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!
Love the cloud bed! Seriously love the closet desk — great use of space! And would love to participate in that class–I’m about to begin re-doing our family room/play area because it’s just not inviting/calling us to play there. We end up everywhere else in the house instead. Thanks for the chance.
The class sounds awesome! I’d love to throw my name in the hat.
Also, I have a projector you’re welcome to use. (of course I do)
gosh, what do you say about a cloud bed? never would have thought of it, but now i think i’ve always wanted one. it even looks like it’s floating! awesome.
What great ideas! I so need to setup playful spaces for my kids. We want to homeschool and we have three girls and one bedroom for them. One living room for all of us and their toys to share. I could so use this class to learn how to make the space that we have work for them and for us. Thanks!
I love, love, love the desk area! There is something so cozy about it. You did an amazing job.
I would LOVE a spot in the class. I also LOVE those clouds. Especially the white and stripey idea that you are thinking of painting. The blue stripes make it.
I love the desk in the closet idea! I really need help carving out spaces like that in my house for homeschooling three kids in a small space!
Stripey clouds?? SOLD! Love loft beds also. I like the idea of a sort of modern map with some cartoonish elements (rounded edges, drawn in trees) and polaroids at destinations. What a cute idea!
I’d also love in on the class-we just moved this week and have more space than I know what to do with (not a bad problem to have, I know!) and would love to learn more child-friendly techniques for decorating and designing!
We want to create an amazing art work space/playspace in our basement!!!!!
I love the idea of the neighborhood map. What a great idea. I think having the kids draw their places on the shrinky dinks would be so cool because they could draw them nice and big, as kids like to do, and then they’d come out small enough for your map. I can hardly wait to see the finished project!! :)
Also, I’d love a spot in the class.
would love to take the class!
I would LOVE to get in on that class, looks like so much fun!
Love the clouds! I didn’t realize at first that they were part of a bunk bed. Such a neat idea for providing a bit of roll over protection. I thought of this:
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/inspiration/play-room-closet-091749
When I saw your closet. Maybe it would provide a bit of inspiration?
throwing my name in the hat!
i vote for painting only some of the clouds – but either way, holy cow what an awesome bed. your son must be over the moon…or more like above the clouds?
oooh, put me in put me in! Love the bed!
FANTASTIC! I’m torn on the idea of painting the clouds at all. They are so, so cool.
I love watching the transformations in that bedroom! So many great ideas. That class sounds great–I’d love to take it!
LOVE that cloud bed and the great nook in the closet! I also reclaimed the closet in my 3 year old’s room — a little reading nook is there instead of hanging clothes now. I’d love a spot in that e-course, fingers crossed!
I vote for painting the clouds and the desk…
And I would so love to win a spot in that class. I’ve been really wanting to take it!
The bed is great – not too cutesy.
I would go with photos on the map. Maybe modge podged onto it. My mom had a similar board she used for sewing. Great repurposing.
Ooh, the class sounds awesome! I have been stalking your blog, as we also have limited space for our kids. I love what you’re doing and look forward to seeing more of the room remodel!
I love what you have done! The cloud bed is amazing! I love the map idea as well. We live on a park and I have always wanted to make a quilt that looks like a map of our park with all the historic houses along it. Your idea of having the kids help out is great! I have had my eye on the Playful Learning class:-) I have five children and homeschool and have a lot of spaces that need re-working. Thanks for sharing your room and for the chance to be a part of the class.
I would *LOVE* to participate in the e-class! The desk area looks great. I love the shelves of supplies/goodies!
Hi again! A play-space-making class? Awesome. Throw me into the hat.
I haven’t been blogging much but I’ve been clicking around here quite a bit lately.
Good work!
The clouds are awesome. I love the color of the wood. Also love the candy jars on the shelves. I would love this class – I could definitely use some fresh decorating ideas! Thanks for the giveaway.
I love the clouds. I think they would look great white. Great job!