Welcome to the reveal of my 8-year-old daughter’s room, and whereas she is determined to be a youngster it actually represents her character, her sparkle, her happiness, and her love of shade. I’m actually crossing my fingers that we’ve got years with a lot of the items. And y’all it was SO MUCH FUN. I do know I’m extraordinarily fortunate to have a baby who’s presently actually into what I’m additionally into (design) and that may not all the time be the case, so for now, I’m full-on celebrating this very particular 2-year collaboration and I’ll all the time keep in mind the primary room that we designed TOGETHER. (As a caveat, in case your child doesn’t appear to care, then simply do no matter you need (or don’t), each of my youngsters have actual design and magnificence OPINIONS which I completely recognize and wish to honor so I work carefully with them).

My purpose was to let her take the lead, understanding that this room wanted to match her character which may be very enjoyable, energetic, colourful, and glad and he or she has OPINIONS about design and shade, which I really like. She largely simply loves all the colours – thus the Schumacher Butterly wallpaper we selected (which is the primary factor I’m nervous that she’ll beg to alter as a tween, TBH). I wrote about it some time in the past right here, however one of many larger errors I virtually made was attempting to mute the colours and tame it down a bit, fearful that it was going to look simply chaotic and never have longevity. We have been engaged on her dollhouse collectively after I heard her squeals of pleasure for the colours and wallpaper we have been utilizing on it (which have been WILD), and that’s after I let all of it go and mentioned, “okay woman, let’s make this room YOU”. (See under on the backside on what my takeaway from that’s now). Now onto the room!!!

WAIT! You Rearranged! 

Okay, so two days earlier than the shoot (and we actually attempt to keep on with deadlines today), I flipped the mattress on the alternative wall and all our issues have been (virtually) solved. It fastened the nightstand debacle as a result of we didn’t have the constraints of the home windows OR the closet door anymore. HOT TIP: Children do NOT like to return residence to their rooms rearranged, I feel it feels bizarre to them, but it surely solely took her a few hours to be on board which I absolutely understood. As soon as we put the mattress right here we performed with our furnishings once more, the scallop desk labored within the nook. Now, one of many solely issues I don’t love right here is my classic white Saarinen desk (on the best) merely doesn’t learn sufficient to make it look balanced, however in particular person, it’s really high quality. Possibly in the future I’ll come across the proper nightstand (possibly not). Anyway, because of all for encouraging the room to flip – IT WORKED. 

The Artwork Studio Nook

This nook is my favourite as a result of it’s so purposeful for her to do arts and crafts, and but so full of life and enjoyable, stylistically. She needs to be an artist and whereas I don’t want to present my opinion on how good she is, she is extraordinarily prolific (produces 2-3 items a day), devoted, and passionate and can sit there for hours and draw. I don’t know what I really like extra – the bulletin board we made collectively (see this DIY publish), the hanging fringed lamp we purchased collectively on the Monticello Vintage Mall, or simply how we saved the IKEA pedestal desk I’ve had ceaselessly and located the best artwork cart to carry her provides. It took a number of tries to determine the way to organize the room however on this nook (and with only one hanging mild) it really works so effectively.

Outsized Pink Lampshade (classic) | White Tulip Desk | Blue Process Lamp (classic) | Chair (classic) | Corkboard (DIY) | Giant Wooden Paintbrush | Disco Ball

And why sure, that’s a disco ball on the bottom (it’s the place the solar hits the longest within the morning really) and a large paintbrush made by native artist Purl (@total_nonsequitur). We shot on the GLOOMIEST day, with no solar in any respect, so Gretchen used the flashlight on her telephone to replicate mild on the disco ball, however when there may be solar this can be very dreamy and displays colourful mild (from the window movies) all around the room.

Artwork Cart | Inexperienced Pencil Holder

I LOVE that now the very first thing you see is that classic portray that I purchased from native artwork vendor Fabius Grange. My goodness, it’s simply unbelievable. It pulls in each single shade within the room.

