover. I especially love the log cabin pillow, the embroidered horse pillow and that chair you recovered. So lovely, all of it!

[Daria]

That is SO MUCH FUN!! Oh how I wish I had magical powers like you do. That was so great just to see the pictures. I can't wait to see it in person one day soon!

[Felicia]

Fantastic makeover!