On the personal front I have had the pleasure of updating the design of my daughter’s bedroom over the past couple of months. While looking through my portfolio photos in September she saw several photos of girl’s rooms I have completed and became very excited. She asked me to create a modern, more grown up design for her room for her 9th birthday, which was in October.
I designed her bedroom just like she were a client. We sat down and talked about what she wanted her space to look and feel like. We went through www.houzz.com idea books and I tried to find photos that reflected some of the ideas she was sharing with me. I then laid out her ideas into floor plan and elevation and double checked measurements. It turns out my daughter has pretty good taste. She had a lot of creative ideas for what she wanted and had a very specific color scheme in mind. Once I showed her what I had come up with and she approved the design I got to work.
Believe it or not, I actually enjoy painting (but only for myself and when I can really put time towards doing it well). I painted the entire room, ceiling and all in Benjamin Moore Super White, added stripes in turquoise, coral and purple (this was her idea in its entirety) behind the bed. In order to give her more floor space, I replaced her twin size bed with a daybed with trundle (for sleep overs) from Pottery Barn Teen. I changed out her “princesy” chandelier for a modern bubbles one. I purchased “girl power” art from an artist an artist on Etsy and created a fun collage on her wall above her existing book ledges. A new off white shag rug provides a soft place to lay and read books or play with her Kindle.
Knowing that in a couple of years she might yet again change her mind as to the color scheme and style of the room, I decided to keep the furniture color a neutral white/off white. I also added a custom made soft roman shade, also in white, with a “bubbly” texture for interest. This will allow me to keep the large piece in place and change out the colors and accessories later on.
I am still waiting on the finishing touches, a new canopy, in coral and turquoise over her bed will frame the multi-colored stripes and create a tent effect, which most children just love.. I am also embellishing some ready-made turquoise drapery panels with the same coral fabric that is in the stripes and the new canopy. By adding ribbon like ties and horizontal banding to the panels, they will look custom made and totally unique. They will be hung from circular, clear acrylic medallions to mimic the glass balls on the new chandler. A new furry turquoise bean bag chair will give her a place to sit and read or play. All of these things will likely be in place in early January.
During the process of installing her bedroom design I realized why I hire certain things to subcontractors on my clients’ projects. I realized that there are certain things on a project that you can choose to do yourself if you are able and others that you should definitely hire a pro to do for you. In my next blog post, in early January I will provide tips for deciding when to “give it a go” and when to “hire a pro” for your project. I will also provide updated photos of my daughter’s finished room.