The playroom was not originally finished when we built our house three years ago. It was left unfinished and stuffed to the brim with boxes that we didn’t want to unpack and furniture [that I very much intend to refinish someday] for which we have no place in our house. I can still picture myself flipping through Pottery Barn Kids catalogs and commenting that it was a REALLY good thing that I didn’t have a playroom to decorate because I wanted everything.
When I returned to work full-time after my second daughter was born, the commutes, the emotional adjustment, the exhaustion, led us into a frenzy of readying the house so that we could sell it and move to a home that would allow me to stop working. We called our contractor to finish that unfinished space – we needed the square footage to sell.
Then God intervened. Out of the blue, my husband was offered a local job, and I was able to drop to part-time work, from home. We didn’t sell the house, but we did have a big, empty, undecorated playroom. Oh, and no money to buy one of everything from Pottery Barn (or even one of anything, for that matter). I was lacking inspiration until Lizzy posted pictures of her CHA booth for the debut of her new craft line, dear Lizzy. I started gathering picture frames and shadow boxes from around the house that weren’t in use. I picked up a few more at thrift stores. I painted them a uniform white and filled them with various collages using the dear Lizzy spring line of paper, fabric paper, and embellishments.
I finally got to put together one of those fab butterfly collages seen around the web.
The collage is centered above the kids’ art table in the playroom. I included a 12×12 piece of thick corkboard, covered with a sheet of the adhesive-backed fabric where the girls can pin up their artwork.
The wall is not done, of course. I will be adding a chalkboard, maybe a whiteboard, a couple more corkboards. Who knows – I have a good stash of supplies leftover. I think it will be cheaper fun to add to the wall when I am coveting something in the latest PBK catalog an idea catches my fancy.
How are you covering your walls?
Amy @ Positively Splendid says
You, my dear, are absolutely amazing. Everything you share is elegant and timeless and impeccably executed! Can I be you when I grow up? 🙂
Londen @ Sixty-Fifth Avenue says
Beautiful little pieces of art for the girls! I love the way your butterfly art turned out, glad you got one made! I don’t think I can pick a favorite, they are all so cute!! You are good Stef! I think your gonna win this one!
Londen
xo
Stephanie@cre8tive says
Wow, you did such an awesome job! They look so professional.
Secret Garden Cottage says
Hi Stefanie,
What an adorable playroom!! I LOVE the picture wall…so perfect! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!
I meant to tell you yesterday that I have an award for you over at my blog, but it seems my comment didn’t post. :-O That happens to me sometimes…I forget to type in the squigly word or something (oops!). Anyway, I do have an award for you and would love for you to come by and check it out. 🙂
Have a great day!!
Jo
Ashley Ann says
Love it, Love it!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
Oh my, so girly! I love the decor. It’s fabulous.
You really made me chuckle about piddling in the garage and finding socks! hahahah
thanks for stopping by!
gail
The Autocrat: Haley says
Fabulous! Love the colors!
Ruth H. says
This is darling! My favorite piece is the one with the bicycle and butterflies. What a fun space!
1 Funky Woman says
This is so fantastic! I love how girly and pink it is! I am in love with the butterflies!
Melissa says
I am with Ruth the one with the bicycle and butterflies is fabulous…
Amanda@The Hand Me Down House says
This is the cutest, girliest art, ever! You did such a good job decorating your play room….I think I want to come over and play. 🙂
Krista@thegatheringplacedesign says
So precious! I relocating and redecorating my little girls play room and it has a similar look. Thanks for the inspration…I may have to “borrow” this cute idea. 🙂
Ashlee says
This is adorable! I love this wall! It has such a great feel! Can we see a playroom photo tour!?!? It looks sooo cute!
Crafty Mom says
I love this and I’d love to know the company/source of the paper and chipboard dresses. Love those!
