(Here is a third post from Julia, one of the finalists vying for a blogging position at the upcoming AT:The Nursery. Comment away.)
Name: Kayla Marie
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Size: 180 square feet
Favorite: Covered Wagon Bed
The last time I saw my friend Julie she had just given birth to her first child Kayla. Her and her husband Jeff left the northeast and moved to Ohio where they now reside in an old farmhouse with two daughters, Kayla, 4, and Rachel, 2-1/2. On a pastor's salary, Jeff and Julie have done an amazing job with both girls' rooms.
The room I'm showcasing here, Kayla's, has a cowgirl western theme. I know, sometimes theme rooms can be dangerous (just look at some of the things they've done on Extreme Home Makeover), but this room is classic, simple, and unique without being too over the top. I love that hardly anything in this room was purchased and how many creative projects they did. Julie told me decorating is one hobby she really enjoys sharing with her husband.
Tell me if you've ever seen anything quite like this covered wagon bed? Jeff made it himself with a bunch of 2x4's from Home Depot. Not only does it look amazing, but it also helped Kayla transition from crib to bed at 18 months so her new sister could use the crib. The front actually opens up so she can climb in and out.
I love it when furniture is passed down from generation to generation. Kayla's was inherited from Jeff's grandmother who received it when she was just one year old. The rocking chair was Julie's mom's. The horse was Julie's as a toddler.
The wall hangings are made from western-themed fabric stretched over a board covered with batting. The wooden horse is painted with colors that match the fabric. Extras like the cactus lamp and the miniature wagon lamp were also given to them.
Two horseshoes also hang on the wall, one of them found in their own back yard!
The curtains are fine-wale corduroy material sewn by Jeff's mom.
Julie says they really darken the room nicely for naptimes and keep out winter drafts. The rug is Ralph Lauren, also a gift from a friend.
Finally, they created a "reading nook" in the closet with a sheet covering a large piece of foam and pillows sewn out of the same fabric from the wall hangings. When I was a kid, I loved using my closet as a tiny room, and as simple as this project is, I can imagine it bringing hours of joy to both girls.
This room is inspiring and reminds me that less is more, and a room infused with meaning isn't necessarily about new things or furniture.
It's about creativity and making the most of what you already have.
Thanks Julie!
-Julia
How does anyone have time to be leaving a comment about a comment about a comment? What kind of job do you have?
I think the room is adorable. The writing only made me like the room more as I learned about the family. Who cares about a few grammar mistakes when the writing style is purposely conversational? It's not supposed to be a term paper.
Hey! Kayla Marie is my best friend's daughter's name too! I wanted them to name her Marie, after me of course, but they said it made a much better middle name.
Which it does. Marie is like the ultimate girl's middle name.
But anyway, cute room. Seems kind of empty for a kid's room, but I'm glad they gave a girl the western theme!
It should be "She" and her husband, not "her and . . ." The sentence that starts out "I love that hardly . . ." lacks parallel construction. Basic grammar is important! The mistakes in the writing made me not want to read the rest of the piece.
Very cute and unique! I can't stand to see the two horseshoes on the wall "upside down" though! They say that you should always hang a horseshoe facing up to hold in the luck it brings. If you tip it upsidedown, all your luck will pour out.
It's very cute and unique, aside from the fact that doll kind of creeps me out. I wish there was more red, like in the reading nook!
I am very impressed with this. While it is a bit empty for a child's room, wouldn't you "spiff" it up for photographs? I think it is very impressive that it was done without the usual $1500 modern crib and ubiquitous wood car and trailer. Kudos.
Just say no.
Her and her husband Jeff? Methinks someone should, like, head back to 5th grade English class.
A scheme like this imposes too much of the parents' personality onto the child. What if the kid doesn't find the old West fascinating? Just as I like toys that encourage a kid use her imagination, I like rooms that lend themselves to many mindscapes.
i dig the cowgirl motif and the family furniture. We still have the Roy Rogers bunk beds and spreads my brothers used back in the 60s. and props to any girl's bedroom that isn't plastered with the Disney princesses.
Viola - Why don't you try constructive feedback next time instead of, like oh my god, trying to be the smart girl, hmm?
Cincinnati is my hometown so I may just be happy to see representation, but I think this is pretty cute.
yes... viola, sarah already wrote that comment before. come up w/ your own critique. and why the name viola? weren't good enough to play the violin?
and weren't you the one who said lego is an american company? it's kinda funny you keep picking on these finalists.
great room, by the way! the wagon rocks!!!
It's refreshing to see a room for a child without the usual expensive trappings. I think the subject-matter for this entry was a good choice. However, the writing style doesn't seem to jive with the rest of AT; there's also a certain carelessness demonstrated by the grammatical errors and at least one missing word. Good luck to all contenders!
Sarah...so which one of the other finalists are you friends with? Give me a friggin break.
And Viola, how do you get through each day? It's one thing to be cleverly mean. But you're just mean.
Mary,
Is your real name Julia? Why are you taking constructive criticism so personally? As readers we are supposed to provide input on these potential contributors. I gave my honest opinion - I was turned off by the writing style. Good for you if you weren't - you too are allowed to have an opinion. What was the point of your post to me & Viola?
No Sarah, Mary's name is Mary. I didn't respond to any of your comments. Thanks for checking out my friend's room! Hope everyone has a great holiday.
wow, i wish i had a wagon bed like that in my room. i like the fact that dad actually made it (not to mention - very well), unlike most parents who simply buy buy buy.
by the way, i agree w/ mercy and jenny. you have to question the motive of folks (sarah & mary) leaving negative comments for no good reason.
The nursery is incredibly sweet even if not to my taste. Just a comment on the horseshoes- traditionally speaking, they should be hung with the open side up - "so the luck doesn't fall out"
good luck with the baby!
sorry, her and her husband is wrong.
this room is quite drab for a young child, the boldest statement is the bed and everything else is a weak complement to the western theme.
does the child crawl in and out of that wagon bed?
For fabulous childrens bedrooms see the MArk Wilkinson childrens furniture line:
http://www.mwf.com/childrens/cinderella1.html
http://www.mwf.com/childrens/galahad1.html
In the room posted above they've put the horse shoes on the wall upside down - all the good luck will run out of them!!!