Happy Monday, lovelies!
So we’re super duper excited about this post today! We decided this winter that we would give Emerson’s room a bit of an update. When we first moved her from her crib, it was three years ago (in effort to prep her for little brother making his appearance just 18 months behind her). It was white and bright and fun and soft… and maybe a little premature, because if we’re honest in a lot of ways it didn’t really feel like her now that she’s older.
We were ready for it to reflect more of her daredevil-funny-rambunctious personality. We also wanted her to be a part of this process, so that she could take ownership in her space. She’s only five, but she’s definitely a little artist, has her own opinions, and I felt like this would help that whole I’m-five-and-still-refuse-to-sleep-in-my-own-bed-thing. Call me crazy, but I thought this would work.
Guess what? I don’t want to jinx anything, but it has. {fingers crossed, victory dance following and I-told-you-so’s to Jamin, included. I totally just jinxed myself.}
So Emerson’s big girl room redo is finito! And today, we had some fun photos to share!
Most of the things in this room were either recycled from our previous space, or handmade. This room took a while to come together… but I believe that sometimes, the most meaningful spaces do.
I wanted her bed to feel like more of a lounging area for her. So we designed and built her bed (even though it was revised fifty times, originally started out as a hanging bed, and we almost killed each other over it) we think it fits her perfectly. ;}
I sewed a combination of linen and broadcloth together after cutting it into strips for a fun coverlet, used a table cloth + hand towels from a fun, local store for ‘bedding’ and made more pillows to match. I anchored it all with her white quilt, and I was thrilled with the outcome. {Read: I didn’t die.}
Emerson had been begging for a pink room. I was a bit anti, but of course if it’s done right, it can be fun. So we went for an edgier side with a gold accent wall along with navy and orange as the dominate colors. A happy compromise.
Her old dresser, the same one from my own childhood received a facelift with some brass pulls. Her mirror was painted with a fresh coat of orange, and these frames (grabbed from other spaces in our home) were painted and now hold fun photos, art, and quotes that remind me of her.
“If you look after goodness and truth, beauty will take care of itself.” – Eric Gill
The stars were made with a fun stencil and some gold metallic paint for a bit of punch on that accent wall.
We pulled the door off of her closet, got rid of that builder’s beige that still remained, and draped it in a curtain. We built some handmade shelves to store all of her toys and other keepsakes. Storage was key for this room and I love the organization it provides. We’re in the process of establishing a family closet, so this will make things easier in the storage (and laundry) department.
We found this funny girl poster, and decided to deck it out with a handmade frame.
I’ve always envisioned a dollhouse for Emerson. She’s big into Barbie right now (the rite-of-passage for most little girls) and I figured I may as well make it fun, so Jamin and I designed and built a dollhouse. We plan to go through, room by room and make it into something fun that serves a double doozie as storage for those toys. It will be the first Emmy-and-Mom design collaborative. Stay tuned for The Dollhouse Diaries. ;}
No. Really. I’m so excited.
The curtains were also made with simple strips of fabric, and accented. They hang from right below the ceiling with a bamboo shade to bring in more of that natural element. They make the room feel larger.
“She had a lively, playful disposition which delighted in anything ridiculous” -Jane Austen
We had so much fun with her birthday party, I knew I wanted to bring a touch of that element into her space as well. So I made this art to go in her room.
I touched up an old gold frame that was given to me with a shot of navy blue, and added some handmade art.
I scored this chandy last year on sale, and thought I would hold on to it for something else. As it turns out, it was made for her space. She needed a little drama for ceiling swag.
A vintage record, old books that belonged to my mother, sweet little frills and fun details make the space… for me, anyway.
And one of those wonky mirror balls sits happily on her floor.
I caught Malone rolling it down the hall the other day. Boys. ;}
Her chandy puts tiny rainbows on the wall, and between that bejeweled wonder and the disco ball, her room is a hybrid mix between Rainbow Bright and Care Bear mania at different times of the day.
It’s the little things.
