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Input Needed on DD's Bedroom Makeover

16 years ago

I'd like some feedback on plans for my 8-year-old DD's bedroom makeover. DD and I have a vision in mind and are working out the details. Color scheme will be aqua walls, white trim, some type of low pile carpet, a white iron daybed w/ popup trundle and painted white furniture. Her room is tiny so furniture needs to be chosen carefully.

Here is what her room looks like now:

I'm hoping to find all the furniture I need on CL and painting everything white. I already rescued this cute little desk chair from my neighbor's curb.

First off, what is involved with repainting furniture and is there anything in particular I should steer away from? Do I need to strip/sand down everything? I don't want to paint it all only to have it peel/chip in 1-2 years, particularly the desktop.

Here are some of the pieces for sale right now on CL I am considering. Please let me know what you think of them. Other option would be to just paint the current dresser.

nightstand (love this, but there is only one for sale. I was thinking of getting two nightstands for either side of the daybed which I would center under the window).

These next three items are all for sale individually or group. Presently painted sea foam. Not sure if the color would work with DD's color scheme or do mix-match with white furniture. Could be cute, but let's assume now I'd be repainting including the desktop as I don't like the painted/stained combo:

This dresser looks like it would work well with the desk above:

I am going back/forth on whether I should get a desk with a hutch. My older two highschoolers already have computer desks with hutches, but they seem to be mostly used as a dumping ground as they prefer to do their homework lounging on their beds and with laptops they don't need to be tied to a desk. She definitely needs the storage drawers though for all her art/school supplies.

DD and I have already picked out the bedding and WTs which I will show later after I get my rug and paint samples.

Still looking on CL for the ideal iron daybed with trundle. I do have one concern about the daybed and that is whether or not I need to worry about lead based paint.

I was thinking of centering the daybed under the window so that I could put decorative panels (already purchased) to either side instead of doing a valance type WT. Then I'd do either 1-2 nightstands to either side which would fill that wall entirely. If I were to do just one nightstand, not sure what I'd put on the other side.

Comments (16)

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Oh what fun you are going to have. Personally I'd go for the aqua furniture and leave it that color. With aqua walls, a few shades darker than the furniture, the room will at least feel larger. It's darn cute furniture too. Sure would save some time.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    After posting the above reply I remembered a friend of mine had similar furniture that she painted aqua for her daughter's room. I did this up for a blog I was doing at the time.
    {{gwi:1558698}}

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Wow, love the color combo above! Looks like a coral and torquoise. Very pretty and fresh! I have a thread I posted today about my Forever XXI inspired bedroom for my DD. The CL aqua furniture (the first pic) is the exact chest that I am going to paint black along with a full size four poster bed and nightstand. I love, of course the CL aqua, but I would also be inclined to paint what you have. Once it is all painted the same it will work beautifully.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    What a great color combo!

    If the seafoam would work, that sure seems the easiest solution.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    justgottabeme: Thanks for those pics from your blog. It actually would work great for my older DD who loves orange. Her furniture is a natural maple and when I get around to a facelift on her room, I'll keep those pics to show her. As both DD's rooms are directly across from each other having some similar colors who be nice.

    kmcg85: I wish you were here as there are some fab. black french provincial pieces for sale right now on my CL. It's good to hear I am not the only one thinking of painting vintage furniture. Usually I am opposed to this but for a girl's room I think it gives a nice fresh look. So you prefer the sea foam highboy over the white dresser? I am drawn to that as well though the white dresser would be more matchy-matchy and with the pieces so close together I'm in two minds what way to go.

    I sent email to seller of seafoam asking for measurements and am awaiting a reply. Hope they are still there.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I think there could be two approaches to this project. If you have the time and patience I would paint out the bed, desk and hutch cabinet that your daughter currently has in her room. It looks like it is in good condition and you wouldn't need to spend money for things that you already have. The money could be saved for the fun stuff like accessories. When I redid my children's rooms I removed their dressers completely and installed closet organizers with baskets. Is that an option?

    However, if you want it done quick I would buy a few pieces from the CL you posted but not all. The dresser seems rather big for that room (but I would find a spot for it somewhere else in my house ... I LOVE it.) I would use the desk and definetely repaint the current bookcase she has. It looks like it works perfectly in her room.

