1.14.2011

Upgrading the Playroom

OK girls, you know I must like you if I am willing to share this photo. It will help you to understand how nervous I was about decorating our new house. Without further ado, I give you the "before" photo of the playroom, taken on the day we toured it:

Fluorescent lights. Dated vertical blinds. White, white walls.

But I shouldn't have worried. This place has been fabulous for us in so many ways, and once I added some things to cozy it up, it felt like a new room. It sits on the far side of the of the house, and is accessible by both the kitchen and the family room...an ideal playroom for the kids!

We painted the walls (Vanilla Brandy by Olympic) and added some curtains to the sliding doors. Just opening the blinds made a huge difference. And of course, adding some family photos made it feel like home!

I know this room will never win any design awards, and that's not the point. But I thought it was a great example of how some cozy furniture, rugs and artwork can distract you from the fact that this could be a rather sterile room.

It's a good fit for our young family. It's practically indestructible, and we need that these days. And it reminds me never to judge a room based on first impressions!


26 comments:

sara@augustfields said...

carrie....i love it. i'm liking the mixture of leather, upholstered...the rug. you really did pull it together. and your accessories look great! i like the picture wall and dresser in the corner...fun! :)

The Hooper Family said...

Looks great! This is a great series - it s been hard for me in the past to see past first scary impressions when looking at rental places - thanks!

Jboo said...

Oh my -- it turned out beautiful! Carrie -- you never cease to amaze me! Wish you lived a lot closer so you could help me with my house!

Hope you have a fun weekend!

Janet

Tricia said...

You did such a great job with this room! I'll bet that your family will enjoy wonderful times there. Thank you for sharing the transformation! Tricia

Jacquelyn said...

You have talent! I love how you are able to make a room look great and still make it look like it belongs in a family home!

Anonymous said...

I sooooo appreciate your posts on your new home. It is amazing what you have done. You really do make a house a "home". Keep it up! Make do with what you have is my motto but you seem to make "beautiful" with what you have.

Dawn

amanda said...

Carrie - It is the perfect room! I love how just adding your own furniture, photos and even toys can make it feel like home. You have such a talent and I have enjoyed walking this journey with your family.

Angie said...

Carrie this is amazing! It looks so warm and cozy!! What a great transformation!
Angie

Andrea said...

These are amazing Before and Afters! I just featured your stairway photowall from your last home, and now I see you've done another fabulous one again. You have a real talent-love it all!!!

Jessica @ This Blessed Life said...

Can I just say that I LOVE that I can zoom in on all your pictures? I feel a little stalkerish ;) but there's just too many details that I miss in the small version. I think your playroom looks lovely - seriously wouldn't believe it was the same before and after!

City Lover-Country Dreamer said...

Hey Slacker! We spent all day at the beach and you NEVER told me about your blog. Very nice!

Let's get together soon!

Christi @ Writing the Waves said...

Love seeing the great improvements that you are making! You have a great eye for making things look their very best, without having to spend an arm and a leg on lots of new stuff! I loved your kitchen! I used your idea of pulling the table over against the wall in my dining room/homeschool room, and like it sooo much better! Thanks for the inspiration! :)

Amber said...

Wow. You work decorating magic. The after is so cozy and cute. I would never realize it is the same room!

Sandy A said...

I just have to tell you--you are amazing! You have made magic with this house. It is turning into a lovely family home.Keep showing us more! Can't wait to see everything you do with the outdoors--it must be heaven in California for winter. Wisconsin--not so much....

Sharon said...

You do amazing things with a room! looks wonderful!

Terri said...

I have been following your blog for the last 2 months. I love to see the rooms you redo and the your abundant creativity. Your rooms are filled with love and comfort and it keeps me coming back for inspiration time and time again. Thanks Carrie.

Lindsey@ Harpersville Home said...

This little series has been great! This room redo looks wonderful! Never would have thought it was the same room after actually...! Keep up the good work!

Robin said...

I love it and so wish we had a room that could be used for a playroom. Instead they have just taken over the whole house!!!!


Blessings,
Robin

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

I LOVE it! So cozy and feels like a place I'd love to just curl up. :)

CosmoGirl Carla said...

Very nice! What warm, cozy space you've created. It definitely looks like a space where your family relax. Thanks for sharing!

Jodee said...

Holy cow! You are AMAZING! Your playroom turned out fabulous! I love the blinds open too!

Lisa & Gerald said...

beautiful.....Well done...love the space...and sun light....

Valerie Cottage Making Mommy said...

I think it's great! Very liveable. So glad to see you back. We've missed you. My mom and I love your bedroom.

Thanks,

Valerie
www.lovingmyheartandhome.blogspot.com

Valerie Cottage Making Mommy said...

Love the new house. It all looks great!

valerie
www.thecutecouponer.blogspot.com

The O's said...

I just came across your blog! Great job updating your space! I love what you're doing, great taste! We are getting ready to purchase a major fixer-upper type home so I'm always parusing for blog inspiration! Can I ask, where did you get those striped curatins in this playroom? Love them!

Kristen@hillcountrycolonial said...

Carrie, It is such a cozy feeling room! I just zoomed in on your picture wall and noticed the bee and bike. I love them and hope you do a tutorial on them soon. Thanks so much for the inspiration! My mom is coming in a few days to help me do some sprucing up and I keep coming back to your blog for ideas.
I hope you are adjusting well with the moves.
Kristen