We've recently graduated Clara to a "big girl bed." Just like Max, the transition was relatively easy and she was very excited to sleep in her new bed.
The biggest fear when parents switch kids from crib to bed is that they won't stay in it. What to do with the new found freedom? Get out of bed, leave your room, and bug your parents. That's what typical, normal children do. But not my child. Oh yes, she was seduced by the freedom and ease of getting in and out of bed, but you'd never know it. Because by the light of the moon, my child gets up and empties all her drawers, takes everything off her shelf and scatters it like a clumsy thief looking for something important. And then she thinks... "Hmm... I'm tired now. I think I'll go back to bed." Then she tucks herself back into bed. With nary a peep, nary a cry. Imagine my surprise when I go in to get her in the morning. As I trip over every pair of pants she owns and an empty box of diapers that's been wedged up against the door. The girl is WEIRD!
Back to the decorating. Just like with Max, I was very involved in getting all the perfect furniture. Read about Max's new/old room here.
This time around it was a little bit easier, mainly because my parents had lovingly U-Hauled all my "crap" from Salt Lake City to Cow Town a few years ago. Included in the "crap" was all of my old furniture as a child along with a bottle of petrified brine fish that must have once belonged to my microscope kit. I was a dork. But I digress.
The furniture is still girly cute and totally perfect, in my opinion of course, and it was a no-brainer that Clara should inherit it. But the bed... what to do about a new bed? Military folk have certain needs when it comes to furniture, the most important being that it must be able to move. WITHOUT falling apart. That pretty much eliminates anything made with pressed wood, which is like all furniture in existence that doesn't cost 2 million dollars. But another option? Metal! Oh, how about a metal daybed?! And it became even more sentimental because I had a white metal daybed growing up. It was meant to be. And ye, Ikea provided.
I fretted over the bedding, the wall decor, and doo-daddery. We debated mattress height and the need for a box spring. I wiped my tears from all her baby crib bedding as I packed it away. K disassembled the crib and changing table for the bazillionith time it seemed. And, here are the results:
Those owls on the bed are SO cute that I giggle and do a twirl every time I see them. The bed skirt was my first buy and everything was done around it.
The wall above the bed:
The tree, birds, and flowers are vinyl wall stickers that I bought off Etsy. HERE to be precise. I love Etsy. The butterflies are from Target. I was afraid of butterfly overload, and am still debating and rearranging a bit. Clara and her little claws have only disassembled one flower so far. She sometimes can not NOT be naughty. Serenity.
More:
The painting above the chair is described here.
Shelves:
I made the owl and the fairy girl in the red dress. The doll in the red was mine and is Jo from Little Women. The Little Miss Trouble book... really, how fitting.
A close up of the shadow box:
Her book collection is tucked to the left of her bed and is easily accessible to her at night, because technically she's not getting out of bed and can tell me in the morning that she was a good girl. Even though there are 200 book strewn over her bed. Oh well. She's reading,not getting out of bed and giving her parents some peace. Really, I have no room to complain, do I?
Her favorite books:
And we're done. And I'm not going to be jealous that her new sheets have a higher thread count than mine.
AAAHHH, I am so jealous of how cute and girly Clara's room is! Annelise's room is done in butterflies and airplanes (just in case she came out a he, we could just ditch the butterflies) and I bought some vinyl butterflies at Dollar Tree, but they're not as cute as Clara's decorations. Now I can't wait to decorate a big girl room for Annelise!
And I, too, love Etsy. I bought my ring slings there as well as a diaper bag to match one of the slings. Because, you know, nothing's more fun than coordinating not only you and your daughter's clothing, but coordinating the clothing with the carrier and diaper bag. I'm a big dork, I know.
Posted by: Angela | June 26, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Is the box springs on the bed as pictured? You have seriously been moving those butterflies around. AND, you rehung the flying butterflies. I approve. Now, Clara (and you) must learn to leave it the heck alone!
Posted by: Mom | June 26, 2009 at 11:33 PM
I love Etsy too!! Pouncing is my newfound favorite past time. I've already bought a wallet, small diaper bag and hair fork.
I really love the decals too. I really wanted to do something with them but they just don't into our decor right now. I've also noticed that owls are really trendy right now too.
Maybe in our next house I can etsyfy our kids new room(s) too! Clara's room looks great. I love the scrapbook shadowboxes.
Posted by: Pam | June 27, 2009 at 08:34 AM
that is the cutest girly room. I love it. Thanks for sharing your creativity.
Posted by: Lisa | July 01, 2009 at 01:58 AM
I LOVE this room. It's gorgeous! I bet you had so much fun doing it that you're almost sorry it's finished!
Posted by: Lins | July 04, 2009 at 02:24 AM