    As for the choice of bed, I have a daybed we used in our old house and I would never choose it over a bed now. In a small space it seems to take up more space visually because of the ends. I would paint out the bed you have in a lighter color.

    I just helped my 2 nieces 11 & 13 redo their rooms ... they wanted ALL new stuff to see instant results. The budget didn't allow it, nor was it necessary to "ditch" what they had to achieve the look they wanted. I insisted that they repurpose some pieces and shop the used stores for other things. It is taking a little longer, but they are THRILLED with the results so far. The saved money was used for the important things like their bed sets and a few special things. They quickly realized that their makeovers are perfect and the little projects they completed make it that much more special to them.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    pmartin: I do see your point about not going overboard which is why I am shopping for vintage/used pieces which I would repaint. Definitely not instant results! My thoughts are quite similar as I plan to resell whatever I replace and so minimize my investment that way. Basically her room now is just a collection of mismatched hand-me-down furniture whereas with her older siblings we overspent with brand new children's furniture. Existing desk is a laminate and I'm not sure I can paint that, though I've considered it. I do like the hutch/bookcase and it works well and I've thought of painting that, though I don't think my DH would agree as it's solid oak-not in style anymore, but good quality wood in good condition. I've done closet organizers in all my kid's rooms already and in her siblings' rooms I was able to eliminate the dressers. Unfortuntately in her room, I took space from her closet for a larger masterbath so she definitely needs a larger dresser. I'm inclined with her to stick with a smaller desk instead and give her the comfy spot on the daybed to lounge and relax, do homework, hang out with friends, etc.

    I have another option for a daybed which is a wooden one for sale below. I imagine it may feel more comfortable to lean against than an iron daybed, though I just love the look of those and they are cheaper as well.

    Here is a link that might be useful: wooden daybed

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I really like the aqua colored furniture, especially the dresser. I was looking for a dresser just like that recently when I was thinking about how to make more room in my DD's room, and couldn't find one anywhere (at least one that was affordable).

    Can't wait to see the makeover!

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    OOOOHHH, the bed is nice and I would seriously consider it. With that bed and the torquiose dresser, wow! The one I have is a cheapy iron "look" daybed. Ours is being moved to the kids bunkhouse we're building this summer.

    My 6 year old daughter uses her desk everyday and wouldn't be without one. On the other hand my son (3), yes 3 expressed interest for a desk since his big sister got one. So silly mom goes out on the hunt at the thrift stores and finds a little one to fit his room. Guess what? Hasn't used it once, why would he? Silly mom! However, on our daily hunt we found him an old vintage rotary phone and he really likes that sitting on his desk so he can "make calls". Does your daughter want a desk?

    I understand the "oak" thing ... it is very nice just the way it is ... but it would be even nicer and useable in the new room if it were painted. Just check out some of these blogs that redo old brown furniture with light colored paints .... FANTASTIC!

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Just heard back from the seller and set up appt. to see tomorrow. She'd like to sell as a set. She is asking $200 for dresser/bookcase and $70 for the desk. The price seems fair at $270 total, though am tempted to offer $250--depending on condition. Next prob. would be how to put all in my car--a Honda Pilot. It's about a one hour drive and I'd like to stick to one trip.

    I'm keeping a watch on the bed as it's been there awhile. Not sure if it'd be too much in her room so I think I'll get these pieces first.

    pmartin: Kids are sure funny aren't they? DD likes her desk just fine as well and always had one. I actually bought a used children's furniture set when DD was only one year old for my mom who had recently had a stroke and needed to move to assisted living for a time. I gave her all the pieces, but kept the desk for DD who has used it ever since. Most likely I'll see if my mom wants the current desk for her bedroom--she moved back to her house, but recently broke her hip and is less mobile so may like a desk in her room.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Val, I thought you'd like that bedroom. This friend is very talented in doing childrens room. She has a son too. Actually everything I've seen that she's done is magnificent. She really should blog, but she's quite busy redoing an old home they just purchased.

