Remember last week when I said I’d post the first DIY post on Monday? Can we just pretend like it’s still Monday? But, we’ll party like it’s Friday. How’s that sound? ; )
Charley’s Room:
Of course her room was a room I had dreamt of and longed to decorate for years. So, when I was given the green flag I spent many of nights gleaming inspiration from the one and only World Wide Web. I knew right off the bat that I wanted to create her room for her to grow-up in, not just be a newborn in, if that makes sense.
This stage (Our baby may or may not have been a little high maintenance when it came to sleeping. Hence all her sleepytime bling.) …
…lasts for like a hot minute. While this stage …
…shows up the next day and lasts a lot longer.
With that in mind I knew I wanted a room that was filled with color and fun, books and games, stuffed animals and toys. A room that she could grow into (hence the daybed) and (oh so important) a room that was uber-functional.
With every room in our house I always get started with the design by finding something that inspires me. This can be a piece of artwork, a paint color, a sham or a tea pot (as was the case for our kitchen). For Charley’s room I found my inspiration in this homemade quilt, found right here on Etsy:
I know it’s totally Southern country, but I just loved it so. I imagined my little girl wrapped up in it years down the road, worn, soft and with a few holes throughout. I loved the colors and the way it just seemed to yell, “I’m fun and long-lasting!” (p.s. I remember showing it to our birthmom and she said, “it’s sweet and humble.” I loved her choice of words.)
Once I had her quilt the rest all just seemed to fall in place …
This room was previously a study. My dad came in town a few weekends to paint it all nice, fresh and bright white and then build shelves right into the wall. Such a dream! Those shelves are one of my favorite parts of the room. They’re big and deep and hold tons of stuff.
Her crib is a standard Jenny Lind crib. I could totally be wrong (I bet my mom will remember), but I swear it was not $200 when we bought it. Maybe it’s gone up on price because they’ve become so trendy again …? Nevertheless, it’s simple and I love it.
I wanted a daybed in her room so as to have an easy place to change diapers and outfits, to have a comfy place to snuggle when she was eating and to have a comfy place for my weary head when I, too, was in need of a nap. Many of times we have napped together on that bed. And, it really is at the perfect height for diaper changes. The daybed is from Ikea and I’m a real, big fan.
The dresser, found at an “antique-type” store here in Cinci, is also at the perfect height for a changing table. We considered using it, but we have always liked the bed a whole lot. It just works for us.
The bed and the dresser came the color you see today. Yay for time-savers!
As for extra storage I got the idea to find old boxes and put casters on them. Super easy and super handy.
Here’s a closer look:
The Pepsi box was actually found at Pottery Barn (for $30). The other two were found at the same store I found the dresser for $5 each. The casters were bought at Home Depot and quickly installed using a few short screws and an electric screwdriver.
This would also be a great idea for a bedroom to hold magazines and more. Or a guest room with boxes labeled “towels” & “toiletries.” Wouldn’t that be so welcoming?
In Charley’s room the Pepsi box holds diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer and more (p.s. the hand sanitizer is this adorable little Ball jar turned soap dispenser.). The other two boxes hold puzzles and other misc toys. She has just recently learned how to roll the boxes out which I love. This does mean though that things like lotion and diaper rash cream have had to be put away.
If you would like to do something similar I would suggest hitting up some antique hot spots. They are surprisingly easy to find. Otherwise, you can find a plethora on Etsy.
Link 1, 2, 3, 4 – go snatch ‘em up before I do! ; )
Moving on to the book holder …
This was actually made and displayed with a plant in it. What a great idea! I bought it for our home and then could not figure out where to put it. It ended up in our storage closet. Until, that is, I started working on Charley’s room. The design and the color was so fitting. Here’s what I did to turn this rustic wood planter into a book holder …
Wahlah, SO easy! Use your drill to drill pilot holes and then screw the screw-eyes right in. Next use the wire (the screw-eyes and wire and hooks for your wall come sold in a set. Check it out right here.) to simply create a way to hang it directly to the wall. I made sure to use a wall hook that could support 100 lbs. I’m pretty sure this is not near 100 lbs, but better safe than sorry, right? The day I walk in on Charley sitting in her book holder I can just smile and walk on by.
Check out this quite similar piece of goody’ness I found on Etsy …
I imagine sweet little photographs tacked to the exposed wood above the books sitting in the box. How cute!
You could even use something a bit more unconventional like this old, metal+wood toolbox:
A very simple DIY is giving a little bling to a rather boring pillowcase (if you follow me on Twitter you may remember me posting this last spring):
The pillowcase to the left is simply two, large burp cloths (from IKEA) sewn together. The pillow to the right is simply fabric sewn on 3.5 sides. And, the pillow in the middle is a white pillow case with a little bling. Here’s how I did it:
Roughly draw the design of your choice out on fabric. Cut + tear it out so that there’s a little bit of roughness to it. Then … (wait for it) sew it on! Yay for a 10 minute project!
