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When we first purchased this house, we knew that for a while, we would need to make a shared space work for the kiddos.
And after all that we’ve been through, I had this vision in my head of what a shared space would look like. I wanted it to be something they were excited to be a part of. That can be a little tricky with two boys and a girl… who all have very different ideas of what they want.
Something that they could share, and sleep in… and have the rest of the house to play in, {along with a big yard and pool}. So they were all agreeable with the idea of bunking up together until we decided {or in this case, are able to} proceed with the addition.
Eventually with an add on master, we hope to spread out. They will have the upstairs space to themselves when mom and dad are able to move over. This is the grand plan projected for those teenage years when everyone needs a little space. {At the rate of septic, we’ll be able to do an addition just as they’re leaving for college, and then the house will feel too big. HA!}
But in the meantime, shared space it would be.
I pictured something that they could love. That was simple. That reflected who they are. And for some reason, the only thing I wanted to do when we finally moved in, was work on their space.
Yes, I have a bajillion other things I need to be doing. A million obligations I need to fulfill. Like, cleaning up the kitchen for starters. But priority one is our children.
They just needed something special of their own right now. We’ve been through a crazy transition, and to have a little space just for them… this was what we were after. I was anxious to create their space to help get them settled. Kids are resilient, I know. So maybe this was more for me. But we’re so glad to have them all set up.
So start on their room we did. If you remember the red…
Oh my word that red.
And here’s what it looks like, now.
We were thrilled to install all hardwoods throughout the house. The result is absolutely gorgeous and totally worth it for the feel of our spaces.
And the planked ceilings. We did this ourselves, and the result was a game changer.
We brought in some of our own fabrics with bold colors, some hand me down pieces we’ve had for a very long time, and even accented one of the walls with our wallpaper. The chest of drawers is Jamin’s from his childhood, and the little trunk is a painted redo from my college days. Mixing the old and a little new to help create a space just for them.
We should have had a reveal on camera. Because Emerson proclaimed that it felt like she was in college.
And Aiden said it was like he was staying in a fancy hotel.
This is their way of giving compliments…
We say mission accomplished.
One of my favorite additions is this quote I hand painted for their wall. When Jamin and I step back and think about why we did this… why we took a leap, a risk, a series of sacrifices and major heart stopping process just to get here… we know this is why.
They play in the yard any second they get. Moving has been a game changer for our family. This is what it’s all about.
It was tricky finding art that would fit them all. Some that we knew they all would love. So when we stumbled upon this vintage star chart, we knew it was perfect with bold colors and etchings to study for days. Aiden is currently obsessed with Greek mythology, it’s right up his alley.
I love almost everything here. But one of our very favorites is this little cape.
Jamin’s mom sewed it for him as a child, and she gave it to us some years ago. We held on to it all this time and the kiddos played with it for a while. It’s well worn from many adventures. We decided framing it would be the perfect piece for their space.
A big game changer was knocking through the walls of the closets. Once upon a time, the inside looked like this:
Yeah it’s dark and bulky and I could barely wedge myself inside to take a photo. You get the picture.
We basically did this very same thing in our last house, and the walk through made a huge difference in the amount of space we gained. Just being able to walk in and select some clothes without feeling the walls of darkness close in, is major on it’s own. We have a ton of space for anything we need. Eventually Malone and Aiden will share this closet… but for now it nicely holds everything for all three kids. We still need to add a few things like heavy coats and a few toys… though most of that will stay in the basement.
We loved giving the closet a shot of blue to tie in with the ceilings.
And we even planked the ceilings in the closet because… why stop?
We hand built the barn doors – tutorials for both coming soon!
We added these little reading lights since it’s what they like to do at night… and smaller tables in between to hold few of their things.
Other than those smaller items, and some essential things to help with storage, we loved keeping the furniture to a minimum since we went the simple route with beds.
Vintage books from our own childhood and a few of their favorite belongings…
We love the way our fabrics and wallpaper play together in the space!
