Our youngest daughters bedroom is tiny, and I mean REALLY tiny. There wasn’t anywhere for her to play, her carpet, had that line going around the edge when it collects dust (yuk!) that no amount of vacumming could get rid of. It was too young in its design, bland, and even with the addition of a rug to try and brighten it up, it still looked boring.
The main problem we had was trying to keep it dust free. Due to a health issue Miss A (aged 6) has, I was never convinced it was clean, and that I was just distributing the dust when I vacuumed, rather than getting rid of it. There wasn’t enough storage for her toys, at a level she could reach, or floor space to play with them. If she did get anything out to play with, the place looked an awful mess, and you literally couldn’t walk across the floor. Also as she was getting older, the room didn’t lend itself to her having friends over, whether to play, or for a sleepover. Honestly, its been a room that is way overdue being sorted!
In the far corner was a built in double wardrobe. Which was great for storage, but used up way more space then a room of this size can afford to. It also limited the room in terms of where we could put furniture.
The first drastic step was to remove the fitted wardrobe and the carpet, the two biggest offenders in the room.
We reached again for our favourite flooring company Harvey Maria, for a solution. We had already used Harvey Maria in Nia’s room (you can see it HERE) and we were so impressed we wanted to use the company again. Its simple to lay, looks and feels expensive, and the improvement compared to the carpet is immeasurable!
We decided to go for tiled effect vinyl flooring called Lattice in pebble grey by Dee Hardwicke. It arrived in packs and each tile is a square (30.5 x 30.5 cm) that needs to be stuck to the floor with an adhesive. This can also be purchased online at the Harvey Maria site. I thought the pattern would add interest to the floor, and to the room. Its a modern grey and white colour scheme with a vintage hand painted look, and turned out perfectly.
As soon as the vinyl was lay, the room looked twice the size, so much lighter and brighter! We’d also given everywhere a coat of white paint to freshen it up, and add a base.
We then set about choosing the paint colour for the walls. Miss A has always had either cream or white walls, so she wanted a little colour in this room for a change. As soon as we looked at the Disney range on the Graham and Brown site, she knew exactly what she would go for, Cinderellas Perfect Pastel Paint. Its a light pink, that’s not too pink, and kept with the fresh and bright feel of the new room. Added to that a few framed prints, also from the Graham and Brown Disney range (she is a huge fan) and we were really starting to get somewhere.
It’s been lots of work. My husband had worked really hard with the decorating and putting together all of that flat pack but are so happy with the finished result, not least Miss A
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We still need a new light fitting, but that’s been ordered, and should arrive any day. We kept the Great Little Trading Company storage box, and now it’s got a dual purpose and being used as a bedside table for her Phillips Mickey night light.
We were particulary pleased with the new bed, which neatly fits along one wall. It has storage in two large drawers, and it actually pulls out too, so that it can be used as a twin or double bed. Such a nifty idea, its from Ikea as is the new wardrobe and drawer unit. The only issue we have had, is the mattress we have already (which is nearly brand new) is a slightly different size to the base, but we’ve compromised with some cushion tucked in at the bottom, which also act as an anchor to stop the duvet cover falling off.
She really can’t believe how much floor space she has now. Enough to dance and put on big productions when she plays dress-up. She’s finding it easier to get her toys out and play with, and even been putting them away herself, as they all at a level she can reach.
The new bedding is from Houseology and its gorgeous, I have a real thing for bedlinen, and the quality of this is brilliant, super soft but thick too, its definitely going to last well. Ferm Living Cloud Bedding in mint green. its £80 as a set. Its important to note that the pillow is square in design, and not a standard pillow size. I got my inner pad from John Lewis. Ferm Living is a Scandi design company which I am huge fan of. This is illustrated by Swedish-based artist, Ingela P Arrhenius.
We added two cushions, also from the Ferm Living range at Houseology : Little Ms Rabbit – £36 with a Billy Bear cushion – £32.
The bedding came in a cute bag, that we’ve re-purposed for Miss A’s favourite doll.
You can spot two of the prints from Graham and Brown in this image, one of Tinkerbell, and the other a night scene from Peter Pan.
My favourite has to be this Bambi one though, above her tall boy drawer unit.
It looks so much better than it did, and we can now hide away all of the ‘stuff’ and leave out all of the little collections that she has, like her comprehensive Disney Animation Dolls collection.
We couldn’t be happier with the finished result, just a few more tweaks, including the light shade and we will be there. At last she can invite her friends for a sleepover!
Flooring, paint, bedding and art work are review items sent for this makeover.
Molly says
Oh it’s lovely, Miss A must be delighted. I absolutely love the flooring, and the bedding (like you I have a bit of a thing for bedding). I can see Miss A’s personality reflected in the room and all her toys – so sweet.
Jill says
What a beautiful room! Especially LOVE that floor.
Lucy says
Hey Amanda! Love the bedroom makeover, she must be over the moon! We are busy with ideas for the childrens bedrooms at the moment so great inspiration. Particularly love the floor, cloud bedding and the beautiful disney prints (off to check them out right now). xxx
Stephanie says
That is a great room makeover! She now has so much more room to play, really important when their little isn’t it. I love the colour choices too.
Jen says
What a transformation. The floor is a real wow factor isn’t it, great choice. I’ve got some Ferm Living wallpaper on the way in mint – can’t to see it, love the clouds bedding you’ve chosen. Bet she loves it all.
Vita says
WOW! what a stunning room! It’s so sophisticated but great fun – perfect for your daughter! x
Marcel says
Great job!! We should do something similar for our box room in which our 3 year old sleeps. However we are also planning an attic conversion so we need to wait and see if the box room wall has to be moved to make room for the extra stairs.
Lots of interesting ideas and, of course, we love Ikea too! 🙂
Becky says
That looks really lovely Amanda.
Sabrina (The Mummy Stylist) says
I LOVE it! That flooring is so different, but I like it. You must be so happy to have got rid of that carpet! And the bedding is gorgeous, I’m going to have a look at the Houseology website now! Sabrina xx
Nell says
The combination of the bedding colours with the pink walls works really well. What a stylish bedroom – simply gorgeous.
Cate says
Hi there, it’s Cate from Petalina here. I’ve just been researching Harvey Maria flooring and came across your post. I actually like the floor that you chose for Miss A’s room. And then I spotted Miss A’s favourite doll, with Jessica on the floor wearing a Petalina Girl outfit. It’s lovely to see that Miss A is still enjoying her dolls. Hope all is well. xx
Amanda Cottingham says
Hi Cate. So brilliant that you spotted it so randomly. Highly recommend the HM flooring we have it in two bedrooms, the downstairs cloak and hallway and have been nothing but impressed with it. Hope you are well, Amanda
Macs says
I am sure my kids would love to see this.