during (and a surprise)
April 12th, 2011
So this is where we’re at with the room so far (here are all the before pictures). I told you my brother built a bunk bed, but I didn’t tell you it was a cloud bed! He built the loft bit and then we cut out clouds from some scrap wood. I made patterns out of paper first to make sure it was randomy and to see if the clouds would be high enough to function as a guard rail. When I was about half way through cutting them out, I freaked out and thought it might look too dorky theme-y, but I think it turned out okay. What do you think? Now the big question is whether or not to paint them. I think maybe I’ll paint some white, but not all. And maybe one striped like this awesomeness.
I think we’ve chosen a color for the wall–those are all paint chips taped the wall. It’s called cotton balls, really it’s just white. Not that exciting, I know. But I am excited about that big board up there. It’s a quilting board (or something like that, I don’t know, it’s got a graph on the back) that my neighbor gave me a looong time ago. It folds out one more on each side, so it’s pretty big–maybe too big? Anyway, I’m going to paint a map of our neighborhood on it. I grew up “out the back road” so there wasn’t a lot I needed to know to get around. But we live on an actual block! So I thought the kids might like to see the way we go to the library and the store and their friends’ houses on a big map. I’m thinking I need some sort of projector for this project. And I haven’t decided what to do about the places: pushpins? polaroids? have my kids draw pictures? shrinky dinks? Any ideas you have would be fantastic. The baby’s crib will be under it eventually, so pushpins might be out.
This is the closet, or was the closet. Now it is my daughter’s desk (my son got the bunk bed, she got a desk, even steven). I’ve got a few ideas for this, one of them being paint the entire sucker white. I’m sure there will be more ideas in the future, because I’m taking a class for this very purpose. It’s called Playful Learning Spaces. It’s an e-course designed to guide you through creating thoughtful spaces for your children to play in and learn. It sounds like the perfect class and comes just at the perfect time for me.
And now for the surprise: the creator of this wonderful class, Mariah Bruehl, has kindly offered to give away a spot in her class to one of my readers! But you have to be snappy, because class starts tomorrow! You have until 5pm central time to drop your name in the hat (that is, leave a comment–sharing some input on the room if you’d like). Good luck and I’ll see one of you in class!
THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!
Celeste from on-hand modern is the winner! Congratulations Celeste!
I love Mariah’s website and her ideas for children – what a great opportunity!! elizabethlehman@hotmail.com
Hi. I really like the fact that the desk & ladder in your old closet are all written on – makes it feel like a real kids corner. That bit is actually really similar to a nook in our kids room that we put an elfa shelving system in which at the moment is all book shelves while the kids are really little but which we plan on turning into a desk with shelves above pretty soon.
The clouds are sweet. When I was a kid I would have loved it if my Mum had done that to my bunk bed. :)
Great! I can’t wait to check out her website! Also, the clouds are very special.
I was just thinking I need to rethink my daughter’s “desk” area, which 99 percent of the time is so cluttered and cramped she can’t use it. I’d love some small-space ideas.
I saw that class earlier and thought it looked cool! Thanks for the giveaway.
Definitely some progress and can’t wait to see it when it’s done! I am drooling over that spot in the Playful Learning class–crossing my fingers!
Sarah M
A cloud bed! Super!
“Paint the entire sucker white” is my go to design strategy. Makes touch ups easy, too.
First, thanks for letting us watch (and assist?)! Love the loft and desk is great–makes me want to hide away and think and make. I wouldn’t paint the clouds quite yet. The wood looks great and is a great opposite to the reality of clouds. You can always paint later after you live with the brown.
Second, we’re committed to staying in our 1000 sq. feet (if you count the patio backyard, which I do!) 2 bedroom townhome with our two boys (1 and almost 3) for the long haul. Friends and family think we’re nuts, but I say, the rest of world does it why can’t we? But, I need some help! My husband is off state legislating in the capitol where we don’t live almost full time until the end of May so I could use some productive night time activity. I’d love to learn. :)
Cloud beds lend themselves to heavenly dreams. I’m sold. And yes, the e-course would be fab.
The clouds look great. I’m in the mood to re-do my kids rooms (there are four rooms) and have been planning, planning and more planning. I’ve seen the e-course around but haven’t managed to win a spot, crossing my fingers!
It’s lovely to have a last chance to win a spot on the course, I haven’t been lucky in the others I entered.
I love the clouds! I would have loved to sleep in the clouds when I was little, and the desk space in the closet is perfect.
I love the cloud bed! I think a colored stain would look great and the wood could still show through and since they will still look a little shaded, hang some colored or clear crystal “raindrops” below. The light from the window would make great rainbows shining through them!
The e-course sounds amazing! We have 3 little ones sharing space also (2 girls and a boy) and we are preparing to move so it would be a perfect time to rethink their space!
Oooh, I would love the chance to be a part of this class. I am opening a home daycare so any pointers would be great!
The bunk bed is beautiful and your daughter’s desk looks like it will be wonderful when it’s all done. It’s fun to see your process for redecorating!
I think my inclination would be to paint the clouds. Not white, but the colors of clouds in a sunset. It would be a nice bit of color against the white walls.
The class sounds wonderful. I will bookmark it for next time.
Wow, that does look like a great class. I also think you could paint the clouds something other than white. I was thinking a beige so they wouldn’t look too juvenile, but some of the other ideas (including that striped one) are more exciting.
I love your cloud bed! Maybe do grey, white, stripe, purple- take your son out to look at clouds together & get color ideas. All white on the desk would be great to start. I would love to take the e course! sounds like a great class!
Those look great! What creativity. Whether or not to paint them would depend on the colors of the rest of the room. Maybe different shades of white and gray?
oh, please let me win! I really want to start setting up a place for my one year old and learn how to redesign it as her play needs change.
Wonderful! I love all of it…can’t wait to see the “afters”!
Wow – excited to find your beautiful blog and just in time for a great giveaway. I need some inspiration. The clouds are so fun!
What a lovely bed and a surprise.
What a cool room! Great use of a small space too. Would love a spot in the course :)
This is really, really fantastic. I love the idea of painting some of the clouds. I also think it could be fun to paint the desk nook in a bright color.