We’ve come such a long way. And we absolutely love it.
We defnitely have more details coming soon with tutorials, sources and all the good stuff… so stay tuned, and let us know if you have any questions in the meantime!
Have an inspired day!
Elizabeth says
I can’t stop looking at this! can’t wait for the how-to as well. Amazing! love how you make an everyday thing like a cape a special thing.
Vicki says
Wow, just beautiful. You two continually amaze me all the time. How blessed you are that both of you enjoy doing these things together and that you share the vision! So impressed that 3 kids are so willing to share this space. I think that only adds to how close they stay as they grow up. I had to share a bedroom with my little brother until I was a preteen and loved it. We just never fought. Can’t wait to see what else you do. LOVE EVERYTHING about this space! Looking forward to the details like the color of the pain on the walls.
Jenna says
This is gorgeous! Well done you guys!
MC says
I love it! The colors, beds, the closet, the ceiling, artwork – so fantastic. Each time my family had a big move, me and my two older brothers shared bedrooms for a handful of months – much like this with three beds and some clothing storage but not 1/100th as nice as this:> We shared rooms when we were 6,7,9 and again at 9,11,13. It wasn’t a big deal because there was so much else to do with the new housing situation and new yards.
Lisa Frank says
Everything is just gorgeous! I’d love to know more about the hardwood floors you installed…brand, stain color, etc.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much, Lisa! Yes, all of that is coming this week!
Anna says
I can’t wait for the tutorials – I love that they’re all sharing a room. Not only are they sharing it but you did such an amazing job with it! I love how you have such a way with color and design. Please come do my house? ?
Amy M says
Ashley! I love everything you do on this house! It’s like you’ve finally been released to reach your full potential by having a house that allows you to start from scratch. I hope to experience that one day (we’re still in the pregnant + one toddler + original 70’s house that we can’t afford to improve yet phase…and I really struggle with patience when it comes to my visible surroundings!!)
Erika says
This is absolutely amazing!! I love everything. Great job!
Michelle says
Love it. Can you share sources? I love the reading lights and think they’d be perfect my boys’ shared room. Thanks
Belinda Aguirre says
What a beautiful, restful place for your children. We also did our kids rooms first when we moved here. We felt it was most important for a small part of their world to be calm and restful while everything else was in chaos.
Katie says
I’m obsessed with this room! I love everything about it. Especially the quote on the wall! Looking forward to a tutorial!
Denise says
Oh my goodness! What a perfect space! I love it all!! It really is just so pleasing to the eye.
Bonnie says
I just love the entire room. I’m so happy for the kids that they have such a neat space and I think it’s wonderful that you made creating it a priority after having just moved in!
Debra Viola says
Beautiful, so crisp and the space looks huge, after you worked your magic! Excellent use of space and color.
tasha roe says
it’s amazing!! makes me want to throw all of my kids in the same room. They have no idea how good they have it in their own rooms. then again it isnt a punishment to room together. it’s adorable! nicely done!!
Alexi says
This is beautiful! Love this so much! And I spy an Usborne book! #thebest We’ve been toying around with moving but are having a hard time pulling the trigger. You guys encourage me to take the leap!
Amber says
Absolutely LOVE it!! My favorite part is that sweet saying you painted! My kids always hop into bed with dirty feet! Lol. A sign of a day well spent.
Amber says
I should add that we do encourage them to wash their toes before hopping into bed. Sometimes they even do … 😉
Childhood is so magical!
Jane says
It’s now a really beautiful space! Did you do the light yourself or was that purchased?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much, Jane! It was purchased. We have a sources post coming this week!
Autumn says
Love how this room worked out! I have 2 girls and a boy in a pretty small house and the girls sharing a room gets tight, I would never been able to invision a shared space working so well. Your vintage books from your childhood reminded me of my daughter sharing with her homeschool group the other day her favorite book that was “my mom’s book from when she was a little girl back in the 1900’s!”