Enjoying the Small Things

Enjoying the Small Things

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A Room for Dash

August 20, 2014 By Kelle

We finished another round of musical rooms, putting the girls together in a shared room and transforming Lainey’s old room for Dash.  The room was originally a dining room that we hardly used, so we closed it off to create another bedroom and filled it with furniture that had been given to us. It worked great for Lainey for a while, but the room felt very cramped with large furniture and a wall-hogging daybed. My goal in using this space for Dash was to pare down the furniture, leaving open space for play and to make a room that could easily be kept clean with a place for everything (and if there’s not a place for it–we don’t need it). And, of course, I wanted a room that felt happy and playful with interesting and meaningful details. Since the room lacks shelves to highlight keepsakes, we utilized the walls for art and interest.

I love freshening kids’ spaces, and whether our kid room makeovers have been to welcome a baby (“We’re not putting any more walls up in our house, lest you get any ideas,” Brett has warned me.) or to switch things up, we’ve used a lot of things we already have when doing room makeovers, adding inexpensive changes with thrift shop finds and elbow grease when possible.

The old room:

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Freshened up:

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The biggest change to the room came from the brick wallpaper we added, a thick textured wallpaper we found from Total Wall Covering after a lot of research on brick wallpaper. I love what it did to the room.

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A little Northern Michigan love–M22 sign from M22.com

I found the table in Dash’s room at Goodwill, but it was a kids’ patio table with slats on the top and an open umbrella hole. I bought a spruce board from Lowe’s, big enough to cover the table top, and Brett cut it down and sanded the edges and corners. It’s white on one side if we want to flip it over, and I painted a road scene on the facing side to create a play table for cars. We started a Plan Toys City collection for him when he was tiny and are slowly adding to it with birthdays and holidays. I love the quality, size and selection of these road toys.

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All the cars and street toys store nicely in a crate for easy clean-up.

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Pillow, Passive Juice Motel

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Wood bird: Little Alouette, Knit Fox: Sweet Bauer Knits, Floating Bookshelf: Land of Nod 

We already had most of the wall art above his dresser, pulled from his old room, but I love the new Honey Eater print in his room, a gift from Michael McConnell, artist behind Pooping Rabbit. I’ve admired his work and family for a while now and am so happy to have a bit of his talent on our walls.

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Personalized Family Mobile: The amazing Pink Cheek Studios

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Polka Dot Sheets, Land of Nod. And pediatricians and dentists: bottle in crib, I know. Forgive me this once. But look! Cute fox, eh?

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He likes his new digs, and we love the happy new space too. There’s plenty of room on his carpet for the entire family–we’ve tested it out.

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I’ll share the girls’ new space soon.

Filed Under: Designer Genes, The Nest

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Related posts

Girls Room Revamp: Large Art Prints

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It’s Homework Time!: 9 Tips for Creating a Cozy Study Space for Kids

Make Stuff, Parenting, The NestSeptember 1, 2015

Changing the Face of Beauty

Designer GenesSeptember 22, 2014

Comments

Leave a Comment
  1. Wally says:
    August 20, 2014 at 2:30 pm

    Love what you did! What a fun room..

    Reply
  2. Jennifer says:
    August 20, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    (and if there’s not a place for it–we don’t need it)…well said!! I need to remember this. Such an adorable space

    Reply
  3. Shellie says:
    August 20, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    so, so cute!! And the room looks good too!

    Reply
  4. pegRX says:
    August 20, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    Aww – great new room for Dash! Looks so boyish and fun. That table you painted is such a great idea and so cute.

    Reply
  5. Martina says:
    August 20, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    It’s beautiful!!!

    Reply
  6. Erin Bettis says:
    August 20, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    Beautiful room, Kelle. I love your little gallery areas that house all your little nick-nack wall decor.

    Reply
  7. Sara says:
    August 20, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    I love this so much, Kelle – the wallpaper makes the room!

    Reply
  8. Argyrie says:
    August 20, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    The room looks so inviting and ready for exploration for growing minds. You and Brett did a wonderful job!

    Reply
  9. Shannon {ava_caitlyn} says:
    August 20, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    Love the makeover! He is a cutie pie. Great job, Mama!

    Reply
  10. Jennifer Ketterhagen - Finding Joy and Sharing Beauty says:
    August 20, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    Beautiful Kelle! Love the brick wall. I’m falling back in love with wallpaper all over again. After removing – so. much. wallpaper. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Angela Olsen says:
    August 20, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    Such a beautiful space! And I’m in love with that wall paper. We’re moving in two weeks & this is making me super excited to do some decorating!