    Now let me tell you first, that I'm pretty much the last person that would normally tell you to do this as I happen to be a wood lover. Love the grain, the varying wood tones and just hate the thought of painting good wood. Deep breath. When looking at the furniture you have for your daughter I would think very hard about painting this before buying something else to paint. The chest of drawers would be so darling painted aqua with glass knobs and pulls to replace the current hardware. All you'd have to do was sand it or use a liquid sander to dull the finish, prime and paint.
    The bed could be painted the same way maybe using glass door knobs as finials on the bed posts. You can find them online if you search discount glass doorknobs for a very reasonable price.
    The desk would be harder to give the look you are going for since it's a bit MCM in styling so I'd replace that, but maybe look for a pretty dressing table like the one my friend used that could serve as a desk with the mirror down and later as a dressing table.
    And again, the bookcase you have now, more likely a combination of cabinet quality oak plywood and solid oak, with a little added crown molding along with a decorative base would look great painted too. Annaglypta wallpaper for the back of the shelves would add a cute touch too.
    Talk to hubby, tell him a wood grain nut that was given the salutation of "ack don't paint that!" by friends who know her well, thinks it's not a bad thing to paint these items. If you were going to keep them for use elsewhere in your home it would be a different story, but since you'll be selling them anyway to someone else that might paint them, why go to the trouble of buying something old from someone else just to paint it and then have to turn around and hopefully make what you spent on the old stuff in selling your stuff.
    I hope that made sense. I should be in bed.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I like the aqua too. I can understand her desire for something different. I am more partial to that wooden daybed, a better match in style to the aqua furniture. How fun for you to team up with your daughter to make the changes, I look forward to seeing them.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    justgotabeme: Love the bedroom and am saving it off to my idea file. Your friend is very talented. You know there is a vanity for sale on my CL right now very similar to hers. I did think about it before you even mentioned it, but it was too long plus DD needs more drawer space for all her art/school supplies. I may go try to track it down again, though. I hear you about the painting and have thought about it--not for the bed, though. Part of the reason we want to switch to a daybed is if you look at the pic above, there is no space for an end table with space for a lamp, glass of water, etc. and DD loves to read. Also when we pull out the existing trundle one end is right next to her mirrored closet doors which I'm not quite comfortable with when she has a friend sleepover--I always make them put the head at the other end which is opposite to DD's end. With a daybed, I can then center the bed under the window and make space for a nightstand. Her room is so small there is really no other spot for the bed--esp. if we want to have access to trundle. Lastly, her bed/trundle is actually part of a set and goes with another bed in my DS's room as they were originally bunk beds. So I will need to think seriously before painting/selling it. That is an interesting idea for the bookcase which I do like.

    Now, the seller wants to sell as a "set" and said if I can't take all don't bother coming--weird when she actually listed them in two separate ads. Still, I've seen similar highboys listed for over $300 on different ads. She also said she painted them herself and has extra paint so I could paint additional furniture. I just need to rethink what to do with the walls.

    I will have to think some more what to do about the bed--iron or wood and comfort vs. the bulk factor.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Oh, I wouldn't paint the bed since it's part of a set. It's a gorgeous bed to. It wasn't easy for me to think about painting it. Our daughter had a metal daybed and I didn't care for it. Just not as sturdy as a wood one would be unless you find a high quality/older one.
    As for the comfort of an iron bed over a wood one if you bought bolsters for it to lean against that would help. Another thing I've thought about doing is using a king size bead and make a day bed out of it like you would a bench from a bed.
    The night stand will be nice for a lamp, but not sure I'd want her drinking even water while on the bed reading. But then I don't like the idea of anyone drinking while on a bed unless it's from a water bottle type cap.
    I saw on the other thread of yours that you bought the furniture. I'm so thrilled. It's just so cute. I commented on that thread too.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Oh forgot to mention about how nice she has extra paint for you.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    justgotabeme: Appreciate your feedback on the daybeds. There seems to be a lot of different qualities of daybeds. Some look really flimsy with wide thin rails and those I've been passing up. I've seen a few sturdier ones, some with brass finials, which look a tad better. There is one I really liked just before Christmas but didn't get a chance to follow up on it. So I will just wait for one to come around since I figure it will take me a month to work out all the other details. The comforter set I bought her comes with a bolster. I'm planning to order another set since I also need another pillow sham plush sheets then was thinking to put a bolster to either side, like armrests. If her room was larger I'd snap up that vintage wooden one in a heartbeat. It's really tempting, but for her room, I just don't think it's work, sigh... I only allow my DD to have water in her room if it's in a sippy cup as I also don't like spills. Unfortunately, she didn't have the extra paint but is checking with her mom on the color which should be good enough.