Deep breaths…it’s the last week before the final reveal of our One Room Challenge space. We’ve been furnishing and decorating a freshly-remodeled bedroom for Laura Irion’s 10-year-old daughter. You can start at Week 1 to catch up if it’s your first time here!
Last week, we showed you our darling little hideaway closet nook. This week it’s been all about moving in furniture, hanging artwork, THE DRAPES, and hunting for accessories.
First, do you remember that vintage dresser that was in the room’s “before” photos?
We bought it through Craigslist about 7 years ago when we first moved in. I really love it and even love the wood tone, but the top has suffered years of abuse from legos and barbies and slime, and it really needed to be refinished. I had bought it intending to paint it anyway, so I held my breath and took the plunge. I actually let my daughter pick the color (she’s got some very strong design opinions, surprise surprise, so everything in this room has been as much her design as mine). She loves teal and turquoise and all shades of blue so she chose Inchyra Blue No. 289 by Farrow & Ball for the dresser. (In case you’re wondering, yes, the wallpaper was her pick! Happily approved by Mom!)
I LOVE the color. It’s a beautifully indescribable shade of deep green-blue, and I love how it looks with the dresser’s original vintage hardware.
Next priority these past few weeks was getting our artwork framed. Since I knew that would take some time, I sent it off to Framebridge at the beginning of the challenge. We keep a frame kit in our library because it’s so much easier to choose frames in person than online.
We ordered two beautiful prints from Inslee Fariss for the room. One of my daughter’s career ambitions is a fashion designer, so I thought it would be sweet to frame up some fashion prints. But, even if that career goal fades, these are just sweet, simple and girly and I think they’ll stand the test of time. (Word to the wise- if you want anything on her site, grab it immediately! By the time I first pinned my favorites and placed the order, several were already gone and I felt lucky to get these. By the time they arrived here a few days later, they were sold out!)
For framing, I was torn between white and gold, but in the end of the gold won out. I like how the gold warms up the cool tones in the space and makes the art stand out against the wall. Here you can see my highly scientific method of frame and mat size selection….
Apparently we are all about using cardboard as sizing props in our One Room Challenges. The artwork arrived back from Framebridge beautiful and ready to go!
The dresser above was stolen from my youngest’s former nursery. This was his changing table and the size and shade of light blue turned out to be just right for this room (he didn’t mind as he now shares a room with his older brother). I had originally loved these Serena & Lily nightstands, but after splurging on wallpaper and drapes, I needed to reign it in a bit on furniture. Speaking of which… drapes! Do you see them peeking at us in the photo above? They have been installed and oh. my. goodness. So yummy!
If you’ve read our Rules for Hanging Drapes, you’ll see how these check all the boxes. You want to make sure they just “kiss” the floor, are hung higher and wider than your window, and cover the trim without covering the view. Custom drapes are definitely a hefty investment, but nothing elevates a room quite like them!
We hung the Serena & Lily Lanai mirror above the dresser (this is the large size), and that completes all of the “installed” elements and big furniture. Now, it’s just about the styling layer and accessories. Since I re-used and repurposed older furniture to save on budget, (seriously, every piece except the bookcase is from a garage sale or Craigslist accumulated over the years) it’s all feeling a little more ‘matchy’ than LP and I would usually like. So, our goal is to bring in some modernity in the accessories. It’s also a little bit too overly sweet and definitely tending toward the “young” side of her tween age, so I’ve been scouting for a more teenage feel in the finishing touches. Although stuffed animals are still a non-negotiable for this girl- she’s hoarding 4 bins full sight-unseen beneath the bed skirts! But hey, I’m all for her growing up sloooowly, so she can play with Bambi and Teddy for as long as she wants!
Come back next week for the big reveal (eeeek!) and for now, stop by and see how the other ORC guest participants are doing in the home stretch.
xx
Laura & Laura
tim@designmaze says
oh this is looking better and better! Bravo to progress and that’s one lucky girl who gets to enjoy this room all to herself!
Kylie Briggs says
Your daughter has great taste! Loving the wallpaper and dresser color. Good luck with your final week and can’t wait to see the end result!