Update Your Room

Hi everyone!  Another month has gone by (YAY Cartwheels!).. so that means it is time again for another 'Update Your Room' post!  This one has me really excited.  Like really really!  I am going to take you on a bit of an adventure with me.. if you are willing that is!  You see, in the past.. 'Update Your Room' has been a 'before and after' type post.. showing how a little something can make a big change.  Well, this time.. we are going for a HUGE change!

When I first approached Cheryl to see if I could take you all for a little ride (hee!).. I wasn't thinking quite as big of a journey as it is ending up to be.. but I am so totally PUMPED... so here it is!  At first, I was just going to give our current playroom an update.. a fresh coat of paint, get a grip on toy storage etc.  Post a before pic or two.. some inspiration photos etc... and then next month, see where we ended up!

We decided to completely move the playroom instead.

 

A bit of back story here.. we have an empty room that is off of our family room, and it was destined to be the 'man room' ..big enough to hold a pool table and a bar even!  BUT.. we have no plans to finish it up anywhere in the near future!  Besides.. when hubby and his friends get together, they tend to hang out outdoors.. or in the garage, neither of us think the 'man room' would have gotten used to it's full potential.  So, now hubby can make the garage his 'man cave' instead!

That above picture was how the new playroom looked this morning.. after I started filling holes (because the kids tend to play in there already!), the exercise equipment will be moved out of there and into what will become the guest bedroom (current playroom).. it is switcheroo time!

I have been gathering inspiring images for ages, and decided to go through them and pull some together as an official 'mood board' for the new room.  Then, I printed them off, and put them together in a notebook along with some (very messy) notes!  

 

Since these images have mostly come from a saved folder on my computer.. I don't have sources for all of them, so if you recognize any (or if they belong to you).. please give a shout out! ..would love to give credit where credit is due!

We are following the colour pallet of the rest of the house (turquoise, aqua, mint, yellow and green).. and I would love to include vintage elements, like that 'go' pictured above!  That just screams playroom to me!  We also need some sort of chalkboard in there eventually as well!

And, how about that TREE!?  I clicked on the newest Cartwheels sponsor link up on the right and spotted this tree decal in the Byrdie Graphics Etsy store! Ohhhhh.. I am smitten!  May have to bump that to top priority on my wish list! Gorgeous isn't it?  

 

Modern Damask Tree (now don't you all go buy it before I do! hee!)

 

It was so satisfying to put these images in the notebook like this.. definitely helps with the focus and direction... it isn't all so crazy in my head now! lol  So very inspiring too!!

 

That is the final paint selection (much more minty in person).. and it is Beryl by Martha Stewart (her new paint selection at Home Depot is GORGEOUS).. also very happy to say, that as I type this.. the second and final coat of paint is drying! Woooo hooooo!

 

This print is screaming play room as well I think! ..hunky dory from Dear Colleen  So fun!

 

First order of business (after everything is moved that is) is to somehow come up with something to replicate the look of the hanging white flower arrangement in the photos above.  Not too sure if it's a light fixture or not, but I am thinking of just using paper and making a pretty hanging mobile.  There is a hole in the ceiling in the center of the room (that was where the pool table light was going to go).. and I did find a light that I would eventually like to put there, but I am trying really hard to keep this budget friendly for now, so it is time to get creative!!

 

Oh.. and I think we need to stalk the thrift stores and find an old rotary phone.. for play purposes of course! ;)

So, what do you think.. think I can get it done in time to show you a finished room next month!?  I sure hope so!  I have so many ideas, and I can't wait to start moving things in and decorating it!  There are some pictures of the current playroom on my blog here if you want to check them out.. the room actually works ok, it is just a little tight in there once the kids start playing.  Eventually they end up jumping ship and pulling all the toys out of the room anyway!  I imagine that will still happen, but at least cleaning up and putting things away won't be as much of a challenge as it is now.. right now it is kind of like a puzzle, fitting everything back where it goes! PLUS, we gain an actual spare room this way. somewhere guests can feel more at home, and worry less about accidentally taking home a bag full of toys (right now it is a guest room/play room combined) ..it will definitely be nice when it is all finished!!

Wish us luck!!  Hopefully I will have a few projects to share along the way!!  Thank you for letting me share, this is definitely the motivation I needed! What about you? Anyone else in the middle of a room makeover!?  Share with us!! :)

 

Comments

[Sabrina L]

Love the plans! I'm pretty sure that the hanging flower arrangement is the Midsummer light by Tord Boontje..it's actually pretty budget friendly. Available in Canada from here...http://store.chichihome.com. I am also stalking it for when we re-do our daughter's room!

[Elizabeth Rosemond]

So exciting!! I can't wait to see how this progresses. I wish I enjoyed painting more...maybe you can take a "little" trip down to Seattle. LOL!!

[Alicia hummel]

Absolutely gorgeous! As always!!!! Can't wait to see the finished project!

[Amanda]

OMG.. I LOVE how you have it all put into a notebook!!! Can totally see the direction you are heading now!! I have GOT to try that!!

[cindy]

i love looking at your plans & it's so cool that you will be walking us through your progress & i'm excited to see the finishing touches. Awesome Jen!

[Julie]

Can't wait to see the finished product!

[melanie]

That tree is something else... I want one too!! Can't wait to see your finished room, I KNOW it will be amazing. :)