Our Colorado Home: Kids' Room

Welcome to the first part of my latest home tour! This is the third home we've lived in in four years which has allowed for plenty of practice in arranging rooms that work for our family of four regardless of wall space, floor plans, and square feet! Doing it all as a renter makes things interesting but also frees me up to try things out without the fear and indecisiveness of more permanent changes homeowners might get stuck on. Also, I love white walls so it's a great time to be a renter as far as paint color is concerned.

I'm starting things off with a tour of our childrens' shared room. It's smaller than their last two and has a large built-in that we had to work around but I've been able to create a vintage-inspired space with similar elements in both girl and boy versions and stuck to a color palette that not only feels appropriate to their ages but can also grow with them. It took me a few weeks to figure all of this out and even longer to get that last embroidery hung and the boxes of legos under the bed organized but I think my favorite rooms have always evolved over time before they reach their happy place.


Most things in their room are vintage and have been thrifted, gifted, or DIY'ed. The beds are possibly my favorite pieces apart from the pull down chalkboard map and wooden kitchen. Each piece has it's own character but most have come with their own stories. For instance, I found Ruby's bed frame and the chalkboard map during our move from Missouri to Colorado. We were traveling in our two cars and there was just enough room to angle both huge pieces above the seats in the interior of our Maxima. I was so determined to take both home that I paid for them before measuring to see if they'd even fit!

This room has the luxury of a deep closet and built-ins (see above door). It's Sebastian's favorite hiding spot and holds all of Ruby's dresses, out of season clothing, our collection of vintage Fisher-Price houses, and extra blankets. There may still be a big box hiding in the back corner that I just can't bring myself to unpack. 

The embroidery wall was collected over a period of three years and were all found at local thrifts and fleas except for the last three I found on Etsy to fill out the collection. I almost donated them before we moved but held on to them at the last minute. I chose a bold display for her side of the room to fill up that long wall and love how the full collection takes a bit of preciousness away from the fact that they're floral embroideries.

The basket full of stuffed animals is evidence of her big heart. She lays claim to anything soft and cuddly within her reach. Just because she doesn't name any of her animals doesn't mean she'd not notice if one of them went missing...ahem. I made the garland on the wall above her bed right after she was born as a Christmas decoration for the living room but love it with these colors.

I tried to create some symmetry in their room to help tie everything together but only just noticed that I have arrows on both of their bottom shelves pointing in either direction. Again, the items on their shelves each carry a story or a reminder of someone who loves them.

The arrows were purchased at an Indian trade shop in Missouri during a trip to St. Louis to spend some precious time with Brett during a three-month training period last year. The 'KID' letters were found on one of my last thrifting dates with Elsie and Emma, the handmade lamb plush was a gift to Ruby on her second birthday from Katie, the miniature sewing machine was a gift from Leigh-Ann, the blue feather headdress was a gift from Sarah, and various other decorations were thrifted from favorite flea markets in Springfield.

The afghans, quilts, and bedspreads were all found at various thrifts and fleas. I have had so many people ask how I wash linens and my secret is baking soda or white vinegar if things are smelling bad. It also doesn't hurt to hang them to dry in the sunshine if you've got the space. Just don't forget about them and leave them outside for three or ten days because they'll either mold or fade. I may be speaking from experience.

This bookshelf was gifted by my grandmother and is from an educational company. It's served us well by keeping their favorite reads at eye level with easy access. I like being able to see the tops of the covers when I'm searching for a bedtime story.

I had this shelf custom built by a craigslist carpenter for Sebastian's room when he was two after seeing something similar in a magazine. It's been utilized as a bookshelf in other parts of other homes as well. Versatile pieces of furniture make filling in the new spaces a little easier when you move. The dollhouse is from PLAN toys and the tubs are from Target. I have had good intentions on decorating that dollhouse with vintage wallpaper but Ruby beat me to it with her sidewalk chalk. 

The wooden kitchen below is starting to show a little wear thanks to a budding young cook. We managed to fit it into an overly full car on the way home from a Christmas visit to Brett's family a few years ago. I'd been looking and looking for one for months and then we happened to stop into a new flea market and there she was. I still remember how little I paid for it! 

I'd still love to find a rug that cooperates with the rest of their room to warm things up this winter but I'm really happy with how things have turned out this time around. I'm planning on draping twinkle lights over their built-in and putting little wreaths on their bed frames as we approach Christmas. We're in this space for another year-and-a-half so if any other little Denbows make their way into this family (we wouldn't be opposed to that AT ALL) it'd mean another creative solution to fitting it all in but I do like a good challenge! 

Stay tuned for a dining and living room tour in coming days. See the last two shared rooms here and here.