I bought the artwork cart from Mattress Bathtub and Past. It took me FOREVER to seek out one that will sneak beneath the desk that didn’t appear like a kitchen utility cart. This one is extra suited to paints, however we have been in a position to take out a shelf and put in crafting instruments. Each of our children take a watercolor class after faculty in the future per week and so they LOVE it. Sometimes we don’t enable portray up right here (carpet and all) however I would put down a washable rug and let her paint with washable watercolor (I bought these watercolor pencils for her for Christmas so I’m curious if this may make it much less harmful). I’d love to alter the wheels on the cart to one thing much less office-y however I in all probability received’t at this level 🙂 I’ve had the desk chair ceaselessly (classic Paul McCobb) and I purchased the blue process lamp on Fb Market once we first moved right here for $60.

Wallpaper | Trim Colour | Door Colour | Desk (classic) | Desk Paint Colour | Mushroom Stool ({custom} upholstery with classic quilt) | Gold Lamp | Sconces (classic) | Artwork | Mattress (classic) | Quilt + Sham Set | Tassel Lumbar Pillow | Arch Pillow | Yellow Throw | White Aspect Desk (classic) | Yellow Process Lamp (classic + comparable)

Now for the opposite facet of the room…TBH that is my least favourite shot as a result of the facet desk simply doesn’t present up!! Once more, in particular person, it regarded high quality however right here there’s a clear imbalance and it drives me nuts. So I would change the desk, however I wished you to point out how the room was laid out (additionally good mattress pillow styling, Emily, so messy). I imply, I might simply paint that classic tulip desk, I’ve had it ceaselessly and shape-wise it’s an excellent distinction to the blue scallop desk…TBD.

Desk (classic) | Desk Paint Colour | Mushroom Stool ({custom} upholstery with classic quilt)

However this classic scalloped desk is SO CUTE now. I purchased this additionally on Fb Market and it was awaiting its second. Effectively, right here it’s. We painted it the week of the shoot this tremendous darkish blue/inexperienced referred to as Rainstorm by Sherwin–Williams and it turned out PERFECT. This was one of many choices that Birdie and I didn’t agree on (she wished a vibrant teal or a purple). I pulled rank and mentioned that if she didn’t prefer it we might repaint it collectively after the shoot, however I must do what’s greatest for the entire room and this darker shade would floor the nook and I feel she would adore it extra long run. She got here residence from faculty and cherished it.

You’re in all probability staring on the CUTEST mushroom stool EVER. I purchased the classic quilt from Store Wilma (a neighborhood superior classic vendor) and had ADF Upholstery make it into one among her signature mushroom stools. The youngsters struggle over this stool (Charlie makes use of it for his drum set) so I wish to discover one other quilt and make one other one so that they every have their very own as a result of my goodness they’re excellent. Farmhouse, however make it playful.

Storage Bench | Patterned Throw Blanket (unavailable)

The storage bench has her costumes and provides slightly little bit of softness to the bedframe (which I nonetheless wish to change out for one thing extra easy, fashionable, and upholstered however she actually doesn’t wish to so at this level I feel we’re holding this rickety mattress till we have to improve).

The sconces although…I’ve been hoarding these for some time, not sure the place they need to go. And whereas they’re far too fancy for an 8-year-old’s room, they’re excellent in right here so in some way she’s the winner of those Nineteen Seventies Italian beauties. They’re unbelievable.

The desk/desk is one among two locations the place she retains all her “stuff” and he or she’s collected the porcelain swans whereas antiquing with me. And like I mentioned, I’ve had that Saarinen facet desk and the yellow lamp ceaselessly – each classic.

Did You Change The Window Shades?

Colourful Window Movie | Brass Switchplate | Window Shades

You would possibly discover that the window shades have modified. The operate of the simple Decorview shades (and the way insulating they’re) was not one thing we might quit, however I didn’t love how they regarded on the prime of the classic diamond home windows. So I reached out to Twopages as a result of I used to be actually impressed with the shades in our household room, and inside weeks these custom-sized and lined white Roman shades arrived. I designed them to be absolutely purposeful, after all, however what I LOVE is that they act as a valance and truly cover the insulation shades beneath, so we go away them up for probably the most half! Because the glass is unique (and due to this fact very skinny) we maintain the “undershades” closed a lot of the day within the winter to not waste warmth. I simply love how the Romans made the room look so completed whereas holding it trying cozy and fashionable.

