My Kiddos’ Rooms

My duaghter calls her room “Flower Garden.” This is a rare look at it clean.

My son calls his room “Surf’s Up!” Again, it never looks like this.

These are my kids…

And this is what they really do to their spaces, and the rest of the house…

The Afterbath

From boring builders’ beige to lively lavender. This is my master bath make-over for less than a few hundred dollars. (Some of you may have seen this before, but it was deleted.)

 

Not fancy but fun!

Dining Room on a Dime

I have major tight wad tendencies (I think it’s my husband’s favorite thing about me), but I also like my name brands. A bit of an oxymoron, I realize. I’m not a coupon clipper, but if I can get things on sale/clearance or find little treasures at Home Goods or Target, I’m a happy girl.

For years my dining room was a second play room/music room for my two kiddos. My daughter especially was able to enjoy this space. She would sit on her little Osh Kosh chair and listen to her songs over and over until she had the lyrics memorized. But, I always planned to one day use the space for what it was intended. The kids have a playroom upstairs and having two seemed a little silly.

When we purchased our home, fall colors were all the rage–Earth tones. So, we had the dining room painted a shade of green that we thought would be lovely. We paid someone to do it (it was a new house and the husband didn’t trust my painting skills with the main living spaces yet). At the time we were both working, so the painter did his thing while we were gone. When I returned, I was not pleased with the color. But, knowing how POed the husband would be if I suggested we pay him to re-do the room in a different color, I accepted the off-putting shade. I even convinced myself that it looked good.

About two years ago, I finally snapped. I couldn’t take the putrid hue any longer. I announced that I was sick of the color and was going to change it. My daughter cheered, “Hooray! No more garbage on the walls!” Yes, this particular green reminded her of the color of garbage. You know what…she was right. It did look like garbage. Gross.

That was all I needed to hear. I was off to Home Depot before the husband knew what was happening. At the time I said I was just going to paint. Cheer the place up with a nice shade of blue. I intended to get a subtle aqua with a little gray undertone.

But, paint is never quite what it seems. And, although I did put a few different samples on the wall, I ended up with a light blue with tones of gray. Better than the garbage, but still not quite right. The room was finished and I wasn’t in the mood to re-paint the whole thing so I went back to the Depot to get a gray for the ceiling. While there, I noticed the Ralph Lauren paint treatments. I loved the look of the ‘Candlelight’ so I grabbed a can and decided I’d add some stripes. It was a bit tedious, OK, a total pain in the ass, but I like the result. And, I do love a good project. It’s very subtle but it gives it a little something extra.

Once the room was an inviting color, I couldn’t help but start looking for furniture. I found a solid wood table and hutch that looked like the stuff at Pottery Barn, but for 1/4 of the price. Maybe even less. And, no, I didn’t have to build it. Ready made. For the table, six chairs, and hutch we paid under $800. Total. Brand new.

Thrilled with my bargain furniture, I was now on a mission to finish the room. I knew I wanted silk panels for the windows, in silver or gray. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find either color anywhere. I eventually checked Overstock and found just what I was looking for. I paid less than half of what PB’s panels cost. The quality is high and the mounting system is the exact same.

While visiting the online bargain superstore, I found a cool chandelier. It’s a good blend of modern and traditional, with a touch of bling. The fixture was about 1/3 of the price of ones I had seen in stores. I had my personal handyman, step dad move the electric box over a couple of feet, so it would be centered above the table. Free! But, this left an unsightly mess on the ceiling, which I remedied by adding a decorative hub cap. That’s not what they’re called, but I can’t remember the name. You know what I mean, right?

For the artwork, I had my kids paint abstracts using the color scheme (blues, lavender, amethyst, with lite touches of other happy shades), which cost next to nothing. I also used photographs of the kids, and purchased one framed print at Z Gallerie that incorporated all the colors. I bought an inexpensive mirror at a big box store.