-Rachel

Comments

[Laila]

Oh how lovely! I need to get my boys room sorted now. We moved home a few months ago and this is the prod I needed, very inspiring, thanks!

[gina]

such a perfect shared space!! I love the colors and the sweet items you have filled it with. Score on the chalkboard map!!!

[Casey]

What a perfect cozy room. I always love your vintage style! Great color scheme too. Love it!

[Laura]

I love the vintage, cozy, sweet feel of the room. Great job!

[Hannah]

Perfect every time!

[Sarah M]

probably my favorite room of theirs yet! I love it!
Sarah M

[Meredith]

You have done a wonderful job with this room! I love the cluster of flower pictures. I always see them and think they are so cute, but clustered together like that makes such a statement!

[Ella Stettner]

Absolutely adorable! That map and embroidery wall are awesome. Such a sweet room. Good job!

[amanda (simplemittens)]

I LOVE it! I'm usually not a fan of his side/her side but you pulled it off so well! You're so good with colors. I love that you have so much stuff out but it doesn't look cluttered. again- love it!

[barny]

lovely, thank you for sharing :)

Barnicles

[Missy]

Gosh, you're amazing. I either want to be a mom like you or simply just be your child.

[Sarah Jane]

It's amazing, Rachel! Love all the details, and thanks for the detailed tour. Lots of good inspiration here!

[Rachel]

It looks like a cozy creative space for the kids. Very ute.

Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

[jodi]

I love their room! You have such great taste and the room is put together with such ease. I'm glad you shared this because my two boys are about to share a room again and I need a little inspiration with placement of beds and shelves and whatnot.

[Cally]

Oooooh! I'm just crazy about your United States maps. Those are spectacular! Looks great!

[lisa defibaugh]

This space is so well curated, I just cant stand it!! I am so motivated right now!!!

[Carla]

Wow! You have really out done your self. This space is amazing. Your little ones are so lucky to have a mama like you!

[Christine]

you're amazing. great job! i'm so inspired by your use of things that are free, cheap, homemade etc... and good luck on baby number #3!

[Kasey M.]

Rachel, what about a rag rug made out of vintage sheets for the kids room? I'm working on one for a friend's cob cottage/artist studio/yoga retreat this winter. They do so much to warm up a space!

[Rachael // The Paraders]

So super cute!! Come decorate my house next!

xo
Rachael
THE PARADERS VINTAGE

[candace]

Such thoughtful details in this room - they're lucky little kids! So many modern kids toys/decor are such eyesores, but the vintage stuff looks so cozy and has so much character!

[Alison Marra]

Love (though am not surprised at all, being a longtime blog reader) how you use all these great vintage pieces, both big and small, but it doesn't feel like too "done" or themed or overly precious - this is an actual full-of-life room that real kids can play in.
We have a similar 3-section floor shelf with bins that I recently got sick of and pulled out of my kids' room, and wasn't sure what to do with it - seeing it here is inspiring me to restyle it and give it another go... maybe a coat of paint...?
xo, Alison
True North: Reclaiming a Creative Life
findtruenorth.typepad.com

[kristin]

Your room decor posts are my favorite on S&W. I'm not as avid a thrifter as you are, but I'm starting to collect more and more and I'm realizing I've now built a nice little assortment of thrifted and handmade items to make my home feel special. Feels pretty great. Anyway, LOVE the touches you've added to this room! Love that each side isn't TOO boyish or TOO girlish but each side is perfect for the kid it belongs to.

[Elizabeth]

Love all of it. Have plans for an embroidery collection in my own bedroom soon.

[stacy hart]

i love the colors. it is a masterful blend of boy and girl, great job!

[Stephanie May*]

Your home tours are always so inspiring! I am IN LOVE with that chalkboard map!! That has to be one of the coolest finds ever!

Great job on this room as a whole - my 3 kids (1 boy and 2 girls) all share a room, and it can be hard to get excited about decorating. Thanks for the inspiration! :)

Love,
Stephanie May*

http://www.maydae.com

[ruthie]

So so perfect. You make such a warm, happy-looking home, and the kid's rooms are my favorites in your house tours. Well done!!

[Jennifer DeAngelo]

I read your blog and it inspires me to create new things, especially for kids. My husband keeps reminding me that we don't yet have any children, but your projects and style just make my creative side go on overload. Thank you for all of your posts. Their little bedroom is just so great!

[Faith @ Ordinary Mommy Design]

I love it! You have a gift. Truly.

[sam in china]

outstanding!! I always love your home tour pics. this room is so wonderfully put together. I love the small elements, as well as the larger thrifted finds. and the colors!! looove what you've done!! thanks for sharing!