So stay tuned. I promise to be back this week with a full-fledged sources list (which I will link back to, here as well). Also, we have quite a few tutorials coming up, along with some fabulous giveaways from the amazing RYOBI for anything you would need to make this space! Be sure to take a peek at RYOBI Nation. We love looking at the fabulous things others have done!
If you have any questions, please ask away, and I will be sure to address them here or in the upcoming posts. Have an inspired day, sweet friends + thank you for stopping by!
pssst… view all our sources, here!
Laura G. says
This space is AWESOME. Of course. đ I’m loving the color combo! And don’t think I didn’t notice your mention of a family closet. This peaks my interest, indeed. đ
Pam @ Keeping Life Creative says
I’m with Laura! We just bought a new house, and my three girls will be sharing a room. Since there won’t be a lot of room for extra furniture (read: dressers) I’ve been thinking of a “family closet.” Can’t wait for details!
The room is amazing :).
dinah lm says
first time i’ve ever left a comment on a blog……here goes…..this is adorable, one of the best i’ve seen, you did a fabulous job…and i love that is was soooo affordable and a and a labor of love…i thought the star wall was wall paper, i have that stencil and now i have some inspiration, thanks to you….bravo, love this room!!!!
baileywife says
A family closet?? GENIOUS!!!! I seriously think that every home / family needs one!! Love her room too!! ~Kim
Jenny says
Will you include the doll house plans?! Pleeeeeease?! I would love to make one for my daughter for Christmas this year!!
jamin says
Yes, Jenny we will be revealing all the tutorials in the coming weeks, as well as giving away tons of free RYOBI stuff to help you build it all.
Lynn says
This room is so fresh and original. It is surely one of a kind; I like that. I’ve been working on my sons room too. He’s been all about helping. He’s 6 1/2 yrs old but he’s painted walls and trim. I think it would have broke his heart not to help. Thanks for sharing this sweet redo.
Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says
It’s so beautiful!! You did an amazing job! I would have this be my bedroom!
debra myrick says
Love it! We are building your loft bed in our boys room right now and our daughters room is next on the list! Thanks for inspiration.
Pine Tree Home says
Can I move in? This is such a sweet but classy room. Great job and loved how you and the Hubster did some building for this space.
Alima says
Wow! Great job!! And great job on the stenciled wall! I was certain it was wallpaper it looked so perfect! It reminds me of the starburst wallpaper they used in the coastal living idea house last year in the girls bunk room. That pop of gold is so fun and a little unexpected in a kids room. I love it!
Angela says
Love it! Thanks for sharing. I think her sweet little face in the picture collage might be one of my favorite elements. đ Love the thought of orange and navy as the dominant accent colors of a soft pink room. It makes me reassess the pastel rainbows and lilac of my eight year old’s room. Her room just might be getting a make over too.
I enjoy your blog, and will keep reading!
Denise says
So cute, and fun, and bright and colorful!! Perfect for a big-girl room!! Love it!!
Erin @ Two Story Cottage says
Of course I love it. Every single, square inch. Love that it fits her and that you collaborated as much as one can collaborate with a five year old.
Love the bedding, the details, and I have had making a dollhouse on the brain for at least a year so maybe one of these days.
The bed and stenciling turned out great. Love, love, love!!
Yes, that family closet….I just might need to know about that.
April says
Love this room! I’ll be doing big-kid rooms for my twins in the next year or two and I can’t wait. I might have to steal that gold stenciled accent wall!
Barbo says
On the dresser you have a cute necklace holder that my granddaughter would love — will you be giving directions on how to make this?
Amanda eck says
This is by far my most favorite room you guys have done!!!! It’s perfect! And really speaks volumes of the fun, adventurous little girl who lives there!
Amalia says
Wow! What a beautiful room, and one lucky girl.
The space seems to fit her perfectly and I love that you are embarking on the dollhouse project together! I got so inspired from this post!
Crys says
This is beautiful!
Laura @ Finding Home says
Love. Love. Love. So perfect and I am sure she loves it.
