Hello, fabulous friends! I hope this finds you well today, and you all had a wonderful weekend! I thought I’d kick the week off right with a little inspiration from yours truly!
Our friends Martin and Andrea are moving into a new home soon, and wanted some ideas for their daughter’s official big gal room. Maggie is only two weeks older than our own Malone, and they’re pretty big buds. I had an absolute blast coming up with ideas for this sweet lil gal’s room!
If you can’t tell, I was oh so appropriately channeling my Cath Kidston vibes for this one: the pattern-on-pattern vintage look, paired with a fun hints of equestrian. Maggie’s daddy is British, {and even though he isn’t a big fan of flags in their decor, I’m always pushing it with them since they can totally pull it off, and with good reason}. Her mommy took riding lessons growing up, and even had a few horses of her own. So I thought it would be super fun to go with a vintage equestrian cottage country look for Maggie’s new space. All she’s really lacking are a few ribbons and trophies of her own!
1. Infusing the space with this soft color will make a huge difference up front. Maggie, of course, has requested pink ;} but her mom, understandably, wanted something a little different this time around. I figured if she has enough pink in her accessories and bedding, this versatile shade of Benjamin Moore’s Silver Cloud might serve as the perfect soothing backdrop.
Here’s an actual photo of silver cloud in action. It reads a nice, nearly neutral soft blue on the walls.
The entire room actually began with this fabulous mantel that Andrea scored one day when we were {once again} perusing one of my fave spots- rescued relics. She has plans to turn this into a bed for Maggie. {She still has to do the whole lead paint testing thing-and may just seal it in the wonderful finish the way it is…or strip it and paint it white. PS. She paid 250 for this. I found one very similar on Pinterest that someone had priced- 950. ;}
I absolutely adore these crafty little pom flowers. I think they’d make an adorable little accessory to any little gal’s room, especially another opportunity to carry out more shades of pink to make lil gal happy.
2. Windows like these, similar to her bedding, or even in a great yellow like this, would make a pretty little addition to her space, without the whole ‘blinds’ look.
3. So I’m officially in LOVE with this lamp. Just not the price. It has that perfect little quaint, farmhouse feel, especially when juxtaposed next to all the fabulous floral fabrics and ruffles. We may be making our own knockoff version, very soon. Because I want one.
I think Maggie already has a side table, but this would make one charming little nightstand! I’m currently obsessed with all things cane, and a hint of this is perfection.
4. It’s an antique reproduction, but this little gem at PB teen is quite the steal and on sale!
5. These simple DIY shelves, covered in vintage floral sheets or a fun fabric would look amazing on each side of her windows, with a nice decorative corbels to display books, frames, keepsakes, and all those blue ribbons she’ll be sure to win. ;}
6. I love the look of a vintage metal mirror to bring in some real patina to the space. I also love the fact, that ideally, it would pick up tones from the lamp, and hardware from the dresser, to pull it all together.
This artist makes the most adorable prints. I simply love her work.
7. Happy bunting. Because every sweet little room needs some.
These fabrics are perfectly delightful for a little girl’s room. Especially paired together in a yummy quilt. Andrea is quite the seamstress, so I’d love to see her make something gorgeous for her sweet little gal.
I just can’t resist, people. This project was originally a pincushion, but its a great example of what fun you could have in tying the fabrics together for her bedding-I have a real weakness for blanket stitches-and sweet little Union Jacks!
I love the idea of toning the bedding down, and bringing in some places for the eye to rest with a soft, white, simple duvet cover, and the quilt full of fabrics folded at the foot of the bed.
9. I love this rug, and it’s a nice, unexpected touch in round for the space. At 6 feet, the price is quite nice.
10. The dresser found via :
If she wanted to finish one like it, we certainly know where she can find that same awesome hardware! I’m not saying in this exact color, because it all depends how it looks with the wall color, but something in this classic shape, with beautiful hardware would be amazing for that vintage equestrian farmhouse feel.
11. For various finishing touches:
Horsey paint by number vintage art. This is just fun.
Easy vintage DIY version of great accessories for the space and its equestrian grandeur. ;} I’d also love to see some vintage horse bookends.
Simple art, put together with burlap on canvas would serve as a fabulous, charmingly affordable art for Maggie’s room! A real statement piece.
So there we have it. A vintage equestrian feel, channeled by vintage-esque fabrics, pops of pink, unexpected surprises, and a beautifully charming classic look to last for years to come.
Don’t you just love that classic, vintage, blue ribbon kinda feel? Any of you used this for your children’s rooms, or considering it? Do you tend to use ‘themes’ in subtle ways, too? Spill it-we’d love to hear!