    Reply
  12. Jennifer says:
    August 20, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    That room is awesome. Feel free to help me think up something cool for my sons room!!! I’m having such a hard time coming up with something he can grow into. I need to take just go for it.

    Reply
  13. MEJ says:
    August 20, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    I’ve never seen brick wallpaper. Love it! Love the room!

    Reply
  14. nathalie m. says:
    August 20, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    You are so talented on so many levels Kelle. Dash’s room is so cool you’ve got me thinking of surprising my 16 yr old with some of that brickwork. Then again, maybe surprises and teens are not to be mixed!?! For all it’s worth I have to let you know, that your ‘voice’ has been as good a friend as any, even though we’re one very big ocean apart. I thank you for all the shaking up and balancing you’ve put me through….my soul needed the ride! Love to you and yours, Nathalie from Athens/Greece

    Reply
  15. Candy Duell says:
    August 20, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    Kelle,
    Your new room (or should I say your son’s) is really cute. I love it, and by the looks of your pictures so does he and his sister!

    I do have a question for you, is that book holder on the wall made from pallets? I really liked it and believe I saw one made out of pallets that looks just like it.

    Thanks!

    Reply
  16. Jen says:
    August 20, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    He is looking so big these days!! Great space!!

    Reply
  17. Becky says:
    August 20, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    Dude. Third child, bottle in crib. Totally necessary. Our house, too. Love & hugs from California.

    Reply
  18. You+Me=Family says:
    August 20, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    It’s a great space Kelle! I love how intentional you are with your kids’ toys and decorations. It’s something I would like to work on : )

    And that boy of your’s is pretty darn cute too.

    Reply
  19. tracey robinson says:
    August 20, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    where did you find the mailbox? My son has a little foam mailbox outside his room (on a lego post) and loves getting mail and delivering mail. I spent a few days making mail for all our pets and assorted stuffed animals for him to deliver to.

    Reply
  20. Maria says:
    August 20, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    Awesome decorating. I love how you can change things around in your house. I feel stuck with the same old layout I’ve had since I moved in four years ago. Putting my creative thinking cap on, thanks to you!

    Reply
  21. Unknown says:
    August 20, 2014 at 6:38 pm

    I always love seeing your interior creations. Thanks for sharing! Dash’s room turned out amazing – great mix of sentiment & storage.

    Reply
  22. Susie says:
    August 20, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    Dash’s new room looks awesome! I especially love the brick wallpaper and the Dashel Motors sign.

    Reply
  23. Ashleigh Wilder says:
    August 20, 2014 at 8:16 pm

    Hold the phone! Can we talk about the chandelier?! Did you paint the original? Can we get some
    Details because it looks pretty amazing!

    Reply
  24. Alicia Hutchinson says:
    August 20, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    So SOOO adorable, Kelle! Taking notes! 🙂

    Reply
  25. Owlhaven says:
    August 20, 2014 at 9:05 pm

    What neat wallpaper!! Little children’s rooms are so much fun.

    Reply
  26. Jeanie says:
    August 20, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    He looks so happy in his new room. That brick wallpaper is awesome!

    Reply
  27. Sarah Gatling says:
    August 20, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    Can I just tell you how much I love your blog? I’ve been reading for years. 🙂 I feel like we’re kindred spirits, and I love looking to you for inspiration!

    Thank you for all your amazing posts!

    Reply
  28. maybabe says:
    August 20, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    Hello
    Room looks like he will enjoy many hours there.
    Any chance of a Rwanda Update? Many of your readers have been anxiously waiting.

    LYLAS!!!

    Reply
  29. Olivia Sanders says:
    August 21, 2014 at 9:00 am

    Kelle, I’m a paeds nurse and bottles in cots are so vital sometimes! Love this beautiful room and all the things you do to make everything so special for your amazing kids.

    Reply
  30. Kim Hollenback says:
    August 21, 2014 at 11:42 am

    Very cute room and I love all the MI references (as an out-of-state Michigander myself)!

    Reply
  31. Haley says:
    August 21, 2014 at 12:52 pm

    The room looks great! I love the table top you made for him.

    Reply
  32. greenapples says:
    August 21, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    I’d also like to hear about the paint you used on the chandelier, and the method? It looks like you painted the metal parts, and that’s what I’d like to do…and have it come out with such vibrancy.

