sources: chair: vintage // desk: IKEA // wall cabinets: IKEA // green chevron curtain fabric: Etsy // all other accents & fabric: vintage
The completion of this room has been a long time coming! It's nice to finally be able to share it and to be able to enjoy it in person in a more complete state instead of it being the catch-all-dumping-ground it's been for the past year or so. This room is the tiniest of our three bedrooms (about 120 sq. ft.) and played home to Cooper and Campbell's nursery. Once Campbell outgrew his crib, we decided to let them share a room and this room became their playroom.
It was a big F-A-I-L.
The playroom that is. For some reason, my boys only like to hang out in our living room, or wherever Mommy and Daddy are. ; ) I know that will change one day. It's funny because even in our tiny house you'd think we've sent them to the DUNGEON or something if we ask them to go play in their bedroom. You can literally hear them down the hall. They aren't going to know what to do with themselves when we have a bigger house. It's going to be a learning experience for sure. (I can imagine many an "I'm scared!" if they're on a floor all by themselves, much less a room down the hall. Sigh.)
sources: all accents: vintage unless otherwise noted // needlepoint purse by me: DIY & pattern here // kokeshi pens: Ebay // kawaii stationery items: Yozo Craft // little japanese anime figurine: the mall // butterfly perler bead glass vase "sleeve" made by me
I found the hanging light above on Craigslist and then had the idea to add giant pompoms to it. I've had those poms for a while now and finally attached them to the shade. I don't think I realized just how HUGE they were, but I really, really love the way it looks.
After we realized the "playroom" wasn't going to work out and that the room was essentially being unused, that was the greenlight for me to move all of my crap my "Studio" into the room. (You might recall that my "studio" was a designated corner of our living room.) I was very happy to have all of my girly stuff out of the living room since it's one of the first rooms you see when you walk into the house. Now the boys' large bookshelf occupies that little corner.
I found this hutch on Craigslist and it needed loooots of TLC. For some reason I neglected to notice that the thing WREAKED OF SMOKE. Yikes. I went to town on it with this stuff. And it really worked. I took out the glass in the outer doors and inserted matte board that I cut to size and covered with wallpaper. I store quite a lot of stuff in this hutch, and it started to look messy, so covering two of the doors really helped, and also helped to break up all of that wood color. Eventually I'll replace the knobs and maybe even add some wallpaper in small areas at the bottom. Not sure yet how this hutch will be used when we move one day.
I saw the string ball lights on Oh Happy Day a while back and had to have some, but she bought her's in Paris. So I did some googling and found some on Etsy. At first I was confused because I was like "are these handmade?" and then later on I saw that the shop had been taken down, no doubt because they are mass produced. But i'm sure if you did some Googling you could find some that would ship to the States or elsewhere.
I mentioned these super cool comics that you see here framed on the wall in this post if you're interested. I bought them in this shop and I see that she has more listed! I found the plastic mint colored frames at a dollar store. We took down the original doors to this closet (really disfunctional sliding doors) a long time ago and hung a curtain instead. This is a twin sized vintage sheet. I backed it with a white cotton shower curtain since the sheet was see-through. You can find the "I Play with Dolls" decal that I designed sold in this shop.
Continuing around the room, there's a chest of drawers with my dollhouse sitting on top. I changed out the original knobs last week with some new knobs that I DIYed. I bought the plastic flowers from Land of Nod because they screamed the 60's to me, not really knowing what I wanted to do with them. Then I had a light-bulb moment and adhered them to some hardware store-bought wooden knobs that I spray painted. I had to sand down the knobs first because they were a bit of a rounded surface. I love how they turned out.
Here are some peeks at what I store in this dresser.
And some more peeks inside the dollhouse.
As you move around the room you can see the built-in cabinets around the windows. We were lucky that this room came with these cabinets, but unlucky because of the shoddy doors that covered them. So, out they went and I sewed and hung curtains. They are attached with velcro to the wood. The astrology themed fabric is vintage that I found probably 7 years ago. I was thrilled to finally find a use for it!
