Since finding out we were expecting a new addition I have been brainstorming, sketching, making lists and researching ideas for the girls shared room and I am thrilled with the finished results! As my love of interior decorating evolves I am becoming more confident and decisive in my ideas and how I execute them.
Of course I am like most woman and get a rush from purchasing pretty things, but something that gives me far more of a buzz is producing a finished product from something that has costed me very little, up-cycling I've heard it called. I find so much fulfillment in turning trash into treasure, especially in such a consumer driven society. Most things in the girls room have been purchased and overhauled, making it a very cost efficient decorating project.
One of my main sources of inspiration is Flickr, you can click here to view my favorite pics. You will see a common theme between some of them and my own projects. I like to take an idea and tweak it until it resembles the image in my head. There is nothing quite as exhilarating than when the two line up. I am pleased that with some of the ideas for the girls room, the finished product has surpassed my expectations.
The picture wall was the project that took up most of my head space. When you are thrift shopping you don't have the luxury of walking into a store and buying exactly what you need. You have to rummage, spy and be patient, waiting for the moment when your eye is drawn to just what you need, and the satisfaction you feel the moment you do is worth it. My previous blog post, about my spray-painting addiction shows frames I picked up from here and there, and they will add the finishing touches to the wall.
Sometimes I spot a gift card, like the babushka doll print in the bronze frame, they make inexpensive art, as does Children's pictures. I just love the butterfly painting Bianca made at Playcentre, it reminded me of making my own creations when I was small.
This day-bed was a buy sell swap purchase three years ago I brought it for my then office and since then it has been stored in the garage, it was very satisfying to have it back in use and I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to create the look I have so often seen on Flickr. I have an obsession with crochet blankets, the one on the bed is from Chris's nana. The cushions were blankets I picked up from the Sunday Market and then had sewn up. The cover on the mattress is Bianca's old duvet cover which I was ecstatic to find a use for, as it was just too pretty to store away.
Chris's Dad gifted us this cream wall unit, it was in need of some tlc but I could see its potential. Chris has made a wonderful job of spray painting it and the cupboards and shelves now house the girls treasures and art supplies, puzzles and books.
With the curtains, busy cushion prints and colour everywhere I opted for plain white candlewick bedspreads, which I picked up for $18 from Trade Me. Paired with mix-matched pillowcases from op-shops, I like the contrast and freshness of the look.
There is a still a few things to go but all and all I am so pleased with the finished product. Now I have a little boys nursery to sink my teeth in, I am looking forward to the challenge, and bringing home a wee boy to put in it.