    Reply
  33. Staci Gorski says:
    August 21, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    Kellee- the room looks fantastic! Can you tell me where you got the antlers wrapped in the colored strip?

    Reply
  34. Tisha says:
    August 21, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    Woo Hoo!!! I LOVE the play table!!

    Reply
  35. Reenie says:
    August 21, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    What an adorable/cozy room. How cute!! And Dash looks so grown up. 😮

    Can’t wait to see the girls room. 🙂

    Reply
  36. Kelle says:
    August 22, 2014 at 1:57 am

    @greenapples
    Yes–the chandelier was painted metal before, so I just painted over it with acrylics. Took well and has lasted a couple of years.

    Reply
  37. Kelle says:
    August 22, 2014 at 1:58 am

    @Stacy Gorski–
    The antlers are from Yarn Bombed Antlers–a beautiful shop with lots of yarn bombed goods.
    http://www.yarnbombed.com/

    Reply
  38. Danielle Huddleston says:
    August 22, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    That is such a cute space!

    Reply
  39. Jenna Richards says:
    August 22, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Oh, it’s stunning – I love it. Dash looks like he does too! 🙂

    Jenna at Tinyfootsteps xx

    Reply
  40. Amanda says:
    August 22, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    Looooving his room! Where did you find that rug?! It looks so soft! My 2nd son’s nursery is barely in the works bc I can’t find a rug I like! But that one I love!

    Reply
  41. Amanda Saltzman says:
    August 22, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    That room is amazing! How did you get the inspiration for it? I would have never thought of hanging brick wallpaper in a kid’s room (usually see that in more loft style places) but it surprisingly worked. Kudos for thinking outside the box.

    Reply
  42. Sabrina Steyling says:
    August 23, 2014 at 3:52 am

    Dash’s new digs are AWESOME! I adore that brick wallpaper, it’s so totally cool. And the furniture…o.m.g.!! I’m just in love. I wish I had a room as cool as that. Really.

    Reply
  43. Angela says:
    August 24, 2014 at 2:15 am

    love it!!! especially M22, prettiest road in Michigan!

    Reply
  44. Kelleyn Rothaermel says:
    August 24, 2014 at 2:50 am

    What a perfect room!

    Reply
  45. Jennifer says:
    August 24, 2014 at 4:21 am

    Love it…especially the brick wallpaper! What a great idea!

    Reply
  46. bec bennett says:
    August 24, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    I am an artist and I am going to send a Fox drawing for Dash’s collection all the way from Australia :). Watch out for it, I hope I can find where to send it!

    Reply
  47. Leah says:
    August 25, 2014 at 4:30 am

    Precious room for a precious boy!!! 🙂

    Reply
  48. trish says:
    August 26, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    tracy–i believe the mailbox is a melissa & doug one (http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Stamp-Sort-Mailbox/dp/B002IPGXVA/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-1&keywords=mail+box+toy). i’d love to find that stuffed fox for my son’s upcoming first birthday. anyone know where it came from (the one in the crib photo with dash)?

    Reply
  49. Miss Mary says:
    August 26, 2014 at 9:36 pm

    Beautiful Room! May I ask where you got the Dashel Motor sign!? We’re naming our soon Dashel in that exact same spelling and thought it would be great to find a sign to put in his room.

    Reply
  50. Kimmy says:
    August 28, 2014 at 10:14 am

    Dash’s room looks great. Dash is adorable.

    Reply
  51. Stacey says:
    September 3, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    SO well done, Kelle!!! And oh my gosh, the “owl clock”, I haven’t seen that since I was a little girl!

    Reply
  52. Laura says:
    May 22, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    Hi! Just wondering if you could share where the curtains are from that are shown in this post? If you’ve already shared and I’ve just overlooked I’m sorry!
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kelle says:
      May 22, 2015 at 2:54 pm

      Hi Laura,
      The curtains are from Ikea. They are a few years old, but they should have similar ones still. And they are a great price too! Hope that helps.

      Reply
  53. Lauren says:
    October 13, 2015 at 1:18 pm

    Super cute room! Don’t forget about childproofing doors with finger protectors for young children!

    Reply
  54. Lily and the Wall says:
    January 9, 2020 at 7:18 am

    Wow, this is a very cute thing for kids. we can say that this is the perfect room for kids

    Reply

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