The It's a Small World Avon girls will be moving to our bathroom because I finally found the perfect shelf for them to sit on. I store all kinds of junk supplies behind these curtains, but here's a small peek of some fabric. It was about the only spot that didn't look a mess. ; )
Hopefully you can read all of my chicken-scratch on these photos. As you can see, I used curtains to hide lots of unsightly things. The curtain underneath the desk is truly loved. Who wants to see all of those cords?! Mine are a hot mess, too. The scalloped valance hanging at the very top there, is actually hiding another built-in cabinet. This curtain is one of my absolute favorite items that I found for this room. It's vintage from a seller in Sweden and I couldn't believe how perfectly it fit up there.
These original ink drawings have a whole other story to go with them that I've been meaning to tell you for months. Just need to find the time! They were created for a newspaper in New Orleans, LA by an artist that later moved to Atlanta where she died. I found them at the Estate Sale that her family held. I feel quite honored to have these drawings of her's. More on that later.
And last, here are some more close-ups of things sitting on top of the wall cabinets, hanging on the wall and inside the hutch.
As you can see, this room has been a labor of love. It was a kick for me to be able to go all out with everything that I love. Not that I haven't girly-fied the rest of our home just a little, but I didn't have to hold back at all for this room. And I love it. Ethan even likes it! He spends time on that computer, too. (I think he's just glad I finally got rid of all the sh*t crowding the floor. ; )
I think in a lot of ways, this room reflects me in very transparent ways. I like to think of it as what my bedroom might have looked like if I was a teenager living during the '60's. (alas, I wasn't alive then, but came along not too much later, in the '70's) With bright pops of color and bold graphic patterns everywhere. In some ways, yeh, I might be making up for the fact that I don't have a little girl - maybe her room would've looked like this? But let's face it, our kids have opinions and tastes of their own. I'm not sure I would've been so lucky to impose my kookie vintage tastes on her.
At least I have this studio to indulge myself. Thank-you for letting me share it with you!
THANK-YOU for the comments on the pool post! They have been invaluable to my husband and I! The consensus seems to be that they are totally worth it. Not as much money and upkeep as you think. And that is really cool to know. I don't think we'll be getting that house with the pool, in fact we're in the process of looking at another house, sans pool, but you never know! One day we might indulge in a pool. For now we'll have to count on the neighborhood pool. ; )
Holey Moley I am in love. Can you come do mine?
Posted by: Katie Scott | May 15, 2012 at 11:32 AM
I especially adore the daisy knobs :D It's great having your own place, even if it's just a closet nook or a corner of the room. My office is once again in our master bedroom, and with all the crazy constantly going on it our home I chose to go in a very different design direction from my norm. So all that being said, I painted my office furniture once agin to match the rest of the room. Kind of a shabby chic lodgy feel. LOL but who knows.. one day I'll wake up and go in a totally different direction. That's what I admire about you however - you seem so confident in who you are and what you like. If I could just land on one thing and put my heart into it I think I might be a lot better off - but then well that may be boring?!
Posted by: Chelsea Ann | May 15, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Ok, you have just about the coolest work space ever. It' so filled with vintage and cute and color! I love it!
Posted by: Heather | May 15, 2012 at 11:55 AM
it all makes me happy!
Posted by: melanie @ now a queen | May 15, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Fabulous post Danielle, I really enojoyed reading this and peeking into your craft room. It's completely AMAZE!!! You have such a great eye for collecting cute and kitschy things :) I think your scalloped curtain is my favourite, oh what I would do to get my hands on one of those!!
Jessie, xo
P.S. glad to see you over on Pinterest now :) it's so addictive hey!?
Posted by: Jessie @ MessyJesse | May 15, 2012 at 12:06 PM
wait .. not Pinterest - I mean Instagram! woah there are too many of these social networking things now!!
