Show House FAIL

Well, the word came in over the weekend that Sandra and I did not get a room in the show house. So my little girl’s room will have to wait for another day.Sigh.

I’ll be interested to see what the committee decided to go for. More traditional looks? We’ll all find out in May. Stay tuned.

Jr League of Detroit Show House Presentation

In between bouts of coughing attacks last week, I spend my time feverishly (pun!) putting together my presentations for this year’s Jr. League of Detroit Show House. The house is a beautiful, French provincial stone home set right on Lake St Clair. That’s the large lake seen at the end of Grosse Pointe Blank and Gran Torino.

I put together two proposals. My partner in this venture, Sandra Olave, did another. We needed at least three. I thought I’d share my presentations with you.

I’ve been sitting on this idea for a while, hoping to work on a little girl’s room one day. My favorite feature of this garden wonderland are the painted screen doors at the entrance to the room and the bath. Painted screen doors is an urban art form from my hometown of Baltimore. My screens depict trees. The doors feature window boxes (filled with handmade felt flowers and critters) along with a birdhouse.

The rest of the room continues that floral theme. The window boxes sit atop radiators. Caf?© curtains and a canopy on the antique spindle bed are dressed with flowers and floral fabrics. A floral wallpaper continues the flowery fun. I’m painting the ceiling, trim and fireplace in a coordinating color. A desk, similar to the one in the picture will be painted one color on the outside – another on the inside.

I find that this type of presentation is well received. I put it together on Photoshop and have it printed in tabloid size on good paper. It’s visually appealing, neat and clean. I don’t have to have actual fabric samples if I can find what I’ll use on a website. I scan things as well.

I’ll share my Bohemian Teen room tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’d love to know what you think of this room. Would your little girl like a room like this? Can I make a million felt flowers by May 1st, and how much should I sell them for? I’ve got to pay for this room somehow! :-) I can take the criticism. I don’t even know if I’m getting a room. I find out Friday.

Inspiring “No-Theme” Children’s Rooms

My favorite rooms for children are unique – created to match the personality of, for example, a four-year-old who’s a girly type of girl. I don’t like anything with a trademark on it. Why? Because Barney (gag me) is “in” today and “out” tomorrow. And the poor kid has to live with Barney smiling that strangely evil smile for several years!

Here are some ideas I came across that I like. Some of them solve particular design problems, too.

I think this is a good solution if you’ve got a lot of children. Or, if you own a vacation home with lots of family and friends visiting. Turn the attic into a bedroom. Each child has a space that’s their own. This image is a bit adult. I’d lively it up with more colors, like this next one…

No need to draw a line down the middle of the room when it’s tricked out like this. Each child has their own defined sleeping area. By the time they really need to express their individuality, it will be time for a change anyway. This look was created with inexpensive fabrics and sheeting.

This is my favorite. It’s simply beautiful and doesn’t go overboard with decoration that says, “this is a girl’s room.” It’s just pretty.

A room for a tween? I think not. I don’t know any 11-year-old wearing those sized shoes who would still be into pink. Age it down for a younger child and it works really well. I like the $40 chandelier.

Here’s another attic solution for a child’s room. Too froo froo? Just change the fabrics and it’s solution for any child. Children like cozy nooks. I think it makes them feel protected. This could be repeated on the other side of the room to fit two children in one room.

This look could easily be switched out to an older look when your little boy gets a bit older. Or, it could become a guest room when your teen grows and prefers a queen-sized bed.

Last, I couldn’t resist this. Having just come from North Carolina, where it’s really hot, I though it would be really fun for the kids to sleep outside. With a tent this cool, I’m afraid the kids would have to fight the adults for a bed! You could easily recreate this look indoors. It just takes time and lots of fabric. You can find bolts of discontinued fabrics at local fabric shops. Don’t forget to bargain.

Jennifer’s Tips

• Need lots of fabric for a dime to create a tent or canopy? Check out theatrical supply shops. It’s not high quality, but it¬† sure is cheap.
• Children like nooks. It makes them feel safe and protected in a larger room. Create one with sheets, a canopy, a tent.
• Stay away from licensed themes. Your child is unique! Her room should be, too.