Ashley@BiggerthantheThreeofUs says
Looks amazing! Great job.
Jane says
This is great I wish I had this room when I was little.
Christy Taylor says
Hey! Where did you find the precious rug?
Sarah says
I don’t think I can say enough how much I LOVE this wallpaper!
ali moll says
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I love the pops of gold around the room, and the doll house is to die for! I love it all!
Barb Lewis says
LOVE IT! Such wonderful use of color. Can’t wait for the sources list! What a special place for the BIG girl!
Carol says
Awesome job Ashley and Jamin! The stars look great! She really looks like she is enjoying it.
Donna says
Love this room! Can’t wait to see the tutorials. Great job!
Sarah @ Just The Bees Knees says
This room is amazing!! You rocked it girl!! Loving the gold stars with the pink and orange combo! What a lucky little girl:)
Jennifer Himburg says
I’m a local…… So I have to ask what the cute local store is!? ;). Love her big girl room!
Krista @thehappyhousie says
Wow! It is so beautiful! The orange and gold really balances the pink and makes the whole room feel totally custom and unique. You have quite the gift for mixing and matching and creating and pulling things together. I am always awed and inspired!
Andrea Worley says
this space is beautiful. love her bed. Are you going to do a tutorial on it?
Cecilia says
That is adorable! I love the color combo and all the lively accents. It looks like it will grow with her well. Very nice!!
Brittany says
This room is so beautiful and playful at the same time! And I am slightly obsessed with pink and orange right now đ I also completely LOVE the Funny Girl poster above the bed–one of my favorite movies. Gotta love a little Babs đ
paige says
lord have mercy
you’re brilliant
& i wanna move in…
Elisa says
Absolutely gorgeous!
Melissa says
My first comment on your blog: Emerson’s bedroom is beautiful! I follow several blogs, and this is my favorite bedroom of the year. Great job!
Inspire Me Heather says
Oh that room is amazing – such lovely details!! I have this linked to my girls rooms post too today, just beautiful!
Britt says
love this room:) where did u get the darling rug from?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Britt! You can read all about all of our sources, here.
Jessica @ Dear Emmeline says
so fun! and pretty! and fun! and stylin’! did I mention fun?!
Marie says
Would love to see these pictures but for some reason your website is all chopped up and won’t load.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey! Please let me know if it doesn’t work, Marie. We haven’t really had any other complaints about this. đ
Marie says
Still not working :(. I am using Chrome if that makes a difference. I tried using IE and while the page loaded the pictures did not, just had a black x in the upper left corner. In chrome I have a little square that is broken in the middle. It is probably my computer but I thought you would like to know.
Katie @ Team Skelley says
It is like looking into a mirror. We are also doing a Big Girl room for our daughter, who is ALSO 5, this summer! We had the same idea-a room for a big girl that she could help design as her space, not the space that Mommy decorated when she was 18 months old. We have also done a lot of pink and gold, but I am not nearly as crafty as you. We lack curtains and then the room will be ready for the reveal. Alexa is also big into Barbie right now, something tells me that our girls would be best friends. đ Newest follower!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Awesome! I’m sure they would be! ;}
Kathy :) says
Love the pace !!!
Chernee's House says
Love all the fun details – love the gold and pink hues! Playful room!! We are updating our daughter’s room! She is turning 12 this week – she designed most of it herself! Girls are the best!
Katie says
I just came across your blog and absolutely love your little girls room! The combination of navy, gold, pink and orange is stunning. You did a great job and the room looks amazing. It looks like such a happy place for your little girl to hang out.
casey says
This is the cutest little girl’s room!! I’m in the process of redoing my 4 year olds room and we are doing pink as well. Curious if you know what the brand and name of your pink shade is? I have the hardest time picking the right shade. Love how it looks on camera! Love the gold accents!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Casey! You can read all about the details here! I hope that helps. ;}
Melanie Malone says
you may have already shared this, but what color is the pink on the walls. I believe its exactly what I’d like to use.
Melanie Malone says
Never
mind , should’ve read the comment above. Haha!