Shaunna says
How sweet is this?? I love it…you did a fabulous job…enough interest without being overdone. BEAUTIFUL! My fav is the bike with butterflies shadowbox…how cute! Great job and so nice to meet you -shaunna 🙂
Casey says
I love everything you did!! so girly and fun
ellie g says
I clicked on this from CSI because I thought it was cute. But WOW! The close-ups are EVEN BETTER! I’m in love. (and I also love your party hats on Sweet Charli today!….oh and the dress….) I love it all. Is there a fan club? I’d like to join.
Jennemma says
I love this! I’m going to copy the one with the bike but with a paris chic theme!
Jill says
Beautiful pictures – and all the more so because you made them yourself! My fav. is the butterfly picture – my friend made a similar one recently – just love them!! – oh and I found you through favourite things Friday!
Have a lovely weekend!
Jessica Hills says
These are SO cute and creative! Thanks for posting on Favorite Things Friday!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
these are soooo cute! i have a boy and girl, so mine wouldn’t look so cute and fun as i love all the girly colors. though my son does like pink….
seriously though, fantastic job- love everything you did here! hopped over from fave things.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
these are soooo cute! i have a boy and girl, so mine wouldn’t look so cute and fun as i love all the girly colors. though my son does like pink….
seriously though, fantastic job- love everything you did here! hopped over from fave things.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
these are soooo cute! i have a boy and girl, so mine wouldn’t look so cute and fun as i love all the girly colors. though my son does like pink….
seriously though, fantastic job- love everything you did here! hopped over from fave things.
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove says
Absolutely adorable!
fickleinpink says
a very pretty playroom!
‘coming to follow this fab blog from New Friend Friday!
(won’t you follow me back? hugs)
fickleinpink
Amy @ Positively Splendid says
Stopping in to let you know I’ve featured you and your amazing blog on mine today! Stop by when you get a chance. 🙂
Ron Cooper says
Hi Stef,
Following you now on NFF, pls. follow back.
Ron
http://inspiredbyron.blogspot.com/
The Cottage Mama says
Hi! Just wanted to stop by and say hi! So happy to find you – I love finding other lovely ladies with a similar style. I have two little girls and am in LOVE with all things girly. LOVE, love, love the birthday dress 🙂
Have a great day,
Lindsay
LuLu says
Cute cute CUTE! My kids are teenagers now, I’ll have to save your ideas for grand kids, haha…please not anytime soon! You have some brilliant ideas and I’m glad I found you at NFF.
~Lauri
http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
Andrea says
this is great!! check out the whiteboard decals at wallcandyart 🙂
From The Heart Crafts says
Very adorable girl inspired wall! I especially love the little hanging dresses and the pretty crocheted flowers…such attention to detail. Very nice!
Secret Garden Cottage says
Hi Stef,
Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet comment about my bathroom redo. I appreciate it!
No, I didn’t get your comment the other day…sorry. You are very welcome. You deserve it. You have so many inspirational ideas!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs ~ Jo 🙂
ellie says
Hello..I found your blog via another one I’m adding blogs to my blog rolls and found yours really beautiful and creative. I wanted to find the apron material you did for your daughter’s birthday and then I wanted to know where you got the oval beaded white frames you have in your playroom..I’m looking for some like that. thanks…I’ll be adding you too!
Queen Bee says
I loooove your playroom decor. So sweet and even more meaningful because they are homemade works of “heart”!! I also would love to know where you got the oval frames I have been looking for them as well! Thanks!
Jamie says
Wow! those are amazing pieces! they came together so awesomely! I know that’s not a word but I don’t care!!
mother★lode says
i happened across your blog via New Friend Friday… and cruising around, spotted this post! I especially adore the shadow box cruiser bike shadowbox so much… it’s sweet perfection!
Stef says
Thank you so much for each of your comments! The oval frame was a gift from a friend a couple years ago. I’ll see if I can find out where it came from. Sorry!! (And it was cream to begin with, but I spray painted it).
All of the paper and chipboard pieces came from the dear Lizzy line made by American crafts – you can click on the link in the post or do an online search.
Thanks again!!
Jamie says
Looooove this!!! So much inspiration here!!!!