Remember our sweet client Jen from a few weeks ago?
Their family is relocating soon, and they actually move quite a bit. {They are a military family, and we have so much admiration for what they do.} Jen was looking for some great solutions for her shared children’s spaces, especially ideas to build on, and ideas she can take with her, as they relocate often. In this space, she had a crib, and a twin bed. A space shared by two sisters… a literal blank slate with plenty of fun potential.
So given their age difference, and the fact that they’ll be moving soon, we built this little board with two things in mind: So that they can slowly but surely add to it as they grow, and so they can decide what they wish to start with, and take with them when they move again. We planned ahead for matching beds and everything, so that in the future if that changes, they can keep right on sharing their space.
I’ll address each item as I get to it, so without further ado… {I totally went out of order this time so it all makes more sense when I’m discussing it below}
The color –
She’d already painted it the perfect light shade of blue. We thought this color is great with the items we chose, and that you should totally keep it a light blue for the space, for a nice contrast.
5. The beds –Â
Her youngest is still in a crib. We wanted to be able to plan ahead though, and not just plan a space for a crib and twin. Thinking in the future, maybe after they make this next move and feel more settled, they may invest in a bed, and then hold off on the crib {If they’re anything like us, we know how to play that game of making the crib sleeper stay as long as possible ;}} But we wanted to go ahead and share a nice classic shape with her, that’s a lot like the Jenny Lind I shared in the first space… so they could consider them all.
These are all twins, and all white, so that if they decide to mix it up a bit in the future, the finishes will actually blend quite seamlessly. She may even want these beds for your other two, or vice versa… but I just wanted to go ahead and present the option. ;} SO many variables with what they’re planning to do and all the possibilities… we hope this helps a little with thinking for later.
7. Bedding –Â
We love the white pin tuck duvet. It has a nice girly edge, with classic finish that they really just can’t outgrow. They could purchase one or two now, and use the bedding on her older daughter’s bed, until the younger one is big enough.
We love the idea of this navy blue quilt at the foot of the bed, along with a throw like this. While the space may not be actually ready to go yet for the girls, if they really like it, they could still style the room {as they’re getting ready to put their home on the market} with the throw, on the crib and bed… and then still use them later when both girls are in their big beds. Little things that tie it together in the meantime.
This pillow ties them together oh so perfectly for a girly flare, without being too girly. And they can use it now on both beds for decor and unifying the look without changing anything else. With the age between their girls, we thought this was something they could both grow in to. They mentioned a coastal vibe, and we love the corals and blues without it being too over the top, or something they’d easily tire of.
She already had an existing anchor for the room, and we think it will fit right into the space.
I also included thisÂ
DIY polkadot pillow, which has been one of our faves that we used as a project for Emerson’s (our daughters) space. This is something you could do on your own later, as a set for their floor cushions or on their beds as well.
6. Rug
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I adore the way this rug ties it all together with sweet hints of peach. She could use two smaller ones at the foot of each bed, or one larger one… and if she wanted it to be used in the space now, we thought that the 5 x 7 was priced reasonably. If they end up moving into a bigger space, they can always layer it with a natural jute in their room, and it will only carry out that hint of nautical, while reinforcing the anchor of the rug in a space. There are many ways to bring in rugs, and make a statement on any budget.
4. Dresser
The girls may eventually need aÂ
dresser for their things, and I wanted to include an idea for that, in the future. This is an etsy seller, but just an example of an old vintage piece they can refinish for endless possibilities to stretch their funds. Every room needs a fund stretcher or two. Or more. We always love finishing out older pieces to save majorly on the essentials but with a flare of their own. We usually sand down our pieces a smidge, then wipe them down and apply primer. We usually use a low gloss on them because it makes them easier to wipe clean. There’s a lot of fuss out there about all the expensive paints, and we always stick with
good old fashioned latex.1. Curtains
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We included a bit of simple frill in these, along with some nice little blinds, since they’re sheer and you probably need to block out some light.
Art {2+8}
2. She mentioned that their oldest is a little girly and loves fashion, but is also tough. We thought that some vintage paper dolls would be oh so adorable in their space, in some simple floating frames. I once had some in
Emmy’s room, and she loved them. If they wanted to carry out that nautical feel, they could even get some vintage bathing suits.
3. Chandy Â
A chandelier like this one would be worth the splurge after they relocate.
9 + 10 Table + Lamp
We chose a sturdy side table in case they want to purchase one now for beside one of the beds… I tried to stay with a wide base and one that won’t tip easily with little curious climbers. I hope this one is sufficient – but it has a simple, classic finish that will last them for years.
I also chose this adorable lamp, because I couldn’t resist. – But we also included a more realistic version since the girls are still young.
11. Storage
The same storage as before, to utilize that desk area for now. {This space has the same type of built in desk as their siblings’ room} They may find an entirely new use for them when they move, but especially since their older daughter is a little bookworm… these are great for all their extras. It makes an unusable space for now, totally manageable for the time being in an attractive way, and she can repurpose them later when they relocate.
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And that about wraps up our ideas for now!
We hope this helps spark some ideas, and that it addresses their concerns for each child. Or inspires some of you out there who are in the same shared space/maybe moving adventure as all of us in the future! It’s so much fun and will be a part of their fondest memories, for sure.
What are some of your favorite tips for shared sibling spaces? Any of you who relocate often have some advice? We would love to hear your ideas –Â Have an inspired day!
Please note out of respect for our clients, we no longer share the sources here, unless they are from our studio or that of an independent artist. Please feel free to check out our spring specials, here!
Okay, I know this is a design for little girls, but I kind of want to do this to my room. Love!!! That rug is super cute and I am digging that bed frame (and the vintage books of course!). 🙂 After we finish our crazy laundry renovation, our bedroom is next, so…who knows?!?
This is perfect! Thank you so much for inspiring me- adore this color scheme