Most of the accessories were purchased at Z Gallerie, including the super blingy candle sconces. Some of the trinkets are from Target as well as Michael’s Craft Store. I estimate the entire room cost under $1350. Paint, lighting, drapes, art, nick nacks, furniture, everything. Not bad, eh? 

I don’t like to spend too much because yes, I’m cheap, but I also love to decorate and tend to get tired of things quickly. If I don’t spend a lot, I feel like I can change it up when I’m ready. For the price, I’m pretty pleased. For now, anyway! Turquoise is still on my mind…

Here is the finished product. To enlarge, click on the picture.

 When I use a flash, the stripes look super bold. They aren’t. You can hardly see them. But, you can see the ceiling hub cap in this picture. Barely!

Frame It!

If you have kids, you probably have framed pictures of them hung on most of your walls.  You also probably have tons of pictures through the years of your little ones with Santa, cutting down the tree and various holiday events.  I like to blow up my favorite holiday snapshots through the years to fit most the frames on my walls.  I stick the Christmas pictures in the frames, in front of the old picture.  Then I can easily switch them back after the holidays.  Keep the regular picture and the holiday picture inside the frame and you won’t have to search for them each year.  This only takes about 30 minutes to do the whole house.  It makes a big impact for the time spent and costs very little.  You also get to enjoy all the memories you’ve captured of your family from past holidays.  Your guests will enjoy seeing the festive photos as well.  Happy framing!  *Idea 12 of 12

Top it with a Bow!

I love to decorate with ribbon and bows for the holidays.  Ribbon is inexpensive and comes in such beautiful colors and patterns.  You can change your colors every year for added fun.  I put bows on top of all my trees and wreaths.   I use them on the staircase, mirror, lamp, around a big teddy bear and around vases.  Pretty much anywhere that needs a little something extra.  You can never have too many giant bows! 

When in doubt, top it with a bow!

To tie a bow simply cut 4 equal pieces of ribbon.  I usually cut pieces a little over 12 inches.  Fold the ends toward each other and wrap wire around the center.  Repeat with the other 3 pieces.  Lay the wired loops on top of each other and wire all together.  Make a little loop out of a small piece of ribbon.  Wire to the middle.  Cut 2-3 pieces at about 20 inches.  Lay flat, under the bow.  Wire the flat pieces to make your tails.  Cut the ends at an angle.  And there you have it.  A fabulous bow!  *Idea 11 of 12

Sea Salt for Snow

I’m not a huge fan of the fake snow that looks like bulky pillow stuffing or batting.  I don’t mind the flakey, plastic stuff, but I only use it in vases or places out of reach to children.  A friend of mine told me about using sea salt for snow (rock size).  I love this idea.  It is way more realistic, heavy enough to not blow everywhere if the door is open and safe if accidentally ingested.  (I don’t have pets, not sure if they’d be interested in it?) I used it here around my little villages but you could use it almost anywhere.  *Idea 10 of 12

 

Trees for Everyone!

Both of my children have had trees in their rooms since they were very young.  My daughter collects the Barbie ornaments from Hallmark.  Each year she picks a few more to add to her collection.  I love this fun tradition and my daughter loves having her own ultra-girly tree!  By the time she is an adult she should have enough to fill a large tree.  Because Barbie is classic and timeless I think she’ll always love them no matter how old she is.  (A friend of mine gave me the idea of doing Barbie. She does this with her own daughter, who is now 16 and still loves her collection.)  If one day she grows out of them she can always save them for her  children.  The memories are sure to last a lifetime.

This is my son’s tree.  His collection started with whimsical looking, child like ornaments, but has evolved into classic toys by Hallmark.   He loves choosing the toys for his tree and they bring back fond memories for my husband and me as well.  He has the old Fisher Price school-house, chatty phone, See and Say, Hot Wheels–that plays the old commercial from the 70’s!  They are all so much fun.  The little glass jar on the floor is the homemade snow globe he made with Santa Dora inside, which he loves.  *Idea 9 of 12

Tree Branches & Snowflakes

In my dining room, I like to keep the holiday decorations simple but sparkly.  For this, I cut some branches off a tree in my yard.  I spray painted them white, then flocked them.  Sometimes I spray silver glitter on the branches too.  Next I put white lights on.  Then I topped it off with little disco balls, and lavendar & silver balls.  I leave this up all winter long for a little added glam!  (This looks really cool in person.  The picture doesn’t do a lot for it.)