The strawberry fabric is literally an old, unused fabric napkin. I sewed it on, roughed up the edges a bit and then a bit beyond the scraggly strings I put a little bit of Fray Check on it to keep it from fraying to the point of death. I think this would also be cute with a letter or set of initials. Truly an easy and quick project.
And, we’re moving … we’re moving (channeling the Progressive lady whom I actually find surprisingly captivating.) …
I could not possibly love the collage above her bed any more. I mean I luuuuuurve it love it. Like, wanna hug it and kiss it every time I walk in her room lurve it. Here’s how I did it …
I sat up many a late nights and sorted through just about all of the children’s artists’ prints on Etsy. I then went back to all of the ones I selected as favorites and saved the images in a Word document where I could view them as a “family.” Once I settled on my favorites I ordered, yelped gleefully and then screamed in delight when they showed up.
As you may have noticed the print on the bottom left is new to the family. Previously, Charley’s room had an adorable homemade mobile (found here), but once Charley started standing and dancing and jumping up and down in her crib it had to say goodbye and hang out at her baby-friend Lydia’s house for awhile. And, so Elephant meets Rabbit came to live with us.
You may think hanging a collage of frames behind a crib is the worst idea ever and my husband would agree with you (Charley enjoys hanging off of them and banging on them). BUT, before you get all judgmental ; ) I have to say that these frames are kid friendly and secured very much so to the wall.
First, all of the frames were ordered from this incredibly nifty site where you can order any custom size (which is SO nice since many of ETSY’s prints come in odd sizes) and the glass is plexiglass! (p.s. When/if you order your frame make sure you also order the plexiglass+back or you will be like me and only have frames at first for a little bit. I must have missed that step – oops.)
Secondly, just like I did with the book holder I secured hooks and the wire and then used these wall hooks right here found at your local Home Depot so that the frames could not be removed. At first, this worked like a charm, but then I realized she was scratching the wall by swinging them back and forth. Here comes my third and final step …
Velcro! I found the idea online (duh) and these little thingamajigs actually do work really well. I’ve since used them elsewhere in our house. Actually, I may be a little obsessed. You simply stick one side to the wall and one side to the frame (or mirror or whatever you may be hanging) and then the two pieces velcro together. The beauty of the velcro is that they can be removed from your wall without leaving any mark! Impressive if you ask me.
And, now for some quick links. In case you are in the market for some beautiful children’s art you must check out these artists. They are all so stinkin’ talented it makes me real happy (and a little jealous).
1, 2 & 4. The ever so brilliant Sarah Jane with Sarah Jane Studios. Her shop can be found here.
3. This print says “just a little time” and how true is that? Our sweet and vibrant Charley just needed a little time to make it to us. Designed by Lovely Sweet William.
5. Tons of fun and kitschy prints can be found by Barking Bird. I love so many of her prints. I’m contemplating adding another one of her pieces of work to our basement/family room.
6. Corey and I are quite obsessed with traveling the world. It’s one of our favorite things to do and, in our humble opinion, the best way to spend money. I have learned more about myself while traveling and I want the same for Charley. This prints says, “Charley’s World to Discover.” Designed by My Sweet Prints.
I also have two prints from Dazey Chic. You can see one hanging above the book holder (Today Do Something Unexpected). She has some fantastic artwork, too. You must check her out.
One more note …
This light is what is hanging in Charley’s room. It is $200 from Pottery Barn.
The funny thing though is that the actual light hanging here …
… was actually found in that same “antique-type” store I found the dresser and boxes in for $40. Yet it’s hand’s down the same lamp. Don’t you agree?
It’s always easier to do a little online shopping, but if you have the time and energy, get out, do a little antique shopping and I promise you will be surprised at the gems you can find! All it takes is you being able to see the item separated from all that is around it. This light was sitting on a shelf. All I needed to know was if it worked and when I found out it did it was sold. And, I love it for every dollar I spent for it!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my first Cudzilo Casa {DIY} installment. Was there anything you especially liked? Any questions you have (I’m more than happy to answer)? If you snatch up any of those Etsy finds please do share. A virtual high-five will be headed your way!
xo!
jc
p.s. The curtains are from Ikea along with the sheep rug seen in the pictures up top. The “HOORAY” banner was bought from this Etsy site and the sheet custom made from this Etsy site (who also happens to do custom bedding).
p.p.s. How cute would these be to use as diaper caddies? Or, if you wanted, you could add some casters to them or hang them on the wall. ; ) Found (of course) on Etsy here and here and here.