Chair (classic) | Spherical Pillow | Wicker Ottoman (classic)

On the alternative facet of the room (subsequent to the portray) I put my second classic Swedish chair (that no 8-year-old deserves however right here we’re) and it’s excellent. I could find yourself stealing it if it really works in a extra outstanding room (the opposite one works completely in our visitor room) however the scale works so effectively and I really like the way it pulls from the pink within the wallpaper, but is a bit deeper and richer in a great way.

Wall Mirror | Jane Denton Wall Artwork | Cabinets | Cabinets Paint Colour

Now for the opposite facet of the room – we hung these cute scallop cabinets (that we painted Silken Peacock by Sherwin-Wiliams) to show all her treasures, books, and artwork. We really needed to take off the brackets from the cabinets and screw them into the wall as a result of they hung off the wall in a slanted manner, FYI, however as soon as up, they’re sturdy and so cute (I really feel prefer it’s a design flaw and for $80 every ought to sit flush in opposition to the wall so I wished to warn you).

Cabinets | Cabinets Paint Colour

I’m obsessed together with her little clay sculptures and that portray she product of Oscar and Buttercup (together with her COVID nanny who was an unbelievable artist).

What Do I Need To Add/Change?

I wish to play a brand new sport referred to as “If I might snap my fingers” which is an train on what I’d change if I might, clearly, simply snap my fingers. For this room, I actually wish to add crown molding. We tried a DIY that completely failed the week earlier than the shoot (I’ll present you in a bit) but it surely simply feels unfinished. We’re engaged on Charlie’s room in 2024 so I wish to wait till we all know for positive if I would like it in there too. In that case I’ll rent somebody to do them each. And sure, I wish to simplify the mattress to assist the room look extra like the remainder of the home, however I’m in no hurry anymore. Possibly I’ll discover a totally different nightstand to steadiness out the blue desk, however once more, would seemingly be one thing classic I come across (and sadly the wicker-skirted desk is simply too vast and excessive).

Hear, it was not with out some fashion/determination bumps alongside the way in which. We didn’t agree on every part and we had a number of conversations about complaining (and entitlement, my kryptonite) however we landed in a great place – aka “No I can’t purchase the $13 purple and lime inexperienced polyester cover with LED lights you discovered through Pinterest, however sure, after all, you should utilize your personal cash to purchase what you need after the photograph shoot that’s for our household enterprise and I’ll fortunately provide help to:)”  After all now it’s all achieved she loves it a lot and I get to listen to her telling her pals how she made the bulletin board and selected all the colours (selective reminiscence, I def needed to tweak them when she wasn’t noticing). And after a lot begging, I even let her be in the YouTube video with me (the place she proceeded to inform her pals she’s on YouTube. I used to be legit mortified that folks thought that I’m encouraging my 8-year-old outdated to have a YouTube channel! I’m not!!).

Designing WITH your youngsters as a substitute of FOR your youngsters could be difficult and I’m very fortunate that this was straightforward for me to problem (this was my dream room after I was a child). My greatest recommendation is to restrict the alternatives, don’t allow them to store on-line by themselves – even on Pinterest, and allow them to categorical themselves within the decrease stakes items (like the window movies), ensuring that any main investments have longevity or flexibility. And you may all the time do what I shamelessly do and bribe her with buying cash and a doughnut to go classic buying with me, the place we discovered so many cute issues in her room.

Don’t overlook to look at the long-form YouTube video! Under is a enjoyable quick model (Simply await the quick advert to play:))

Bed room Sources:
Wallpaper: Schumacher
Carpet: Stark
Door Colour: SW 6239 Upward
Trim Colour: SW 7006 Further White
Home windows: Classic
Colourful Window Movie: See this publish
Roman Shades: Twopages
Insulated Blinds: Decorview
Switchplates: Rejuvenation
Classic Desk Paint Colour: SW 6230 Rainstorm
Mushroom Stool Upholstery: ADF Upholstery
Gold Desk Lamp: Schoolhouse
Cabinets Paint Colour: SW 9059 Silken Peacock
Wall Mirror: Mattress Bathtub & Past
Giant Picket Paintbrush: Purl Samoheyl
Mattress: Classic
Bench: Mattress Bathtub & Past
White Aspect Desk: Classic
Sconces: Classic
Artwork Desk: IKEA
Artwork Card: Mattress Bathtub & Past
Wooden Chair: Classic

*Design by Emily and Elliot Henderson (and ARCIFORM)
**Photographs by Kaitlin Inexperienced