After All The Efforts, They Grow Up & Redesign The Room Themselves

After all the efforts of working together to design a room she was thrilled with...

{Girl's Dream Bedroom - No Boys Allowed}

...she grows up nearly overnight and decides to redecorate. All of her own, without even a requesting a consultation!

But she knows what she wants. She doesn't need my help...and that's okay. Because really, isn't that what we hope for?

Isabella's "Girl's Dream Bedroom" On Ohdeedoh

How fun to see Isabella's bedroom on Ohdeedoh, along with several other children's rooms, in the article:

10 Ideas To Steal From These Colorful Rooms

Here is what was written about the room...(Isabella is now nine and the rooms suits her even more!)

10. Isabella's Beautiful, Blue Bedroom. Don't assume your kids want kiddy surroundings. Kids' spaces should be fun and playful, but many kids enjoy more adult-like spaces, including this 8-year-old. It reminds me of some of my friends' rooms growing up, before there was a whole industry of children's furniture.

Thanks for including the room! Janell

Roller Shades Made Pretty

Very simple, yes, but don't these dressed up roller shades add a nice finishing touch to the design? And then there is function. I can't believe how much darker the room is in the morning. Perfect for helping an active girl get a little more sleep!

A Little "Jewelry" For Your Shades

Sorry!...despite the promise to post photos of the completed headboard today, I didn't get any pictures taken. It was finally a decent day in Oregon and we took full advantage of this rare summer moment and spent nearly the entire day outside! It has been the wettest June on recorded history in Portland, with the days feeling and looking more like cool wet fall days than the first days of summer. We were beginning to feel cheated, but not today. And as for the photos...let's try again tomorrow!

In the meantime, look at these gorgeous decorative shades pulls from Zwick Window Shade Co. in Chicago.


While designing Isabella's bedroom last summer I had intended to install roller shades that I would customize with trim. The shades were to be layered behind the drapery panels made for the room. But isn't there nearly always a point in a project where either the budget or energy runs dry, with a few final projects being put aside for a later day?!


This was just such a project. But with the arrival of the longer summer days, I am realizing a darker room in the morning might help Isabella sleep past the crack of dawn. So, finally shades are going to be hung on her windows. I'll be using simple roller shades but will dress them up. One design element I definitely wanted to add were beautiful decorative shade pulls and look the lovelies I found during my search!

Jewelry for shades, most definitely!!

I've ordered a style, but I'm not telling you which one just yet!

More on this project in the next couple of weeks...

Projects To Create A Girl's Dream Bedroom

I completely enjoyed writing the 'Ten Creative Yet Simple Projects for Kids' Rooms' article for HGTV.com recently. Below are several projects included in that piece, along with a few others that went into the design of Isabella's bedroom: Girl's Dream Bedroom - No Boys Allowed.

Many of these projects could easily be adapted to work well in a guest or master bedroom. I hope they inspire a few projects of your own! Click on any of the titles to be taken to the original post.

Make Your Own Headboard

Create The Look Of Crown Molding & A Pretty Trim Detail

A Fun Little Footstool

Colorful Drapes

A Rag Quilt Duvet

Sitting Pretty, A Chair Makeover

A Sweet Message Board

Updating A Pair Of Vintage Lamps + Lighting

Quick Little Pillows

I find bedrooms particularly satisfying rooms to work on. Creating a master bedroom or guest room retreat feels wonderfully luxurious and the best part about designing a child's room is the license to be extremely creative and just have fun!

An Oh So Pretty Chair

If you read this post you know I've been moving chairs around. When I decided to move the slipper chair out of Isabella's room I realized this chair would work in its place quite nicely, once it received a makeover.


This pretty Venice fabric was found at Calico Corners. (No, they don't pay me...but perhaps they should due to how much I talk about their fabrics!) The print works beautifully with the other prints already used on the drapes and bedding in the Girl's Dream Bedroom.


The seat cover was removed and the frame sanded. This took about an hour. As the wood was going to be painted, not stained, not all of the previous finish needed to removed. Just cleaned up, taking off the top layer of varnish and stain to achieve a smooth surface.


A multitude of staples where taken out and the old fabric and lining removed. The foam was in good shape, so there was no need to replace it. Looking back I suppose I could have, but it will do.


I cut a new lining from a thick soft fabric I had left over from my fashion business days. This substantial fabric added a lot of padding, so keeping the existing foam was an okay choice. I hear my favorite upholsterer strongly disagreeing with me! Oh well, I didn't have any on hand and this was a one day job.


The lining was stapled to the board, starting at the center of each side and working out. It helps to slightly pull the fabric as you staple so that the end result is smooth and just tight enough so that the lining doesn't shift, leading to sagging. Don't want that...


The newly covered cushion was then turned over and placed on the portion of the print I wanted centered on the seat. I quickly cut around the seat shape with approximately a 2.5" wide allowance so that there was enough fabric to wrap around to the back.


Again, the fabric was stapled to the board, starting at the center of each side and working outwards. At the corners you'll need to pull the fabric a bit harder so that the result is a smooth corner with no puckers.


Ah...love it. The placement of the pattern feels right to me, water at the bottom, sky at the top with the buildings running across the center and down the sides.


Next the frame was painted. I worked on this project in the playroom while the kids had fun with their new Christmas toys. Usually I'd find myself in the garage, but if I was careful I figured this location would work. I pulled out an old sheet, folded it over several times (my painting tarp is too dirty to be placed on clean carpet!) and started painting, with a brush. No spray this time. For obvious reasons.


First primer and then a coat of SW 6126 Navajo White was brushed on. I wasn't certain whether I wanted the frame to be white or a pale turquoise, but started with white knowing I could move on if I decided against the white.


I did. The white frame got lost against the desk. So next I brushed on a layer of SW 6478 Watery, letting a bit of the white show through in areas. Better, but it still needed something...


So I pulled out my faithful supply of Rub'n Buff, in Grecian Gold. I lightly traced the outer lines of the frame with the metallic wax.


Lovely. This gave the frame just the definition and subtle detail it needed.


So while I adored the slipper chair in this room, this seat is a bit more functional to use while working and drawing at the desk. I love the color of the frame (same as the wall) and the mix this new fabric brings to the design. Fun.


And the best part, the project was easy on the pocket as I had the chair and all the supplies, with the exception of the fabric. In additional, it took just a few hours and Isabella loves it!


Though she did have this to say, "If you didn't stop to take photos you'd get done a lot faster."