Wednesday, November 3, 2010

There is a Reason...

...Why you are mostly only seeing the walls of this Play-Room!
Trust me, I had to step over several train tracks, a Nativity with animals (yes, you read that right!), and any assortment of random artifacts that litter the floor of that room, just to get these few shots.



And, honestly, I'm getting tired of seeing my green carpet pop off the screen in so many of the pictures I post!
But, I did want to share with you some more details of our Play-Room. It is an absolutely wonderful space and I'm sure it will take on several different incarnations as the kids get older but for right now, there is a train table, a play-house, a kitchen, a Chalkboard, and a Dress Up station dominating what is a fairly narrow and awkwardly shaped space.
It has posed a few challenges in terms of decorating but I CANNOT complain because it is truly a blessing to have this room!
On Monday, I showed you my new way of displaying my kid's Art and School Work using Clipboards...


These plaques hang on the adjoining wall and I'm hoping that this message will maybe just sink in with my kids through Osmosis!


On the wall above the train table, I did a grouping of some of my most favorite snapshots of my rascals. Sorry about the glare!


On another little wall, I hung this collection of photos above a wonderful book rack from Land of Nod.


These are pictures of my husband and me and our parents. We are in the middle with our Mothers above and our Fathers below. If you have been to my blog before, you know how much I love to incorporate little bits of history into my decorating. That cutie pie on the bottom right is my Daddy!


This is Little Miss' Dress Up station. All set to go with boxes full of everything a Princess needs to get ready for the ball!


I found the fabric for the window treatment in a Remnant pile and it only cost around $10. This is one of the easiest treatments you can make and it gives the effect of a Soft Roman Shade.

I love the color and texture in the fabric and it adds some fun to the window. The alphabet letters were added as a border around the room. They are so sweet and classic and it really helped to warm up the space.

The floating shelves were another great TJ Maxx find and help add some dimension to the walls. They also serve as display space for these great "vintage-y" looking canvas prints.


The wooden airplane was built and painted by my son, and Sherriff Woody presides over play-time making sure no one gets out of line!

There is so much more I want to do with this space. But, for now, I just feel so grateful to have this room for playing, wrestling, reading and just generally having fun. And the best part is, I can just close the door and the mess magically goes away!

Thanks for letting me share it with you!
From this Southern Girl at Heart,
Vanessa



















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38 comments:

DIYbyDesign said...

Love your playroom. It's just perfect.

Tire Swing Mom said...

What a nice space!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Love the playroom Vanessa~ it is so charming! The space for your daughter to play dress up is adorable! :)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

It looks fabulous and I am sure the children really enjoy it and have so much fun in there. A blessing of room for all of you. It is decorated so beautifully. Hugs, Marty

High Street Cottage said...

What a great room Vanessa. I love the "little miss dress up station". The colors are wonderful. Kids just need a "friendly" room and this one is welcoming and warm, and says fun.

All That Glitters said...

Super cute room!!! I really love the kitchen and the shelves with the decor on them with the airplane and woody!!! So nice to have all of the baby pics of your family too!

Happy Wednesday!
Jennifer

Kristen White said...

Your playroom is so cute.......and really adorable! Who cares if you can't walk thru the room or see the floor...isn't that what playrooms are for?
Kristen

jana said...

I love, love, love the pictures of you, Rob and your parents as children. I would love to do that, except that JJ's mom gave him his baby book about ten years ago and THE MAN LOST IT! I don't think the wall would look the same with an awkward picture from middle school in place of a baby one :)

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

I love having photos of family around, too. I hope it gives our children a sense of their belonging.

I LOVE the dressding up station. Ours is just a box that always looks messy, no matter how I tidy it. Put it this way, I won't be featuring it on my blog any time soon!!

Yours has a definite touch of glamour.

michelle said...

What a great little space! I love all the black and white pictures. Those are my favorite and I have a few in my home! ;) You really made a great play room for the kids!

Love you new banner too! You are just so creative girl!

Debbie said...

Ah, the playroom step over days. I remember them well...

You don't want to hear that "best days of your life" thing right now, though, so I'll say what I came to say.

I love your playroom. I love the words on the wall and the way you have little play stations and the dress up station (GOT to have that!)

I love the alphabet around the border and all of those wonderful photographs of both the kids and you and your parents. I just LOVE that part...

It's a wonderful room. Great job!

And I see that the clip boards are already holding masterpieces, too.

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

Very cute playroom - love the details! I have the same alphabet flash cards - just love them!

I don't have a playroom for my son, but my husband did build him a playhouse, if you'd like to check it out:

http://cutest-little-things.blogspot.com/2009/09/little-boys-playhouse-revealed.html

Judy@cutest-little-things

Lori said...

Wow, great room and love all the decorations. Just perfect.

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Nice job Vanessa. I had a bonus room in our old house when the kids were small and loved it. It is such a blessing to have this space while they are younger. I did not have your incredible style back then though, our room was a hodge podge mess. Your childrens room looks so well put together and organized. I really would enjoy spending time in that room too. I love the clip board idea and all the family photos! Very cute to have the alaphabet around the ceiling as well! It's really such a wonderful space!

