I know this is a DIY blog. And I will tell you about our daughter’s room DIY plans. But first I need to come clean. You see, I’ve been feeling a twinge of mommy-guilt lately.
Actually, I constantly feel mommy-guilt.
But just to keep this all happy-happy-joy-joy-light-and-fluffy in here, we won’t discuss that I feel like my parenting skills are about a C- average. Or that I need about eighteen times more patience than I currently am able to muster. We definitely won’t talk about how I selfishly avoid any extra-curricular activities that require weekend commitment because that would mean even MORE time spent in my minivan and giving up my “down” time. I know. *This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE*.
Feeling better about yourself, perhaps? Glad I could help. So, the mommy-guilt-du-jour is about my sweet little daughter. She’s our middle child. And being the middle child, she has those fantastic middle child qualities. Laid back, problem-solver, and a peacemaker…each describe her to a T. Beyond that, she is the one who seems to require the least amount of attention. And that’s where I start taking this little angel for granted.
When we moved into this house, I already had lots of DIY decorating ideas for our oldest’s room…
MY OTHER PROJECTS
And the DIY bedroom ideas for my youngest’s room came not too long after…
As parents, we express love for our children in different ways. Sometimes it’s coaching t-ball. For some, it’s doing crafts together. Others become our PTA presidents. Hopefully all children (putting the rose colored glasses on for just a sec) are getting enough cuddles and snuggles and “I love yous”. But the extras? I think we all kind of fall back on our strengths, perhaps.
I do NOT have the organizational skill set to run the PTA. My crafty-mom aptitude is nil because I don’t have the tolerance for excessive glue on the walls and markers on the cabinets. You DEFINITELY don’t want me coaching t-ball unless it’s ok that the sideline praise is something like “nice goal!”
But designing a room? DIY decorating? I can do that. And someday, I hope my kiddos may realize the effort that was put into their little corners of the world was a small way Mommy and Daddy could express their love a bit concretely (or maybe linen-y or wallpaper-y).
So, back to our sweet little daughter. She’s still patiently waiting for this kind of “I love you”.
One of the reasons for my slackness was that her room wasn’t bad when we moved in. It is painted a nice, neutral off-white. (The image below is my youngest son’s room before, but hers looks almost identical). It’s really a very okay room.
And the other delay is that I really want it to be perfect. Perfection takes time (so I’m told). In our old house, her room was my favorite space. I felt like it was a wonderful, comforting oasis for her.
But that was then, and this is now. And I need to get this room DIY done. #NoMoreExcuses. Being the only girl, it’s easy for her to get kind of lost amongst the Star Wars, Legos and the trains and Transformers. She digs that stuff too, but she also likes pastels and pinks and purples and princesses. She loves baby animals and vacations to the beach and cake. So, keeping her big personality in a little, tiny body at the forefront of my mind, I’ve created a bit of a plan. Here it is:
girls room DIY mood board:
source list:
- wallpaper: PIP By Eijffinger Brewster
- white swing arm wall sconce
- (similar) rug – exact one no longer available
- ceiling treatment inspiration- Candice Olson
- ruffle blackout curtains
After I settled on the wallpaper, I went to the fabric store and hoarded a bunch of fabric to make her pillows (seen below). So she’s had those in her room for a while now.
As far as the rest of it goes, we’ve done nothing. But we have a plan. And a plan = progress.
And progress helps just a bit with those mommy-guilt twinges…for the moment.
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Hi Heather,
I've been a Mum now for 34 years, and still have two girls at home. Get used to the guilt, it just never goes away! Thank you so much for expressing yours though! Sometimes it's a lonely place walking on the guilt track! Everyone else seems to do the job so much more enthusiastically! I'm like you regarding the extra-curriculars. At my daughters' theatre company I warned the producer not to ask me to do anything which actually involved interaction with the children. I told her I was reincarnated from a species which eats their own young! I do other stuff for them instead. (Creative, artsy, set making stuff).
I love, love, love your daughter's old room! I'm sure she'll know it's an expression of your love for her. The room is just gorgeous and she's a very lucky girl. I'd love to do my daughters' rooms, but they won't let me. Punishment for being a slack Mum I suppose! Ha ha. Can't wait to see the finished result.
Cheers, Liz (Australia)
Hi Liz, not sure if you’ll ever see this. I feel so badly that I’m only just responding now. I just wanted to let you know that your comment made my heart very happy. I’m afraid you’re right about the guilt. Never does seem to be too far out of reach. I guess we can console ourselves by saying that means we must be trying. Thanks again for taking the time to comment. It meant a lot. Heather
Love the photos with her! And loving the "mood board" idea. How smart – I usually just go buy random things and hope they go together…which typically means subpar results and a lot of trips to the store returning items!
I’m so excited to see you’re doing another challenge, because you rock at redecorating rooms! I love the design for the room and the mix of bright colors! I’m sure she’ll love it and see your love in the design, too. Good luck! I can’t wait to follow along!
Thanks so much Jenny 🙂 I have some serious doubts about this one…just not solidifying in my mind the way it needs to, so we’ll see!!! Hoping that it somehow will come together in time!!
Yay Heather! I can’t wait to see your ORC this time Last time was such a stunner! I am up for the challenge too and am doing our master bathroom. I wish you luck!
I saw your link this morning but haven’t clicked over yet! Can’t wait to see your plan Nancy!!
Ohhhh the Mommy guilt! Its the worst kind of guilt. By the looks of her old room and your other children’s rooms and can not wait to see what you come up with for her new room! I will definetly be following along on this one! My mom guilt has me re doing our playroom so they can color while Mommy “works” or blogs whichever you prefer:)
Val
Ha! Glad I’m not the only one who is fueled to decorate by the Mommy guilt!! Best of luck with your playroom Valerie!!
Oh the mommy guilts…I know them well. And so true what you say about the middle child- mine is exactly the same…requires so little attention in comparison to the other and just totally the peacemaker of the family.
Your old daughter’s room was pure heaven and you’ve done such a cool job on the boys’ rooms. Your sweet girls’ is going to be perfect when you’re done and I’m excited to follow along!
Thanks so much Christine! Isn’t the birth order so interesting? Those middle children…they really have some of the best personality traits. Hope it comes together for her sake (and mine!)
No mom guilt allowed! We do all we can for our kids with whatever skill sets we are blessed with. I too would often much rather do something FOR my girls than WITH them at the end of the week. (i’m home mostly working when I can, if I can). You clearly love your daughter and want to do something special for her. I believe you’re going to create a fabulous space for her/with her.
Thanks Kourtney. I appreciate it 🙂
I like the direction the room is headed in. I’m also participating in this ORC & I’ll be following along. Hollie
Hi, Heather. Your designs are always beautiful and I’m looking forward to seeing how your daughter’s room turns out.
No mommy guilt allowed! You are an amazing mother and your room will be perfect because it will be filled with love! It’s a great design plan. Can’t wait to follow along!
Thanks so very much Brenna!! Hope the room will turn out…sadly, the Mommy guilt will probably survive long after the room is transformed. Nature of the beast, I suppose 😉
I sure hope someday our kids see that their decorated rooms = LOVE! I’m counting on that!! The plans look amazing, no surprise there! I can’t wait to follow along and see the room come together!
Thanks Angela!! Hope all is well out west 🙂
These bedrooms are AMAZING!!! Your daughter’s old room was gorgeous. I would have sat all day on that window seat…I’m really productive like that:) I can’t wait to follow along with your progress!