I have a fun series that I am going to start today. As a blogger I go back and forth SO much about what the “best” way to present a room design or projects to you (my favorite reader). Do I do the big reveal first and then project tutorials after? Do I share the tutorials along the way? I go back and forth, back and forth about it.
So. Since I am in the beginning stages of Dylan Room Redo, I am going to share all of the fun different elements along the way so you can sort of see the process and we can see how it works out!
I think that when we work on a room for our kids we automatically in our mind go to a gender specific space and how we can incorporate their favorite things into it. My daughter Dylan LOVES dress ups, as I am sure most of your 3 year old daughters do.
But, just because they like something like that doesn’t mean that that is the only interest that we have to use as inspiration.
I don’t want my girls to grow up thinking that they have to do things like everyone else. I want to give them spaces that make them imagine and see things differently than other people do.
I remember laying on my bed as a kid and finding pictures in the ceiling texture. I want Dylan’s room to capture that intrigue that a child has. Where its ok to say that Rainbow is your favorite color. Where things are whimsical and magical and strange. You feel me?
This is how her room has looked for the past year or so:
You can see the tutorial for the bedding I made out of scraps from my sewing room here.
It is a huge improvement over what it looked like from our MLS listing.
But there is nothing MAGICAL about it.
So I hope that you guys will enjoy going on this little journey with me. The first project was repainting the walls. Which I ALWAYS underestimate and is extra complicated because of the stripes.
What are some of the things that were intriguing to you as a child that you want your kids to know about?
Love Your Guts, Mandi
Slapping the paint on the walls in my daughter’s room redo today! I, too, think about what I wanted as a child as I’ve designed her room. I agreed to things to “please” my mom. I’m encouraging my daughter to “own” this room and really have an opinion.
Can’t wait to see what you do! I see little unpainted doors (presumably for dollhouses) at hobby lobby in the wood section, and I want to paint one and make a little “fairy door” in my daughters room, because I would have LOVED something so magical and mysterious in my room as a little girl!
cant wait to see 😉
Wow! I really love her room now, so I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I actually waffle on the same thing… I am starting a room makeover and couldn’t decide how to go about showing it off. I had decided this weekend that I was going to share each element as I did it. I think you have done this in the past on rooms and I enjoy trying to put it together in my head before you show it off. 🙂
It’s a great room now, but can see it’s not quite 3-yr-old-dress-up-girl style. Can’t wait to see what you do.
I seriously hate painting! I always get so excited when I pick it out, then I start the project and super hate it. Dylan is a super darling name btw. Can’t wait to see how her room turns out!
that’s what i am doing. i am sharing bits and pieces of owen’s room and the kitchen as i redo them. at first i questioned it because i feared it would take out that wow! in the big reveal. but honestly, i think most people forget what rooms look like, especially if they are reading 10 or even 20 blogs. so no matter what, it will still be a big reveal in the end. there’s nothing better than a before and after.
I used to lay on the top bunk of our bunk beds and find pictures in the wall texture too! What a fun memory. Can’t wait to see Dylan’s room progress!
we are about to redo the boys rooms… i’m not sure where we’ll go with them, but it has to be cheap that’s all i know! did i miss a tutorial somewhere for those two cute square frames with all the letters on them? i’d love to make those if you have a tutorial… super cute!! i’d kill for her room as it is… just with a king size bed instead! i love those colors. but can’t wait to see what you come up with, it’s bound to be killer that’s for sure! love ya!
Oh, but I really DO like the “before” room. Well, YOUR before room that is, and not the listing version. I know it’s going to be awesome. Can’t wait to come along for the ride.
I can’t wait to see how the new room looks! I do like how her room is now but understand wanting to change it. I laughed when I read that you used to find “pictures in the ceiling texture” because I SO did that but with the flooring in one of our bathrooms… funny!
Can I buy that bedding from you?? It is so beautiful!! I can’t believe your changing that room!! Can’t wait to see what you do.
Im the same way about knowing how to blog it. But i try to just post the progress in real time. Which in my world means about8 months until final reveal! 🙂 looking forward to following along!!
OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH! How about a hanging bed or hanging lounge chair???? I’m lusting those right now!! Love the ombre drawer comment that came up for her nightstand. I used to imagine a sliding ladder that lead up to a reading nook or loft bed….Your totally capable of buidling something awesome for it, I believe in YOU!!
You made that bedding?! That’s AWESOME!!! I LOVE that room! It turned out amazing!
Perfect timing! Re-doing my 3 year old Emmas’ room is my first home goal for the year. I’ve started on some basics, but I can’t wait for a little more VR inspiration.
Mandi, I love her room already (that homemade bedding!!!) but can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Stacy
Your little girl may be the cutest thing ever!! I love kid’s rooms. I feel like they are the only rooms where you can be outrageously fantastical in your decorating. My daughter is 2 1/2 and my big struggle is TOYS. We don’t have a playroom so they are all shoved in her room. I also taught preschool so the teacher in me, who knows her toys should be in clear bins for her to see, struggles with the “decorator” in me who wants to use awesome baskets. If you are ever in Ohio, feel free to swing by and offer some advice ;)Can’t wait to see what you have planned for your little cutie.
Jamie R
I couldn’t find pictures in the ceiling as a kid (our 200 year old house had beadboard on the ceiling) but I TOTALLY do that now 🙂 And I have my favorite spots to look, too 🙂 I’m so excited to see what you are going to do. I’m re-doing our college-aged daughter’s room right now.
Shirley said:
She is a lucky little girl. I will be waiting for your updates.
B.E.A.U.tiful I love the gray and white with the green…You work wonders lady! Your daughter is LUCKY!
I like seeing the evolution along the way…. it keeps things a little more realistic in my mind of seeing the work with each project rather than, Ta da! Look what I did! Anyway… can’t wait to see it all!