Becca Bertotti said...

What an awesome, awesome playroom! I love it. Your kiddos are so lucky to have such a great space to create and play in! The dress up station is adorable ... love the wall words, the clipboard art, the family photos and the shelves with cute accessories. Your window treatments are fab,too! Jax would be jealous, for sure! Way to go, Mom! *Becca*

Michelle said...

You have created a wonderful space for your family to make fun memories!!!! Love it!

Anonymous said...

This is a fabulous room Vanessa!!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Vanessa, what a cute room! THank you for stopping by & for the very kind comments.

NanaDiana said...

Vanessa...That is just an awesome playroom for your kids...bright and happy looking. And..it looks like kids can actually live in and use it. Sometimes you see such beautiful places and you realize that NO child will ever be allowed to just be a kid in that room. Kudos to you for making that room family friendly. Love the artwork on the clipboard idea. Hugs- Diana

Jemsmom said...

Cute, cute, cute!!! I love it! You have done a great job! I am too embarrassed to even show my playroom. It is on my list to be done and soon! Thanks for sharing!

Ashley said...

What a sweet space! I love the personal touches. And I am off to look for a bookshelf like that now. Did you make the vintage signs? I love those.

Thanks for your ideas on the armoire. I had not thought of black! I'll be putting it on the list of optional colors now!

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

What a great space to inspire creativity! For ten years my dining room was the playroom! We needed a playroom WAY more than a dining room. Enjoy that space and those rascals!

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Cute play room. Makes me kind of miss those days; but, then not so much. I really enjoy your blog.
Carol

Maria@BubblegumandDuctTape said...

That looks awesome, love the clip boards with the art and the words above the entry way to the play room. I love coming to your blog, I always find so many great ideas and inspiration.

Pamela said...

Super cute Vanessa!! Love it!

Treat and Trick said...

Very interesting and lively decor especially those clipboards, thanks for sharing this great idea dear...

Christa @ Stories of a House said...

Vanessa, your playroom is perfection! From the new and old photos to the wall color to the window treatment and accessories, I am in love with it! I love the Corinthians verse. I, too try to sprinkle verses around the house for the osmosis effect :) And the dress-up station is so darling. I laughed at the Woody comment, keeping things in line. I could just hear his little string being pulled and saying "howdy partner, there's a snake in my boot!" I'm really glad you linked this at Project Diaries.

Turquoise and Trine said...

Hi Vanessa,
I love your playroom! The clipboards are a great idea and I love the alphabet cards around the room. Very cute!

Lori : )
Thrifty Decor Mom

Kierston Anderson said...

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment! It made my evening =) I absolutely love what you've done with the playroom. Seriously, I love all of it. Those clipboards are such a good idea and the "love never fails" art is so cute! and yes, I'm sure that room will change a lot over the years but I think its perfect for now =) you've got a new follower in me! i cant wait to keep reading! god bless!

Kierston
beautifulmisadventure.blogspot.com

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

This is just so cute! I love the vintage prints!!!

Susan deGeneres said...

Hi Vanessa,

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a sweet comment about Brenna's pie crust recipe. It gave me great joy to be able to do it for her.

Sorry it has taken me so long to reach out to you; I hope you'll forgive my delay. I've been strugling with some health issues and my sweet husband suffered a mild stroke last week so I haven't been able to keep up properly.

I've become a follower and when I have a little more time, I'll be back to peruse your blog and get to know you better.

Hugs,
Susan

Unknown said...

Vanessa,
I love the playroom. I would play in there ANY time!!
Thanks for the heads up about sharing Susan and Brenna's story. I can't wait to share it with Susan. How exciting!!!
I am gone this weekend, so I don't know that I'll get anything to either friday or saturday's party, but I appreciate your sharing the story.
xo
lynn
p.s. I didn't even think about the pumpkins and sea shells being together were original!!!! Thatj's how much I always have my shells out! love it!

KimMalk said...

I'm so glad you linked this up, Vanessa. This looks like such a fun play area. I love all of the touches you put in here (the faux Roman shade is darling). I like so many pieces of your wall decor and, of course, your personalized things. :)

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Vanessa~ back again to say thank you for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday and I am loving this playroom all over again! Those family pictures are so sweet- great idea- and of course the clip boards are perfect! Great that you can close the door when company comes too!! :)

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Double post- sorry- so I deleted!! :)

Melanie said...

What a great room! I love the prints by the Woody doll! Cute!

Terry @ La Bella Vie said...

Hi Vanessa,
So glad you took the time to pop over and say hi from Always Nesting, I thrilled to meet another Pacific Northwest girl!
I love what you've done with your play room and I especially love the 1st Corinthians verse on the plaques. My husband and I had that in our wedding 20 years ago and I still just love it.
Also lvoe that valance what a great way to get the look of a Roman shade without the expense of all the extra fabric.
Thanks again for coming by and becoming a follower too, I'm now doing the same:)
Terry