This picture doesn’t do the snowflakes justice!  They actually cast light all throughout the room and even move a little when the heat is on.  The snowflake ornaments are made of beads and glass.  I purchased them at Target several years ago for a couple dollars each.  I also like to hang disco ball mirrored garland to give it more flicker.  In the past I’ve hung big crystal ornaments along with the snowflakes, which is pretty too.  Use fishing line so they appear to be falling from the sky.  This is another display you can get away with keeping up all winter.  *Ideas 7&8 of 12

Gumdrop Trees and Lollipop Bouquets

Gum Drop Trees- Crafts for All

I love making displays out of candy for the holidays.  It’s super whimsical and fun to do too!  I used to decorate my mantle in silver and red, Pottery Barn style.  While it was nice, it seemed a little dull and not very fun for kids.  A few years ago, I switched to what I like to call the Sweet Shop.  Now I use lots of gum drops, Dots and lollipops to create this candy scene. 

Your kids will have fun making these candy trees too.  All you need are styrofoam trees (from the craft store), gummy candies and wooden tooth picks.  Break the tooth picks in half with your fingers.  Put the broken side into the candy.  Insert the sharp side into the tree form.  Start at the base, working all the way around.  Place the candies as close together as possible.  I prefer Dots and gum drops for candy trees.  However, I have used peppermints before.  They look pretty but you have to use glue which doesn’t seem to hold very well.  I tried all different kinds of craft glue, styrofoam glue, crazy glue, hot glue.  Nothing worked very well.  Eventually I found one to hold the candies, but I had to hold them in place for quite a while and they still slipped a lot. 

For the lollipop bouquet just get a big vase.  Stick styrofoam inside.  Put fake snow or colored balls around the base.  Then push big lollipops into the styrofoam.  Simple for kids to do too.  Top with a big bright bow for added pop! I hope you enjoy your sweet crafts.  *Ideas 5&6 of 12

Christmas Forest Crafts- Easy and Fun for All!

So cute and fun! Ages 2-Adult

I’m a bit of a nut when it comes to decorating for Christmas.  I have way too much stuff and I like it that way.  I love my kids’ crafts and art projects, but I don’t want their creations all over the house.  This easy and fun idea displays several different projects, all in one area and they actually look pretty good.  I have my display in my kitchen window.  Here’s how to do it.  For the trees I gave my kids pine cones to paint.  Then they placed beads, pom poms and glitter on the pine cones.  No glue is needed.  My kids started making these at age 2 and they all turn out great.  They are fool-proof and fun for all ages.  I keep my favorite ones from year to year and each year they add to the collection. 

Also in the forest are a couple different sized Rudolph candy dishes.  These are made from terra cotta pots.  All you need is googly eyes, brown foam paper for the ears and antlers and a red pom-pom for the nose.  Super simple! 

To make a tree from terra cotta pots just get several different sizes, paint green and decorate with gem stickers and ribbon.  Another big hit with the kiddos. 

And finally for your forest a homemade snow globe.  This craft requires parental assistance as you will be using a hot glue gun.  Simply wash out a baby food jar.  Hot glue a small ornament or figurine to the inside of the lid.  Let set.  Fill jar with water and silver glitter and or glitter snowflakes.  Put the lid on.  Hot glue around the seam so it won’t leak.  Hot glue ribbon around the rim of the lid.  And there you have it!  A super cute homemade display.  Your kids will love making it and you’ll enjoy showing it off.  Each of these crafts also make wonderful grandparent gifts.  Happy crafting!  (Christmas Ideas 1,2,3 and 4 of 12)  *My display is much larger than the picture shows.  It goes all the way across my kitchen window.  A large display area looks best and allows for lots of crafts.