Posted by: Jessie @ MessyJesse | May 15, 2012 at 12:07 PM
there's so much to love about your studio. Every photo is eye candy. I LOVE the chevron fabric and your doll collection is wonderful. There's nothing like making an work environment that inspires you; this studio really captures your style!
Posted by: Sue May | May 15, 2012 at 12:15 PM
I love your studio! You brought back great memories of playing with my barbies and paper dolls as a child for hours. I see you have Crissy paperdolls. I had the Chrissy doll and her sister Velvet and loved the way you could make their hair grow long or make it short with a twist of a knob. I adore the way you have lovingly set everything up. Thanks for the tour.
Posted by: Danielle @ Blessed Serendipity | May 15, 2012 at 12:22 PM
I'm jealous of your craft organization! My yarn is sadly all stashed in grocery bags inside a closet...not very pretty at all!
Posted by: ThriftyVintageKitten | May 15, 2012 at 01:03 PM
you have the cutest place ever. LOVE!!!
Posted by: katrina | May 15, 2012 at 02:55 PM
I love everything. I have some great Barbie stuff too. I bought alot off ebay for my daughter and she loved and played with it many hours. what a great way to recycle and learn your 60-70's fashion. Thanks for sharing.
Michele
Posted by: Michele Booth | May 15, 2012 at 05:35 PM
Thx for the tour, it was great fun. Wish I was half as organized and clean :)
Posted by: Stacy | May 15, 2012 at 05:49 PM
I am just speechless! Dream room!
Posted by: jeannie | May 15, 2012 at 07:09 PM
This room is amazing, I hope that one day my house is as awesome and colourful as yours! I especially love the curtains and all the vintage fabrics. I have the same strings of lights, I got them from here: http://cableandcotton.co.uk/
Faye x
Posted by: Faye | May 16, 2012 at 02:18 AM
So completely adorable!
Posted by: AndreaDeal | May 16, 2012 at 03:58 AM
It's breathtaking!! How wonderful!
The curtains and wallpaper are so beautiful, and I can see some Japanese things here and there, so cute :-)
Thank you very much for sharing your great photos!
Posted by: Ricobel.wordpress.com | May 16, 2012 at 05:12 AM
The supreme mastering of organization here is truly inspiring. And that hutch, you've done wonders on it. All the colours and touches of creative whimsy in this room must lift your spirits each morning.
Posted by: Michelle | May 16, 2012 at 07:15 AM
Thank you so much for sharing this. The scalloped curtain above your windows made my heart skip a beat! So fabulous. I also collect the avon small world dolls. They are too cute and will look super cute in a bathroom, can't wait to see that!
Posted by: Melissa | May 16, 2012 at 09:03 AM
It looks SO incredible! You always make me realize that I don't try nearly hard enough - which is a good thing. I love how you always use colors and patterns together. And that valance is ah-mazing! I love you like mad for those gigantic pom poms on that lamp.
Posted by: Eartha Kitsch | May 16, 2012 at 09:41 AM
Saw this post, packed my bags, said good-bye to my family, and now I am moving in with you!
Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife
Posted by: The Glamorous Housewife | May 16, 2012 at 10:29 AM
I lovo your space, doll organizatión and beutiful dolls <3
Posted by: Debi | May 16, 2012 at 12:12 PM
I love your space, doll organizatión and beutiful dolls <3
Posted by: Debi | May 16, 2012 at 12:13 PM
So very cheery and colorful! Very vintage indeed but i love it. It would make me smile every time i walked in that room, no matter what!
Posted by: Kristin | May 17, 2012 at 01:31 AM
What an amazingly happy place! Thank's so much for sharing it! Such an inspiring space.
Posted by: Regina | May 17, 2012 at 06:47 AM
Your studio is beautiful. So bright and happy! I completely understand about your boys wanting to only play near mom and dad. We are living in a tiny townhouse until we are able finally close on the house that we really want. I told my boys (6 and 3) that when we have the new house their toys will be put back into their rooms at night and sometimes they will even be expected to play in their rooms. My 3 year old burst out in tears at the very idea.
