Less than 9 weeks to go until baby is here and we are slowly, but surely getting our act together. Work on Eleanor’s big girl room has begun. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you already knew that. We still have lots to do. What has me the most worried is that Eleanor will be moving to a big girl bed. New room, big girl bed and she will be upstairs. All that is to be quickly followed by a new baby! Lots of changes for her and she is little miss independent so I am crossing my fingers this goes easy peasy. We put Quinn in a big boy bed around this age. He made the move, because he was so stinking tall the crib rails were hitting him at his hips. The transition was beyond easy, but how spoiled can one mom be?
Let me remind you that this room had somehow become a junk room. Most people have a junk drawer, we had a junk room! I kid you not. The stuff that didn’t make the cut from Quinn’s room ended up in there, the stuff that got moved out of a closet for my craft stuff (pre-craft room in basement) ended up in there. Truly, there is no explanation…it just happened. Check out Eleanor, crazy hair and all, jamming on the drums in the junk room. That pile of junk fills filled the ENTIRE room
Literally, the entire room looked like that. So in case you are wondering why it took us so long to get to Eleanor’s big girl room, it was that mess! It was so overwhelming we just never started. Then one day I snapped. I told Ross anything you pick up needs a decision made. So we sat in that room and sorted. Tons got thrown out, lots got donated and some was relocated to more appropriate places. The drums now live in the basement in the kid’s play area. Once the room was cleaned out, this is what we were working with.
The long and tedious work of priming.
Tearing up carpeting.
Painting trim (3 coats)
And finally walls! Here is a fun before and after.
From another angle.
The carpet squares have arrived! That is what those boxes are. Here is a sneak peek.
I should add that I really didn’t want to have to spend money on carpeting, but it was in pretty rough shape. Cat had locked herself in there while we were away once and managed to scratch a might big hole in the carpet by the doorway. She even exposed the carpet tack strips (dangerous!). Carpet squares were an affordable option, with no hidden costs that we could DIY. The biggest selling point was that the next time there is damage we are out a carpet square or two, not the whole carpet.
The part of Eleanor’s room I am most excited about is her reading nook. Since she doesn’t really use her closet to hang clothes, we decided to turn into a fun space for her. This is what the closet looked like.
This is what it looks like now. By the way, the paint color is Benjamin Moore Wild Aster. It is a very soft, mature pink.
And here is a little mood board for the space.
I think she is going to absolutely love her reading nook and I am so excited to get that room together and let her explore it.
1. This is a ruffled shower curtain we will be hanging in lieu of a closet door. I found it at Urban Outfitters (on sale). I originally planned on using it as her drapes by cutting it in half. It was the right height/length and all. That was before I fell in love with these drapes at World Market. I was going to return in, but then the reading nook idea developed and I knew it would be the perfect whimsical touch for my little girl.
2. I have picked up some cardboard letters from Hobby Lobby and some paper from World Market that matches the drapes (score). One day very soon I will bust out the exacto and the Spray Adhesive and rock those letters out.
3. Reading nook necessity- book storage. We are going to use gutter bookshelves just like we did in Quinn’s room. Cheap and totally customizable.
4. This is the Herringbone Allover Stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils. I really wanted something that would define the space and make it fun. I fell in love with this stencil. I had so much success stenciling my drapes and my roman shade that I decided to give it another go. Next week when I reveal this little reading nook I will also be hosting a Cutting Edge Stencils Giveaway so be sure to check that out :).
5. A cushy place to read. This floor cushion is a Pier 1 Imports find.
6. I fell in love with these pillows at World Market when I was there getting the drapes. I loved the way they popped against the drapes. They aren’t quite red or pink and I just think the color is fantastic.
7. Lucky for me World Market had napkins that match the drapes. So I did what any self-respecting DIY’er would do and decided those napkins could become throw pillows. Pillow have yet to be made. Add it to the list.
As soon as we get Eleanor moved into her big girl room we are going to have to start creating the robot nursery I envision for baby boy. So much to do and so little time to do it in. I didn’t want to leave you all hanging while we are working on the room. The journey is half the fun, right? If you would love to keep up in real time, join me on Instagram (balancinghome) or Facebook. You can find more mood boards and decor ideas here, and if you are new around here don’t forget to check out the house tour.
Anyone else have a junk room? Speaking of junk, I cleaned out the junk drawer today as part of White House, Black Shutters 40 Bags in 40 Days challenge. I will be sharing all my de-crapification, simplifying and organizing on the blog. Any of you take on any challenges lately? Anyone else working on a new space? I would love to hear about it.
I am sharing this project with: Home Stories A to Z: Tutorials & Tips Link Party
Want FREE printables and more. Join my newsletter!
Subscribe to get our latest content by email.