Have a wonderfully inspired day, everyone!
Rebekah Tice says
LOVE IT! “Themes” in subtle ways is exactly what I am trying to do in my two boys room. When we bought the house the room was John Deere yellow with accessories of all kinds to coordinate…wallpaper boarder, curtains, switch plate covers, etc. I painted the walls a neutral light carmel color (my standard in bedrooms) and left the curtains. My boys are now crazy for everything tractor, but I want the theme to subtle and not overtake the room like before. So far it is mainly coming in through artwork (some great scrapbook paper that I found) and accessories (John Deere tractor pillow or throws or tractors toys given to them). My only worry is that I am still going a bit overboard….how do you keep the balance…how do you know you have gone too far?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Rebekah! As a rule of thumb, I try to express my subtle themes through color and vintage items, to keep it interesting. I also stay away from brand names and characters, like coca-cola or Hello Kitty. {bwah! see emerson’s room.} Found items, vintage, and layers of interest is what build a room, without it screaming in your face, like you mentioned above. It was good you were able to tone it down-There’s just a delicate balance on toe-ing the line between what truly makes your children happy, and what you can live with. I think you can also make things like vintage tractors super interesting without having too much of that brand, so it’s more unique. It’s a delicate compromise. {aka, you’ll never catch me dead with Hello Kitty on display with a party at my house. Call me a spaz, but it is what it is. ;}} I hope that helps? IT sounds like you’re going in the right direction-What tricks to you guys use?
Rebekah Tice says
Great thoughts and suggestions. Thanks for the helpful hints, Ashley! I love your blog…it brightens my day:)
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks for reading, sweet lady! đ
Rebekah Tice says
Sorry one last comment…LOVE the paint by number prints…that used to be one of my grandpa’s hobbies…always makes me think of him (miss him), but smile!!
Danielle says
This is so sweet! My daughters share a bedroom and they are currently obsessed with horses. I love the covered shelf idea- we can always use more storage/display space in their room with all their books and trinkets. Thanks for the beautiful pictures!
Erika says
I love it! The patterns are beautiful, and I think this look would work really well in a guest room as well. If you toned down some of the pinks a tad, it could be the sweetest guest room. It reminds me of a lovely little bed and breakfast, and who wouldn’t want that for their room?!
Catherine says
You are so good at this. Love the roman shades and the pom pom flowers… may have to try those…
Laurie says
Hi!, I Love your website and visit it often, you have amazing taste and wonderful ideas! The little pin cushion in this post reminds me so much of our tooth fairy pillows my sister and I had growing up. Just insert a little pocket (for the lost tooth) in the front of the adorable pin cushion and Ta Da, a tooth fairy pillow. Just a thought, brings back memories đ Have a great day!
Laurie
Landi says
Absolutely LOVE this theme. And love this blog, period!! It is absolutely precious… I’m an interior design major at the moment in my junior year at TCU in Ft. Worth, TX. You’ve done a fabulous job with this little number & can’t wait to continue to read along đ
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you, Landi! ;}
shaunna says
So love this one…definitely got part of the vibe I have going on in Ava’s in-progress big girl space. Love it.
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shaunna
Leslie from Onesie Twosie says
LOVE it! My own little Miss Priss is going to be needing her own room in a few years. I will definitely be referring back to this. As a Texan, I sooooo wish I had an excuse for pasting Union Jack accessories all over my home!
Sandra says
The bedding is so beautiful and scrumptious. I saw a similiar one in Garnite Hill catalog- definitely my favorite.
Erin says
This is just lovely! Such a fun combination of fabrics and vintage details! I’ve been meaning to drop you a note because we are considering buying a 1935 bungalow with only 800 sq. ft. We have a 2 y/o and one on the way đ The house has a converted attic which would be a sleeping dorm for the kiddos. I’ve loved your Small Spaces series and may be your next client . . . or success story?
Erin @ Rare and Beautiful Treasures
Cindy Sue says
Oh how I wish there had been a ‘you’ when I was a girl. This is going to be fun, colorful and absolutely stunning. Can’t wait to see the finished product, and thank you for all of the great link, especially the fabric(i’m kinda a fabric fanatic).
Cindy Sue
ashley @ the handmade home says
Cindy! What a hugely sweet complement! Thank you. ;}
Emmmylizzzy says
Did you design this room for me? Because I’d totally love to live there. Thanks for linking up my vintage sheet covered shelves – this is my first time visiting your blog and I’m loving it!
Autumn M says
Gorgeous, my favorite room yet I think!
I wish you lived closer, I’d hire you in a heartbeat to redo my house!