Posted by: Morgen | May 17, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Perfection. Love it all!
Posted by: Gina | May 17, 2012 at 11:49 PM
Oh my gosh I want to LIVE IN THERE! I especially love the little rooms for your dolls.. I used to have a bookcase I used for the same kind of thing, but now it's long gone and all of my Pullips are just sitting on a smaller shelf in my room. When we have more space I'm definitely getting something like that for them again!
Posted by: Pansy Lane | May 18, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Love it!! Great taste + styling!! Lots of wonderful inspiration im finding in your pics!! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Rach | May 18, 2012 at 01:48 PM
oh Danielle. . . i LOVE LOVE LOVE it. it screams *YOU* and that puts a huge, fat retro smile on my face. your amazing. . . have i told you lately??? ;) loves you honey. *incredible, simply INCREDIBLE*.
(i noticed the mini mags and the golden kitty! thanks for the "dear friend" nod. . . i feel EXACTLY the same about you honey!!!!!!)
Posted by: Karli Plant | May 18, 2012 at 09:26 PM
This is absolutely gorgeous, beautiful, bright, clean and full of great things and details, but, at the same time, uncluttered. Excellent, congratulations!!!!
Posted by: Fancylooks | May 20, 2012 at 11:24 AM
so beautiful
Posted by: kim | May 21, 2012 at 05:52 AM
So fun, takes me back (I was born in '66)! Reminds me of touring homes with my mom, who sold real estate in the 70s. One place we toured had red, white & blue wallpaper with HUGE words like Peace, Love, etc. Very psychedelic, and this was in the '80s, so I knew that was some true 60s "vintage" wallpaper!
Posted by: Denise Alekseev | May 21, 2012 at 06:11 AM
Can i live in your studio?
Or in the dollhouse for that matter. ;)
Our styles are very similar, but i still have a lot to learn to reach your level of neatness and organization!
PS The Tina covers look so pretty framed!
Posted by: ismoyo | May 21, 2012 at 08:34 AM
I love to do crafts and since we have a very small house and I could never keep my crafting supplies together I got a craft room from http://roomstogrowusa.web12.hubspot.com/hobbyrooom/. I really love having it and being able to find what I am looking for now!
Posted by: Lil | May 22, 2012 at 08:22 AM
this is quite possibly the greatest room i have ever seen.
Posted by: robbie | May 24, 2012 at 07:29 PM
This is an exceptional content, and I can agree with what was written here. I will be back to check out more of your articles soon. Thanks
Posted by: oakley sunglasses cheap | May 27, 2012 at 08:44 PM
My heart skipped a beat at the first sighting of your studio. Absolutely delicious.
And the Small World Avon girls...my sisters and I had those as kids. My sister gifted me one again recently. I adore those old Avon memories.
Kudos to you and your husband for an amazing job. Your style is infectious.
Posted by: Cathe Holden | May 31, 2012 at 07:33 AM
I must have a split personality. On one hand I love modern minimalist style. On the other hand I love vintage (especially 70s), handmade this & that + collections + stuff all over the place. I guess you're allowed to love anything you want. :) I'm glad I found your blog. :)
Posted by: sansku | May 31, 2012 at 12:32 PM
I love love love your workspace and the Barbies!
Posted by: *Dream Weaver* | June 05, 2012 at 01:50 AM
Cool and ecclectic, my favorite style! Saw some familiar things from my past also...
Posted by: Donna | June 23, 2012 at 05:17 AM
Amazing! Thanks for sharing your space!
Posted by: Angie Tieman | June 23, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Such an inspiring room! Love all the little touches. It's so neat how you've added vintage dolls. Glad I'm not the only adult who still likes dolls.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Posted by: Jean@quiltedcupcake | June 24, 2012 at 07:34 AM
Your place is so unique! What a mix of vintage, fifty's and kawaii like never seen before! Love it! <3
Posted by: ScrapBazaar | April 08, 2013 at 10:16 PM