Children’s Rooms & Decorating:
It’s Only Paint
When I found out I was pregnant I set out to design the perfect nursery for my unborn child. Since we opted not to find out the sex of the baby, I chose a pale green for the walls and a soft blue for the ceiling. I found a dragonfly silhouette that I loved, created my own stencil, traced it onto the wall creating a pattern as I went, and hand painted each dragonfly in an array of pastel colors. I chose three of my favorite scenes from the book “Guess How Much I Love You”, sketched them onto canvases, hand painted each scene, and hung them on the wall where the crib was to be placed. Then we added natural wood furniture, a comfy rocking chair, soft billowy curtains and all the little trimmings to create a peaceful little sanctuary.
Fast-forward three years and my now very opinionated daughter no longer likes the green walls and wants a pink room instead. Not a shabby chic soft pink, but a crayola 64 crayon box pink. We finally decided upon a mid-range pink that is bright enough for her yet calm enough for sleeping, and I get a lump in my throat as I paint over the dragonflies, realizing that the baby I once rocked to sleep is now a little person with a style of her own - and it doesn’t stop with the paint.
On a trip to a local craft store, she discovers peel-and-stick princess wall decals and must have them for her room. We buy a sheet of each, and silly me is thinking, “I’ll place them around the room strategically and make them work somehow”. As soon as we get home, up the stairs she goes with the stickers and insists on putting them up herself. I try to talk her into letting me help, but then back down when I realize this is her space. I’ve decorated all of the other rooms in the house with great care, making sure everything coordinates, all the frames line up properly, etc, but in this room, at this moment, I choose to let her be. I realize that if I have the need to create comfortable spaces for myself, she must have that need as well. So, a few stickers make it across the wall above her headboard creating somewhat of a pattern, and the rest are clustered on one wall in the corner of the room at her eye level. That first week, it did take a bit of restraint not to go in and rearrange things while she was busy playing elsewhere, but I have since learned to respect her space and her choices. I’m sure it is only a matter of time before pink and princesses are out and something new will replace them, but for now, she is both happy with and proud of her newly decorated room, and that is what matters the most.
Now I am not suggesting that children should have carte blanc and be left to make all of the decisions themselves, but I think when decorating the house, it is very easy to look at children’s rooms as just another space as opposed to their space. With a little guidance and encouragement, I’m sure they would be thrilled at the chance to create their dream space (within reason, of course). After all, it is only a coat of paint and can be changed as quickly as they change their minds. Give them the freedom to express themselves, you might be surprised by what they choose, and may even learn something new about them along the way.
- Written by Suhaiba Neill
Update a tired space or Create a fresh new look
with the help of our
color experts.
I have been a John Neill customer
for many years. his work has always been of the highest standards, and dealing with his staff has always been
a delight. His estimates have always been reasonable and accurate,
the work timely and professional and Mr. Neill himself has always been highly accessible and accommodating.
I will never use anyone else.
– Wayne Homeowner
| Contact Us |